Councillors are not listening to community
COUNCIL is about to take the decision regarding a building at the Pioneer Settlement to go ahead with option one at its next meeting in early July, regardless of community wishes.
Option one is for an ultra-modern building built from Monash Drive to the river and covering the area presently occupied by the steam train engine and windmill.
I have previously written regarding the history of the windmill and steam engine and the inappropriateness of the current plans.
I have come to believe that with community input and support much better plans should be adopted.
A much better option would be to move the art gallery to a site near the old wharf on the Murray River, after removing the old Curlewis Street silos and incorporating the Aboriginal display. The current art gallery should be turned into the information centre as twice as many tourists visit the Spoons restaurant and the Pioneer Settlement as currently visit the information centre.
The entrance to the Pioneer Settlement should be between the Gem and Spoons and be only large enough for the gatekeepers.
The administration centre should remain in its current building.
In putting forward these views, I am only expressing what many residents believe is a much better option than the one proposed by council.
Council’s role is to act in the best interests of the community, but in this case, the council is not listening to the community but are rushing ahead with an ill-conceived project because of a very large grant.
There is still time to hold a community meeting and listen to what the community wants.
As a ratepayer and with a family attachment to the Pioneer Settlement, it is my wish that the council listens to the community and does what the community wants in improving the Pioneer Settlement.
Graeme Mann,
Bendigo
Views on recent topics
TO clarify the things I believe, I wish to outline for your readers the views I hold on some recent topics:
I support freedom of speech, including for those who disagree with me.
I have always supported and promoted equality among all residents of Australia, including when it relates to government support payments.
I stand with the vast majority of Australians who are not racist and are proud to live alongside (and enjoy a barbecue and a beer with) those from other cultures.
I believe a job, rather than long-term financial handouts, is better for a person’s self-esteem and good for their families, their communities and for our economy.
I am proud of Australia’s larrikinism, which I believe is endearing and overwhelmingly innocent, and is more about joking about the things we love rather than being derogatory.
I thank the authorities, particularly the police, for the great work they do to protect Australia’s residents and, more recently, for protecting the memorials for historic figures in Australia.
I support the retaining of statues of figures of historic significance in Australia.
I support the memory of Sir Winston Churchill, who was instrumental in the overthrow of Hitler, who directed the murder of six million Jews as well as millions of others, including the disabled, gay people, and POWs.
I oppose the “cancel culture” movement and its unwarranted attempts to block broadcasts of Australian and other western entertainment for non-existent harm.
I support retaining the Oscar-winning movie Gone with the Wind, which is an artistic masterpiece that reflects the culture of its time.
I support (and get a good chuckle from) the Fawlty Towers comedy shows, and the satire of Australian writer and comedian Chris Lilley.
I support facts, which are truthful, over feelings, which can be manipulated, and I encourage others to do the same.
I believe the COVID-19 closures directed by Annastacia Palaszczuk and Dr Jeanette Young morphed into a Labor election campaign platform that has damaged and is damaging Queensland.
I believe government payments and support services to Aboriginal Australians, which is 1.6 times the amount per capita of those delivered to non-Aboriginals, have developed a culture of dependence which is damaging to recipients.
I believe all lives matter. All people have a purpose. Everyone should strive to make a positive contribution to the community.
Senator Pauline Hanson,
Senator for Queensland
One Nation Leader
Good as dead
I WRITE this shaking my head in absolute shock and horror at the disgusting and quite soul destroying behaviour that some or a lot of main stream politicians lower themselves to.
I reckon they lower themselves under the sewer.
The latest Labor disaster is without doubt the worst behaviour I have seen portrayed by main stream politicians but is just yet another incident of dishonesty and disgusting behaviour by both main stream parties.
Mainstream politics and the two party preferred voting system in Australia is as good as dead, minor parties and independents are continually eating away at both the Labor and Liberal parties and they have only themselves to blame.
I reckon that both parties are losing more and more relevance with each political debacle and next election.
Please somebody save these idiots from themselves and us.
Peter Gilmour,
Cobram
Leave no-one in need
WHAT a huge six months we’ve had.
As we continued to battle the worst drought in the past 100 years, suddenly the most devastating bushfires our country had ever seen hit. Then came a pandemic.
COVID-19 struck out of the blue and financially crippled the nation. Not only did it bring economic hardship, it also brought extreme grief and loss, acute loneliness and uncertainty.
Indeed, COVID-19 brought out some qualities we would prefer to forget; fighting for toilet paper, hoarding grocery items and stockpiling medicines. But it has also managed to bring out some our best qualities. Like our ability to rally together when the chips are down and looking out for one another – the true-blue Aussie spirit of mateship.
This is certainly what The Salvation Army has been seeing over the past few months. With The Salvos 55th Red Shield Appeal taking place, we have witnessed incredible generosity, camaraderie and mateship.
Because of COVID-19, we couldn’t knock on doors, but everyday Aussies still dug deep and supported us through our digital doorknock. For this, The Salvation Army says, “Thank you”.
Not surprisingly, we are seeing increased demand for our services across the country, while anticipating even greater need to come. Be assured our staff and volunteers remain committed to serving Australians in need.
Recently, there have been people who have never needed The Salvos before who have reach out for help. We know how tough it can be reaching out for help the first time. To you and others who need a hand, please know The Salvos are here, free of judgement, discrimination and prejudice.
The Salvation Army’s frontline services have been hit hard by COVID-19 and we know many Australians have been impacted too. Any support you can give to The Salvos Red Shield Appeal at this time will assist Australians in need across the country.
If you need assistance, or would like to support The Salvos Red Shield Appeal, please visit salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).
We again thank you and declare our longstanding commitment to being good stewards of your financial support, always transparent and accountable and to ensuring each dollar given has the highest possible impact on The Salvos’ work with vulnerable Australians.
Together, let’s leave no one in need.
Lt. Col Neil Venables,
The Salvation Army’s communications secretary
