Teachers are valuable
I am horrified to hear that moves are afoot to downgrade teachers’ pay and conditions.
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The work and stress involved in teaching are not adequately rewarded as it is.
The hours an average teacher works are way beyond the perceived 9-3.
Most of us work an average 45-50 hours a week with preparation, marking, planning, meetings and discussion regarding students’ behaviour and learning needs.
Let's reward appropriately and attract the calibre of teachers we need to take Australian children forward with the skills and confidence needed to build a better Australia.
Janet Reynolds
Bega
Unusual response
I again refer to an article regarding an immigration compliance operation along the Far South Coast (BDN, 17/6) that located a number of illegal immigrants working and in which the Federal Immigration Minister, Scott Morrison, and the Federal Member for Eden-Monaro attempted to raise their profile above the real and normal value by a form of plagiarism.
In a later edition of the BDN (11/7) we find an unusual letter by a resident of Merimbula that indicates he was in possession of information regarding the location of the immigration compliance operation at one particular business in Merimbula.
I think we would all like to know who supplied him with this information.
Have the federal data retention laws been breached?
There are a goodly number of residents in the Bega Valley whose ancestors jumped ship and headed for the goldfields of Kiandra and Young in the 1860s and we are reminded that it was the Chinese goldminers who built the first dams in the Snowy Mountains, while some of us have ancestors that never wished or desired to come to Australia in the first place.
We spend millions of dollars overseas each year, in promoting Australian tourism, the land of milk and honey.
Is it any wonder we have a torrent of those seeking to enjoy a better life.
These illegal migrants are not terrorists or criminals, but just people seeking a secure place to live and work.
Are we all being hoodwinked by those toffee-nosed elitists, stirring racial discrimination for political reasons?
Ivor G Williams
Pambula
Editor’s note: While we will always welcome the views of readers on the wide variety of topics that make letter writers reach for their pen or keyboard, I’m not sure where your questions are coming from Mr Williams.
The letter published on July 11 you refer to was published well after the Department of Immigration operation – by which time the shops in question had been named - and the writer makes no reference to having prior knowledge of it.
Promoting debate
I would like to thank the Bega Valley Shire Residents and Ratepayers Association for its very warm response to my letter.
It made a number of comments, some of which I wish to respond.
I agree with your statement dated 18/7 "Mr Thomas seems offended the BVSRRA has responded to comments reportedly made by Ted Dexter, claiming our criticisms of Mr Dexter as an ‘employee’ of council were unfair. The BVSRRA understands that Mr Dexter is not an employee of council, but rather a consultant retained by the council to direct aspects of the Littleton Gardens project."
After checking Local Government Act 1993 as at July 4, 2014, it does not include contractors or consultants as employees of council.
This Act is a bit dated and I would expect it to be brought in line with other government legislation in the future.
Talking about updated and factual information I refer to your statement in the same letter "As stated publically on numerous occasions, the BVSRRA seeks only to represent the views and interests of its members. On that basis, we wouldn't presume to represent Mr Thomas."
May I suggest you update your website that lists your purpose statement, which at no point details that you are acting on behalf of members only.
Purpose Statement (Draft) dated 1/5/13 Para 3 "concerning itself with the performance of local government, in particular with a view to ensuring that the best interests of residents and ratepayers are at the forefront of all decisions" (www.begavalleyshireratepayers.net/page14.html).
Which brings me to another point - how do you join your little gang? (That's if I want to)
I could go on, but I am sure the Bega District News would like room for comments from other readers.
I thank them for allowing me the opportunity to promote some debate.
John Thomas
Bega Valley
What’s in a name?
I wonder if you, or one of your readers, can tell me when the Australian Government changed its name to the “Coalition Government”, the “Abbott-led Government” or the “Abbott Government”.
This nomenclature, or terminology, appears time and time again in all media releases.
If in doubt, just Google one of these names.
And regardless of your political persuasion or “bent”, my understanding is, that despite the mistakes, embarrassments, faux pas and hypocrisies, the current administration of our country, is THE Australian Government.
This is, no doubt, what we are known as internationally!
Ian Gordon
Wolumla
PS. I also wonder how many people remember the kerfuffle created by the then “Coalition Opposition“, when the Australian Government sought to secure vital membership on the UN Security Council?
I certainly do.