Visitors to the site will face a range of difficulties as a result of the very early start: very cold weather, a lack of transport, and a thin supply of other amenities such as food and toilets.  

The French are very traditional (a great and annoying thing about the country) and are unlikely to adapt well to one-off events.

A 10am start would make far more sense: pilgrims could easily visit the impressive new Sir John Monash interpretive centre.  

The French authorities’ desire for children from the local school to attend should be accommodated.

This school, with its Australian-focussed museum and famous ‘Do Not Forget Australia’ sign, was built with funds raised by Victorian school children and is a poignant reminder of the connection between our countries.

To ignore this request, potentially just to allow a struggling Prime Minister to look ‘strong’ before an election, is disrespectful to the locals and these kids, who have done so much to preserve the memory of the Anzacs who saved their village.

There is no aspect of the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux that makes the dawn timing significant, indeed the battle was largely decided by dawn on April 25, 1918.  

The Prime Minister's claim that the decision was based on veterans’ opinion is questionable: the First World War generation is of course gone, and while the often elderly veterans of subsequent wars might like the idea of a dawn service, once facing the practical problems in France they would certainly feel otherwise.

One final point.  

The reporting of this story has seen the reiteration of the myth that Australians fought this battle under Sir John Monash.  

This is untrue and does a great disservice to Australian generals Elliott and Glasgow, who actually masterminded the decisive counterattack.

SCOTT Morrison’s optimistic reaction to the Liberal ministers and members of parliament who have resigned their commissions reminds me of the sketch in Monty Python and the Holy Grail where the Black Knight (John Cleese) in his fight with King Arthur is progressively injured. 

Despite the loss of his arms and legs he continues to maintain that “it’s only a flesh wound.”

I DESPAIR for our democracy.

Having followed the political debate over the past two weeks, I am beginning to wonder if our political leaders understand the concept of honour and truth.

No matter where you look there appears to be one rule for the political class and one for us plebs. What would happen to someone who is not a politician if they refused to give a sworn statement to the police or the Australian Federal Police?

It appears that two ministers in the Liberal National Party feel that they do not have to obey the law.

Running down the clock on legislation is another issue, what are we paying them for?

Sitting for 10 days in eight months yet accepting full pay, I wonder how my boss would react to such a suggestion?

Deliberately massaging the truth in the medevac legislation. It appears to me that politicians have forgotten that they are there to represent us not their parties.

When will we wake up and vote out anyone who shows a lack of moral compass?

After all, they should be setting an example to the rest of society.

The behaviour in the Federal Parliament of late is a disgrace.

IT’S cycle week and perhaps a timely reminder about pedestrian safety.  

As frequent users of the boardwalks around Launceston, my husband and I witness many dangerous practices.  

Regular occurrences include: cycling through pedestrian only designated areas such as the Seaport boardwalk between the restaurants and Home Point; weaving at terrifying speeds around mums, toddlers, the elderly and the disabled; cycling like a bat out of hell around blind corners; and fast moving pelotons desperately ringing their bells and expecting pedestrians to jump out of the way.  

There are numerous repeat offenders.  

As this area is a very busy tourist hotspot, signage could do with improvement - one at each entry point along Seaport, including the new footbridge would be a great start.  

So, cyclists of Launceston, a little more caution please. We can and should do better.  

When the signage asks you to dismount, get off your bike.

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