In a way I feel qualified to “have a say” on behalf of my father Cyril Shaw, grandfather Henry Dent and uncle, Les Dent, who were employed by the Parks and Reserves Department in the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s.

My uncle was caretaker at the Basin Cottage for some years.

Under the guidance of Bill McGowan, the manager of Parks and Reserves, who had a vision for the area, they were guided to further beautify the area.

Natural rock walls, edges to pathways, lookouts, bridges on path to Kings Bridge, beautiful rhododendron and azalea gardens, a hill covered in daffodils, and not forgetting the fairy dell, where quite a few lovely weddings took place in a delightful setting.

My dad and my uncle built two life-like tree huts. They were shaped with wire netting and gradually built up with concrete to form the branch shapes.

They are so beautiful, and remember, no concrete mixers, even the first swimming pool was all mixed by hand.

I am horrified that this beautiful, tranquil little piece of heaven is to be altered in any way. Imagine a playground full of ghastly bright coloured toys added, the pool is the playground.

In the early days you had to pay for the privilege of going to the Gorge at the suspension bridge or Kings Bridge.

There only needs to be one improvement at the Gorge in my opinion and that is that the existing pathetic water flow needs to be vastly increased.

The Gorge is Launceston’s number one tourist jewel. Don’t change anything.

Beth Martin, Riverside.

I have experienced firsthand the joy on children’s faces as they take their first tentative ride on their newly modified bike provided under the TADTAs Freedom Wheels program.

I have witnessed the excitement and pride in parents’ faces as they watch their children drive a TADTAs modified toy car under our Little Car Yard program.

I was saddened to recently read (The Examiner, February 10) Paul Duncombe’s account of the uncertainty that now confronts his much-loved organisation’s future.

While acknowledging the enormously powerful and positive impacts the NDIS is having on people’s lives it remains concerning to see the gaps that are beginning to show between it and the old state-funded system.

The ill-considered removal of funding for organisations such as TADTas may ultimately lead to the compromising of the effectiveness of the NDIS. It also takes away one of those low-cost services, which have made Tasmania the envy of other states for years.

When gaps open people tend to fall through them. As Paul so eloquently put it “it is hard to argue that it is not the role of governments to supply and fund this support”.

The fabric of our communities is sewn together by organisation like TADTas. We should not let them go.

Ian Wright, Chief Executive, St Giles 

JOHN Bibbs (The Examiner, February 7) asks, what is wrong with minority governments? I say everything.

If the minority is a single issue, completely negative party -  such as the Greens - whose main aim seems to be to protect the environment even if it means commonsense and good economic management go out the window.

By all means let us have a balanced government where all points of view are considered, but don’t let us have another term of government where they are held to ransom by the “Imodium party” (they make it hard to pass a motion) and our economy goes down the tube.

Malcolm McCulloch, Pipers River.

WE WOULD like to congratulate Tamar NRM for hosting a very successful World Wetlands Day at the Tamar Island Wetlands Centre and Reserve.

It was fantastic to see so many community members engaging with the area, learning about the importance of wetlands, and how our actions affect the health of our local waterways.

The children had a ball with the craft activities, the animals, and of course, meeting Costa. Thank you for hosting such a wonderful, educational day. We look forward to next year.

Chiloh Ryan, Plastic Free Launceston.

“LEAVE Barnaby Joyce alone, his private life is his and should remain that way”, cry his political cronies.

Pity they didn’t consider that when Mr Joyce and those cronies encroached on the personal and private life of Julia Gillard, vilifying her for less.

Barnaby should suck it up, if you can’t take it don’t dish it out.

Wally Reynold, Perth.

A FULL expose of Barnaby Joyce’s relationships should not be bought into the public arena, with most politicians expressing their belief that it should remain private.

This alone has sparked debate as Julia Gillard, when she was Prime Minister was not spared the privacy clause, touted by current politicians.

She was constantly under scrutiny and any previous relationship she had had was aired regularly through the media to undermine her image.

Poor Barnaby, poor Julia. It seems a fair go for all lacks universal acceptance.

Phil Boughton, Riverside.

ONE must applaud Brian Wightman for his sensible comments on the role of parents in ensuring their child is fully able to benefit from schooling.

A wholly sensible article (The Examiner, February 8) making me feel that Mr Wightman was a real loss to teaching when he took on other roles. Thank you.

Dick James, Launceston.