Letter of the Week
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 Harper-Collins. This month’s book prize is Queen of the North by Anne O’Brien. To those around her she is a loyal subject. In her heart she is a traitor. In 1399 the fight for England’s crown has dire consequences. This is one woman’s quest to turn history on its head. Rules: Best letter competition runs until 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 Harper-Collins for the express purpose of delivering prizes.
THE majority of Australians are touched by the impact of mental health in some way.
Many live with the daily burden of anxiety or depression, or care for a loved one. Devastatingly, thousands of Australians die by suicide each year and more make an attempt. It is the leading cause of death for Australians aged between 15 and 44, but it can be prevented.
There are thousands of people working tirelessly to make a difference in this field and their efforts could not be more urgent. Anyone who knows of such a person would no doubt appreciate their achievements, but I would encourage them to take it one step further and nominate them for the Australian Mental Health Prize.
The prize was established to acknowledge those who are doing innovative work in this area, whether they are involved in the industry as a vocation or are advocates because they have been touched by mental illness. Acknowledging those who work or volunteer in the industry is an important part of the process to destigmatising mental illness.
Nominations are now open and I urge people to nominate people in your area.
More information and nomination forms can be obtained from www.australianmentalhealthprize.org.au Entries close on September 7.
For those who are living with the burden of mental illness every day, thank you for your support. ITA BUTTROSE AO OBE, CHAIR, AUSTRALIAN MENTAL HEALTH PRIZE ADVISORY GROUP
WHEN a population is fixed a certain portion of output must be directed to maintaining and rebuilding infrastructure as it depreciates with use. When a population is increasing an additional portion must be directed in the short term to increase the net level of infrastructure.
At the corporate level this is to have sufficient investment to employ the new workers and at the economy level this includes the provision of housing and public services and to produce additional consumption goods.
In the final years of the Howard government immigration quotas were increased substantially and rates of immigration went from an average of 60,000 persons a quarter to around 90,000.
The Gillard government realising the problems this was causing slammed the brakes on immigration but this soon returned back to “normal’ under the Abbott and Turnbull governments.
Meanwhile, new dwelling completions continued at a constant 40,000 a quarter until 2013 when they finally started an increase to 60,000 per quarter in 2016.
Data on the ABS website indicate that up to December quarter 2017 population increases were still around 90,000 plus persons per quarter. Private corporations benefit from population increase with increased revenue and consequently profits. They have no need of tax relief when growth is being “forced” by immigration levels.
In fact, they may benefit from increased taxation which can be spent on public infrastructure by government. This can prevent infrastructure bottle necks which may impede future growth. ED DONOVAN, LABRADOR
There is no question, the Gold Coast needs a dive wreck.
I have worked in Gold Coast tourism as a fishing charter operator for 17 years and as a scuba diving charter operator since 2017.
As well as the economic benefit of attracting interstate and international scuba divers, the Gold Coast fishery is unquestionably in need of a marine reserve to assist in marine life replenishment.
A wreck would provide sanctuary for breeding and could easily be deemed a marine park right from the beginning with little to no negative effect on current fisherpersons/businesses.
A marine park would not only benefit local marine life, but also play a major part in ‘restocking’ all Gold Coast reefs by providing sanctuary for seasonal species that come in to shallower waters to spawn (eg, snapper, kingfish) or migrate with temperatures/currents (eg, mackerel, tuna, billfish).
Currently, there are no closed seasons or marine parks on the Gold Coast (south of the GC Seaway), not even for the historic wreck of the Scottish Prince. With the safe access the Seaway provides, spawning/migrating fish are an easy target for even the most novice fisherperson.
The sinking of the HMAS Darwin and deeming it a marine park would show our GC community and other communities around Australia and the world that we are proactive in promoting eco-tourism and protecting our oceans, while maintaining existing popular tourist attractions like fishing.
As a recreational scuba diver and charter operator, my interest in this is very high and I cannot express my support for a dive wreck enough. It is our way forward as a growing seaside city. BEC KROJS, GOLD COAST
DREAMWORLD was once the place to take the kids for a great day out. Teenagers and 20-somethings and even older folk enjoyed it. So how sad is it to see the place virtually empty last weekend (GCB, July 2).
The current court proceedings have taken their toll. The four deaths last year were avoidable and tragic. The paying public is hitting back and are no doubt visiting one of the other major attractions.
The drop in patronage will hit hard for sometime I predict. KEN JOHNSTON, ROCHEDALE SOUTH