Flying the coop or on the hunt for new skills
I found the article (ODT 1.10.25) on New Zealand-trained doctors flying coop ‘‘a myth’’ to be very interesting.
However, it is important to note that the doctors interviewed graduated 10 years ago and current graduates may have very different aspirations. It’s hardly surprising, though, that doctors change their minds about their role in the workforce once they graduate.
I suspect it has always been so. As the article indicates, there has been widespread emphasis in the media on the ‘‘fact’’ that doctors are leaving the country in droves for better money and opportunities overseas.
It's not new for graduates of our professional schools to head overseas immediately, both for professional experience, post-graduate study and even money.
Take my own case. I graduated in dentistry from the University of Otago in December 1960 and started work in Sydney a month later. I then moved to England where I was in hospital and general practice for eight years and attended a variety of courses not available in New Zealand.
I returned to Dunedin in 1968 where I remained in several different forms of dental practice, teaching, and administration until my final retirement at the age of 67 in 2003.
I'm in no doubt that my overseas experience was of immense value to my roles in New Zealand on my return.
It is good to see that the medical schools tracking project continues to monitor current and future graduates.
John Burton
Wakari
Sun stuff
In his recent RNZ interview Simeon Brown sounded just like Trump at his ignorant worst. To say that solar and wind-generated power is not available when the sun does not shine or the wind does not blow is ridiculous. Has he never heard of batteries (already used effectively in South Australia)?
As so well suggested by Ian Breeze in an excellent ODT Opinion piece recently, there are many hectares of roof available for solar panels here. If domiciliary requirements were provided for in that way, hydro-power would be plentiful for industry. Even the energy and cash-strapped ANC in South Africa built their new townships with solar panels on each roof.
Surely, we could invest our precious energy dollars in energy sources of the future and not pollute with subsidising yesterday’s hydrocarbon use.
Gil Barbezat
Roslyn
Thanks and praises
Ten years ago, this newspaper was one of the very best with nuance, balance and scope. Now, to some degree, at least this newspaper still thankfully has some intact. I particularly enjoy the Weekend Mix at the end of the week, some great poetry is included in this section. Very cool!
The Evangelist Wes Huff spoke last week and I was surprised to see no coverage of this event in the ODT, as this individual spoke eloquently at the Dunedin Town Hall with consideration, thoughtfulness and sincerity regardless if the individual came away convinced at the time of the Christian worldview.
I also would like to thank Dr Graham Redding for his theological insights, which are featured from time to time.
Thomas McAlpine
North East Valley
Gallery great
The Eastern Southland Gallery put Gore on the map for us. We used to travel from Dunedin to Invercargill via the back road shortcut from Clinton to Mataura. Now we make a point of going into Gore to visit the gallery with its remarkable permanent collection and stimulating changing exhibitions. We applaud what Jim Geddes and the team have achieved (ODT 1.10.25).
Henrik Moller and Fiona Stirling
Dunedin
Limit kicking and make rugby a spectacle again
Every now and again the rules of rugby need a bit of tweaking.
We are at that stage again: it seems that the pattern now being used is for the halfback to kick from the base of the scrum or maul, gaining very little territory and resulting in either a loss of possession or regaining possession with almost no ground won.
Over and over again.
A few ideas. First, the halfback is only allowed three over-the-top kicks per half.
Second, the halfback is only allowed an over-the-top kick when he is in his own 22.
Either of these rule changes would result in more backline moves and a far more enjoyable spectacle.
Robin Dicey
Bannockburn
Cancellation decried
The proposed cancellation of Queenstown school bus services is a sad testimony to Ministry of Education bureaucracy. It makes no sense in Queenstown’s circumstances. I remember happier times when all school children living a distance from schools travelled safely and efficiently on school buses.
Ross Black
Wanaka
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: letters@odt.co.nz
