Letters To The Editor

A backward step for reconciliation

The Council Ballina elected in 2004 failed its first test in practical reconciliation on June 23 and further dispossessed our first inhabitants.

Five years ago National Parks assessed the traditional significance of Angels Beach for Bundjalung people. Every criterion was met for a significant Aboriginal Cultural Place.

In May the RTA performed a similar assessment and concluded that Council's indigenous consultation standards were too low. It withdrew joint cyclepath funding to protect it's own high indigenous consultation credentials.

An honourable council would now step back and listen again to those whose sacred land will be desecrated. In a fit of pique, Council instead robs funding from other road projects to demonstrate petty spite at being censured.

It will fall to staff to mend the shattered reconciliation bridges.

They'll need miraculous creativity to find ways of rebuilding what eight councillors have summarily destroyed. We'll stand behind them all the way.

Is proceeding with the cyclepath racist? Racism is when we act towards others in ways less favourable than we would towards our own race. Would Council construct a road over a white pioneers' graveyard without acknowledging their descendants' wishes?

These dunes, stained by the blood of innocent massacre victims, once held Aboriginal mortal remains. All community dune carers of Ballina totally oppose the route in moral solidarity with the Bundjalung.

Some councillors fondly display their "Christian" credentials. I'm not a religious follower, but I have a conscience, which is clear on this issue.

My colleagues and I have opposed the cyclepath dune location (but not the cyclepath itself) for as long as traditional custodians object. For us there is no other right position.

One might ask how those councillors supporting this sad project sleep easily at night? We can only wonder - could they possibly have sold their consciences for votes?

Lee Andresen
Angels Beach Dune Care & Reafforestation Group Inc

Brain matter

If you're not totalitarian, you're a hypocrite.

Our government is about to become less hypocritical.

This matter is not open to discussion.

Marcus Davis
Lismore

Great game

I was a spectator at the Southern Cross Credit Union A-League Challenge Football match on the weekend at Oakes Oval where the Lismore Allstars tested their skills against the Queensland Roar A-League team and it was great.

I would like to thank all who helped provide such a valuable opportunity to our local players - Southern Cross Credit Union, The Northern Rivers Echo, 2LM, ZZZFM, TURSA, Far North Coast Soccer, and The Northern Star. With such support from local business the young people in our community will continue to grow in excellence in preparation for the world stage.

Phillip Gosper
Lismore

Watch out for kids

Those of you with kids at Dunoon School will have read the request made by the school principal asking parents to be more pro-active in monitoring the kind of programs their children watch on TV.

I think one of the saddest things in society today is how short childhood actually is and how much shorter it could become for future generations.

Why do we want our children to grow up so quickly?

Childhood is the only truly free time in life. It is the time when innocence should thrive, when creativity should be nurtured, when imagination should be developed. It should be a happy, carefree time.

All of us know some of the situations today that are preventing that for many children. We can look at the growth of domestic violence and substance abuse. The growth in family breakdown. Youth suicide and the list goes on. Then we can say "But those things don't apply to my children". Perhaps not in real life but what about the TV programs they watch?

How much of the adult world is revealed to children before they are psychologically able to understand and process it. How much of what they watch on TV contributes to their self image, consideration of others, manners, respect, ability to relate to their peers, understanding of emotions etc.

Most of the time we can only guess and lots of kids can't vocalise it either. So we need to use our commonsense to guide our kids in what will enable them to grow into the kind of adults that will succeed in life, not just intellectually but perhaps more importantly, emotionally.

There is so much emphasis on intellectual achievement throughout the education system, but so little on the emotional health and wholeness that is so important for success in life. That is pretty much left up to the parents.

What a responsibility!

So don't lets clutter them up with the complicated adult world to early. Lets replace Big Brother with a game of chess or Uno, the late movie with a bedtime story.

Time is precious, our kids grow up and that time is gone. Lets give them time with us, family time, a concrete grounding of unconditional love for them to grow up whole, confident and ready to take on the world, when they are ready.

Sandra Best
Dunoon

A sad day

It's very sad when the mayor of Richmond Valley Council finds it necessary to "accuse members of the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Committee of acting in their own interest" with regard to the Plan of Management for the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome adopted by Council last week (Richmond Valley Notes, June 23).

That a mayor should find it necessary to vilify a community group that was formed to protect World War II heritage in memory of those who defended Australia is, in our view, very difficult to comprehend. That a mayor should vilify a group that put forward a comprehensive plan of management for the future of the area that would create sustainable employment and opportunity for young people is also, in our view, difficult to grasp.

What is particularly sad about the Mayor's comment is that he found it necessary at all to make an accusatory statement, particularly one which speaks of "selfish interests" but which fails to show the nature of that selfish interest.

The majority of the members of the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Committee are returned servicemen and women and their families. They have a different view of the aerodrome and its future to that being peddled by the Mayor. Many are in favour of a nursing home at Evans Head but not where Council has placed it strategically to kill off the aerodrome's future, particularly when there are other sites on the aerodrome or Council Reserve that could accommodate a nursing home.

Both the president and the secretary of the Committee are the children of RAAF pilots who served in World War I and II, and the children of war widows. Neither are pilots. Neither have commercial interests in the aerodrome. The majority of members on the executive are not flyers. So how is our "selfish interest" being served?

We believe the Mayor needs to explain his accusation. And in the interest of fairness he needs to explain how Council's "selfish interest" is not being served through the sale of land by Council when we suggested land be donated for a nursing home on the aerodrome.

The reporter who told the story in The Echo should also get her facts right rather than serve up Council propaganda. The area set aside for the nursing home is part of the aerodrome and not "adjacent" to it, a furphy propagated by Council. There are other errors. Did she actually go and look at the undated form letter submissions? Did she ask how they were collected? We haven't heard a sausage from the reporter. So much for balanced reporting and corroboration, the first tenets of journalism. We expect better from a free press our parents fought so hard to preserve.

Dr Richard Gates
President
Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Committee Inc

An open debate

In reply to the letter by Nick Casmirri of Alstonville (Echo, June 23). I wish to commend his contribution to this debate. It is hoped that Lismore Council decisions are being made after wide public consultation coupled with vigorous debate. My concern is about what I see as a flawed process. This concern arises from my awareness of the contents of a range of RTA and NSW Government documents. I have assembled a number of quotes from one of these documents that should convince most citizens that decisions relating to the "roundabout come traffic lights" have lacked adequate public scrutiny and have clearly fallen short of the current policies regarding openness and informed input from the community.

I believe quotes are from the RTA Safety 2010 document support my contentions.

From the Road Safety 2010 document, we note: "This forward... promotes community understanding and involvement in road safety initiatives and strategies." Carl Scully, Minister for Roads, further states, "I urge you to become involved in determining how we can make New South Wales roads safer for all of us"; "Improvements to date have been achieved through a whole government approach between State, regional and local stakeholders working in partnership in the planning and delivery of road safety programs to the community"; "Potential safety hazards will be identified and eliminated even before construction commences through safety audits."

Under the heading 'Safer Roads' the following promises are made: "50km/h urban speed limits in local areas and even lower limits in areas of high pedestrian activity eg. shopping areas and central business districts"; "Mandatory road safety audits of all new road developments"; and Local Government has a major role in increasing community understanding of road safety and initiating road safety at the local level."

Towards 2010 concludes with the statement that, "this plan will encourage informed debate enabling all of us to have a better understanding of future directions in road safety... stronger commitment to improving the progress of NSW towards having the safest roads in the world."

I believe public access to all 'road safety audits' concerning the original roundabout and the replacement traffic lights would be a valuable start to 'Open Government'. It should be noted that the earlier the audit is conducted the greater the gains are relative to the cost of crashes and corrective action.

Kay Taylor
Goonellabah

Red Cross tsunami thanks

June 26 marked six months since our neighbours were rocked by one of the worst natural disasters in living memory - the Asia quake and tsunamis. Over 200,000 people were killed and millions made homeless on two continents in 12 countries.

The public support was tremendous. Here in Australia the Red Cross received $105 million, and so far we spent or committed $58.7 million (55 per cent of all the funds raised), including the $24 million contribution towards the immediate global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement response. This and other contributions enabled us to reach some 840,000 people with vital aid and support, including food, medical assistance, safe water, shelter and clothing. By the end of 2005, we will have assisted more than one million people - a remarkable effort by any measure.

But the real task of long-term recovery and rebuilding shattered lives and communities is still ahead of us. We clearly stated from the beginning that recovery will take years, and it was to be a long haul. Between now and 2010, the International Red Cross will build tens of thousands of homes as well as hospitals, health and child care centres in places like Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

As for Australian Red Cross, we have already earmarked millions of dollars donated by the Australian community for tsunami-affected communities. So far, some 30 long-term programs have been identified. On the Maldives for example we will clear away 290,000 cubic metres of tsunami debris and waste from 70 islands, helping recover tourism and fishing industries, which are two main sources of income for the affected population. This program alone will benefit some 50,000 people.

And on Nias Island in Indonesia we are working in partnership with the Zero to One Foundation, helping build 254 houses, nine bridges, two schools, three clean water supply systems and one first aid centre.

We will do this and much more in the name of Australians everywhere who donated to the Red Cross Tsunami Appeal. On behalf of all people in tsunami communities whose lives will be made better and safer due to your generosity and kindness, thank you from Australian Red Cross.

Vahideh Hosseini
Regional Manager
Australian Red Cross
Northern Region

Save the Florrie

The remains of the former steamship then motor vessel, the Florrie, are now 125 years old, and looking every second of it.

For the past 30 years she has been exposed to the weather, on the bank of the Richmond River, near Ballina's Maritime Museum. The Florrie is the survivor of the fleet of riverboats that brought passengers and supplies to the early European settlements of this district. The Florrie was built in 1880 at Brisbane Water, near Gosford, for Casino businessman, mayor and parliamentarian, Frederick Crouch, and named after his eldest daughter Florence.

In 1882 she was wrecked crossing the Ballina Bar. The notable Ballina pilot, Captain Tom Fenwick, bought the wreck for four hundred pounds. He raised and restored her for an amazing further 93 years of service.

Last year the NSW Government provided a $33,000 grant, matched dollar for dollar by Ballina Shire Council, to custom-build a cradle to move the Florrie under cover, to the planned extension of the Ballina Naval Museum.

Ballina Council's 2005/06 draft budget includes an allocation of $460,000 for the Naval Museum/Florrie. Half the $460,000 is scheduled to come from loans and the remainder from grants and contributions.

Despite her rarity, the Florrie is close to wreck status again. Two national heritage boat experts have advised that the Florrie is worth saving, and emphasised the need to move her under cover soon. The National Maritime in Sydney has recognised the importance of the Florrie by devoting a display to her.

Shielded from the elements in Ballina's Naval Museum, she will be allowed to slowly dry out, and out of character additions will be removed. The painstaking restoration process can then begin. And the public will be able to breathe sighs of relief that this national symbol, which has undergone various transformations in serving this district for so long, has (at last) been saved for posterity.

Marelle Lee
Lennox Head

A principled approach

While I am not in favour of personal fluoride use, others are free to use fluoride when they brush their teeth, drink Coke or wherever they choose to get their supply. But I am against putting fluoride in our public water supply, because public water systems are supposed to supply pure drinkable water to the public.

There is a big difference between chlorinating water, which is now being done, and fluoridating water, which is being proposed. We put chlorine in the water to purify the water. It is a chemical that treats the water. We put fluoride in the water to carry it into our bodies. Fluoride does not treat the water, but instead uses water as a carrier. Artificially adding fluoride sets a new legal precedent on the use of public water systems. We will be drugged unwillingly.

What is the harm if we start to use water to carry drugs? If water is used as a carrier for fluoride, what other non-purifying drugs could water carry in the future? Who will determine what is put in the water in the future? Fluoride today, what tomorrow?

Adding fluoride to water is not the same as adding iodine to salt, Vitamin D to milk or vitamins to enriched bread. I can get salt without iodine, make my own bread and eliminate milk from my diet. But this is water, a daily universal requirement for life.

We need to be cautious in this area of mass fluoridation. It is difficult to know what future liabilities will exist for present decisions. Will government agencies take any responsibility for future problems? I think not!

I have not raised any of the specific health arguments against fluoridation because my point doesn't involve health issues, though they do exist - en masse! This is subject for another letter.

If all the health claims against fluoridation were false, my point would still stand: mass fluoridation changes the purpose of public water systems and the principle of supplying pure water to the public. Public fluoridation sets a dangerous new legal precedent.

The reduction of cavities is a worthwhile goal, but with safer, more effective and cost-efficient ways to accomplish this, why use mass fluoridation and bring on the negative consequences? The rejection of mass fluoridation is not a rejection of good dental health. It is just saying we don't want mass "medication" (or poisoning).

We need to take more personal responsibility for our actions. The healthy foundation of society requires it. And, we need to say "no way" to mass fluoridation - it's a matter of principle.

Angela Martello
East Lismore

Book trial debacle

Ballina Public Library users! Please read this, as it will affect you.

At their latest meeting, the Friends of the Ballina Library were informed that the Richmond Tweed Regional Library Committee had decided to introduce, on a "six-month trial", a system under which books transferred between libraries within the system on what used to be called "inter-library loan", will not be returned to the originating library but will remain in the library to which they have been transferred.

This means that books bought for the Ballina Library will no longer be treated as the property of Ballina Library, and many may depart from its shelves forever. There will of course be a quid pro quo, in that which books can be transferred permanently from other libraries to Ballina. However, many of your readers may share my concern over the many books in the Ballina Library that were bought with money donated by the Friends of the Library specifically to go on the shelves at Ballina. Whatever the pragmatic managerial considerations of the new system may be, there is an issue of moral principle here. Breaking faith with the expectations of so many people who have worked hard over many years to raise the money for these books is a very serious matter. Some members of the Friends may feel, as I do, that the very existence of the Friends will now be difficult to justify, especially as most joined out of a sense of community spirit, with the intention of assisting their small local community, rather than to contribute to the resources of Lismore, the Tweed and other centres. And if the Friends cease their fundraising activities, rest assured that there will be a significantly greater demand upon Ballina Council's purse!

It needs to be clearly understood that under this six-month so-called "trial" the books taken from Ballina, once transferred to another library, will lose their identity in the system's computer as having been Ballina books. At the end of the "trial" they cannot be identified and returned to Ballina. So as far as these books are concerned, it will be not so much a trial as an irreversible implementation.

Individual Ballina people who have donated books to the Ballina Library over the years should be aware that their donated books will also come within the system and could therefore be lost to the library.

Those who share my concerns about this ill-conceived proposal should make their feelings known quickly to all Ballina Shire councillors and to all members of the Regional Library Committee.

Peter Bowler
Ballina