Concern at the disgust
I AM writing this letter to express my concern and disgust at the bullying behaviour being exhibited by individuals who are opposed to the Pioneer Settlement’s development plans.
The group has a Facebook page (pioneer settlement scrap our place plan) and the personal attacks I have witnessed on that page have escalated substantially over the past week.
Anyone who speaks out against the scrap the plan agenda is labelled dishonest, unfair, biased, irrelevant or their professional integrity is brought into question.
I was made aware of the page and contributed my thoughts which were originally in support of the group, but as soon as I was opposed in anyway, I was blocked from the page.
Obviously, it is easy to get around a Facebook block, but I have not bothered. Instead, friends are sending me screenshots of their latest antics.
The town now appears focussed on the sideshow of this group’s antics rather than the issue at hand.
The way they are addressing anyone who speaks out to support the plan is completely discredited and often with lies and misinformation.
To the gentleman who spoke to The Guardian in Monday’s edition, I would like to offer my empathy for the way you were referred to on the Facebook page.
To the editor of this newspaper, the staff and volunteers of the settlement and to those who are being attacked for having a differing opinion, I offer encouragement to keep standing up for what you believe in.
This town has been controlled by an extremely vocal minority for far too long.
Many of those most vocal no longer live in the region, so their opinions are irrelevant.
I hope those who developed this campaign in the hopes of achieving a goal are looking at their allies and questioning the bullying behaviour, because it is not assisting the cause.
The people you are so publicly attacking have family and friends in this community and your approach to your cause, no matter how passionate you might be, is verging on liable.
I can bet my letter will be screenshot and placed on the Facebook page for further humiliation and outlandish claims of bias reporting from The Guardian. This is not my intention.
Rather, I hope those who are in control of this group of people can reel them in somewhat before any more people are hurt in the crossfire.
Name supplied
Time for independent body
WELL what are we to make of all this regarding Our Place?
The revelation that the vote to put the monstrosity inside the settlement was carried (six votes to one).
This fact was revealed by Cr McPhee who was the one against it. He explained this disappointing fact in a lengthy statement to The Guardian.
Six elected councillors voted to destroy the credibility of our history which is now so well showcased within the walls of our settlement.
Thousands of locals have displayed their displeasure and hence the decision has been reversed.
One must therefore question the credibility of the decisions that have come before this council and in fact we must question those decisions of the future.
It is time for an independent body of local citizens to adjudicate on the most suitable use of any funding that may come our way.
Although well intended by our elected councillors, (they) have cast doubts on their capability of managing millions of dollars in funding and must now be in question.
My experience tells me that there are very capable financial managers within council staff and all grant funds can be adequately managed.
The information centre must be located at the southern entrance to town.
And, can be the jockey club clarify what part of the Campbell/Wattie streets corner they require and for what purpose?
This site is the best for an information centre, and council must use all its powers to use it for that purpose.
Bill Croft,
Swan Hill
Out of proportion
I WOULD like to express my disappointment to the biased reporting in last Monday’s edition (February 24) regarding the Pioneer Settlement.
The amount of coverage was way out of proportion to the reverse argument. For instance, information from former mayor Ross Mellor, OBE, who wrote a well-constructed letter outlining the original concept and the involvement of people such as Sir Roy Grounds, architect of the science building in Canberra, Wrest Point Casino in Hobart and the
National Gallery of Victoria on St Kilda Road.
I call upon The Guardian to interview Ross Mellor or at least print his letter in full with the same coverage as Don Brown.
Using emotive language to say we oppose the new building altogether is incorrect, the protest is to stop the building being built within the settlement grounds, yes it is the pioneer era and let’s keep it that way.
Jeanette Matthews,
Swan Hill
Editor note: The Guardian, up until Monday’s edition, covered a groundswell of stories featuring those against Our Place. This included page one stories, such as a photo and in-depth article featuring members of the scrap Our Place committee, the handing over of the petition, local councillor against the removal of the steam train from the settlement, the special council meeting. The story featuring Mr Brown was the first where someone spoke for the proposed location of Our Place. I, along with management, am satisfied that the coverage of the Our Place debate has been fair and balanced. Familiar face here
IN reply to Don Brown’s letter (Great comparison, pg4, February 21), he wrote that he saw no familiar faces in the crowd of attendees recently to the extraordinary meeting, and this is a fact I would like to dispute.
May I just explain that I am a member of the not Our Place and I am both a local person who frequents the Pioneer Settlement and someone who is opposed to the proposed plans.
I can understand that Mr Brown believes there were no familiar faces at the meeting, however maybe he was not at the settlement 33 years ago when I was married at the church and arrived to the church by the horse and carriage, the same carriage that was once maintained and useable from the Pioneer Settlement?
Maybe he was absent when I purchased turned logs made by the woodturner to make my six-year-old daughter (now 25 years old) a four poster bed?
Further, perhaps Mr Brown was busy on the day that the local pony club members rode to the Pioneer Settlement on their horses, rode down the main street of the settlement, had a school pony competition out the front of the school, preceded by an apple bobbing race, or unable to help us get a pony out of the lolly shop that had followed its young owner into?
Maybe he was otherwise engaged and did not note my name signed up as a member of the Hometown Heroes, or been at the front desk when I have purchased Heart of the Murray laser show tickets as presents for family and friends?
What I can be sure of is that I have not seen your face at reception of the Pioneer Settlement, as I am always served by ladies as I do all my mailing and paid all my bills at the front desk, even when it was only able to be paid by cash.
You probably didn’t want to see my face the day after we did the photoshoot out the front of the settlement when I ran into the settlement with four kids in tow, all who made a gold coin donation as we headed to the lolly shop as I told them “no one goes to the settlement without going to the lolly shop”.
In The Guardian, you may have also read of many other people with stories of their times at the settlement and their disagreement with this project, but unlike yourself, we have not had the information for the past 12 months or had the opportunity to speak to the architect the way you have been able to.
Regardless of this fact, I have lived in this region for over 50 years, and I can tell you that my face, my local face, loves the Pioneer Settlement and this town, will continue to show up to these protests to ensure the local council does not silence our voices regarding concerns our community and our community spaces.
Colleen Crossfield,
Woorinen South
We want answers
RESIDENTS of Swan Hill and surrounds are to be congratulated for convincing Swan Hill Rural City Council (SHRCC) to consider re-thinking the location of the proposed Our Place.
The number of signatures on two petitions and the large number of people in attendance at the special council meeting showed council that the community is unhappy.
Council has now taken a most unusual step by agreeing to have five community consultation sessions to inform people and receive comments/suggestions about the project.
The reason given — “we have listened to the community”.
Question one: Why did council not inform and listen to the people before an architect was hired to prepare a concept design and location plan?
Question two: How much money has been spent, to date, on architectural plans?
SHRCC director development and planning was quoted in The Guardian (September 20, 2019), as follows:
“Ms Green said while public consultation has been limited you ‘don’t want a design by 1000 people’, telling council: ‘We want a new bridge, built by an engineer’ and a building ‘designed by an architect’.”
She added public consultation would form part of the process later on.
If council had bothered to have such “public consultation”, people may not have found it necessary to take the action they have.
Why didn’t council hold “further public consultation” before unveiling the architect’s plans?
The community of Swan Hill must remember not to become complacent; this matter is not yet over.
While this matter in Swan Hill continues, council must answer to the people of Robinvale.
The majority of SHRCC councillors agreed to reconsider the location of Our Place, due to public backlash. Because of this decision, I would like someone from council to explain to all in this municipality, through this newspaper, as well as our Robinvale newspaper, why they did not listen to and carry out the wishes of the majority of Robinvale residents who were very much against the sale of two parcels of land?
The petition presented to council, along with 80 per cent of submissions, lodged against the sale, were ignored. Why?
Why was Robinvale not given the same consideration as has now been granted to the residents of Swan Hill?
We are entitled to know exactly why our community is treated with such disdain by our council, who tell us “they listen to the community”.
How do they, when they will not hold proper consultation sessions that actually provide information and facts to the community?
Then wonder why “rumours” start and take hold.
Answers must be provided.
Bev Harbinson,
Robinvale
Simply not adequate
I AM writing in response to the article in The Guardian (Pooling into one, pg 6, February 12)
My children love to swim and as a consequence I visit aquatic centres everywhere I travel.
I’ve found 25m pools are just simply not an adequate facility for the public, swim schools, schools, lap swimmers and swimming club kids.
With the uncertainty of the bridge, our poor outdoor pool has received little love over a lot of years, leaving us with an outdated, old, cold pool at the end of its life with severe structural defects and leaks.
We travelled to Geelong over the January school holiday period and the weather was appalling, however the kids were able to swim and train in a 50m outdoor facility with water heated to a lovely 27 degrees, what a joy for them not to be freezing after 15 minutes.
A bit of heat in the pool will also enable the season to be extended and the facility to be better utilised.
On the same trip, we also visited 25m pools in the area as they were closer to our accommodation, but quickly gave those away and decided on the extra commute.
Talking to the locals in the areas of the 25m pools, all were disgruntled at the availability of swim space in these pools.
Our indoor pool is at capacity, mornings, afternoons and evenings, it’s difficult to get your child into lessons due to lack of pool space and availability. I’ve seen people leave on many occasions due to lack of swimming space.
The outdoor pool currently hosts all the local school carnivals, Swan Hill College hosted their swimming carnival on February 13, from all reports the pool was full and it was a fantastic day for the students.
Imagine all those kids squished around a 25m pool?
My children joined Nyah Two Bays and Swan Hill Swimming Club this year and I have been amazed at the skill and knowledge held within this club and the way everyone works together.
This club has the capacity, skill and hard workers that can host huge swimming events if we had an adequate outdoor facility.
They could easily host the Victorian Country Championships held each January, this is a three-day event that will see thousands of people travelling to Swan Hill, as well as district championship events.
At the moment, due to the state of the outdoor pool, they are unable to put in a bid for these events.
I welcome the council’s community engagement process and urge all of our community to take the opportunity to have their say about the aquatic needs of our district.
Nicole Bail,
Swan Hill
Great feed
AS a Lake Boga local, it is such a breath of fresh air to see Lake Boga Hotel flourish again thanks to the new owners.
The food is as competitive as most dining experiences I have had in the Swan Hill area and the prices are some of the best I have seen for a long time.
In the short time the pub has been under new ownership, on several occasions, I have observed patrons shoulder-to-shoulder with next to standing room only.
I would encourage anyone if you have not been to the Lake Boga Hotel for a while, consider returning.
As a member of Lake Boga Fire Brigade, I would also like personally to thank Lake Boga Hotel custodians Honey and Daphne for their fundraising efforts for Lake Fire Brigade.
Brett Theobald,
Lake Boga
