Letters to the Port Stephens Examiner

They, and many others like them, will always lament, January 26 as being their “Invasion Day”; and choosing another day (nationwide public holiday) to celebrate all that is good about Australia (multiculturalism etc.) would still be attacked and targeted by those with their special agendas. However, no one should attempt to re-write our history. Why don’t we all share Australia Day ?

The first six hours of January 26 to be officially recognised and declared as “Invasion Day” (5am to 11am); starting with a dawn service with Kevin Rudd’s “Sorry” speech to be read out by a local leader, followed by a ‘Bereavement Breakfast’, and served by non-indiginous volunteers; with remainder of the six hours devoted to cultural songs and dances; and all paid for by State and Federal governments.

“Australia Day” then officially begins at 11am, and is all-inclusive, with its traditional barbecues, citizenship ceremonies, sporting events, fireworks, and all other things “true blue”.  Both parts of Australia Day should always be striving to close the gap.

Allan J Fuller

Mallabula

Our family enjoyed a great day together this year along with 24 million or so others , and why wouldn’t we?

Our convict forebears were shipped here against their will and then made to work hard for years under very harsh conditions.  

But they overcame these obstacles to give us a future life here. We are grateful to them and celebrate their fortitude. Our family has worked full time until retirement and we paid for our land and paid taxes so others have health and welfare benefits for which no gratitude is apparently felt or shown.  We are sick of minority and lobby groups taking all and then telling us what we should do or say.  Any that have a problem with this day need to get over it and move on.

Kerry Allen

Raymond Terrace

The answer to Jan Wilson's question about whether or not she can get approval for four-storey structures anywhere in Port Stephens is that if you propose an oversize development, Port Stephens Council is highly likely to approve it, irrespective of zoning [Examiner, Letters, February 2].

Salamander Haven aged care facility has approval to erect two large four-storey blocks of flats in an area with a two-storey height limit. This development fronts two streets in Salamander Bay and will overshadow its single and two-storey residential neighbours not only because of its height but also because council has approved smaller setbacks from the boundaries.

Cherylle Stone

Soldiers Point 

The government is no longer making billions from owning telecom only millions from taxing leftover profits.

  The same for electricity and for the Snowy Mountain Scheme; the same for Telecom and the same for gambling etc.  All thanks to politicians fooled into believing failed trickle down economics and privitisation. These have doubled prices for the public masquerading as reducing government expenditure.  

We are now in the position of Greenland, a country that went broke.

  Now the State Government is trying to put debt-ridden councils (Newcastle) in charge of profitable councils (Port Stephens).  As if that will save Newcastle residents $5 off their rates. 

Jon Sherwin

Nelson Bay