Shame on Show jumpers | Letters to the Editor

The public who entered our show by lifting their children over the fencing then climbed over themselves must be proud to be teaching our up and coming generation to not respect the work done by a very small volunteer group.

SHAME!!!

Saturday saw one of our fences continually broken open despite our best efforts.

Parking was provided near the new oval and entry access was provided through the Swimming Pool, Main Gate ticket box and Scout Hall gate.

Our society is a not for profit run organisation who tried hard to provide entertainment of which cost a lot including fireworks, BMX bikes, bands, fairies, Junior Football Club (gates), security and toilets just to mention a few, to entertain you, the public.

Owing to this behaviour and a lack of new and younger committee members the Margaret River Show maybe in jeopardy of continuing beyond 90 years.

By the way, children under 16 years were free thanks to some very generous sponsorship and also thank you to the show patrons who did do the right thing.

I am writing about the article in last week's Mail (23/10) about the three new Councillors who have been elected.

A few things stood out -

Statements from new Councillors about the previous Council being "ideological" and then extolling the virtues of "big business, efficiencies and productivity, streamlining" etc.

All human activities are based on ideas. It appears that the current majority on Council's ideas are based on neoliberal ideologies.

Some new Councillors talk of curbing spending, without actually naming what will be cut.

Crs Kennaugh and Earl were both enthusiastic supporters of huge spending on the upgrade of the HEART (Cultural Centre) and Cr Earl is often heard to be advocating for more Shire borrowings for infrastructure because "it's cheap to borrow money at the moment".

The previous Council's majority was ALL about "mutual respect" and acknowledging that "we are ALL part of this Shire" (new Councillor Brian Daniel's stated aims).

The previous Council even wanted to lend a hand to the homeless in our community, wanted to engage meaningfully and respectfully with Wadandi people, young people, disabled people, migrants and young families - this is surely showing respect and inclusion?

This "ideology" is about minimising waste, conserving the natural world, sharing and helping fellow humans, supporting local small business, supporting farmers, developing vibrant local communities and preparing our communities for possible effects of climate change.

Will the new "majority ideology" of growth and development be good for the Shire?

Only time will tell.

Yes we can provide lasting benefit to our area by promoting a new tradition of celebrating Australia's final sunset each New Year's Eve.

We have a unique opportunity in the Capes region, in that on New Year's Eve, the last rays of sun fall on the Australian mainland at 7:34pm, some 8 minutes after sunset in Perth.

This opportunity would enable us to showcase the attractions of the area by utilising drones to broadcast aerial images across Australia and around the World.

This would include sweeping views of the Busselton Jetty; images of the underwater observatory; coastal scenery from Cape to Cape; surfing scenes; vineyards; caves; as well as Boranup Forest.

With direct flights to Busselton commencing in April, the Eastern States population and overseas population would be keen to view what is available in the region.

Our time zone is shared by 20 percent of the world's population and the majority live in the northern hemisphere, experiencing winter at the time of our New Year's Eve.

GWN and their associated companies in the Eastern States could present the broadcast prior to the televising of the annual fireworks display over Sydney Harbour Bridge, shown around the world.

It would be desirable if the broadcast would be accompanied with the "Seekers" song "I am Australian" which includes the lyrics "I am, You are, We are Australian " following by the playing of the National Anthem while the sun slowly sinks below the horizon, signalling the closure of another Australian year.

Recent revelations regarding the use of chemical restraint in nursing homes is indicative of a systematic failure.

The business model needs to be looked at further before approvals to construct more of these institutions commences.

It is not good enough to subject people to hours of boredom and to deprive them of their freedom. It can be made better but society as a whole needs to change its understanding and approach aging in a new way.

Instead of ignoring the demands of concerned loved ones who are aware of abuse and/or neglect they should be given legal powers to prevent bullying and aid in minimising harm.

Share your opinions, thoughts and feedback with us by email to nicky.lefebvre@margaretrivermail.com.au or at www.margaretrivermail.com.au/comment