Furthermore I plead with him to meet face to face with those of us who have attempted to navigate the mental health system in order to help our children.

We have the right to be listened to despite the fact that we may not be the "professionals".

Too many of us are grieving after many years of battle and being "sorry for your loss" is totally inadequate and far from consoling.

Tom O'Callaghan's outline of the State of the Climate report (from the CSIRO and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology) acknowledges the stark effects of global warming.

We have been experiencing reduced rainfall, increasing and more severe droughts, more frequent and intense heatwaves, longer fire seasons and more intense fires in central Victoria.

These changes are similar across all of southern Australia, while northern Australia is experiencing increasing rainfall, more floods, fewer cyclones.

The report states very clearly that the Earth is being heated by the highest atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases in two million years.

These greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane and other gases) come directly from burning fossil fuels and clearing land of trees.

These gases will continue to build up in the atmosphere without immediate and radical action to reduce our reliance on burning fossil fuels, and ceasing the rapid land clearing practices.

The ACF's Bendigo District's community group thanks the Advertiser for bringing this urgent issue to light through Tom's writing.

We urge readers to read this report on either the CSIRO or BOM website.

There are videos and summaries to make the report easier to understand.

We love Daylesford.... The lake, the walks, the springs and the smaller tasteful abodes are the appeals.

This is a regional area of Victoria that needs protection so as to maintain its charm and character.

If such a big development of 52 lots were to take place, it would set a precedent.

Over time the area would likely become overdeveloped, and as such would totally lose its appeal to us and many other visitors.

It would be even worse for those who live there.

Read more news: Colbinabbin residents create cooperative to buy general store

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