We had the same deal of 28.541 cents per kWh for our solar power, which we were told would be for five years.

Earlier this year we received a letter to tell us we would now receive only 8.541 cents per kWh from Aurora.

We are in the same age bracket as the Jenkins family and like them, our pensions have not increased to keep up with that difference, or the constant rise in the cost of living in all areas.

We will no doubt struggle along with others during the winter months as the reason for putting solar panels on our roof was to make sure we could afford electricity.

In all this again we seem to be seeing the same mentality as the banking industry.

We give, they take. I would like to know how much of solar produced by those with panels is sold on to Victoria, and what profit they are making at our expense? It seems obvious to us that even at the higher amount Aurora would still have to be making a profit as they have never then or now disclosed how much they sell electricity for.

SOLAR citizens have just released a new report that shows rooftop solar is more popular in low to middle-income areas, and it doesn’t raise power prices to other electricity users on the grid. As a low-income retiree, I decided to take control of my power bills and fulfilled my dream of a solar plus two battery system on my small unit for a surprisingly reasonable investment.

My first power bill was halved, despite the system only being operational for half the billing period and having to use heating over that time, and my last bill was $91.48 in credit.

I’m also pleased to see that I am still paying my full share of the electricity network costs and that Aurora is managing the draw-down from my system so that I can subsidise the cost of electricity to other users, especially at times of peak demand.

It’s good to feel I might be part of the battery of the nation by using what nature provides in one of the sunniest cities in Australia.

I RECENTLY had an occasion to visit and stay in George Town.

I had not been there before.

It was an experience of personal loss due to the death of a family member, but also of pleasure and, I must add, temptation.

The family loss is a private matter, but the pleasure is very public.

I don’t think in the days I stayed there that I passed a person in the street who did not greet me warmly as a stranger.

Likewise, shopkeepers and hotel and restaurant staff. After my first day, I was even beeped and waved to by motorists in the street. Perhaps it was the French beret I invariably wear. And on the bus from Launceston to George Town, the friendliness of my fellow passengers was such that I would not have been surprised if someone had got up and made the tea.

As for temptation? Well, no names.

No pack drill - but I have returned a few kilos heavier having sampled and enjoyed pies and cream buns that recalled the 1950s when we had real Australian food in cakes shops. Why there was even rainbow cake.

Thank you George Townians.

Your friendliness and hospitality unwittingly made my sad days an easier burden to carry. As for the George Town hospital?

It is staffed by saints.

FOLLOWING a recent fall off my bicycle, I experienced what happens when you need emergency help in the North of the state.

The Deloraine ambulance team were professional, efficient and courteous.

They assisted, not only me the patient, but also my husband who was faced with the complications of having an injured wife and two bicycles in a remote location.

The atmosphere of caring competence continued as I was handed over to the emergency department at LGH.

The staff worked together seamlessly.

When the shifts changed, I was introduced to new teams and treated with care and respect throughout.

I know the medical teams are often working under stressful conditions with problems of staffing, fluctuating demands and sometimes difficult situations with patients who may not be at their best physically or emotionally. I would like to acknowledge and thank these wonderful people.

We are lucky to have such a service.

SO Julie Bishop, having announced her retirement from federal politics, says she could have beaten Bill Shorten. I agree.

She would have been a far better Liberal leader than Scott Morrison, Tony Abbott, Peter Dutton or Malcolm Turnbull.

Likewise, on the other side of the house, I fully believe that either Tanya Plibersek or Penny Wong (now there's a tremendous female parliamentary talent if ever there was one) would be far more formidable as leaders of the Labor Party than Bill Shorten, Anthony Albanese or any of the others.

The problem is that being the boys club that federal parliament is, it's almost impossible for a woman, however talented, to lead either of our major political parties.

Of course, there was Julia Gillard, but that was via the "stab in the back" approach in the same fashion as Malcolm Turnbull's demise.