I am also hearing about some truck drivers that have had the unfortunate events happen to them, and my heart truly goes out to those people.

Then we get the other spectrum of a truck driver going so fast on a gravel road that it looked as if he was being chased by 100 camels, so high was the uprising of sand behind this behemoth of a machine.

He did not see the small car in front of him as he came around a bend.

Had my daughter not watched in horror at this tragedy about to unfold and slam on brakes, sliding off the road, my world would have changed never to be the same again and her three children would have lost a mum.

This driver did not stop or even brake so I wonder if he even noticed that he was not alone on this road? Or did he just not care?

I hope you read this truckie, you have no idea just how close you came to destroying a family.

IT’S time to call Sherlock Holmes, for how else are residents of Launceston going to get to the bottom of the disappearing rubbish bins around town.

Several have vanished from West Launceston in the last 18 months with the latest being the perfectly functional bin near the corner of Balfour and Charles streets of which yours truly used regularly.

If it is a cost-cutting measure by the Launceston council, then I don’t see the logic.

For effective litter disposal depends on adequate rubbish bins in convenient places, it’s “elementary my dear Watson, elementary”.

TRADERS in Purple have been announced as the new owners of the University of Tasmania-AMC site at Beauty Point.

Traders in Purple principal Charlie Daoud hoped a training college or university would come to the site and “use it to its maximum potential” (The Examiner, November 28).

I must question their business case and commercial acumen when the site is a well utilised educational facility with room for expansion, good transport connections, adequate parking, suitable student accommodation and well developed services and amenities.

It’s not in the CBD on a limited and restricted footprint with poor transport connections, limited parking, no services or amenities and offering vocational diplomas.

So I really question Mr Daoud, why a university would want to move to such as site?

I HOPE Peter Dutton’s eligibility to sit in the federal parliament will not be taken to the High Court before the May election.

It would be an unnecessary distraction and could result in repercussions for other members.

It is doubtful if he will even hold his seat at the next election.

Should he be re-elected I feel the matter should be tested to settle it once and for all.

THE countdown has begun 'till Christmas Day and while I do love this time of year, I often find myself saddened when I am reminded of all the young kids who will be alone without anyone to care for them this Christmas.

Every year there are many kids who spend their Christmas day on the streets – they don’t have a home to go to let alone presents or a hot meal.

Our homeless youth are reminded at Christmas of what they don’t have but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you ask some of the kids Youth Off The Streets work with what they want for Christmas, it won’t be a new bike or the latest game.

They will ask for somewhere safe to sleep. Someone to talk to. A hot meal. A shower.

The little things that make you feel loved and wanted. This year I’ll be handing out hundreds of hampers and presents across Australia to families who need it.

Our Koch Centre for Youth and Learning is also holding a community dinner on Christmas Eve to show our support to the people we work with.  

Just the simple act of giving a Christmas meal can drastically change the holidays for families in need.  Having a meal and someone to talk to gives them the opportunity to connect with others which is what this time of year is all about.

This year, when you are opening presents or having a nice meal with loved ones, I hope you can spare a thought for those who will not have a Christmas like yours.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and New Year and that 2019 brings you joy and happiness.

MERRY Christmas and a sincere thank you to The Examiner.  

Not only for your up to date informative worldwide and local news. But you care enough to let the letters writers have a say.

We do not always get it right, but it is our opinion and compassion to have a say.

There is so many topics of interest that touch us all, some with personal and local knowledge, and some with passion.

Does it change anything? I think not, but it at least it shows people care about what is going on, and what is important to them.

Thank you The Examiner it is a privilege I appreciate, as I am sure many of the writers do. It is a pleasurable beginning of my retired day to read the letter writers passions.

Merry Christmas to all and a prosperous New Year.