We need sense and sensibility

Updated November 6 2012 - 10:10pm, first published October 31 2008 - 10:16pm

DURING the week I spoke to a local identity who has thrown his hat into the ring for this month’s City of Greater Bendigo elections, and asked him on what platform was he standing.“Common sense,’’ was the gruff and immediate response. Common sense. Two words that are easy to say but far more difficult to find.Take the case of a German-born doctor and his family who this week became embroiled in a nasty immigration row entirely not of their doing.The Immigration Department has chosen to deny Dr Moeller and his family Australian residency because their son has Down syndrome.This is so out of step with community views and expectations it defies logic, belief and - dare I say it - common sense.The Wimmera Mail Times, sister paper to The Advertiser, has run a superb campaign in support of their local doctor and his family, the story making national bulletins yesterday as the anger and disappointment mounted.Dr Moeller and his family have been in Horsham for more than two years. As anyone living in a country town knows, doctors are in short supply and are highly valued and respected members of the community.Not surprisingly, Dr Moeller says the local hospital switchboard has been in meltdown.“The people are ringing all the time; they are really upset about what’s happening,’’ Dr Moeller told AAP.It seems the doctor’s only `crime’ is to be the parent of a child with Down syndrome.He said if the Immigration Department was correct in telling him it was acting according to the law, then there was something wrong with the law.“If they are really acting according to the law, then something is wrong with that. It’s not made for the people, it’s just bureaucracy.’’Dr Moeller said he would fight all the way to an appeal before the Migration Review Tribunal and, if that failed, he would ask Immigration Minister Chris Evans to reverse the decision.“We like living here, we have settled in well, we are welcomed by the community and we don’t want to give up just because the Federal Government doesn’t welcome my son.’’ The Horsham community, led by The Wimmera Mail Times in a great demonstration of the importance and role of local media, has started a petition to send to Senator Evans.Premier John Brumby has pledged to support the family’s appeal, saying the department’s decision is discriminatory and should be reversed.“I believe it’s an error of judgement, and it discriminates against him and his family unfairly,’’ Mr Brumby told Fairfax Radio Network.As someone who has had a bit to do with the disability sector, including riding my bike in the Murray to Moyne each year to help raise funds for our own Peter Harcourt Disability Services, I find it all ironic and even tragic.In cases like these, the federal bureaucrats could probably learn more from the so-called disabled than vice versa.Common sense . . . perhaps we should call it uncommon sense.Close to home this past week, the Bendigo Show has come and gone for another year. Like many proud Bendigonians, I ventured up to the Prince of Wales Showgrounds on Saturday so the kids could have a look around.Sideshow alley is one thing, the myriad show bags another, but to see the real show, you needed to venture to the other side of the showgrounds, to the pavilions, and see displays and exhibits that have changed little with the passing of time. Take the cooking competitions: where else do you see so many names like Beryl, Elaine, Dot and Rita, and prize-winning recipes for slices, cakes, jams and conserves?What do they do with the exhibits after the show? And Greta, can I come around for afternoon tea some time?The display of birds was truly stunning, and the prize-winning cats could not have appeared more laconic and laid back, soaking up the adulation of pet lovers throughout the day.It was great to see the horses back, bigger and better, after the equine influenza scare of 2007, and to witness the power, grace and majesty of the Carlton Draught Clydesdales as they paraded around the arena.Although we all complain about the price of the rides, we still lined up for a not-so-cheap thrill on the mini roller coaster.However, there was no way I was giving in to my daughter’s enthusiasm for another ride on any of those other more scary, more gut-wrenching (or should that be gut-clenching?) and more expensive rides on offer. Finally this week, The Advertiser bids farewell to long-standing employee Judy Hynes, and senior reporter Eugene Duffy after his too-short stint in the Bendigo newsroom. Eugene is heading to Melbourne to further his career with Fairfax Media.At last month’s City of Greater Bendigo council meeting, rare scenes were played out when the subject of Eugene’s departure was raised.Each of the councillors took time to acknowledge and commend him for the honesty, humility, integrity and fairness that have been his trademarks here at The Addy.I’ve not heard of a council doing this before and - typical of Eugene - it was left to somebody else to pass the word back.Thanks Eugene and good luck in the big smoke. And Judy, we will miss your smiling face.

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