Faith in youth restored
Yesterday was a day I will never forget. I had just returned to Castlemaine by train from Melbourne after having travelled from Europe, where I had been holidaying for the past 2 months. Unbeknown to me, I had dropped my wallet, which virtually contained my life, what with bankcards, and everything necessary to engage in the world as I know it. The fact that my wallet contained a large amount of cash, needs to be considered as well. Anyhow, once I got home I discovered the missing wallet, and started to panic. I immediately cancelled my cards, and set about wondering what to do to replace everything.
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It was only when I returned to my house that I saw two young men knocking on my door. When I asked them could I help them, one chap asked me if I was the particular resident at this house. When I responded in the affirmative, he handed me my wallet, containing everything inside, even all the cash. The young fellow I was predominantly talking with mentioned that they were travelling to Bendigo by train when they found my wallet.
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They then saw my phone number in the said wallet and had tried calling me, but I was out at my bank at the time cancelling my cards. They then decided to go one step further and return my wallet personally to me here in Castlemaine. I was stunned by their selfless compassion and desire to do "the right thing". I offered them a reward, which they initially declined, but at my insistence they eventually took some money from me. These two young guys, whom I presume were around 18 /19 years of age deserve the plaudits of all who would otherwise presume that the youth of today are selfless and non-caring. It was only later that I realised I hadn't asked their names, and for that I am sincerely sorry. I would commend these young men to the community at large as truly wonderful, caring and compassionate people. It has made me rethink my attitude entirely toward the youth of today, and restored my faith entirely in our wonderful young people.
Dave Stent, Castlemaine
Palliative care and VAD
I write in response to the letter from Helen Leach, January 10, 2019 "Foolish to think euthanasia is safe". My first comment is that Voluntary Assisted Dying should be considered as a practice entirely complementary to palliative care. However it is absolutely critical that we acknowledge that even the best palliative care in the world cannot alleviate all pain all the time. I watched my mother die from Motor Neurone Disease and can attest to this fact. In addition I would like to comment on the fact that as we have seen globally and particularly in the Victorian Parliament, much of the VAD debate focuses on semantics and the utilization of appropriate and correct terminology. Terms such as suicide, state sanctioned killing and euthanasia induce non-rational and hysterical debate.
In relation to the word “euthanasia” I would like to clarify that we “euthanise” our pets as they are unable to provide informed consent and hence it it an involuntary act. Victorians will have access to “Voluntary” Assisted Dying, or if one insists on using the less preferred term “euthanasia”, it should then be correctly referred to as “voluntary euthanasia”. In this instance the competent individual must provide informed consent and so the act may be deemed “voluntary”.
Jane Morris, Malvern
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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