IT WAS with great relief that we all read about the extra police that are to be stationed at Emerald Police station.
For more years than we care to mention, many individuals and groups have lobbied local Members of Parliament, Police Ministers and Federal members to bring about a better level of police for the hills area.
Congratulations to all the individuals and groups who worked so hard to improve their areas.
Many did not even know that others were working on the same project.
So now that we have all achieved, let us get on with making sure that the hills area continues to prosper with a strong police presence, a better transport system and the mirage of other items that are needed.
Don’t fall into the trap of backbiting and running other groups down.
Let us be wise and work together instead of now trying to take the “kudos” for achieving this police presence.
We would like to acknowledge Tammy Lobato, Gordon RichPhillips, Jason Wood, Tim Holding and any other ministers that worked with our local communities to bring about this achievement.
Dot Griffin
Cockatoo Township Committee
Cockatoo
I have been reading the arguments put forth by your readers for and against motorcycles for over a month now.
I thought Peter Stangherlin gave a very balanced view on the subject in his letter to the Mail on 26 July,
Now I would like to add my point of view.
That is, more pedestrians are killed per annum than motorcyclists and that in more than 80 per cent of motorcycle fatalities drugs and/or alcohol are a factor.
Many motorcyclists (maybe more) are killed by stationary objects than by collisions with cars.
When riding in a group many people ride to the edge of their ability.
The lead rider may be quite comfortable with the pace but at least some of those following may be struggling to keep up.
Now those struggling riders don’t want to fall behind, get lost or maybe lose face and in this situation you have a recipe for an accident.
Add to the mix that road law is often disregarded and you begin to understand why there are so many motorcycle fatalities.
And to those about to tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about, consider this; I have been riding bikes since 1971and have held a bike licence most of the time since then.
I remember the days of front number plates, no rider training, riding in the rain and not being able to stay dry, when the police pulled you over regularly for a ‘licence check,’ and believe me things have improved on what they were back then.
Motorcyclists have always been the most highly regulated of road users.
In the mid70s full faced helmets were illegal. So was any helmet that wasn’t coloured white, yellow or orange.
But no amount of legislation will change people’s attitudes.
For those motorcyclists who discover they have even more fun when they slow down just a little, more power to you.
For myself, I can say I am not having fun when I am being scared all the time.
It is better to ride safely and lose your mates than to potentially lose your life trying to keep up with them.
May you keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down.
Rosalee Carloss
Cockatoo
To all Jenny Moxham knockers out there, I have just one question: Why?
Why knock someone who is genuinely trying to prevent cruelty and suffering towards other sentient beings?
Why knock someone who is doing her best to create public awareness to the plight of animals, especially those hidden from public eye the ones suffering silently behind closed doors and on the export ships?
We can’t afford to forget these animals.
We never hear their cries for help it’s not intended that we should.
Jenny stands alone and speaks the truth; she also expresses what she feels in her heart.
She knows that, by speaking out, she constantly puts herself in the firing line and, yet, her dedication and passion in helping voiceless and defenceless animals remains her driving force.
Just imagine, if we all invested this same energy and commitment into fighting a worthwhile cause then wouldn’t the world be a much happier and more peaceful place?
In my eyes, humility will be taking one huge step forward when factory farming and live animal exports are banned.
I have to ask: What gives man the right to exploit animals to such an extent that any joy in life is denied them?
Many farming practices today are immoral, abusive and certainly come under the category of animal cruelty.
We are told that this method of farming is necessary to benefit us, to keep up with demand.
No, it’s the other way around.
Very clever marketing strategies over the years have seduced us into believing that we need to eat more meat, more eggs and more dairy products.
However, it needs to be remembered that quality and not quantity always counts in life and this rule applies here.
“Factory” animals are artificially fattened up with hormones and chemicals and, to prevent infection in such inhumane conditions, large doses of antibiotics are also pumped into their systems.
Yes, we have certainly been seduced and, in the process, many are making substantial profits.
Unfortunately the innocent animals are the ones directly paying the price.
The animals may be conveniently out of sight but many people still ‘hear’ their cries and respond.
It’s the call of justice and compassion and this is why people fight for animal rights and why they will continue to do so.
Pauline Hosking
Mount Dandenong
John Nieman, you really must receive counselling for the antimotorcycle obsession that possesses you.
At least be honest enough to admit that you just don’t like us and stop hiding behind this manufactured concern for our safety and costs to the community.
In a society that cannot even bring itself to ban the extremists within our midst, your little crusade has got no hope.
Actually I’d go in the opposite direction and compel all wouldbe car drivers (male version) to ride motorcycles for 12 months.
At the end, they may have some vague concept of road craft and not join the aggressively incompetent “doofheads” and “dodderers” dogging our streets today !
Females are excluded on the basis that they’re more sensible than men, generally speaking.
After 38 years of riding, I still prefer that experience to steering a car around, although I will admit the latter is good for weather protection and grocery shopping.
Anyway John, I digress.
If all else fails, you could try and get Premier Steve Bracks to examine the issue.
He’s good at that!
David Chambers
Tecoma
