We are indeed lucky to have groups such as the Illawarra Choral Society providing first-class entertainment for locals and visitors to this region.

Unfortunately, as a city we can also be left open to criticisms of failing to ensure our our city is free from piles of unsightly rubbish.

Walk around our beautiful city and suburbs and you will see numerous examples of this problem. In Daisy St, Fairy Meadow, a pile of rubbish has been mouldering away for many months outside a block of units.  

The only indication this threat to public health and safety may have attracted the attention of the authorities; is a tattered warning tape around it.

Similarly, outside of a social housing unit in Wallace Road Tarrawanna, an unsightly heap of rubbish has been there for yonks.

 Ditto for a social housing residence in Lorking St, Bellambi.

Possibly there may be some dispute as to who meets the cost of removal?

If so, commonsense dictates top priority to be the safety and health of the general public.

Who pays for the removal of the hazard should be resolved after the event.

Barry Swan, Balgownie

Yes, $303million in AusAid will help quieten the growling stomachs in Eastern Africa.

Last night while I waited in the supermarket queue my impatience grew as my stomach growled in hunger.

 I felt annoyed as I looked down at the food in my trolley, because I wanted to be at home cooking my dinner rather than waiting to be served.  

As my stomach continued growling in hunger, I tried to stop myself feeling annoyed by thinking about the people suffering hunger pains in Africa.

With 20 million people currently facing a famine and starvation crisis in the countries Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria, the hungry growling stomachs would be deafening across Eastern African at the moment.  

The $303million Mr Turnbull heartlessly cut from the AusAid Budget last week could have gone a long way preventing one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes from engulfing Africa.

Mr Turnbull, is there really anything left in the AusAid Budget to cut?

Mr Turnbull, when will you recommit Australia to the UN Millennium Declaration?

Mr Turnbull, when will you ensure Australia contributes our fair share towards achieving the first UN Millennium Development Goal - eradicating extreme poverty and hunger?  

Mr Turnbull, please don't cut another 303 million dollars from the AusAid budget, because it can help quieten the growling stomachs which are deafening Eastern Africa.

Elisha McMurray, Reservoir

In reply to Lesley Matthews good letter (Illawarra Mercury, Tuesday, May 16) overcrowding on trains, standing room only and Gen Y rudeness on the Wollongong to Sydney train has been the norm for some 15 years now.

But people are so used to it now Lesley they just accept it.

I get the train to Sydney once a month and i stand both ways but I have learnt to accept it.

And I am to scared to mention the immigration word because i know I will be cut down and labelled a very bad person.

You are right though.

Sending a letter of complaint to state rail will only fall on deaf ears .

Matty Ryan, Fairy Meadow