No excuse to waste Queens Wharf's potential
CAN someone enlighten me as to how the previous Newcastle council could let a valuable venue like the Queens Wharf area fall into such disrepair? Space that in previous times housed wedding and restaurant venues has been gradually destroyed by neglect, apparently just because some say its reached its use-by date. The licensee of Queens Wharf hotel seems to be the only bloke who cares about the joint because he can see the potential, apparently unlike the previous council.
I am not a businessman by any stretch but why not fix the joint up, make the two buildings into one and maybe it could be an indoor platform for live music, like wharf life and bands that play every Sunday? It would stop the NIMBYs complaining about the noise and bring a whole new vibe to the area.
Tony Morley, Waratah
Here's a tip: they're not automatic
RECENTLY my daughters took me to lunch at a high-end restaurant in Newcastle. The food was tasty, expensive and stylish. Upon leaving, I received a death stare from the waitperson. My daughters had not left a tip.
What is the etiquette for tipping in Australia? A forage around revealed there is none. Waitstaff have a minimum award wage, plus a surcharge for Sundays and public holidays. It is up to the employer to honour this, and it's unlike other countries where waitstaff are dependent on tips for their livelihood.
Many shops have a tip jar or gratuity box for rounding off. This goes to the owner, mainly to balance the register.
Many businesses have adopted the QR code. This is an American sales system, and the tipping feature is built in. Why tip twice when you are yet to sample the food?
I am not a skinflint or cheapskate. I always tip buskers and the pizza home deliverer, who informed me there is already a service charge. By all means, if you wish, tip a waitperson for exceptional service. But let's not make it mandatory in this country.
Helen Douglas, Stockton
Exciting times for art gallery
AS a practising artist, former art educator, and a long time supporter and member of the Newcastle Art Gallery and an active member of the Newcastle arts community, it was heartening to see the acknowledgement on October 22 by Robert Henderson of the enormous contribution of $13 million that the arts community has raised for the extension of the Newcastle Art Gallery.
With a 250 per cent increase in its exhibition space, Newcastle will be able, for the first time, to show the greater part of its nationally significant collection as well as attract ambitious major exhibitions from Australia and overseas. It will also have a state of the art multi-purpose education space, which will create wonderful opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to have hands-on experiences and engagement with the gallery.
There is great excitement in the arts community, who have worked tirelessly for years to help bring to fruition the vision of our former director, and the now director of the National Gallery in Canberra, Nick Mitzevitch. Our cultural icon has been re-imagined and will be re-established.
Kerrie Coles, Islington
Don't let system suffer silently
THANK you for the article highlighting the health system struggle to address the ever increasing demands on its resources particularly regarding the Mater Mental Health Centre ("Lacking staff and lacking compassion", Herald 26/10).
Unfortunately, mental health remains the elephant in the room. It is those suffering with mental health issues who are often most vulnerable, and least able to voice their concerns and rally the support they require. One can only hope this article will assist in improving the existing status quo.
Vicki Langseth, Blackalls Park
Protections wielded against us
THE Closing Loopholes legislation was introduced recently to offer job security for people who have ongoing work on fixed-term or casual contracts, by converting them to permanent positions.
I am one of these people who should be protected by the new IR laws.
I have been employed by the Uni of Newcastle for almost 25 years, the past nine on fixed-term contracts in the same role. Instead the university seems to have found its own loopholes and as a result I will no longer be employed as of December 1. No reason has been provided to me and my role is ongoing (no redundancy).
I believe the complete lack of transparency and lack of communication has only added to the stress experienced by staff. Despite repeated requests, staff are not given any information as to why their contracts are ending or how the legislation would apply to them.
We have mortgages and bills and children and now no job, and seemingly no care or concern shown by university management. The flow-on effects of the mass non-renewal of fixed term and casual contracts are huge. Permanent staff are already overloaded and will need to do even more work.
There is no way that teaching, and hence students, will not be affected negatively, with less and overworked staff.
Legislation that was designed to protect us is being used against us.
Michelle Challinor, Wyoming
Prime site on harbour still squandered
REGARDING the Queens Wharf western building ("Rotting away: Harbourside building in state of decay", Newcastle Herald 26/10), if the building is in such a state, why has it not been demolished at time of beyond repair? It should be demolished at once and the land made suitable as a grassed park while council makes up its mind. Also, do not overdevelop the area.
Graham Paterson, Adamstown
Both sides make assumptions
DAVID Breeze talks about groups using flawed data not supported by facts ("Claims of broad opposition to PEP-11 not backed by facts", Opinion, 29/10). How many people were surveyed in the independent polling across the Hunter Valley? I wasn't asked and not one of my friends was either. Were these people hand picked? If you want true data and facts you must ask everyone.
Graeme Bennett, Warners Bay
Anthem has British connections
GRANT Agnew ("Flag concerns with the Union Jack", Letters, 23/10), ought to realise our current national anthem is about Cook and how "true British courage bore him on, Britannia rules the waves".
Ennis Bailey, Mayfield
Nuclear is no power panacea
AS Matt Kean, former Liberal treasurer, has very clearly stated it's time to stop the fearmongers like Peter Dutton sabotaging the roll out of renewable energy infrastructure. Nuclear energy will drive up energy prices, will be more expensive to build, and will take too long to build. Rise above your political views, Australia, and help get the right sources of energy generation implemented. Do the right thing for your children and grandchildren.
Colin Rowlatt, Merewether
Trump stance isn't mainstream
EVEN John Howard has warned about the danger that Donald Trump poses to US democracy. So why does Australia's media still seem to prefer either to ignore or try to normalise the increasing extremism of Trump's racist and fascist rhetoric?
