Time in grammar

From Trevor Tucker, Sale:

OF course the world must tackle the current (and future) impacts of global warming. But, surely it’s absurd that we should be attempting that without concurrently addressing the ever escalating demands of a world whose population is already insanely out of control. Grass fires could be a concern this year

From CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan:

THE impending fire danger seasonal period is approaching, and now is the time for all Victorians to ensure they are prepared and have a plan for those high fire danger days. The latest long-term weather outlook is indicating a wet few months ahead, however this will also have the effect of rapid growth of grass and scrub fire potential. For our farming communities the Victorian winter crop production forecast is some 7.7 million tonnes — or 11 per cent above the 10-year average. In short, grass fires and crop fires will be a real concern for our Country Fire Authority members leading into the season across the north-west, western and central agricultural regions. Grass fires are a particular risk along the plains of western and north-western Victoria and around regional cities, while bushfires remain a constant threat in many areas. As such we should never be complacent and let our guard down. Recent climate change research by the CFA and other international bodies found that the number of very high fire danger days each year will significantly increase and our fire seasons will start earlier, last longer, and further strengthen the need for a shared responsibility between hazard owners, communities and emergency services. Readers may have seen a campaign recently outlining the skills of professional firefighters and inviting residents to check if they were protected by professional firefighters. I want to reassure all Victorians that regardless of whether they live in a CFA or FRV response district, they are supported by skilled and experienced firefighters who respond alongside members of all other emergency services right across the state under the mantra ‘we work as one’. Australia has always been well served by its volunteers, who have defended this nation during some of its darkest hours. Across the country, volunteer fire services, with more than 150,000 members, make up 91 per cent of total firefighters. Volunteer firefighters have been at the heart of our fire emergencies for decades, supporting and protecting their communities at all times of the day and night. Victorians trust and respect CFA and its volunteers, as well as our other emergency service partners. That’s why the Victorian government is investing $126 million over five years for CFA to deliver additional equipment, infrastructure, training and leadership skills, in line with the outcomes from the Fire Services Reform, which includes building and strengthening CFA as a volunteer organisation. Volunteer firefighters across the country deliver a world-class service and CFA firefighters are trained to the highest national standards – the same standards as our colleagues in other career fire services. You don’t need a pay cheque to be professional. CFA members are more than just firefighters; they are skilled to operate in a wide range of emergency situations and to deal with a variety of hazards in addition to bushfires, house fires and grassfires; hazardous material, road crash rescue and technical rescues (including high angle and trench). We also prepare communities for fire through planned burning, engagement and education. We have a shared responsibility with other sector agencies to ensure that communities are prepared and ready for the coming fire season. As Victorians understand all too well, from the devastating summers of 2009 and 2019-20, there are more houses in extreme and high risk areas than there are fire trucks. That is why Victorian emergency services work as one with government, business, industry and the community building community resilience through the principle of ‘shared responsibility’. Throughout the COVID pandemic, CFA has been working with communities to prepare their properties and plan for the fire season. Do you have a bushfire survival plan? Our brigades are holding online sessions across Victoria, and I’d encourage you to look out for those in your area by visiting the CFA website

cfa.vic.gov.au/about-us/whats-on

These sessions will give people a better understanding of local fire risks and help them prepare fire plans. Even those not in a high fire risk areas should still be practising fire escape plans, as house fires occur all year round. Our 1200 brigades are highly trained and ready. Are you? Visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au for advice on how to plan and prepare for the fire season. Stay safe.

Marquee’s, Laurels & Public Bar still available but are going fast... Get your Christmas party booked ASAP!

Sunday December 19th Sunday Fun-Day Race-Day

atthe SaleTurfClub

The Sale Turf Club has a package for all Christmas occasions, whether you want a party for a small group or larger corporate groups, we have something for you.

Get together with friends before Santa arrives!

Grandstand Fine-Dining and Limited Marquee Packages are on offer. BOOKINGS NOW AVAILABLE or simply come along and enjoy some fun in the sun on the lawn with all the action on and off the course.

Additional highlights include:

• Free bus service to and from Maffra, the

Lake-side Bowls Club and the Jack Ryans

Irish Bar to ensure you travel s • Santa and Elves on-course • Jumping Castle for the kids safe • Member Benefits: fit Members’ M b ’ Sunday Fun-S d F

Day Hospitality Draw (Prize must be won with member being on-course), Members precinct in the Sponsors’ Room for fingerfood, drinks and the balcony view (Bookings

Essential) • Musical entertainment from Justin Rebecchi

For Bookings contact the Club on 5144 2962 or contact us via email at saletc@countryracing.com.au or follow our web-page

www.country.racing.com/sale

or check us out on Facebook.

Examples of kindness are heartening

From Michael Gamble, Belmont:

I HAVE seen a lot of human kindness in recent weeks. On a number of occasions, I have witnessed shoppers offering to pay for the supermarket shopping of those immediately behind them. The cost, seemingly irrelevant. The motivation is pure generosity of spirit in difficult times. Its very touching, and evidence that some social good has come out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdowns. More women, younger people, feeling lonely

From Sarah Strathearn, acting director Australian Red Cross, Victoria:

THERE is no doubt that 2021 has been a tough year for most Australians, and with the arrival of the Omicron COVID variant, things continue to look uncertain. Our latest festive season survey has found that for many this time of year is particularly stressful and lonely. Australian Red Cross’ annual loneliness data shows significantly more women and younger people are feeling lonelier this festive season. People reported the pandemic has changed their relationships with others and the way they see the world. Our team of volunteers will be making calls throughout the festive period to those who are vulnerable and isolated, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers for their work this year. I would also encourage people to check in on your neighbours and friends to see how they are going, or pick up the phone to someone you have lost touch with. Let them know that people do care, and put a smile on their faces. A simple, yet thoughtful gesture could really make their holiday. To support our everyday work, including to building community connection, please check out the Red Cross website to get tips on small things individuals can do to change the world. Inaction over climate change is frustrating

From Brian Measday, Myrtle Bank, South Australia:

IT makes me extremely sad when young people tell me that they see little point in striving hard for the future because the future looks to them to be so grim climate wise. I am certain that a great many young people do take an interest in relation to climate change and what our federal government is doing — or not doing — to counter the problem. What do our young people see? Glasgow was a disaster for Australia. Bushfires in Australia in recent years have wiped out areas that are equivalent to half the size of England. World record heat temperatures are now common. There is the continual and frustrating lack of any real action being taken by our Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce in relation to the climate. There’s the strong defence of coal and methane by The Nationals, while at the same time there is a huge increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Sea levels are rising and there are terrible floods and droughts. One could go on and on. The climate crisis is extremely depressing. I am confident that the youngsters of today simply want to see some reasonably clear light at the end of the tunnel. It is obvious to me that young people would see a well developed federal government plan to quickly phase out coal as a huge step forward. It would provide them with some real hope for a better future. Unfortunately, there is a formidable question. Would the Nationals come to the party?

The Gippsland Times welcomes letters to the editor. Preference will be given to brief, concise letters which address local issues.

Email letters to news@gippslandtimes.com.au