This is extremely good news as proposed forced amalgamations are edging ever-closer to the next State Government election, just 2 years away.

Factor in the lobbying and promises prior to this election we could see a rethink of such forced amalgamations.

The previous report by delegate, Ian Reynolds stated, that he recommended an amalgamation with Newcastle City Council, even after our communities opposed 93 per cent via a council survey, over 18,000 signing a petition and over 700 supplying written submissions against such an amalgamation.

We now note that Mr Ian Reynolds is the Administrator for the Gosford/Wyong amalgamation, and we feel he would be pleased to be an Administrator for Newcastle/Port Stephens councils also.

Brian Watson-Will

Corlette

Last Friday evening almost 150 ladies went "for a walk or run with their friends – they just wish they didn't have to!"

I hope Reclaim the Run in the Bay was judged a success and will become an annual event that helps raise awareness and thought about the 'Safety Work' all women subconsciously do before they go out after dark.

The thing like “who are you going with? What route are you taking and what's the safe way home? 

“What will you wear that helps you go unnoticed?”

“Shall I have my headphones on so I don't hear the whistles or comments from men I don't even know as I walk past them?”

Men don't even think about Safety Work - because they don't have to. 

Domestic and family violence, men's violence against women, open, blatant and accepted harassment of women going about their own daily lives is a cultural issue.

They're also choices - most of the time, they're choices men make.

Different choices can be made. Next time you are having a barbie with your mates or enjoying a beer after work, discuss it. 

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence begins on November 25th, White Ribbon Day and the UN sanctioned International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. 

Roger Yeo

Nelson Bay

Recently ABC’s Four Corners featured an Amnesty International [AI] report on conditions for refugees on Nauru – describing them as “torture”.

It highlighted video of run-down hospital wards and unsanitary school toilets – now known to be unrepresentative of present conditions.

Doubtless, some aspects of life on Nauru are a bit rough, but by world standards not too bad. 

AI’s original 1960s role was mobilising supporters to write letters seeking release of prisoners of conscience.

Now it’s less a grass-roots fighter for the underdog – more an international corporation in the grievance business. 

To AI, the right to life of the ultimate underdogs – unborn human children – isn’t a right at all.

AI leans on governments around the world to promote unrestricted abortion. At this moment, they’re interfering in Chile, Poland, Zambia and Northern Ireland, for example.

While getting this basic black-and-white issue wrong, they’re unlikely to get much else right.

Arnold Jago

Nichols Point