Page 6 Tuesday, 29 August, 2017
Connecting people and communities MVM
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Letters
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Choice and dignity I was furious to read Elisa Roper’s sanctimonious plea against the long overdue and seemingly very well-thought out legislation that, if passed, will allow the terminally ill to ask for a dignified medically supervised death with a range of protections that will prevent family members or others from exploiting this legislative change. Being of an age considered to be well into the ‘death zone’, I think I have the authority to express my own opinion on this legislation. This opinion has also been mediated by 20 Christmas Day visits to a Catholic hospice as a musician member of the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade’s Christmas Club entertainment troupe. The horror of those visits - the sights, the sounds, the smells, the expressions of sadness, fear and despair - stays with and me chills me on every recollection.
I also witnessed the bungled suicide of an immediate family member who came out of a coma three days later, only to eventually die a hideously undignified death in a nursing home. All that person wanted out of life was to be done with their unbearable suffering in their own way and at their chosen time, but they lacked the mental and medical competence to do so properly. Supporters of euthanasia, like myself, demand the right to a dignified ending in situations in which we, ourselves, deem that there is nothing to be gained by battling on with suffering and disability, when there is no hope of recovery and the possibility of eventually losing the ability to have any say in the matter. I am equally disgusted with the Libs for playing political games with the forthcoming vote on the euthanasia legislation by pledging a huge sum of money they don’t possess for palliative care. The issue is about choice, dignity and actual alleviation of suffering for those who will be en-
titled by law to exit with grace. Bring it on, please! John Whiteoak, Healesville.
She was our champion The tragic death of Fiona Richardson has robbed Australian women and children of a formidable, effective and much-loved advocate. EDVOS, the Eastern Domestic Violence Service, pays tribute to Fiona who died this week after a battle with cancer. Fiona was a champion for women and children. As the nation’s first Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, she helped deliver programs and resources that have brought stability and safety to thousands of vulnerable families. We took enormous encouragement from her personal support as we planned the EDVOS HaiR program, partnering with hairdressers to deliver family violence prevention and educa-
Pages from the past Healesville Guardian 28 August, 1937 In Case You Didn’t Know Messrs. A. G. Kay (Healesville) and E. [indecipherable] (Marysville) were among the speakers in a deputation from the Tourist House Association which waited on the Minister for Transport on Monday when assertions were made that the Victorian Government Tourist Bureau was hidden away from the public while competitive offices and those of shipping companies invited people to travel almost anywhere but in Victoria. The Minister was asked to have the bureau removed to Collins St. where it could meet opposition shoulder to shoulder and increase the popularity of travel in this State. The Government has stated the Minister realised that Victoria is a scenic resort without rival and is promoting the slogan, ‘See Victoria First’.
Right On Cue In the snooker semi-final this week Lilydale registered a comfortable win over Healesville, aggregating 428 points over Healesville 241. Lilydale will meet Warburton in the final. Holy Anniversary The 53rd anniversary of St John’s Church of England, Healesville will be celebrated by a tea followed by musical items on August 30th, at St John’s Hall. Yarra Valley Guardian Mail 31 August, 1995 Community Consultation Meetings Council has planned eight community consultation meetings for the year to June 1996. The Shire Chairman said, “Everyone in the Shire is welcome to attend any meeting, there is no structured agenda.”
tion.When we discussed the potential of this program going national, Fiona was pragmatic and supportive knowing the ideas she’d endorsed, resourced and encouraged would help families across the country. Fiona’s personal support had a big impact on me and our team. She was intelligent, compassionate and innovative. It is a shock to all of us and we are so incredibly saddened by her passing. We offer our sympathy and thoughts to her husband Stephen and their children and to her friends and colleagues. Fiona’s legacy is vast. She helped bring about a sea change in the way we deal with family violence and how we offer support to families to put them onto a better path for the future. Her very positive influence will continue to be felt in Victoria. Jenny Jackson, Executive Director, Eastern Family Violence Service.
Cartoon Yarra Centre Grand Opening Three years of hard and tireless work by a dedicated group of people finally paid off last Saturday night with the official opening of the Yarra Centre at Yarra Junction. At a gala weekend of celebrations the Yarra Centre was showcased with a variety of displays, activities and performances. Woori Tigers Win Under 12 Flag A superb, cool sunny day greeted the crowd as they arrived for the U12s Grand Final between the Woori and Upwey Tigers. Woori won 3.3.21 to Upwey 2.2.14. Daniel Van Veen won Best on the Ground medal and Patrick Sharp was given a special umpires’ mention. - Contributed by Ellena Biggs
The City of Yarra and Darebin Council have voted in favour of scrapping their citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day. Could Yarra Ranges Council follow? Cartoon by Danny Zemp
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