Tasmania’s unique demographics hit any statewide activity with the double-D disadvantage of dispersal and distance, most clearly shown in the eight-hour round trips for games between Burnie and Hobart clubs, and  seven-hour trips for such Devonport matches. 

Perhaps once or twice a season, but every second or third week? No way.

Some sort of whole-of-state arrangement has its merits so how’s this for a rational top-tier football season in our state: a State League in two conferences, say a North and a South, with most rounds within each conference, plus maybe two inter-conference rounds, which also count for premiership points, followed by conference finals producing two conference premiers, and finishing the season, as in 'the great days of old', with a state premiership?

As was once said on New York City’s Lower East Side, 'What's not to like?'.

Leonard Colquhoun, Invermay.

AFTER a mind-blowing, entertaining, and successful Commonwealth Games, the organising committee admittedly got the closing ceremony absolutely wrong.

It is not about the entertainment, it must be based around the competing athletes.

Their efforts and sacrifices not only at the games, but over years of blood sweat and tears. The pain of not meeting their expectation and the joy of their achievements.

They, and we, were robbed of their moments in an achievement parade. Unfortunately the retiring selected Australia Flag bearer Kurt Fearnly will never know that joy.

After 20 years of giving his all and numerous gold medals, Kurt went out a legend winning gold in his last race.

Listening to him thank Australia and say he felt privileged to have represented Australia over many years was heart rendering.

You are a true champion, Kurt, and inspirational to so many.

Peter Doddy, Trevallyn.

RECENTLY we received the worrying news that once again the Basslink cable has gone down.

Although it is not as serious as the previous time it shows what a tenuous link it is to be relying on.

I have always thought that we should be using our power for value adding industries, not exporting it and becoming tied to the increasingly unreliable and costly mainland grid.

Of course now that it has been built it would be economic insanity to shut it down.

It seems that Tasmania has become like a miniature version of Australia as a whole where it is too hard to process our resources here, just to sell them overseas.

We have huge resources of minerals, but instead of value adding industries we just export them.

Gas would be the most reliable option for power generation, at least until other cleaner options are developed, but our huge reserves are being exported overseas.

Instead of being slaughtered and processed here, stock are being sent overseas in the cruel live export trade.

I could go on and on about opportunities that have been missed in our own state, but I would just like to say that, as a former employee of both smelters at Bell Bay, I and many others would not have had the ability to make a life and own our own homes if these industries had not existed.

Don’t just take the easy way and sell our future, and don’t listen to the naysayers, but encourage the development of value added industries to use our resources and provide employment and security for all our citizens.

Malcolm McCulloch, Pipers River.

MAYBE finally I have the attention of a politician in regard to the closure of Hobart RSPCA Centre through lack of funds.

I have to say it has not been easy as at times I felt like I was dealing with the Pentagon.

I have made it very clear this decision for closure cannot be allowed to succeed as all animals have rights and deserve justice and respect.

All those who are indifferent or cruel to these creatures need to realise that animals are a very important part in our universe and without them it would indeed be a bleak and empty world.

As I stated I am prepared to be one big pain in the state government’s side over this issue.

Surely it can pluck some money from its overflowing coffers, as there seems to be no problem when it comes to funding sporting agendas.

Jo Ford, Legana.

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australian forces were engaged in complex and dangerous missions in the Middle East and elsewhere (The Examiner, April 17).

The Australian government just can’t resist sticking its nose into someone else’s business, just like the unnecessary slaughter in World War I. Bring our troops home and stop showing off.

Those people the Australian government are killing in the Middle East have done nothing wrong by us  and as a result we now have terror attacks on home soil, which is making a mockery of the Anzac’s legacy. Lest We Forget.

A.R. Trounson, Needles.

VANUATU should think carefully about allowing China to build bases in Vanuatu.

Australia, for one, consider cancelling Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade worth $70 million, then ban on trade and tourism.

It is not worth Vanuatu to consider China, the island would so depend on other countries to stay afloat than take on China's offer.

Walter Christy, Shearwater.