Protest doesn’t represent Gippsland

On Saturday, April 25, a protest led and supported by predominantly nonGippsland residents went ahead in our local township of Trafalgar.

Local residents, businesses and community leaders have contacted me angered that their town, which they are so proud of, has been used by this group that chose Anzac Day to hold a rally against the COVID-19 stay at home directions.

Trafalgar is a town built on the very principles that our Diggers aspired to and became famous for- mateship, courage, sacrifice and endurance.

With strong leadership from the Trafalgar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the community has worked tirelessly to develop their town, support its business sector and expand their community facilities which has encouraged many to move to the area in recent years.

The decision by these protestors to use Anzac Day to gain attention for their cause was disrespectful and an abuse of the day itself.

Anzac Day is a solemn day of reflection, to recognise the sacrifices of those who have served and those who continue to serve today and to come together to honour that service.

It is not a day for political grandstanding. Not by politicians, and certainly not by protestors choosing to break the law to draw attention to themselves.

The protestors’ views do not align with the majority view of Trafalgar residents. They along with all Baw Baw residents have played their part in keeping COVID-19 infections to zero over the past five weeks.

The alternative would be to see large numbers of the vulnerable in our area succumb to this virus as we have seen in so many overseas countries.

The TCCI is assisting their members and the broader Trafalgar community to get through this difficult time and out the other side. This is a team effort, it’s about looking out for your mates. It’s about the very ideals Anzac Day commemorates.

Gary Blackwood, Member for Narracan

If I want to roll a bowling ball down the green, the answer is no because the people in the surrounding houses might get the virus I do not have. And so it goes on and on.

Can we have a reduction in the fee we pay to use all these facilities? No, it is not our fault we have a virus.

People are not surprised when they hear some of the residents refer to the village as the Sanctuary Lifestyle Prison.

Roger Marks, Drouin

I am no expert on the ways in which one goes about sorting issues like this one we face, however, as a member of the community, I do wish to see change and I do wish that we work together in order to combat against the raging drug industry that is rampant in our community.

How exactly does someone go about such an issue I do not know, but I feel it important that this issue is more widely addressed and I feel it important that we once again open up the discussion as a community as to how we are to deal with it.

This is merely my complaint and perhaps it may even stretch into a call to action.

I love this town and all it has done for me. Warragul, as well as its surrounding towns, must be one of the most beautiful locations in all of Australia; I do not want to see its youth wasted away by the damaging effects of narcotics.

Ashton Payne, Drouin