Councils have no involvement in the issuing and receipt of ballot papers, or counting of votes. A Returning Officer, appointed by the Victorian Electoral Commission, with the assistance of staff under his/her control manages the process under stringent security.

When ballot papers are opened for counting on Saturday, October 22, 2016, candidates are permitted to have scrutineers present to observe the entire process.   

Mr Nankervis stated, that under the current Bendigo council ward structure, it’s not possible for voters to elect a completely new council. That is incorrect. Though unlikely, this could occur.

Incumbent councillors have the advantage of “being known” from at least four years in office. That is mostly beneficial to them. But, if ever there is a “clean out” of Bendigo councillors who stand again, I predict that will occur this year.

In addition to what Mr Nankervis wrote about the “compulsory organic bin” introduction (not all ratepayers and residents are fully aware of the implications yet), there was the unnecessary demolition of the Kangaroo Flat Leisure Centre (not being replaced), the continuing downward spiral of Bendigo council’s performance, as evidenced by annual satisfaction surveys.

Surely sufficient voters will see the need for change, rather than risk another four years of similar “management”.

To all CFA volunteers: 

I worked for the CFA for 11 years as a BASO. I may know a lot of you in that time I worked in Incident Control Centers on the NTH EAST Fires, Century Track Fires, Black Saturday Fires and a few others. I have seen first-hand time and time again what magnificent work volunteer firefighters do and the commitment you have to training and skill development is exceptional. You know that your wildfire firefighting (ie. bushfire) skills are superior to most career firefighters and that is simply because most volunteers are in the bush and career firefighters are in the highly populated areas. 

Regardless of politics we, the people of Victoria cannot afford to have any volunteer firefighters go missing next summer. 

I listen to the rain falling and I am happy for the farmers then I think of the forests and of next summer/s fuel growing all around Melbourne and Geelong and along the coast and where I live through the Wombat Ranges and the Lerderderg State Park and visions cone back to me of Black Saturday and its loss of life. I implore you to disregard the politicians doing all they can to turn your mind away from your task or get you to anger against CFA or the UFU or whoever else. 

Please stay focused and stick with the CFA and protect the people of Victoria as you always have in the past and continue to do so for the future. I have concentrated on summer fire here because that's what concerns me the most but there are also the car accidents, chemical spills, etc, I could go on and on and on. 

Thank you.