Republic and Aboriginal Treaty
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NOW most Premiers have signed up to a republic will they also sign up for a treaty with Aboriginal people.
Oh, to have Peter Fitzsimmons in our corner.
— MICHAEL MANSELL, Launceston.
Tassie
THE Examiner (January 27, page 9) “State in economic lull - Tasmania remains at the bottom of the economic pile . . . “
Then - page 14 “Business Conditions Soar - Tasmania has the best business conditions in the country …”
What a state.
— DAVID DERRICK, Newnham.
Clean Energy
IN RESPONSE to Gordon Thurlow (The Examiner, January 22) all the energy we need is available from solar, wind and tides.
A small country like the Netherland is a leader in these technologies.
I am always stumped when I hear the words “clean energy” in association with nuclear.
It produces the most dangerous, deadly waste imaginable.
— ELSA DE RUYTER, St Helens.
Australia Day
I THINK instead of worrying which date we celebrated Australia Day, we should all be grateful that we live in such a beautiful country.
After a recent trip to Cambodia and watching locals catch cockroaches and spiders to eat with such delight, begging for water, we should be thankful for food, clean water and so many beautiful destinations to enjoy right on our doorstep.
Let’s celebrate how lucky we are.
— KARIN MOIR, Invermay.
Book
LATE last year I sent off a book of congratulations to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of becoming Britain’s longest serving monarch.
Tasmanians from all walks of life penned their best wishes to the Queen and this was compiled into a special commemorative book.
Last week I received a letter back from the Queen’s Private Secretary at Sandringham House which included this special message:
``The Queen was pleased to receive this thoughtful gift and asked me to send her thanks and good wishes to you and to the people of Tasmania.’’
— GUY BARNETT MP, Liberal Member for Lyons.
Bush Fires
HOW many greenies are out actually fighting the bushfires or helping in some way?
If Bob Brown and company want to save the trees, they should be out saving them from the fires instead of wasting police time and money watching them protest in a legitimate designated regeneration forest coupe.
Or is that too hard?
— W.J. CLARKE, Ravenswood.
Republic Issue
TOP marks to 2016 Australia of the Year David Morrison for his “Slapdown” (The Examiner, January 26) of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull re the Republic Issue.
We once had the prominence and sometimes controversial profile of the late Tasmanian ‘Spot’ Turnbull MP in the Federal political arena.
Now we have ‘Splinter’ PM Turnbull regularly sitting on the fence about causes he has previously championed to just keep the Liberal party hounds from snapping at his heels.
— RON MANSON, Old Beach.
True Colours
IT WAS great to see large numbers of people out and about celebrating Australia Day.
So many displaying their patriotism with bold clothing in red, white and blue and also green and gold.
Although most colourful, I am sure any visitor to Australia would be totally confused.
Even though in 1984, our Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen formally proclaimed that our National Colours are green and gold, perhaps we need a new Australian flag to resolve this identity issue.
— STEPHEN WATTS, West Launceston.
Showing his true colours
WELL may David Morrison be Australian of the Year but he does not seem to understand his duties.
His duty would be to bring Australians together, instead, he is causing division with his dictatorial spruiking about an Australian Republic.
He cannot tell me what to think, say or do.
“A mind, changed against its will, is of the same opinion still”.
He is not a sympathetic man.
This must have been a political decision as Michelle Payne would have made a much better Australian of the Year.
— NICOLAS VERHOEFF, Latrobe.
University campus
ON reading my copy of “In the City” provided freely and thank you, I noticed an article penned by our mayor which mentioned the $220 million needed to move our Newnham university campus to Inveresk.
Anyone who keeps up with government spending, be it state or federal, would realise the real cost would be closer to $300 million.
The figure that was of the utmost interest was the “pie in the sky” figure of $290 million allegedly for increased annual activity.
Could we see some genuine numbers that have been thoroughly researched?
Keeping in mind that modelling at its best is just an educated guess.
Our mayor goes on to say, a strong and sustainable UTAS is vital to the economic, social and cultural prosperity of our city and on Newnham’s 50 hectares that could be achieved, naturally some tweaking may be required as associate degrees are only the first step up the ladder before moving to Hobart to obtain a full degree.
— RON BAINES, Kings Meadows.
Fire bombers
AS AUSTRALIA burns we find we do not have enough fire-bombers to help stop fires across Australia, with fires getting bigger by the year.
Even writing about not giving the four surplus C-130H aircraft to Indonesia when Julia Gillard was in government.
How much these fires have cost in destruction is lots of pain suffering and destruction to ourselves, environment, and wildlife.
2000 litres of fire retardant per aircraft, with four or more dumping water would quickly control fires giving fire-fighters the much needed break to help fight fires.
What we have today is not enough and need to have these aircraft under the air-force fire-brigade control to help Australia, as many as 10.
— WALTER CHRISTY, Shearwater.
Smoke Covering Deloraine
THE blanket of smoke covering Deloraine has been particularly bad with fine white ash falling like snow.
At the Deloraine football oval you could hardly see from one end of the ground to the other, but there they were, “the team” with determined looks on their faces ready to defend their community at any cost - “the team”.
No not a team of firefighters or volunteers - a “team of fools” doing a full football training session in the thick choking smoke.
As someone dying of lung disease it was pathetic to watch.
— A.R. TROUNSON, Needles.
President Obama
WHAT hypocrisy, President Obama getting all teary eyed about gun slayings, and so he should.
Meantime his government is busy and happily killing, maiming and torturing thousands of people, children, elders, innocents included throughout the world.
He is carrying on George Bush’s agenda to turn his country and the rest of the world into a controlled, polite military state.
Oh yes we will have a ‘New World Order’ and America once the home of the Brave and Free will become the world's policeman-henchmen.
George Orwells 1984 prediction is certainly still on track.
In God they once did trust.
— STEVE NIELSEN, Prospect.
School Butterflies
I STILL get butterflies in my stomach when I think of my first day at school.
The anticipation of seeing friends, and a few people I’d rather not face, finding out who my teachers would be, all that homework, study and exams.
Ok, perhaps they were knots in my stomach.
But those nerves weren’t all bad, they were also about excitement and anticipation for the year ahead.
For over 3.6 million students across Australia headed to primary and secondary school this year there will no doubt be plenty of butterflies.
While some students seemingly cruise through the whole thing, whether they’re starting school for the first time, moving to a new school, starting high school or heading back for a new class, some young people find it a very challenging time.
And let’s face it, it can be tough for us as parents too.
For some children it’s particularly difficult as they face extra pressures like getting the best grades, or dealing with bullying, and others may be dealing with mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
If you are a young person with something going on, or a parent with concerns about your child, you don’t have to handle things alone.
headspace the national youth mental health foundation provides support for young people aged 12 to 25 who are struggling with their mental wellbeing.
General mental health and wellbeing resources can be found at headspace.org.au. For online and telephone support please visit eheadspace.org.au or call 1800 650 890, which is staffed by qualified youth mental health professionals, and available between 9am-1am EST.
— CHRIS TANTI, CEO headspace.