LetteroftheWeek

Have strong opinions, write in an engaging way? You could win our Letter of the Week, and with it a book from our friends and sponsors, the publishers HarperCollins. This month’s book prize is Cross her Heart by Sarah Pinborough. Some secrets are worth dying for – the mind-blowing thriller from the author of the bestselling Behind Her Eyes.

Rules: Best letter competition runs untill January 19 next year. Entries close each Thursday at 5pm. The winner is selected by 2pm each Friday. Book of the month valued up to $49. Entrants agree to the Competition Terms and Conditions located at www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/ entertainment/competitions, and our privacy policy. Entrants consent to their information being shared with HarperCollins for the express purpose of delivering prizes.

IT is good to read opinion pieces and letters about the “liveability” of the Gold Coast and the need to balance the demand for housing with the preservation of green spaces (‘Coast’s liveability facing death by a thousand cuts’, GCB, 2/5/18).

Tourism should not be seen as competing with green spaces as many would say the greenery is itself a tourist attraction. Nor should developers see places like floodplains as somewhere to build on when they provide a great function in holding flood water as well as being a place where trees and wildlife can flourish.

If only the green space levy had been used to buy some of the areas earmarked for development such as the floodplain in Carrara (threatened by an unnecessary theme park) or koala habitat in areas such as Coomera.

Let us not forget that with climate change the need for oxygenproducing trees and natural catchment areas for heavy rains is greater than ever and essential in many ways. It’s easy to make mistakes but not to repair them.

Consider, for example, what happened to King George Square in Brisbane when they got rid of most of the trees and grassy areas. It’s now a sweltering heat-magnet in summer with ground temperatures that can exceed 50C.

It should be possible to design spaces that retain trees and greenery. Sadly, on the Gold Coast, the first sign of development is the removal of all trees and the use of what appears to be a scorched earth policy.

Surely we can do better than this and use our green spaces – and the green space levy – appropriately and in a way that benefits all. YVETTE DEMPSEY, CARRARA

IT’S been some time since people have been happy with decisions and actions made by Cricket Australia. So the appointment of former topline cricketer Justin Langer as the new Australian coach of all three forms of the game gets a big tick no doubt from most people. His integrity and knowledge are unquestioned and he has already had a stint at coaching at the first class level.

I have no qualms whatsoever that in time he will bring the reputation of Australian Cricket back where it used to be. KEN JOHNSTON, ROCHEDALE SOUTH RECENT comments in the ‘Chatroom’ section claimed that women were not at the front lines in both world wars. But women did go to war; nurses in WW1, some were KIA (killed in action) or WIA (wounded in action) and some of them were awarded bravery decorations.

Go to the local library and read about Sister Vivian Bullwinkel and Banka Island after the fall of Singapore. Read about our nursing sisters and their role in Vietnam.

I am a Vet who served in Malaya and Borneo during Konfrontasi with Indonesia 1965-66 and in Vietnam 1967 and 1969-70 as an Infantryman, and I’ll be happy to discuss with doubters the “roles” our women played in wartime, right up to the present day. GRAEME (TUBBY) BREWER ON behalf of the Leukaemia Foundation, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Gold Coast Bulletin readers for their support of this year’s 20th World’s Greatest Shave.

The extraordinary people who shaved, cut or coloured their hair plus all their generous sponsors have now raised an incredible $3.5 million in Queensland alone. This will help the Leukaemia Foundation continue to provide its vital services that will make a genuine difference to local families facing blood cancer.

These services include free accommodation, transport, emotional support and disease specific education to Australians and their families as they find their way through some of the darkest days of their lives.

Plus, funds raised also contributes to Australian researchers who are working tirelessly to discover safer and more effective treatments.

Thank you for your support. We are well on our way to reaching our goal of $3.7 million in Queensland. There is still time for people to sign up or make a donation at worldsgreatestshave.com. Thanks to you, the Leukaemia Foundation will be able to help more Australians with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders survive and live a better quality of life. BILL PETCH,

CEO, LEUKAEMIA FOUNDATION

I COUDN’T vote ALP in a pink fit, but their intention to ban sheep exports might rearrange my thinking.

Oh, to return to the halcyon days of a $6-7 roast in my lifetime. Bring on the mint sauce. DAVID HALL, COOMBABAH