The Advertiser and Sunday Mail Letters to the Editor July 6-12
July 11: A controversial new statue bound for Lot Fourteen has been labelled like “something out of an Alien movie”.
Opinion
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Letters to the Editor published in The Advertiser and Sunday Mail.
SATURDAY, JULY 11, AND SUNDAY, JULY 12
Statue shuffle
OUT of the dour news darkening our morning paper popped the most wicked juxtaposition of remarks about where to put a gift to the Art Gallery of South Australia, a ragged, monstrous aluminium sculpture (“New lot in life for unloved artwork”, The Advertiser, Friday).
With cracking candour, our city fathers labelled it hideous, phallic and something out of an Alien movie, and contemplated burying it deep within the bowels of Lot Fourteen.
A state government spokeswoman, who’d had the donor whispering in her ear, said that such an optimal location would activate both Lot Fourteen and surrounding areas such as the Adelaide Botanic Garden.
This masterclass in spin up-ended me with mirth.
There must be a spent quarry somewhere, its chipped walls at least four storeys high and its rocky base able to support all five tonnes of the sculpture.
A spokeswoman could say: “Enhancing historic damage to the Hills Face Zone, uniting a nation stands in the dress circle overlooking Adelaide, its red light flashing comforting warnings to craft coming into the airspace over Adelaide from all corners of the Earth.”
How’s that?
MARGARET MINNEY, Royston Park
Taxi cameras best
“KEEPING a firm eye on dodgy driving teachers” suggests instructors may be forced to have cameras in their cars “as is the case for taxi and Uber drivers” (The Advertiser, Wednesday).
Ubers may have two-way dashcams, which also video the car interior, or basic GoPros. But these are not required by regulation and do not have the sophisticated security features of the cameras that taxis must provide for the safety of drivers and passengers.
The stored images in a taxi-camera system cannot be accessed without special authorisation. This prevents collections of embarrassing back-seat videos being compiled.
That security and respect for privacy is yet another reason why passengers are safer in regulated taxis than in their unregulated competition.
JOHN TRAINER, Taxi Council SA president
Flag favourite
I AGREE wholeheartedly with Brian Nankivell (“Merge flags”, The Advertiser, Friday).
It would be very simple – remove the Union Jack from the current flag and replace it with the indigenous flag, leaving our beautiful Southern Cross and Federation stars intact on a blue background.
It wouldn’t need a long-and-drawn-out design period, and I feel certain would keep all Australians happy.
It would show the two nations working together and it would finally cut the ties with England and show we are truly independent.
Canada did it.
ROD YATES, Hallett Cove
Reconcile divide
I TOTALLY agree with Brian Nankivell that proclaiming the Aboriginal flag as an official flag of Australia in 1995 was a big mistake – perhaps the stupidest thing the Keating government ever did.
As then opposition leader John Howard so presciently said at the time, that decision “would rightly be seen by many in the community not as an act of reconciliation but as a divisive gesture”. John Howard was right – that decision was divisive to a great many Australians, and hindered reconciliation.
Brian’s idea of replacing the Australian and Aboriginal flags with one new flag certainly has merit, but would only work if both those current flags were totally retired from use.
One nation, one flag.
ROGER HANCKEL, Glenelg
Protecting drivers
HOW dreadful that so many bus drivers have been attacked by passengers of late.
Surely the best answer would be to reinstate conductors.
They not only could bring security to the service but everyone would have to pay their fare. That would probably go a long way to reimbursing conductors’ wages.
P. WEBB, Victor Harbor
Virus simulation
CORRESPONDENT Simone Hunter is correct the world was warned about a possible coronavirus epidemic and plans were in place in case it happened (“Virus warning”, The Advertiser, Thursday).
Event 201 – titled Coronavirus Epidemic Simulation – was held at John Hopkins University in October.
It provided a blueprint for procedures, including lockdown, social distancing and other activities.
Attendees included a full range representing WHO health, political and business delegates.
So it was not a complete surprise when the virus eventuated.
PAUL BAKER, Magill
Simple services
I AM not surprised at the way the system works now by charging private health $624 (“RAH perks on sick list”, The Advertiser, Friday).
And patients get a night without any small perks in return.
Learn a lesson from the Lyell McEwin Hospital.
It has TVs free for everyone with local content, which is about all people need.
Local news, not internet or movies. Let’s stop double-dipping with Medicare and private health.
T. R. HOCKLEY, Clearview
Royal distance
ARE Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan aware that the US is not part of the Commonwealth and therefore has no monarchy?
Living off as a “royal” in the US while retaining his title is pure hypocrisy, while of course living in a nice little shack.
If he is that besotted in living in the US, Harry should become a US citizen, renounce his title and get a real job.
Harry is destroying his credibility.
Hopefully he wakes up before it’s too late.
PETER JAMES LOCK, Port Lincoln
Rifle accuracy
HAVING experience with pistols and high-powered rifles in police and military service, it would be safer for the public during a terrorist incident if the police were to throw their pistols at the offender rather than discharging a pistol with any certainty.
It may seem a parado, but a high-powered semiautomatic rifle, firing hollow-nose ammunition, is less likely to harm bystanders than a pistol, which is difficult to aim under stress.
A well-trained marksman should be able to hit a mobile phone from 50m with a standing shot from a rifle, using a sling. But not so with a pistol.
MARK THOMPSON, Newton
Recognise culture
L.J. GLENN’s ethnocentric letter epitomises the values which underpinned the exclusion, oppression and destruction of indigenous (including Australian Aboriginal) societies following European colonisation across the world (“Community work”, The Advertiser, Wednesday).
The unstated assumption in Mr Glenn’s letter is that Aboriginal problems will be resolved once they are helped to adopt white values and lifestyles. There is no reference to indigenous cultures or recognition of self-determination.
With respect, I suggest L.J. Glenn reflects on the nature of European “civilisation”, as manifested in the early 21st century. And, in particular, its major contributions to climate change, environmental carnage and possible, if not probable, impending global des-truction.
EDDIE LE SUEUR, Panorama
Examining Crows
THAT was a great and objective opinion piece by Michael McGuire about some of the fundamental problems with the Adelaide Football Club (“Opinion”, The Advertiser, Friday).
The AFC, at times, comes across as a business and corporate entity rather than a club for its members.
For example, its recent approach to 2020 club membership fees was almost mer-cenary. Why support the team for all South Australians that is not owned by its members but rather the AFL?
Where members can only vote in a small number of board members. While club champion Andrew McLeod may have his own agenda with his recent comments about AFC culture, it is obvious to many that there is some truth in what Andrew says.
This was previously confirmed in the findings of the review by Jason Dunstall and others. The AFC should look at restructuring its basis as a club from the top down, and not shy away from criticism, if it truly wants to be successful for itself and its members.
CHRIS PURGACZ, Goodwood
Nicks’s rocky road
YOU’VE got to feel sorry for new Crows coach Matthew Nicks. Reminds me of someone buying a Porsche only to find its got a Volkswagen Beetle engine in the back of it.
D. McRAE, Glenelg South
Eddie committed
MICHAEL Warner’s excellent piece on Eddie McGuire surmises that perhaps Eddie the outspoken president is part of the problem at Collingwood, referring to more than 20 years of off-field behavioural issues among players at the club (“Ed’s reign of error”, The Advertiser, Friday).
But the subhead “No matter what you do, he will come out to bat for you”, from former star player and likeable rogue Dane Swan, says it all. As a Crows’ fan, no commentator irritates me more than McGuire, who has a foot-in-mouth-disease problem that almost eclipses his huge ego.
But, as Shirley Strachan’s Skyhooks told us, “ego is not a dirty word”. And it’s far, far better to have an imperfect, but totally transparent and bloody-minded person who lives, bleeds and would die for their club, than the insular nothingness we seem to have at the Crows.
This nothingness was so well captured by fellow scribe Michael McGuire in the same edition.
DAVID HALL, Tranmere
Scammers returning from coronavirus lay-off time
I’D like to warn everyone that as people are gradually going back to work, so are the scammers.
For two months I had nothing. Now I’ve had four in the past week. The last one was from a woman from some official-sounding organisation in Melbourne.
They’ claimed to have noticed $200 and $800 had been withdrawn from my account by my credit card – one from eBay and the other from Amazon.
Had I authorised these payments? I said no, but would ring my bank. She seemed quite taken aback by this and made a hurried exit. I rang my bank just to be sure and, of course, all was well.
Do you think these people sleep at night? And are their families proud of what they do?
Does their breakfast table talk go something like: “How many old ladies are you going to scam today daddy/mummy? I hope they’ve got lots of money so we can have another holiday and a new car. You’re so clever”.
EVE MILLS, Elizabeth North
Childcare vital
FEDERAL Labor MP Amanda Rishworth is to be commended for speaking out on the importance of childcare for Australia’s future.
If we can put the focus of childcare on caring for children, rather than on getting children institutionalised from birth and out of the way, we will go a long way towards creating a more resilient and constructive generation.
Such a new generation could be much better positioned to build this country into a strong, stable and caring one. A nation where families matter and giving to others becomes second nature, rather than the selfish me, me, me we have now.
B. SCHROEDER, Warradale
Cash necessary
MAY I ask what is happening to sight-impaired and hearing-impaired people? So many need help.
How do they see what is happening if not using cash? With cash, you feel what you have. You know because it is real money and helps older people keep independent.
Is it really all virus-free or better for business? What will older and impaired people do to keep independence? Does anyone care?
MARY SPARK, Kilburn
Travel encouragement
SO the state government wants us to travel within our state. Well, abolish national park entry fees and give camping fees the same treatment. Halve boat ramp-launching fees and dump any idea of that stupid recreational fishing licence.
KYM BRAY, Port Victoria
Minister off track
I READ with interest Matthew Abraham’s column “Whiff of a problem in government ranks” (Sunday Mail, July 5).
I thoroughly agree with all comments made by Mr Abraham that highlighted former Labor premier Mike Rann’s ability to defuse situations in parliament by using one-liners that captured the core of the problem.
In my opinion, Transport Minister Stephan Knoll, because of his impetuous behaviour and determination to be recognised as his own identity, was used by Premier Steven Marshall and his Liberal government as bait to establish if the community would support a highly contentious change to Adelaide’s bus service which, for the government, would have saved thousands of dollars in the budget.
It didn’t work this time, but Labor must be diligent for other attempts of this nature.
DES KEMP, St Agnes
Not in the plan
MATTHEW Abraham is spot on with his assessment of Stephan Knoll as a minister out of his depth.
He has been given too large a portfolio in transport and planning and lacks the maturity and experience to deal with big issues.
He is making an unholy mess of the new planning system which, from September, will inflict substandard development, along with uncontrolled demolition of historic places and tree loss in our suburbs.
EVONNE MOORE, Maylands
Beware false claims
HOW despicable people are who falsely claim from charities and other fundraising efforts for homes supposedly burnt to the ground, or completely flooded, when they are nowhere near areas affected. I also include people claiming to have cancer who are lying.
They deprive those who are really struggling to live from their rightful entitlements.
Anyone doing these things should be forced to repay all money and be imprisoned for fraud.
ROSINA HOLLAND, Blair Athol
War you won’t win
FINALLY, the police are admitting they are not winning the war on drugs (“In meth capital, drug scourge growing”, Sunday Mail, July 5).
A new radical plan must to be enacted. Humans have used drugs for millennia, but drugs did not become a problem until they were made illegal.
Illegality has made drugs an expensive and glamorous commodity to be exploited by criminals.
The huge profits available make criminals better equipped and more ruthless than the police.
They will do anything to protect their earnings.
The customers of drug cartels, drug users, have no interest in aiding the police. How can the police win?
The only way to win the war on drugs is to remove the driver behind the growth of illegal drug use: profit.
Governments must not only decriminalise drugs for personal use but immediately, when a new drug hits the streets, synthesise and supply that drug to addicts.
Without profit, who will take the risk and cost to introduce new drugs?
Politicians need to turn from their main interest, to be re-elected, and make enlightened decisions.
LUKE KOUMI, Walkerville
Books can unite us
I ALWAYS have a big book pile on the go and thank Peter Goers for keeping up with all the latest political memoirs.
Now I don’t have to sift through Malcolm Turnbull and Christopher Pyne’s weighty tomes.
A good memoir speaks not only of personal events but seeks to make sense of the times it is written in.
I am very much enjoying Finding the Heart of the Nation, by Thomas Mayor, as this speaks of the diverse stories and culture of the Indigenous peoples.
More importantly, it is framed within the Uluru Statement of the Heart which seeks “Makarrata”. This means the coming together after a struggle.
Mayor has brought together a collective of pictures, personal memoir and Australian history.
It opens with the words that this is an invitation to listen, and I have indeed been savouring every word.
JENNY ESOTS, Willunga
Value honours
IT is disappointing to read Christopher Pyne’s offhand comments about the Order of Australia (“Anyone Pyning for a bit of Right reading?”, Sunday Mail, July 5).
There has been a fair bit of criticism of the way that Australian honours have been seemingly handed out to politicians “for doing their jobs and being extremely well paid” (using Peter Goers’ words), and this perception is, unfortunately, devaluing the honours system.
Perhaps politicians could usefully take a lead from former prime minister Paul Keating, who is one of the few such people who has declined an Australian honour.
DR PETER BALAN OAM, St Peters
FRIDAY, JULY 10
Parents phone in
I WAS mystified by the Griffith University study that showed “being on your phone all the time doesn’t make you a bad parent” (“Mum stay on phone, no kidding”, The Advertiser, Thursday).
Parents who are glued to their phones cannot be aware of their children’s needs or even where the children are – on the road outside or in the swimming pool, perhaps.
The study was based on surveys of parents but would be far more reliable if it had used independent observers.
Who funded this “research” – mobile phone companies?
LINDSAY DENT, Campbelltown
Help neighbours
RESURGENT panic buying continues to highlight a failure of community and of trust in our neighbours.
Supply lines of essential items, including toilet rolls, are not the problem. Our difficulty is the possible panic purchasing by our neighbour, leaving us with nothing.
Having achieved a culture that overly indulges individual rights and self-centred behaviour, the consequent distrust of one’s neighbour is rational, though morally unacceptable.
It is time to challenge the menace of individualism, as in a previous era when people emphasised love of God and for our neighbour, doing to others what we would have them do to us.
DAVID D’LIMA, Sturt
Keep distance
IN the time it takes to have a coffee and write a quick letter, three people come in to kiss and hug some fellow coffee aficionados.
Old friends, new friends or lovers’ catchups, who knows?
Hopefully these brief encounters don’t have a COVID-19 sting.
STEWART SWEENEY, North Adelaide
Safety the goal
IS there any valid reason why the news media devotes so much airtime to self-centred people in Melbourne who, having been quarantined in high COVID-19 postcodes, then sneak out and wander off?
They then bleat and blubber to the nearest news camera how bored, stir crazy, or terribly stressed they were.
Their administration in their state is only trying to keep them and all Victorians virus-free. That is all.
Nothing really important apart from that.
PAUL WILLIAMS, Strathalbyn
Cats not demons
I HAVE had cats for nearly 60 years.
Being a responsible owner, I always ensured they were desexed.
And, when microchipping was introduced, I ensured that was done as well.
Jeff Collins is quite right, of course, in that it is not hard to keep a cat in overnight, a practice that I have always endeavoured to do (“Lock up cats”, The Advertiser, Thursday).
However, getting them in at night can be difficult, because they do not (normally) come in response to a call. Occasionally my cats have not come in overnight despite my best efforts to find them.
Cats at large can, I acknowledge, catch native wildlife, as I have witnessed myself. However, near where I live there is a creek, and a refuge for rats, the remains of which I also have witnessed.
So they form not only companionship but rodent control.
To my knowledge, the citizens of London sought to eliminate cats just before the Great Plague struck in the mid-1600s. So please don’t demonise cats for their predatory behaviour.
ALAN BAKER, Sellicks Beach
Road penalties
“MR Knoll said there would be financial penalties for not meeting required standards” (“Roadworks shake-up”, Tuesday).
Yes, Transport Minister Stephan Knoll, we are quite aware of this. And it is usually the taxpayer who pays the penalty, a la the South Road tram bridge and the Darlington retaining-wall collapse.
Remember, if you want something done properly, do it yourself. And also that there are horses for courses.
A transparent tendering system is the only way to go.
And that is something the State Government is against for any purpose.
GARRY TURNER, Port Pirie
Works go west
TRANSPORT Minister Stephan Knoll, I personally look forward to your department delivering these 23,000km of roadworks.
On the western side of our city, the major roads are in disrepair, and have been for more than six years. Many requests for repairs have been ignored.
I eagerly await Sir Don Bradman Drive, Tapleys Hill Road, Port Road, Brighton Road, Richmond Road and Marion Road to be part of this push to improve the network.
Seeing is believing. I await the outcome of your promises to deliver.
ARTHUR MANGOS, Netley
Merge flags
I CANNOT help feeling our country missed an opportunity in 1995 when formally adopting the Indigenous flag as an official national emblem.
Along with many others, I served under the Australian flag to give our country peace, unity and pride.
The adoption of a second flag has increasingly contributed to unrest, division and resentment, with an unhealthy focus on history.
I reckon the time is overdue to replace two flags with one national flag so that we can move forward as one people, one nation – united in celebrating a confident future in a fantastic country where all people have equal opportunity and shared culture.
BRIAN NANKIVELL, Flagstaff Hill
Fake news is real
NOW the US has reached three million cases of COVID-19, the master of “fake news” has appeared again.
According to data, about 134,000 people have died from it. This is one of the highest death rates. Only Brazil, Russia, Britain and a few others are still trending upwards.
Fake-news master Donald Trump’s statement that his country has the lowest death rate in the world is fake.
Because the US is still recording about 60,000 cases a day, it is obvious it will continue to rise, despite what Trump says.
RADLEY KING, Mawson Lakes
Business suffers
CONGRATULATIONS to SA Small Business Commissioner John Chapman for taking the plight of forgotten small businesses to the Treasurer (“Businesses miss out on $10,000 grants”, The Advertiser, Wednesday).
My wife and I have been in a small business for nearly nine years. Treasurer Rob Lucas says that only businesses that employ staff are eligible for the grants.
Mr Lucas, we employ staff to clean our rooms but they are employed as contract cleaners, not salaried staff.
We have been denied funding by the Marshall Government because of this loophole.
Where is the compassion, Mr Lucas?
We also missed out on a $5000 grant from SA Tourism because our listing was not current at March 1. SA Tourism had not even notified us at any stage but kept sending email correspondence to the former owner.
So much for the Liberals looking after small business.
ROMAN AND DIANA RAUTENBERG, Murray Bridge Motor Inn
Still risky
It’s easy to be wise after the event but our herd immunity remains zero or low and coronavirus is still harmful.
So has there been a failure to properly communicate the still-present risk to our politicians and the public
PETER LAKE, Glen Osmond
Expensive ads
APPARENTLY the State Government is going to make our water bills cheaper.
I wonder how much cheaper they could be if the same Government wasn’t wasting tens of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars on countless TV, radio and letterbox ads telling us that they will be cheaper.
Not to mention building a website to tell us how much cheaper, because they can’t actually tell us in the ads.
ROBIN AUKETT, Toorak Gardens
Motherland split
LAST time I looked, Australia and New Zealand had Union Jacks displayed prominently on our flags.
Despite this connection to the Commonwealth, and Australia having a far superior bid to host the women’s World Cup than Columbia, the English Football Association voted for Columbia. It must be time to both change the flag and seriously consider our ties with a country that does not support its colonies.
GRAHAM HOWARTH, Seacliff Park
No Crows’ mercy
FEEL sorry for the Crows? Come off it, Margie Clarke (“Strengthen Crows”, The Advertiser, Thursday).
Your memory must be shorter than mine. When Port Adelaide was going badly, and the famous tarps were covering empty seats, I do not recall being overwhelmed by the sympathy coming from the Crows’ camp. Quite the contrary. And the tarp taunt continues to this very day.
My suggestion is to direct all your emotional feelings towards your own team, let the others sort out their problems, and hope the AFL allows Port to play the Crows at least six more times this season.
PAUL BUXTON, Westbourne Park
Rich and poor
WHILE North America continues to battle severely, both economically and health related, with the coronavirus, a US football club signs a player up for a 10-year contract worth $648 million (“Richest deal in sports history”, The Advertiser, Wednesday)?
All out of kilter, it seems.
ERROL DUKE, Elizabeth East
THURSDAY, JULY 9
State great lost
VALE Mark Naley, a true champion of Australian rules football.
When I reflect on my memories of the 1980s football scene, Mark Naley puts a smile on my face.
Many of us miss the State of Origin contests between South Australia and our arch rivals in Victoria.
What a spectacle these contests were.
On a cold winter’s night at Football Park, our spirits were lifted by the sublime displays of skills on offer by the elite representatives of our national code.
My favourite aspect of these nights was to see three of Carlton’s very best players, Mark Naley, Stephen Kernahan and Craig Bradley, doing their utmost to defeat the Big V.
Even if the Croweaters did not win on the scoreboard, the crowd was treated to a contest which would be spoken about for days.
I could then look forward to the Carlton trio contributing to the next Blues premiership.
Wonderful memories.
GUY MUDIE, Highgate
Council mergers
WITH all the arguing and legal activities happening among local government staff, and even elected members, would it not be the right time to consolidate many councils?
The immediate benefits would be a rationalisation of offices, equipment, staff, and, of course, the town clerks (I beg your pardon, chief executives) who appear to enjoy large salaries.
And there would be less legal expenses, which they all incur at our expense. Save the poor old ratepayers.
ROSS WILSON, Unley Park
Virus warning
OVERCROWDED towers are virus incubators, say headlines in relation to residents in Melbourne’s tightly-packed apartment blocks in public housing towers.
They are forced into hard lockdown to hopefully stop coronavirus spread. It raises the question whether their human rights of freedom of movement are impinged.
But the key question to be tackled is: Are the Australian and other world governments paying attention to the new UN report that tells us the novel virus was predicted?
And that worse pandemics are likely unless humankind comes to the necessary reckoning that it is its interference with the natural world and its creatures that is the root cause of the devastating emergency we are experiencing?
We know zoonotic viruses in animals are capable of jumping species, infecting humans and becoming pandemics.
Intensive animal farming, habitat destruction and ever-increasing encroachment on environment to support population growth cannot be ignored.
Consider the millions of animals permanently and cruelly confined in close quarters in meat markets and factory farms. It is necessary for Homo sapiens to make transformational changes to our interactions with nature for our survival on vulnerable planet Earth.
SIMONE HUNTER, Hove
Cabinet’s tick
CALEB Bond spoiled his reasonable article on the bus backflip with: “You can argue the toss over whether it should have ever left the cabinet and party room” (“Opinion”, The Advertiser, Wednesday)
That’s the missing matter, or principle.
How could cabinet tick off a public-consultation document that is so blatantly short of important detail that it makes most of us think we are being treated as fools?
A. MURPHY, Rostrevor
Lock up cats
I TOTALLY support Marion Council and the article by Dean Jaensch (“Cats, buses stretch out political fabric”, The Advertiser, Tuesday).
Only irresponsible cat owners have anything to fear.
If a cat is secured at night it won’t get trapped or run over and killed on the road.
How hard is it to keep a cat indoors at night?
It’s not rocket science.
JEFF COLLINS, Goolwa South
Beyond gas
THANKS for the article, “Gas boom risks ‘perfect storm’ warning” (The Advertiser, Wednesday).
This is a timely wake-up call to those, including the Marshall Government, who believe gas is a sound transition-fuel option.
Emissions from gas and coal mining are one of the main reasons why Australia has been struggling to meet even its modest Paris commitment to emissions reduction.
Financially, gas projects are risky too. Instead of backing expansion of the gas industry, when that brings increased risk of financial, ecological and societal collapse, we should be investing in and diversifying the new economy based on renewables.
CHING ANG, Kensington Gardens
Weapon fears
I READ with some annoyance the letter from reader Bruce Burford “Terror threat real” (The Advertiser, Wednesday).
Mr Burford is quick to criticise the letter “Security upsized” from reader Gordon Drennan.
Without creating unnecessary argument, I support Mr Drennan’s opinion that, in South Australia, we do not want our police force to indicate to the public by carrying high-powered weapons that they are prepared to fight terrorism on the streets among the community if necessary.
Sure, we need the protection from terrorists, which we have. But by carrying these weapons our police force is likely to promote the threat of violence occurring, not subdue it.
Also, Mr Drennan is in the real world of SA, not in a military-style country like the US or China.
DES KEMP, St Agnes
Horse with frogs
YOU don’t need to be an octogenarian to remember Freddo Frogs as birthday treats (“Hop into frogs”, The Advertiser, Tuesday).
It was a horse called Gandy, whose arrival was announced by a galloping sound effect, who delivered and hid the birthday treat.
It was presented by the 5AD Kangaroo Club that started in the 1930s but ran through until the late 1950s.
Presenters of the show were Uncle Richard (Dick Moore), Uncle Charles (Charles Norton), and Aunty Peggy (Roberta Russell).
PHILIP COPLEY, Norwood
Care for women
CAN anyone suggest how we encourage young women to aspire to achieve their full potential?
Discrimination and harassment laws were passed in the ’80s and yet we have Connie Bonaros being ignored for knowing the law and taking the steps to protect herself (“Liberal MPs still ignore me, says Bonaros”, The Advertiser, Friday).
Members of state parliament should remember that they also have mothers, daughters and female partners who should feel safe in their workplace.
I wonder how they would feel if a family member of theirs was being treated in a similar manner.
DOMENICA CAVUOTO, Klemzig
State exodus
MR Dan Andrews, the Premier of Victoria, why would you want to go to SA?
Well, guess what, buster, the whole state wants to come.
NEIL SMITH, North Haven
Uneven burden
AS your fine editorial says, the dreadful situation in Victoria is a reminder of the magnitude of the COVID-19 danger still facing us (“Tough times require tough decisions”, The Advertiser, Wednesday).
There are two main broad dimensions of the problem.
The first is finding a way of keeping us healthy without killing the economy.
And the other is the problem around morale, of doing this in a way which has the backing of the people.
The “we’re all in this together” slogan makes sense in that, of necessity, we must all adhere to the restrictions as an act of service, not only for ourselves, but for the whole population being threatened by the virus.
But, in another sense, we are not all equally in it together.
Those of us who are severely disadvantaged, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, live in high-rise apartment blocks, have lost their jobs, live alone, are old, are ill, and so on, have an unequal burden to bear in this pandemic.
The difficult problem for our leaders is how to act quickly in weighing up those necessary harsh preventive measures against the upper limit of the population to endure them.
TERRY HEWTON, Henley Beach South
Chef skills best
WHY is there a continuing emphasis on “celebrity”, non professional chefs throughout the media?
The years our true professionals have spent with long hours learning the trade at recognised training institutions, as well as adding on significant hours in apprenticeships, are hardly ever recognised.
Yet untrained personalities receive accolades that should be apportioned to those professionally trained away from the camera and in real kitchens.
Please support the businesses that employ properly trained hospitality staff.
ELDERT HOEBEE, Torrens Park
Strengthen Crows
IS it just me or does anyone else feel as I do?
I’m an avid Port Adelaide Power member and love my team.
But I can’t help but feel sorry for the Adelaide Crows and their coach Matthew Nicks.
I much prefer when they are doing well and we beat them.
MARGIE CLARKE, Glengowrie
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8
Rudd view alters
SO Kevin Rudd is leaving the safe high ground of his Brisbane penthouse for the allegedly rising seas of the Noosa beachfront (“Rudd swaps high life for seaside”, The Advertiser, Tuesday).
Whatever happened to his grim warning in 2007 that climate change was “the great moral challenge of our generation”?
ROSLYN PHILLIPS, Tea Tree Gully
Inspiring energy
WITH South Australia’s terrific progress with renewables, how good would it be if the climate-smart-transport plan envisaged by Ching Ang incorporated electric buses charged by renewables (“Good bus reversal”, The Advertiser, Thursday)?
Not just zero emissions but an inspiration to the rest of the world.
Oh wait, it’s already happening on the airport run. Go SA.
RAY PECK, Hawthorn, Victoria
Liberal backflips
DEAN Jaensch highlights reasons why the Liberals are alienating voters (“Cats, buses stretch our political fabric”, The Advertiser, Tuesday).
Recent events suggest the Liberals are becoming the true champions of backflips in South Australia.
They could easily field a circus-act ensemble.
At the helm is Treasurer Rob Lucas, who has repeatedly excelled in the backflip section, as the recent land-tax reform debacle clearly demonstrates.
Premier Steven Marshall has also backflipped in relation to relaxing restrictions during COVID-19, with regard to confusing business rules, reopening dates, booze restrictions, and compassionate travel exemptions.
Education Minister John Gardner has been dragged into this team with his Springbank school backflip.
Yet another, Transport Minister Stephan Knoll, has also been welcomed into this acrobatic group as a result of Mr Marshall’s backflip on removing bus stops and closing Service SA centres.
Who’s next?
Dr DON DEIESO, Paradise
Trapping cruel
THE column by Dean Jaensch misses the point about the proposed Marion Council cat curfew bylaw.
State parliament was correct to veto the bylaw, which promoted the cruel use of cat-trapping cages, because it potentially contravened the Animal Welfare Act, a state law.
The RSPCA has stated that it has seen “horrendous conditions” forced upon cats in these traps, and these cages should not be provided to the public.
It is well known that self-confessed cat-haters are using these traps to hurt cats and this would have happened if parliament had passed the controversial bylaw.
Cruelty to animals is punishable by law, with penalties of up to four years in jail and $50,000 in fines.
CHRISTINE PIERSON, Kensington Park
Cats run free
I AM gratified Marion Council has halted the cat curfew for a number of reasons.
Firstly, 74 per cent of ratepayers were supposedly in agreement with the curfew.
But this was not correct.
When the survey went out, only 400-odd ratepayers responded and, of those 400, 74 per cent agreed to it.
Therefore, with more than 80,000 people in the council, that is a small number that responded.
So let’s put the 74 per cent into perspective.
Secondly, with a number of houses in the area that have filthy, overgrown backyards, and the council not being able to do anything about the mice infestation, it is up to the cats to look after the vermin.
Therefore, I am most grateful to the cats that catch mice.
I also do not like the idea of someone trapping cats and treating them cruelly. I’m also conscious pensioners may not being able to afford to pay to get their pet back.
EVE GRANT, Seacombe Gardens
Terror threat real
I CAN’T believe Gordon Drennan in his criticism of the decision for a specially armed police unit to exist in South Australia to deal with terrorism (“Security upsized”, The Advertiser, Tuesday).
On a disturbingly regular basis, terrorists strike anytime, anywhere. The latest was only two weeks ago when an Islamic terrorist knifed three innocent Londoners to death.
The official terrorist threat in Australia by our security agencies is “probable” and the latest move by SAPOL is a most responsible form of insurance and peace of mind for our whole community.
For your reader to consider a well-armed and well-prepared police force to be more of a threat than terrorists themselves is both mind-boggling and not living in the real world.
BRUCE BURFORD, Adelaide
Heritage lost
I NOTE that the former home of inventor James Stobie in North Adelaide is awaiting removal (“Home of Stobie pole inventor now at risk”, The Advertiser, Tuesday).
Poor condition due to neglect appear to be reasons to demolish old homes, or uneconomic to repair, even if renovated.
It comes to mind that perhaps we should let these undervalued properties be the fodder of ignorant developers, governments, council bodies and supportive real estate agents.
Remove them all.
New homes have only short lifespans and little value due to materials and construction.
They will be lost in the next wind.
Then, we can give this land of Adelaide and its outskirts back to our First Australians. And we, including our statues, can all go back on the next boat to where we came from.
CLAUDIA TREGONING, South Plympton
Waste of survey
THE State Government had a survey done on our inefficient transport system that found there were hardly-used bus stops and train and bus routes that were not carrying many passengers.
What a waste of our taxpayers’ dollars to service a few selfish commuters who find it too hard to walk extra steps or organise their time to suit altered timetables.
If it were a private company, they would not hesitate to remove areas that were burning money. A sensible Government approach would have been to slowly and quietly remove these money-wasting routes and stops.
Too often I have seen trains and buses with one or two passengers, especially the Grange line.
I wonder how many people would have been inconvenienced by the changes. Not too many, I should think.
KEN ADAMS, Highgate
US flag irony
MANY of the Donald Trump supporters at Gettysburg on July 4 were waving the Confederate flag, the symbol of the army that treasonously fought the US Army and killed US soldiers.
Given Gettysburg is where President Abraham Lincoln gave his famous speech after victory over the Confederate Army, the irony is enormous.
And lost on Donald Trump’s supporters.
NICK HASKELL, Athelstone
Community work
ONCE again in Adelaide, we saw another Black Lives Matter protest on the weekend.
If black lives mattered to these protesters as much as they say it does, they would be devoting their time and efforts in the community where black people live.
They could particularly help with things such as fostering, mentoring and trying to curb the rate of domestic violence and alcohol abuse and generally trying to help improve the lives of black people.
L. J. GLENN, Marion
Green cash move
AS a local government councillor, I am astounded that Planning Minister Stephan Knoll finds it appropriate to take money from the urban open-space fund, and use any part of it to pay for the administrative costs of writing the new Planning and Design Code (“Builders green with outrage”, The Advertiser, Saturday).
I’d compare this to stealing from a child’s piggy bank to buy worthless frippery.
The piggy bank holds money given by property developers, and essentially held in trust by the State Government, to enable provision of green and open spaces in communities that otherwise might not afford them.
The frippery is the grotesque planning reforms being pushed by the Government, despite widespread and passionate community resistance.
This is not a good look, Mr Knoll. Kindly reconsider.
Cr SUE WHITINGTON, Norwood
No moral ground
PLANNING Minister Stephan Knoll has put his foot in it once again, blatantly taking money earmarked for the provision of community open space so he can continue funding his warped and vastly unpopular Planning and Design Code.
What a delicious irony: The code, which will do so much to destroy urban comfort and graciousness, being paid for by money originally intended to give green relief to overdeveloped and underfunded communities. The minister’s excuse that it was “in line with a commitment of the previous government” makes no sense.
We electors change governments in order to change their courses of action.
Mr Knoll may have legal grounds for raiding the bank but he has absolutely no moral grounds. Shame on him.
PETER AUSTIN, Glynde
Crows’ support
DON’T kick a person when they’re down.
Or a football club.
That only adds to the hurt when positive solutions for the future are required.
Rather than dwelling on negative aspects of the past, let’s take more notice of new Adelaide Crows coach Matthew Nicks.
He is emphasising the positives and reassuring players and supporters that things will improve.
KEN BUBNER, Laura Bay
TUESDAY, JULY 7
Ready for future
IN relation to the new defence spending, Christopher Pyne writes that we need to be prepared for any eventuality (“Defence boost will protect our shores”, The Advertiser, Monday).
So the military, and cyber, threats from China need to be resisted.
But all the evidence tells us rapid climate change is a dead-certain eventuality, so we should be prepared for it as well.
Clearly, we can’t halt all climate change alone. We need co-operation, including from with China, to the benefit of all.
Might such co-operation lessen the need to arm ourselves against them?
Dr JOCK CHURCHMAN, Firle
Target spending
HERE’S a brain teaser.
Which weapon from the $270 billion spending spree will protect us from next summer’s bushfires, temperature increase and drought? And which will protect us from floods and cyclones?
LEN LEAN, Paradise
Need health staff
THE cynical and damaging announcement of staff cuts at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital could not have come at a worse time (“Job cuts to resume at SA Health”, The Advertiser, Saturday).
As it is, the hospital is understaffed and poorly resourced. Low morale, particularly among clinicians, feeds into the uptake of voluntary separation packages and creates a vicious cycle of stress and overwork.
Even though we are told that frontline clinicians will not be targeted, the loss of ancillary and support personnel puts an additional burden on nurses and doctors, and diverts them from essential roles in patient care.
This announcement is part of a double whammy, with the associated release of the planning process for the new WCH. Clinicians will be faced with increasing problems in caring for their patients as the hospital deteriorates in the six-year wait for the new build.
In addition, they have been effectively excluded from input into plans for the hospital. SA Health has refused to provide them with adequate cover to allow them to effectively participate in the many hours of committee work required in the planning and commissioning process.
This is shortsighted and dangerous, and risks making the same expensive mistakes that compromised patient care in the early life of the new RAH. This must not be allowed to happen again.
PROFESSOR WARREN JONES AO AND PROFESSOR JOHN SVIGOS AM, obstetricians and gynaecologists
Relaxing jewel
KANGAROO Island is generally looked upon as a jewel for tourists owing to its small population, native animals and wilderness areas.
I’m wondering if Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers has surveyed the people on KI to ask them if they want a population and housing explosion for economic reasons (“Seaport vital to boosting economy”, The Advertiser, Monday).
I understand that people move to KI for the peaceful, quiet, relaxed living. And the lack of crowds.
In my view, once the island recovers from the fire destruction, there will be enough tourists coming back to ensure economic resilience.
ALEX HODGES, Birdwood
Tactical Kanye
I FIND it extraordinary everyone is referring to the purported attempt by Kanye West to run for president as something to do with the egos of him and his wife.
I want to put forward another proposition. Both Kanye and wife Kim Kardashian West have been long-time supporters of President Donald Trump. By running, he has the best chance of reducing the vote for Joe Biden.
Staunch Trump supporters won’t change their vote. The aim is to attract Biden supporters.
The more votes West wins and the fewer votes Biden attracts, the better chance of another four years of President Trump.
Be careful what you wish for, US.
MICHAEL FIGWER, Hazelwood Park
Greatest again
WE all love our own country. Even those who have to escape tyranny and murder.
The over-the-top patriotic behaviour of Americans is dumbfounding.
Just what makes them believe that they are the greatest country on Earth and that they have a God-given right to do everything from have guns to not bother to protect themselves and others from the worst pandemic in a century? Such self-belief is astonishing.
MAUREEN GOLDIE, Blackwood
Hop into frogs
I AM sure there could be some octogenarians who were living in South Australia in the 1940s who would fondly remember a special treat when their birthdays were celebrated (courtesy of their parents writing in to a local radio station), with a delivery of MacRobertson’s Freddo Frogs from Freddo (“Sweet treat for Freddo’s 90th birthday”, The Advertiser, Saturday).
Crouched around the radio, the sound of him coming to your house was announced. And where the frogs could be found was accompanied in the background by a repetitious sound as only could be described as four finger tips drumming on a table over and over till he went away into the distance.
Freddo was also much fatter in those days. Thank you for his history.
MARJORIE BROWN, Glenunga
Show money trail
I AGREE that $10 million has been wasted on the new wattle logo.
Could the Nation Brand Advisory Council publish an itemised list of where the money was spent and to who?
Could be very interesting to see.
STUART BAIRD, Glenelg
Kill off virus
FOR some reason the Federal Government appears to have adopted a strategy of suppressing COVID-19, showing a lack of faith in the Australian people.
The Australian people have shown that, with good border controls, we are capable of eliminating the virus in our country.
The unfortunate situation that has arisen in Victoria has demonstrated why we should. Now is the time for our Government to protect us properly with an elimination strategy.
ROBERT FLETCHER, Woodforde
Build a bridge
BECAUSE of the damage COVID-19 has caused to the economy, and the winding down of some major projects during the next few years, I suggest one major future project would change the state.
This is a road bridge from near, or above, Port Pirie, across the gulf, to somewhere near Whyalla. This would tie the state together, cut travelling times, and end the isolation of the West Coast.
P.M. BLYTH, Williamstown
Electric dreams
IT is pleasing to read that the RAA supports more infrastructure for electric-vehicle charging (“Buzz around electric cars”, The Advertiser, Monday).
Electrifying transport improves national security (less reliant on imported oil), public health and our response to climate change (especially in renewables rich SA).
It can also help create jobs. Yet there is still no national strategy for EVs, and vehicle-emissions standards remain lax. In SA, as well as Australia, transport emissions are growing strongly. When will we see all levels of government committed to clean road transport, not just road building?
JIM ALLEN, Panorama
Dads lose out
I REFER to “Dad play helps children”, where it is claimed that fathers playing with their children is good for them (The Advertiser, Friday).
Well, it might help children, but it doesn’t help dads.
From an early age my son was beating me at Connect Four, Hungry Hungry Hippos and Battleship.
It got so bad that I used to hide the Monopoly board, and always carried a few hotels and houses in my pockets in case I got caught out.
When it came to sport I hid in the tool shed. He even beats me at lawn bowls. Lucky kid.
WAYNE NICHOLLS, Royston Park
Security upsized
I’M sorry, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, but you got this one badly wrong.
I suppose some people might think there needs to be a heavily armed police squad somewhere in the background to deal with terrorism. But it offends Australians to have them in event-goers’ faces intimidating them with military weapons.
Australians don’t want this to be that sort of country. Doubly so, laid-back Adelaide.
And for the police to turn up at violent domestic events with an assault rifle, as is the stated intention, is just way over the top.
It was US police heading in this direction that created the problems we are seeing there now.
GORDON DRENNAN, Burton
Crows overhaul
AFTER the most unsuccessful three-year period in the club’s history (including going from first to last on the ladder), the Adelaide Football Club Board is looking to overhaul itself with two, or possibly three, new members selected by the very people that have overseen this epic fail.
A better governance system for both AFC and the AFL is surely evident in the most successful sporting competition in the world, the English Premier League, where clubs are owned independently and each of the individual clubs vote in the entire EPL board.
Not only would this provide much greater accountability and transparency, it is more likely, in my opinion, to get the best people running the club and would provide greater incentive for long-term fans like me to rejoin as paid members.
DAVID HALL, Tranmere
Winless so far
PHONETICALLY, the Adelaide Crows have the same number of wins as their coach’s name – nix.
D. G. PITT, Plympton
MONDAY, JULY 6
Hong Kong mess
MY wife and I have visited Hong Kong about six or seven times in the past several years.
Twice, with colleagues from around Australia, we have played friendly competitions of lawn bowls against our past and present police and customs-service counterparts from that country.
Their friendship, generosity and hospitality was outstanding, as it was of the general population.
It is sad, therefore, to see the talons of Beijing gouging into the democratic flesh of a country loved and visited by millions of tourists from around the world.
As I read the press reports of the riots, I wonder how our Hong Kong colleagues are balancing their democratic thoughts and way of life against the duties that are clearly forced upon them by Beijing.
Like all other tourists, we felt completely safe on the streets of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island at midnight, and during bartering visits to the markets of Mong Kok and Stanley Market. Sadly, no more. Vale democracy.
KEN WARDLE, Grange
AFL training
IF the hub for the six Victorian teams had been established in Adelaide, instead of Queensland, they could have travelled on The Overland.
GREG SLATTERY, Laura
Arrogant policy
WHEN I read the scornful comments of State Environment Minister David Spiers about an “arrogant and aggressive approach”, I immediately thought it was a belated and welcome self assessment of one his Government’s legislations (“Catfight as bylaw astray”, The Advertiser, Friday).
That is the policy which allows mining companies to ride roughshod over the wishes of hardworking families who, for generations, have successfully farmed the productive soils of Yorke Peninsula.
But no, it was nothing more than the Minister castigating a much easier target: A responsible suburban council simply doing what it was elected to do – address ratepayers’ concerns.
KEN MADIGAN, Port Pirie
Raise a sprig
COULD Monty Python’s Flying Circus be the inspiration behind the new wattle logo for Australia?
One sketch depicts staff at the Philosophy Department of the University of Woolamaloo who are all called Bruce.
One of them raises a sprig of wattle and declares: “This here’s the wattle – the emblem of our land. You can stick it in a bottle or you can hold it in your hand”.
No wonder the creators of this logo were inspired.
BERNIE COATES, Modbury North
Promo needed
WHAT a waste of money. I can’t believe Trade Minister Simon Birmingham approved and the Nation Brand Advisory Council designed this wattle logo.
The gold dots and AU (even “OZ” would be more recognisable) will need an expensive promotion campaign, as not even Aussies will associate this with Australia.
Bring back the roo.
B. HARTLEY, Port Hughes
Weapon patrol
PREMIER Steven Marshall should reverse the decision for police to patrol with military weapons.
This extreme show of force undermines the work done to build trust with the community.
And, in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, it calls into question the Government’s commitment to stopping deaths in custody.
JESSICA ALICE, Norwood
Save houses
PREMIER Marshall needs to step in and stop the compulsory acquisition of homes, some of them with heritage credentials, to implement what is a debatable $98 million strategy of easing traffic issues at the Magill Rd and Portrush Rd intersection.
As this is currently on a through route for trucks, this is only the start of the expenditure. Instead of this massive and unnecessary spend, look at fixing the causes.
Currently countless trucks use this intersection, including B doubles on their way to Port Adelaide after using the South Eastern Freeway.
Why is the State Transport Department ignoring the proposal for an Adelaide Hills truck bypass that will significantly reduce truck traffic on this route?
South Australia is spending large sums subsidising clean energy and at the same time creating air, traffic and noise pollution through the city.
There has been no discernible strategic plan to encourage use of public transport for commuters from the Hills into the city. The Park ‘n’ Ride at Crafers for 35 cars was built more than 20 years ago.
We have yet to see the impact on commuter traffic from the new work-from-home evolution.
Why is the State Government hell bent on angering the community on issues like bus stops, planning changes and this compulsory purchase?
JOHN HILL, Crafers
Not rolling over
STEWART Sweeney has a naive view of international affairs (“War dangers”, The Advertiser, Friday).
Because “China is on an unstoppable trajectory to become the world’s dominant economic, political and cultural power”, should we just salute and roll over?
He then wants Australia to focus on our “economic sustainability, inclusiveness, sovereignty and security”. How can we do this without a strong defence ability?
Where we are placed globally and threatened by Asian neighbours, we cannot rely on the US to come to our aid. We need to be self sufficient.
Fortunately our Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Federal Government understand this and are acting to protect our economy, security and sovereignty.
MARY-ANNE HIGGINS, Rose Park
No appeasement
IT is clear from Stewart Sweeney’s letter that he accepts China’s future world domination.
His response to this future situation is that Australia ought not be investing in, as he puts it, “delusional defence muscling up” and divert Federal Government spending elsewhere. He uses an Albert Einstein quote as part justification for his argument.
I will also use a quote from times gone by, and it is this: “Peace for our time”. This was said by Neville Chamberlain in 1938 after his meeting with Adolf Hitler. And we all know where that went.
There was a word used back then, and I suggest it fits nicely with Mr Sweeney’s sentiments now. And that word is “appeasement”.
DON JOHNSON, Myrtle Bank
Cuttlefish fame
SOUTH Australia is famous for its Port River dolphin sanctuary and Port Lincoln cage shark diving.
But the state is also famous for the amazingly colourful mating spectacle of giant cuttlefish in the clear, shallow waters west of Point Lowly, near Whyalla.
This safe, easily accessible autumn-winter spectacle can be enjoyed by anyone with a wetsuit, mask and snorkel.
It is a world-class, much-needed regional tourism drawcard unique to SA. Given how little is known about cuttlefish ecology, why would we ever consider allowing fishing of these world-renowned, amazingly beautiful marine creatures?
PROFESSOR JAMES GEHLING AO, Adelaide
First warning
THE story about a driver who was given a fine of $253 for tooting his horn as he left a friend’s home demonstrates why there are calls for police to be pulled into line and the radicals to be gotten rid of (“Fine for tooting his own horn”, The Advertiser, Friday).
Police are necessary for law and order, obviously, but to issue a fine for what the officer has, no doubt, also done is petty revenue raising.
Why not just issue a warning for a first offence?
DAVID LAMB, Hallett Cove
Cruel cat traps
WE were delighted to see Marion Council’s controversial cat-curfew bylaw has been disallowed by state parliament.
We live in Campbelltown Council, and have been desperately fighting against a similar cat-curfew bylaw, which also allows for the provision of these cruel cat-trapping cages.
The threats of fines, seizure of beloved pets and night curfews have been devastating to our residents.
But their concerns have been ignored by the council. We hope our council will also be prevented from imposing this pointless bylaw upon us.
S. TILLETT, Campbelltown Cat Management and Welfare Group
Libs listening
THOUSANDS of furious bus commuters forcing the State Government to back down on bus-stop closures is a good thing.
While Labor is screaming for resignations, at least it shows the Liberals listen.
ROBERT COOMBE, Klemzig
Sticking together
THE new norm is better hygiene, social distancing and looking to do things better and safer.
Educating the masses how to do this is going to be one of our biggest challenges, as too many people are set in their ways.
Religion, politics, business, and now even football, have had to change to meet the new now. The dinosaurs keep trying to pull us back to what was before.
Many of our petty jealousies undermine the lofty goals we seek. I am sick of the platitudes like: “My God is real, yours isn’t”; “I only vote for party X and don’t listen to party Y”, and; “I barrack for my team and hate yours”.
Healthy competition and vigorous debate is what a society needs to improve. But it must be respectful and compassionate, attributes missing in a wide cross-section of our societies today. Let’s truly be in this together.
BRUCE HAMILTON, Valley View
AFL compromise
FULL marks to our Premier Steven Marshall for blocking Victorian footballers coming into Adelaide.
And also to Police Commissioner Grant Stevens for declaring them not to be essential travellers.
It would make little sense for SA to be rightfully assisting our neighbouring state in its time of need by providing skilled personnel to help control the virus, and at the same time opening our doors to Victorian club groups emanating from the most infected metropolitan area in the country.
If common sense was to prevail, and the interests of the nation placed first, the AFL would abandon its badly compromised season.
Local football lovers can turn to the SANFL, where an attractive game in on display, as anybody who watched Glenelg versus Norwood on TV last weekend could vouch.
JOHN RAWES, Westbourne Park