Why is it that these money hungry companies think that they are allowed to rape and pillage our country just for the mighty dollar? There are far better things than money and as for Centennial Coal to say outright that it is safe, well I for one doubt that they can absolutely guarantee this. Yes, I think that this is just another land grab and it is time we call time on this type of operation and completely deny any and all activity such as this on our precious lake.

At a time when the world is trying its hardest to stop the burning of fossil fuels, this conglomerate thinks that it is their God-given right to do as they wish, with little or no regard for the final outcome.

Just have a short drive to Singleton and see what these so-called caring companies can do to once beautiful country and then join all of us and yell "no way to this outrage". Let's think of the tens of thousands that will use and enjoy this unique asset for decades to come and once and for all stop these consortiums bleeding our country for their own personal gain.

WE can't believe that there are people who regard drag queens as a threat to the well-being of children ('Drag story time for library', Herald, 29/1). Yes, they dress to entertain, but to regard them as deviants is disgusting (Letters, 1/2).

As for them denigrating women, we'd be more concerned with how 'boofy' footy players portray females in their drag skits. We also can't see what same-sex marriage has got to do with a drag queen performance (Letters, 1/2). Haven't you heard about the Wiggles or Super Hubert's adult shows? That's right; you don't take your young children to these shows. These performers do change their format when catering to children just as drag queens would.

We see it as exposing children to a diverse range of entertainment. We'd be more than happy to take our grandchildren to one of these readings, they'd love it.

WE wake today in Australia, on February the 1st to witness the two diametrically opposite faces of modern democracy.

The first, agree or disagree, we witnessed the UK leaving the European Union after 37 years. The exit was tense but peaceful, laborious but open and ultimately recognising the will of the people following the 2016 referendum. The second example of modern democracy, the Trump impeachment. Secretive, obstructive, and a clear example of politics obstructing truth.

America should feel ashamed and embarrassed that an open, transparent and balanced investigation into what transpired with Ukraine will never be heard.

IT'S interesting how when extremely hot weather conditions are forecast, the usual message is to stay indoors. Since the A-League's inception however we have this absurd situation where fixtures during the summer months are scheduled for 5pm (or sometimes earlier) kick-offs where temperatures are often still over 35 degrees Celsius.

The Newcastle Jets v Western United match on Saturday kicked off at 5pm with the temperature hovering at 38 degrees. It was determined by officials that four drinks breaks were to be given while the club made available to spectators with seats in the full sun to move to the shaded western stand.

There were calls on social media as to why wasn't the game delayed or even postponed due to the sweltering conditions, but this would disrupt the TV scheduling and as we know TV dictates sport.

With I believe their lowest home crowd in five years of 5458 it would indicate that many Jets fans spoke with their feet and were most probably still at the beach, would you blame them? In the best interests of the health and safety of players and spectators but also what is best for the game and to enhance its appeal, the A-League must reassess its fixture scheduling with a commonsense approach. Not having kick-off times before 7pm during the summer months would be a start.

OUR federal and NSW state governments have announced a $2 billion investment in gas production, probably involving fracking. This money if put into hydrogen production development, using renewables as its energy source, would have many advantages and none of the bad effects of increased greenhouse gases.

Hydrogen can and is supplementing some natural gas supplies, admittedly only a small percentage at this point, but could ultimately replace it altogether with only water as a by-product. Water is also produced when hydrogen is used in electricity production with fuel cells. Consider that for every 2kg of hydrogen 18kg of water is produced. It may very well help with the supply of that very important resource.

There has been some talk of hydrogen being the fuel of the future and with Australia's potential renewable energy production capable of supplying the world, possibly converting oceans into potable water and power. Other countries are both aware and actually committing to producing green hydrogen. If we want to become a leader in its production and export, and to eventually replace coal, we need to invest now.

WHILE sitting inside avoiding the heat I decided to do some research on climate change deniers and came across an interesting article by David Hall from the University of Auckland; Climate Explained: Why some people still think climate change isn't real, published on The Conversation.

The article uses the analysis of Sigmund Freud and his daughter specifically using the term negating reality which I won't expound on, but the article goes on to explain it further and I quote: "The politics of denial, as the sociologist Stanley Cohen noted in his classic study of denial there is an important distinction between denial that is personal and psychological and denial that is institutional and organised. The former denies the facts to themselves but the latter involves the denial of facts to others even when these 'merchants of doubt' know the truth".

The article goes on to say the deniers are in the minority, the worried majority doesn't need to win over everyone to win on climate change.

Those detractors can call me what they like that doesn't concern me one bit that is their right but when some very intelligent people say things are wrong I listen. They are more likely to know more than people who resort to name calling.

THE story about the asbestos scare ('Historic pieces destroyed', Newcastle Herald, 31/1) showed a Newcastle East class photo from 1955 which looks like every other class photo from the period. I didn't attend that school, but I reckon I recognised the boy third from the right in the second back row on the front page and on the extreme right in the second back row on page 6. Doug Kelso was a promising tennis player at the time and I hope someone in the photo might confirm he was indeed that young boy whom I haven't seen during the past 60 years.

THE ABC TV coverage of the Jets game was stopped before the end of the game, presumably because they knew the Jets couldn't score if they were given a penalty.

MATT McAlary (Short Takes, 31/1) the reason tennis players take three balls is to check them, they take the ball with less fur because it spins better. So maybe do a bit of research before you reach for the phone.

I READ about the destruction in Newcastle East school ('Historic pieces destroyed', Herald, 31/1). Hope they do not find asbestos in the Macquarie Library in Sydney.

THE coronavirus outbreak makes me wonder if the federal government can handle this emergency. Evacuation plans seemed slow in the making. How many people will be infected on flights from China? When we look at sports rorts and bushfire disasters, the incompetence of our government leaves me feeling very uncertain.

IN reply to Warren Shakespeare (Short Takes, 3/2): Inspector Peter Fox should have been named Australian of the Year. I couldn't agree more Warren.

OUR Prime Minister is swinging into action concerning the coronavirus. Pity he falls way behind in tackling the far greater threat of climate change and our planet's future. It's like comparing an air rifle to a nuclear weapon.

TO all the correspondents responding to our council's sojourn to Nelson Bay and the unnecessary costs ('Council meeting split', Herald, 28/1), may I remind them that there are council elections later this year and this will be a great opportunity for all of us to vote for more new and independent councillors to represent us?

I NOTICED, once again, Jeff Corbett commenting on older couples holding hands ('Civilised shaming game', Herald, 1/2). Over the years he has belittled this practice. As a wife of an Alzheimer's patient, and with a group of friends in the same situation, I have permanent damage to my shoulder from "holding his hand", dragging him around, and stopping him straying or falling. I hope Jeff's wife never has to hold his hand, but he needs a bit more understanding before commenting on this practice.