The cost of buying a lifejacket is miniscule, but not wearing one can be horrendous to a victim’s family, being it a wife, children and friends. Calls for government to legislate for their use won’t work – how could they be supervised or enforced?

Women, mothers are the answer. Mothers are strong and persistent. I suggest the best way to address the problem of men not using lifejackets on every occasion as in seatbelts in cars, is through women.

Start up an organisation, first locally, then ongoing. Look at what Australian of the Year 2015 Rosie Batty did to address the problem of violence in the home. Take up the challenge.

Bega Valley Shire Council is to be congratulated on commissioning Lee Cruse’s exceptional mural just as Lee is to be congratulated on such sublime work. And how lucky is Eden to have Jungar Hunter?

Lee has made a huge contribution to art in our region with his intricate, very beautiful paintings, all of which take months to complete. They represent a continuation of the line tradition of the South East and are to be treasured.

Lee has also contributed substantially to the Balawan Elective which provides field studies to students from the Australian National University.

He has had considerable involvement with the wonderful Bundian Way project too and has exhibited at the prestigious Ivy Hill Gallery at Wapengo as well as at the Bega Art Prize 50^th anniversary exhibition alongside his grandmother Beryl Cruse.

The audience at the 2015 Scultpure on the Edge symposium was privileged to hear Lee in an inspiring panel discussion with John Blay and Darren Mongta, and he showed a very special painted didgeridoo at the same event the same year.

I personally have great admiration and respect for Lee’s achievements in the face of difficult odds.

I have just spent seven days in South East Regional Hospital with a serious respiratory problem. So never a better time to praise the facility and the care I received because no-one spends a week there for fun.

Everyone from Emergency to Medical 2, and the catering and cleaning staff could not have been more reassuring, caring and friendly.  

The nursing staff have a huge responsibility, they work very hard to respond to ever changing,  difficult situations and should have all the support they need to stay well, alert and most importantly, to feel valued. 

The system is letting them down – eg, whoever heard of no breaks during a 10-hour shift? I did. Thank you all, including Drs Pennington, Bass and colleagues for being there when I really needed you.

I'm trying to find long-lost friends Lauren and Brooke Watson. They used to live in Bega 20-plus years ago. I know they or their parents don't live there anymore, but your readers may know where they are.

Lauren had a friend called Sam and a daughter named Alex. I can't remember her married name.

Let me know if anyone remembers her. She was my match twin on a Rotary exchange. Thanks.

Editor’s note: Victoria posted this call on the BDN Facebook page. If anyone has information to help her search they can reply to her via the “Visitor Posts” section on there, or email ben.smyth@fairfaxmedia.com.au.