I had the privilege of meeting both Whitlam and Fraser on several occasions. My affection for Whitlam goes without saying, but my respect for Fraser grew from one memorable gesture.

I attended a state dinner in the Great Hall at Parliament House for the Queen in 2005. As with such events of pomp and ceremony, a simple touching gesture between these two protagonists nearly brought a tear to the eye.

 There was Gough sitting in a wheelchair and Fraser stood right by his left shoulder with his hand resting gently on Gough’s shoulder – as if standing guard in protection. 

I shall never forget it. I corresponded frequently with Gough, who always took the time to reply and forward me a speech or two. Fraser and I exchanged tweets after he took to social media with gusto. Last year, just before Christmas, he sent me an autographed copy of his memoir.

As a student and practitioner of Australian politics, one can only lament the passing of these two great political warriors from our age.

Gino Mandarino, Mangerton

Last Thursday  my car was broken into while my partner was working 2pm-9.30pm at Stockland Shellharbour and had to stay back and do some extra work.

When he came out to go home at 11pm he discovered the back passenger side window had been smashed, CD player stolen and wires ripped as the thief tried to steal the car.

This would not have happened if  Stockland allowed workers to park where it is safe and not be fined, and also installed cameras.

 I’m 22 years of age on a disability pension...I have severe anxiety disorder and I’m now terrified to let my partner take my car to work because I’m afraid next time they will steal it.

Georgie King, Oak Flats

We went to the premiere of the Dalfram Dispute, Pig Iron Bob at the Wollongong Town Hall on Saturday. The organisation of the premiere was very poor.

 It started late, then various politicians spoke for more than an hour. There was no program to warn us that this was going to happen.

 We left before the actual start of the premiere. 

We hope that the documentary was better than the organisation involved in the premiere.

John Flanagan, Thirroul

For years the cruise industry has made profits taking tourists to Vanuatu. Cyclone Pam has now wreaked destruction and Vanuatu needs crisis help. Where are all the cruise operators now? Surely it is time for them to give something back.

Graham Jones, Cordeaux Heights

The recent banning of Richard Perin’s artwork, Happily Never After, from display at the Thirroul arts festival is disturbing. It raises worrying questions.  Do we value art’s role as a challenging catalyst for promoting thought and discussion? What about freedom of expression? And the elephant in the room: how should we  deal with the tensions and fear terrorism so effectively orchestrates? By  censorship?

Katrina Samaras, West Wollongong