Latest news with #Killara
Business Upturn
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Killara Outdoors CEO Chris Macaulay Announces Strategic Growth Offensive: Rejects Private Equity Playbook, Eyes IPO as Expansion Tool
Southlake, Aug. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Killara Outdoors, one of the fastest-growing holding companies in the outdoor industry, today announced a decisive long-term growth strategy that challenges the traditional private equity model and sets its sights on becoming the most influential company in the category. CEO Chris Macaulay, who built and exited a media-tech company, served on Microsoft's Global Partner Advisory Board, and became CEO for North America of a global investment group by age 32, is leading the charge. His message to the industry is clear: operational excellence and content-driven commerce will outpace financial engineering every time. Calling Time on Private Equity in the Outdoor Industry: Macaulay's announcement comes amid a changing financial landscape where many private equity firms are struggling to raise new funds, exit investments, and deliver returns. 'The outdoor industry has over 35,000 companies in the US alone, yet so much potential has been stifled by short-term thinking,' Macaulay said. 'Private equity has done more harm than good in this space, cutting too deep, stripping culture, and prioritizing spreadsheets over strategy. We're building the opposite: a platform that scales without sacrificing the soul of a brand.' A Centralized Platform for Scale: Under the Killara model, every acquisition is integrated into a shared operational backbone, including manufacturing, logistics, sales, finance, media, and technology. This infrastructure gives portfolio brands instant access to capabilities and scale that would take years to build independently. 'Our team is made up of seasoned operators who've run companies from the factory floor to the boardroom,' Macaulay said. 'We know how to pack boxes, launch products, and lead teams, and that's why we win.' Content-Driven Commerce as the Growth Engine: A cornerstone of Killara's strategy is content-driven commerce: fusing storytelling and sales through in-house media capabilities and partnerships with some of the largest content creators in the outdoor category. 'This isn't about chasing impressions,' Macaulay said. 'It's about creating integrated campaigns that put our brands into the culture and move product.' IPO in Sight, But Not an Exit: Killara is not a permanent holding company. Instead of selling to private equity, the company plans to go public in the coming years, a move Macaulay describes as a growth accelerator, not a cash-out. 'Going public is about scaling further, faster,' he said. 'It's about having the firepower to expand our mission, not walking away from it.' Teasing the Next Frontier: Killara Intelligence: As part of this growth offensive, the company is developing Killara Intelligence, a proprietary AI-powered data platform that will unify real-time signals from every customer touchpoint across its portfolio and the broader industry. 'Killara Intelligence will be the most commercially useful data layer in the outdoor industry,' Macaulay said. 'It's not a reporting dashboard, it's a decision engine.' While full details will be revealed closer to its late 2025 launch, the platform is already shaping strategic decisions inside Killara and has the potential to redefine category-wide data capabilities. Macaulay's announcement marks a clear line in the sand: Killara Outdoors is playing a different game. 'We're not a flip shop,' he said. 'We're building an operator-led, founder-aligned, content-powered platform with the ambition to dominate this industry. If you believe in brands with purpose, scaled with discipline, then you'll want to watch what we do next.' ### For more information about Killara Outdoors, contact the company here: Killara OutdoorsKillara Outdoors [email protected] 180 State Street, 201, Southlake, TX 76092
Sydney Morning Herald
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Protest a bridge too far? Not when humanity is forgotten
We should all march across the Harbour Bridge with no banners, posters or flags, wearing only white and led by Premier Chris Minns and all parliamentarians (' I support the Harbour Bridge protest – not in spite of my Holocaust heritage, but because of it ', July 31). Strung across the bridge there should be three banners – 'Free the Hostages', 'Feed the Gazans' and 'End the War'. We should march in silence: no war cries or demands because we are honouring the dead, the tortured and the enslaved: Jews, Palestinians, Gazans and Israelis, hostages, freed and still in the tunnels. That silence would echo across the world louder and more powerfully than any political screaming. We would have to do ourselves what we are asking of the Israeli government and of Palestinian leadership: to care more about Gaza's children, the hostages and basic humanity than we do about attacking each other. I am a Jew and a proud Zionist, but you would not be able to keep me away. What about you? Dawn Cohen, Balmain Those saying that protests about events far away are pointless miss the point (Letters, July 31). Equally, those like Premier Chris Minns and Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Peter McKenna, desperately searching for feeble excuses, should examine their own motivations. The fact is massed marches and demonstrations have often generated significant social and political change. For example, the US civil rights movement, the women's suffrage movement, climate change, apartheid, Australia's freedom ride, land rights, the Vietnam moratoriums. It is a way for people outraged by injustice to send a powerful message, and leaders who persist in ignoring this do so at their peril. Premier, please approve this peaceful march to avoid conflict. Alison Stewart, Riverview I must say, I was somewhat surprised by the general tenor of letters with regard to the bridge protest as they were clearly in support, despite the knock on fairly significant traffic detours that would perforce need to be in place. While the motives behind this bridge walk are honourable and have widespread popular support, my only concern is that, following this precedent, everybody with an axe to grind will be after the same privilege. Ross MacPherson, Seaforth Israel has destroyed its own reputation and the cause of human rights. Nothing in the history of Judaism justifies the nightmare Israel has wreaked on innocents. A descendant of Solomon, I, too, will hobble across the bridge (on crutches, rain or shine): not because I want to but because I have to. We walk for an end to cruelty, for international law, for reason, for humanity, for peace and safety. Jane Salmon, Killara No surprises that the majority of correspondents are siding with Josh Lees in his stoush with Premier Minns over the right to march for peace in Palestine (Letters, July 31). No surprises also that 2GB shock jock Ben Fordham has, as you reported, employed his trademark style to dismiss Mr Lees as a 'full-time pain in the arse'. Fordham and fellow conservative commentators ignore a fundamental point: nothing, no amount of IDF spin, can hide the horror of Gaza now reaching new depths, with pictures of small children dying of hunger. Instead of taking cheap shots at Lees, Fordham and Minns should concentrate on the deaths of innocent children. Ironically, Premier Minns' stubborn stand seems likely to inspire more Sydneysiders to march on Sunday, some for the first time. Nick Franklin, Katoomba The premier's view in opposing what seems to be a basic expression of widespread community will is puzzling. The Herald Letters pages and news reports carry a clear message about the feelings of many Australians, including those who live elsewhere than Sydney, on the Gaza issue. One is left to wonder if groups promoting an alternative view of the conflict have excessive lobbying influence with the government, against the wishes of most Australians. Distance from my former home city is the only thing stopping me from joining the march. Brian Kidd, Mt Waverley (Vic) We direct our ire at the side that was invaded, whose people are still held captive by Hamas, but there's nary a criticism of the side that started the war, continues to hold hostages and is, in fact, the elected government of Gaza, which remarkably still enjoys support. Hamas has not surrendered, seems determined to continue to fight, is subjecting its people to the relentless onslaught of a more powerful enemy, and is relying on useful idiots in the West to use protest to end a war they started, a war they could easily end tomorrow if they truly cared for their people. And we want to shut down Sydney to do their bidding. Leave me out of it, thanks. Rob Fraser, Balmain As Australians, we value free speech as a right, but we value the access to unblocked roads just as much. Protest marches were important in the past to get a message spread. Today, the message is spread by electronic media just as well from a fixed protest site as from a march, without the additional expense of traffic control and extra policing. Street parades are important for socially cohesive events, but protest marches with tribal flag waving and potential violent escalation only divide our society. Let's gather in our parks to debate while leaving the roads to their primary purpose. Hugh Wolfenden, Bellevue Hill Two sides Those who suggest everything in Gaza would be fine if Hamas released the remaining Israeli hostages are only telling half the story (Letters, July 31). Hamas is not the only side in this conflict that is holding hostages. Hamas abducted 251 people on October 7, 2023. In the days following, Israel rounded up thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank and threw them in jail. As Hamas has released its hostages, Israel has released some of its Palestinian detainees, many of whom have claimed to have been tortured. So it is hard to see how Israel can claim the high moral ground on the subject of imprisoning innocent people. Additionally, does anyone honestly think that when Hamas releases the last of its hostages Israel will stop bombing Gaza and give its citizens full access to food, water and medical facilities? Unlikely. Many in the government consider Gazans to be illegally squatting on land that God gave to Israel. Mike Reddy, Vincentia Our prime minister is right to resist pressure from Britain (' Albanese resists call to join UK plans for recognising Palestine ', July 31). Keir Starmer's call to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel takes urgent steps towards peace will simply hand the game to Hamas. What constitutes 'steps towards peace'? Hamas can just continue to wage its dirty campaign in Gaza, thereby causing further deterioration of the wellbeing of Gazans while the Israeli forces have no choice but to fight on – and the UK will hand Palestine statehood. Australia should not reward Hamas for causing so much suffering to Palestinian civilians for political gains. Kim Woo, Mascot Greens need to wise up Shaun Carney's analysis of the 'unlikeable Greens' is spot-on (' Can the greens change their spots? ' July 31). Political progressiveness is beneficial if it's practical and fosters improvement in people's lives. But, as the Max Chandler-Mather case shows, overdoing it to the point of blocking good legislation is counter-productive. Our politics tends to the centre and the Greens have been green, in the sense of naive, in their ultra-positivity. If leader Larissa Waters is to restore her party's fortunes, she will have to be strong-minded enough to cope with the likes of Adam Bandt and Bob Brown barking in the background. Listen to them, yes, but maybe not always heed them. Representing the views of about one-eighth of the electorate by improving legislation can put the Greens back on the political map if Waters can convince the likes of Mehreen Faruqi to tone it down. Ron Sinclair, Windradyne Shaun Carney's column should be required reading for members of the Greens movement. Like many, I was an early supporter of the Greens in the Upper House, thinking that they were, as Carney suggests, 'legislative gatekeepers'. But they lost me back in the Rudd years when they sided with the LNP to block common-sense environmental legislation, thus creating decades of LNP inactivity in government. Greens leader Larissa Waters seems reasonable, unlike some of her colleagues, but faces a tough job to re-establish the Greens as a credible force rather than a font of impossible demands. Max Redmayne, Drummoyne The Greens. What a disappointment. Bob Brown's legacy? Stopping us having a carbon price when Kevin Rudd put it to Parliament and helping Scott Morrison win the 2019 election by leading a protest to Queensland coal areas and telling the employees that global warming is all their fault. I was so relieved when Adam Bandt took the leadership but we just got more of the same – obstruction with a capital 'O'. 'Do it our way or else'. A real shame. Please, let's not have more of the same. Please, Larissa Waters, demonstrate that you are adults and help Labor move Australia forward, rather than just stopping everything. Then, perhaps, you might win back my vote. Michael McMullan, Avoca Beach Trump snubs us Matthew Knott's article about the continued absence of a US ambassador is just more evidence of something no commentator seems willing to discuss (' Trump administration in no rush to appoint ambassador ', July 31). Isn't it totally obvious that Donald Trump is deliberately snubbing Australia? Opposition politicians repeatedly criticise our PM about not meeting the US president while ignoring the fact that it is Trump who prevents such a meeting. He is not content to limit his influence across his own country. He wants to change the president of Brazil, the Lord Mayor of London, the spread of windmills in Europe and almost every office of the United Nations. Clearly, he wants us to know that he's not happy we replaced Scott Morrison with Anthony Albanese. Don Firth, Wooli Well, knock me over with a feather (' Egads, Trump isn't all bad. He's even had some success', July 31) – a New York Times journalist writes a balanced opinion piece on Donald Trump. I look forward to reading all the letters to the editor on Friday expressing outrage at such conclusions. Riley Brown, Bondi Beach AI fits and starts Atlassian touts the productivity benefits from using AI while announcing that 150 staff will lose their jobs (' Tech chief spruiks AI as 150 lose jobs ', July 31). So a tick for productivity but a clear message that a focus on technology for technology's sake is a looming failure – with a lack of thought about the social impacts. Improved productivity is essentially the rise of the machine and fall of human labour, with no clear alternatives. As the government's productivity summit approaches, perhaps politicians would do well to consider using AI to raise productivity in government. More technologists and fewer bureaucrats will lower costs, which can use AI to address the most critical issue and the real elephant in the room – a lack of understanding and preparation for enormous and inevitable social change. Robert Caraian, Crows Nest Some sectors such as construction and mining (which together account for just 11 per cent of the total workforce) may have relatively simple metrics to define productivity. But what about service industries such as education, health care, social services (child care and aged care) and public administration? These collectively employ nearly a third of Australia's workforce. For decades the measure favoured by our politicians has been headcount (and hence reported cost). How are our politicians and economists going to factor quality of service into the productivity debate so the historic decline in public health, public education and public administration does not continue? Peter Cuk, St Ives Best for koalas The promised national park that gives a healthy koala population a home once again rests on the untested assumption that the declaration of more national parks is improving koala habitat (' New national park safeguards koala corridor ', July 31). Without active management to reduce feral predators and provide young eucalypt regeneration, koalas will not benefit from such a declaration. Since the early 1980s, successive NSW governments have increased the area of national park from two million hectares to nearly seven million. Yet the koalas don't seem to have been impressed. Meanwhile, politicians, bureaucrats and activists have been resistant to calls for scientific monitoring of whether this vast and costly experiment has been effective. Calls for further transfers of actively managed forests and plantations into a koala national park on the North Coast should be rejected until there is evidence that it would benefit koalas. These are prime koala habitat because they have been actively managed and regenerated for at least 50 years, and in many cases well over a century. Dave Cromarty, Lavington Courses still costly Regarding the Morrison government's fee schedule for arts subjects (' One uni subject costs $578, the other $2124. What would the average student choose? ' July 30) it was determined on purely ideological grounds by someone sharing Tony Abbot's well-known preference for the Western tradition and his desire to discourage more recent disciplines, as well as subjects fostering creative activities and critical thinking. Thus ancient Greek, Latin, French and (English) literature, as well as art history were to be given strong support while psychology, creative writing, Aboriginal studies, not to mention media studies, gender studies and political theory were to be actively discouraged. All this is quite obvious, but it is more difficult to understand why the previous Albanese government did not reverse these decisions in the first three months after its election in 2022. Prof. Ivan Barko, Randwick The big increase in the cost of arts degrees was not a stuff-up of the Morrison government Ken Pares (Letters, July 31), it was deliberate, ideological bastardry. Alynn Pratt, Balmain Lesson learned Your story about the lottery reminds me of a story in the Herald from some 50 years back (' The holder of a $100m Bondi lotto ticket still hasn't come forward ', July 30). A girl from the Blue Mountains celebrated finishing her Leaving Certificate exams with a lottery ticket, which won first prize. Encouraged, she bought another ticket in the next lottery for her favourite teacher. That ticket also won the lucky teacher first prize. What were the odds of that? Ken Finlayson, East Corrimal
Sydney Morning Herald
16-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
As the US falters, regional ties are well worth strengthening
'A taboo question on the US alliance', June 16) raises the all-important question about our reliance on the US for security and whether it is time to diversify and look for other avenues for our own security. For years, we have been safe because we had this hairy-chested friend, even if not in our own neighbourhood, that others were threatened by. This friend now looks eviscerated and confused and it is fast losing friends. It's the same friend who asked us frequently for our involvement in its wars in return for being seen as someone we could yell out to should the bullies want to take away our lunch. In this age of non-conventional, drone-supported wars, it is foolish to expect the US will be able to reach us in a hurry should we be attacked. We also need to plan for the US without Donald Trump, as it will be in three years, and whether the Democrats will be in or it will be a Trump protege like JD Vance. Countries make alliances not on principles and values but proximity, shared economic and long-term geopolitical goals. For a balanced approach, Australia could explore deeper ties with regional powers like Japan or India while maintaining the US alliance. It might even be sensible to include China, with whom we share economic goals, in our network, and it may be the taboo solution that could answer Kelly's taboo question. Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy What needs to be answered in any review of AUKUS by any power: What is the honest and real threat of China? Will China be an aggressive military power as many conservative politicians assert, a view that attracts a significant electoral base? China is now the industrial powerhouse of the world. One example that directly engages Westerners is its prolific manufacturing of quality EV vehicles. Is China really going to put all this at risk by provoking wars with Western nations? We are the other half of the trade arrangement; we buy them. There is probably no doubt that China wants to and will dominate the world, but it appears to know the well-fought lesson that it's better to trade rather than invade. Tony Lewis, Mount Victoria The proposed AUKUS agreement is beginning to look a bit problematic. No problem with the subs, though – just set up a sinking fund. Doug Keech, Killara Israel strikes unjustified Benjamin Netanyahu claims he had to attack Iran as it was only months away from being able to destroy Israel with nuclear weapons ('Nuclear talks off as bombs fall on Israel and Iran', June 16). Netanyahu has made this claim many times for many years. Yet in October last year, Reuters reported then CIA director William Burns and the US Office of National Intelligence as saying the US still believed Iran's supreme leader had not decided to resume the nuclear weapons program suspended in 2003. It seems unlikely, then, that Iran could get to the point of being able to deliver nuclear warheads in eight months. Meanwhile, our foreign minister and others reiterate that 'Israel has a right to defend itself'. So, surely, Iran has a right to defend itself against attacks from Israel? Given Israel has a large stock of nuclear warheads, and the means to deliver them swiftly, the only outcome of Israel's unprovoked attack is that Iran will accelerate its plans to develop nuclear weapons. Kevin Fell, Cooks Hill I am no admirer of the oppressive regime in Iran. Who would have thought that getting rid of the dictatorship of the shah would result in an even more brutal regime. However, I find it difficult to accept that Iran's desire to be a nuclear power is somehow more reprehensible than all those other nuclear-armed nations, including Iran's biggest threat, Israel, getting the ultimate bomb. Just as Pakistan developed its bomb to balance the threat of a nuclear-powered India, so Iran, aware of its mutual hostility with Israel, sought equivalent deterrence. The existence of nuclear warheads in many nations across the world helps to ensure only local non-nuclear wars occur. If Iran were to join the nuclear club, the chances for peace in this very contested region would, I believe, be improved. Andrew Caro, Greenwich Judy and John (Letters, June 16), the difference is one of the countries has declared its objective of wiping the other off the map and has armed several terrorist groups to help it achieve those ends. The other is the only democracy in the Middle East, and it has been repeatedly attacked by all its neighbours, which are ruled by autocrats, kings and one of the aforementioned terrorist groups. David Lloyd, Surry Hills Surely, in this day and age, a country like Iran, with apparently many friends among the non-democracies, could buy nuclear weapons rather than wasting its time constructing same? There is always a price for everything in this transactional world. David Brown, Robertson Alas, tragically, to borrow a quote: 'Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.' Edward Loong, Milsons Point Wong misguided Penny Wong indeed needs her wings clipped ('Israel's top envoy clips Wong over Tehran call', June 16). Our foreign minister's suggestion that Israel is putting us in danger as much as Iran is misguided at best and delusional at worst. Wong needs to realise, on the contrary, that Israel has reduced the threat of terrorist activities by Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis. Israel is finally going after Iran, the evil regime behind these proxies. Imagine an Iran, run by religious fanatics, with 20,000 ballistic missiles and the ability to load nuclear warheads that can not only reach Israel but also neighbouring Arab countries and parts of Europe. The tiny country of Israel has done the Middle East and its allies in the West a big favour in attacking Iran. The result is likely to lead to increased stability in arguably the most volatile region in the world. Penny Wong needs to realise this and reassess Labor's anti-Israel policy. John Kempler, Rose Bay Penny Wong is quoted as saying Israel is entitled to keep itself safe from Iran, yet Iran had not taken military action against it. Does this mean that if one country feels threatened by another, that gives it the right to attack it? China has specified a time by which it intends to take Taiwan back. Does that give Taiwan the right to attack China, albeit with US support? It's a slippery slope. Ian Adair, Hunters Hill Elephant gun in the room The reprint of a New York Times article in Monday's Herald ('Political violence is becoming part of life in the States', June 16) documents the increasing frequency of political assassinations/attempted assassinations in the US, mostly using guns. At no point does the American writer mention the elephant in the room; the level of gun ownership in the US. It seems you have to be on the outside looking in to see the literally bleeding obvious. Mark Griffiths, Haberfield What are they hiding? Your correspondent asks why international news agencies are not allowed into Gaza (Letters, June 16). I ask why West Papua is in a similar situation. If the answer is that foreign journalists can enter under very tight rules, my questions are: Why does Indonesia enforce such restrictions; how are Australian governments involved; and why does all that not constitute a major journalism concern in this region? Sister Susan Connelly, Croydon Oil shock 2.0 Israel's targeting of oil infrastructure in Iran may lead to petrol prices going up in Australia ('Conflict may lead to oil price hike', June 16). Another good reason to wean ourselves off planet-destroying fossil fuels and go electric as soon as possible. Graeme Finn, Campsie Infamous self-promoter Don is no King I have a few friends in America who took part in the 'No King' marches in America ('Far from the parading tanks, millions railed against 'King' Donald', June 16). Like those interviewed in the article, they believe Trump has total disregard for the constitution and the law. I wonder how many of those who did protest voted for Trump in the last election or are Democrat supporters that did not vote. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury Watching Donald Trump lording over a military parade on his birthday ('Military parade to salute Trump's birthday', June 16) reminds me of the famous quote of the ancient Roman satirist Juvenal, 'Give them bread and circuses, and they will never revolt'. Perhaps this circus is aimed at his followers while some resistance builds around the USA. Perhaps he needs to get them some bread as well. Pauline Paton, Centennial Park I think King Charles may be somewhat offended by the US protests. Perhaps 'No Idiots' would be more accurate, and less offensive to the implied relationship of 'No Kings' to HRH. Janet Cook, Waverton Blind leading ... Donald Trump has labelled undocumented immigrants as 'savage, illegal alien criminals who have been raping, pillaging, and killing our cities and our towns'. Trump's demonising of millions of residents of the US is used as a justification for armed ICE agents seizing anyone with brown skin in the schools, factories, shops and farms of Los Angeles. Even a US senator of Latino heritage (Alex Padilla) was caught up in the racist bloodlust – being thrown to the ground and handcuffed for daring to ask a question of Trump's white-skinned DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The inaccuracy of Trump's pen portrait of violent criminals was starkly demonstrated at the weekend when a Democrat MP from Minnesota, Melissa Hortman, and her husband were killed ('Man suspected of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers caught after huge search', June 16). The alleged gunman is not a crazed illegal alien who has escaped from a Venezuelan prison. He is a 57-year-old white man living with his wife and five children in a rural area. People who commit crimes come in all shapes, sizes and skin colours. For centuries, politicians have used racial stereotyping to stir up hate and try to sweep to power. Tolerance is a much harder philosophy to sell, but it is what we must cling to in order to maintain a civilised society. Mike Reddy, Vincentia Get unity back on track We have the usual blame game between union, rail management and the government for the failures on the rail network ('Warning over strike effect on rail repairs', June 16). The reality is that all three need to work together to ensure the effective operation of the system. Certainly those who experience numerous weekends of track work would like to think that the inconvenience will result in a reliable service. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls Albanese and defence Given the population of the US is about 350 million and that of Australia is about 25 million, it would appear, on Rosemary O'Brien's figures, that our relative defence outlay is about right, especially given the cost to America of recent military parades for their generalissimo. By all means, though, Rosemary, keep tugging your forelock to Trump. Just make sure your figures justify it. Wayne Duncombe, Lilyfield Young talent time Although I can now unfortunately class myself as part of correspondent Jill Power's 'older generation', I neither believe nor want the ABC to 'belong to us'. I want fresh new shows showcasing both emerging and solid Australian talent, not old white blokes, staid current affairs (yay to booting off Q+A) and repetitive restoration shows. Hands off the spelling bee, and can't wait for the return of Fisk. Sharon McGuinness, Thirroul Your correspondent decries the ABC's efforts to amuse us with 'spelling bees and silly game shows'. At least these programs show us some of our homegrown personalities having a go at being entertaining – off the cuff, in real time. The hosts of 'our' shows are in the process of honing their craft. Give them a go, even if it's just to enjoy their genial personalities and good looks, enhanced by classy ABC production values, of course. Penelope Layton-Caisley, Marrickville Jill Power, the ABC also belongs to those 'really young ones'. Play School and Bananas in Pyjamas will always be sought-after, quality TV, as much as Landline or 7.30. Bluey is unparalleled and, oh, to have another Round the Twist. I agree that the ABC should stay with what they do well. Andrew Brown, Bowling Alley Point Totally agree with Jill Power: we oldies who love (or used to love!) the ABC don't want silly spelling and other games before the news. Look after us – not the young ones who would never be watching at that time and who rarely watch live TV anyway. Mary Perry, Newstead (Qld) Very special(ist) The Grattan Institute reports medical specialist visits are costing patients $78 a pop ('Cost of visits to doctor has skyrocketed, says report', June 16). If you've been to a specialist lately, this seems rather cheap. I'd love to know who these specialists are. The folks at Grattan must be dreaming. Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown Fight or fright As if we needed further evidence of the harm caused through boxing (''Boys who love a scrap': The rise of backyard fight clubs', June 16). Here we have grown adults who have made themselves famous by getting repeatedly punched in the head advocating the mental health benefits for men who like to punch on and for the prevention of crime. Says it all, really. Looks like the way forward is to pursue peace through violence. And make a buck along the way. Bob Edgar, Moss Vale Redfern confusion Ten hectares of land at Redfern station and a government policy to build apartments near railway stations ('Redfern rail yards audition for star role as film studios', June 16). The outcome: film studios. Makes perfect sense, doesn't it? Steven Lee, Faulconbridge Pavlova palaver It was appropriate that the Powerhouse Museum provided a 'folly of 10 different themes of pavlovas' ('Calls for audit at Powerhouse', June 16) to VIP guests. The Powerhouse is meant to provide a place of education and wonder to the children and families of Sydney. Now we can wonder at this lavish waste of money! Linda Page, Baulkham Hills
