Letter of the Week
FIFTY years since mankind’s landing on the Moon is to be commemorated in a few days. Keep in mind that for Australians, the landing day was 21 July 1969 as we are, and always will be, one day ahead of the USA. The Americans will celebrate of course on the 20th.
Most of us who were alive at the time of the Eagle’s landing will remember where they were on that day. I was riding in an armoured personnel carrier crossing a dry rice-paddy in Vietnam. We stopped to listen on the radio to the landing.
Every radio and nearly every frequency, including the Vietnamese, was broadcasting the event.
The American war in SouthEast Asia truly came to a halt during that momentous event. For only a few moments in history, mankind was as one.
J.J. GOOLD, MUDGEERABA
IN Reply to Meaghan Scanlan MP
(GCB, 15/7) and Noel Williams (GCB, 16/7).
I remind both I am a person who has provided services to the residents of Earle Haven for a long period, I am known to them and the staff and privileged and trusted to have the entry and exit codes to the entire complex so I can carry out my work.
In my letter I made it clear residents who remained were upset and concerned as to their welfare with no one taking the time to contact them and advise them of what was happening and how they and their loved ones were to be treated and cared for.
I now note yesterday a general meeting was to take place so as to inform them so they may at least know their situation and what measures are being taken to protect them in their later years.
I, like others, have tried our best to assist in that process and support residents. I am fortunate because I have received good advice from two senior registered nurses, one in aged care and the other caring for my own elderly mother.
It is my hope that the meeting at Earle Haven will alleviate the worries and concerns and stress on our elderly residents and resolutions can be found so that those who have been displaced can be returned to the place they are familiar with and were happy in.
RON NIGHTINGALE, BIGGERA WATERS
A BUILDING certifier has written to ScoMo asking for urgent intervention re: skyrocketing cost of indemnity insurance.
I’d advise having a word with the ‘bloke upstairs’ rather than ScoMo, who has surely used up his quota of miracles for the time being.
DAVID HALL, COOMBABAH
FOR 43 years Veteran Affairs has done its utmost to do the best even though funding has always been light to say the least. If that wasn’t bad enough there has been many recipients who have abused the treatment they are given.
Unfortunately there are many who tar and feather the honest and worthy recipients creating an environment where they keep their cards close to their chests, which occasionally creates even further problems for the person receiving treatment.
Which brings me to the point I am making and that is please don’t tar and feather those who are genuine VA recipients.
D.J.FRASER, CURRUMBIN
PHIL Connolly (GCB, 15/7), for your comment to have any credence or sensibility whatsoever you would first have to establish that there was a God and secondly establish that there is an afterlife and since neither has ever been proved your point is moot.
Bashing God could be compared with bashing the fairies that live in your garden.
I do understand that people believe in many things, including God, based on faith but sadly faith is belief without evidence and is clearly not a pathway to truth.
When and if you are able to prove either God or an afterlife then and only then can a rational discussion be had and here we are in the 21st century and all we have is faith.
As l have stated previously l prefer critical thinking and evidence (rationalism and empiricism) over acceptance of dogma or superstition.
STEW COSSAR, SPRINGWOOD
I HAD to laugh out loud when I read that former Greens leader Bob Brown is campaigning to stop a windfarm in Tasmania because it will spoil the view and kill birds.
That is a perfect definition for windfarms all over Australia which Bob Brown originally campaigned for. It is also the definition of hypocrisy.
GREG KATER, SANCTUARY COVE
THE people of the Gold Coast and particularly Nerang must know that the events at Earle Haven are unprecedented.
Never before have we seen those providing aged care walk out on their responsibility to their elderly clients without notice.
As responders, we must continue to put the welfare of the residents and their families first.
With the help of local authorities and facilities who have done an outstanding job, the Federal Government has responded decisively to ensure that the residents are safe and cared for.
An emergency hotline has been established (1800 931 299) as well as a contact for the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman (131 394) and the Australian Tax Office (132 861).
A broad and comprehensive investigation with relevant authorities is under way to get to the bottom of how the situation has unravelled and what needs to be put in place to ensure it cannot and does not happen again.
A formal residents meeting is being held on Friday, July 19 which I will be attending.
Lastly, the use of this terrible situation for political points scoring by the State Member and the Senator is appalling behaviour and the people of the Gold Coast deserve better representatives to look after them.
ANGIE BELL, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MONCRIEFF