They have done this in a spirit of collaboration and trust that the GMA, as an independent, statutory body, free from political interference, will deliver sustainability, and as stated in the regulations, promote access to hunting opportunities.

I speak on behalf of all hunters when I say that duck hunters no longer have the confidence in the GMA to set game seasons in an unbiased manner.

The announcement demonstrates an unacceptable disregard for the views and efforts of hunters, businesses and rural communities, yet alone the negative impact on the social and emotional well-being of hunters and their families, who are having their traditional lifestyle stolen from them.

This year, I will be able to hunt three Saturday mornings and harvest a total of 6 ducks for the season, despite countless thousands of ducks in my area. How far will this go in feeding my family and Aboriginal Elders in my community with our chosen traditional food?

To the small but vocal crowd of anti-hunting extremists from the Animal Justice Party, Animal Liberation etc, I ask what right do they have to impose their ideology on duck hunters? Is this purely discrimination based upon their narrow-minded beliefs?

Minister Mary-Anne Thomas must review the ridiculous, unscientific and discriminatory restrictions upon duck season, communicate with hunters and their organisations to consider their views and find an alternate, acceptable option to the GMA.

Lawn bowls is played every day of the year. Nearly two thousand players grace the greens of Bendigo and surrounds each week. It is a sport that provides for all levels of abilities and ages, from the young to 90-year-olds.

Bendigo is often host to state bowling events. Elite bowlers from all over the state come to compete for State titles.

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This year The Disabilities Championships will be played at Golden Square Bowling Club in April. This event showcases the incredible talent of blind and disabled bowlers.

Bowls provides for many other community activities from mothers with babies to get fit programs. Lawn bowls is an interesting sport to watch and to play. The provision of a covered facility would enable bowls events to be played in comfort, for both spectators and players.

It would attract more bowling events and bring added revenue to our city. We live in central Victoria, an ideal centre to showcase this sport. Other regional cities have already built these facilities and are now providing revenue to their communities.

We urge our council to assist with the creation of an indoor facility. We are already at a disadvantage with some other regional centres. The need is urgent!

For the health and well being of our bowling community a covered facility would be a wonderful acquisition for our city.

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