Level of equality

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Monarchy still has role to play

JOHN Gwyther (Gippsland Times, Sep 20 2022) is seeking a response to the question ‘why do we need a head of state anyway?’ He sees some possible suitability in a chief justice and a constitution. Politicians are excluded as their roles focus their attention on the interest of specific parts of a community. However, John’s research appears to have glossed over events in Westminster Abbey. The Abbey was filled with people from all over the world; including many heads of state. The Abbey was built to worship God and to recognise the need for assistance in coping with the challenges associated with people living together in a community. For if God is the head of state, and Jesus his presence on earth, many difficulties associate with human limitations can be resolved.

John H Cooney

Cowwarr

Premier is out of touch

AT my last count there have been 14 sawmills close in Victoria as a result of Dan Andrews’ policies. The recent loss of nine jobs at Newmerella seems insignificant to city folk, but to locals, nine families are now without a breadwinner and less money will now be spent in the local economy, devastating it. Orbost, according to the latest Weekly Times, is next, with 115 jobs set to go. Swifts Creek is also in this government’s sights with a $300,000 program being currently promoted that will oversee the transition of the town into obscurity. To add insult to injury, Dan Andrews’ latest edict concerning where Victorians can and can’t go within our state is yet another example of the over reach he has become famous for. Not content with locking up the bush so that sawmills can’t get access to the timber they require for the timber that our construction industry so desperately needs, Dan has now decreed that walkers and riders caught not using government-sanctioned trails could face heavy fines of up to $924 for simply walking off a park trail, and swimmers will be required to obtain a permit to swim in any waterway not specifically designated for swimming. Rock climbers, abseilers and hanggliders will also need to get a permit unless an area has been designated for it. Those wanting to fill up a chainsaw with fuel or oil could also cop a $1840 fine. Our Premier is out of touch with regional Victoria. Sure we need to protect our parks from ‘wreckcreationers’ but as public land it belongs to all of us to use and enjoy, not to be locked out of. I will be voting number one for Greg Hansford in the Upper House for Eastern Victoria for The Australian Federation Party Victoria (AusFed Victoria). Greg will be a strong representative for the region and has the conviction and courage to take up the fight against the rural job destroying Labor/Greens state government.

Pamela Howden

Traralgon

Nationals leader Peter Walsh is calling for improvements to the states healthcare system.

Photo: File

We have extended

visiting times at Sale Hospital.

Train thoughts

ONLY the curiosity of a self-confessed railway nerd would be sparked by the three loco photo seen in local media recently capturing locomotive K183 at Traralgon on Grand Final weekend. For the self-same engine K183 is also on static display adjacent to Trafalgar Railway Station. How can this be? K183 at Trafalgar is actually K162. In 1977, after being withdrawn from service, K183 was purchased from the Shire of Narracan. Being in good condition, Steam Rail Victoria then purchased K183, replacing it with K162 then re-branding (in dead of night?) to K183. As the K Class locos were withdrawn from service, Vic Rail would mix and match loco and tender depending on their condition. So K100 in that photo (it broke down at Hernes Oak) is really K153 in disguise. Hardly life changing knowledge but intriguing nevertheless for those with an affinity for railway history.

Ian Whitehead

Traralgon

There are now two visiting g sessionssessions withwith no no moremore than two visitors at any one time:

10am – 12pm and 2 – 7pm

Visitors must continue to comply with infection control measures including wearing a face mask, sanitising hands regularly and physically distancing where possible. Thank you for your continued support as we navigate the ever changing environment of COVID-19.

Job Vacancies ç Please visit the recruitment section website: www.cghs.com.au on our

Foundation here to help

WITH four in 10 Australians diagnosed with blood cancer living in regional and remote areas, last September, during Blood Cancer Month, the Leukaemia Foundation announced Australia’s first and only dedicated blood cancer support line to assist the growing number of Australians experiencing the devastation and disruption of a blood cancer diagnosis. Blood cancer treatment is often complex and urgent, and life-saving care can be far from home. Leukaemia Foundation research has also shown many Australians in regional areas face challenges and disparities in accessing treatment, leaving them feeling overwhelmed, unsure - and alone. Whether you are personally diagnosed with blood cancer, in remission, a carer, or grieving the loss of a loved one, Australia’s blood cancer support line is now available to guide you through the emotional, physical, and psychosocial challenges of blood cancer, Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm AEST via calling 1800 620 420 or anytime via bloodcancer.org.au.

Chris Tanti,

Leukaemia Foundation

Healthcare system needs real solutions

Daniel Andrews to announce a new $62.4 million emergency department at Maroondah Hospital - the same one he promised before the election in November 2018. Our health system is in crisis, surgery waitlists are approaching 100,000 people and Labor re-announces a promise from years ago. Victorians are also waiting to see the sod turned for a new Melton hospital, a new Geelong Women’s and Children’s Hospital and 10 community hospitals. And we will continue to wait, Daniel Andrews is more focused on keeping up appearances rather than solving the problems plaguing our healthcare system. Problems caused by Labor’s abandonment of the Victorian healthcare system - not COVID. The pandemic merely highlighted the serious problems in our health system that come after decades of neglect by Labor. The Liberals and Nationals have made a number of funding commitments to fix Victoria’s health crisis, which includes new infrastructure for regional hospitals such as West Gippsland, Mildura, Wodonga, Shepparton, Mansfield and more to be announced. By shelving the $35 billion Cheltenham to Box Hill train line, we will have funding to fix our crumbling health system, without putting Victoria further into its ever-growing debt under Labor. Victorians need reassurance that when they’re sick, they will be able to access treatment. Only a change in government this November can deliver that.

Peter Walsh

Leader of The Nationals Pattern emerging

UNSTABLE world weather events of recent times, have continued to follow the pattern of recent years, and are again causing extreme misery to many thousands of people across the world. Unfortunately, Australia has not been an exception. Reports from climate scientists across the world have made it clear that human induced climate change, caused by using fossil fuels, coal oil and natural gas, to create energy, has been the prime cause of the unstable weather events that have devastated so many countries. With a Federal Budget coming soon, it is to be hoped that scrapping of fossil fuel subsidies will be a major budget component.

Brian Measday

Myrtle Bank, SA

Powerless times ahead

IT is a still winter night in Green-topia. Wind turbines are idle; solar panels are in darkness; some are covered with snow. In the rich green suburbs, electric cars are getting recharged. Lights, heaters and TV are on, and coffee is percolating. Where is the electricity coming from? Maybe big batteries? No - they got drained last night recharging the electric cars. All power tonight is coming from the old reliables - coal, gas, hydro or nuclear. What if it’s cloudy and windless tomorrow and the reliables have a hiccup? Watch Europe as its hungry, powerless winter unfolds. Their peril is our warning.

Viv Forbes

Washpool

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THE Gippsland Times welcomes letters to the editor. Preference will be given to brief, concise letters which address local issues. The editor, Liam Durkin, reserves the right to edit letters for reasons of space and clarity, and may refuse to publish any letter without explanation. Thank you letters are discouraged and poetry will not be published as a letter. The Gippsland Times does not publish letters from anonymous contributors. Letters must include a phone number or email address for purposes of substantiating authenticity. The views expressed in letters to the editor are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Gippsland Times management or staff. Email letters to news@gippslandtimes. com.au