Mourning Barry Humphries and his creations

Was I really hearing our leaders pontificating about our reaction to the overreach of China, or was it merely a reprise of a scene from Monty Python’s Life of Brian, the committee meeting?

Peter Black, St Andrews, Vic

Looks like Defence has got the keys to the lolly shop again. Let’s hope they do not find any lemons inside as they have before.

Jeff Stokes, Largs Bay, SA

“Disappointed local defence industry manufacturers warn of ‘vulnerable’ supply chain” (25/4) is summed up in one image: John Spooner’s cartoon could not be a better wake-up call for Anzac Day 2023. Energy independence is a No.1 priority. Armies surrender when their supply lines are cut.

John McRobert, Indooroopilly, Qld

If we pay the Chinese to install hydrogen field missiles on every wind turbine, can we say that we have a green defence?

Lawrence Shaw, Hemmant, Qld

There’s a vaguely strange aspect about the process of millions of saddened people mourning the death of the brilliant, innovative, hilariously defiant Barry Humphries. How many of our citizenry have aroused, or will arouse, the equivalent of two deep, yet separate, levels of grief when death arrives? Yes, the pompous and wonderful Dame Edna has left us, but let’s never forget her brilliant creator, the one who ensured two unique characters won’t be forgotten and will forever be inextricably linked.

Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield, NSW

Thank you, Peter Craven, for the Barry Humphries tribute (“Dame and knight, he was our greatest performer”, 24/4) and particularly the ultimate line: “May the Earth lie light on him.” Beautiful!

Steve Moore, Erskineville, NSW

Thanks, Sir Les. To this day I can’t look at a schnauzer without smiling.

Peter Dowling, Brisbane

The question is what role will Larry the Cat, Chief Mouse Catcher at No.10 Downing Street and member of the Cabinet Office, take in the coronation ceremony. He deserves recognition for his achievements.

Dighton Mildwater, Balgowlah, NSW

Upon arriving home from the morning’s Anzac ceremony at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance I again was privileged, this time by being able to view on TV the tribute made by the French at Villers-Bretonneux. Many thanks to the French for continuing the memory of the fallen.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic