When I returned, I was greeted by a small printed parking offence notice with the 'invitation' to donate $268 to the council's coffers.

Since that time, I have asked numerous patients if they know the meaning of an unbroken yellow line on the road near the kerb. No one claimed to know what that line indicated.

I know that ignorance is no defence before the law. However, a law that attracts penalties but is not publicised, indicated by signage or otherwise promulgated only goes further to undermine our confidence in our 'leaders' and their altruism.

So, my message to your readers is two-fold. Watch out for unbroken yellow lines on the ground near the kerb, especially around commercial centres, and consider whether or not we really need this third useless, dishonest, unethical and unproductive tier of government.

As students start back at school this week spare a thought for the many in our community who are unable to afford new uniforms, pay for swimming lessons or excursions or purchase books and other stationery required.

Through View Clubs of Australia and our work with The Smith Family we have been able to sponsor over 1400 disadvantaged Australian kids so they can reach their full potential through the power of education. Providing funds is one aspect of the program.

Other aspects include mentoring, technology, literacy and numeracy and financial training and programs to help kids catch up and retain their enthusiasm for school. View Clubs of Australia celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

If you would like to be part of this wonderful work, and make new friends and have some fun at the same time, please go to www.view.org.au to find the St Georges Basin View Club, or other clubs in the Shoalhaven.

Last Thursday I was very fortunate to receive the Shoalhaven City Citizen of the Year Award. I attended the event not even knowing I had been nominated! Then when I was the lucky recipient of the award I was in a state of shock and just unable to speak.

I still am in a state of shock. I want to thank Shelley Hancock for nominating me for the award, the committee who selected me, Shoalhaven City Council and Mayor Amanda Findley for the presentation ceremony and of course all the other incredible very worthy nominees.

Please address community concerns about the state of Lake Conjola.

The water level has dropped considerably and is often extremely warm and murky. The entrance of Lake Conjola needs a break wall or some such permanent solution to keep fresh water coming into the Lake.

As a local resident with kids and grandkids who like to swim and fish in the lake we are worried about harmful bacteria in the lake like Legionnaires bacteria for example.

All the communities who border the lake are very alarmed at the state of the lake and its rapid decline.

Please act swiftly to implement a permanent solution for the lake and help this hard done by area to recover.