CHAMPIONS AMONG US
WHAT an honour and privilege it has been to be able to tell the stories of women who are not afraid of failure, are prepared to take a risk and are making a difference.
Since the Bulletin announced the start of the Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year awards, hundreds of entries have been submitted, detailing a broad range of achievements. Little wonder the Gold Coast is a vibrant, go-ahead place.
As Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page commented when the awards were launched two months ago, the best thing about them is they are about “women’’ and not just singling out one person. Of course, there will be an overall winner when the judges have completed their huge task, and there will be a people’s choice winner.
But the depth in talent and commitment is revealed in the three women short-listed for each of the eight categories. And it is there to see in the hundreds of submissions that have been read and absorbed, just to bring us to the point today where the finalists can be revealed.
Although we do not wish to single out just one person at this stage, we can give an idea of the calibre of entrants by referring to an example that is relevant to a topic that worries everyone – domestic violence. The determination of an Angels Among Us category finalist to save women and children – by investing all her retirement savings and taking out a huge loan to build a sanctuary for victims – is a beacon of hope for all.
Time and again in sorting through the entries, there have been examples of women who saw a need and acted, making a difference and in so many cases, improving the lives of others. There have been many who have displayed an entrepreneurial know-how that will benefit the city, seizing on the seeds of good ideas and growing businesses that provide jobs, or sharing their knowledge of good health and fitness to improve the lot of people everywhere. Women of the Gold Coast, take a bow. We salute you. DOES it get any sillier? The batty forces who are opposed to the NSW Government’s more-than-reasonable desire to build a state-of-the-art hospital for the Tweed have now played the flying fox card.
Despite the fact helicopters are ferrying sick patients in need of emergency care into hospitals all over Queensland, for example, with no obvious incidents even though flight paths on the Gold Coast, in Brisbane and in major centres like Townsville and Cairns pass close to bat colonies, the people in northern NSW who get their thrills by being outraged at anything that doesn’t suit their narrow views have now resorted to carrying on about the risk of bat strike.
As the NSW Government says, assuming there is any risk, there is a far greater likelihood of hitting airborne bats near the existing hospital at Tweed Heads, which many of the whingers want redeveloped.
This is even though the old site is not big enough for what is needed to provide proper health care in the district. The NSW Government is correct to push ahead with construction near Kingscliff.
TOUGH no-nonsense Richlands Magistrate Stuart Shearer – nicknamed “The Sheriff’’ because of his tough sentencing of criminals – is the subject of an online shame file, with several lawyers lining up to appeal his cases for free.
This is after he had 10 of his very tough decisions overturned in the District Court in 2018, by appeals from ambitious and notorietyseeking lawyers.
One timid lawyer who asked to remain anonymous, complained that Mr Shearer “jails” criminals. Gee whiz, how dare he?
For God’s sake, the angry public would like to see every criminal in jail to make the streets safe again.
Police respect and thank this magistrate for his professionalism, and agree with his sentencing, as it takes an enormous workload off their shoulders, not having to keep investigating repeat offenders.
How will all this crime in Queensland ever be reduced while the courts keep giving in to these Hollywood lawyers?
Magistrate Shearer should be congratulated for his tough sentencing attitude.
He reminds me of retired Southport Judge Clive Wall (admired and respected by Gold Coasters), who once told a Bulletin reporter: “In many cases when I hand down my tough sentences, I expect lawyers will run to the Court of Appeal Judges, who often reduce sentences by up to 50 per cent.”
Concerned Queenslanders are now wanting the return of the LNP to clean up the state’s crime wave like Campbell Newman did. A vote for the LNP at the next election will grant you that wish.
KEN WADE, TWEED HEADS
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WELL done Peter Campion on bringing to our attention the actual cost to Australian taxpayers of our foreign aid program (Bulletin letters, October 6).
But further to this is the cost to ageing Australians finding it increasingly hard to make ends meet, having contributed to this funding their entire working lives.
However, what is more annoying and downright frightening to me is the notion that we can’t talk openly about it in our so called “free society”.
Even our court systems are a major part of the shutdown of free speech.
I am sure that as a 74-year-old I can’t make the slightest difference to the overall outcomes, but it makes me feel better to highlight what’s going on.
Again many thanks, Peter for drawing our attention to the funding drain.
ROSS WINZER
GARY Martin was spot on with his article on social media addicts in the workplace (GCB, Jan 11).
With the ‘pop outside for a smoke’ healthily on the decline, this new addiction has the potential to disrupt the efficiency of every workplace.
No one pops out to check their latest social media messages because it can be done at one’s desk.
Many probably have developed more serious toileting issues as such amenities are excellent for discretion.
As Gary said, imposing a total ban on checking mobile phones during a working day won’t work.
The solution is not obvious. Employers will need to encourage minimal media checking by staff and appeal to their better senses.
It’s when workers are not meeting their obligations that a tough approach pertaining to offenders must be initiated.
Sadly, like smokers in the past,
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