Matt tries to pass it off as advertising ”on a whim” and exacerbates that by suggesting that offence would only be taken by those ”who experienced a moment of self-recognition”.  For a small businessperson to so publicly (and now widely) broadcast such controversial political and social views smacks of extraordinary arrogance and poor judgement. 

We need every small business in our economy to prosper (including Mr Jones), but I can think of at least six other outlets in Bermagui that are serious about their coffee service.  And I suspect most observing Australians know who needs to take a moment of self-examination here, Mr Jones.

So, Matt, I won’t be patronising your artworks or coffee again until you apologise for your inopportune offending of the vast majority of Australians. 

Also, editors, I take umbrage at the headline “Sign divides a nation” – what nonsense. 

A few thousand air-heads on Farcebook (spelled advisedly) and a few hundred sabre-rattling yobbos are more likely to unite the millions of other Australians in disgust at both those extremes. 

Far from being over-reactive (as Mr Jones would paint us), the millions are the temperate, tolerant and appreciative Australians.

First it was very heart warming to read our special visitor Merimbula is well on his way to being released back into the wild...thanks for keeping us in the loop Melanie and staff, and all those who helped with rescue.

Secondly, to the pointy end of this communication as it involves criticising a body which raises funds to help worthwhile community projects.

Piglet racing seems to be a harmless enough activity as it doesn't involve whipping, injury or selective culling. But these intelligent creatures are specifically bred to race to make money, and what happens to them after they have grown?

There appears to be a dichotomy with our treatment towards animal species.

On the one hand the community will pull together to save an animal in trouble like a whale yet will will rarely question or acknowledge the source of their bacon and egg roll, applaud a dolphin somersaulting while bouncing a ball on its tail, or use a product in which animal testing was involved. 

Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages – Thomas A Edison.

In December 2015, expressions of interest for licences to conduct activities on Eurobodalla Council-controlled public reserves for five years from 2018 were called for. 

Interested parties in the first round had from December 10 until February 4, 2016, to submit. The final decision will be made at the March 22 council meeting.  Why call for EOIs over the holidays? What’s the rush?

It was revealed at the previous council meeting that the HuntFest organisers had already applied for the use of this venue prior to these EOIs being called for.

This is the same council that did not consult with the community prior to the original approval and whose councillors did not foreshadow their support for this event prior to the last council elections.

We cannot let this happen again!

HuntFest already has two years to run on its current licence. This EOI for a further five years should be presented to the new council after the next election. Voters will then have a chance to quiz potential councillors on where they stand in relation this controversial event and then vote accordingly. 

The community is not blind to what is happening here.