Wake up Port Stephens, high rise will be given open slather with building heights set to more than double throughout the entire town centre.

Have a look at the crane in Church Street – that’s what will sail through unless the community wakes up from its holiday slumber.

Far from leading a much needed economic revival and bringing more permanent residents the town centre so badly needs, abandonment of height controls will kill off the character that attracts visitor and residents alike, with the iconic water views north from the bowling club obstructed by apartment towers.

I believe that hundreds of empty apartments will compound the problem of a winter ghost town. 

And in the summer tourism peaks, visitor parties bringing two or more cars to each unit, many also with boats, will worsen the already difficult parking and traffic problems.

Frankly, if I owned an apartment in Nelson Bay CBD area now, I’d quickly exit left as any view you might have now will be well and truly gone.

Margaret Wilkinson

Corlette 

My father, Bill Fuller, was on the front page of the Examiner [April 27] this year after leading the Anzac Day march in Nelson Bay.

He passed away recently at the grand age of 95, and although he was well known around town, few would known his name.

He moved to here a few years ago and loved living in beautiful Nelson Bay.

He spent many a happy hour roaming town in his mobility scooter with “one leg, one eye and one ear”, nothing kept him down.

His last few years were enriched by the kindness shown him by the people around town and the wonderful nurses of Port Stephens Veteran & Citizens Aged Care, both in his home, and for his last few months, at Harbourside Haven.

We celebrated his life with a wonderful service at All Saints Anglican Church led by the gentle Reverend Kesh Govan and Frank Duffy, the RSL Welfare Officer.

It was enhanced by the service of Nadine Stone and her fabulous White Ladies.

I am deeply grateful for the sensitive care they all took of Dad and all of us mourning.

Allison Scott

Anna Bay

With all of life’s distractions, we sometimes forget the true meaning of Christmas.

When we are caught up buying presents and over indulging in food, Christmas can be a time when we often forget what really matters.

But bad experiences and misfortunes can culminate at Christmas time, which means for vulnerable and marginalised Australians, Christmas can be the hardest time of the year.

For the Salvos it’s our busiest period, with more than 300,000 families and individuals seeking assistance.

We give out more than 500,000 gifts and toys, and serve over 10,000 meals to those who don’t have the means to celebrate Christmas. 

We can only meet this need because year after year Australians come together and stand by those doing it tough. This, I believe, is the true meaning of Christmas. 

So this holiday season let’s remember those going it alone. By donating $29 to TheSalvation Army's Christmas Appeal, you can help put a present under the tree and food onthe table, bringing hope where it’s needed most.

Neil Venables

National Secretary for Communications, The Salvation Army