Memorials
There are memorials for our many heroes,
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To be found in every city and country town.
Commemorating those who fought for Australia,
And for the British Empire and the Crown.
We should never forget the men and women,
Who served in this land, or on a distant shore.
For they fought, and died, and suffered,
When, for our people, they went off to war.
Andrew Guild
Invisible men
"We have taken it on board and we will get back to you". This or something similar is the standard reply to important issues you raise with all politicians including our local federal and state MPs.
What it actually means is that the MP's PA doesn't consider your letter to warrant the attention of their boss.
I don't know about you but in the six years I have lived in Bega I have never seen the faces of either of our MPs out and about talking to "real" people. The only times they turn up are at events that get media coverage or in the lead up to their re-elections.
I don't hear them talking about or more importantly listening to real people about important issues like health, education, employment, and housing and in particular the scourge of today's society, mental health.
I have written to both members on all these issues and have yet to receive a personal reply. But more importantly see them commit to any real action on any of these things.
Also strange how small grants turn up just prior to elections.
For over 30 years I participated in both high and low level meetings with ministers, MPs and government heads. I am old school and base all my judgements, not on the words, but on eyes, body language and voice tone. At least 70 per cent of the time with politicians they don't match up.
Frank Pearce, Bega
Fix it Now campaign
There's been substantial lobbying to improve the Princes Highway and duplicate it to the Victorian border with the provision of several town bypasses.
At the recent state election, Bega MP Andrew Constance and others commented on the highway and its poor standard. Mr Constance and Premier Gladys Berejiklian visited the area making promises including bypassing Moruya, connecting the Batemans Bay link road to the highway and upgrades between Batemans Bay and Mogo.
It was indicated some of the work could begin immediately. Whether what was said was just electioneering jargon, we don't know yet.
No plans are available for viewing at the moment. With the national election knocking on the door, more want-to-be politicians are making promises about how much they'll allocate of taxpayers' money to the upgrading plans from the Jervis Bay Road to the Victorian border. Roads and Maritime Services has a continuous highway redevelopment plan to 2056. Are all the promises part of the existing planning?
Allan Brown, Catalina
Bird's-eye view of drones
Following articles on the use of drones by surf life saving clubs, I have to say "fare thee well, shorebirds, both local and migratory species", as there will be, to you, predators in the air of infinite and unpredictable maneuverability.
The more drones used, the more we will observe the disappearance of our feathered friends. To birds, drones would be considered hostile, like a hawk hovering for a strike. Birds can tolerate aircraft landings and take-offs, as they are predictable and on set air paths. Drones are not. If we are to use drones on shore lines, it would be helpful to use them on very specific flight paths, at very steady speed and at set times.