As recently as 1986, The West Australian carried a headline story of industrial action by the female colleagues of a transsexual who had been using their toilets for almost a year before they realised.

The controversy forced the transsexual to resign.

The irony is that they were all student mental health nurses.

Gary J.Wilson, MacGregor

May I join so many others in wishing Uncle Jack a long and happy semi-retirement.

His contribution ("Obama boldly sexes the cherry", Sunday Canberra Times, April 26, 2015) is surely what the grand old man himself might call a real spray – or spillage, maybe. How can we not agree?

Malcolm Gerloch, Melba

Paul Malone argues that Abbott and Co are about political survival ("PM and Treasurer in survival mode", Sunday Canberra Times, April 26, p31). Indeed.

There is now no mention of crisis, and last year's unfair budget measures are (fortunately) abandoned.

We are told that this year's budget will be unexciting. That is, it won't agitate many voters.

As time passes I wonder if the Prime Minister might quietly acknowledge that, if he and his government survive beyond the next election, they may well have their bente noire, the often intransigent senate, to thank.

It has stopped the government from going too far in its attacks on ordinary workers as Howard did with his Work Choices legislation, to his cost when he lost the following election.

Yes, it's survival over principle.

Bill Wood, Greenway

The Sunday Canberra Times made my day on April 26. Thanks. If you did not read "Your Questions" on page 35, re why trade your million-dollar lifestyle for a measly pension, some should. Also, on page 9, I enjoyed John Valentine's ambivalent view on Anzac Day, even while looking at my Active Service Medal. Viva "Independent Always".

Alan Wilson, Wanniassa

I was away last weekend so missed the appalling revelation that some public school teachers have been drinking coffee in front of students. But now I know this has been happening in our hitherto wonderful city, I would like to add my voice to the chorus of disgust.

There is only one option here, and that is a royal commission. It is the only way we are going to find those teachers who have been drinking water in front of students and hold them to account. Three cheers for the ACT government.

John Howarth, Weston

Congratulations to James Valentine on his article on Gallipoli fatigue (Canberra Times, April 26). It does take a brave Aussie to query the national obsession with Gallipoli, but James very neatly expressed my own mixed emotions.

It appears that every year we become more jingoistic and less rational about our actual history. It is as if Australia came into being on April 25, 1915 (it didn't, and Australian forces had been involved in several overseas military adventures before then, notably in South Africa).

Before I am accused of treachery, however, it is worth noting that my grandfather and his brother landed on Gallipoli, saw much action there, and were among the "loaders" looking after the jam tin-equipped weapons covering the retreat (which it most certainly was!) In my youth, I marched every Anzac Day with my cadet unit, and looked forward to Army Officer School when old enough.

To my chagrin at the time, the Vietnam War ended before I had the chance to "do my bit". So I am certainly not un-Australian or "anti-war", at least not when a war is a last resort or in the country's strategic interest. But I am very disturbed to note the religious zeal that now surrounds Anzac Day, and in particular the Gallipoli theatre.

Better by far to respect past sacrifices, take heed of the lessons of history, and keep a jaundiced eye on current happenings, so that past failures are not repeated.

S.Kennedy, Narooma

James Valentine's views on Anzac Day ("Why my feelings are ambivalent on this one day", Sunday Canberra Times, April 26) have become a fashionable refrain from the left in Australia at this time of year.

While Valentine is entitled to his views, I see the day very differently.

This year, as I marched with my son and grandson, who were proudly wearing the medals of deceased family veterans, we were not dwelling on the trifling concerns that occupy Valentine's mind. Certainly when I took my place in the stands for the service at the War Memorial, I had more important things to think about. I remembered young friends and acquaintances who died in an Asian war many years ago, I reflected on the extraordinary way common Australians respond with uncommon dedication and valour when called to arms.

I thought about the vast numbers who returned from war with hideous wounds to mind and body, including veterans and families I know, and how uplifting it was for the nation to honour these men and women who suffered and died in our name.

Then, as I mumbled the quaintly dated lyrics of the hymn Abide with Me, I caught an infuriating tear that escaped past the defences of my sunglasses. I was not alone.

Sure, there are more important battles that we could focus on, but it was Gallipoli that captured the imagination of the nation, and this battle embodies all the human elements of other conflicts that have won both our admiration and respect.

Anzac Day is fine by me, and, if this year was anything to go by, it is also fine by most other Australians.

H.Ronald, Jerrabomberra

National mental health services will no more alleviate suicide than charitable, philanthropic organisations will stop poverty ("Expert criticises headspace failure, Sunday Canberra Times, April 26, p13). Mental health and poverty share common ground, being multifactorial, and are reflective of failures and discord in all those components that comprise complex societies.

Solutions lie in whole-of-government action. With 20 per cent-plus youth unemployment, youth are condemned to unskilled, insecure, low-wage positions, in a contracting economy with accelerating wealth inequality.

They are surrounded by corporate tax evaders, crooked politicians, defrauding banks, and lack mentors with integrity, honesty, morality and ethics. Adolescents readily feel alone, hopeless, helpless, maybe homeless, in an unfeeling world, where (unaffordable) possessions bestow identity, self-image is confused and drugs deaden emotional pain. Who wouldn't be depressed?

Albert M.White, Queanbeyan

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