I APPLAUD Sarah HansonYoung for putting her END GAS AND COAL in the appropriate position. The Gas end of her body.

FRED ERICSEN-MILLER, TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN

AT A time when greenery is fast disappearing on the Gold Coast, it is upsetting to see that RACV Royal Pines Golf Course have cut down more than 40 healthy, mature trees on the westside course, with still more to go.

This is being done with GCCC approval with the proviso that new trees will be planted. So why remove these beautiful, mature trees in the first place? It’s such a devastating loss for humans and wildlife alike.

PAM GUEST, BENOWA

GOD save our King!

The sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II has undoubtedly touched everyone around the globe. The end of the “Elizabethan” age will be written down by historians as our Queen has been Britain’s longest serving monarch after an unfaltering life of selfless duty and service.

Such a wonderful woman and leader as well as a caring mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

I am sure most of us feel privileged to have lived a lot of our life in this now sadly passed end of an era.

Queen Elizabeth II was indeed true to her word upon donning the regal crown which was to serve for however long or short her life will be. It is absolutely amazing that our Majesty fulfilled her duty of swearing in her 16th British Prime Minister. These prime ministers serve the country as chief executives of government but the Queen served as the symbol of her country.

Our late Queen had a comical side to her showing just how human she was as well as being royal and that was her short cameo stunt with James Bond (Daniel Craig) at the opening of the 2012 London Olympics. She will always be fondly remembered as our very much respected long reigning Queen of England. Warm regards to the now King Charles III. PAMELA DELAHUNTY-HUNTER, CHIRN PARK

THIS is not a time for any person who believes in republics or colonial misjustice to express his or her opinions and as one of the many who feel a loss at our Monarch Elizabeth II I shall not make comment on their inhumanity at this time when we mourn her loss.

When the news came through I was shocked but also felt something had left my life, a person similar to any distant relation who brought me comfort simply knowing that she was there.

All my life her influence has been with me. Every day while she never was there I knew she was because I knew she was devoted to me and my family and simply by that my life was always better.

I shall yearn for that feeling of security she provided until another takes her place and earns my respect and belief. God Bless and take to his care Elizabeth II. God Save the King Charles III.

RON NIGHTINGALE, BIGGERA WATERS

1609

English explorer Henry Hudson sails into the New York river that now bears his name.

1683

The Siege of Vienna ends after a combined force led by John III Sobieski of Poland defeated Turkish invaders. It marks the end of Turkish domination of eastern Europe.

1918

George Reid, 71, dies in London. He was Australia’s fourth prime minister, from 1904-05. He was a witty Scot who fervently supported the British Empire. 1940

Four teenagers follow their dog when it disappears down a hole near Lascaux, France, and discover 17,000-year-old drawings now known as the Lascaux Cave Paintings. 1953

American politician and future president John F. Kennedy marries heiress Jacqueline Bouvier.

1958

Engineer Jack Kilby, 34, demonstrates the first microchip, or integrated circuit, while working in Dallas, Texas.

1959

The TV series Bonanza premieres on NBC. It becomes one of the longest-running westerns in broadcast history.

1959

The Soviet Union launches Luna 2, the first space probe to hit the moon.

1977

South African activist Steve Biko (pictured) dies from injuries suffered while in police custody. He subsequently became an international martyr for South African Black nationalism. 1980

The senior command of the Turkish army, led by General Kenan Evren, carries out a bloodless coup in their homeland.

1991

The Commonwealth Bank floats on the Australian Stock Exchange in a privatisation valued at $1292m. Shares trade at $5.40. 2003

Johnny Cash, US country music’s Man in Black, dies aged 71 after an almost 50-year career singing of coal miners, convicts and cowboys.