History lesson from Team Dixon

Recently my daughter and I attended a talk given by Malcolm and Jo Dickson at the Warragul Library.

Held in conjunction with the Warragul and District Historical Society, they were speaking about the history of Warragul.

Their passionate and well paced talk, the stunning visual presentation and their wealth of knowledge of the pioneering days of Warragul was a joy to listen to.

I do hope the library shall invite them back again soon. Congratulations Team Dickson.

Mary Hardwick-Jones, Warragul with the workforce halved and no capacity left for bureaucratic nonsense.

Another quarter of a century later, such modernisation has apparently passed VicTrack by.

Yet our council has been dilatory, too. An opportunity to buy the leased land 10 years ago was lost when ‘council did not pursue the matter’ – after signalling an interest in doing so.

Nor has the public amenity value of this land been properly recognised. Council officers see the lease only as a recurrent cost, and they cannot envisage ‘any strategic or future purpose’ for the land. Cr Leaney is quoted as saying it’s ‘of very little benefit to the shire’.

I disagree. This is not an obscure reserve in a back street, but prominent, centrally located public land not required by government. Councillors should instruct their officers to negotiate determinedly with VicTrack, which realistically has nowhere else to go.

With an election imminent, now might be the right time to persuade the State Government that everyone would be better off if the subject land were simply gifted to Baw Baw Shire, leaving council free to think positively about its use, VicTrack to get on with the real business of improving rail infrastructure, and the Government looking good.

John Hart, Warragul

Never in my life have I been unable to go about my daily life and ride my horses on my own property. Ever since the development on Stockdales Road Warragul, (where there was never to be development as East West Road was the cut off point and the rest of the land was meant to be farming), I have been constantly inconvenienced.

For four years I have had to put up with constant noise from earth moving machines, dust, and rubbish, and now building and trucks that park on the nature strip right outside my place where my horses are tied on and worked.

Baw Baw Shire council is turning a blind eye

Bricks to Baw Baw Shire staff and any others involved, who conceived and progressed the idea to close part of Lillico Road channelling heavy commercial and rural traffic through a residential estate. Such thinking beggars belief.

Bouquets to Trafalgar Football Netball Club and junior football club for its finals representation this year. Six netball teams, four senior club teams and four junior club teams, including a youth girls team have all made finals in MGFL and CGJFL finals this year. Great effort.

Bouquets to the staff at Warragul Hospital, especially in ward two surgical. From admission to discharge all were highly professional and so nice, whilst looking after me during my recent hip replacement stay .

Bricks and more bricks to whoever was responsible for the removal of the magnificent old oak tree in Commercial Pace, Drouin (back of a real estate business). Many times we were fortunate to get a park under this lovely tree and enjoyed the shade it provided, admired it often and left in awe of its spectacular seasonal changes. What is left now ..... a towering grey cement power pole Fifty plus years to grow, minutes to destroy. to people who live rural lives and have animals.

None of us want this yet it is allowed to continue no matter how much we complain.

The people who are moving into our lovely rural area are ignorant and have no clue how to integrate.

The amount of rubbish as well as inconsiderate people who think it is okay to come along and do burnouts and scare our animals is a disgrace. There is no response from the council who just turn a blind eye to what is happening to us.

We all have a right to live our lives and be safe and happy on our own properties but this is certainly not the case in the Baw Baw Shire.

Michelle Path, Warragul

Bouquets to all those in our community who after hearing recent comments in the Federal senate said our country is better than this and did something to celebrate diversity and encourage inclusion.

Truck loads of bricks to the people who throw their rubbish on the railway line opposite the Drouin Railway Station platform. It certainly detracts from the lovely garden beds in the station carpark.

A bouquet to the West Gippsland Music and Drama Eisteddfod committee for successfully staging the 25th annual competition. Despite having to move venues, it was wonderful to see the showcase of young talent from the local area and further afield.