Park names honour correct people

I want to congratulate the developers of Waterford Rise estate for choosing to name two of their parks in recognition of former owners of the land on which the estate is established and for the Baw Baw Shire Council and Place Names Committee for endorsing their request. (Gazette 28/7)

To name one of the parks after a member of the Hamilton family is a fitting tribute to one of the pioneering families of the Warragul area and a recognition of their contribution to the development of Warragul.

The Marrabel family is another of our pioneering families and many of the “Put her Name on it” campaigners would be completely unaware that one of this family, Olive (Bonnie) Marrabel was a successful career woman and exceptional teacher.

In spite of losing her father when she was a child, she completed her secondary education at Warragul Agricultural High School as it was called then and was dux of the school in 1926, then went on to gain an honours degree in history at Melbourne University. After some years of teaching, she returned to Warragul to care for her mother and took a teaching position at Warragul High School where she remained for the rest of her career, holding many positions in the school and rising to the position of Senior Mistress.

After her retirement in 1969, she continued to contribute to the community as secretary of the Warragul and District Historical Society where her phenomenal knowledge of Warragul history was a most valuable asset.

June Harvey, Drouin

I think it was an error of judgement by the previous council based on a recommendation from a senior council employee who no longer works there and has gone back to Melbourne like a lot of them do.

However, seeing as we are stuck with "Utopia", I think it is incumbent upon the present council to come out on the " half page" and explain clearly , succinctly, and without the professional "spin" what has transpired, and how it is to be progressed.

Let's turn it around.

Ian Honey, Warragul

They add more and more laws each year. This time it’s more rules for the farmers and small business.

Only a few years ago they could erect a farm building without a permit, now you don’t only have to apply for a permit but they stipulate what colour the structure is.

Now more laws are proposed for farmers on their land.

Senior members of staff in local government are among the highest paid in our community.

Some of them don’t even live local so don’t contribute rates. It could be argued they have no loyalty to the shire and no feeling for the community.

The few that live in the shire I thank them. It’s all about control its all about what socialims is.

Phil Kincaid, Lardner that – and can only speculate. But it is apparent that this virus could quickly gain a foothold in a regional area such as ours - with devastating results.

We are so close to Melbourne and while COVID-19 is so rampant and out of control in the metropolitan area, it would not take much to ignite the spark of an outbreak here.

We have seen what has happened in other regional places such as Colac. We need to stay vigilant.

Please remember to wear your masks face coverings and to especially keep your social distancing up.

I still feel too many people around our towns are not observing appropriate distancing. We need to be aware of this as distancing is our new way of life.

We all understand the enormous hardship these new laws bring us and that there are so many secondary consequences for so many.

I think especially of those isolated at home and for those working in or running small businesses. Let’s support these people as much as we can.

We need, as a community to do whatever we can and to do the right thing and observe the law. We all need to play our part.

I am very proud of our hire and of all our communities – large and small. Let us all be good examples for each other and hopefully we can rid ourselves of this horrible virus and return to our normal way of life as soon as possible. Stay safe everyone

Danny Goss, Warragul