We, the audience, have enjoyed a wonderful array of concerts over the last week from first-class musicians that represent our state. 

The choice of music was truly “Music for the People” and those who attended, with audiences growing towards the end of their visit, as the word of their wonderful music making spread throughout the community, indicated that Bendigonians have an appreciation for classical music.

Personally, I enjoyed the numerous Mozart and Bach repertoire and hope that this event can be repeated on an annual basis, as we in Bendigo have some wonderful music spaces in our fine array of public buildings.

The most outstanding outcome from the visit was demonstrated in the “On the Move” concert on Thursday night with so many talented young musicians of our area participating in the concert after having an intensive mentoring and tutoring time with the professional musicians.

That concert confirms that the next generation of local musicians will do us all proud to be Bendigonians.

Relating to the article in the Advertiser, (Saturday, August 22, page 11) headline “Interest in religion down”.

When parents had to opt out for their children to study religion or not, lethargic parents left them in.

Now that parents have to opt in for their children to study religion, the same lethargic parents leave them out.

These are not the parents who should be deciding the issue.

Those who actively opt in for religious education should still be catered for.

And that headline is quite misleading.

For the month of September this year, Alzheimer’s Australia Vic will be hosting Dementia Awareness Month.

The theme this year is “Creating a Dementia Friendly Nation”.

Alzheimer’s Australia Vic has a vision to develop dementia-friendly communities and organisations across Victoria.

A dementia-friendly community is one in which people living with dementia are supported to live a high quality of life with meaning, purpose and value.

A place where people are aware of and understand dementia, and where people who have dementia feel included and involved.

There are more than 342,800 Australians living with dementia, including 81,000 Victorians and an estimated 1.2 million people are involved in the care of a person with dementia in Australia.

The reality associated with an ageing population means that taking the opportunity to discuss what it means to “age well” has never been more important.

We all have a role to play in helping people with dementia to sustain their independence, dignity and sense of belonging in our communities.

For further information and support, email helpline.vic@alzheimers.org.au, or call 1800 100 500.

If common sense had been the adjudicator for the same-sex marriage debate, the issue would have been long dead and buried.

Same-sex marriage is a gross aberration of the normal. God didn't create two Adams or two Eves.

He made one of each and for obvious reasons.

End of story.

Send a letter to the editor to addynews@fairfaxmedia.com.au, or PO Box 61, Bendigo, 3552.