Does the AFL have to make every event in Victoria part of its publicity juggernaut? Isn't it enough that the front pages of newspapers put football ahead of world events and that TV and radio are flooded with football, with little publicity given to other sports? But the absolute low point has to be the AFL taking over the Royal Children's Hospital Appeal – and televising a game of football in the middle of the appeal. Furthermore, a panel of people talking about Aussie rules in the final hours of the appeal is hardly conducive to encouraging last-minute donations. Most Victorians want the day to be solely about this wonderful hospital and the children. The AFL should be donating to the hospital without seeking something in return. The take-over of this event is a grubby grab for even more publicity by a body that is already far too influential.
Anne Paul, Glen Iris
Low-ball donation is offensive
I was disappointed by how much air time the AFL took up during the Good Friday Appeal. And when I heard the CEO saying the AFL would donate $100,000 directly I was astounded by the low figure, given how valuable that air time was, and the fact that AFL revenue in 2016 was $517 million. The AFL needs to do a lot more if it is going to take such a large chunk of the day's coverage.
Eleisha Mullane, Coburg
Master of hypocrisy
Well said, Malcolm Knox ("I'm uncomfortable with Easter sports extravaganza", 15/4). No code does hypocrisy quite like the AFL. It trashes respect for Australians' observance of the most sacred day on the Christian calendar as a day of quiet reflection while taking the high moral ground on racism.
Terry Williamson, Briar Hill
Getting difficult to turn the other cheek
I don't know if the Romans opened their sporting stadiums in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus' crucifixion to distract the locals. But at 3 pm on Good Friday at my church I was contemplating the passion and death of Jesus at our service. At the same time, the sports ground adjacent to our church opened up its gates to the local "Romans" for an afternoon of gladiatorial skills. The Australian Rugby League showed sensitivity in organising their football to start at 4 pm, one hour after the traditional Good Friday service. I know I should turn the other cheek. But as a member of the Christian minority, I protest at the secularisation of Easter and Christmas. I don't wish to restrict the lives of those who oppose or are indifferent to my beliefs. But some recognition of the significance of Jesus in our Christian tradition would be welcome.
John Reidy, Blackburn
Message of courage and compassion
In the midst of Easter holiday fun we hear the church is dying. And it is good news. The church that thought slavery was OK died a long time ago, as did the church that thought the world was flat. The church that supported discrimination because of colour or race has died, as has the church that discriminated against women and prejudiced children. And the clock is ticking for the church that wipes people who have been divorced and those seeking marriage equality. The Easter message of freedom is unlikely to be found in the gathering dust of institutions that refuse to change. We see the Easter story of suffering, injustice and betrayal played out vividly in the global canvas but also in communities that stand up for the vulnerable, the courage and compassion of strangers and the great strides of humanity towards justice and compassion in the face of enormous obstacles.
Peter MacLeod-Miller, Archdeacon of Albury and the Hume, Albury
THE FORUM
Simply beyond satire
Over Easter many families enjoyed the outdoors – the parks, forests and beaches before winter's chill sets in. But in Victoria, thousands of wetlands are off-limits for such recreation as birdwatching, kayaking or hiking. Duckshooting makes these tranquil places dangerous for humans and wildlife alike. Even when the guns are silent, spent plastic shells, beer bottles and human waste abound – along with abandoned, dead ducks. It is a reminder of how far from "conservationists" the hunters are. The late John Clarke was a great friend of birds, although his thoughts on duck hunting are not recorded. Perhaps the cruelty and self-serving rhetoric of the activity was beyond even his powers of satire.
Debbie Lustig, Elsternwick
A great farewell
Near midday last Tuesday, the day after the news that John Clarke had died, I was walking in Doncaster's Ruffey Lake Park when I heard a tribute to him. It was a celebration of sounds from a band of yellow-tailed black cockatoos singing caarfrr, caafrr, CAAARRFRR as they loped their way among the trees along Ruffey Creek.
John Whitechurch, Templestowe
Silent epidemic
Half of all six-year-old children presenting to public dental clinics have experienced tooth decay, according to new data from Dental Health Services Victoria. The most distressing statistic is that about 4500 children aged 0-14 are hospitalised due to dental conditions. It is a silent epidemic in children.
At a time when many have no doubt overindulged in chocolate and sugary sweets, such statistics are food for thought. Dental disease accounts for more than 63,000 hospital presentations every year in Australia (behind kidney infection and gastroenteritis), the third-highest cause for preventable hospital admissions. Last financial year, the Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital operated on 53 preschool children to extract at least half of their baby teeth. Some children had all teeth extracted.
Dr Deborah Cole, CEO, Dental Health Services Victoria
Annual pilgrimage
Like many others across Melbourne (the world?) I made the annual Good Friday trek to my local fish and chip shop and, despite all known dietary advice, ordered up big and waited my turn. I could have been back in the 1950s except for the wide variety of cultures sitting patiently with me. And like me it looked like everyone had taken time to dress down for the occasion – tracky dacks being de rigueur. And the taste? To quote Con the fruiter, Beautiful!
Brian Noble, Ferntree Gully
MOAB a misnomer
Why the term "Mother Of All Bombs" to describe the biggest non-nuclear bomb the US has in its arsenal? To link mothers with such a destructive force does not sit well with my understanding of the role women have as nurturers and carers of a range of humans. Would a woman really give "birth" to a bomb that causes such destruction?
Pam Hoyne, Yarrambat
Times have changed
In 1588 Sir Francis Drake reputedly finished a game of bowls after being informed the Spanish Armada was close to the shores of England. The modern world isn't quite so relaxed as a US armada, armed with more than cannon balls, approaches the shores of a heavily armed North Korea.
Malcolm McDonald, Burwood
Think laterally on war
Instead of dropping bombs on North Korea, why not drop by parachute a few million battery-powered laptops (with chargers) pre-loaded with subtitled copies of Woodstock and Walt Disney's film Wall-e. The North Koreans love Mickey Mouse.
Bill Henshall, Springfield
Poor diplomacy
What was Gareth Evans' intention when he addressed the National Press Club ("Trump 'psychologically ill-equipped' ", 14/4)?
Mr Evans has considerable experience in foreign affairs and now occupies a senior position at one of our main universities. Did he intend to win friends of the US administration, or demonstrate to ANU students how to analyse a leader of a country with which we have close ties? It is puzzling.
Many Australians are anxious about the President's judgment and are pleased to read the careful responses of Foreign Minister Julie Bishop regarding further commitment in the Syrian mess: that it is not contemplated we should be doing more. Many of us remember the "All the way with LBJ" madness and the horrors of the Vietnam war, which led into supporting America in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Republicans do not seem to have learnt anything, while maybe the Liberals have.
Betty Teltscher, South Yarra
Patsies led by mugs
How ironic that Gareth Evans used the word "patsy" regarding Australia's relationship to Beijing. The term "patsy" has worked its way into the Australian lexicon through our decades-long influence from US films – including James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart movies.
In a modern nod to Americanisms I say "eat my shorts" to Mr Evans' assertions about the US alliance – that "we profoundly benefit in terms of access to intelligence and high-end armaments". When it comes to US intelligence reports, hopefully China's strategists haven't studied our politicians' decisions carefully, given their belief in US reports on WMDs and the domino theory. The Chinese may conclude we've been led by "mugs".
Des Files, Brunswick
Inability to feel shame
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has established beyond doubt his incapacity to accept, on the nation's behalf, his moral responsibility to refugees and asylum seekers. His resounding silence on the latest attack by locals on the asylum seekers on Manus Island demonstrates his inability to accept even the social responsibility of a duty of care to them (The Age, 14/4). Shame is something Mr Dutton appears to know nothing of.
Ramesh Rajan, Camberwell
Manus risk grows
The men detained on Manus Island are now at greater risk of being killed by a bullet or a rock than they were of drowning. The disturbing experiment in utilitarianism that is offshore detention must be aborted immediately.
Linda Cusworth, Bannockburn
Violence stereotyped
Of course "symbolic" violence against women isn't acceptable ("Never OK: police blast abuse video", 14/4), and police and community leaders have reinforced that message. However, it is grossly misleading to overstate Australia's progress on violence against women. Action on physical brutality has selectively stereotyped blue-collar "thugs". Non-physical psychological, emotional and financial abuse, especially by white-collar perpetrators in families and workplaces, continues to be ignored.
Barbara Chapman, Hawthorn
Cars for living in
Stephanie Peatling writes you'll never hear a politician utter the words "rich" or "poor" (Forum, 15/4). But Joe Hockey claimed poor people don't drive cars. And he was right. Poor people don't drive cars. They live in them.
Peter Wigney, Pakenham
Unexpected side-effect
I read with interest the article regarding violent patients ("Addicts placed in comas", 14/4). I am prompted to write because I was guilty of violent behaviour as a patient. In my defence, I was under the influence of extremely strong pain management drugs administered to me post-op.
Doctors prescribe the strongest drugs available to ensure the patient has minimum pain in recovery. Pain equals discomfort equals patient staying in hospital longer. A speedy turnaround post operation is a target set by the hospitals and the quicker the discharge the better for the hospital. In my case, I had not previously been given such drugs so the outcome was a shock to staff and to me.
This in no way excuses the violent behaviour by patients under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs. But the subject of violence caused by drugs must encompass many issues.
John Sewell, Melbourne
Secure room vital
In the early 1980s, the original Monash Medical Centre emergency department was designed and built with a secure room within the department, close to the staff base for treatment and easy observation. There were also duress alarm buttons within the central staff base. This provided safety for both patients and staff from aggressive and disruptive patients.
With violent behaviour increasing due to the ice epidemic and the changing behaviour of people in society, such secure facilities within emergency departments are unfortunately sorely needed.
Eddie Kaan, retired emergency physician, Eltham
A wonderful legacy
Vale John Clarke, and what a legacy you have left, with your grieving family allowing one of the best Clarke and Dawe exchanges to be put to air on the ABC last Thursday night.
Clarke's humanity and sympathy for refugees shone through with his trademark humour. I salute John, his wife and his daughters for sharing this with us. If we could emulate his kindness, generosity and sense of fairness, Australia would be a better place.
Anne Dynon, Brighton
AND ANOTHER THING ...
Politics
Some 48 Australians who earned more than $1 million in 2014-15 paid no income tax. And our government wants to reduce penalty rates.
Susan Munday, Bentleigh East
Family trusts: yet another unfair lurk that exacerbates the rich/poor divide.
Greg Curtin, Blackburn South
Does Scott Morrison not realise the Coalition is in government? I'm still waiting for him to finish a sentence without saying the word "Labor".
Ian Maddison, Parkdale
During the election campaign the Liberals said they were good economic managers. An alternative fact?
Peter Carlin, Frankston South
Politics today is a clash of interests, not ideas. Tony Fitzgerald's succinct summary (Comment, 14/4) should be compulsory reading for all existing and aspiring politicians.
Geoff Noblett, Mount Waverley
Time's up, Malcolm; time for action. Close the camps and bring them to Australia.
Tim Durbridge, Brunswick
The mother of all bombs? Based on whose definition of motherhood?
Tim Thorne, Launceston
Will we still get mobile coverage if there's a nuclear war? It's imperative I stare at my screen.
Philip Wakeham, North Warrandyte
John Clarke
Never mean, never cruel. Irreplaceable.
Jeanne James, Seaford
Our very own celestial satirist.
Alex Njoo, St Kilda
We are bereft: who else can make politics bearable?
Wendy Knight, Little River
And finally
United Airlines' new slogan: "We put the hospital back into hospitality."
Hylton Reid, Glen Waverley
Horses forced to take jumps at a gallop in a pack will continue to die. Ban jumps racing immediately.
Leonnie Gleeson, Park Orchards