Cap NYE fireworks
Label me a New Year Grinch, but do we really need two sessions of fireworks every New Years Eve? Each year the pyrotechnics appear to be more extravagant. Let’s put a sensible limit on the excesses of NYE celebrations, and be aware that those families forced to sleep in their car that night would find no comfort in such an expensive display.
Peter Cooke, Warrnambool
Stamp of approval
My father, a lifelong philatelist, had contacts in many countries. From exchanging stamps, friendships were born. I wrote to them when he died. A couple of years later, Friedrich from Germany sent me a letter. He had found no one in Australia to help with his philatelic needs, so I offered. He is in his late 80s. We both enjoy being friends now and look forward to catching up with our news. My last letter and Christmas card (and his simple request) were received recently. What a shame if our postal service ceases, as is happening in Denmark, and cuts these valuable ties.
Linda O’Brien, Aspendale
When planning works
The new protections around selected creeks are welcome (“Waterway safeguards aim to boost wildlife, environment″, 2/1). Too much development is ad hoc and short-term.
There needs to be an overall vision for community assets like these.
I moved to Melbourne half a century ago to study at La Trobe University. Since then, suburbs like Mill Park and roads like the M80 Ring Road have encircled the area. Good planning has resulted in some walking and bike paths along the nearby Gardiners Creek. I welcome better protection for many routes I have cycled along over the years, including Skeleton Creek and Gardiners Creek.
Those who lament the extra red and green tape should think how we want our urban waterways to look like in 50 years.
John Hughes, Mentone
Tell ’em, they’re dreamin’
We have water warnings as “Victorians put on restrictions alert” (27/12), and then we have big tech companies wanting enormous data centres built in Victoria (“Data centre frenzy could overwhelm power grid”, 31/12).
Tell ’em they’re dreamin’ and just say “No”. If there isn’t enough water for residents, there certainly isn’t enough for huge water-hungry data centres.
I refuse to let my garden die just so a data centre can have the water.
Robyn Westwood, Heidelberg Heights
Go off grid
Why would any new business, especially a major one like a new data centre, expect to do anything other than supply its own energy and water?
Why should the average residential customer be expected to suffer any impost at all?
Just one more reason to switch off from the grid, or at least go electric plus battery, at least for us lucky ones still in a detached house with garden. After my recent solar upgrade my bill is less than a third of what it used to be.
There’s no reason why data centres can’t do the same, plus recycle their water for constant reuse, not guzzle natural resources for a highly questionable operation like storing mega data. We were better off before the world fell for all this junk technology.
Bernadette George, Mildura
Too much to bear
Can our society and environment accept this? Proposals for new large industrial electricity loads in Victoria – mostly data centres – require an additional 18 gigawatts of electricity supply (“Data centre frenzy could overwhelm power grid”, 31/12).
Consider what this means. The proposed demand would need the equivalent of another eight Loy Yang A power stations, or four Snowy Hydro schemes, or 3600 wind turbines, or 18 standard nuclear reactors. What a damaging cost this would be to our environment. Proposals are almost double the maximum historical peak electricity demand in Victoria’s summer of 10.5 gigawatts.
Developers should fund infrastructure required for their works.
Most importantly, governments need to limit development approvals to meet society’s actual needs, and not trade our environment for a path of over-consumption.
Greg Davies, Glen Waverley
Thanks, Khawaja
Congratulations Usman Khawaja on a brilliant and dignified career in Australian cricket. To the end you displayed composure, respect and notable grace; however, you were confident to enter other areas of debate or discussion if you felt that voice needed to be heard. A wonderful role model for all public figures to note, irrespective of gender, colour or creed. I keenly await your next role in the public arena, as you have much to offer future Australia.
Shirley Gauci, Docklands
Forever grateful
Being a slow learner, it’s taken me eight decades to discover the gift of gratitude, which I’ve come to treasure. Could I suggest the gift of gratitude to launch the new year? As a French proverb says, ″Gratitude is the heart’s memory″.
We can’t make the world’s sorrows disappear, but we can choose to be people of joy and gratitude. Gratitude is delightfully contagious.
Kevin Burke, Sandringham
The write parliament
I just read two letters in The Age from December 31. One said they were looking forward to insightful weekly commentary from contributors Henry Herzog and Myra Fisher in 2026. I concur.
The next letter was from Myra herself stating that she ″doesn’t smoke or drink but does swear a bit″ and that her New Year resolution will be to stop. But she thinks that will be broken by lunchtime on New Year’s Day.
It was a very humorous way to finish off a very sad and turbulent year.
The letter writers to The Age might make a good parliament!
Andrew Barnes, Ringwood
Defining moment
I would like to nominate for the most unnecessary use of a word in the past year: existential, existential, existential (″There are existential threats – and then there’s the real thing″, 29/12).
I have had a browse at the Macquarie and the OED, and the general use of this assault on the English language, resembles neither of their definitions.
Bradley Stark, Prahran
The Golding touch
Absorbing Matt Golding’s brilliant and graphic climate cartoon (2/1) I want a top-level inquiry into political stupidity.
Jane Ross, San Remo
AND ANOTHER THING
World affairs
I didn’t foresee Donald Trump using ″prognosticator″ as an insult (″Trump lashes ‘mediocre’ Clooney over France move″, 2/1).
Sandra Torpey, Hawthorn
With his attack on George Clooney, Donald Trump reveals again his total unsuitability for politics. Any criticism is taken personally and brings an outraged response. Get another job, Donald.
Tony Haydon, Springvale
There is free speech and there is hate speech. Seems America can’t tell the difference.
Marie Nash, Balwyn
So Russians are furious about the claim that Ukraine attacked one of Vladimir Putin’s luxury homes. Someone should point out that Putin has actually done this to many Ukrainian homes many times over.
David West, Essendon
Furthermore
Advocates for a royal commission into antisemitism should be careful what they wish for. It will be the perfect forum for those arguing Israel’s Gazan strategy is at the root of the problem.
Peter Bennett, Clifton Hill
We are debating the merits of holding a “royal” commission, which will no doubt feature a number of “King’s” Counsel. When are we, as a nation, going to grow up?
Lewis Winders, Sheffield, Tas
Your correspondent (Letters, 1/1) can do better to water his tomato patch. Do as we do. We save all our detergent-free rinsing water from clothes washing and dishwashing and put it on our tomato patch.
Anne Tyers, Richmond
Re ″Influencer″ (Letters, 2/1), my mum was one. Bless her heart and soul. Only wish I had taken more notice of her.
Dick Danckert, Torquay
At the age of 75 I have decided to become an influencer. Will I need a social account?
Graeme Rose, Wangaratta
An influencer is someone who has a chronic sore throat and runny nose.
John Rawson, Mernda
Finally
Note to news editors: shift crime off the front page. The tennis is about to start.
David Cayzer, Clifton Hill
