TIME TO WAKE UP
In response to the article by Dominica Sandals and Ashleigh Tullis 'Health workers strike' (Mercury, Wednesday July 17, 2019), I totally support the strike action by the NSW Health Services Union. As the article clearly outlines, security is a real priority because we're talking about the protection of staff, patients and visitors.
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And I make two other points. Firstly, if the State Coalition government can afford new electric trams for Sydney with cost blowout, then they can afford to properly staff and fully maintain hospitals. Secondly, our increasingly Godless and immoral society is just getting worse with increases in domestic and public violence, the open cruelty towards children and murder of the unborn and breakdown of families. How much further down this path do we want go, before we wake up?
Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow
TAILS A DRAGGIN'
An opinion from a Dragons tragic. Another potential kick in the gut looms large.
It has been widely reported our Australia and Origin star Tyson Frizell may be on the move to the Roosters!
A very disappointing revelation. But, why has it potentially reached this point?
The solution - in my considered view - is crystal clear.
If the mooted transfer materialises, coupled with the Dragons' perilous position on the NRL table, including the dramatic form slump, the fans will begin to make 'physical statements' by financially marching away from the club. It is of little use to argue suspensions and injuries have been the catalyst for our lop-sided performances.
One can name a number of clubs - Penrith, Manly, Parra, Cronulla et al - where suspensions and/or injuries have also hampered their progress - where their general performances have suffered, particularly during the lead up to competitions' mid-season point.
Like the Dragons, their season also spluttered and stalled in their early quest to scale the NRL ladder. However, unlike the Dragons, these clubs have managed to 'grind it out' and are now considered major finals contenders .
My opinion is this. None of us want to see this happen, but - unless a major 'shake up' occurs The Dragons will be playing in virtually empty stadia and also destined to be perennial contenders for the 'spoon'.
Healthy season subscriptions, 'lively' gate receipts, the 'roar' of a sellout crowd and happy sponsors, are the 'lifeblood' of all clubs.
Deduct any of these essential elements from the financial bottom line and clubs will likely 'wither on the vine'.
Remove any one of these elements and clubs will begin to severely struggle in order to meet their commitments.
Simply put, the elements are essential for a successful club to prosper. The likely scenario under these circumstances will inevitably lead to the finals and grand final.
Currently, the Dragons' season ticket renewals, to attend all home games, costs, about - based on a couple - $1000.
It will be a foolish proposition indeed to suggest anyone likes putting a 'match' to this type of money; based on a club's lack of fortunes.
Nonetheless, however, this will be the likely outcome if a club doesn't regularly feature in the big September matches.
D J Preece, North Wollongong