How proud it makes one feel that even in today’s world there are teachers, parents, volunteers and young students themselves giving up their time and working so hard to put on a musical concert for one to enjoy.

Not only the concert itself, but the many hours, days and weeks prior to the leading up to the big event arranging of costumes, scenery, lighting, stage production, music and much more that makes the big night so enjoyable - not forgetting teaching our young students how to entertain.

How proud parents should feel that their young children should give up their playtime for a concert to be remembered for a lifetime. Congratulations to all. It should make us all feel so proud that today these young ones are our students.

As a driver, a parent and a motor vehicle accident lawyer, it greatly concerns me that some drivers take unacceptable risks when they get behind the wheel of a car.

According to Victoria Police, one in nine drivers tested during the recent grand final long weekend was under the influence of drugs - putting themselves and all other road users in danger.

Soon new laws will come into force in Victoria that will target those who drive while under the influence of drugs.

In the past, drug affected drivers did not have to be blood tested after a road accident if they did not require medical attention. The Victorian government has now closed this legal loophole.

Any driver involved in a fatal or serious accident from October 30 will have to submit to mandatory blood tests. If drugs are detected, these drivers could face serious charges and they will not be able to access full Transport Accident Commission benefits.

I hope that these new laws will help deter potential drug drivers and help reduce the resultant tragedy on our roads.  

One of the most important tools we have access to is to see our health professional for a heart health check.

This involves having your blood pressure and cholesterol checked, and chatting about your lifestyle and risk factors. The outcomes will include: total blood cholesterol check, body mass index and its impact on you, blood pressure check and blood glucose check. In most cases heart disease is silent, meaning it shows no symptoms.

Remember, your health is your most valuable asset. Living a long, healthy life is important not just to yourself but to your family, friends and the community.

I don't know if councillors were tuned in to Four Corners recently Erik Lakey (Letters to the editor, October 9), but I was.

I saw Muslim men risking their lives to save Christian and Muslim women and children from ISIS. How many of us are prepared to speak out against fundamentalists of any persuasion, let alone put our lives on the line to save others?

A taste of the long hot summer ahead hit close to home earlier this week with wild, hot winds fanning fires in neighbouring municipalities.  

While we were fortunate to escape any significant danger on this occasion, it serves as a timely reminder to prepare for what lies ahead.

It’s encouraging to see residents heeding recent warnings, planning for the coming hot dry conditions by slashing long grass, clearing their gutters and removing rubbish from their properties.

The fire danger period runs from late October through to the end of April. Some things you can do to be fire ready include keeping grass mowed and removing other fuels like leaves and twigs, storing flammable liquids and woodpiles away from your home and keeping gutters clear of leaf litter.  

I also encourage friends, family and neighbours to talk to each other about their fire plans and help each other out where possible.