Hillsong is a major business operation. My mother, as a welfare worker at a Sydney hospital many years ago, was fond of saying that she was there to help the needy, not the greedy. In my opinion our PM subscribes to the opposite, helping the greedy not the needy, hence the absolute refusal to raise the Newstart allowance.

I think Brian Houston, the multimillionaire pastor of Hillsong, also seems to subscribe to helping the greedy, not the needy. The Ellis defence was passed to force the Catholic Church to accept responsibility for compensation to victims of abuse, and I believe that should also apply to the Assemblies of God and Hillsong.

Alternatively, let's remove the charity status of all churches and require them to pay their share of tax.

I'm not sure how Brian Houston and the associated churches can justify the treatment of Brett Sengstock ('Survivor slams PM', Newcastle Herald 15/10).

ROBBIE O'Davis was a champion rugby league player for the Newcastle Knights. Today, he's still a champion and a man with a precious heart.

My niece is currently having treatment for mental health issues in a Newcastle hospital. She used to go and watch the Knights regularly with her mother when Robbie was playing. Her favourite player was none other than Robbie O. She proudly displays photos of him at her home. I thought if I could get hold of Robbie, he might be able to visit her. It was worth a try.

Through your rugby league writer Barry Toohey I was able to contact him.

I didn't know Robbie myself but my sister, who passed away last year, always spoke glowingly of him.

Robbie remembered both my sister and my niece. He visited my niece in hospital on Monday. Robbie sent me a photo and my niece was smiling like a Cheshire cat.

You rarely hear about the good things sportsmen do to cheer people up.

Robbie, you're gold. I have just had latest the photo framed.

REGARDING cyclists crossing the light rail line ('Ban fails first test', Herald 17/10), here we go again.

The death of Danny Egan ('Call for safer roads after cyclist's death', Herald 12/7) was tragic, while other cyclists have had broken bones ('Off the rails', Herald 16/11/18).

Why can't people realise that humans will always make mistakes and if you keep on putting them in cotton wool, decision-making will only get worse?

Just assess probable dangers and take appropriate action to minimise any danger. If you're not confident get off your bike and push it. It's not rocket science.

Let's go back to the 1970s and '80s where if you tripped on the footpath and broke a bone you would just dust yourself off, then get it fixed then move on.

Nowadays it's more a case of let's blame somebody else then sue.

It's like the pill testing debacle ('Berejiklian stands firm on pill-test stance', Herald 17/10). What rubbish; if people want to take a pill, that is their choice. It's a shame that if they die they leave behind devastated family and friends. Say no to pill testing.

IS the coroner actually living in the real world ('Berejiklian stands firm on pill-test stance', Herald 17/10)?

I refer to the recommendation that people who are illegally carrying drugs to festivals so that they can make money as well as have a good time not be detected and stopped by police using sniffer dogs, as they feel afraid. Then, if they like, they should be able to have their pills tested to make sure they are safe to take. What happens when these idiots who have to be drugged up to have a good time get in their cars and take you and your family out on the way home?

Are they still covered by the "it's all right, we are here to protect you from self-harm" policy? Who is to blame in that case? If you need drugs to have a good time, get help. There are plenty of agencies available.

GEE whiz, I just wonder if our ever-popular council can see Stockton from the top of their new building. If not, I suggest they ask the developer to yet again add a new level so the penthouse offers a good look as it slowly falls into the ocean. Ratepayers' money, including the recent rate increase, is paid to do one thing and that is to fix an ever-growing backlog of projects in dire need. Are the ratepayers of Stockton happy with the office move? Did you ask them, or anyone else? Was your move more important than the good people of Stockton?

This council was recently blasted in parliament by the Liberals for spending money on "vanity projects". We the ratepayers are in my opinion too regularly told it's not in our best interest to know how much of our money is spent.

I believe that if this council had its needs of the community at heart, the people of Stockton would have a sea wall. Just be reminded, council, that every dollar you receive from government grants you have to match. Watch our pennies carefully.

I HAVE just watched Frayed on the ABC, a new series set in the Newcastle of 1988. Back then I had relatives and friends in Newcastle, and I visited your city several times a year. I do not recall anyone in Newcastle at that time who swore in every single sentence (or even in every second sentence).

I do remember Newcastle people who could swear with much greater inventiveness and style than can the wretched characters of this program, but those people kept their swearing in reserve for unusual or special occasions.

Apparently unlike the scriptwriters of Frayed, everyone I ever met in Newcastle could speak English quite well enough to know the right words for any situation.

In my opinion Frayed amounts to little more than a down-market version of Seachange with bad language used to cover up its lack of originality. Swearing is not funny and Newcastle deserves better. I hope its residents will say so to the ABC.

THE pen goes to Scott Webster, of Carrington, for his letter about swimming at the baths.

THE first time I saw light rail, cars and bikes having to share one lane in Newcastle East I thought it was crazy. The old corridor was smarter and cheaper, but offered no money for any governments. So this is revitalisation.

IF the photos in the Newcastle Herald ('Bans fail first test', Herald 17/10) are any indication of the cycling public disregard for rules or signage then we are wasting taxpayers' money trying to save them from their own stupidity. Again, the squeaky gate is getting the most oil.

I READ that Four Pines will be opening soon at Charlestown ('Craft brewer to open venue', Herald 16/10). That sounds great, but unfortunately I believe it comes at the expense of The Coffee Club, which closes next week and has not had its lease renewed. For many customers that hold their $25 dollar rewards, card we now have to travel to Singleton or Tuggerah. I suppose that's progress, and Coffee Club win with no mention of a refund of fees paid.

POPE'S superb creation does not miss a trick, (Opinion, 17/10). In such a small space, it's the perfect pitch of the discarded's cruel treatment, in today's fantasy land.

THE Labor party, and in particular Bill Shorten, could save a lot of time looking into why they lost the election. The answer is twofold; first they are not a Labor party. Also their alliance and reliance on the Greens is the thing that's got Labor stinking like a bag of prawn heads left in the sun.

TANYA Plibersek says Scott Cam is a good bloke, and he does appear to be one (I've seen him in an advertisement for 'his' channel and he's clearly not a bad actor). He's landed a government gig now ('Cam to help build job opportunities', Herald 11/10), and I guess it won't be his fault if his advocacy doesn't achieve the worthy aim. I can't help wondering if Scott Cam is pleased by Mr Morrison's enthusiasm for his appointment and Michaelia Cash's gushing endorsement of it; or merely as embarrassed as we are.

GOOD to hear that the Premier is standing firmly against pill testing at music festivals ('Berejiklian stands firm on pill-test stance', Herald 17/10). The message that should be firmly communicated to young people is that if you take drugs there is a very high risk that you could die. Opposition leader Jodi McKay says that if the Premier doesn't take any notice of the recommendation for testing she is "sticking her head in the sand." Fortunately Gladys Berejiklian has been elected to run NSW, not the coroner or Jodi McKay.

IN reply to Darren Sparks (Short Takes, 17/10), I am not bagging our city; I am bagging one individual for some of the plans and decisions being made at the cost of the ratepayer. Also thanks for your offer, but I'm not going anywhere bud.