Higher Degrees
THERE are 43 universities in Australia, some are more prestigious than others.
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However they all seem to be turning out doctorates in very large numbers and the number of Master degrees is huge. I get on my smart phone universities offering Master degrees with almost no entry standards. There is TEQSA (The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency), but is it up to the huge task, it only has 52 staff and similar agencies in the financial sector have been found wanting. A higher degree doesn’t mean it will get you a job.
A survey found that if you want a really good job with a great salary and no HECS debt a trade is probably a better option. I am not saying many recipients of these degrees are not worthy, but we don't want to become like America. Some will say that I with a humble BA am just jealous.
Malcolm Scott, Newstead.
AFL
WHEN Stan Alves decided to give up on the AFL because the game is not as attractive as it once was; the AFL should have a good hard think.
When you change rules or interpretations of the rules, it should produce a better result. Current interpretations make no sense, that is to say they are nonsensical. If a player has a head, back and shoulder when standing up, how come he doesn't have a head, back or shoulder when scrambling for the ball in a "stacks on", on the ground.
It seems "stacks ons" make up half of our once mighty game. I get angry watching the game with four umpires out of position and the ball player penalised because he aggressively gets the ball and is jumped on by three players. I would rather watch the Tamar under 12s.
Geoff Lyons, Riverside.
Land Use
THIS letter is directed to to all levels of government. Recently I have observed that highly productive and beautiful rural land in Legana is now being prepared for subdivision in readiness for sale. This land was once prime land used as an orchard.
The proposed subdivision is just another example of poor planning and greed by our local council and developers. Numerous vacant blocks closer to the CBD at Riverside are yet to be developed or sold.
This push to extend our urban boundaries comes at a cost. More time and expense traveling to people’s place of work and the social cost of medical and educational infrastructure.
Why can’t our local council work harder to develop more medium density dwelling closer to the wonderful sporting, recreational and medical centre that already exists at the Windsor precinct, or is just too easy to bulldoze prime rural land and re-badge this as progress?
Matthew Hughes, Riverside.
Nike Racism
FOR the people who are upset with Nike using Black Lives Matter advocate Colin Kaepernick, perhaps they would be happier with Donald Sterling who refused to allow minorities at his NBA games. I know that nothing anyone could ever say, nothing anyone could ever do, will make a scrap of difference, but since when has showing support for innocent unarmed black people who are shot in the back by police considered a bad thing?
Davis Seecamp, Trevallyn.
Running for council
A VALID point Ron Baines (The Examiner, September 1).
Thanks to The Examiner, letter writers are able to express their views. However when criticism is so harsh, why not stand for the council and attempt to change the status quo.
I did, and had a fantastic 13 years in the West Tamar Council as an elected member. Qualities needed is commonsense and a desire to make things better within a financial affordable range. I must admit I did have a trouble with political correctness of which I am not a fan.
It was in the extremely contentious time of the pulp mill, which divided the ratepayers with a powerful obsession. It was not an easy time to be a councillor, there were no shades of grey but at least I tried to help and not just write letters. Age should not be a barrier, but commonsense a criteria.
Peter Doddy, Trevallyn.
Daking for alderman
IT’S great to see a fresh enthusiastic business man like Mr Daking running for a spot on the Launceston city council.
There’s no denying that for our wonderful city to continue to thrive and attract new investment and development opportunities, we need the next generation of local leaders to stick their hand up like Nick Daking has. Well done Nick.
Oliver Lachlan, Launceston.
Council Election
I WOULD like to congratulate Nick Daking for nominating for alderman in the upcoming council elections, and his enthusiasm and vision for improving the Launceston CBD precinct.
It's great to see a young businessman and family man putting his hand up, and being prepared to give up his own valuable time for the good of the city. He'll get my vote.
Andrew Macdonald, Launceston.
Local Government Elections
BALLOT papers will be sent out soon, and you can fill them in at home and send them back, no need to go to a polling booth. We all pay for our local councils either by paying rates or in one’s rent. So why not have a say in who is elected to spend your money.
Because voting is not compulsory, it doesn’t make your vote any less important or effective than if you voted because you might get fined if you didn’t.
In 2014 under 55 per cent of people voted, let us go for 65 per cent this time.
Alan Stacey, Newstead.