Election signs
It must be election time. I can tell because the street sweeper just went up Tarawal Street.
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J. Perry, Bomaderry
She is in the shed
Heartwarming to read of the activities of the Culburra Beach-Orient Point Men’s Shed. More power to them. It is something we need in the Berry area but unfortunately we only have a unisex shed which maany men boycott for obvious reasons and not because they are sexist.
J. Scullion, Bundewallah
Brumby cull queried
I read with interest the article written in the Town and Country supplement, concerning the intent to cull brumbies in the Kosciuszko National Park. The article is the opinion of Mr John Parkes, a member of the Friends of Currango group.
I have spoken to others who also have a love for that area and visit regularly. Their opinions differ to that of Mr Parkes. They state that the estimate of numbers is overstated considerably. They also suggest that the bigger problem is not with the damage done by horses but damage done by wild pigs and deer. It seems to them that the problem is being largely dumped on the horse population because of their visible and much publicised presence.
I have spoken to riders who often visit the area on horseback. They say they regularly come across slaughtered horses left to rot and become food for the growing wild pig, dog and fox population. Let’s hope we don't see 5000 or more dead rotting carcasses in the Kosciuszko National Park any time soon.
I ask Mr Parkes what methodology was used to "estimate" the numbers of wild brumbies and the numbers considered acceptable. I would also be interested in any scientific reasoning which establishes the sole guilt of the brumby population in the degradation of the area. I am not against reducing the numbers of wild horses. I just think it should not be done by indiscriminate slaughter in the national park where the animals are left to rot as carrion for other non native animals. I am aware this issue is extremely emotive. I have heard arguments from both sides and both sides argue from an emotional perspective.
Even Mr Parkes, I'm sure wouldn't want that. I remind Mr Parkes that his beloved trout is also an introduced species and doesn't truly belong in the national park. I'm sure Mr Parkes wouldn't want to poison all the streams in the park and have rotting fish floating belly up.
P. Lindsley, Ulladulla
Do something, Ann
This is an open letter to Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis regarding allegations of child abuse in Nauru.
There are allegations of abuse of children (and women and men) in detention in Nauru under Australia's duty of care; your party's duty of care.
I have raised this issue with you in person, because you do not respond to my phone calls or letters. Nor does your government. The public is learning of this systemic abuse of children.
Caseworkers note the allegations and file them away. They know what's going on, yet your government threatens them with two years’ jail if they speak out. The legal system in Nauru does not work. Most of these cases are not even looked into, let alone investigated by police.
If your government does not do something now to investigate these claims properly, I will hold you responsible for not standing up and speaking out against this.
You and your government have known this needs to be investigated for a long time.
These will be the children the Australian government will have to compensate for turning a blind eye to their abuse.
What are you going to do Ann? You only won by a slim margin this time around. This is your chance to right that wrong.