A solution to this eyesore is for the whole lot to be pulled up and mulched. Then start over with "green" low shrubs peppered with bluebells, daises and other native flowers.

That is what we expected as one of the sweeteners to the people of Canberra ("Light rail corridor's great debate: are they weeds or natives?", canberratimes.com.au, March 29).

It was reported that "as part of its 20-year project agreement Canberra Metro is required to deliver and maintain a fully landscaped light rail corridor along stage one. It is responsible for 'a successful landscape outcome' and the cost of maintenance is included in their contract".

My 16-year-old daughter is in Year 11 at St Andrew's Cathedral School in Sydney. During the school year she lives with a family in Burwood, right on the edge of the south west Sydney hotspots. She is currently doing remote schooling from Canberra but NSW will be returning Year 11 students to the classroom from November 1.

Because she is under 18, she is not allowed to get AstraZeneca. The earliest that ACT Health will allow her to book her Pfizer vaccine is November 7, one week after she has to be back in Sydney. NSW Health will not allow her to get a vaccine outside the Burwood LGA.

My GP sent a letter to ACT Health asking for special consideration to allow her to be vaccinated earlier so she could return to Sydney for school fully protected. ACT Health denied the request.

I don't understand why the government thinks they have to come up with one-size-fits-everyone solutions to every problem. If they would just allow her to get her AstraZeneca, she would go get it today, but that's against the rules. My son turned 18 on Monday and he is getting his AstraZeneca shot on Friday.

The government seems dead-set on protecting my daughter; so much so that she has to return to the centre of the outbreak unprotected because they have created a complicated set of rules that doesn't take into account a simple situation such as a child living in Canberra but going to school in Sydney.

Finally, some good news on The Canberra Times front page: "Spring arrives in a garden of weedin'", September 1).

It was great to see those smiling young faces.

And John Wayne was quoted as saying: "If you can't be thankful for what you have be thankful for what you have escaped".

Perhaps Mark Sullivan (Letters, August 30), and D and D Hobson (Letters, September 1) could take his advice on board.

I am a highly experienced science teacher. At this point in my career, my lessons should be thoroughly planned, delivered with panache, and structured to support each one of my students in the way that best helps them to develop their understanding.

Over the decade-and-a-half I have been in this job, my workload has increased, the needs of my students have become increasingly complex, and the expectations placed on me have become increasingly beyond the scope of my core duties to simply teach in the classroom.

Now with the growing staffing crisis in schools ("Chronic shortages push Canberra teachers to the brink", August 30, p1) my heart breaks that I can't be the teacher my students deserve because I simply do not have the time and energy to do all that is being asked of me.

Current resources are not adequate to meet the growing needs of our students. This puts further stress on teachers. This stress is even worse when we get sick, as we know the workload will then fall to our other overworked colleagues.

Many teachers are being pushed beyond what we can bear and are leaving the profession. This compounds the problem, with fewer teachers available to cover the load.

Teachers are part of the glue that keep our society functioning. This has been particularly highlighted with COVID-19 and lockdown. Educators' working conditions are students' learning conditions. We are essential workers, and we need to be supported so that we can support our students.

It seems some amongst us are not overly concerned about the pandemic, storm surges, runaway fires or global warming.

These conditions, they believe, may signal the coming of one who will rescue them, the favoured few, from these end of days disasters.

But where will this person arrive and how will they recognise this rescuer?

If past experience is any guide, we should search among asylum seekers of middle eastern appearance.

In the meantime it might be prudent for us all to treat even "the least among us" as we would treat that saviour.

I have a 19-month-old grandaughter who lives 10 minutes walk away. We usually look after her at least one day per week.

Both her parents are fully vaccinated and currently working from home. My wife and I are fully vaccinated.

None of us have been in designated hotspots. Chief Minister why can't we visit each other?

Why can't we care for our granddaughter at our place? Do you really understand the consequences of the health orders you endorse?

As a man who is definitely white with occasional moments of sweetness and weakness I was quite chuffed to read that I might have a chance at Karen Hardy's affections ("What simple things are getting you through lockdown?", August 29) when she likened her preferred choice of man to her tea preference. Mary Robbie's suggestion ("Comment unwelcome", Letters, September 2) that this is somehow racist has me bewildered.

If Karen's choice had been "black and strong" would Ms Robbie be equally offended?

So I ask all the other weak, white and sweet men out there to rally up and unite, post-COVID, put on your sunscreen and march silently forward making sure we don't upset anyone.

The astounding speed of the Taliban takeover, with all that it entails for the people of Afghanistan living directly under their ruthless tyrannical rule and for rest of the world in terms of the re-emergence of the terrorist threat, one thing is clear. The myth of American military and strategic superiority in Afghanistan has been exploded for all to see.

Australia Post has announced they are suspending parcel pickups in NSW, ACT and Victoria due to staff shortages. Remote delivery is vital to support the economy adjust to current COVID-19 related shutdowns, not to mention the need to continue to deliver necessities to Australians.

This situation has been predictable for more than 12 months. It is hard to understand why Australia Post would not have anticipated this and had plans in place to ensure operations weren't interrupted. This certainly raises questions about the justification for executive bonuses at the organisation.

Until we find a different date to celebrate Australia Day it will be a contentious, divisive occasion that causes offence to our first peoples. January 26 doesn't even have much relevance to Australians outside NSW as their modern settlements did not begin when Governor Phillip planted his flag at Sydney Cove.

Federation Day is an obvious alternative, but its date on January 1 is problematic. May 1 marks the date on which Australians ceased to be British subjects: something worth celebrating? Independence Day (when we become a republic) would be ideal but sadly, we're not there yet.

Wattle Day on September 1 honours our national floral emblem. Centred on a symbol that comes directly from our land and grows across the whole continent, it has meaning for all Australians and includes all of us.

As an early marker of spring and one of the first plants to regenerate after fire, wattle also signifies renewal; an appropriate focus for a national day. Wattle Day's timing at the start of spring makes it handy for a long weekend; it offers built-in symbolism; and it's consistent with our national colours.

TO THE POINT

I would like express support for Mr Nyamsi who appears to have done nothing wrong but has been abused simply for having been diagnosed with COVID-19. I believe the majority of fair-minded Canberrans care about your welfare and wish you well.

What a shame the ACT wasn't located along the Queensland sub tropical coast where we could now be relaxing under the swaying coconut trees free of COVID-19.

I am worried for Ken Behrens in isolation during lockdown. Does he have a significant other? If so, what is their name? Could it be Erin Dale, Simon Stone, Belle Conan or even Queen Bean?

How nice it was to discover on a bicycle ride a few weeks ago a beautifully resurfaced bitumen path all the way around Lake Tuggeranong. It appeared without fanfare and political grandstanding. Thank you ACT government.

I want to give Andrew Barr, Dr Kerryn Coleman and Rachel Steven Smith a big COVID-19 safe hug for keeping us safe in the ACT. Thank you for your emotionally intelligent communications and your wonderful care for the Canberra community. Thank you for your compassion and courage.

John Barilaro knows what he's doing blaming Canberrans for taking COVID-19 to regional NSW. Firstly, he is endorsing the policy of his federal leader: blame someone else. Secondly, he is aware that voters in electorates bordering the ACT (including his own) enjoy bagging Canberrans.

Medibank Private has reported a net profit of $441 million.

Why a further 82,500 people decided to join a for-profit health fund which takes so much of their health dollar when that money would be retained in one of the many not-for-profit funds is beyond me.

Unless or until the loose soil being used (in some spots) to back the vertical and often high edges of the newly overlaid bike paths is compacted the very real safety hazard - to both cyclists and pedestrians - will remain. Riders beware.

With many tens of thousands of US service men and women and contractors now withdrawn from active duty in Afghanistan, what are they going to do?

Will they find, or invent, another conflict somewhere to ply their trade?

How did we get to be so lucky? Both my husband and I got push polling texts from Craig Kelly.

What did we do to get on some list somewhere that Kelly and his staffers have access to?

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