We need to look after each other

Disturbing footage of violence, riots and looting in the United States has reminded us of what can happen when society loses control of itself.

Overt anger and frustration, often stemming from a just protest or cause, can unlock the doors to let ‘all hell break loose’.

As a result, it is invariably the most innocent or well-meaning who get caught in the crossfire as criminal, mob and opportunistic elements seize opportunities to exploit heightened tensions and a fragility in law and order.

This is something we want to always avoid on Australian streets if possible. Being able to protest, individually and collectively – to have a say – is fundamentally important in our democracy.

But burning and smashing cars and property and bashing and stealing from each other is little more than anarchy.

To avoid this we must never drop the ball in all aspects of human rights, respect and understanding and our leaders must always be ahead of the game and have the approach, willpower and means to broker meaningful conciliation.

What has happened in the United States, albeit fuelled by deep racial tensions dating back centuries, probably shows how much of a powder keg the world is sitting on after months of restrictions and anxiety surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Uncertainty has a cruel habit of generating high levels of agitation and many people are, or have been, on edge. Family experiences are a prime example. For every heart-warming story about families consolidating bonds, there is an ugly case reflecting the opposite. The ‘mood of the people’ is something that scribes throughout human history have observed and noted, especially the dangers of growing discontent.

In times of crisis this can be a challenge for governments and always places levels of egalitarianism in society in the spotlight.

Our politicians have been right to applaud the Australian community response to COVID-19 guidelines designed to keep as many people as safe as possible.

Statistics suggest we have so far worked well as a national collective and the walls are gradually coming down.

Let’s continue to work hard to be proud of ourselves as a state and a country – not only during the pandemic, but beyond.

What we do and how we act now and when we finally emerge from the crisis will set the foundations for the next phase of what it means to be Australian.

Stage one will be unviable

SIR, – Last month I ‘Zoomed’ in on stage one of a Horsham Rural City Council City to River plan meeting.

We were provided with a feel-good rosy picture of this proposal, but what really stood out was the absence of any detail.

I zoomed in to find out what was going to happen to Horsham caravan park, lawn tennis club, croquet club, Jardwa Apex clubrooms and Horsham angling club. No information was forthcoming.

I believe, with others, that the stage-one committee should disband because it is no use planning stage one without seeing plans for stage two.

If stage two, as predicted, will have a north-south Afl-size oval with surrounding Afl-size crowd facilities, then Hocking Street with its car parking along with parts of Horsham Soundshell would have to be removed – leaving no car parking available for a Firebrace Street café and water feature.

Stage two must be decided first, because it would make much of stage one unviable.

Other ratepayers and I want to tell councillors they have it all wrong.

Why do ratepayers have to do what some South Yarra consultant says?

A café and family-friendly area must be at the west end of the caravan park rather than a dead-end street with no parking.

I know it would require removal of some of Laurie Rudolph’s cobblestones I helped put down, but putting in a sandy beach, barbecues and park benches would enhance the existing water pond and Apex Island.

Apex clubrooms could also be a storage shed for kayaks, paddleboats, water bikes and so on.

The rowing club would then be involved, plus public toilets are already there and this café would have more chance of surviving with passing traffic and parking.

The council asked for ideas in our submissions. I cannot see anywhere they have taken public comments onboard. Neville Mcintyre Mckenzie Creek

Wimmera missing out

SIR, – The State Government’s recent announcement of $382-million in funding to upgrade and build new community infrastructure and tourism experiences across Victoria is a welcome development in light of the pandemic’s impact on regional economies.

Unfortunately the immediate Wimmera area seems to have missed out on funding, despite a number of worthwhile needs, including the Wimmera River Discovery Trail.

Through an initial contribution of $100,000, the State Government supported the development and completion of a detailed feasibility study, and together with Hindmarsh Shire and the Federal Government has already made a contribution towards completion of the middle section of the trail, between Dimboola and Lake Hindmarsh.

I hope any future stimulus the State Government might announce will include the final round of funding needed for this initiative, which was only made possible by the government’s original and forward-looking recognition and support.

Funding for the Horseshoe Bend to Dimboola section, which includes a pedestrian bridge across the Wimmera River, and the walk from Lake Hindmarsh to Lake Albacutya, would capitalise on the investments made so far.

It would ensure the trail is finalised and becomes the high quality and unique experience that our part of Victoria will need to help it recover from the pandemic. Tony Schneider Dimboola

Leading into the future

SIR, – Half time: A time for our health heroes to shine. Soon it will the time for rebuilders.

Full time: We all become new Australians with the rebuild that we’ll require – proper water and environment policies and wildfire-management strategy; law reform with law courts upholding the law, not re-writing them, with indigenous Australians not second-class citizens in the courts; protection for Australian intellectual property and some Australian protection for essential manufacturers; greater consumer-protection laws; a surplus of refuge housing for women and children at risk of family violence; adequate housing for the homeless; improved infrastructure; a hydrogen industry for family transport, avoiding oil imports; protecting first responders and health workers with a need to import goods to keep them safe.

Leaders who want to ‘snap back’ to old Australia should be replaced by leaders who want to take Australia into the future. J. Mcinerney Horsham