Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding
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THE AGE AT 170
Tony Wright’s captivating story “The year that shaped a city” (17/10) should be read by all as it leads to the events of September 1856, when David Syme joined The Age ownership as a partner. He ultimately controlled the newspaper, and greatly influenced the social, educational, economic and political thought of Victoria, and the nation, for decades.
If John Monash was the Australian of the 20th century, then David Syme was surely the most influential of the 19th. Seventy years after his death, his descendants agreed that the business school at Caulfield Institute of Technology be named David Syme Business School – an innovative educational enterprise. The Age’s then-CEO said at the naming ceremony “CIT was the sort of organisation that David Syme fought for and believed in”.
Today’s Monash Business School fortuitously carries the valued David Syme educational legacy.
John Miller, Toorak (Foundation Dean, David Syme Business School)
Don’t overlook Graham Perkin’s editorship
Congratulations on getting to 170, a remarkable record for any newspaper. Let’s not overlook the role of Graham Perkin in this, who inspired me to start reading The Age in 1973 when I interviewed him for a story in the Melbourne University student paper Farrago. He treated Richard Cooney and me with serious respect, chain-smoking throughout the meeting!
Robert Pascoe, South Yarra
A fearless journalist not backing down
Nick McKenzie writes “I feel intensely privileged to be a journalist working for you in his article ″Backed into corner, but Age never backed down″, 17/10). No Nick, it is actually us, the readers, who are so privileged to have you as a fearless and brilliant journalist. You are a true national treasure.
Neale Meagher, Malvern
When media guards our moral compass
Thanks to Nick McKenzie for his wonderful description of his life as a journalist at The Age for almost 20 years. As readers, we take for granted the amazingly crafted stories we read day after day from he and his colleagues. I’m sure most of us don’t give a second thought to the inconveniences, and at times considerable dangers, they may be exposed to in order to deliver those stories and truths.
How lucky we are to live in a country like Australia where the media is able to guard our moral compass so well.
Thanks also to Tony Wright, another master of the pen, for his great article on the history of The Age, and to all its staff for giving us such a feast each day to ponder. Happy birthday and long may you continue.
Kerin Tulloch, Hawthorn
Keep up the good work
Nick McKenzie’s article in the 170th celebration edition (17/10) reminds us how superb an independent newspaper The Age has been, and hopefully will continue to be.
David Marshall, West Brunswick
A platform for inveterate letter writers
Congratulations to The Age for 170 years of fair and balanced reporting. Thank you for providing a platform for inveterate letter writers like my late father JS Lechte and me.
Graeme Lechte, Brunswick West
A pillar of democracy
Thank you and congratulations to The Age on its 170 years of fine and important work. It is a necessary pillar of democracy. We need honest, quality reporting to inform us about what is happening. This influences us on who we vote for to be our leaders and how we take part in civil society. Its reporting is even more important now with the huge influence of social media.
Marguerite Marshall, Eltham
THE FORUM
Albanese’s purchase
I am heartened by your readers’ responses (Letters, 17/10) to the prime minister’s home buying. They show a high tolerance of consequential differences in wealth and income, when those differences exist in a community that rewards effort and ambition. This suggests Australians remain aspirational and have not succumbed to envy.
It also suggests that our governments should reaffirm their commitment to policies that maximise upward economic and social mobility.
Michael Angwin, Hawthorn
Lack of empathy
It’s not a surprise that Albanese has bought his palatial home on the Central Coast of NSW. It’s in keeping with all successful politicians. He constantly refers to his early life living with his single mother in a council flat. The housing crisis is one that completely alienates a large portion of community. Some will never own a house. There are many reasons for this, but a significant reason is government intervention. First homeowners’ grants do nothing to alleviate the price of houses. If anything, they inflate prices.
The most practical solution is to open more tracts of land and reduce the red tape surrounding housing construction.
Politicians should never allow themselves to be tempted to engage in activities that show disdain for current circumstances. It shows a lack of empathy for how difficult it is to navigate life in these difficult economic circumstances.
Graham Haupt, Glen Waverley
Glass houses
Re the PM’s purchase of a house on the coast, David Crowe notes: “It is a personal decision, so there is an unfairness in making it the subject of public debate” (17/10). The prime minister is 61 and about to remarry, and he and his fiancé, Jodie Haydon, are entitled to buy a property for their life together. Yet, the media have publicised its location despite the potential security concerns that intrusion on privacy raises.
In 2022, a Daily Mail article reported that then defence minister Peter Dutton’s portfolio had been simplified from previously including: a luxury Gold Coast beachfront home on “millionaire’s row”, a shopping centre in Townsville, a resort home on Moreton Island, a two hectare family home in Brisbane’s outer suburbs, an apartment in Canberra, and an upmarket investment property in Brisbane’s CBD.
When Dutton’s ownership of such extensive assets was not a problem, why is there a major issue about Albanese, or any other politician, buying a home out of Sydney to live in for the rest of their lives?
Constant, personalised attacks on any public leader are not healthy for that person, their family, or the society.
Barbara Chapman, South Yarra
Tall poppy syndrome
I fail to see how the prime minister’s purchase has anything to do with the inability of many to buy even an inexpensive one. The parliament is full of people who own at least two (and anything up to seven) houses, so they can’t criticise him. It seems rather offensive to suggest that because he grew up in a poor household he doesn’t deserve to buy a large home with a great view. Tall poppy syndrome?
Maureen Goldie, Blackwood, SA
One-term leaders tally
It surely isn’t a bad thing that the prime minister has a new home. After all, he will need a place of quiet and comfort, with sea views, to recover from the shock of joining the ranks of one-term prime ministers. No, what’s more salient is how he’s spent his one term. Whitlam was a one-termer, and in under three years transformed the country. Gillard got one term and introduced the NDIS. Curtin had three years and saved the country from invasion. Albanese? Not so much.
Greg Gardiner, Brunswick
Fertility issues
There are more reasons than cost of housing in the reluctance to bringing a child into this world. Try, upbringing costs, climate change, threat of war(s), the rise of dictators and autocrats, stifling technology (mobile phones), AI destroying human ingenuity (and jobs), overpopulated cities and world, loss of natural environment, etc. Apologies for my cynicism.
Alan Williams, Port Melbourne
Rights of life
Why do some people (pro-lifers) think they have the right to tell, even force, women what to do with their bodies and pregnancies? I would never dream of telling a man what he can or can’t do with his body, or another woman. Why do pro-lifers think their opinion counts for more than everyone else?
If pro-lifers don’t want to abort their own foetus which is dependent on the host’s (mother’s) body for survival, then that’s fine. It’s your body and your decision. Just don’t force your opinions and beliefs on others, regardless of their personal circumstances.
Robyn Westwood, Heidelberg Heights
Private school budgets
Some private schools are looking at raising their school fees to pay for the upcoming payroll tax. There is a simple way that these schools can circumvent this alleged shortfall in income. You know, that multi-million dollar facility that is looking at being built? Don’t build it. Put that money towards several years of payroll tax.
After all, we have not heard of private schools raising their school fees to pay for these facilities so why the outcry over not being able to pay the tax? Oh, to have that investment money tree to go and pick from in our state school’s backyard.
Catherine Gerardson, Watsonia North
Death in Lebanon
Your article (″Israel strikes Christian village″, 17/10) describes yet another example of civilian non-combatants, including a dozen women and children, being killed and wounded unnecessarily in the Middle-East conflict.
In defence of this latest bombing Israel says its attacks against Hezbollah targets are necessary ″to force the group ... back from its borders″. However, a Hezbollah spokesperson has stated that Hezbollah offered to pull back 10 kilometres from the Israeli border if Israel would agree to a ceasefire in Gaza.
If true, this means that the deaths in northern Lebanon, and many others, were preventable, and that Israel is killing civilians in Lebanon because it didn’t want to stop killing people in Gaza.
Peter Martina, WarrnambooI
Taxi standards
The last time I used a taxi, the driver, when given the destination (the city centre), asked me if I’d prefer to take the long way. Therefore, I can empathise with Carolyn Webb’s experience (Comment, 17/10).
But is the decaying standard of taxis not merely the corollary of the introduction of ride sharing services to Melbourne? Heralded as competition, what we have received instead is a floating standard of workplace conditions and a disparity in price and service.
Price surging during the Australian Open by Uber, and the lack of kerbside hailing for those without smartphones makes taxis, for better or worse, the best option.
Anders Ross, Heidelberg
Satisfied customer
I hold a half-fare ″Multi Purpose Taxi programme″, which is invaluable for many short trips to health professionals and hospitals. Never has criticism been voiced about the meagre fare nor a route. When possible, a certain driver from a well-known taxi company is contacted. His driving is above reproach and at difficult times he has given silent, understanding support. I continue to trust and respect those drivers with whom I have come in contact.
Christine Barnes, Glen Iris
No value East-West
The state opposition has decided to resurrect their dubious East-West link, presumably they will ask for the money paid to developers courtesy of the infamous side letter back if it gets up. The link looked OK on a casual perusal, but would have really achieved little of practical value.
Most of the traffic currently arriving at Hoddle St is city or south bound and would derive no benefit from the link as no off ramps to the city were planned. Only cross-town traffic would benefit and the North-East link will cater for a portion of that traffic, so what exactly would be the point of this road?
Ross Hudson, Mount Martha
Memo to Hamas
Just for balance, maybe your cartoonist, (Comment, 17/10), could express a similarly cynical letter from Khamanei of Iran to Sinwar of Hamas telling him what a good job he is doing in holding on to the Israeli hostages – and not to worry about the citizens of Gaza, they’re expendable.
Leon Fink, Kew
White House reaction
Will Israel be expecting a please explain from its ambassador to Australia about cartoonist Cathy Wilcox’s very appropriate and accurate assessment of the White House “feather duster” threat given to Netanyahu? (Letters, 17/10).
Rob Park, Surrey Hills
Need for space
Re your correspondent (Letters, “Because it is there”, 17/10). Just because something is there doesn’t mean we have go to it, especially if for no other reason than bragging rights, and especially if doing so would incur an enormous financial or environmental cost, or put one’s own or, worse still, other people’s lives at risk.
John Howes, Rowville
Big, black yonder
In answering the query “Why does anyone want to travel in space?” (Letters 16/10), your correspondent (Letters, 17/10) replies, “Because it is there”. But is it?
Bryan Fraser, St Kilda West
AND ANOTHER THING
Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding
Fertility plunge
Re “House prices blamed for nation’s birth-rate plunge”, 17/10. Perhaps Mother Earth has strong instincts.
Joan Segrave, Healesville
Real estate
From commission housing to cliff-top home purchase – surely this is an example rather than a cause for criticism.
Marion Pritchard, Ringwood North
Albo’s home purchase. Get over it. There are far more important issues to be addressed.
Ian Anderson, Surrey Hills
I doubt if Albo’s house purchase will be an election issue. Isn’t there a saying about glass houses and the unlikelihood of stone projectiles emanating from a similar source.
Kevan Porter, Alphington
Furthermore
John Pesutto has successfully retained his position as leader of the Liberal Party. It seems his ultimate ambition is to be an opposition party leader.
Peter Johns, Vermont
Re the East West Link project – once again the Liberals look in the rear vision mirror for policy inspiration.
Peter Bennett, Clifton Hill
I hope Donald Trump can sing, because he sure can’t dance.
John Rawson, Mernda
A SpaceX rocket to Mars is a great project providing Elon is on board. Literally.
John Bye, Elwood
Brutally honest, in your face journalism from cartoonist Cathy Wilcox (Joey to Bibi, 17/10). Beautifully succinct.
John Allen, Mooroolbark
And now, Cathy Wilcox, perhaps a polite letter to the nice people of Hamas enquiring how the hostages are faring?
John Capel, Black Rock
Was the last-minute trade of Bailey Smith due to Geelong mulling over the mullet?
Paul Custance, Highett
Finally
We never thought the name Bruce Lehrmann and Only Fans would be mentioned in the same sentence.
Ian Macdonald, Traralgon
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