The facts tell a different story. Due to political pressure from powerful private school lobbyists and politicians with religious allegiances, Gonski 2 is not ‘sector blind’ as intended by its architect. It’s ‘sector driven’. 

By law, the Federal government will now provide taxpayer funding for 80 per cent of the cost of educating every child in the non-government sector and only 20 per cent for every child in the public sector. The funding follows the sector, not the needs of children as Gonski intended.

The indisputable fact is that the public system enrols 80 per cent of Australia’s disadvantaged and high needs children. These children, necessarily resource intensive, can be refused enrolment at non-government schools for many reasons but also because they are ‘expensive’ to educate. So only 20 per cent of taxpayer funding will go to the public system which educates 80 per cent of our most disadvantaged students.This is not sector blind and needs-driven.

When State funding is added, it means the vast majority of Independent and Catholic schools will be funded at their expected level or more while the vast majority of public schools will be funded at well below theirs.

Gonski 2.0 is a goldmine for private schools. It is the best special deal they have ever had.

John Black, Anna Bay

In view of the recent media reporting of some of  the practices of some retirement villages I feel it is important to put on record that all villages are not as has been portrayed in these reports.

I am fortunate to be a resident of our local Harbourside Retirement Village at Shoal Bay. Our village is owned by the not for profit, community-based Port Stephens Veterans & Citizens Aged Care Ltd and in my 13 years of residence I am pleased that at all times the board has always acted with the interest of its residents in mind and provided the very best care within the restrictions imposed by the Federal Government’s financial impositions.

I believe that my decision to reside at Harbourside was one on the best of my life and am comforted that the actions of the Village and the services available have confirmed my choice.  I have no hesitation in recommending Harbourside to anyone who may be offered a residence or care place in our community.

Frank Ward OAM, Shoal Bay

Having often been asked had I ever seen a 'mopoke', I've had to admit to accepting the common belief and fallacy that its the nocturnal call of the Tawny Frogmouth. I've finally had to clarify the source of this nightly event via Google.

The 'mopoke' is identified as the Boobook Owl, is Australia-wide with varieties in Tasmania, New Zealand, Papua and Indonesia. It's two-tone repetitive call is popularly interpreted as 'mopoke' where-as in New Zealand its 'morepork' and is there also called 'ruru'.

Locally, many people refer affectionately to the 'mopoke', and suggest its repetitive call helps generate sleep. An alternative perhaps to counting sheep. Where-as insomniacs can somehow claim its monotonous nightly calls keep them awake. However, the Boobook Owl is one smallish variety of nine indigenous but ever-popular owl species, seven of which may be identified locally by keen bird observers.

Their popularity is depicted affectionately as the 'wise old owl' with this popularity also utilised in products for the tourist trade. But we need a more effective commitment to saving their habitat and ensuring along with all our local wildlife they will continue as fully protected, appreciated and much loved species.

Darrell Dawson, Nelson Bay.