It is totally irresponsible to have all your eggs in one basket. Hydro electricity is reliable irrespective of the weather but wind and solar power are not reliable as has been experienced.

For security of electricity supply it is imperative that we also depend on another and reliable source of energy which is coal.

Coal is undeniably a reliable source of energy and to brazenly exclude it is irresponsible, stupid and against all common sense. If all the climate change believers are genuine in their efforts to reduce rising world temperatures caused by pollution, then reduce all your jet travels your car driving, your excessive consumption of goods which are all causes of pollution.

I am writing in response to a recent article in your paper regarding the proposed Murray Darling Medical School (MDMS).

Commentary in the article is out of touch with recent advances in medical student education in rural and regional Australia. It should also be noted that Professor John Dwyer led the Prince of Wales Clinical School in Sydney, retiring from UNSW many years ago and his views do not represent the views of the UNSW Rural Clinical School or the UNSW Faculty of Medicine.

UNSW Rural Clinical School has been educating rural medical students for over 17 years in Wagga and our other rural campuses across country NSW in Albury-Wodonga, Griffith, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.

Over the past decade, the numbers of student places has been increased to a point where we are now able to provide more than enough local graduates for the medical workforce needed in the bush.

In Wagga there are already two medical schools graduating 26 doctors each year. More than 80 per cent of these students come from the country and 80 per cent at graduation indicate that they wish to practice in rural Australia.

This year, 18 local graduates are among over 100 new doctors that have applied for the 20 intern places in Wagga. There is a real possibility that some of these local students will be forced to return to the city for internship and further training.

UNSW continues to develop the capacity for local high school graduates to undertake their complete medical student education in Wagga and our other rural campuses. Furthermore, UNSW is working closely with Murrumbidgee Local Health District and GP training organisations to develop training pathways for new General Practitioners across the region.

The current workforce problem in smaller country towns will not be solved by dismantling the existing highly successful medical school programs and developing a new medical school. The solution is to expand post-graduate GP training opportunities across regional and rural Australia and provide professional support to General Practitioners already working in smaller communities.

The current medical schools are well placed to do this. 

After falling in my bedroom I found myself in an impossible position to be moved without letting water out of my water bed.

How the ambulance personnel moved me without any pain from my broken leg was astounding. A friend who was staying that night said it took six people to move me.

I only knew I was moving and thought I was going to Heaven. I felt no pain at all.

I thank you all. Thanks also to Ward Four at Wagga Referral Hospital. What a great experience that was for me. The ward runs like a well oiled machine.