SOLAR PRAISE 
Dear editor,  

It’s wonderful to hear your positive feedback about Coolum Beach Resort’s commitment to sustainability! I agree wholeheartedly that it’s a brave and intelligent step forward, and it’s definitely something we need to see more of in the tourism industry and beyond. 

The addition of EV chargers for their Terrace guests is indeed a fantastic idea, especially considering the current lack of charging infrastructure right here in Coolum Beach. That 30-minute drive to charge up can be quite inconvenient. Hopefully, Coolum Beach Resort’s initiative will encourage other businesses in the area to consider similar investments, making it easier for EV owners and promoting cleaner transportation options in our community. 

Joanna Markwell 

Coolum Beach. 

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ELECTION WIN 

Dear editor,  

Well, one does feel a sense of personal-politics vindication! The obliteration of Sky News politics in Australia sure is sweet! You would think if the Coalition was relevant or an authentic representation of Australians that they would hold the balance of power in the Senate. But alas, no, it’s the mighty Greens!  

Now, apparently the right thinks elections are won in the sensible centre. Can the Coalition adapt? Well, their beliefs are toxic, and mining billionaires seem to wield growing influence, and I don’t know if you are aware, but a hallmark of conservatism is well …conservatism! (inability to read the room and change). I hope for Australia’s sake that they are down and out. Solidarity forever, collectivism makes us strong!  

Dylan White, 

Coolum Beach.  

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GENDERED GREETINGS  

Dear editor,  

According to the current vernacular, a common expression now embedded in our interpersonal cultural language, the noun “guys” [for example: “you guys”], when addressing a mixed gender grouping, assumes this generic term covers a multitude. This may not be assumed by older generations, especially females, who find it perplexing and entirely offensive, not identifying personally with this all-male term.  

Even to the point of being disgusted, that we, as a nation, blindly follow the corrupted versions of Oxford English by the Americans. Just as the constant overuse of the annoying repetitive “like” in functional communications it has its beginnings in the U.S., where TV shows and films propagate cultural jargon we absorb by osmosis. No longer only the formal: “ladies and gentlemen”, or “girls and boys”, the traditions passed down as “normal” for generations, the vernacular now encompasses many versions of genders not formally known to previous generations. 

Previously, we were all classified as “boy” or “girl” at birth, which made life easier for legal documented records. Life was so much simpler then. No need to apologise for mistaking the multiplicity of so-called varieties of gender we have to tolerate today, for the sake of “political correctness” and not offending anyone.   

E. Rowe,  

Marcoola. 

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SUPER WINS 

Dear editor, 

How long will it take for an average-income couple to accumulate $6 million co-jointly in their superannuation and then have to pay the tax on it? Just asking for the average income couples. 

Margaret Wilkie,  

Peregian Beach. 

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TEACHER BURNOUT 

Dear editor,  

A report by the Black Dog Institute says that half of Australian teachers are considering leaving the profession within the next 12 months due to burnout.  

Teachers are working longer hours with fewer resources to meet increasing community and parental expectations. More are taking time off for mental health reasons. 

Over 50 per cent of teachers report moderate to extremely severe symptoms of depression compared to 12 per cent in the general population. 

I was a NSW state high school teacher for 18 years in the 1970s-90s. I found it an enjoyable and highly rewarding profession, especially serving the community of my rural hometown. 

Teaching conditions in the 1800s put current community expectations into context.  

The rules for NSW State school teachers said that a teacher had to fill lamps, clean chimneys, bring a bucket of water, and a scuttle of coal each day. 

Male teachers could take one evening a week for courting purposes, or two evenings if they attended church regularly. Any teacher who smoked, consumed liquor, frequented pool or public halls, and had a shave in a barber shop, “Would give good reason to suspect his worth, intention, integrity, and honesty.” 

After spending ten hours in school, teachers were told, “You may spend the remaining time reading the Bible or other good books.” 

Female teachers were warned, “If you marry or engage in unseemly conduct, you will be dismissed.” This was fertile ground for town busybodies. 

When I retired in 1992, I could see the pressures on teachers building, and standards under challenge.  

The best pathways to lift our nation’s educational outcomes are contentious, but theories are like toothbrushes – everybody has their own and nobody wants to use anybody else’s. 

Garry Reynolds, 

Peregian Springs. 

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HEALTH CARE 

Dear editor,  

With respect to a recent letter that pleads to politicians to attain an understanding of policies to maintain our health, I think this is a bit of a stretch!   

Health care and maintaining our immune system is our responsibility:  a nutritional diet and regular exercise are the prime contributing factors in keeping us afloat before we reach our use-by date, and we can’t expect our pollies to monitor our shopping trolleys, can we? 

If we survive the half-century mark, then most of us will experience a glitch or two in our ageing systems, which is more reason to research the basic necessities of maintaining one’s immune system in order to protect from viruses such as Covid, and now we are instructed to have our annual anti-flu immunisation injection. 

Prior to reaching my 81st summer, I have had more than the occasional glitch and am appreciative of the care and support I have received from the medical profession we are blessed with in our country, and here on the Sunshine Coast.  However, I have never had a flu vaccination and recently successfully treated the symptoms of a beginning outbreak, the first ever experienced!  And despite half of my line dance class acquiring Covid, I did not and had the first two injections only because I thought it necessary for my interstate visit at the time.  It wasn’t, as it turned out. 

I am not downplaying the problems experienced by cancer sufferers and others whose health is severely compromised, my point is that we are our prime carers and as long as our hospitals are well staffed with competent physicians and nurses, it is up to us to keep ourselves healthy and leave space for those in need of emergency treatment!   

Linese Norrish,  

Coolum Beach.