That said, don't these chaps have every right to include who they want into their club? At the end of the day, who are they hurting?

I would, for example, quite like to glance at the Constitution of the Country Womens' Association and see whether it is a women-only club and therefore by definition discriminatory.

Why can't we leave these silly old buggers alone? If they want to simply have a hit of tennis with a bunch of other blokes, why not? Women play tennis at the club on Tuesdays and Fridays (and probably other days, for all I know) so it is not like they are prevented from stepping onto the courts.

Furthermore, I play there from time-to-time and pay "non-members" rates.

I accept that.

ROSEBUDS should be shut ('Court order', Newcastle Herald 25/6). The council should immediately barricade the courts and teach these men a lesson.

That said, in my opinion the council should also immediately remove any and all support, sponsorship or acknowledgment of the following non-inclusive organisations: Hunter Women's Association, Hunter Business Womens Network, Girl Boss Tribe, Hunter Women's Centre, the Country Womens' Association, Newcastle District Women's Hockey Association, Women Lawyers Association of NSW, Older Women's Network, Guraki Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Awabakal Land Council, Worimi Land Council and Newcastle Youth Council Committee.

How can these groups, all of whom use council-provided assets such as roads, parks and office space, be allowed to exist when they actively exclude people based on race, age or gender? The message to Rosebuds seems to be hit the road, and take your clubhouse, lights and all of the other improvements you've made with you.

REGARDING Keri Pettett's comments on her mother's dealings with her Telstra line fault (Short Takes, 27/6), I would like John Howard to explain how many Australians are benefiting from the selling of Telstra network.

He said at the time that by putting the company on the stock market, mum and dad investors would be able to take a share of the profits and no customers in remote locations would be affected.

Well I have had on two occasions had to follow up with calls to a Malaysian call centre about a $60 platinum service charge on my last month's bill.

They even use a computer-generated phone call to advise they are going to discontinue your service due to the outstanding amount. On each occasion, it has taken over 30 minutes to be assured that the charge has been removed.

I have always used Telstra for my landline and internet services as they used to threaten of charges if they sent a technician if there was a telephone line fault whenever I rang to advise that I couldn't access the internet. Our house still has poor mobile and landline services, but to be fair to John Howard we are 14 kilometres north of Raymond Terrace.

Does anyone know of another reliable communications service provider? Thanks, Mr Howard, for selling off the Telstra asset. It has saved politicians having to explain why people had Telstra issues, though.

SCUTTLE the HMAS Newcastle off Stockton beach ('Farewell, Newcastle', Newcastle Herald 1/7) to stop the sand shift. It would make a great habitat reef for fish, diving site and reduce current impact.

In the correct position, it could create a current that will help keep sand and control water movement during large swell. A perfect resting place.

AFTER viewing a recent program on the plight of veteran's wellbeing and the shocking statistic that an estimated one veteran commits suicide each week (Nine, 20/6), I believe it's obvious the system employed to help is not working.

I feel the problem may well lie with those responsible within the public service having scant knowledge of dealing with someone's life, a human being who may be a father, mother a brother or sister. Too often the monetary value is put before the value of a human life, yet is life not priceless?

The answer may be that perhaps the veterans themselves be allowed to oversee the problems, not a public servant with no first-hand understanding of the problem.

I feel it's like expecting a bricklayer to fix a car: they may have some idea, however the car needs a mechanic.

The task requires someone who understands the real problem.

It may well be that those in need feel they have been betrayed by a government more interested in delivering a budget surplus than looking after those who have served.

I WOULD like to comment further on the article in Saturday's paper regarding Hillsborough Road ('Campaigner not done yet', Newcastle Herald 29/6).

As a resident of Hillsborough, I know Michael Nolan puts in many hours trying to convince the Berejiklian government we need urgent upgrades and work to make the intersection of Hillsborough Road and Chadwick Street a safer place for both the residents of Hillsborough and the various other people who use the intersection.

Our member of parliament, Jodie Harrison, has put forward many motions in parliament on our behalf over many years regarding Hillsborough Road, few of which appear to have been considered at all by the Berejiklian government when the state budget is released each year.

Finally, Hillsborough Road has 30,000 cars a day using it. We rely on the courteous drivers who slow down to allow the residents of Hillsborough to have a safe entry or departure from their homes on Hillsborough Road. A big thank you to all these wonderful people.

When upgrades are done to this very dangerous road, they are appreciated very much.