HAVING watched more than 50 rugby league grand finals, I found this year's event the most boring.
In fact I could see the grass growing.
Five tackles and a kick, few dropped balls and penalties and the referee had no whistle. So why was this such a boring exhibition of rugby league? Look no further than the current set of rules as they have deprived viewers, who have never had the opportunity to watch a game where players could compete for the ball in scrums, play the balls and high kicks.
Defensive players of the future will have to be short and 110 kilograms, so they have no chance of tackling chest-high.
As a side comment, the bunker is no longer a joke it is a monumental embarrassment.
John Cooper, Charlestown
Why return to danger zone?
AT the end of World War II many displaced people from Europe came to Australia for a better life, and did just that. They worked hard, raised families and became Australian citizens. Many of them lived in Australia for the remainder of their lives. Occasionally, they may take a holiday over to the country of their birth to visit family.
At the moment, as we are all too well aware, the conflict in the Middle East is getting worse by the day, and the Australian Government has been bombarded with requests from "Australian citizens" over in these areas to help them escape the danger. And, of course, our government is doing what it can to bring as many of the citizens to Australia at the taxpayers expense so they can be safe.
What surprises me most, is that many of these people have already said they want to return to the country they have escaped from, as soon as it is safe.
To me, this is totally wrong.
I suggest to the Australian Government, that any person who returns to the "danger area" after the government has paid a fortune to bring them to safety, should have their Australian citizenship permanently cancelled.
David Edge, Maryville
Creating a win-win alternative
KIM Schofield ("We're missing a power Plan B", Letters, 7/10), says "what about the other 16 hours per day" when querying my passing comment about the value of solar and wind.
On average, offshore wind blows harder and generates more power at night than during the day making this a powerful contributor to baseload energy, although there are inevitably periods when the wind is light and other means are needed.
The repurposing of a defunct UK power coal fired power station, started in 2023, is at the point of providing 150MW of battery baseload battery power, enough to supply 250,000 homes, so why not here?
Coupled with more wind turbines, it provides a win-win alternative to fossil fuels.
The overriding point, however, is that the world has woefully missed targets for emissions reduction - they increased again last year - and Australia is only compounding this by allowing more coal (and gas) production.
The more we churn out, the lower the market price which equals less incentive for others to go green.
The International Panel on Climate Change argues that we've missed the chance to keep global warming below the Paris Agreement target of 1.5 degrees, are on track for a 3 degrees increase by 2100 with parts of the world increasing by 5 degrees, making much of our planet, including Australia, unliveable through heat, drought, flooding, sea level warming, rise and acidification.
Is that what we want for our children and grandchildren in return for buoying up export income now?
Jeff Fothergill, The Junction
Good karma at Playhouse
Some people are attracted to the idea that we need to pursue a New Newy. They seek something beyond, without realising that what we have is as good as it gets.
The play, Karma Kafé, showing at the Playhouse Theatre as part of the New Annual Festival, is a timely reminder of what Newy has to offer now.
Hats off to Stray Dogs Theatre Company for shining a light on one of Newcastle's well-known venues, Goldbergs on Darby Street, Cooks Hill.
The show is topical and is brought to life by a talented cast as they weave their way through a storyline peppered with local history and relevance.
Each cast member makes a special contribution as actors, singers and dancers, as they build towards a celebratory climax that was loudly and warmly applauded by all.
This is a show that will continue to impress.
Ron Brown, Islington
SHORT TAKES
Faded novelty of daylight saving
If daylight saving did what it was introduced to do, i.e. savings on energy to run lighting and ran for four months, I would be OK with it. However, those days are long gone. Today it has become just a novelty, which over the six months that it operates there are no savings; a novelty that a lot of people in rural NSW, especially farmers, could do without.
Steven Busch, Rathmines
Shining light on dark thoughts
SOMEONE out there is thinking their curtains are fading and the chooks aren't laying because of daylight saving.
Mick Porter, Raymond Terrace
PO progress bound by red tape
RAY Dinneen ("Time to put pressure on project", Letters, 7/10), I have asked myself today if I would rather see a dancing Santa or a heritage-listed restored building on the corner of Hunter and Bolton streets. I believe that most people would agree that the restoration was preferable and important. I also know that Jerry Schwartz has had several proposed plans for that building rejected by various authorities, but he has tried.
Denise Lindus Trummel, Newcastle
Help us help others
FURTHER to my letter ("Jumping through hoops drives away volunteers", Letters, 5/10), those who seek to have volunteers be part of the NDIS program seem to forget one key issue: we are not paid employees of the NDIS. We receive no pay, long service or superannuation, so I suggest stop putting unnecessary obstacles in the path of volunteers who only want to help those in need.
Alan Metcalf, Stockton
Make it easier to volunteer
ALAN Metcalf ("Jumping through hoops drives away volunteers", Letters, 5/10), I am in total agreement with you. At 63, I have no skills that are needed now, and mobile phones are alien to me. To apply for volunteering work just to visit people lonely or in hospital, I needed to have MY house inspected. What a joke. The government wants people to work longer but technology is taking our places. Using our brains keeps us alive and young. Bring on more housing and staff to look after us if that's your plan.
Amanda Johnstone, Mayfield
No tears for Ponga
ISN'T that sad. Kalyn Ponga has missed out on a Kangaroos jersey. Correct call by Mal Meninga. That should give him the extra time to try for his All Blacks jersey. Queensland selectors should, in my opinion, do the same in 2025.
Matt McAlary, Waratah
Boarding pass query
WAS wondering if that is a peace dove or a chicken trying to get on the taxpayer funded flight out of Cyprus (Broelman's View, 7/10).
