As a clinical psychologist, I worked at the so-called Stockton Centre.
The Sydney-based bureaucracy never understood it was more than a "supported accommodation facility".
It was first and foremost a home. The bureaucracy never understood that the needs of residents were the non-negotiable priority.
On one occasion, I even got sacked as acting CEO, presumably non-negotiable priorities were seen as threatening.
Despite the large numbers, we tried to treat people with disability as people first, people to be listened to and spoken to, not at.
Let us hope the current bureaucracy shows some sensitivity to the needs of the people who are going to make their homes on that 84 hectares.
Mark Porter, New Lambton
Clubs applauded for good show
All we seem to hear is what mischief rugby league players get up to, usually lots of negative reports. Last Sunday the Knights first grade had their 'Silly Sunday' at the Queens Wharf Hotel, of which I am licensee, followed by the coaching staff on Monday.
All of these players and staff were a pleasure to have in our hotel. Not once were they out of order. They were a real credit to Newcastle. They were followed by Broadmeadow Magic Football Club, who won their grand final and, again, they were a bunch of well-behaved, good blokes. I applaud both clubs for their behaviour and their staff for the great standards.
Stephen Smyth, Merewether
Wave of curiosity about quake
Was I the only person who actually saw the shockwave of the 1989 earthquake?
I was prompted to look back at it because my granddaughter is doing an assignment on it, and she knew that I was there on the day.
I did not read any eye-witness accounts from anybody who saw the actual wave.
I was working in my yard in Speers Point when I heard the sound of glass breaking.
As I looked up I saw the wave run along my neighbour's driveway. It looked like the wave made when you make a wave along a rope or hose.
It was fast, like the speed of a jet flying overhead at very low altitude. It shook under my feet and was gone in a flash.
I knew immediately that it must have been an earthquake and not a mine collapsing as many locals immediately thought.
What perplexes me is that the conclusion made about the epicentre was that it was in Boolaroo. The wave that I saw definitely came from the direction of Swansea.
Brian Cook, Forresters Beach
Campaign timing queried
I support and respect nurses, health workers in general, along with teachers and the education workers in their endeavour to better their wages and conditions. But I question why they waited so long to stage such a militant campaign.
For 12 or more years we had a state government that prided itself in keeping wage growth to a minimum, and, for almost a decade, we had a federal government doing the same, congratulating themselves for doing so. Now, those same parties are smiling and egging on the people seeking wage justice.
Am I the only one who has noticed this?
Fred McInerney, Karuah
Bipartisan courage needed
Many contradictory things have happened during the long-running attempt to rezone 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher, for housing.
The latest starting at last year's December council meeting when Ward 2 Liberal Councillor Barrie voted against her party's develop-at-any-cost position and courageously joined all other councillors, except one, to ask the state Planning Minister to not proceed with this rezoning, thereby making this issue bipartisan. But when the minister did what Cr Barrie, and other councillors asked, Cr Barrie inexplicably joined her Ward 4 Liberal colleague Cr Pull at last month's council meeting to vote against her previous position by opposing the minister's decision to not proceed.
There is no room for political gamesmanship in this issue involving a well-recognised regional park connecting corridor. Let's hope both dissenting councillors act accordingly in the new council.
Brian Purdue,
Green Corridor Coalition, Maryland
SHORT TAKES
Strong force behind Ponga
I have been reading about all of the threats from V'landys, McCarthy and assorted other 'yesterday's men' over Kalyn Ponga's decision not to play rep football and get healthy for next year's NRL season. I'm with you Kalyn, and have two questions for V'landys. One: Who pays KP's salary? Two: Isn't he paid the big money to win a premiership for the Knights? Oh yes. What would happen, heaven forbid, if he suffered a serious injury playing in one of these Mickey Mouse money-making games just for the ARL's benefit?
Rick Johnson, Tuncurry
Jumping the gun
How can Kalyn Ponga be sanctioned and made to sit in the naughty corner for forgoing an Australian jumper when he hasn't even been picked in the Aussie team? As far as full backs go, there is Tedesco, Edwards, Turbo, Walsh and others, so who says Ponga will even be picked? Another media frenzy created.
Graeme Bennett, Warners Bay
Chorus of 'experts' roasted
I can't believe the calls for Kalyn Ponga to be stood down for games next year for opting out of Kangaroo selection. Give him a break. He has been out injured for a big part of the year, and would probably need time away from the game to sort them out. All these so-called experts need to get off their high horses and pull their heads in.
Ken Stead, Lambton
Every small cut welcome
Darryl Tuckwell, if we agree that excise on alcohol and fuel are taxes, as is the GST, doesn't that make the taxpayer-funded government self-promotional ad telling us "all taxpayers get a tax cut" a con? ("Check the definition of 'excise'", Letters, 25/9). There are millions of taxpayers who are struggling today who would be thankful for a cut to these taxes, not a history lesson. But, no, the government is protecting its surplus.
Dave McTaggart, Edgeworth
Hopes high for new council
What a great result we had in the council elections. I am sure Ross Kerridge will lead a great team. Hopefully we will get back to open local government, with the cone of silence lifted, and greater emphasis on services to the ratepayers. Dr Kerridge has outlined his intentions, and I am sure he will do his best to deliver. One of his promises was a full enquiry into the letters saga. I can't wait to read what Scott Neylon has to say about this?
