As DPIPWE are responsible for protecting native wildlife as well as managing best outcomes for agriculture, this will inevitably cause a conflict of interest and the government department will always put the interests of humans above the welfare of wildlife. This is an unfair system and birds and animals are suffering and dying in their hundreds of thousands without the support of an unbiased defender.

There must be other ways to protect crops, why must we choose cruelty and greed and the cheapest and easiest way?

After learning this news I saw a flock of silvereyes, then a flock of black cockatoos. The usual delight in seeing them was instantly followed by the mental image of them dying a painful brutal death.

I guess we have to lose our innocent enjoyment and become aware of cruelty so that we can protest against it and hopefully change it. Well done to the wombat defenders who were able to stop the wombat cull. I hope that enough people can convince our government that we would rather have agriculture untainted by cruelty, and stop the culling of all the other birds and animals which do not deserve to die just to make life more convenient for humans.

Karen Spinks, Hobart

AS A member of the small group of volunteers that manages the Max Fry Hall in Trevallyn, I would like to thank the local retailers, organisations and hirers of the hall who have helped - with donations - our efforts to secure a grant to re-roof the hall.

It was built by the local community, for the local community, 50 years ago and is remembered by many people in the locality as a venue for dances, weddings, graduations and many other functions.

It is one of the best halls available for hire, having a badminton court, stage, small adjacent room for meetings and a fully equipped kitchen. The committee wish it to remain as an asset for all in the area to use and enjoy, and although it has stood the test of time well it is now in need of some T.L.C. Regretfully, the primary school that uses the hall nearly every day of the week, is not on the list of helpers. Disappointing!

Jill Clark, Riverside.

GAYLENE Dillon may need to be reminded that like traffic lights, a give way or stop sign, or any other item of traffic management infrastructure, a roundabout is only as good as its' users.

As a past driving instructor assuming that all learner drivers are taught how to develop good driving habits as opposed to simply being trained to pass a driving test, I continue to be horrified at the ineptitude of both new and experienced drivers in implementing the simplest of road rules and procedures associated with safely negotiating a roundabout.

This, along with many other bad driving habits, is to me sufficient cause to introduce periodic and stringent re-testing of all drivers. I would suggest no more than every five years to be appropriate.

I am confident getting 'bad' drivers off the roads and 'rigorous' good habits/skills development would significantly reduce road safety injuries and fatalities and all of their associated emotional and financial impacts.

John Seaton, Prospect Vale