Memories of wartime sacrifices endure
War and one man’s oppression teaching us an hated lesson
Must part from our families homes the sheep
Leaving wives and kids to weep And a hero’s death will all that be certain
Many miles away silently resting in foreign graves
Far away from the children’s and loved one’s waves
So
I left my home in landscape lush To fight the Turk amidst the dust We crossed a sea then disembarked With our Aussie friends
It was no lark!!!
War and war’s attrition blighting all With no distinction
Would render flesh and destroy soul Is that truly worth the goal? On rocky shore and stony shelf We left behind our mortal shells Now in peace and in spirit we lie But We still listen to your heartfelt cries Lest we Forget
G E Bremer
Whangārei
Lost opportunity
It is with some disappointment that I view the “old Countdown” site in Kensington as I drive past, looking at the lack of parking space for the commercial buildings there.
The whole building was essentially stripped and rebuilt. A wonderful opportunity to build a second or even third storey on top with accommodation for couples or singles or flats central enough to bike along the shared pathway or catch a bus into the city central or shop locally.
We have a housing crises and now the opportunity to fill that empty sky space above these restaurants has been wasted. No long term planning by council! And does Whanga¯ rei truly need yet another daycare facility and all those takeaway outlets when the obesity rate of the population is soaring and the costs are for many unaffordably high, creating a wider gap between the haves and have nots.
Marie Kaire
Ngararatunua
Olympic folly?
Do we need to be “Faster — Higher — Stronger”, the Olympic motto, or should we just try to be ok and healthy? The Olympics may yet be cancelled completely , says Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, who talked of having to “give up”.
The 2020 Olympics were postponed because of the Covid pandemic and the 2021 version will have few in the stands as overseas spectators have been banned and many of the local citizens aren’t interested or actually want it cancelled. Any spectators that would attend will only be allowed to clap and not cheer which seems a rather sad, pale version of the event.
The first priority for most countries is to get citizens vaccinated, stop the spread of the virus and then start on an economic recovery rather than watching two weeks of Olympians and para Olympians doing the best they can. Considering how many have already died and will still die, it is probably best to commit all resources to the medical world and stay safe at home. I know a number of Olympic competitors will miss their one opportunity but that may be the cost they have to pay for the safety of the majority.
Dennis Fitzgerald
Melbourne