This was not just a shark attack but according to Channel 7, a “savage shark attack.”

It got me to wondering, what exactly makes a shark attack a “savage” shark attack? 

If it was a person we were talking about as the attacker, the term savage would imply some sort of intent and malice in the execution of the attack. But how could Channel 7 speak to the intent and malice of the shark in question?

I am no expert but surely it was just being a shark, investigating an intruder into its territory in the way that sharks do – by taking a bite.

Considering the fact that the shark in question was identified as a great white, and that the victim actually survived, I very much doubt that the word “savage” was a fitting or necessary descriptive term for this particular shark attack. But I’ll be honest – I haven’t been able to confirm this with the shark.

But surely a shark attack is something of sufficient interest without emotive words to make it seem “even more” dramatic.

I am horrified to read and hear on the news that Albury is submitting a case for locating a Qantas training school at Albury airport.  

My question is, has anyone bothered to consider the impact on local residents?

The Albury airport is located central in the city and residential areas.

We live in North Street, virtually one end of the runway. The new part of Thurgoona  is running parallel  to the airport. The impact of 500 trainee pilots taking off, landing and flying around is horrendous from both a noise and safety point of view, as well as the pollutants it would add to our existing fresh clean air.

We already hear quite a bit of airport noise now, especially with the new freight services and increase in traffic. This is manageable but certainly would not be with the type of enterprise proposed.

We lived for a short while near Moorabbin airport so I know what I am talking about. This was a very unpleasant experience with constant noise all through the day and into the evening and sometimes even later than this. It is not something one can ignore.

To have this type of enterprise near to Albury-Wodonga would no doubt be advantageous for employment and development … if the airport was located at least 10 kilometres from residential areas.

I was at the boat meeting at Corowa on February 15.

I don't own a speed boat and I can't ski. But I do like to fish as often as I can. The big speed boats impact all other river users.

I believe we should compromise and share the river. It is very hard to fish with speed boats passing when you're in a tinnie tied to a snag.

I believe a ban on speed boats until a certain time, say 9 or 10 o'clock in the morning would give other users of the river some quiet time to drop a line and maybe hook a fish. Then let the big boats do their own thing, so long as it doesn't adversely affect the river itself.