I find it more difficult as a wheelchair user to leave or enter the state.

More frequently I, and others in a similar position, are told to get in the far queue.

When I contact booking agencies they say “far queue”. When I have to get a key to access suitable public toilets, they say, “far queue”.

I drive a hand-controlled car. I cannot rent a car easily so I must travel with my car.

Because of high visitor numbers on the Spirit of Tasmania it is difficult to get a car place. I am told, “far queue”.

When I drive to Launceston for appointments my parking is restricted greatly. The council generously allows me double time when meter parking. 

This is not nearly enough and I invariably get a ticket. When I explain this they say, “far queue”.

People who live with disability face unimaginable challenges daily just to live, physical and emotional. Loneliness, physical stress, hygiene. These are just some.

December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Please give thought to these people on this and other days.

Don’t tell us “far queue” again.

WHAT if motor vehicles were driving five abreast down the West Tamar Highway?

Or they ran red lights and turned the wrong way into one way streets?

What if they pushed their way through lanes putting other road users at risk?

Or they drove around all in black at night with no lights?

Say because of new laws passed down they are unfamiliar with how to behave on the roads or lack the knowledge in the first place?

Or they caused a cyclist to veer into the path of oncoming traffic?

I have just described the habits displayed by cyclists on the road, which some actually brag about, they boast of how they run red lights and ignore the rules.

The pendulum of road safety has swung too far in favour of cyclists, and they certainly have the right to use the road and do so safely, but now all other road users have been put at greater risk.

So, here we are at the "silly season" once more.

In our house it means, in spite of my pleas for a sensible sort of Christmas for our climate, such as a nice prawn salad, the rest of the family will win and we'll go with the tradition of roast turkey, bread sauce, baked spuds and green veggies from the veggie patch, in spite of possible 28 or 30 degree heat.

This will be followed by plum pud plus Queen pudding, or something similar, with brandy sauce, cream, custard in spite of the fact that summer's really here.

This will be followed by a sort of post-prandial semi-conscious torpor on my part and then afternoon tea.

On the same theme of why must we follow the traditions of the other side of the planet (where it's winter and cold), we indulge in an annual pageant called the Christmas Parade, where some perspiring soul, dressed up in a red Eskimo suit, with an imitation sleigh, mounted on a truck (and probably dreaming of sinking a few "coldies") travels around our major centres waving at all and sundry.

In reality the poor suffering devil really ought to be wearing budgie smugglers and riding a kangaroo. A bit bouncy admittedly, but a hell of a lot cooler.

Finally, I wonder how many people will stop and spare a thought as to the real meaning of Christmas?

MARK Bayliss is on the money with this intersection.

Something needs to be done here, the logical resolution would be to remove the turn right option into Lindsay Street for northbound traffic. This would alleviate the daily traffic nightmare at this intersection.

State Growth would save a fortune in traffic light replacement and the dogleg in the southbound lanes could be fixed as well. The right-turn lane at Forster Street could be extended to handle the extra traffic turning right.

YEARS ago the Hydro Electric Company employed groundsmen and the gardens and  surrounding area around power stations were beautifully kept.  Green lawns mowed to perfection, rose gardens a picture.

Obviously groundsmen are no longer employed by the look of the condition of the Trevallyn Power Station and neighbouring block. The gardens, what's left of them, are overgrown and a disgrace and the lawns haven't been mown in months. The block next to the power station is downright dangerous.   

Perhaps the powers to be could attend to this as soon as possible before a disaster occurs.

CALL me cynical but I’m sure the special energy bonus will arrive to most eligible Tasmanians right in the middle of the state election campaign.

I AGREE with Anne Brelsford regarding the refugees on  Manus, it is very unAustralian the way these people have been treated, as an Australian I hold my head in shame (The Examiner, November 24).   

We in Australia have so much; we do not know what real poverty, persecution and suffering is.

Where is our humanity, compassion and love?

They seem sadly lacking here.