I SUPPORT the arts industry in this city and congratulated the artists and organisers of New Annual Arts Festival.
However, it looks like the spin doctors are at it again at Newcastle Council. Claims that New Annual attracted more than 30,000 people deserve closer scrutiny.
Actual attendance figures quoted to councillors in a "wrap up" report were 23,215.
Of that figure, 5500 were attendees at a Newcastle Museum Exhibition and 6706 at the Olive Tree Markets, a private enterprise which was already popular and well supported pre-COVID.
That means attendance at newly established creative events was more like 11,000.
At a cost of more than $1 million and involving about 250 staff, crew and volunteers, a cost benefit analysis may be more useful than a glossy report largely boasting about social media engagement.
Cr John Church, Newcastle
Shots in the dark on jab
WHAT a joke! I am told that I am eligible for the COVID shot as from Monday and to make an appointment.
They advise to go on to the government site to see where you can get the jab and to make an appointment. Having done this, a list of medical centres come up for you to contact.
When you ring the nominated centres they tell you that they don't know anything about it. So I thought I would ring my own GP surgery. They tell me that they have submitted interest, but have heard nothing. I would be forgiven for thinking that this program is being run by public servants.
Sandy Buchanan, Largs
Rapists won't get the message
OF course women should be able to feel safe to go where they want when they want, wearing what they want, drunk or sober. We never ever want to return to the days when a male could get away with rape because a woman "sent misleading signals".
The reality however is that those who bash rape and murder don't care about anyone else's rights, they are only interested in satisfying their own perverted animalistic desires, they aren't listening, they aren't reading this.
Like Greg Hunt (Short Takes, 17/3), the caption on the protester's t-shirt annoyed me (the desired result?) and I found myself asking, why, what's her point?
Dave McTaggart, Edgeworth
Give Wayne's idea a go
I HAVE read that many players are commenting about how fast the game has become due in part to the change in some rules. They say they have "run out of puff" towards the end of games. Is it now time for the NRL to implement one of Wayne Bennett's suggestions, that the side that scores, kicks off?
The NRL and rugby union are the only sports in the world where the scoring side receives the ball on the restart. It would, hopefully, stop lopsided scoring and give the fans a more even contest.
I feel this would have an influence on serious injuries as the more tired a player the more likely he/she is to be injured. Or is it because it was recommended by the great coach that it hasn't been implemented?
Keith King, Newcastle
Satellite towns suggestion
IT has taken the pandemic to make the Australian government aware that one does not need to work in a city environment. At last they are promoting the concept of people moving from the cities to regional areas. Great! As long as their relocation does not spoil the reasons that we regional residents chose to live where we live - the natural beauty.
Far too many developers are being allowed to clear-fell native habitat for the sake of the almighty dollar. These greedy developers are driven with the desire to place as many blocks on a parcel of land as they can.
State and local governments now have the opportunity to revisit planning options. It's about time that we consider creating more environmentally sympathetic developments by retaining as many trees as possible, thus leaving somewhere for native wildlife to live.
Rather than over-populating existing towns and villages, why not plan new satellite towns for those wishing to move from the cities.
With careful planning, we could create desirable environments for all to live. Long-term planning is the way to go.
Stan Keifer, Arakoon
A different perspective on China
JOHN Davies (Letters 17/3) describes Australia as a sitting duck for Chinese expansionism, believing "China (is) determined to conquer the Indo Pacific region". Yes, a rising China will need expert diplomacy but we need to keep things in context before we unwisely hit the panic button.
Remember, we are of high strategic importance to the US as a member of ANZUS. The US has by far the strongest military in the world and operates more than 500 military establishments on foreign sites across every inhabited continent. The US has military sites in 54 countries. Add those NATO nations like the UK which has bases in 26 countries and the perceived threat from China may not be as daunting as provocative politicians and their parochial media might make out.
John Pilger reported in 2016, "Seldom referred to in the Western media, 400 American bases surround China with ships, missiles and troops, in an arc that extends from Australia north through the Pacific to Japan, Korea and across Eurasia to Afghanistan and India." China has no bases near the US or Australia. It has a mere four foreign sites in Argentina, Djibouti, Myanmar and Tajikistan. Even with this knowledge, somehow we are being led to believe we are the ones who should feel threatened.
John Arnold, Anna Bay
'Deputy Dawg' tag not wanted
AUSTRALIA has been a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue , known as the Quad, along with the United States, Japan, and India since 2007.
It is perfectly reasonable that Australia should be a member of different security treaties, but we have to be very conscious of the history of the US in dragging Australia into unthinkable wars. This sorry history includes Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, the blood and treasure expended being immeasurable.
The US is now working to convert the Quad to a similar role as NATO. Whereas the role of NATO is to contain Russia, the aim of the Quad will be the containment of China.
It is most unwise of Australia to take a leading role in baiting the future Asian superpower. We should be able to support the US in mature and statesman-like terms and avoid being seen as the US' "Deputy Dawg" in the Pacific.
Geoff Bryan, Mayfield East
SHORT TAKES
I DON'T think the LNP's laissez-faire attitude to women could be anything but political, Don Fraser (Short Takes, 18/3). But retiring Liberal MP Nicolle Flint's tawdry attempts to blame the Labor Party for sexist slander and harassment prior to the last election were pretty standard practice for ScoMo and co. Deflect, blame Labor and then do nothing!
Mac Maguire, Charlestown
DEAR, dear me Herald, your front page from 16/3 disturbs me greatly. I imagine if the t-shirt read "women" instead of "men", the sky would fall in!
Ray Cross, Morpeth
JUST over the shock of the front cover of the Herald 16/3. Why would you go out of your way to make someone angry? This to me is one of the reasons we have so much violence in society today and this person is marching against violence and equality. I don't think so.
Tony Phillip, Kurri Kurri
IT was interesting to see NSW Premier giving advice to other state premiers on how to run their states. I wonder if she has checked recent state election results. She might be better to give them advice on how to get away with shredding documents to hide questionable use of public money.
Fred McInerney, Karuah
HAS the government thought about the impact on businesses who rely on stock from overseas? We need the stock to sell. There is nothing made here. Too late to build here. Hmmm, didn't we make cars here at one time! Clothes too. Can we diversify? Takes money and staff and of course stock made here. Think again guys. Unemployment is about to skyrocket.
Amanda Johnstone, Mayfield
IT is very interesting to see letters like the one from Barry Swan of Balgownie (Our 'emperor' had no clothes for protest, Letters, 17/3) criticising what the PM wears. You can always tell when the left gets desperate as they realise they have no one as talented or liked as much as our PM and his cabinet colleagues. In desperation they call out the fashion police of all things.
John Mildwater, Caves Beach
I BELIEVE that we are so lucky in Australia, and Newcastle, that we will be bound to forget the real issues until they bear down from great heights. I'm putting my money on the negotiators and diplomats to hold the fort as anger won't cut it anymore. Greed won't either.
Bryn Roberts, New Lambton
WITH all this rain and overcast sky, my solar hot water system has run out of hot water. The dishes are piling up in the kitchen, I cannot have a shower and I am running out of undies. What do I do?
John Cooper, Charlestown
I WONDER who is paying the legal costs for the Attorney General to run his legal case against the ABC.
Peter Holland, Wyoming
CAN NIB tell us if we get anything back?
