Brennan Park Swimming Pool blues
On a recent visit to Brennan Park pool, my first since a child, I couldn't believe how quiet it was.
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Why weren't more people enjoying this pool on a 30-degree day?
Over the next hour I discovered why.
Fun has been banned.
No running – anywhere, including the empty grass areas, no diving, no flipping, only two bounces on the diving board, no pushing friends into the water, no swimming through the unused lap lanes to cross the pool.
To remove all risk, perhaps swimming should be banned too.
Jeremy Jones, Hampton East
Celebrating an inclusive Australia
Over the past two years, the Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children (GADRC) Bendigo has had an information stall and a children’s activity at the Australia Day celebration at Lake Weeroona.
But not this year.
We no longer feel we can fight for the rights of one group of children, those seeking asylum from trauma and war, while ignoring the historic trauma and current discrimination experienced by another group, indigenous children.
While we absolutely support the concept of a day of celebration of our wonderful country and all her peoples, we do not think it is appropriate celebrate on the anniversary of the British invasion, which, for many people, is a day of mourning rather than one of pride and joy.
We don’t expect our small protest will make a big difference.
We understand and accept that not everyone feels this way and we hope for an eventual resolution which works for all Australians.
We also know and accept that many other proud Australians will have lots of fun and recreation on the 26th of January while celebrating our lucky country.
Di O’Neil, GADRC Bendigo convenor
Discussion vital factor in fight for survival
Discussion is a more civilised way of combat in the amphitheatre of life.
Rather than using physical force or weapons, it is making use of brains.
But in spite of being refined, it is a vital factor in the fight for survival.
When people are running out of their wits (when they are losing contest), they tend to become agitated and resentful.
They may resort to verbal abuse, veiled threats, or physical violence.
Politicians in civilised countries are often involved in heated arguments, but use of physical violence is very rare.
Instead some of them are verbally insulting, denigrating and jeering their opponents.
Jiri Kolenaty, Rushworth
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