A few weeks ago, we brought a visitor from Perth to visit your beautiful city.
Before the trip, I researched the tourist attractions and we did some marvellous things.
However, the best thing we did, which could be a world-class living exhibition, was scarcely advertised and only discovered by chance. I'm talking about Fort Scratchley.
This site is amazing, and through its knowledgeable and friendly guides, captures an important part of Australian history. The tour was absolutely fascinating and our visitor could not believe that it wasn't inundated with tourists, like similar sites would be overseas.
Newcastle is missing an amazing opportunity here.
To start with, a younger cohort of volunteers, perhaps Scouts or people doing their community Duke of Edinburgh service, could be encouraged to assist and learn from the current ex-soldier volunteers who do a magnificent job, but are not getting younger. It should be compulsory for every year 6 class to have an excursion to the fort to deepen their appreciation of Australian history.
At the very least, please ensure that Newcastle council steps up to the mark and devotes sufficient funds and publicity to this awesome, unique in Australia, facility to preserve it before it is too late and lost forever.
Let's start the conversation.
It has almost gone unnoticed but it does have to be congratulated. A security win for all Australians.
The authorities have nipped in the bud actions by one of the key threats to the Australian way of life.
White supremacist group the National Socialist Network, has tried to rebrand itself as the European Australian Movement, then The White Australia group.
But, despite these attempts to change their name, it was announced last week that the authorities have been able list them as a "prohibited hate group" under laws introduced after the Bondi terror attack.
This meant "supporting, funding, training, recruiting, joining or directing" the group would be a criminal offence punishable by up to 15 years behind bars.
The government says it "sends a clear message to people who believe in racial supremacy that their views have no place in modern Australia".
Given white supremacist groups are a leading and severe domestic security threat in Australia, whose activities account for a major portion of ASIO's priority counter-terrorism caseload, we have to applaud this action.
We also need to encourage them to keep going and to never stop fighting such hate groups to ensure good Australians are protected from these terrible Australians who are a threat to our way of living.
This action may not appear much to some - but it is an important stepping stone in the fight of good versus evil.
I entirely agree with Leigh Wardle that "the public deserves far greater transparency about AUKUS" ("Leaked info a wake-up call", Letters 19/5).
That transparency is not just what the planners have in mind, but what their values are. The leak revealed that a cross against Newcastle becoming a submarine base is the proximity to 12,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate storage for the mining industry.
This is the only place in the world where such a vast amount is stored in a city. Its explosive potential is four times greater than what blew Beirut apart.
But its location is not safe for the nuclear submarines that are, wait for it, supposed to make us safe? What is even less safe than nuclear submarines and the coal industry, is their influence over the federal government.
Both of these industries are a scourge.
Let's vanish then and get on with the job of working for a future based on renewables and worthwhile jobs.
My wife is a patient in John Hunter Hospital. During my visits to the hospital, I noticed that there is a large proportion of the staff who come from different ethnic backgrounds.
In fact, I would guess there are more staff from migrant backgrounds than so-called 'Australian' staff.
These staff range from the top specialists down to the basic ancillary staff. They are all highly competent, caring and obviously an asset to the hospital.
So I would say to those people who support One Nation's anti-immigration rhetoric, be careful what you wish for.
Because one day in the future, at a hospital somewhere, a migrant, who you didn't want to come into the country, might actually save your life.
I attended the Jets game on Saturday. I am in my 80s and my grandchildren drove from Sydney to watch the game. Sadly, we were in the area designated for Sydney. It wasn't long before my granddaughter suggested we move, as she felt it was dangerous. Some Sydney fans' behaviour was disgusting. Police tried to address the situation, and one supporter was removed and handcuffed. My sadness continued when a junior, probably seven years old, was booed when they left the field. Heartbreaking. We are all passionate about our teams, but no one, especially children, should have to witness this. My granddaughter said she was disappointed to be from Sydney.
If Albo was smart he would call an early election. One Nation and others wouldn't have enough candidates ready to stand in time. And he would be with us until 2029. Heaven forbid.
As the budget filters down with increased taxes I start to think Albo is a skilful politician. Next May 2027 we have a budget, likely the last before the 2028 election. To win the next election Albo will need to reduce taxes, due to a flagging economy with rising inflation, interest rates and unemployment. I suggest he then gets Status Quo to run a campaign around "Taxes are Down Down". It worked for a major retailer.
Another group of professional protesters are on their way back to Gaza. Some were arrested a week or so ago. They must have really good bosses or jobs to get the time off work. Next thing, their families will be pleading with the government to rescue them, all at taxpayers' expense.
If the ACCC and other watchdogs really wanted to alleviate cost-of-living pressures they would investigate the insurance industry. Very concentrated ownership, slick marketing, dodgy renewal pricing, poorly researched risk profiles, complicated websites, disclaimers, overseas call centres with long delays, everything is in the company's favour. The dramatic price increases to CTP, home insurance, and vehicle insurance . . . there is plenty to keep them busy.
