This week has seen a number of correspondents respond to the South East Regional Hospital opening and Member for Eden-Monaro Peter Hendy’s letter of last Friday.
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The Bega District News does not necessarily condone the views contained in letters to the editor, but we publish them here for readers to judge for themselves.
As always, we are happy to consider all valid opinion on topics of interest to our wider community. Email the editor on ben.smyth@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Cynical manipulation
I refer to the letter from Peter Hendy (BDN, 8/4) regarding credit for the new regional hospital.
It can't be that he just didn't do his homework, and it can't be that he is woefully misinformed.
Then it must be just a spiteful example of political disinformation in an attempt to cynically manipulate voters.
Or, perhaps, there is just a whiff of panic?
Mr Hendy actually had nothing whatsoever to do with the advocacy for, and the development and funding of, our great new SERH health facility. Nor did the federal government or political party which he represents.
It should, therefore, have been no surprise to him that people at the function who actually understood the process and had actually contributed, found his comments totally unacceptable.
Nor should he be surprised at the recognition given for the critical and extremely diligent efforts of Mike Kelly, the Eden-Monaro MP at the time.
Mr Kelly was not only the catalyst in securing the funding, but was also a key player in the selection and purchase of the site.
In his letter Mr Hendy lauds the late Dr Gareth Long, as he did at great length in his SERH opening speech.
Without doubt, Gareth's visionary and dedicated work to bring the new hospital to fruition was indispensable. Our community owes him, and those with whom he worked, a great debt of gratitude, and we are much the poorer for his early passing. And, as for him giving credit and recognition to Gareth's family, none of them even got an invitation to the SERH opening event, ‘nuff said?
The speech by Andrew Constance was, by comparison, infinitely more credible and responsible.
Those present were appreciative of his true and proper acknowledgement of the efforts, large and small, of so many in and outside the community, and of the rare political bi-partisanship which was such a welcome feature of the project. And he did actually know and work with Gareth.
Brian Cairns, Bega
Reminiscent of schoolyard
The “whining" letter from Peter Hendy, Liberal Member for Eden-Monaro, (Letters, 8/4) is very disappointing, as is his claim that Mike Kelly wants to "claim credit for the hospital". Mike Kelly should be acknowledged for the part he played in the process.
Is that so hard for you to do Mr Hendy?
This petty attitude is very reminiscent of the school yard and that also is a very great disappointment.
Elizabeth Blackmore, Kalaru
Churlish behaviour
I was dismayed to read that Mike Kelly did not receive an official invitation for the opening of the new hospital.
Mike played a key role in obtaining the bulk of the funding for the hospital at the time he was the member for Eden-Monaro.
It seems churlish and rather petty therefore not to invite him for this important occasion.
When you consider how critical the new hospital has been for our community and the enormous effort many have made to ensure this happens, it would be nice to think that such key events do not become politically driven but rather an occasion for those from all parties to celebrate this success.