YOUR VIEWS

NATIONAL Child Protection Week runs from September 3-9.

In this week we promote the wellbeing of our young people.

Reports of child abuse are overwhelming and sadly some communities are looking the other way.

People don’t want to get involved in notifying assaults because of fear of consequences from the perpetrators.

The abuse goes beyond the tears and pain experienced in childhood. Victims endure a lifetime of psychological distress. They often become drug users to kill the pain of abuse, attempt suicide, self-mutilate and have major trust issues.

My organisation, Youth Off The Streets is dedicated to helping victims of child abuse through extensive programs as well as our youth workers, case workers and psychologists. We offer a full curriculum of care that is provided on a case-bycase basis, ensuring young people get the care they desperately need.

FATHER CHRIS RILEY, YOUTH OFF THE STREETS

DO LINDA Burney, Tony Burke and Bill Shorten really want us to know about all Aboriginal history or will they be very selective?

What about the Merkin Tribesman of the Palmer River, 1824-1900, who killed and ate the Chinese and European miners, as well as their own people.

This is documented in Hector Holthouse’s book Rivers of Gold.

Ms Burney should not try and “blackwash” the history of her ancestors. Sure there were indigenous peoples in Australia when Captain Cook arrived but they hadn’t settled the country as they were nomadic tribes who moved around.

It was only when Governor Phillip came with his boatloads of convicts that Australia was settled, in the true sense of the word.

Burney’s mob should be thankful it was the British that settled here, not the French.

I don’t think they would have handed out as much money as we now do – about $30 billion a year to 3 per cent of the population.

DERRICK AUSTIN, CURRUMBIN WATERS

CITIZENSHIP by decent? So you are trying to tell me that other countries have the final say on whether or not I am an Australian?

I was born in Australia with an Australian father and Scottish mother, in my eyes I am truly an Australian.

I thought on the January 1, 1901, we became an independent nation, not a nation controlled by the laws of another country.

Let’s hope the High Court applies an independent common sense approach to finally making us a truly independent nation.

ANTHONY

THE residents of Main Beach have watched for several months the installation of new footpaths to the southern side of Woodroffe Ave.

There is a mixture of awe and glee as the job that should take weeks has gone on for months but the upside is the boost to Main Beach coffee shops that have benefited from the frequent delays.

There does not appear to be any supervision but don’t tell management. We need the cash flow.

BOB MUSGROVE, MAIN BEACH