The tragic shooting in Parramatta last Friday should not be used to justify racial or religious hatred.

The community is right to be shocked by the murder of Curtis Cheng and to condemn such abhorrent violence.

However, no one should be taking the law into their own hands.

People should not be judging entire communities based on the extremism of a few.

Recent events do not justify intolerance and division.

While I support the right of individuals to express their opinions, any planned protests must remain peaceful.

There is absolutely no excuse for vilification, intimidation or violence.

Our society is stronger when we uphold the values of civility and respect. We should not let fear and division prevail over tolerance and unity.”

I recently had occasion to visit Centrelink for some advice regarding registration for an ABN.

Waiting in the queue in front of me was a big strong young man about 30-years-of-age accompanied by spouse and two children running around, out of control, playing on computers nearby.

When asked how he could be helped, he replied in a threatening voice “where is my pay, it is a day late!” I presume he meant his dole.

So disappointing this world sometimes.

But then the same day I had occasion to visit the Bendigo Club and here was a gentleman named Andrew with a smile on his face serving people with drinks, attending tables and servicing machines from his wheelchair, and I believe he also calls the bingo on occasions.

It just goes to show what some people can overcome with effort and determination.

I must say congratulations to Andrew and congratulations to the Bendigo Club for giving him the opportunity.

A most heart-warming occasion compared with the incident at Centrelink.

It appears to me that some people do not deserve the opportunities to live in this wonderful country with so many opportunities available to them.

Our new Prime Minister says we have to move with the times, so I guess if you’re past your use by date they bring in the bulldozers and watch you die a slow, miserable death, only because heavy artillery and bombs are hard to get in this country.

We need someone like Nicolas Cage to save the day, like he did in the movie Con Air.

If you really love your children, you have to stand up and fight to the last breath.

The Kangaroo Flat Community Leisure Centre is a pivotal centre that has served our community for many years and now, like many other institutions, they want to turn it into a tollway for entrepreneurial gain.

I hope this never happens to the Tom Flood Sports Centre, the former home of the Bendigo Show, and Easter fair.

The new centre will be too far from the proposed suburban rail link and children will have to cross a very busy highway to get there.

So isn’t it time to reassess the location?

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