It is with sadness that after 144 years of wonderful shows it now, along with many in Australia, is fighting for survival.

State monetary assistance of $122,500 would be appreciated by the board over four years.

The paltry sum of $39,875 supplied by council falls very short of assistance to other like-minded organisations. Festivale receive $40,000 a year.

The intended move of UTAS to Inveresk has caused many concerns, especially spruiking in media two weeks before the show that it would make 750 car parks on their site for students.

The show society has a 99-year lease from the Launceston city council.

There was a further insult to the society recently, when a cricket pitch suddenly appeared where equestrian events take place.

The society in 2016 endeavoured to improve its financial position by turning the land into motor home parking for 51 weeks. This would have given a return of $70,000, but was refused by the council.

There’s little doubt the show society and North Launceston Football Club are being “dumped down” in favour of UTAS.

Basil Fitch, Launceston.

AS A TEACHER for nearly 30 years and as a life member of the Australian College of Educators, I have often wondered where all the teachers who could teach at the elite level of years 11 and 12, especially in the areas of maths and science, are coming from.

I therefore read with interest “Shortage” by Lucy Stone (The Examiner, February 27). I offer some ideas to help solve the problem.

Reintroduce Bonded Studenships, like I had in 1965, for science and maths teachers. Then, a good salary while training and all HECS and other fees paid. They would be bonded after graduating for two years for every year of training.

Secondly, rapid promotion for good teachers of maths and science to advanced skills teacher, deputy principal or even principal but, remain in the classroom.

Thirdly, students must show great respect for teachers.

There should be no control problems that cause good teachers to leave the profession, especially as less able students were attempting years 11 and 12.

The nettle must be grasped, before the situation deteriorates further.

As a life fellow of the Royal Geographical Society I hope the wonderful subject geography is not being forgotten as years 11 and 12 roll out into high schools.

Malcolm Scott, Newstead.

For Purple Day 2018, on March 26, Australians with epilepsy are encouraging friends, family members, colleagues and the wider community to become better informed about epilepsy to reduce the fear and misconceptions often associated with the condition.

About 250,000 Australians are diagnosed with epilepsy, and more than 65 million people worldwide, making it the world’s most common serious brain disorder. 

More people have epilepsy than have Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy combined, however epilepsy remains poorly understood – and often feared – by much of the community. 

That’s why we’re using the tagline “Know epilepsy, No fear” this year, to promote the idea that knowledge is power when it comes to epilepsy.

Epilepsy Action Australia has developed an extensive suite of online resources designed to increase understanding and awareness of epilepsy in the community, including seizure first aid advice, with most material available free of charge on our website. 

Carol Ireland, Chief Executive Officer, Epilepsy Action Australia.

WATCHING the conceding speech by Rebecca White on election night, I was very disappointed by the lack of a congratulatory message to Will Hodgman.

The spending theme came through from both ALP and Greens, but I think people are turned off by to many signs and especially too many TV ads .

Elections are won by people of integrity and good policy. The sourness of Senator Nick McKim was astounding.

Ms White’s speech on the defeat of her Labor party was nearly a carbon copy of Kristina Kennealy’s speech when she conceded defeat to John Alexander .

She is only new to this position, but should have been educated or tutored in humility. Very disappointing.

Steve Rogers, South Launceston.

HODGMAN’S assertion in the dying minutes of the election campaign that "those with an interest have been advised" about Liberal gun policy are demonstrably false. 

A significant proportion of Tasmanians have substantial interest. 

His statement that the proposal is "publicly available" is incorrect - this proposal was even less transparent than the data on funding of the Liberal campaign by commercial pro-pokie interest groups. 

There is no obvious need for less gun control, there is an obvious need to reduce the problems of gambling. The Liberals should revisit their policies and put Tasmania's needs ahead of electoral popularity.  

Alex Thomson, Launceston.

IN HIS letter about the demise of the Christian faith in Australia (The Examiner, February 28), Malcolm Scott has omitted one important reason from his list - the abundance of irrefutable scientific evidence in regard to the evolution of the various species, which co-exist on our planet.

No longer should anyone be peddling the highly imaginative stories of the Bible to children. 

As a child, Noah’s Ark was my favourite, mainly because of my love for animals. 

As an adult, I consider it to have been logistically impossible.

Val Clarke, Kings Meadows.