Common sense to retain Coromandel

I read that Baw Baw Shire Council has dismissed a petition to retain the Coromandel Arboretum.

390 ratepayers and residents signed this petition, but would it matter how many signed it?

The council does not appear to operate for the benefit of ratepayers and residents. Who do they work for?

It is plain common sense to retain the Coromandel Arboretum, this is already planted, set up and ready to educate all of us.

The Coromandel Arboretum is unique and would take years to reproduce, if indeed possible.

What use is the council, they operate for who knows what, we would be better off as a shire without them.

Jill Davey, Drouin

No value for money

“Never in the history of human endeavour has so little been done by so many for so long” (borrowed loosely from Winston Churchill.)

I refer to the upgrade of Bunyip and Longwarry train stations, apparently not including the duplication of the track between the two stations.

The work has proceeded very slowly for over a year now, and seems still a long way from completion.

The amount of machinery and personnel involved is near unbelievable, but then, not a lot gets done in a day.

On one occasion there were six people involved in directing traffic in and out of the Longwarry site. In Bunyip there are always at least two directing trucks in and out of the Main St site.

Main St Bunyip has roadwork signs in place, but there are no roadworks. ‘Trucks entering’ might be more appropriate. The road from Garfield to Bunyip has been restricted to 40kmh for a couple of weeks but again, there are no roadworks.

This “upgrading of the Gippsland Line” must be way over budget, like every other project undertaken by the current government. Victoria’s “Big Build,” of which this project is part, is already reported to be overspent by more than $25 billion. This local project must be adding to the cost overruns.

The greatest flaw in most government projects is that we, the taxpayers, do not get value for money.

Don McLean, Bunyip

Standards decline

A recent correspondent, (Queen’s Tribute, Gazette 4/10), drew our attention to Queen Elizabeth as a “bastion of God’s moral standards”, and being a powerful leader through her commitment and example of Christian morality.

Sadly, it is these standards of behaviour, that have declined in modern society.

The acknowledgement by thinking people, of a supreme power of the universe, that “holds it together”, and initiated life; should bring a corresponding recognition of our accountability and responsibility to His directions. These tell us how we should live our lives - for our own wellbeing, for the betterment of society in general, and towards the fulfilment of His ultimate purpose of filling the earth with His glory. These are described in the Bible.

We have also had described in the media, the recent Essendon chief executive officer debacle which has shown the hypocrisy of many, whether in the capacity of law makers, (church or state), or the general public. This situation indicates a disregard for the instructions the Creator has given for our morality.

Another recent issue commented upon in the media, is the almost impossible task some/ many teachers face in the classroom, of appalling behaviour by many students, showing little or no respect for authority, for law and order, or for fellow students.

The teachers are also unable, for various reasons, limited in enforcing effective discipline.

Years ago, on Monday mornings, schools would assemble and be reminded to “love God” (and hence His directions), and “to obey parents, teachers and the law”. Perhaps these sentiments need to be re-enforced.

When “self” becomes the dominating factor in a person’s life from a very early age, the result is usually little recognition of responsibility to a law giver. This has a flow-on effect throughout society.

We all need to acknowledge our responsibility to those in authority – the Creator, law givers, parents, teachers, employers etc. We need to respect each other. Truly: to “love God”, and to “love your neighbour as yourself.”

The supreme power of the universe said through Moses, that He set before the people the way to live. One leading to (ultimate) death, and the other to life. Then He said, “Choose (the way to) life that you may live.”

Glenda McKinlay, Warragul

Pension choice

In response to Roger Marks’ letter Pension Penalties (Gazette 4/10)

Everyone works hard to save up for their first home.

Nobody is forcing you to sell your home and give the money to your daughter for her first home.

I am sure she won’t want you to do it if she knows you’re going to be living in poverty for the rest of your life.

K. McGill, Warragul

Listen to the science

The content of Gary Blackwood’s parliamentary valedictory speech was summarised in the Gazette 27/9 in “Blackwood sends final message for timber industry”.

Unsurprisingly, Blackwood (a former logging business owner himself) has been fully supportive of native logging, despite the Federal Court finding that it is pushing endangered species closer to extinction, and despite numerous injunctions being imposed on VicForests by the Victorian Supreme Court for environmental breaches.

In his speech he personally attacked Professor David Lindenmayer for “destroying the lives and livelihoods of hard-working timber families and country communities”.

Professor Lindenmayer is an internationally renowned scientist whose research has revealed the dramatic decline in the Greater Glider population. Blackwood’s attack on Lindenmayer is analogous to his federal coalition colleagues attacking climate change science.

Here’s hoping that Blackwood’s successor listens to the science.

Gaye Trevan, Noojee

Poor country cousin

The ABS figures show that over 10 years to 2021, the growth of Baw Baw Shire grew by 36 per cent, whilst at the same time, the Latrobe Shire grew by only 4.5 per cent.

According to Harriet Shing’s press release, at the same time Latrobe has received $396.4 million dollars in grants from the State Government for various buildings and other infrastructure.

The breakdown is as follows: $30 million for the Morwell government hub, $11.6 million for the new Morwell CFA station, $217 million for Latrobe Hospital expansion (stage three or four?),

$1.5 million for Kurnai College, with another $8.5 million promised, $35.5 million for Morwell TAFE, $2 million extra for schools maintenance, $2.8 million to refurbish Kosciuszko St school, $45 millions for the new aquatic centre in Traralgon, $3 million for Moe and district netball courts, $10 million for Latrobe Creative Precinct, $1 million for Morwell CBD revitalisation project, $19 million for Traralgon Sports Stadium redevelopment, $17 million for Gippsland Innovation Centre and at least a million dollars for the Gippsland Tech School associated with Federation University.

Several people, including myself, took a bus ride on the weekend, to collect these facts and see for ourselves, what Latrobe is achieving in spite of the fact that the growth rate of West Gippsland far exceeds and surpasses the population growth of Latrobe.

To add insult to injury, their road networks are far superior and the condition of the pavements are excellent.

West Gippsland is the “poor country cousin”, in my opinion, when it comes to funding requests, we have been far too passive.

Regardless of the election outcome, I think we should be prepared to travel and eyeball all levels of government to get more grant money to catch up and fix the infrastructure deficiencies.

Ian Honey, Warragul

Centenary success

The Tetoora Road Community Centre asset committee would like to thank Baw Baw Shire, all the current and former residents, volunteers and businesses, who made the 100th birthday of the Tetoora Road Public Hall a success.

We got great weather for the weekend, no-one got bogged and we only used one Band-aid.

Our “Back-To” speakers included Corrinne Armour, Ann Bullen, Margaret McDonald, Silvia Pongracic and Cr Peter Kostos representing the Baw Baw Shire.

Peter Cadby and Cameron McDonald unveiled our new plaque acknowledging the guarantors and the people who have cared for the hall over the last 100 years.

Many people lent us photographs and items to display; we were very pleased to have these.

Our Public Records Office Victoria oral history project was launched, and a short film “A Dip Into Tetoora Road” was shown throughout the afternoon.

We are compiling an e-book of stories of Around Tetoora Road and it would be excellent to receive more. This book will be a continuing repository for those little or long, sad or funny or everyday stories you would like preserved.

Sunday’s family fun day was well attended and everyone enjoyed themselves. Mayor Michael Leaney spoke on behalf of Baw Baw Shire and our film “A Dip into Tetoora Road was also running.

Thank-you everyone.

Margaret McDonald, secretary