'See you in heaven one day'
I learned recently of the death of Alex Moutakis.
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Alex was my friend and next-door neighbour for six years and leaves behind over 30 children and grand children in the local area and beyond.
A true gentleman, Alex lived in Bowral for much of his life, during which time he ran a cafe and prepared countless meals at Bowral hospital prior to his retirement.
An unsung local hero, Alex was always there to help a neighbour but never, ever asked for anything in return.
Alex supported my family following the birth of my two little girls, both of whom loved him like family and called him 'Poppy'.
I'll miss you so much Poppy. You made Bowral bearable. Natalia says she will see you in heaven one day. I certainly hope so.
Alex Pauza
'Reflect on service and sacrifice'
On August 31 Australia will remember all those who served in the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960) and the Indonesian Confrontation, or Konfrontasi, (1962-1966).
In June 1948, after the Malayan Communist Party launched an insurgency against British colonial rule, a state of emergency was declared in Malaya.
Australia's involvement in the Emergency started in 1950, when aircraft and personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) arrived in Singapore.
The Emergency officially ended in 1960, however, Australian forces continued operations against communist forces until 1963.
Personnel from the Navy, Army, and RAAF played a vital role in Malaya. Australia's involvement in the Malayan Emergency was one of the nation's longest continuing military commitments and tragically the names of 39 Australians are listed on the Australian War Memorial's Roll of Honour.
The Indonesian Confrontation began in 1962 when Indonesian-backed forces launched a coup against the pro-British Sultanate of Brunei.
Australian involvement started in 1964 and, in 1965, along with other Commonwealth troops, they conducted small-scale operations in the thickly forested terrain of Borneo.
As an undeclared war there were sensitivities around the cross-border operations and it received very little coverage in the Australian press, however, the experiences in the Confrontation informed the conduct of operations in Vietnam.
More than 20 Australians died during the Confrontation. Open Arms - Veterans and Families Counselling, provides support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families.
Free and confidential help is available 24/7. Phone 1800 011 046 (international: +61 1800 011 046 or +61 8 8241 4546) or visit www.OpenArms.gov.au
While these two post-Second World War conflicts might not be well-known in the Australian community, the nation is grateful for the actions of those who served.
Thank you for your service, and for the sacrifices made by your families who supported you.
On Malaya and Borneo Veterans' Day, I encourage all Australians to reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who served in the Malayan Emergency and Indonesian Confrontation. Lest we forget.
Darren Chester MP
Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel
Council's 'self-created problem'
Your article "Station Street: Let's get the project started" (SHN, August 22, 2019) obscures the debate at the council meeting of August 14and the true situation.
The article says up to 10 car parking spaces will be lost due to this road project.
Council's own data shows there are 138 off-street car spaces currently at Bowral Railway Station but these would be reduced to 26, a loss of 112 spaces as well as 6 spaces on Station Street.
Infrastructure NSW's Deep Dive report confirms 118 all-day spaces would be lost north of Wingecarribee Street.
The mayor's statement concluding your article that "the council had already done everything they could to get the project started" and "We just cannot do any more" abbreviates the council's debate in which the mayor outlined non-productive contacts with state politicians, ministers and "bureaucrats".
The mayor has said he's "over it" and the council is at "wit's end" to proceed with this project.
Why?
The Station Street project is not proceeding because of the embargo imposed by Infrastructure NSW in May 2018.
The reason: Council cannot satisfy Sydney Trains' requirement to replace commuters' parking spaces at Bowral Station that Council wants to remove.
Council should, but refuses, to ask Infrastructure NSW to re-assign the $7.5 million Grant for this project in order to build Stage 2, from Links Road to Bowral Street.
This would significantly reduce the number of heavy and other vehicles that use Bong Bong Street through the centre of the town.
Bowral's business heart would benefit with less congestion and hold-ups, and council's self-created "problem" of replacement car parking at Bowral Station would be resolved automatically at less cost, along with issues of environmental preservation and community amenity.