No self-respecting duck would prefer a chlorinated swimming pool to a natural habitat where they can feed - perhaps people were throwing them bread?  I don't know Helensburgh but there is a remnant natural creek running behind Corrimal pool where ducks would rather be except it is choked with lantana, weeds and human rubbish like most Illawarra creeks.

Drowning a duck sounds like a traumatic experience for a child to see and the death of baby ducklings is cruel and sad.  How much human sewage do we dump into the ocean every day? While the planet is in a toxic state because of coal and other poisons humans pour into the atmosphere.  And surely wildlife lives in and on our dams and water storage areas? Wollongong Council and residents need to learn humanity and good environmental practice.

Jill Walker, Bulli

I am shocked about the treatment of the beautiful native wood ducks and their young ducklings who because of loss of habitat happened to decide to use the Corrimal and Helensburgh pools. I have relocated many wood duck families with great success. Who made this cruel decision? Where National Parks and Wildlife involved? I hope the newly elected council doesn't condone this cruelty.

Narelle Rogers, Bulli

I refer to the article “ Hospital Security Concerns” (Illawarra Mercury, October 24) which raises an issue that has to be dealt with before a needless tragedy occurs in one of our public hospitals. Having a close relative employed on the security staff of an Illawarra public hospital, I am all too familiar with the daily hazardous circumstances facing, not only the security staff but the nursing staff and doctors, in some instances, as well.

I was recently in touch with our local member, Anna Watson to whom I relayed my concerns after a particularly nasty episode in a public hospital involving a young, aggressive and drug affected woman carrying a lethal 20 cm knife in her handbag. This knife was capable, by design, of causing maximum damage to anyone unlucky enough to become her adversary, but fortunately she was disarmed without incident.

There have been many similar incidents one involving a drug crazed “patient” brandishing a Samurai sword where security officers were expected to defuse the situation whilst being completely unarmed and the list goes on. Ms Watson was kind enough to pass on my concerns to the minister, Brad Hazzard, but the minister was not convinced that  changes need to be made.

In this era of “political correctness”,  I understand that it is difficult for law makers to come to a satisfactory solution where employees are safe and security personnel do not appear to be the Gestapo, but in this era of dangerous drug addiction something needs to change.

In the article Mr Twyford quotes a list of injuries he has sustained whilst on the job, a list that would be very familiar to many hospital employees especially security personnel. Leaving completely unarmed security officers to deal with aggressive mental health patients and alcohol fueled drug users is a tragedy waiting to happen. It is perfectly okay for Mr Hazzard and his ilk to make decisions impacting on the lives of others safe in his comfortable office but should the unthinkable happen, the blame will be squarely on his shoulders.

Denise Meredith, Kanahooka