Support for Karen community
With some dismay I read the article regarding antisocial behaviour towards Bendigo's Karen community, dated Tuesday, June 9.
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Since 2009 it's been my pleasure and privilege to be associated with a number of Karen people as they've resettled successfully in Bendigo.
This has been through activities such as driving practice, establishing a community garden to produce culturally appropriate vegetables and food preparation and handling courses to provide opportunities for employment.
Without exception I've found them to be warm, friendly, receptive and immensely grateful for the hopeful opportunities Bendigo is providing them.
Given my experience I very much doubt the accusation that the Karen people are to be blamed for the coronavirus pandemic in Bendigo is founded on fact.
Rather, I suspect it's founded on a lack of direct contact with Karen people and an unfounded fear of those who are different in appearance to the majority.
Garth Phillips, Ironbark
Vale John Madigan
John and I first met in 2013. John had heard of the Yallourn W workers lockout in the Latrobe Valley. On his own volition, he chose to personally come and meet these workers to offer his support.
When John arrived at the Yallourn 75 picket line, he was towing a trailer full of supplies for the 75 workers who at that stage were in the early days of what would be, 100 days of being locked out by Energy Australia.
John repeated this 250 km journeys on three occasions. He was a lone spokesperson in the Senate for these Yallourn workers.
John was a fierce advocate for Australian manufacturing and Australian workers and a rare politician, in that he put the representation of Australians ahead of self or party representation, sometimes at a great personal cost.
I miss my chats with this decent, honorable, heroic and honest friend.
My condolences to Teresa and the boys.
Luke van der Meulen, Moe
Eppalock query
I would like to know if GMW has a plan in place for the opening of the many private parks around Lake Eppalock? Surely with a cleaning plan for shared amenities, based on numbers this can happen.
Public places with shared toilets etc are definitely not cleaned after every use.
As for social distancing, this is not even an issue compared to shopping centres.
David Haynes, Pascoe Vale South
Protest rally under fire
Victorians must be left wondering why COVI9-19 restrictions are still in place.
After all, you are allowed to breach all restrictions, without a fine, to attend a protest.
I empathise with the protesters but not at this time of coronavirus and the chance of a second wave.
Mick English, East Bendigo
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