I am also educating my customers of the importance of local food security, low food miles and supporting the local economy, all of which fit into the SCPA agenda. 

My seed comes from various sources including the local seed savers group, I recycle pots where ever possible and  I purchase my potting mix from a local landscape supplier. 

After a morning of trading at the Friday market I purchase feed for my stock, eat lunch at a local cafe, buy my groceries, fuel, and often more fertilisers and supplies at a local hardware shop. 

Without the money made at the market, none of the subsequent spending would happen.

But the biggest bonus of the market is the community bond and friends I have met.

This community strength also developed through various courses I have taught through SCPA Education. 

This is so evident now as I am about to relay.

Two weeks ago I was airlifted from Bega to Sydney with an aortic dissection and a defective heart valve - a big shock at the age of 53. 

The friends I have made through SCPA immediately took over care of my farm. 

Not an easy task as I have cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, dogs, horses and my beloved camels. 

Within a week a house sitter moved in, thanks Mark!  

No animals missed any feed, water or the attention I would have given them.

Neighbours helped and a team of wonderful people are continuing to work through the emerging seedlings sown before my heart problem surfaced, so I will still be able to have some income through my 6-8 weeks of rehabilitation in Canberra. 

I am so amazed and thankful for the effort.

2500 tomato seedlings, 20-plus varieties and my usual salad mixes will still be available in spring possibly at the SCPA field days in September when I will again call on the SCPA community to assist and set up my stall in my absence.

The Moruya business community totally supports the SAGE Markets in Moruya by offering specials on market Tuesday - a cooperative effort in which everyone benefits.

To all councillors considering the SCPA DA regarding a weekly SCPA Friday market - a little bit of worn grass is a small price to pay for the immense benefit SCPA provides to small businesses like myself and the roll-on effects to the local businesses and the rest of community.

Christa Rehwinkel

Wandellla

It would appear the heterosexual proponents of same-sex marriage are under the delusion that the ongoing debate is just about marriage equality.

Of course this is just a smoke screen.

On the other hand, the homosexual community are pushing their own selfish agenda.

Neither group are considering the wider ramifications of any such unnatural union. 

Both parties say it is all about love between two couples regardless of their sexual preferences. 

There is very little mention of the rights of children who through adoption and other means may be the result of any such union. 

Surely children should be brought up in a natural environment where possible they can experience the love and nurturing of both a mother and father. 

If such children when reaching an age where they can make their own decisions choose to lead a homosexual lifestyle then so be it.

However, they should not be subjected to a no-choice atmosphere where they would be under the sole influence of two parents of the same sex who believe it is quite normal and natural for children to have two mothers or two fathers. 

In my opinion this scenario would create so much confusion in the minds of young children it would have the potential of having an everlasting detrimental effect on their precious lives. 

Invariably children will at some time walk in on their parents making love. 

I wonder how two married guys will go about explaining to their child why they are committing sodomy and how this act of love making produces children.

I finished raising my three children (two girls and a boy) as a single dad, so I know how difficult it is for a man to teach young girls about the birds and the bees and to assist them with their personal hygiene needs.

However, I made sure I always had members of the opposite sex around me to assist in such important matters. 

Of course this will be a much bigger problem for married homosexual men than it will be for lesbian women. 

The homosexual community have hijacked the rainbow; they have hijacked the word gay. 

We can no longer depict a rainbow in our artwork or write songs using the word gay unless we are referring to homosexuals.

Now they are trying to hijack the sanctity of marriage.         

Tom Griffin

Pambula