I READ coach Nathan Brown blamed himself for the loss against Canterbury for bringing back his State of Origin players too early ('Brown accepts blame for Origin III decision', Newcastle Herald, 14/8). I think Brown needed the win and the team needed these players to be playing.
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The Knights' Canterbury Cup team was running second last in their competition going into the weekend, which I believe is showing there is not much depth in that grade for the NRL side to call on. Newcastle is about one to 18 as far as first-grade quality in my opinion, and by spending a huge part of their salary cap on a few players they have been left short. Easts are different. They have about 23 players with high enough quality to handle first grade, which I suppose must show that they are recruiting the right sort of players at the right price. On the matter of players laughing and carrying on with the opposition after the game ('Ponga fan abuse after defeat out of line', Herald, 14/8) I am with Joey Johns. Shake hands and get off the field. As a supporter, I wouldn't want to see my team appearing to not give a hoot whether they won or lost.
Allen Small, East Maitland
MORE REFEREES, PLEASE
ON Saturday I watched my grandson's Under-14s team compete in a semi-final at Charlestown. Unfortunately, there was only one accredited match official, the referee. No linesmen was provided for this important match. A kindly volunteer linesman was not allowed to communicate in any way with the ref in his adjudication of the match, so he might as well have stayed in the stand. All right, it's not first grade, but these kids play their hearts out each week in an effort to get to the semis or grand final. When it comes to finals football, they deserve the best possible adjudication. Whoever is responsible for providing the correct number of match officials should lift their game and do the right thing by these weekend warriors. Let's hope the grand final will be better catered for.
Ian Wright, Cameron Park
SHE KNOWS SITUATION BEST
I AM in favour of decriminalisation of abortion in NSW. I am sure that no woman takes lightly the decision to terminate a pregnancy, but when she has, after advice from her doctor, what she needs most is loving support and the knowledge that her decision will be respected. She alone knows her circumstances and her feelings, as well as the future welfare of herself and her child.
To me, as a retired Anglican priest, there is nothing Christian about being told by the churches that she is a murderer, and loading her up with a feeling of guilt which she must bear for the rest of her life.
Therefore, I thank Bishop Peter Stuart for issuing the statement he has made on this subject (Herald 6/8) which is well reasoned and comprehensive. I hope others take note.
R. Galagher, Metford
IMPROMPTU TOILET TRAINING
ONCE upon a time in a far-away galaxy on a bitter winter night after a very intrepid journey ... actually, it was on the train between our own state's two largest cities.
I recently found myself in a situation where there was not a single toilet aboard. I was busting, no more detail required. Sensing my discomfort, a fellow commuter suggested I get out at Gosford as the train apparently stops long enough to do the deed. Now I am a relatively healthy able-bodied male without disabilities yet that suggestion proved impossible.
Ms Berejiklian, Mr Constance, saying this is a disgrace is being very polite indeed. How welcome and warm international visitors must feel after a long journey. For their sake, I hope there is a warning in their guides.
Christian Patteson, Hawks Nest
SUPPORT REPAID IN KIND
THE Mark Hughes Foundation is to be congratulated for its latest initiative ('Mountain challenge location revealed', Herald 13/8). The appointment of brain care coordinators in three regional areas of NSW will bring comfort and reassurance to the patients and carers of those living with this frightening diagnosis.
Mark and his beautiful wife, Kirralee, were responsible for establishing the first nurse here in the Hunter. Patients and carers alike have received wonderful support from the three women who have served in this role - Jane, Sandy and Alisha. Their personal attention has made a difference to many undertaking this difficult journey.
The foundation is also supporting an annual statewide workshop for nurses and allied health workers caring for brain tumour patients as well as a patient forum each year. Brain cancer continues to be one of the most difficult diseases to treat and results in the most productive years of life lost to any cancer type. Wear your beanies with pride and know that the money you have paid is aiding a great cause established by a young couple with vision and passion.
Kaye Duffy, Hunter Brain Tumour Support Network
THEY KILLED OUR SKILLS
IT was interesting to read that the Coalition government was concerned about the shortage of skill workers ('Leaders to focus on skills training at COAG meeting', Herald, 9/8). In my opinion, the same Coalition has spent years trying to sabotage the TAFE training scheme by allowing training merchants in who took the students' money then left the trainees without skills and a large debt. Then, the state Coalition government put huge fees on the TAFE courses that prevented working-class kids from taking the usual way to getting shills.
I find it the height of hypocrisy for the industry groups to complain. They were partners in the government's plans but knew that they could import workers to fill the gaps. I believe this is the reason the Coalition wants to cripple the trade union movement. To fix the problems, the whole apprenticeship system must be restored and the ridiculous high fees removed so that workers can have access to the training.
Frank Ward, Shoal Bay
WRONG DATA IN CROSS-HAIR
SCOTT Hillard continues his mission as Australian flag bearer for the National Rifle Association (Short Takes, 12/8). He's right, we should all just chill out. Everything's fine in the good ol' USA. Crime is definitely on the decrease and the good citizens of America have nothing at all to worry about. After all, there have only been 8752 gun homicides in America so far this year (as at August 5). As Mr Hillard suggests, Americans need more guns, not less. Why should "deranged murderers and terrorists" - the "bad guys with a gun" - be the only ones who get the opportunity to kill people?
John Ure, Mount Hutton
LETTER OF THE WEEK
THE pen goes to Joan Lambert for her letter on the decriminalisation of abortion.