The happy photograph of Logie rivals Peter Helliar and Waleed Aly says it all: 21st century multiculturalism meets mateship, the time-honoured tradition established by the Anzacs which has grown to embrace all Australians, regardless of race, religion or gender. ("Grab for gold", April 23). While the threat of random terrorist attacks cannot be ignored, our greatest strength lies in the Anzac spirit of comradeship and courage in the face of danger.
Pamela Chippindall Woollahra
![Illustration: Cathy Wilcox.](/web/20170504151744im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/v/2/p/c/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvsn3o.png/1493597450819.jpg)
Women's mark in science
It is time to dig deeper than ever into history and plug in with those who have gone before us to encourage engagement of more women in STEM in addition to involving young women in activities that apply the knowledge and principles of these areas of study ("Lofty idea to encourage girls to write code", April 23). Throughout history women have made a difference in science and mathematics and names like Hypatia, Emmy Noether, Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie should come to mind as readily as Einstein, Edison or Pascal â so why are they so under-represented in our public discourse? Coding needs to be part of current teacher training and upgrade courses as this models life-long learning and what's possible given women in education outnumber men.
Gordana Martinovich Dulwich Hill
AOC's cosy deals
Former Hockeyroo Danni Roche is right to question sports marketing and management's exclusive relationship with the Australian Olympic Committee under John Coates' leadership ("Olympic boss' links to multimillion-dollar advertising monopoly", April 23). Without a competitive tender process in place Australia's athletes and sporting bodies are almost certainly being short-changed. It is high time the AOC granted other companies a sporting chance to perform this role and for Mr Coates' cosy relationship with sports marketing to be seriously scrutinised.
John de Bres Rose Bay
More vax research needed
It was good to see your article pointing out that the vaccination debate is not black and white ("Take vaccination concerns seriously: researchers", April 23). As suggested, more testing of vaccines, more analysis of their ingredients, including by doctors who do the inoculating, and more research into the number of vaccines given by the age of two, perhaps spreading them out more, as in Japan and Europe, is needed.
Sue Shearer Bradbury
Base policy on evidence
Ten thousand marching for science is inspirational and forceful enough, but the reality is they are marching for much more. ("Marchers hit streets with the sound of science", April 23). Our future rests with evidence-based policy. If only those in power of policy changes and access to funding will listen and act themselves for all our futures.
Janice Creenaune Austinmer
It is to be hoped the worldwide demonstrations on Earth Day will rouse our politicians from their stupor ("Marchers hit streets with the sound of science", April 23). It is incomprehensible that objective evidence is wilfully ignored by our government when it comes to the challenge of global warming. Best medical practice, teaching and learning are now evidence-based, but it appears the Turnbull government is content to ignore this principle when it comes to climate change science. Nero did not actually play the fiddle while Rome burnt, but our pollies are fiddling while the planet burns.
Graham Lum North Rocks
Usurping religious stories
It was fascinating to read about Ken Ham and His "Christian-themed attraction" in Kentucky. ("Ark that casts a shadow on all the others", April 23).The last time I read the Old Testament, Noah and all his family were Jewish. What message is Ham giving to his visitors if they go away thinking that the story of Noah's Ark is a Christian tale? Enough people already think that the Bible begins with the New Testament, never questioning why the word "New" is there. I suppose none of them know that Jesus was born to a Jewish father and mother, either. In this current climate of religious bigotry, wouldn't it be good if we respected everyone's stories and gave weight to them all, accepting them for the cultural indicators they are, instead of usurping them for other purposes?
Helen Bersten Roseville