My family being far away, I could not have imagined how I could get by without assistance from TAPC Mathew Jones, the program manager. 

I had not realised how difficult it was going to be to do the smallest task for myself.

The nurses were understanding and caring, punctual and always in touch.

David Mackenzie, the physiotherapist from Hunter New England Health also gave me excellent guidance and encouragement.

I am on track to regain full mobility to my leg I am so thankful.

The home help  together with transportation is provided in a 12-week package together with nurses and physios - all this so as I can maintain my independence with dignity to resume my life.

In a world today where complaints, dissatisfaction and criticism are more common than praise I feel that I should voice my appreciation of the services I am receiving.

I hope that senior citizen readers will know of the excellent services available to us - we are indeed lucky to have this , and what a great country we live in.

Eva Németh,

Anna Bay

Well said John Clarke about Little Beach boat ramp. Over the years we've seen visitors unable to launch and struggle to retrieve their vessels. No kind words are said, only "I will never be back to this place". Some years ago the ramp was extended, only to inevitably be covered by sand.

Wind statistics over the last five years by Wind Rose indicate the following percentages: West 48 per cent, South 21pc and North-East 25pc. Please council, some action at the boat ramp at Little Beach

Noel Toms,

Nelson Bay

The federal government is fighting hard. They have a real battle on their hands and their stoic resistance to modernity is causing real dangers for our electricity grid.

The article ("Solar and wind power can replace Liddell Power Station", theherald.com.au 13/9) points out that industry investment is already going ahead with the required replacement generation, despite the lack of investment guidance the industry has been calling for.

Industry leaders, energy experts etc have asked for certainty in government policy for four years. Their recommendations are similar to Dr Finkel's. They want a clean energy target, and many still call for a carbon price.

The Turnbull government is so set on maintaining coal as the primary source of energy, regardless of the economics, that our energy industry is in crisis.

How long will it take for this ideological mob to accept reality?

Meanwhile business will continue to innovate and invest in energy production that provides a return. Imagine how much more investment we would have if the government decided to work with the industry instead of against it.

Scott Bell-Ellercamp, 

Clarence Town

I have just had the most amazing weekend. First of all, on Saturday attended my 68^th (68 mind you) school reunion of Newcastle Girls’ High. There mus have been at least 150 old girls at South’s Newcastle for the reunion of the oldest “old girl” being 93. What a wonderful day reminiscing. And on Sunday I went to the Civic Theatre to see The Glenn Miller band. What a magnificent concert. It brought back memoies of quick-stepping to Harry Tabernacle’s band at the Town Hall and jitterbugging at the Palais. The music from the war years was really amazing. The young people of today don’t know what they have missed.

Elaine Richards,

Salt Ash