Dear Echo News,
Further to S Oliver’s letter in the Echo News (Letters, Feb 6) I would like to add the following.
Every year around December and January, when all the letters for and against January 26 being celebrated as Australia Day, I offer up what I consider to be a very reasonable and relatively easy solution to the continual arguments – I think that they are getting worse with each passing year.
My solution would be to have a day, not a date – say the first Monday every February or March.
This should satisfy all groups – those for or against – and whilst I realise there will always be someone unhappy, it will be far less than if we continue with having January 26 as Australia Day.
I might add that I personally don’t mind celebrating on that date but feel a solution should be provided to make (almost) everyone happy.
I Sanderson
Kalamunda
Dear Echo News,
The rise of AI is welcomed by many who seem to believe that robots will do the mundane jobs and leave us with more leisure.
That’s doubtful.
AI will allow some of the thinking jobs to be done by non-human devices, programs and software, but all the jobs that require the most menial, dirty work will still fall to either humans or other animals that can navigate terrain that robots can’t and won’t be asked to risk.
It’s true that the owners of the AI and the devices will decide who/what does what, but unless you’re a (substantial) owner, you’re just a product to be consumed in creating more wealth for the owners.
Notice the increasing use of the word “productivity”?
We should – it’s about how useful we are to those who control the capital.
Consider carefully the implications of AI!
P Carman
Hovea
Dear Echo News,
Your article on fake lawns seems to have wound up a few people particularly Catherine Dixon.
Her version of events appears to be far from reality and not formed from personal experience.
Around six or seven years ago I put one third of our back lawn under astro turf, it’s the best thing I ever did.
Last year we did the rest of the lawn.
Contrary to Ms Dixon’s propaganda it does not get hot, we had 44C recently week and it did not get hot or burn anyone’s feet, this includes our local quendas.
There are numerous benefits which she fails to mention - no emissions from my petrol lawn mower which I donated to the Men’s Shed and they got $100 for it, and other benefits are no water, no fertilizer, no toxic weed killers, and no maintenance.
It looks identical to turf, does not fade, holds its shape and does not smell!
Her statement that “people who have fake lawn almost always have no trees” is absolute crap and worthy of Donald Trump.
We have a 200-year-old marri, a magnolia, hibiscus, bottle brush four lime trees and many more.
The only downside that I can see is it might put Jim’s Mowing out of business.
R Jones
Lesmurdie
Dear Echo News,
As Australian children return to school, hundreds will not.
Their desks sit empty as they fight blood cancer – the single biggest disease threatening the lives of school-aged children in Australia today.
This year alone, around 350 children will be diagnosed with blood cancer.
It now accounts for more than one in three childhood cancers, yet remains a largely hidden national tragedy.
A blood cancer diagnosis is sudden and brutal. Children are forced out of classrooms and into hospital wards, enduring aggressive treatment that can last years.
Many miss 40 to 60 per cent of school in their first year alone, with some absent for up to 18 months. The impacts on learning, wellbeing and social development are profound and long-lasting.
Over the past two decades, blood cancer incidence among children aged five to 14 has risen by almost 30 per cent.
If this trend continues, more than 400 children a year could face this devastating diagnosis within the next decade.
At the Leukaemia Foundation, we see the toll this takes on children and families every day – emotionally, financially and socially.
While we provide vital accommodation, transport, education and support services, and invest in life-saving research, we cannot do it alone.
As the World’s Greatest Shave launches nationally, I urge Australians to stand with these children and all Australians impacted by blood cancer.
Participating by shaving, cutting or colouring your hair helps ensure no person faces blood cancer without support.
Register to participate in the World’s Greatest Shave at worldsgreatestshave.com or call 1800 500 088.
Chris Tanti CEO
Leukaemia
Foundation
Dear Echo News,
On Tuesday I attended the Annual General Meeting of the City of Kalamunda.
By far the majority of members of the public (and local residents and ratepayers) attending the meeting were there not because of issues with footpaths, ovals or libraries but trees.
Please take note councillors and mayor, you are not reading the room.
After the very unfortunate revoking of the 2024 tree preservation policy by this council in 2024, this issue has not gone away.
No action regarding the issue means the level of frustration with this council.
Like Topsy it just grows.
N Parker
Kalamunda
