Bravo Abby Brownbill
Two related letters from the Letters to the Editor page (December 8) were of great interest to me, mainly because they represent two viewpoints which are as diverse as they are strong. These letters are from Abby Brownbill of Strathdale (“I think you are incorrect”, December 8) and from Helen Leach of Bendigo (“Rally not open to debate”, December 8). They are related because one is a criticism of Helen Leach’s opinion and the other is a reiteration of that opinion by Ms Leach herself.
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Readers of comments pages in Bendigo newspapers will by now be all too familiar with former councillor Helen Leach’s views on a range of topics. Those same readers will also know that although Ms Leach’s choice of topic is wide, her viewpoints remain predictably narrow. It comes as no surprise to anyone that she remains implacably opposed to SSM, and still conflates it with the Safe Schools programme. Despite all evidence to the contrary, she continues to assert that ‘gender fluid theories’ can be taught. She still seems not to have understood that gender is not about what you do, it is about who you are. And now she adds ‘climate change’ to the basket of evil influences that are seemingly passed on to students by irresponsible teachers.
Enter Abby Brownbill. This 11 year old has taken Ms Leach to task on the topics of climate change and gender, and rightly so. It is Abby’s generation which will inherit the results of attitudes espoused by Ms Leach and others of similarly benighted viewpoints. Abby and other like minded students who have chosen to take a stand on issues which they believe need to be addressed are to be congratulated, not castigated for supposedly alarming their parents. Abby is right. There is nothing wrong with same gender families, just as there is nothing wrong with being prepared to protest against government inaction on global warming.
Whether Ms Leach accepts it or not, same sex families are real, climate change is real, and the concern of Abby and her friends is justified. Bravo Abby.
Julie Hopper, Bendigo
It’s the teachers, right?
Another letter from Ms Leach (December 8) containing great educational lessons. In it is the main argument that the problem with today’s youth arises through their contact with teachers. She does not come to the only reasonable solution to that problem – namely that schools should not contain teachers.
There would be no indoctrination of uncritical minds in the fallacies of anthropogenic climate change, thirsty genders and sex education if this was the case. The State Government would no doubt support this move as the budget implications are very positive. I am certain that the principals and support staff would be happy to take control as the teachers were the ones that created much of their work. Or maybe we could do without schools altogether?
George Wyatt, Newbridge
Good for you
As a former classroom teacher in Doveton and Birchip High Schools, I'm keen on students and what matters to them. "Good for you" to central Vic students and others around Australia who are standing up to fossil fuel (Adani) development when clean, alternative energy is at work here and now. Keep up the fight.
Greg Nelson, tar sands KXL pipeline fighter, Lincoln, Nebraska USA
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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