"They took all the trees

And put 'em in a tree museum

And they charged the people

A dollar and a half to see 'em."

A crew was busy removing the trees and other plantings (agapanthus, etc.) from Stockton Street. I have no idea what, if anything, will replace them but, sadly, the damage is now done. 

I joined the National Bank Ltd in 1974 and I was taught the win-win scenario.

A win for the customer means a win for the bank.

The customer was King and Queen. However with the deregulation of the Australian Banking and Financial Services Industry in the 1980s saw the introduction of Harvard Business School Practises and The Mission Statement.

The win-win scenario became a win for the shareholder means a win for the bank. The shareholder and the bank became King and Queen. This was the start of the win-win-lose policy.

The bank and the shareholder wins and the customer loses. A service culture had become a sales culture. For the banking staff involved The Personnel Department became The Human Resources Department. One day you are a person and the next day you are a resource just like the computer and the furniture.

Any love, respect or dignity is removed from the whole system of staff and customer alike – you –  have become dehumanised. The Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry is the culmination of over 30 years of institutionalised dehumanisation and corruption.

I am a person and I am not a resource so I demand to be heard. Bring back The Personnel Department and remove The Human Resources Department. 

Port Stephens Council should be complimented for forming a vision for the Tomaree Sporting Complex (Examiner, May 17).

If successful, it could be quite a sizeable project attracting thousands to the location, especially on a match day. Looking at the layout, the single roundabout in front of the complex and the three-way traffic flows, it will be a point of traffic congestion. Council should produce traffic statistics and predictions for Nelson Bay Road and Salamander Way to justify such a congested layout.

A traffic master plan for Tomaree Peninsular should be required to show the project is really feasible. Traffic congestion and accidents on a busy day, or any day, may well be a major problem and put the success of the complex in doubt. 

Working Guide Dogs experience high levels of every day distractions from pet dogs, including attacks – overwhelmingly from off-lead dogs.

These distractions can cause Guide Dog handlers, who are blind or vision impaired to experience anxiety, a loss of confidence, and have their safety and independence compromised. We’re encouraging pet owners to keep their dogs on-lead when out in public and follow simple Guide Dog etiquette to reduce these distractions: