I would like to take my hat off to David Warner (“‘Someone who gave it his all’: How Warner wants to be remembered”, smh.com.au, January 6). A champion, someone I batted like but never managed his success. A man who couldn’t get a game for NSWs, but ended up the highest run scorer for Australia or very close behind Ricky Ponting. I hope David and his family can find their peace after international cricket. However, it would be such a shame for so many children if Dave can’t play on in the BBL and sign autographs plus bat with a microphone and blitz the game. Geoff Inglis, Eggs and Bacon Bay (Tas)
As I watched a disconsolate Khawaja trudge off, given out by the barest of margins, and soon after watched a relieved Warner survive two close reviews, I realised sport can be a very cruel game. The crowd eventually gave Warner a well-deserved send-off and even his dismissal was fortuitous as it gave him time to experience a slow walk back to the sheds before the victory was completed. It was his day. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach
I am old enough to remember that Indian opener Sandeep Patil was the first batter to hit six fours in an over in Test cricket in 1982 when he took on Bob Willis at Old Trafford, accumulating 25 runs with one no ball. But an important part of this event is the generosity of Willis, who asked his players to huddle and not stop Patil hitting four on his last ball so Patil could make a record. Pakistan could have shown this type of gesture to Warner and allowed him to hit the winning run as the outcome wasn’t going to change, but it would have given cricket some sportsmanship and a memorable moment for Warner and the sports fans. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill
David Warner warming up in India last year.Credit: Getty Images
I fail to see the reasons behind making David Warner, a self-confessed cheat, into some sort of national hero. Are we so short of genuine, honest people that we must resort to praising someone who should never have been allowed to represent his country again? Our once-proud sporting nation is now seen as a “win at all costs, even if we have to cheat” society. What an example to set for the next generation. Martin Burton, Bayview
David Warner said at a press conference before this Sydney Test that he has had no regrets in his cricketing career. So cheating in Newlands in 2018 in the third cricket Test was OK. It is a shame that he never thought what the baggy green cap meant to him before his actions in 2018 instead of when the cap was stolen. Gail McAlpine, Griffith (ACT)
For any Philistines bored with watching the cricket: David Warner’s current Test average is 44.60. There is no Queensland town that I could find that has a postcode of 4460. What Queensland town will share his Test average when he retires after the Sydney Test? (Think Bradman’s average of 99.94 as the ABC PO BOX 9994 in every state.) George Zivkovic, Northmead
David Warner’s final test was no fairytale finish. No century, no opportunity to hit the winning runs. But he batted with his usual flair and positivity, rode his luck at the crease, fielded skilfully and bowed out with humility. It was a dignified departure worthy of recognition. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls
Shoddy developers, not owners, should foot bill
The owners of Mascot Towers are innocent parties who should not have been subjected to the stress and financial burden caused by others (“Owners offered mortgage lifeline”, January 6). The Building Code of Australia (BCA) was largely developed by expert engineers and architects pro bono and is one of the best building codes in the world. Its power was diminished when lobbyists for dodgy developers and builders convinced the government that “private certifiers” would be a good idea. The result is shoddy and unsafe buildings. The negligent government, the private certifiers, shoddy developers and builders are the ones who should pay for the huge number of unsafe homes mostly purchased off the plan. The home owners had a valid expectation of safe and well-built homes. Keith Woodward, Newport
Mascot Tower residents collecting some belongingsCredit: Wolter Peeters
In the terminal death throes that Mascot Towers finds itself in, the NSW Building Commissioner’s office states that, “To date, the NSW government has provided $21 million in accommodation or investor support to impacted owners.” So, to recap, developers carry off massive profits (which have drawn every man and his dog in the past 20 years into scraping together enough capital to enter the quick-and-dirty bonanza of Australian apartments’ substandard builds) and the taxpayers of NSW have their funds diverted from health and schools towards easing the personal tragedies from the more newsworthy egregious builds. Could the overwhelming proportion of buyers of new apartments in the last generation who keep financially bleeding every quarter, from strata levies massively inflated by dreadful and inappropriate build materials and techniques, also qualify for government assistance? However less dramatic and news-sensational their long-term agonies are?
Alex Mattea, Sydney
More strength to our down-to-earth and practical NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler. Whatever the number of the building regulator’s staff might be, it’s no way near enough. Premier Minns, are you listening/reading? Col Shephard, Yamba
As multiple new housing projects are being developed with great urgency across the state, one shudders at the potential for such building disasters to happen again and again. Carmen Fenech, Frenchs Forest
There’s something just not right about faulty, non-compliant building work being the responsibility of the owner/ buyer. Each situation can be different in terms of the developer and financial structures but common to all are building statutes and codes and the certification process. “Buyer beware” is not an unreasonable warning, but surely governments and authorities must be far more accountable for these protections? The certification process requires a shake-up, the concept of rigorous arm’s length, independent assessment of work remains a pipe dream. Brian Jones, Leura
In lieu of thinking, be ‘influenced’
The idea of becoming an “influencer” at a mature age struck a chord with me (Letters, January 6). I’m retired and have heard that these “influencers” can make a lot of money. I spoke to my teenage grandchildren and asked them if it was possible that I could become one if I worked out what my influence would be. They actually took it quite seriously – one suggested I, “could tell people what to do”. It’s a thought! And I would be good at it. Janet Scilly, Wollstonecraft
Stanley Tucci can show you how to be an influencer
Some advice for your correspondent: mate, begin that journey going forward as an under-the influencer, then work your way down. Kent Mayo, Uralla
Let me be one of the first of the many who will doubtless thank your correspondent. I find at the end of a long day, having thought about world and even personal problems, often for minutes at a time, I am absolutely exhausted. I long to be happy and carefree. By having an enthusiastic, full-time influencer, I know that with your correspondent’s guidance my life will be so much easier and the stress that comes with having to think for myself will evaporate. Mate, it’s all up to you now. Kay Abrahams, Freshwater
Your correspondent’s planned launch into the “influencing” business has already influenced me to laugh out loud. Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield
Crowd control
When “enlargers of life” (“The lawmakers’ lot: to enlarge or punish us”, January 6) actually means enlarging the number of lives on this finite planet and our appetites for stuff, then the use of systems that seemingly equate to punishing and straightening may just enable us to keep a modicum of civilisation within those ever-expanding numbers. When Manning Clark was writing his piece, the world’s population probably hadn’t hit the 8 billion mark and still the conflicts rage on. So, without constraining laws, how will we manage to stay respectful individuals while rubbing shoulders with the billions of other individuals demanding respect and a flourishing life? Helen Lewin, Tumbi Umbi
Consumer backflip
With the human population on track to exceed the capacity of the Earth to sustain it before 2050, “settle for less” (Letters, January 6) might be more than a subversive suggestion. Do you mean live more simply, cease accumulating possessions, curb our desires, buy, travel and waste less, use only what we need of the Earth’s finite resources, and leave room for others? What a revolutionary thought for those of us who have been groomed to consume since birth. It might just be our saving grace. Meredith Williams, Northmead
Less is more these daysCredit: AP
I think back to 45 years ago, as a newly divorced mother of four, looking for a house big enough to house my growing children. It was an era of larger families, four children were not uncommon, but finding a house with more than three bedrooms, let alone a second bathroom, was near impossible. Now it seems that for a nuclear family five-plus bedrooms and multiple bathrooms, not to mention media rooms etc, is de rigueur. It is time for a rethink in housing to accommodate normal, everyday families and that is affordable and does not tie up multiple trades for excessive consumerism. Margarett McPherson, The Gap (Qld)
Sun, wind beats sea
Your correspondent (Letters, January 6) suggests the government gets behind the technology of wave energy which he heard about 25 years ago. Unfortunately, wave technology, of all the renewable sources, has made the least progress – possibly due to the inhospitable conditions that the ocean creates for moving parts. Salt, sand, crustaceans and now possibly plastic particles all conspire to hinder its efficiency wherever it’s tried. Solar and wind power will always be more successful than wave power. John Elder, Annerley (Qld)
Pessimistic Pete
Nick Bryant says that “listening to Dutton still feels like being lectured by an undertaker” (“Lax leaders can burn in January”, January 6). Yes, but to me Peter Dutton sounds even more like the gloomy character Hanrahan in Patrick O’Brien’s 1919 poem Said Hanrahan, who greeted every and any change in circumstances with the immortal pessimistic phrase, “We’ll all be rooned!” John Payne, Kelso
Fred’s fleet
Next week, the Danes will proclaim Crown Prince Frederik as the King of Denmark. Congratulations also to our Tasmanian-born Mary, no longer a dual citizen, who will join her husband as Queen Consort. Both sport a serious rack of bling (honours and awards) for the many distinctions they have merited. I have no agency, but I would not be disappointed if King Fred X was appointed as an honorary admiral in His Majesty’s Australian fleet (precedents apply). His maternal grandfather, King Frederick IX, scored an RN title in 1948. Mike Fogarty, Weston (ACT)
Fluffy Oz
Wombats, cute, cuddly and mostly harmless
On a recent overseas holiday, my wife and I couldn’t believe the number of local people who said they were concerned about the high number of dangerous animals in Australia (Letters, January 6). Filmmakers could highlight our non-harmful flora, fauna and vistas but sensationalism sells. John Anderson, MacMasters Beach
Move along
Do the hard work, and hurry up about it.Credit: Bloomberg
James Colley (“When did going to the shops become so awful?” , January 6) has overlooked one of the worst aspects of the experience. A recorded voice that keeps saying, “Please remove your items.” Who leaves the store without their items? Oh, I get it. It is really saying: “Hurry up, you are too slow.” Silly me. Garry Feeney, Kingsgrove
Macrochips
Four-metre seagulls (“Beware of the four-metre seagulls”, January 6)? Imagine the size of the chips. Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Hill
Look out while you’re aboutCredit: Oscar Colman
Fangs very much
I am always amazed that people have the presence of mind, when they see a funnel-web spider (“Meet Hercules, the big daddy of funnel-webs”, January 6), to capture it and send it off, so its venom can be used. I would just squash it and send it off to the great web in the sky. Michael Deeth, Como West
Lost and found
Your correspondent (Letters, January 6) should consider affixing his mobile phone number to his next pair of sunnies. It works a treat: finders obligingly call to let me know that the sunnies have been found, and where I can collect them. David Gordon, Cranebrook
Correspondence corner
Taking up the challenge (Letters, January 6) I counted all my letters since late in 2020, 138 in all, nine of which were published. My fault, mostly too many words. Also, they became more frequent last year. Too many issues to ignore. Glenys Quirk, Forster
Once the way of letters.Credit: Christopher Pearce/Fairfax Media via Getty Images
My husband has had 100 per cent of his letters published (he has only written one). Suzanne Wicks, Potts Point
The least published this summer is definitely me. Daniel Low, Pymble
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