LetteroftheWeek

AN appalling situation occurred when residents of Earle Haven nursing home were evacuated from their companions, familiar staff and environment which they call their home, and re-located to strange surroundings and unfamiliar personnel.

We are led to believe that this situation occurred because of a dispute between the owner of the facility and a sub-contractor. Be that as it may, but the infirm and elderly residents should never have had to endure the consequences.

Queensland Health took charge and declared the situation a disaster zone due to: 1. lack of equipment for food preparation; 2. lack of food; 3. safety of residents; 4. no medication; 5. no medical histories;

6. staffing; 7. possibility of power cuts; 8. possibility of no water supply; 9. problems with management.

So because of the above, the solution was to evacuate all residents, for which Queensland Health have to be highly commended. The event proved to be a good practice in disaster planning carried out with great proficiency.

However, it could have been handled differently without evacuating and upsetting the residents.

1. food could have been outsourced, there is also a café on site which was willing to help; 2. Queensland Health could have provided on site staff. The familiar regular staff was already giving their time voluntarily as they are very compassionate therefore the residents were still receiving care;

3. As for medication and medical histories Queensland Health quickly organised these as every resident who left the facility carried their history and medication to their new facility; 4. As for a power outage this could happen at any time and I’m sure Queensland Health would have access to emergency power or generators; 5. same for water supplies; 6. the management disputes could have been settled later without evacuation; 7. the government could have placed sanctions on the facility without evacuation.

Thus residents who should be our number one priority would not have had to be relocated. BARBARA HEALEY

IS Borobi, the Commonwealth Games mascot koala, a likely motif for the proposed 2032 Olympic Games? Possibly not.

The Games would suffer from a public relations dilemma if the koala population has not been rescued from current trajectory towards extinction.

It is time the Federal Government, which recently called for submissions re Australia’s species extinction crisis, co-operated with state and local governments and the development industry to ensure urgent procurement of largescale habitat tracts. The stateconvened expert koala panel report stated these as essential for species survival.

Industry and all levels of government need to step up quickly, as, aside from tourist and investment benefits, we need the state symbol proud and present.

Our Queensland state emblem happens to be the universally beloved

koala. Co-operation, not political confrontation, across government and within industry is needed now.

All Australians and others across the world want, not plastic statues or inanimate toy souvenirs, but a living, thriving species, something we cannot create once lost. SALLY SPAIN, PRESIDENT WILDLIFE QUEENSLAND GOLD COAST BRANCH

GLOBAL wars and corruption create escaping hordes of refugees who remain homeless in nations where they are mostly unwelcome. Australia and many Western nations have their own demographic of homeless humans, many a result of poor socio-economic and health issues.

Governments at all levels conveniently fail to adequately address the crisis in homelessness and refugees. Governments invest in what they value themselves. Charity begins at home. Globally, concerned welfare groups are struggling to meet the growing need, unassisted, often falling short.

It is shameful in this, the greatest nation on earth, that men, women and even children live roughly and are deemed a nuisance. With the rising cost of living beyond many, the great divide between the haves and have-nots is ever-expanding, creating a socioeconomic class system.

They are our brothers and sisters. There but for the grace of God go we. ELOISE ROWE