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 In a Great Southern Land by Mary-Anne O’Connor. It’s 1851 in the new colonies and Eve Richards and Kieran Clancy face the decision of a lifetime: whether or not, when it comes to love, will blood remain thicker than water.

ON Tuesday, March 19 my wife and I boarded the 777 bus from the Gold Coast Airport at about 4pm. We had been travelling all day after attending our daughter’s 60th birthday.

We are both in our 80s and were getting a little weary.

When we pulled up at our stop at Mermaid Beach the driver went out of his way to assist us with our cases.

He was so pleasant and courteous. There are still gentlemen in this world. Thank you driver. PETER KENNEDY, MERMAID BEACH

THE skipper of YOT Club did not leave the The Spit pontoon, Muriel Henchman Dve, Main Beach, until 4.30pm. At 3pm the boat was asked by the many fishing charter boats how “long will they be moored”. The boats were told 20 minutes.

This did not occur – 20 minutes later, fishing charter vessels and private boats were inconvenienced by the 130ft party boat, as it had not left the mooring.

It left at 4.30pm. The charter and dive boat companies’ passengers have no trouble reading the signs where to park. These vessels pay to use the pontoon and were denied access through ignorance.

I have no sympathy for their fines. The boat is also too big for The Spit pontoon.

Enjoy the parties but don’t inconvenience others. TIANA VAN BURCK (FISH THE DEEP), GOLD COAST

I HAVE read the Bulletin for quite a few years now, about 40.

Your story on the angels of the ER is so sad for all involved. All emergency people try for everybody above and beyond the call. It really touched a nerve for me.

Years ago my husband was a police officer of 40 years, on the Coast and out west. He had a beautiful letter given to him from a lovely family and I would like to share it with you.

Angels in blue: How do you thank an angel? I wonder if you can.

An angel often takes the form of a normal man.

I thought of buying many things. But nothing seemed quite right to show how much you did for us when you showed up that night.

I’ve thought of you so often and wondered if you knew just how important you were to us, you angels in blue.

For if you had not been there that night who knows what I would have done.

And who knows whether at this time I’d even have my son. Thank you angels in blue.

LUCIA BAIN, ARUNDEL

THE purpose of Monday’s animal rights protests was to draw attention to the unspeakable cruelty being inflicted on millions of farmed animals in this country.

Consequently, it’s unfortunate many people have missed the point of the protests and are simply condemning activists for protesting.

I agree that the actions could have been done differently, but, if those taking part had stood quietly with their placards on a street corner how much publicity would they have generated?

This “action” –one year after the release of the documentary, Dominion – called on individuals to open their eyes to the truth and recognise the suffering of the millions of animals farmed for their flesh, milk and eggs.

Hidden away behind closed doors, they suffer unimaginably, yet most people incorrectly believe animal farming and slaughter in Australia is “humane”.

If we eat animal products we owe it to the animals to acknowledge the enormous suffering we inflict on them by our food choices. JENNY MOXHAM

EVERY time I get a feeling there is a glimmer of hope that our downward slide into the abyss might be gaining traction the lead-up to the federal election has raised its ugly head.

Which has left me asking just how much lower can these combatants get before they realise those future leaders are being influenced by them. And it is becoming painfully obvious this is trickling down even further.

One can only live in hope sometime in the future things will turn around and sanity, not greed, will prevail. D.J. FRASER, CURRUMBIN

I JUST had a night at Ballina and dinner at the Ballina RSL.

They have the most wonderful war memorial section display on the ground floor of the club.

If you are a history buff, or just interested in a huge display of war items, photos, and clippings, it’s well worth the visit. Lest we forget. STEPHEN FREEMAN GOLD COAST

FOOTPATHS – are they for people walking on their feet or for bicycles, mobility scooters, skateboarders or food delivery riders?

Recently I have been walking to the bus and been almost bowled over by one or another wheeled vihicles. So they beep their horns and I’m supposed to jump out of the way. I’m too old to jump.

I’ve had it and I’m going to stand my ground on the footpath.

In my opinion the footpath is for people walking, and not a shared path.

So look out wheeled users of the footpath, I for one am not going to budge. Get out of my space and use the road or shared paths. LESLEY ADAMS, LABRADOR