Having been closely affected by the recent outbreak I understand the desperate chaos we can be so quickly swept into.

The more vulnerable and dependent we are, the more damaging the effects on our lives.

This health crisis is not a matter of "she'll be right". It is a matter of life and death.

At the very least, could we reverse the behaviour of those here who commonly ignore social distancing and who mock those wearing masks?

Rather, we should point to our own mask - suggesting that they also learn the basics about concern for their own welfare and that of others.

Council is to be commended on its recent children's playground projects, the extended playground equipment on Berrima village green being one of them.

However, along with several other playgrounds in the shire, it has no shade cloth.

I noted this with increasing discomfort whilst attending with my granddaughter this week.

It was only 22 degrees but children had very flushed faces, their parents struggling to find seating out of direct sunlight.

Most play equipment is comprised of metal, and come the true heat of summer, they will be too hot to touch.

Of great concern as well is the disregard for skin protection.

Sunscreen and hats are not enough.

To quote from a SHN article (5/11/20) - ' Australia is estimated to have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world '.

And yet we have our children and the poor adults playing with them in direct sunlight?

Please, Wingecarribee Council, make shade cloth or similar protective cover, part of the playgrounds protocol.

Otherwise these spaces become unusable.

All that expenditure and good intent, but due to lack of thoughtful design - dangerous, and ultimately useless.

Yesterday (Monday, November 9) mid-morning I drove off from Bowral Co-Op with my wallet sitting on the roof of my car (don't ask..). It stayed there until the end of that ridiculous new roundabout on Kirkham Road, where no doubt it started to slide off. Its grip failed near Bowral Tyrepower and off it fell, scattering various of my identity and banking cards everywhere - I didn't notice.

Suffice it to say that - following a period of panic, calls to banks, the Police etc. - by 5.30pm I had everything back in my possession: my cards thanks to a wonderful couple from Tyrepower who drove out to my address near Hill Top to deliver me my cards, and Sue from the Southern Highlands Driving school who retrieved my wallet from nearby and contacted the Police station at Moss Vale, who contacted me..

A massive thank you to everyone - it is so nice to think we are - still - a caring community around here!