Good Weekend Letters to the editor: May 6

Helen Goh’s very apple-y Hand Pies [April 15].Credit: Instagram/@simpleplainandplenty

GENERATION NEXT

I was very interested to read about the hoops Carla Zampatti’s children have jumped through in order to mix family and business [April 29] – including sitting down to discuss exactly how much family members should be paid and, indeed, whether they could expect business roles as a birthright. Like them, I have known of the destructive power of money to split families apart – and part with much of that cash in the process – families that could have otherwise simply enjoyed comfortable wealth. It’s a startling phenomenon. Yet another example where finding a path towards expert guidance really does make the difference. Thanks for the reminder.
Kate Smith
Richmond, VIC

THE KING & I

Hats off to Jane Cadzow for her thoughtful profile of the estimable and inimitable Craig Foster [April 22]. The story of the young women who were extracted safely from Kabul to Australia was thrilling, heartwarming and entertaining. My personal highlight in the April 22 issue, though, came from beyond the inner GW sanctum – the piece by Paris-based journalist Madeleine Schwartz about the acoustic component of the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral. Her detailed exposition of the synergistic interplay between science and history was fascinating and highly educational. And it made me want to return to Paris once the project has wound up (until the next iteration).
Rick Grounds
Vermont South, VIC

I felt disappointed in Craig Foster’s attitude when he stated that it was “so ridiculous to have our elected leader pledging loyalty to someone who we don’t know, we don’t like and we don’t particularly respect”. Craig bites the hand of a system that has allowed him the freedom and opportunities he’s had and to be who he’s become as an individual. A fortunate life!
Kathy Willis
Kew, NSW

RAISING THE STEAKS

I am inspired by the sustainable innovation currently occurring in the food industry [April 29]. Dani Valent’s four stories were all interesting but The Udder Way and Natoora really captured my attention. One cafe can save up to 10,000 plastic milk bottles per year by using milk from a keg. That’s awesome! And connecting chefs directly with regenerative, organic, local farmers is simple brilliance. Supporting agricultural practices that are improving the soil as they grow delicious fresh produce makes perfect sense. Emphasising sustainable and local produce has never been more important.
Amy Hiller
Kew, VIC

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It’s amazing how long it’s taken for someone to drum up the idea of milk kegs in cafes as a way to reduce plastic bottle use. Another simple tweak I hope more cafes adopt is the idea of a “cup library”. At my favourite cafe, an array of secondhand mugs sits in a basket and a customer can choose to take away their coffee in that cup instead of yet another cardboard one. The idea is that they return it the next day – but no grand loss to the cafe if they don’t. Saves resources, and there’s something fun (local high school reunion of ’92, Smurfs, delightfully terrible handpainted peonies) about the motley crew of stray cups you can choose from.
Sally Roberts
Mount Martha, VIC

READER PRIZE The winner of the best letter each week in May will win a Pilot Pen gift pack, featuring a Pilot MR3 Retro Pop Fountain Pen and matching ballpoint, and a bottle of hana-ikada (cherry blossom petals) Iroshizuku ink. RRP $123. pilotpen.com.au. This week’s winner is Rick Grounds of Vermont South, Vic.

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