Caution is needed
Cr Mark Kitchener never fails to make sense in supporting important community initiatives.
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Establishing a motorsport complex in the Shoalhaven is indeed visionary, beneficial and popular and would certainly add to the recreational options available for our residents and visitors alike.
There is no reason it cannot be resurrected through proper, transparent and accountable processes that ensure we are investing our ratepayers’ money wisely.
Cr Kitchener is right when he says, “It seems reasonable to spend the money and take the risk in order to develop this proposed facility here in the Shoalhaven.”
All we were doing with the motion adopted last week is seeking to identify how much money we are likely to need to spend and exactly what the risk is that we would be taking.
Most of us would operate this way were we spending our own money so why would we not apply the same standards to how we spend the funds of others?
Cr A. Guile, Bomaderry
End the blame game
Our federal Liberal representative Ann Sudmalis is blaming her state Liberal Party colleagues for a lack of funding for upgrading the Princes Highway. She says inadequate levels of government funding for roads are not her Liberal government’s fault – it’s their Liberal government’s fault. Mrs Sudmalis has used the same tactic each time a difficult issue has surfaced in Gilmore. When she told unemployed youth to knock harder on employer doors she implied it was their fault they were unemployed.
This approach creates ill will and angst, and it will hurt us in the long run. What we need from our political representatives are honesty, civility and hard work. What we are getting is political spin and finger pointing.
I implore our politicians to work cooperatively with each other, with community members and representative agencies to develop partnerships that work to solve problems.
C. Lonergan, Lake Tabourie
Testing times ahead
Over the next four weeks students will sit their HSC exams in subjects ranging from English and Maths to Music and History.
I wish each and every of them the best of luck over the exam period and would impart the below little wisdoms from this former teacher:
1. Yes it’s true, the HSC exams will open up pathways for further education and training, however your world won’t end if you don’t get the ATAR you were hoping for – take some of the pressure off yourself and you’ll find you perform better.
2. Don’t cram! If you haven’t learnt it by the night before the exam it is unlikely you’ll remember it overnight. Use the time more wisely and refresh what you have already learnt.
3. Lollies! Lollies! And more lollies! In the words of Mary Poppins: “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down”... when you reach that halfway mark during your exam and feel yourself lagging eat a jellybean or gummy bear.
4. Maintain balance. For your own mental health and for increased chances of better academic performance ensure you eat well, sleep well, exercise regularly and allow yourself some time for relaxation.
5. Take a break. Allow time to leave the studies behind and go out and do something, find an enjoyable distraction where you won’t constantly be thinking of/talking about your exams.
6. Talk to someone. If you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious tell someone, be it a teacher, parent, sibling or friend. A simple debrief with someone could be all that you need or maybe even special consideration, this does not make you weak or different.
7. Breathe! Before you know it exams will be over and the next chapter of your life beginning.