Surviving in this concrete jungle of eight million or so people wouldn't be possible without the work ethic and resilience that was instilled in us growing up on the South Coast. Small towns require young people to actively seek out opportunities and often travel long distances to experience some of the things that city kids take for granted. This, I believe, gives us a level of determination that is unmatched in our peers who have grown up with everything on their doorstep. 

It's this determination, perseverance and sheer hard work that has landed the four of us, and many more young Aussies from regional areas in New York, London and beyond. And it's the appreciation for the the journey it took us to get here that makes us all successful in some of the biggest cities in the world.

I am writing in response the letter from W. Ashton of Goulburn (March 30) regarding the alleged blocking of a section of Seven Mile Beach to the public.

Seven Mile Beach is a national park, and as such supports significant habitat for flora and fauna. The closure of a section of beach to protect fragile nesting grounds is a practical approach; birds that nest in sand dunes are extremely vulnerable. If the shorebird nesting area is only “200 yards”  from the camping ground, there is all the more reason for the area to be protected; an off course cricket ball or Frisbee would easily cause unintended damage.  

If W. Ashton’s polo ponies need exercise, I am sure there are plenty of other less ecologically sensitive areas to which they can be taken.

Tourism provides a significant financial benefit to the Shoalhaven district. Many of those tourists come here because of the unspoilt nature of our area.

How disappointing to see that the people of Gilmore are stuck with choosing between the hard right Ann Sudmalis or her hard left clone Fiona Phillips at the next election. This area needs a sensible centrist like Glenn Kolomeitz to bring some energy and decency to representing our interests in Canberra, as opposed to the shallow, self-interested bench-warming we can expect from these political clones.

A lot has been made of the federal member seconding the motion put at the end of the merger meeting at the St Georges Basin Country Club but let's not lose sight of what really happened.

Initially, when the motion was read by Bob Proudfoot Mrs Sudmalis was quick to her feet stating she would not support or vote on it as she thought the part where it called upon the mayor and state member to do more was wrong and that they were continually supporting their constituents.

A remark was then made by Andrew Guile which caused Mrs Sudmalis to argue her point. After a while Mrs Sudmalis said she would second the motion, went over to Andrew Guile, shook his hand and walked stern faced out of the meeting. Her actions were childish and not becoming of a federal member. If she felt strongly about the motion she should have stuck to her views, not spat the dummy.