Mike Scanlon wrote a delightful article, ("Long haul over", Weekender, 4/12), about a beautiful bronze statue of a horse named Miner and a handler, Tom Outram. Mr Outram worked 243 metres underground at the Richmond Main mine for six years in the 1940s. The work, by sculptor Brett Garling, is a tribute to the respected ponies that contributed so much to the Hunter region.
The people of Kurri Kurri are to be congratulated for raising the money for the project. Mr Outram and Mr Col Andrews started the petition to begin the fund-raising in 2015. It is sad that Mr Outram died in May this year, aged 96, and didn't see the unveiling on Saturday.
In 1999 the Newcastle City Council commissioned a Blackbutt Plan of Management, known as the Mackenzie Report. My understanding is two of the proposals in the report really upset Janet Raisbeck, wife of the then head ranger. First, the proposal to remove the enclosed animals, which she looked upon as her family since she had rescued many of them from the dead mothers' pouches and raised them in her home. Several animals had been killed by vehicles on Carnley Avenue and by domestic dogs before they were confined to their yards. Secondly, the proposal to close and revegetate her favourite track, affectionately called by the old-timers the Bridle Trail, because it had been used by the local pit ponies.
Thankfully, due to public interest and support for the Raisbecks, neither of these proposals happened. However, City of Newcastle renamed the Bridle Trail as Blueberry Ash Walk. On ascent to the top of this track, a turn to the left leads to the Main Ridge Walk. Near this point is a horse's drinking trough where the Carnley pit ponies, presumably from the mine shaft at the Black Duck/Carnley picnic area, once quenched their thirst.
Since the coronavirus pandemic, many people have discovered Blackbutt Reserve and the extensive, and at some points challenging, track system. The picturesque Bridle Trail/Blueberry Ash Walk is one of them and a favourite with joggers.
Hopefully some time in the future when the Newcastle City Council renews track signage within the Reserve, the Blackbutt pit ponies can be acknowledged.
A very interesting point from Mr Scanlon's article was that pit ponies were regarded as guardian angels by the miners. Their sixth sense warned the miner of possible cave-ins and probably saved many lives. I would love to know more of these beautiful animals and how they actually communicated their concerns to the men.
Moira Boettcher, New Lambton
'Mall virus' arrived before COVID
PHILLIP O'Neill writes that COVID-19 and internet shopping are killing off our local shopping streets and transforming our towns and cities, ("Suburban ka-ching: It's now or never: spend some dough locally", Opinion, 6/12). I believe these trends were already well-entrenched well before COVID-19 arrived among us.
The rise and expansion of malls, in our mindless race to copy America, has ensured the death of the traditional high street. While the removal of the rail line into Newcastle may well have been a nail in the city's coffin, it had already been killed off by the growth of malls in Kotara, Charlestown and Glendale. Years ago, many people stopped going into the city as it offered less and less shopping and limited parking.
Towns that have resisted the mall virus still have thriving high streets. A visit to Inverell recently reinforced this. Unfortunately, having gone so far down this path here in Newcastle, it will be impossible to reverse it now.
David Brown, Medowie
Tobacco price rises are taxing
OVER the last 10 years the federal government has drastically increased the tax on tobacco and cigarettes, basically at 12.5 per cent every year, to curtail usage which is now down to only the hardcore users. The cost of a packet of cigarettes in our country is now almost 90 per cent tax.
Government revenue from this is now a staggering $17 billion per annum. The country's total health budget is $98 billion, of which direct tobacco related illnesses cost $7 billion, so there is a considerable surplus. The government clearly has an addiction to this revenue stream bonanza.
I was amused with a recent news article that cigarette butt pollution is the latest focus for environmental groups, who wish to redirect cleanup costs to the tobacco companies. It's clear the biggest profiteer out of this industry is the federal government. Let them design and finance such a scheme.
Allan Searant, Charlestown
Re-learn lost art of patience
HERE here, Steve Barnett, ("Here's a tip: bring patience back to pubs too", Letters, 4/12). The supposed season of good will certainly can bring out the worst in people.
During this time of year, it seems that many people who are seeking goods and/or services want everything 10 minutes ago. Yes, it is a very busy time of year, and people wish to cram more into their days and nights, but this is why I think more leniency should be given to bar staff, restaurant staff, and retail staff.
Most businesses slow down around Christmas, but for the hospitality and retail sector, business picks up tenfold. So especially during the "silly season", society as a whole should relearn the lost art of patience when waiting in line, and also be courteous to those serving them.
People may also wish to consider that long lines/waiting times, sold out menu items at a restaurant, a lack of stock in a supermarket, or any price increases, are very unlikely to be the fault of the 16-year-old behind the counter that they choose to take their frustration out on.
Adz Carter, Newcastle
Double standards not everywhere
MAUREEN O'Sullivan Davidson ("Seek equality, not underclass", Letters, 9/12), it was Mr Whitlam who appointed Mr Kerr and subsequently the people of Australia who sacked the Whitlam government in a landslide, so were we the voters in on it as well as Malcom Fraser?
Barry Swan, (Short Takes, 9/12), I believe your talk of inequality in wages between male and female staff, is something of a nonsense. It matters not what my staff's gender is, they receive the same award. In fact I find it nearly impossible to find an award that has different rate for different genders doing the same work.
Warren Dean, (Short Takes, 9/12), according to your letter it's only the Conservative side of politics that has an issue with poor behaviour in parliament. Have you forgotten the 30 Labor staffers and former politicians who a few years ago signed a joint statement claiming the same problem within Labor ranks? That says nothing of Lidia Thorpe's outrageous attack on Senator Hollie Hughes last week. I saw not one Labor or Greens politician or anyone in the left-leaning media push back against this or demanding her resignation. Could you imagine if that was a Conservative who told a Labor or Greens female politician the same thing?There would be demands for that person to be thrown out of the party and the parliament, the media would have had it as front page with no let up until the person was gone from the public eye.
Andrew Hirst, Beresfield
SHORT TAKES
THE owner of the Caledonian Hotel in Singleton deserves no sympathy after his recent day in court, ('I do not recognise you': court', Newcastle Herald 3/12) believe. His actions potentially put the whole community at risk when NSW had about 63 per cent double vaccination rate. In my opinion his defiance risked the health of those at aged care facilities, schools and numerous small businesses. The $3000 fine he received is in interest contrast to a climate activist, trying to save the planet and humanity, getting a year's jail for halting a coal train recently.
John Arnold, Anna Bay
I READ John Tierney's column with interest ('Re-elected council must stop wasteful ways', Opinion 8/12), and found it very interesting. For only the second time in my almost 67 years, I was agreeing with a former federal Liberal senator. In my opinion it just goes to show me, a formerly rusted on Labor voter, that just because you have always voted for the same mob does not mean they are all perfect at their job. Don't forget the old saying; a change is as good as a holiday.
Phill Watts, Elermore Vale
MAUREEN O'Sullivan Davidson, ("Seek equality, not underclass", Letters, 9/12) wrote about the sacking of John Kerr in 1965. If I remember correctly it was November 11 1975, not 1965.
Daphne Hughes, Kahibah
WELL, the Bathurst 1000 is over for another year ('Whincup grabs third Supercars medal', Herald 4/12). How exciting it will be in the year 2030 when all cars will be electric with hands off controls. The race is over 1000 kilometres, so we can expect a few recharges during the race. Being hands-off controls there will be no accidents, so panel beaters will not be needed (there goes another job) and can you imagine the excitement when cars run out of charge going up Mount Panorama? The Newcastle Supercars should be fun too. I cannot wait for 2030 to come.
John Cooper, Charlestown
POOR Mother Nature. She brings the clouds over with rumbles in her tummy. She throws lightning bolts, reveals the sun and brings unpredictable rain. Is she sick? I'd like to think she is adapting.
Bryn Roberts, New Lambton
I AGREE with Susan Ayre, (Short Takes, 8/12), on the stability that our constitutional monarchy provides when compared with problems observed by republics around the world. However, I believe Gough Whitlam would have liked to know the office of Governor General was purely ceremonial.
Marvyn Smith, Heddon Greta
IN reply to Susan Ayre, (Short Takes, 8/12): I agree. Australia has survived on the Westminster style of government, for well over 200 years. It's one of the few things that's lasted so long. I'd be very careful what I replaced it with.
