As a local business, one of my main objectives is to give back to the local community.

At Feel Good Financial Services, my most recent community project is the Domestic Violence Support Package where I am offering a 50% rebate of my commission to the victim-survivor to support them in achieving financial independence from their abuser, as well as a range of other support.

I want to know, what are we doing about Domestic Violence locally? As a community, as local businesses, we can all make a difference.

We cannot rely on the government to fix this, it needs to come from the community level.

More information on my Domestic Violence Support Package can be found at www.feelgoodfs.com.au/domestic-violence-support-package.

Ellen Thornwaite

On Monday, February 24 a vigil will be held for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in Nowra at 12 noon. Advocates for the Australian whistleblower will gather at the corner of Junction and Berry Street to peacefully protest.

Nowra's event coincides with vigils and rallies held in capital cities worldwide to mark the opening of Assange's trial in London on February 24. He is charged with computer fraud and the disclosure of national defence information; the latter is classified in the US as a terrorism offense. If found guilty, Assange will almost certainly be extradited to the US where he faces 175 years in prison. Suffering from severe strain related to the unrelenting nature of his treatment, Assange has been detained at Belmarsh Prison for 50 weeks in almost complete isolation after being charged by the UK government with defying his bail conditions. This action followed his cancellation of asylum in April, 2019 by the Ecuadorian embassy where he had found shelter from 2012.

Assange's rights have been vindicated at both the UN and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Despite this, neither the Coalition government nor the Labor party have voiced public support for him.

Only the 14 member Parliamentary Friends of Julian Assange group - comprised of people of conscience across the political spectrum - stand by him, deploring the silence emanating from the Australian government and Opposition. Their aim is to have Assange deported or extradited to Australia, where he is not accused of breaking any Australian laws.

Next Monday's rally in Nowra will offer a unique opportunity to support the rights of Julian Assange and to examine the broader issue of press freedom, government suppression and refugee rights across the globe.

Leith Clayton-Brandt, Vincentia

Today I noticed the edge of Wheelbarrow road subsiding and cracking in a location about 60 metres east of 500A on the south east side of the road.

During the rain event where we had 168 mm on February 10 the road was draining over that edge due drain blockage or partial blockage.

With no sight of a bridge being completed further heavy rain may cause the road the be unusable at both ends.

The same sort of remedy may be needed in this case as was applied to the serious lad slip further up the hill, using wire baskets anchored back into the hill.

I understand council are busy and I appreciate the good job that the staff have been doing.

As an ex-aircraft maintenance engineer I notice many things and like to make people aware of potential issues so they can be rectified with least cost.

David Freeman