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A pot pourri of issues attracted your email attention in recent days. Everything from the RSL selling a sacred piece of our history, to the cruel slaughter of dugongs and seat turtles and a state government spending more than $360 million on revamping a sports stadium in tough times.
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Hi Derryn,
Firstly, congratulations on 50 years in the business. Well done!
Second, thanks for your position on the Queensland RSL's appalling decision to flog the ‘Last Post’ as a ring tone. I sent my protest to the RSL, but it seems that the almighty dollar is more important than respect for our fallen comrades in Queensland.
Keep up the good work, mate.
Peter Munro
Perth WA
(Vietnam veteran 3RAR 1968)
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G'day Derryn,
Tried to call on the subject of Traditional Indigenous customs. There was a documentary on ABC about 20 years ago that covered this. The giant turtle was dragged up the beach on it's back and each flipper was cut off slowly, either on purpose or a blunt knife. The look of pain on the turtle’s face is still etched in my mind and couldn't believe the commentator suggesting that it would probably be a bit sickening for non Indigenous people to watch but that is what they have been doing for a thousand years.
Finally, they cut open the turtle’s stomach from the neck to the tail and all the kids scooped out the eggs. The turtle’s head was swaying from side to side in absolute agony and was still trying to lift it's head 10 minutes later. Haven't seen anything like this before or after. I really hope you pin the authorities down on this practice. The guy you spoke to brought it all back and I felt sick all over again.Even the cavemen killed their pray. This is just brutal and savage.
Cheers...Pierre.
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Derryn,
Usually I agree with you on most issues but I'm afraid I'll have to disagree with you on the Victorian Government's plans to upgrade the Melbourne Tennis Centre.
I don't play tennis nor have I ever been to the Australian Open so I'm not a biased tennis player nor biased tennis fan. The Australian Open is a very successful event. It brings the world’s best players here (we don't get that in golf nor do we get that in other sports) and brings in tourism money. World class facilities need to be upgraded regularly.
The cost is high but will it be spread over a number of years? The benefit of this project will be for many other events and not just the tennis.
You argue how the money proposed for this upgrade could be used for essential services. That is true but you could then argue the government should not spend any money on sport, art or any other non-essential area.
Regards
Sam
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Dear Derryn,
I have been writing to the sports minister Chris Ellis since I read in
FinReview that in 1988 the much awaited iPhone had already sold out it's
first release in Australia. Among the companies that had claimed their
share was the Australian Institute of Sport. I started questioning why
and what is the taxpayers' money spent on. Two economists from RMIT
wrote an article about the Olympic Games in Beijing cost Australia's 10.5
million taxpayers $44 million for every medal won, be they gold, sliver
or bronze.
I have tried to find out how much we spend on sport annually to no
avail. I wouldn't mind what was spent on sport as long as hospitals,
police, the elderly and the homeless were catered for, but to spend so
much on the healthiest and the wealthiest by struggling taxpayers is
ludicrous.
I am attaching a copy of the letter I sent to Chris Ellis. Please help
find out what the federal and state governments spend each year. And,
by the way, The head of the IOC, John Coates, is whining about needing
more money to compete in the next Olympics. We only have 22 million
people. Brumby claims the $363 million will be well spent, beating
China's bid for the AUSTRALIAN Open, for God's sake.
Sorry this is all over the place. I just wanted to get it off my chest
before this outrage was buried yet again.
Regards,
Alice Tribe
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Hi Derryn
I was very interested to read your article in today's Sunday Herald Sun regarding your accommodation scam in New York. I had recently been looking on the internet for an affordable self contained apartment in London as we are travelling there in April to catch up with our daughter who is living and working there (unfortunately for us she is in shared accommodation and there is no room for the folks). I was browsing the accommodation website Gumtree (not sure if you are familiar with this site but it is apparently quite a popular one). I located what appeared to be a lovely apartment in the Kensington/Knightsbridge area for something like 37 pound per night. Must admit it did sound too good to be true. I sent an email to the contact and they promptly (very) replied telling me how much and that they required 300 pound deposit plus a 200 pound refundable bond and it was to be sent to a bank account. I was telling my daughter about it and she said you have to be careful on Gumtree as there are a lot of scams. Thought I would delve into it further with what information was provided on the site - registered company, registration no. etc. Mmmm, not looking real good I thought - something amiss here as things were not adding up. Decided to send them another email asking for the exact address so my daughter could check out the location. I am still waiting for their response 3 weeks later!!!!!!! They were very quick to tell me how much to send - a pity they weren't so quick to give me the exact address.
We have now booked a place, that was not too expensive, that friends stayed at last year in the Kensington area. Our daughter went and paid the deposit yesterday and she said whilst it is not modern (70's) it is in a good location - and at least we know people have been there and it does exist. People need to be aware of this and as they say - if seems too good to be true.......it usually is. Advice - go through a reputable agent or word of mouth.
I am glad She Who Is Always Right came up with a good alternative in the end and you had an enjoyable time.
Cheers
Jan Nichol, Warrnambool |
