Gift of service

I WOULD like to add to comments by Michael Scott about service from G.P. Fitzgerald’s. I was employed by this company as a 16-year-old. Training was ongoing and woe betide anyone who received a justified customer complaint. Mr Peter Fitzgerald commanded respect just by his presence, not his position. He respected his staff, even lowly juniors such as myself. I left the company to pursue a different career but took the desire to give my best to my employers and the will to give the highest service. Almost 40 years later, Mr Fitzgerald walked into my fruit and veg market in the Huon Valley. I added up his purchases and said: “That comes to nothing for you Mr Fitzgerald”. When I explained that he had given me far more than the worth of a few vegetables, he looked closely at me and said: “Ah yes, the soft furnishing department, wasn’t it?” He left saying: “I knew we should have stopped you from leaving.” He had a smile

Fix refugee issue

PAPUA New Guinea has taken in about 20,000 West Papuan refugees, given them some land and left them to build shelters and start food gardens. Power, sewerage and reticulated water were not on offer, but they were grateful for asylum. There is no reason PNG should not take in small numbers, but they need to be chosen to assimilate into a Melanesian, pig-loving, rural and Christian society. When the Government sent young, urban Muslim men, it was being irresponsible. This decision needs to be rectified honourably.

For the record

The Mercury reported yesterday that Premier Will Hodgman swore in new Supreme Court judge Gregory Geason in a ceremony on Thursday. In fact, the Premier — in his role as Attorney-General — gave a speech at the ceremonial sitting at the court in which Justice Geason officially took his seat at the bench. Justice Geason was sworn in by Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner in a ceremony at Government House earlier that day.