We need better amenities at Bendigo showground
As a fibre artist and textile enthusiast, the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show surpasses anything else across the continent and, I'm assured, throughout much of the world.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
What makes the show so attractive is the sheer breadth of quality animals, fibre, garments and equipment on offer for the layperson to admire or the buyer to acquire, not to mention the shearing and dog demonstrations and competitions.
The one thing – the ONLY thing – that detracts from an otherwise-magical experience is the decrepit state of the toilets and shower facilities on the grounds.
In previous years we’ve travelled daily to and from the grounds, but at some point we've had to leave our stalls to use a toilet that doesn't look like it's seen a cleaner in the past six months.
In the case of my female partner, using a toilet also involves a considerable wait in a queue. We were advised that the onsite camping facilities offered power and access to a nearby shower block, yet the showers available to us were in very substandard condition.
Having observed the shower facilities around the ground trying to find a decent place to wash, we were unable to find anything remotely satisfactory.
Lights were inoperative, doors had no locks, clothes hooks were non-existent, nozzles sprayed all over the place and, in two of the blocks we went to, there was no hot water at all.
I would urge those with the capacity to decide how funds are directed to take a serious look at the ground's basic amenities prior to 2019.
As something that is quite-rightly touted as a premier event of its type on the national and international stage, denying patrons, exhibitors and vendors (such as us) access to sanitary, functional ablutions over a three-day period is inexcusable.
The numbers through the gate pour millions into the local economy and the showgrounds, yet are being treated with disdain in regard to carrying out a function none of us can avoid.
The toilet and shower facilities at Bendigo's showgrounds need refurbishment as a matter of priority. Please make it happen.
David Johnson, Mt Clear
Read more
Foreign donations bill could silence
The Foreign Donations Bill (or Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) is coming before Federal Parliament very soon.
This Bill could silence independent bodies like the Climate Council of Australia publicising its assessment of Government action on global warming.
As a monthly subscriber to the climate council, it looks like I will need to complete a statutory declaration to prove I'm an Australian citizen.
I will do that; but many subscribers, who are our citizens, will be put off and the Climate Council will lose funding.
I think that's what the LNP want.
The bill will also impose an extra administrative burden on the Climate Council and threaten its people with up to 10 years’ imprisonment and fines of up to $210,000.
The way we are going global warming is going to blight our grandchildren's lives. We need to be able to freely speak up about this. If you are concerned, ask your parliamentarians to oppose the LNP's Foreign Donations Bill.
Anthony Callinan
Read more
Letters to the editor
Do you have something to say about this issue?
A letter to the editor is one way to have your say in the issues that affect you and the place you live in.
All letters must be signed and carry the name, full address and daytime telephone number(s) of the author. We will publish the writer’s name and suburb/town.
In rare cases, we may consent to withholding a writer’s name and suburb/town.
Letters may be edited for space, accuracy, clarity and legal reasons. Shorter letters will be given preference. Letters which are deemed inappropriate will not be published.
Letters can be sent to the Bendigo Advertiser at bendigoadvertiser.com.au