I was there at the Star on that dreadful day (July 26, 1969) when the Star closed its doors for what we all thought would be the final time.

Then finally after all these years these three visionary men (Paul Lee Archer, Andrew Quaile and Ben Davis), the Star’s new owners, came along and not only purchase and renovate, but will shortly re-open the doors to this classic theatre.

They have all done an amazing job in bringing this theatre back to life. The super comfortable seats from the Princess theatre will be an added bonus, as will the service and care.

These three gentlemen deserve to succeed in their venture, so come on Invermay, Launceston and surrounding areas, show your support for this Star when the doors reopen, as this is a theatre Launceston badly needs.

I believe that mainstream movies will not be screened at the Star, only quality film will grace their screens. See you there early in the New Year.

Peter Reigh Bomford, Invermay.

SO Australian Medical Association Tasmanian president Dr Stuart Day was right when he said there was a report from Deloittes Access Economics, commissioned by the government into the state of the Tasmanian Health Service that identified “serious deficiencies” in the THS executive.

Health minister Michael Ferguson  kept denying the existence of the report. Then he releases the non-existing report late on a Saturday afternoon, is Ferguson really stupid enough to think that no one would notice?

But before that, the minister told the Parliament that the report didn’t exist, how is that not misleading Parliament?

He should be sacked immediately, oh, hang on, who would replace him? Just have a look at the Liberal backbench, although the Premier could probably swap them all around because the ministers aren’t any better than the backbenchers.

C’mon, March 2018.

Mick Leppard, Invermay.

SO IT’S a continuation of the ‘same old, same old’. 

I am not sure what decided Legislative councillors, but would point out that their actions were short-sighted. Maybe with so many of their number former municipal government members, they felt some affinity.

Their actions, unless righted after the next election, have ensured we Tasmanians will be faced with ever-escalating water bills, presently increasing by about double the inflation rate each year. The state government had promised to contain these and undertake faster actions to overcome the present shortfalls in sewerage provision across the state. 

It is ludicrous that councils continue to demand dividends when it is their failings over the years that have given Tasmania this blot of its clean image. And now they fight a rear guard action to thwart quicker rectification.

Dick James, Launceston.

I READ with interest in The Examiner (December 20) City of Launceston council will disband the public forum Strategic Planning and Policy Committee and revert to closed meetings.

This is because they are not happy with we, the people, knowing what is going on within the council and who agrees or doesn’t. Shutting the public out looks like secretive or just plain cover up to me. We the public need to be more involved with council, not less.

Doreen Baker, West Launceston.

IF YOUR New Year’s resolutions include more exercise, more time with family and friends, more outdoor activity, less sitting down, more walking, less burning fossil fuel and more healthy recreation, then join me in encouraging the start of conversion of the North-East Rail Line to a recreation facility for the benefit of all our communities.

Harry Rigney, North Lilydale.

THE City of Launceston council is planning on spending $650,000 on a what will turn the Gorge into a Disney-type area with play features that will only be accidents waiting to happen, and vernalisation on a large scale.

Isn’t the Gorge a world natural wonder that is visited by so many because of its natural beauty and magnificence? 

Let’s keep Disney where it’s supposed to be, and leave our natural wonders alone.

Keep it as it is. Council, this is not the area to glorify into something it should not be.

David Parker, West Launceston.

IAN Macpherson (Letters, The Examiner, December 21) said: “While it’s true that the Christian message is struggling to be heard, I believe Malcolm Scott (Letters, The Examiner, December 12) is being far too negative”.

I’ve read Malcolm Scott’s letter and I believe he was calling “a spade a spade”.

Be it a negative spade or a positive spade, it’s still a spade.

A.R. Trounson, Needles.

I had the pleasure of enjoying fish ‘n’ chips at The Gulch at Bicheno and invite people with a desire to enjoy a local product prepared by happy people who have built a fantastic rustic venue.

There is a DJ with great music, and an outlook over Governor Island, sea-bird covered island, a view to be shared, to come and enjoy fresh fish in which “you can still taste the sea”.

Congratulations to the owners.

Alana Street, Bicheno.