I discovered hiking in my late 40s and regularly walk in the High Country, Wilsons Prom and the Grampians. Now 57, I still find these activities physically and spiritually sustaining. As I am on a moderate income, bushwalking has always been within my means. So it is concerning to read of plans for a multimillion-dollar track between Falls Creek and Mount Hotham (The Age, 27/12).
Premier Andrews, I do not give your government permission to sell my land to private operators, who will surely take the best bits, trample all over our glorious countryside with their wasteful footprints, and block ordinary Victorians from enjoying what is rightly theirs. You steward the land for everybody, not just the high-end user. Our money could be better spent on infrastructure that makes our magnificent parks more accessible to all.
Michael Leunig
Anne Richardson, Hadfield
Boost for older hikers
Having hiked Tasmania's six-day, five-night "luxury" Overland Trail and seen how well managed it is by the private operators and the parks organisation, I'm not alarmed by the plan for Victoria. While the cabins were luxurious compared with the public huts a short distance away, they were still basic, if effective. The two guides provided excellent information on the area's environment and history and we were kept on the track at all times and could not wander into the pristine, easily damaged bush. A replication of our Tasmanian experience would provide a massive boost for Parks Victoria and enable many older hikers to enjoy this stunning area.
Bruce Cormack, Kilsyth
Nativity play on hold
The Coalition had to cancel its Nativity play this year due to casting issues. Peter Dutton was a shoo-in for the innkeeper but the government had enormous trouble finding one, let alone three, wise men.
Greg Tuck, Warragul
Biblical heartland
How marvellous that Bob Carr wrote an article denying the Jewish people's right to its biblical heartland in a week filled with religious fervour. It is also ironic, given that Carr was sworn into the Senate in 2012 holding a Bible, the very Bible that promises the Land of Israel to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – the Jews.
Ari Morris, Balaclava
Finding a reason
Many Catholics, both lapsed and practising, yearn for the rapture of Christmases past. And many people seek a reason to celebrate Christmas. Those from fractured families dread Christmas, while the young often create families from friends. For others it is just a time of expensive gift giving. As a Catholic, I am furious with the hierarchy that has dragged our church and its faithful through the mire. However, I haven't lost faith in God and still use the church to practise my faith. But these are challenging times in which to find meaning in this once wondrous time of year.
Glennis Smith, North Melbourne
Unite for fairness
We have not experienced a terrorist attack of a scale that has threatened our survival as a nation. Mr Turnbull says "we must not be cowed by the terrorists", while the Premier condemns as evil the planning of terrorist acts. Our leaders are right, but they are also well served by inflating the idea of a pervasive threat. We should certainly unite against terrorism, but it is a shame we aren't encouraged to be united in other vital ways – including upholding human rights, rejecting bigotry, fostering fairness and protecting the environment. I hope the new year brings action on these fronts. Too often, the spectre of terrorism is used as a veil to mask broader, damaging divisions that hurt us all.
Darren Lewin-Hill, Northcote
Koalas caught napping
Jill Mazzotta muses on whether Donald Trump's ascendancy has awakened the "dragon" of China (Letters, 27/12). Perhaps the dragon has actually been awake for some time, while it is others that have been slumbering. In the animal stakes, is Australia the "koala", dozing in its stupefied gumleaf haze: a snack being devoured and in the process of being digested?
Deborah Morrison, Malvern East
Casual dismissal of rights
Peter Costello recently posited that China doesn't worry about Trump's attitude to women because it is just a "domestic politics" issue. So being a lying misogynist is of no major concern and presents no impediment to international relations? At least half of the global population has a personal interest in the issue, and dismissing as "domestic" what is at heart a matter of human rights only perpetuates the problem.
If China and a Trump-led US want to minimise the importance of respect for women, perhaps it is time for us to put the issue where it belongs – a global priority.
Pauline Hopkins, Beaconsfield
Send one ... and another
The debate about the plural of octopus rages, but let's consider a more important issue – whether the plural of mongoose is mongooses or mongeese. An unsure and embarrassed zookeeper desperate for a pair from a fellow zookeeper therefore wrote: "Please send me a mongoose as agreed. While you're at it could you send me another one?"
Rob Willis, Wheelers Hill
AND ANOTHER THING
What a milestone. Australian voters are at last awarded their pen licence.
Kim Smith, Hughesdale
So the pen is mightier than the pencil?
Myra Fisher, Brighton East
Considering we get the government we deserve, perhaps the electorate should fill in its ballots with crayons?
Peter Neilson, Heathcote
Mr Dutton, is the saying "peace on earth and goodwill to all" too politically correct?
Alex Njoo, St Kilda
Tasmania's wildlife has given the Toyota Camry the "seal of approval".
Ron Hayton, Beaumaris
Did Santa give the PM the Jobs and Growth he's been wishing for all year?
Phil Lipshut, Elsternwick
The Big 4 celebrate after receiving the PM's Christmas present of a tribunal. Tough on the unemployed but soft on banks.
Ian Maddison, Parkdale
Cory Bernardi says we'll hear more from him in 2017. Do we have to? Why doesn't he use Malcolm as his mouthpiece as normal?
John Cain, McCrae
Mr Turnbull will push further for a republic after the Queen dies. What if she lives to be 100? She's hardly going to have a heart attack doing the dishes.
Darren Harrison, Coburg
Just what we need over the holiday period – a nuclear arms race.
Denis Evans, Coburg
Tardy work by Woolies. It hasn't stocked hot cross buns yet. Last year they were available on Boxing Day.
Keith Handscombe, Chadstone
The worst thing about the constant funding cuts to the ABC is the continuous repeats. Please, no more.
Denise Stevens, Healesville