ADVERTISER PRAISE
Dear editor,
It’s that time of the year that we should do well to acknowledge the fantastic efforts of our great local rag! Always keeping us informed and abreast of important developments in the Coolum and North Shore area, the truly significant role a local paper plays cannot be overstated.
What’s the haps now? A connection to history, the vibrancy of our education centres and a spotlight on people whose works make up the backbone of a community – this information is crucial to society, crucial to our growth as peaceful, creative and knowledgeable, loving humans.
In local collaboration and recognition… In local acts and local ideas coming to fruition, this is the tree of life, that becomes the forest of a world. Shout out to the Advertiser and all the people who put it together. Yeah! Great Stuff.
Dylan White,
Coolum Beach.
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PAY GAP
Dear editor,
I was touched by the story of a widow who asked if her late husband’s deep voice announcing ‘Mind the Gap’ at London’s Embankment tube station could be returned in place of a digital creation that replaced his voice leaving her devastated.
The authorities agreed making her overjoyed to hear the love of her life while waiting for the next train.
However, there is another gap that our community leaders should focus on in Australia. That is the gender pay gap and its impact on older women, especially those who fall through the superannuation gap.
While Australia’s gender pay gap has been shrinking little by little each year, women are still being paid almost $30,000 a year less than men the same age, and the gap widens with age.
The biggest gap is among older workers. At its widest point, women aged 55 to 59 years are earning $53,000 less each year than men – a gap of 32.6%.
Women aged 60 to 64 have 23% less super than men and are likely to work in lower-paid industries, reducing their potential savings and super entitlements.
At retirement age (60-64 years), 23% of women have no superannuation compared to 13% of men.
Then there is the gap for women who have not been in the paid workforce. Across all age groups, 1 in 3 women have no superannuation compared to 1 in 4 men.
This makes it tough for older women facing homelessness and confronting escalating living costs especially as divorce rates are rising fastest amongst older couples.
As we hear the approach of the Federal City Express to Canberra, we should remind our politicians to Mind the Gap before they board after the next election.
Garry Reynolds,
Peregian Springs.
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COOLUM TERRACE PATH
Dear editor,
As a resident of the western side of Coolum Terrace, I was drawn to the letter from Michael Caffery last fortnight, highlighting the unacceptable state of the only pedestrian access we have to and from our homes.
The “footpath” on the western side of Coolum Terrace where it is split level is patently unsuitable for pedestrian use because of its crossfall and surface irregularity. The split-level, one-way section of the road along this section is extremely narrow and always full of parked cars due to the proximity to the beach and surf club. The remaining roadway is barely wide enough for cars, but pedestrians are forced to use the roadway for access to and from their properties. This problem is exacerbated when families with children and babies are forced onto the road with prams while trying to avoid traffic coming from behind.
The fact that there is no street lighting on this side of the road magnifies the problem to another level at night.
I seriously urge the Council to address and rectify this issue before the costs to the ratepayers are further amplified by public liability payouts and legal costs incurred because of Council’s ongoing negligence in relation to this matter.
Sharne Andrée,
Coolum Beach.
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ROBODEBT
Dear editor,
The Robodebt Royal Commission found Mal Pheesance and Korr Upshon were in charge from 2014 to 2021. In evidence, 2 former PMs, 4 Department Ministers, Public Service bosses and now the National Crime and Corruption Commission couldn’t find them anywhere. More details needed?
Margaret Wilkie,
Peregian Beach.
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BUDDING WRITERS
Dear editor,
Congratulations to the budding journos, editors and writers at Coolum State School and their “stewardship” mentor, Mrs Kotzur, on the publication of their children’s created magazine: “Behind the School”! This is a worthwhile effort which can be jump-start of a career in writing and publishing for these eager students.
Nothing inspires talent like success, seeing their own productions and creations in print. Who knows where this will lead these children in the future? It is a learning curve which may take a lifetime of commitment to the written word. Its success can be the spark that kindles a fire deep within children, which may burn long after school days, leading to satisfying careers in publishing. Nothing succeeds like success, even from these early beginnings.
Congratulations to their teacher, who leads by example. Such a worthwhile exercise for the real world. The printed word always will have an audience of those who value talent and perseverance in creating a lifetime from small beginnings. Not everyone is a Shakespeare or Agatha Christie, but to have a love of learning a new craft which equips one for the future, is enough impetus to continue building on what these children have created. The joy in both creating and reading the written word has no limits especially if it is their own work. “Well done!”
E. Rowe,
Marcoola.
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