Bendigo Advertiser Letters to the Editor: Far-right flag use anger, Golden Square survey

The role of national flags is to help tell ourselves and the world who we are, and where our place is in the world. My great grandfather Ivor William Evans was one of five winners of the national flag competition.  He (and others) designed our national flag.

I am always filled with pride when I tell my family’s story to others. It deeply saddens me to see he behaviour of members of an extreme group at a rally in St Kilda.

It angers me to see Nazi salutes in front of our national flag, particularly following the atrocities of World War II, and especially the Holocaust.

Read more: Fraser Anning digs in despite racism row

It deeply saddens me when it was done using our national flag as a symbol for their out-of-touch cause.

It always angers me that our national flag is dragged through the mud like this and on other occasions, not just because of my family connection, but as a proud Australian.

These people are in the extreme minority and should not be allowed to bring this country into disrepute and must be called out.  This extreme group of people are devoid of reality.

The reality is this: Australia is one of the most successful multi-cultural countries in the world.

Australians are laid-back as well as hard-working. Australians are caring, considerate, passionate, proud, and are strong in their values, especially the fair go. Australia is not a racist country. We should never let the actions of an extreme group define the majority of Australia.

The City of Greater Bendigo carried out an online survey prior to Christmas as to “who” uses the Golden Square Recreational Reserve and “why”.

This survey was created for anyone to reply to, but only if you had access to the internet or Bendigonians.

The survey pandered to individual interests and not community interests, and certainly could not be classed as a factual survey by any means.

I raise the question as to whether this is just a targeted attempt to obtain sufficient evidence to allow a decision to be made to rid the reserve of recreational areas such as the cricket club, swimming pool or the small croquet club.

Read more

This type of data collection and possible use of is likely to have significant implications for social contracts between consumers, citizens, local companies and governments. Especially, if used to make detrimental decisions affecting the local community and ward.

This type of data could be used to make reports and decisions relating to individual or special interests preferences to the detriment of the local school and citizens. It can include or exploit some recreational users based on online profiling and a poor survey.

Will the City of Greater Bendigo reveal the results of their online survey to the general citizens of Bendigo or will it remain confidential by our elected representatives?

Councillors are elected to serve the interests of all the community.The question still remains as to whether this is online profiling or manipulation to obtain an outcome?

There is an old saying: You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

Knowledge, that I have gained from the past experiences, I have found hard to pass on.

I was hoping that besides seeking excellence in the sporting field, Australia would try to take lead in the spiritual one as well.

It is disappointing to see a lot of opportunities lost and hard work going to waste.

But in history many individuals with advanced knowledge have failed to gain recognition, because their views didn't appeal to the ruling political, or religious dignitaries.

Some people prefer to learn from experiences of their own, rather than those of other people.

It is frustrating to see the same mistakes made over and over again.

Being a creation of nature, we are dominated more by our instincts, than by reason.

Do you have something to say about this issue? A letter to the editor is one way to have your say on the issues that affect you and the place you live in.

All letters must carry the name, full address and daytime telephone number(s) of the author. We will publish the writer’s name and suburb/town. We reserve the right to edit letters. Letters which are deemed inappropriate will not be published.

Send letters to the Bendigo Advertiser, PO Box 61, Bendigo 3552 or via a digital form at bendigoadvertiser.com.au

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.