Call to respect the freedoms of democracy
A newspaper in Melbourne printed an article, entitled "most honours go to Australians we'll never hear about and that's a shame." It was in response to the row over Australia Day, and the recipients of the awards.
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Most people feel humbled when they receive an award, they often claim that there are others more worthy, mostly, they are just ordinary Australians. When Kerrie O'Brien refused to accept the award on the ground that Margaret Court should not receive an award because of her opposition to same sex marriage, he conveniently forgot that 38.04 per cent of Australians also voted no!
Margaret's opposition was based on her religious beliefs, so the freedom of religion, along with other freedoms in a democracy, must be respected, because the gradual erosion of our rights and freedoms, could develop into pockets of hate and violence, and we will end up fighting against each other.
Sounds familiar? The ABC, along with other news sources, like to stir the pot and can be inflammatory, it is not a balanced or constructive way to consider controversial news. It inflames people and encourages hate. Do we want that? The virus has shown that most Australians are more aware of their obligations than fighting for competing rights. Let's respect that, and each other, regardless of colour or creed.
Margaret Elder
'Ordinary AM'
Hall refurbishment anger
I am outraged at the council's behaviour with regard to the Bowral Memorial Hall (SHN February 3 - Proposed refurbishment of hall hits sour note for community groups).
In planning its re-design they have disregarded the advice and suggestions of those who create the music and who therefore are knowledgeable about what is needed to improve the hall. It would be preferable to leave the hall as it is rather than spend taxpayers' money to:
- reduce the number of seats,
- make it impossible to navigate for the elderly (by introducing tiered seating),
- fail to provide a Green Room for the musicians.
Our council must do better than this.
Jenny Simons
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'The party is almost over'
Your 11-month-long holiday from a fast-paced and often difficult job is coming to a close. You've relaxed, travelled, albeit in limited ways, visited friends and family and sat in cafes and restaurants for a change.
But now is the time to think about your colleagues; the ones who have been serving you during your government-funded COVID holidays.
They've cleaned hundreds of menus and chairs and struggled to keep their patrons safe, despite the ignorance, stupidity, and downright defiance. They've had many other extra duties, while their establishments remain chronically understaffed.
Perhaps some of you have been oblivious to the plight of your colleagues. So, as your long time away from your workplaces draws to a close, it is time to think about the effect your holiday has had on them. Think what a terrible nine months it has been for them, struggling on with very little help and constant change by government decree.
If you want to spin your holiday out as long as possible, then you face a hellish prospect: hundreds of hospitality workers, suddenly without government benefits, looking for work all at once. Many will find themselves knocking on doors, their options sadly limited.
Why don't you come back early and, give your colleagues a break and draw on their COVID expertise?
The party is almost over, and it's time to give them a holiday; you owe them a lot, because they're the ones that have been helping to subsidise your holiday for the past nine months.
Justine Fischer
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