Safety for all
I cannot decide whether LNP politicians do not understand the concept of safe schools or are prepared to sacrifice their duties to vulnerable kids for political expediency.
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The clue is in the name guys: SAFE SCHOOLS.
How can a school community be made safe when only vulnerable kids and kids who are less likely to be tempted to be bullies are included in the program?
This has three effects: the kids who probably most need to learn some empathy are not included; the kids who attend are identified as subjects for bullying; and kids who are uncertain are deterred from attending because they may have to face their demons.
The ideologues seem to be most afraid of two issues: the role playing and the internet links.
For me, if a kid plays a role which challenges their sensitivities for half an hour, they may get some idea of how some kids must feel like they have a neon sign above their heads saying “I’m different please bully me”.
As for the internet links, I would much rather they can go straight to a site that meets their needs rather than stumble through the net encountering all manner of dangerous sites.
Ray Hunt, Bega
Leave clock alone
Please allow me space in your valuable paper to add my voice with Elvie Preo and all the other sensible people to protest about the council wanting to relocate the Dr Evershed Memorial Clock.
Where to, may I ask?
Littleton Gardens? Or what’s left of them.
Already the Dr John McKee Memorial Fountain has gone. The little spouts of water is surely a poor excuse as a replacement.
Leave our clock where it is!
Nola Sutherland, Cobargo
Cost of doing business
Interesting times are ahead for the Bega Valley Shire.
It is reported in BDN the Optus store in Sapphire Marketplace is closing, the Dick Smith store will also be closing its doors soon.
Rentals within the complex vary, but figures of between $9000 up to $12,000 per month probably an average for most stores. A quick calculation says that equates to around $300 plus per day, per store.
It must be very hard to run a business that can make that sort of money at any time, but at a time like Easter, where Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday are all public holidays, tough decisions need to be made.
To pay staff at award rates, plus overtime, remember the rent for those four days is probably in excess of $1200, does a shop open or close?
The main street has suffered since the opening of the complex, with stores being empty and more about to close in the very near future.
It has also been rumoured Bunnings is coming to Tura Beach if the Bega Valley Shire Council will change the zoning for it.
Within 200 metres of the reportedly proposed site are two nurseries and a paint and tile shop.
With knowledge of what happened in Batemans Bay, those businesses may as well close shop as soon as construction starts.
Do we really need a Bunnings store at this stage, or more to the question, at this location almost in the middle of a residential area?
The questions now arise:
1. Do the state and federal governments have the guts to change overtime and penalty rates for businesses.
2. Do our local councillors have the guts to make a decision, not just for the three Tura Beach businesses mentioned above, but for the good of all businesses within the shire.
Name withheld by request
Paramedics thanked
A few days ago I had to call the ambulance to go to hospital.
From the moment the two paramedics, Rhys and Paul, arrived my house I felt I was in good hands.
They impressed me with their professionalism and caring manner to say nothing of the efficiency in which they carried out medical tests on me and had me under observation all the way to the hospital.
The other thing I noted was how well they worked together.
My time in casualty, fortunately, was relatively short, attributed to, I am sure, the vital early stage information given staff there by the paramedics. Thanks guys.
