While I am not yet ready to reside permanently in such an establishment, (barely out of my teens at 76), it is comforting to know they are available, even if they are subject to a waiting list.

I cannot speak highly enough of the Harbourside staff and their dedication to the care and welfare of their residents, both long and short term.

The carers and the caterers all set an extremely high standard of professionalism, sparing no effort in ensuring the residents were given every assistance to enjoy their senior years.

My thanks to all at Hostel 1 at Shoal Bay. You are truly wonderful people.

Terry Corcoran

Medowie.

Regarding the letter on seaweed in last week’s paper by Amanda Sutherland – she obviously did not walk on or swim at the beach between Christmas and New Year.

My family did daily and you could not walk on the rocky little beach down to the surf club due to millions of flies.

Ask the life guards about the maggots, the worst time was on a dropping tide. High tide would float the maggots off the rotting seaweed (over 1 metre tall in spots), they would then float down to the swimming area between the flags and they were thick.  

Grahame Brock

Valentine

It does not make any sense to me that Port Stephens Council has now resurfaced Scott Road at Anna Bay, between Pacific Avenue and Morna Point Road and Argyle Avenue but they haven't resurfaced Gan Gan Road which really needs it especially from Blanch Street up to Frost Road. 

The only attention that section gets is to fill-in pot holes, which don’t last long before they return.

This is the road that has a lot of traffic and this road needs to be resurfaced not Scott or Argyle - they don’t have potholes in them and there is not much through traffic.

 I know because I walk my dog every day on those roads on my way to the beach.

What a waste and a shame.

Adolfo Pozzi

Anna Bay

As the holiday season in the Bay draws to an end I would like to thank all those visitors who shared our lovely  area.

Thankyou to those who were law abiding, respectful and enjoyed our beautiful beaches. Please come back.

Thankyou to the police, ambulance, real estate agents, service providers, local restaurants, shop owners etc. who provided their services to ensure your enjoyment.

For those few people who refused to play by the rules, who abused local wait staff, trashed hotel rooms, those who had double the numbers allowed crammed into holiday rentals and then trashed the property because people complained.

Those who buried their children’s nappies in the sand and left other rubbish scattered on our beautiful beaches, rode their jet skis through swimming areas,  please don't come back until you learn some manners.

To those who trashed the surrounding gardens in the process ant to those people who buried more than 40 kebab sticks in the children's playground at Corlette, their sharp points purposely angled upwards in an act of vengeful mindlessness please don't return EVER.

To those locals and council workers who spent the next three days scouring the park to ensure no child was hurt as a result of this atrocious behaviour –  thankyou.

Jeanette McClymont

Corlette