Sadly, for many, Christmas can be a stressful time with the worry of having to find extra money for a simple Christmas meal for the family to enjoy or to ensure there are gifts under the tree when children wake up Christmas morning.

Funds raised through The Examiner’s Empty Stocking Appeal play a significant part in our ability to meet the growing demand for support at Christmas time.

This year we were able to provide food, gifts and financial assistance to more than 360 individual households, transforming Christmas for more than 900 local people.

I am both amazed and humbled by the continuing generosity of Northern Tasmanian’s.

This year’s Empty Stocking Appeal raised in excess of $90,000 and I would sincerely like to thank everyone who was able to donate to help transform Christmas for those most in need in our local community.

WHY do cafes serve sourdough toast with breakfast? You can't cut it with a knife or soak up your eggs and you  seriously risk your teeth if you eat the crusts.

WITH so many Tasmanians homeless and rental prices in Hobart sky high, why do we want to attract large numbers of people to Tasmania to exacerbate the problem?

We have taken many refugees, I have no idea where they have been found housing, much less jobs.

Why try to attract people from Sydney, why not Melbourne, they won’t come anyway?

I have no idea why people want to live in Sydney, the climate is foul.

They could sell their home for $2 million and buy a similar one in Tasmania for $500,000 and live the high life.

They would of course miss the 1 ½ hour journey to work, a long polluted congested expressways.

For 95 per cent of residents in Sydney it is not a home with harbour views and a concert at the Opera House, but the never ending Western Suburbs and a night at the local club or similar.

We Tasmanians know when we are well off, keep Tasmania for Tasmanians.

THE FIGHT to secure proper recognition for Ordinary Seaman Edward “Teddy” Sheean has taken a major step forward, with the Royal Australian Navy advising they are reviewing all past decisions regarding Teddy’s eligibility for a Victoria Cross.

This is very much welcome news for advocates and family members of Teddy, who have been working tirelessly to have Teddy recognised for his heroic and selfless actions aboard the HMAS Armidale on December 1, 1942.

The review comes following a submission made by Teddy Sheean’s nephew, Garry Ivory, and myself, which included a letter of support from the last surviving sailor who served with Teddy. The letter is considered new and compelling evidence that supports calls for a Victoria Cross for Teddy, and we are hopeful the review will see Teddy’s actions in a new light.

I AM an aged pensioner and would like to say thank you to the state government for the $125 bonus gift I have received.  

Like many other people I know the cheque was not received in time for Christmas, but nevertheless I very much appreciate this cash gift.  

I AM in agreement with statements made by Jim Collier (The Examiner, January 12). In 2003 I purchased a property at Newstead. I chose it because it fulfilled all my requirements, including lots of cover for native birds. Bird baths were purchased, along with a water feature. 

The day I moved in I was visited by a black kitten. He has continued to roam in my garden on a daily basis since 2003. It is well fed evidently and appears in good condition. It is the animals natural instinct to hunt, so no blame is laid on the cat. I see very few birds. They either seek protection hiding in the trees, or stay on the power lines. I await the outcome of the cat management legislation. Hopefully it will be firm and ensure that like dogs, cats must be confined to their owners’ property.  If not adhered to, thousands of dollars will be wasted. As well, many hours of time taken by those who made submissions.

THE premier’s refusal to debate the Greens leader indicates a certain lack of spine, it could also be alleged indicative of entrenched misogynist Liberal attitudes. By his refusal to an open debate with any party leader is acknowledgment that his view on democracy is strictly Liberal or nothing.

I WISH I had a dollar (even 5 cents)  for every writer who has complained about the five cent coin as being a nuisance. I bet you those same writers wouldn’t be moaning if they had a million dollars worth of five cent coins. Throw them my way if you can’t wait to get rid of them, you’ve obviously got more money than “cents”.

OUR forefathers did not have a say when they were put in shackles in the past, present day citizens have the options of not playing the pokies and either not owning a credit card or if so using it within their means.