This was not an experience I would want to repeat, however, it is one that gave me an opportunity to reflect on many things and which gives me reason to be so very grateful for so much and to so many.

There are not enough similes for that simple phrase “Thank you”, so may I, through these columns say thank you to the following:

To those who came so quickly to my aid; passing motorists and quickly thereafter the professional and compassionate Ambulance paramedics (one of whom was born and grew up in the Bega Valley).

To all of the doctors, nurses, domestic and support services of the Canberra Hospital. They are all the “good guys”.

To the nigh on 200 individual visitors, many of whom made several return visits, who travelled from the coast to visit. 

Believe me, there is nothing as  uplifting as the sight of a friendly, smiling face and among these visitors I include immediate family, close friends and various priests, clergy and lay people who prayed with and for me and kept me in their prayers during my time in hospital.

To the innumerable people who could not visit, but who asked, and continue to ask, after my well-being and progress. 

I am pleased to say I have been home since the end of May and have been back at work for most of the time since. 

By necessity, my involvement in the practical, manual aspects of work have been somewhat curtailed.

To those who phoned regularly and kept me abreast of the latest news and to my Facebook friends as well. 

And to neighbours and friends who kept a watchful eye over our home.

To my local support services; doctor, physiotherapists, gymnasium and others who supported me while in Canberra and continue to do so now I am home. 

We are indeed fortunate to have such dedicated professionals in the Valley.

To my client families who allowed my daughter Melissa and son Nigel to keep the business wheels turning in my absence with the invaluable and loyal support of my staff.

To my industry colleagues who dropped everything at a moment’s notice and travelled quite some distance to provide much-appreciated support and encouragement and to those who phoned and offered whatever support we needed.

To my wife Trish who made a huge sacrifice to remain in Canberra and be with me every day. 

There are insufficient words to express my gratitude. 

Trish was able to stay in Canberra due in no small way to the availability of family accommodation at Canberra Hospital.  

I understand there are plans afoot to provide similar facilities at the new regional hospital and I applaud those involved in raising funds to provide such facilities.

To all of my family, your love and support is so very much appreciated.

And, to Almighty God, I give thanks every day that I have been spared in so many ways  and have received so much.

May I close by extending my sincerest Christmas greetings and best wishes to all for a safe and happy festive season.

John R Whyman

Bega

I read with interest the letter written by Elvie Preo (BDN, 7/11).

I have to agree with most things she stated. 

I am sure most of us are careful with the discarding of recyclable items into the correct bins.

I have another thought on the refuse collection of the Bega Valley. 

Why, on Christmas Day are we subjected to the collection of the bins on this one day of the year which should be treated with the respect it deserves? 

Noisy trucks banging and clanging early on Christmas morning and through the later part of the day is really awful. 

Over the years I have lived in busy cities and even they take the day off. 

Do we have so much rubbish in this small area that life as we know it will grind to a halt if the bins are not collected on Christmas Day?

I am quite sure the hard working staff who collect the garbage would like the day off to spend with their families and would only be too happy to work extra after this day. 

How many of us didn’t realise the bins would be collected last December 25 and didn’t put them out anyhow? 

I am quite certain I was not the only one who would have appreciated getting it collected after Christmas so I could get rid of the extra rubbish we all seem to accumulate on this day.

How about council having the good sense to recognise this one day of the year like other councils do, where the only heavy vehicle that should be in our valley would be Santa’s sleigh returning to the North Pole.

Name withheld

Bega

The Bega Valley Parkinson Support Group would like to take this opportunity to thank the editor for his continued support throughout the past year by publishing our monthly reports and special events.

It is important that we keep our work in front of the public and for that we thank you.

Wishing you and your staff a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Bob McDonald

President

On Christmas 2014 years ago, God sent Jesus to show us what God is like. 

Jesus was the literal expression of divine life and light in human form.

I named my son Blake after William Blake, who wrote The Divine Image.

For Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love

Is God our father dear

And Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love

Is man his child and care

For Mercy has a human heart

Pity a human face

And Love the human form divine

And Peace the human dress

Where Mercy, Love and Pity dwell

Their God is dwelling too.

We all have a God-shaped vacuum which drugs, alcohol and people just cannot fill.

May Jesus, the light of the world, shine brightly in the valley now and always, and may you gladly accept the very first Christmas present – Jesus Christ.

Helen Kelly

Tathra

As the festive season approaches and as we reach the end of our centenary year, I am reminded of the wonderful work of our Red Cross volunteers.

Each year our volunteers give hundreds of hours of their time to help people in crisis, not only in our local community but right around the world.

I am also constantly humbled by the generous public support we receive for our everyday work.

Your regular donations to Red Cross help provide a healthy breakfast for kids who might otherwise go to school hungry, allow us to make a phone call every day to check that elderly or isolated people are OK, and help ensure remote communities in the Asia-Pacific have access to clean drinking water.

 We also work in communities to help vulnerable families cope with the pressures of life, build pathways out of homelessness and work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

 Despite our best efforts however, there are always new families that need our help each year, new communities that find themselves in crisis, and a growing number of lonely, elderly people who find themselves cut off from friends and family.

 At this time of the year, when the generosity of all Australians shines through I would like to urge everyone to put a little something aside for people and families in crisis.

 To give to the Red Cross Festive Appeal go to redcross.org.au or phone 1800 811 700.

 Your tax-deductible gift to the Red Cross Festive Appeal in our centenary year will make a real difference.

 Call 1800 811 700 or visit their website. 

Jody Broun, executive director

NSW Australian Red Cross