I don't understand the necessity for all the roadwork at Breadalbane roundabout. I mean, its really pretty and very impressive but are we expecting an enormous increase in traffic over the next few years?  

Or will I always wonder why, in the same way I wonder (without hope of an answer) if lifejackets on planes are regularly checked for holes.

IT’S BEEN more than 25 years since I was a regular visitor to the Riverside Pool, which recently celebrated its 50th birthday (The Examiner, December 29).

While back in Launceston for Christmas, I was delighted to find the pool was just as much fun for my two young daughters as it was for me as a child.

The excitement of the waterslide, the thrill of jumping off the deep end, the simple pleasure of lollies from the shop - they loved it all. But it was the friendly, welcoming attitude of manager Trent and his staff that really made our visit special.

Trent went out of his way to comfort crying children. He cheered on the teenage boys antics with a careful, watching eye. And when we turned up the next morning, searching for the lone red sandal that my three-year-old daughter had left behind, he produced it with a flourish, declaring “we’ve been looking for the princess that lost this”.

What a great example of the hospitality and friendliness that Tasmania has to offer. I hope the proposed upgrade of the Riverside Pool goes ahead, but more importantly, I hope Trent and his staff are there to look after the next generation of pool visitors.

We returned home in December after a 31 day overseas cruise (having previously advising Centrelink we would be out of the country). We presented my husband’s medical prescriptions at our local pharmacy, only to be told his access number did not exist.   

The pharmacist kindly made some phone calls, but confirmed this was the case, and we would have to pay full price for his medications. If we made a doctor’s visit, the same block would apply.

A phone call to Centrelink (usual half hour wait), confirmed that immigration had not registered us as returning to the country and Centrelink would rectify the problem via Medicare. Perhaps other travelling pensioners need to be aware of  these ‘glitches’ in the system.

IN RESPONSE to Stephen Rainsford (Sunday Examiner, January 7) I can only say thank you for highlighting the need for respect toward our nurses at the Launceston General Hospital.

My husband and I have needed to be in hospital for surgery or treatment several times in the past few years and the treatment from nurses (and the medical staff) has been nothing short of amazing.

I cannot even think of one instance that we were not treated with the best of care, often under very difficult circumstances. If only we took a moment to stop and consider the sacrifices they make; because it is not an easy job.

If you do have an unpleasant experience pass that information on privately with the feedback form that is available at the hospital - it is not the nurses job to process our complaints. Unfortunately the kind of people that do complain about insignificant issues or are difficult will quite possibly not change so if more of us encourage hospital staff, we can enable them to feel validated and keep helping all of us.

I DON’T think negative campaigning works, it only gets our backs up.

It certainly didn’t in the Pembroke by-election, which was sort of like John Hewson losing the unloseable election in 1993.

What Tasmanians want is positive policies for the future, the past is past.

No political affiliation.

Malcolm Scott, Newstead.

Tasmanian Windmill Farms

JACK Sonnemann’s letter (The Examiner, January  2), kind of makes me wonder why private enterprise would invest in such numbers to wind farms if they are such a money loser.

I have two questions regarding the demise of the Launceston Show, which if answered, will allow the general public to make up thier own minds about the governance of the Royal National Agricultural and Pastoral Society of Tasmania.

For what price did the RNAPS sell the Elphin Showgrounds?

Who are the nine board of directors of the RNAPS?

I WISH I had a dollar for every letter written on the confusion surrounding roundabouts this year.

Today’s instalment by Ian Kershaw (The Examiner, December 30) was written in fear of road safety.

To me roundabouts are councils cheap and dangerous version of traffic lights, designed to “speed up” traffic flow.

Isn’t speed one of the “fatal five”?

WITH the state election due in March 2018, an enlightened Labor Party may opt for a state architect, and distinguish itself from the current Liberal government, as it has done regarding the Labor policy on gaming machines, thus setting a progressive agenda for the forthcoming election.