SERVICE TO OTHERS A LASTING MARK OF MA’AM’S LEGACY

THE passing of Queen Elizabeth II is a gentle reminder for each of us to find a place for service in our lives. Her entire life was dedicated to duty and service and her constancy won the hearts and respect of the people of the world, during her peaceful reign.

The concept of “service” plays an important role, and we know that service to others gives meaning and purpose to life.

Investing time and effort in community building is ensuring a framework around which we can find solutions to the needs of a community.

More importantly, these acts are evidence of a much bigger change: a new way of thinking developed through grass roots community building activities. Acts of charity should not be isolated events to make us feel good about ourselves: they are a part of a planned effort on behalf of each of us to contribute to the life of

society, to improve everyone’s way of life, both materially and spiritually.

We all know we need to lead a coherent life, where our actions reflect our inner principles and beliefs – but often we separate our work life and our philanthropic life.

Can we only help others after work? Do we have to limit our service to humanity to our free time?

Or, if we already work in education or social work or any of the helping professions, is it enough service to just fulfill our work duties?

A resonating theme throughout the remembrance and commemorations for

Queen Elizabeth II, was the work of volunteers and their noble and high contribution to society. Which made me think about how much we contribute through volunteering. Do we just leave it to the end of our career, or do we recognise the importance of volunteering early in our lives, as part of a holistic approach to life.

Volunteers make a vital contribution to social development, the economy, and the environment.

They are also the champions of good causes and first to assist in times of emergencies as witnessed with our bushfires, floods, and health pandemic.

In today’s troubled world more than ever before, there is a greater need for us to stretch a helping hand to those in need, to offer our time to serve our local community, yet to also consider how we can help those around the globe who suffer the inequalities of life especially in suppressed regimes.

Queen Elizabeth’s long reign will forever serve as a unique example of how selfless service can hold societies together.

So, be generous and altruistic, give more of your time to volunteer, behave kindlier and spend more time helping people.

All the high rises and population growth but no infrastructure. Parking is becoming a nightmare as well as the traffic situation and the effect on our environment is terrible.

Honestly, who would want to spend 2000 for a cuddle. People have more money than sense.

In my experience, the service and treatment at both Robina and Gold Coast University hospitals has been magnificent, as has the ambulance trip between the hospitals.

In my experience, in 2016 and recently, the service and medical treatment at both Robina and Gold Coast University hospitals and the aftercare at clinics, were magnificent, as were the ambulance trips between the hospitals. All of the staff at the hospitals and in the ambulances I came into contact with deserve medals. I could not fault the service. What a great country we live in.

The beach is for surfers and bathers,

not boozers. If you want to get trousered or sozzled watching the ocean, there are plenty of beachfront bars in surf clubs and other venues.

Trumps brand of divisive politics, based on lies and hyperbole have set USA back years. All his whining about losing the election, his use of lies and misinformation to garner support from the ignorant is an affront to the concepts of freedom and liberal democracy. I pity the poor selfish fools who believe the misinformation spread by such a flawed narcissistic psycho. M Ashmore.

In Australia today, employee action is hardly ever taken and most workers, with families to support and bills to pay, strike as a last resort. Which demonstrates just how serious railway employees in NSW consider their grievances to be.

The plan by NASA to bring back samples of rocks from Mars for further analysis conjures up visions of science fiction horror movies.

Imagine if those rock samples contained microbes that could lay dormant for long periods of time, like lung fish and certain species of frogs, before being revived by certain conditions. Pathogens responsible for many infectious diseases on earth are microbes. Just be careful what you bring back to earth from space NASA. There’s enough nasty pathogens here already. But at least we have hygiene measures able to deal with the earthly ones.

Theory of relativity, Gold Coast style. For every new proposed tower block announced, there is a cancellation of a previously announced one.

Re: “Off The Record” segment. Regina & Peter must shake their heads in disbelief often, but have much fun, in exposing rich folk, for the pedantic wankers, some can be!

I’ve always know Queenslanders aren’t the sharpest tools in the shed but the constant bleating about Palaszczuk and the ambulance ramping etc is pathetic. It’s happening in every single state. Wake up! SK

To no name (Thurs 22nd) claiming 7 K1w1s in the Wallabies. Are you sure? We have only 1 NZ + 1 Fijian born the rest are Aust born, unlike the AB’S, 5 overseas + 2 AUSSIE born and also 1 Aussie in the AB coaches. Jim

Indigenous protesters hurling abuse at a pro republic demo on Australia’s memorial service day for HM The Queen have burnt both the Australian and British flags. And these people want a ‘Voice’ to the Federal Parliament? Not on your Nellie! Jolly Roger

If climate change is such a bogey man, why are there multi millions of hothouses around the planet.

I’m not picking sides on the Hawthorn issue, but I think there is certainly a question as to why the ABC chose 3 days before the grand final to break the story? Maximum exposure for their attention seeking reporters, who knows. Yogi Bear

How would I be treated if I was to burn the aboriginal flag. There is no such thing as one sided respect. GN