He mentions the ceremonies associated with Anzac Day that have developed over the decades, including dawn services and marches. These did not emerge by accident.

Research by Reverend Dr John Moses of Canberra and Dr George Davis of New Zealand, has highlighted the role of Queensland Anglican priest, Canon David Garland (1864-1939) in shaping the trans-Tasman commemoration of Anzac Day. In their new book, Anzac Day Origins, Moses and Davis show that Garland was the architect of Anzac Day, shaping the ceremonies appropriate both for Christians and for those outside traditional religious belief. His remarkable life deserves to be better known.

Father Robert Willson, Deakin

During my 40-year teaching career I regularly witnessed the dangerous practice of teachers drinking coffee in the presence of students and I'm glad the "Coffee-gate" scandal has been exposed to public scrutiny.

Heaven forbid that students should encounter the frightening spectacle of their teachers sipping a cuppa; who knows what damage might be done to their fragile psyches. Parents should also be prevented from imbibing coffee in the presence of their offspring and cafes should be required to maintain child-exclusion zones designated by roped-off perimeters. I don't even want to contemplate the possible trauma that might ensue if the kiddies saw their teachers nibbling an Iced Vo-Vo with their hot drink. Quelle horreur!

Steve Ellis Hackett

If teachers are no longer allowed to consume coffee under the ACT Public School Food and Drink Policy, who will the hospitality students in heavily-funded "trades training" schools practise on? We'll have to call in the non-teaching staff of the Education and Training Directorate and various other bureaucrats who have created this policy but who, I'm sure, don't restrict themselves as they ask teachers to do.

C.Shipp, Tuggeranong

Teachers have been told not to drink coffee in front of students because of the new food rating policy ("Teachers' coffee blue brews over new policy", April 19, p3).

Australian Education Union ACT secretary Glen Fowler said "teachers needed to have the rationale ... explained properly. [Teachers drinking coffee] is something which has occurred since time immemorial".

Not in my day. That was something done in the privacy of the staff room. Similarly, a school rule forbad students eating in the street in uniform. It was simply good manners.

Gary J.Wilson, MacGregor

Police swarming over homes, throwing "flashbangs", using stun grenades and battering rams to break down doors and pulling teenagers from their beds in the wee small hours, is the frightening terror scenario civilised societies believe belong to thuggish regimes and autocratic, totalitarian despots (Raids thwart Anzac Day terrorism plot, Sunday CT, April 19, p5).

Perhaps the slew of (50 plus), draconian, "anti-terrorism" laws reversing recourses granted citizens, under the hand of King John (1215), are establishing new norms which will further erode the concept of democracy. Without the protective powers granted "authorities" in the legislation, a jury would require more proof than merely fearing that something might occur, to convict. It might be naive to speculate as to why authorities did not approach said youth in daylight hours and why parents, mentors and community groups were not recruited to seek less draconian solutions than turning suggestible youngsters into felons. Doubtless, such an approach would not have satisfied vested interests!

Albert M.White, Queanbeyan

We were disappointed to read the false commentary about the Camp Gallipoli merchandise range ("A day for remembrance, not another sales op", Sunday Canberra Times, April 19.)

As has been noted in other media outlets, Camp Gallipoli is a not-for-profit event endorsed by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the RSL and Legacy, as is the Camp Gallipoli merchandise. Contrary to your editorial, Target is in fact donating all profits from sales of Camp Gallipoli merchandise. Your editorial might also have taken a leaf from The Sunday Age and acknowledged that your owner, Fairfax Media, is also selling commemorative merchandise.

Target was approached to be the merchandise partner for Camp Gallipoli. Given the event's widespread support and educational, philanthropic focus, we felt it was the right thing to do. We did not become a partner to promote our own brand or in any way profit from the event or the Anzac legacy.

Jim Cooper, Target general manager corporate affairs

Owning a limited copy of a unique commemorative artwork is quite a coupe.

Owning a limited copy of a soon to become limitless number of commemorative artworks is less so. However, a Jack Waterford commemorative piece might be nice.

Bryan Cossart, Stirling

The article "ACT economy shrouded by uncertainty" (Canberra Times, April 20) states: "The level of ACT employment is falling, and that fall is picking up in speed. Job losses now amount to 1.5per cent over the past year." Given that some Canberrans are "hitting the Hume", one has to ask why Labor is hell-bent on spending billions on a light rail for Canberra. Like the rest of Australia, we should be belt tightening and spending within our means.

Canberrans are anti public transport, as figures since self government show. Let's discuss further, have a referendum now before both parties show how blatantly foolish they are. Canberra voters are watching!

Russ Morison, Theodore

Homes out of reachThe "Mr Fluffy" buyback scheme is flawed and not as generous as the ACT Government would have you believe. ACT house prices are artificially inflated and this has partially been blamed on the lack of available building blocks, supply of affordable houses and of course the "Mr Fluffy" home owners with "supposed wads of cash" entering the market.

Sellers in today's market are taking advantage of the current situation and who can blame them?

The disadvantage for the "Mr Fluffy" buyer entering this market is that the sale price for their home is capped at October 2014 prices, while sellers of a non "Mr Fluffy" home can see their investment rising by as much as 4per cent in some areas.

This situation will be worse for those settling with the government after June 2015 as they will be re-entering the market when prices have risen further. For "Mr Fluffy" home buyers, purchasing a similar or equivalent home in the same area will be impossible.

L.Carvalho, Lyons

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