If children are not taught to respect their parents, school teachers, bus drivers or police, it will never become instinctive when they mature and are surrounded with a myriad of symbolism of which they have little understanding and even less regard. Statues of national heroes, flags, walls of remembrance and religious buildings are inanimate objects but each is imbued with a spiritual meaning, revered by crowds who collectively find hope and consolation in their public display. (“Charges after police memorial vandalised”. 28/1). Vandalising such items of state significance must be addressed severely. Magistrates would do well to insist that these cowardly protesters be required to manually scrub paint off 10 monuments for every one they desecrate. A few hours of scrubbing in the Aussie heat should be a disincentive to five minutes of graffitiing in the dark of night. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 29Jan2025