I was shocked to read the post on Facebook from Lyndsay Jameson of the physical assault on Lyndsay and her mother in Mount Isa CBD as they were returning to their car after a night out at the pictures.

A group of cowardly young people accosted and physically assaulted them and even tried to get into their car as they left.

The level of public anger is intense at this and other reports of encounters at night around the CBD.

The leaders of Mount Isa need to step up now and take actions to assure the community that public safety is going to be improved.

The despair of many that this seems to be a situation that is deteriorating cannot be allowed to continue.

Octavian Sencariuc,

Mount Isa

I enjoy the occasional article or snippet from the NW Star that I come across, particularly Historical items. Good on you, Barry Merrick, for flying the flag. But the elapse of time and the fragility of memory create some problems, which need to be corrected before they morph into what is believed to be the truth.

So - The Queen never went underground on her 1970 visit to the Isa. The long-standing tradition of never allowing women to go below stood firmly in place, despite attempts by officials to change it, at least for Her Majesty. But no! A large selection of Underground equipment and facilities was brought to the surface, and a you-beaut underground mining display was set up around the plat of the old Man & Supply Shaft, for her inspection. The Duke did go underground, and was conducted on a short but comprehensive examination of Operations - work simulations were set up, which sprang into action as he approached, led by then Mine Manager, Ken Finlay. He saw - and heard - a part of virtually every activity that took place in the Underground environment in those days, while Her Majesty was treated to a static display - on the Surface - of the facilities that made it all possible.

My involvement was most enjoyable. I was asked by Ken Finlay to play the part of the Duke in a full-scale rehearsal of his tour the day before. My part consisted of being dressed in Underground gear, picked up by car at Casa Grande, driven to the Man & Supply, being greeted by and introduced to everyone involved - including bowing and the usual honorifics, and given the complete tour - including questions I was encouraged to ask, and short conversations with the participants in the spectacles. All concluded with my return to Casa Grande. I was called "Your Highness" and bowed to by outback comedians for days afterwards!

For the record, I was born in Mount Isa in 1935, and spent much of my life there, before moving to Brisbane in 1990. The spinifex runs deep within my veins!

Peter Beard

When I was young, every school I went to had a child wearing leg callipers.

When I was young, every time you heard a child had leukaemia they died. When I was young we got a needle for smallpox.

I am no longer young. I am alive because of science and medicine.

Don't let the Karens or Craigs kill you with stupidity. Get vaccinated please.

George Harley

Mount Isa

Our mare has had twin foals, one a black filly and a chestnut colt.

They are both alive and have been in at the vet. They've just passed the two week mark and are already eating their mum's feed.

The mare was scanned at 14 and 18 weeks and the vets didn't pick up twins.

The mare had them on the 25th of August.

Maggie Kendall,

Wallumbilla