Letters
Tuesday 25 June 2013
Salvation Army thanks Dear Editor, I write from The Salvation Army to sincerely thank your readers for supporting this year’s Red Shield Appeal. People have been very generous to The Salvation Army. Across the nation tens of thousands of volunteers mobilised to collect for our appeal. On the doorknock weekend alone we raised over $6 million and we are confident on reaching our Australia-wide Doorknock target of $10.2 million. We are all too aware that right now huge numbers of Australians are struggling to make ends meet. Our own research shows 54 per cent of our clients feel worse off than they did last year. A huge two thirds have cut down on basic necessities. It’s unquestionably very difficult for many people – the people we assist are doing it extremely tough. There is still time to donate to the appeal and if you’d like to help, please call 13 SALVOS – 13 72 58 – or visit salvationarmy.org.au. We are truly humbled by the phenomenal support we receive from so many individuals and businesses. The Salvation Army is simply there to help others. We are focused on helping people who have hit hard times, to turn their lives around. We thank everyone in your local community who got behind our appeal. We acknowledge this great kindness. It’s this support that is critical to The Salvation Army and helps us to carry out our vital work. Neil Venables (major) The Salvation Army – Southern Territory
Corangamite advice Dear Editor, Re the Federal seat of Corangamite and Darren Cheeseman. I stood for South Barwon within Corangamite as an independent protesting against the negligence of Fair Work Australia and Victoria’s Work Safe; and knowing both the surf and now the electorate my advice to Mr Cheeseman is to stop dog paddling in circles, show a bit of bottle and save yourself by swimming through the rough surf to the beach. By which I mean, stand erect and continue to call for Rudd.
The public after all deserves to see a good match on that one day in September: Rudd versus Abbott. John Dobinson North Balwyn
Sign of the times Dear Editor, I read with interest that the Ocean Grove Football and Netball Club have put up a new sign with a club sponsor at their ground. As a local business owner in Ocean Grove I was approached some time ago regarding advertising at Shell Road around the soccer pitch. I was interested in this. My sister has a son who plays for Ocean Grove Soccer Club and so it made sense to sponsor a sign. I was told that the signage policy is being changed and that our company would have to wait until the new procedure is in place before my sign could be sent to council for approval. I then read about the new sign at the football ground and am perplexed. The club won’t return my calls and I just don’t understand; is this a miscommunication all round, or a case of discrimination? Helen Ocean Grove
A climate question which still stands Dear Editor, The fishing rally of June 4 highlighted much of what troubles humanity’s future in the 21st century; simply, the human race is not behaving sustainably despite important planetary indicators showing disturbing change, decline or overload. This is true of the marine environment locally and internationally. Yet, if political opportunism and audacity account for anything, then the Shadow Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Liberal Candidate for Corangamite Sarah Henderson should receive achievement awards. Both were quick to echo the recreational fishing chorus that “politics not science have been deciding
federal marine national park borders”. But my unanswered question at the rally still stands Mr Hunt. “Will you be applying the same sort of ‘science’ to our marine environment that you and your shadow cabinet have applied to climate change?” Gauging by your policy the answer is no. Tony Abbott famously described climate change as “crap” – this, despite 97 per cent global scientific agreement on climate change. Crap is what best describes your insulting and costly pseudo-climate science Green Army response. Amazingly, not one major economic commentator endorsed it and anyone who cares to scratch the surface will see it for what it is – a cynical and costly farce. Graeme Stockton Torquay
Constitutional recognition of local government Dear Editor, Who does Surf Coast mayor Libby Coker think she is fooling with the words “formalise” and “legitimise” when referring to the funding arrangement between the federal government and shire councils. This implies that the current arrangement is illegitimate, unconstitutional and hence illegal, and she along with other councillors are knowingly and willingly breaching the provisions of the Constitution of the Commonwealth in accepting any funds allocated by this method. The allocation of any council funds towards the promotion of only one side of the proposed referendum is blatant political propaganda and entirely inappropriate. The electorate are smart enough to see that there is much more to this referendum than a simple funding issue, and they will respond once again with a resounding “no” vote to counter any covert attempts to undermine the authority of the states. We already have more than enough government in this country. Can you trust these people? If you don’t know, vote “no”.
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The opinions expressed here are the opinions of the letter writers exclusively and do not express the views of the Editor or Surf Coast News Pty Ltd. Letters to the Editor may be submitted to the Surf Coast Times and Bellarine Times by writing to PO Box 714, Torquay, Vic, 3228 or email: editor@ surfcoasttimes.com.au or fax: 5264 8413. Your letters should not exceed 250 words. Please provide your name, address and telephone number, which may be withheld from publication on request. As publication space is limited we may not be able to publish all letters received. We also reserve the right to edit letters that we publish.
Hon. Terry Mulder, MP Minister for Public Transport Minister for Roads
Tim Armytage Torquay
Rotary supports Operation Newstart
Peter Bollen presents cheque to Warrick Knuckey.
RETIRING Torquay Rotary president Peter Bollen presented a cheque for $2,000 to Operation Newstart’s Warrick Knuckey two Fridays ago. Operation Newstart is a partnership between police, education and youth sectors. It is an early intervention program for young people aged 14-17 years who experience serious difficulties at school and may be in conflict with the law. Students are nominated by their school for their potential and interest in making changes. The program aims to improve students’ motivation and confidence to continue with school and/or employment goals, and have respect for community and the law. The money donated from the Rotary Club will be used to assist with funding a student from Surf Coast College to participate in a Kokoda Trek experience later this year. For more information on Rotary or how to support Operation Newstart, contact new president Jeanette Crowther on 0430 403 087.
ANDREW KATOS MP
Member for South Barwon District
Please feel free to contact me to discuss any State Government concerns you may have. Electorate Office: 152 High St Belmont 3216 Phone: 5244 2288 Fax: 5244 2327 Email:andrew.katos@parliament.vic.gov.au Authorised by: A Katos 152 High St Belmont