Fortunately I went into the local IGA for assistance. A very polite, young lady phoned the RACV who would be an hour away.  

Another staff member showed me empathy and in two minutes he was by my car and had me up and running. 

After several thank yous and a declined token of appreciation this helpful, young man said “we are all in this world to help each other”.  

I was so moved with his caring attitude as these words, I have heard all my life from my father. 

If you are in IGA and see Simon or Casey please give them a pat him on the back because they deserve it. Management should be very proud. 

What exceptional customer service skills and Simon is certainly my local hero.

The recent story, Heathcote: inside Victoria’s divided heartland, included positive and negative issues.

As a resident of Argyle, a locality adjacent to Heathcote, since 2006, I know Heathcote well and am proud to call it my hometown.

Like most small country towns Heathcote certainly has its share of problems and social issues.

The challenges to address these are many.

I dispute that the town and its residents overall are in as bad shape as was portrayed. 

However, it’s unfortunate when by economic necessity some people, live in caravans, and families with children are often paying incredibly high rents.

Heathcote is not alone with those issues.

The scarcity of rental homes in Heathcote provides strong argument for the continuance of negative gearing, encouraging more houses to be built. Also providing jobs.

Heathcote’s unemployment problems, particularly for persons not suited for hospitality work, requires the establishment of more businesses, particularly industry, to provide opportunities for those who want to, and are prepared to work.

Provision of natural gas next year should assist.

If not for being on two highways, and conveniently placed midway between Melbourne and the Murray River, along with a large number of wineries and cellar doors, Heathcote’s economy would be considerably worse off. Continuing low water levels in Lake Eppalock impacts adversely on many Heathcote businesses.

Some, I stress some, of Australia’s unemployed youth cannot blame society for their woes. For if they failed to apply themselves at school and have poor literacy and numeracy skills that limits their opportunities.

Additionally, particularly with hospitality work, if they have chosen to excessively tattoo parts of their body that are exposed, and have had their head body pierced and adorned with rings and studs, that can be a put off to potential employers. 

Everyone is entitled to make choices, and choose to ‘make statements’ through their body, hair and clothes.

But if parents and older siblings gave some old fashioned advice to young people whilst still at school, and they listened, it could save them much heartache later in life.