Euthanasia Bill
I sincerely hope that the Tasmanian Government sees the light and common sense of which the Victorian Government has displayed.
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I hope in the first sitting of Parliament after their break they unanimously table the same bill and pass it.
Every person who is terminally ill or with a debilitating disease should have the right and legal authority to end their life with dignity and their loved ones around them.
Leave religion out of the equation. When the end comes, it's each person's own choice, religious or non-religious to choose their destiny.
It is not a good memory to have, watching your loved one struggling at the end. I know. I've travelled that road.
Gayle Spikins, Nabowla.
Gorge Hotel design
Is there any sound reason why the proposed Gorge Hotel cannot be designed using materials which blend more attractively with existing surroundings?
It's a good location for a new hotel but there is no need to travel further than Sydney to comprehend, understand or witness why preserving or carefully enhancing the cityscapes of Hobart and Launceston remain valuable assets for Tasmania. So much of what was attractive about Sydney is now overshadowed or swamped by high-rise structures. Even the Opera House is looking "diminished" and part of the precinct space alongside it taken up with smelly takeaway shops. The Gorge Hotel design would sit well elsewhere near Launceston. Let's progress well and do so with prudence.
Olive Parish, Sidmouth.
Trashing the Gorge
Our City of Launceston council needs to take a look at what's happening in Launceston. Skyway and Gorge Hotel will not be aesthetic for a city with this city's history.
Council needs to protect the heritage of our city. A poll of residents questionable? The JAC Group saying that Launcestonians support is 77 per cent, what a joke.
Hands off the Gorge need to be supported and soon to stop this cable car proposal. This is a disaster in the making.
The beautiful Gorge is to become a tourism site for money-making developers. Encroaching on the Gorge is not on. Once this is allowed the Gorge will never be the same.
I for one will not vote for the present council. We need to protect our history, not paper over it with modern hotels and Disneyland ventures.
Gloria Keshow, South Launceston.
The Big Grab
LAUNCESTON is under siege from many quarters from developers today, our once proud small but quaint city appears to have lost all management abilities allowing what today must be seen as a free for all on who can destroy Launceston's unique charm in the shortest possible time.
Our carers have failed in their duty and must stand up to be counted for massive incompetence in their field of duty.
I urge all Launceston residents to speak out en masse to protect our heritage while hopefully we still can.
Geoff Smedley, Trevallyn.
Scottsdale Railway
IN reference to the opinion piece (The Examiner, June 18), the board and members of the Launceston and North East Railway are disappointed to see the publication of a slanderous outburst from Chris Griffin.
The Launceston and North East Railway has endeavoured to conduct itself as a responsible corporate citizen.
Our proposal for a heritage tourist railway has been progressed in a professional manner with engineering and business advice obtained from the most reputable sources.
Our dealings with government ministers and officers have been courteous and respectful.
Contrary to the opinion stated in the column, we believe that Scottsdale has tremendous potential to grow tourism, with transport operators willing and able to convey visitors to a number of significant attractions within easy reach the town.
Ralph Berry, Launceston and North East Railway chairman.
Visiting Artists
OH, but we're a funny little town, well, culturally speaking.
Seems international artists can quietly pay us a visit then silently go on their way and unless you happen upon a whisper of information beforehand that allows you to catch up, they may as well never have been here.
So it was last Tuesday when at the very last minute I luckily came across news that celebrated award-winning British organist Colin Andrews was in Launceston and to play on the mighty pipe organ in St John's church.
And what a recital it was.
Quite ferocious really.
With great flair and distinctive interpretations, he played a selection of works from the pinnacle of the organ repertoire, including Bach, Cesar Franck and the modern master Messiaen. Anyway, the people who got to know that Andrews was about and went to his recital will, I'm sure, have vivid memories to dwell on for years to come.
Jim Dickenson, Launceston.
Health system
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2016 and within a month I had double mastectomy leading to six months of chemotherapy.
Now almost three years suffering depression and waiting for reconstruction, my life is on hold because apparently, it's not urgent to feel normal again. We want to travel just in case it returns but the doctor at the LGH put me on a 90-day waiting list.
The numbers don't add up over waiting, I didn't choose for this to happen to me why do doctors get to choose a public patient over a private?