$100 million for Ballarat and 600 new jobs compared to $16 million and 100 new jobs for Bendigo is clearly not a fair Hub deal. On top of that Ballarat is to receive near $60 million for roads and the newly-created VicRoads department focused on regional roads ; a real coup. Other preferential deals could be cited. It seems as if our councillors and officers, unhappy with the hub deal, are frightened to publicly speak out against the State government’s lopsided and comparatively unfair deals. Let’s see councillors in the media demanding a fairer go.

Read more: Bendigo Mayor Cr Margaret O'Rourke writes on proposed GovHub

Whilst I originally had sympathy for council not wishing to put the State government offside, it is now time to make a stand or the imbalance in funding will continue.

It is a disappointment to all residents that our leaders don’t show more ticker and conviction, rather than a plea for  $ 7million extra for the hub (“Wait on for Bendigo commitments as state election approaches”, Bendigo Advertiser, November 5). Councillors should be publicly lobbying for something closer to Ballarat’s job and dollar offer and asking for other concessions.

Whilst the GovHub and other funding proposals appear to be made by the Spring Street inner circle, without the involvement of our two parliamentary members, Jacinta [Allan] and Maree [Edwards] should still be vigorously agitating openly for a better go for Greater Bendigo.

In response to Helen Leach (“Climate Change rallies ‘should alarm parents’”, Bendigo Advertiser, December 4). In the first paragraph she states that “not that students shouldn’t be politically aware or even active –  if they genuinely understand the issue”. These students are fully aware of the issue. Why? Because they are learning about It.

Her second paragraph is really clutching at straws: they are being taught ideological issues from politically active teachers. It just shows how far from reality you are. If you happened to watch Q&A on the ABC (December 3) students were there who were involved in the strike and spoke about it. They were given a round of applause from the audience made up of a lot of people who I assume were parents. Then to attack the Victorian Premier and Education Minister for allowing this to happen. As it was national strike why not criticise all other states? 

Read more: Hundreds of central Victorian students walk out of school to call for climate action

You say you are a grandmother and you state that you are deeply concerned with the education of this state. If you were up to speed you should have been concerned about the way education has been going for some time.

That students are being brainwashed is a slur on the great teachers trying to do a difficult job with all this political correctness and no support. The students and parents get more support from principals and the department. The union is as weak as water in their support of teachers also.

I would be more concerned to be learning about what’s happening and what lies ahead for them in the future, just like I am with my grand children. It appears that Helen Leach may be a climate change skeptic.

Letters must carry the name, full address and  telephone number of the author. The writer’s name and suburb/town will be published. We reserve the right to edit letters. Letters which are deemed inappropriate will not be published.Send letters to Bendigo Advertiser, PO Box 61, Bendigo 3552 or at bendigoadvertiser.com.au

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