As someone who walks on our beautiful beaches regularly, I have watched in dismay as commercial racehorse training has steadily been taking them over as their preferred training track, with the consequential threats to recreational beach users and the fouling and degradation which has occurred.

I would now like to call on the Moyne Shire Council, as the authority who has management responsibility for Killarney beach and other sections of the reserve, DELWP and Parks Victoria, as the other land managers of the reserve, and the businesses which are carrying on the training of racehorses, to provide to the public confirmation of what protections they have in place for people whenever they venture onto these beaches.  

Clearly, despite many expressions of concern by our communities to all these organisations, no actual physical protections have been implemented on the beaches, access paths, car parks and dunes. So it comes down to what cover would apply, if any, if a racehorse and its rider actually cause injury or death. Accordingly, would MSC, DELWP, ParksVic and the racing businesses please declare the following:

There are many serious questions relating to what is happening on our beaches and Moyne Shire Council, as our local authority representing ratepayers, has been silent in the public domain ever since these dangerous and destructive activities intensified – over a year ago. I would hope that on this issue at the very least, they and the other responsible authorities and businesses, would inform the public on how they intend to ensure our safety in these public places.

​Marion Truman, Port Fairy

LIVING in a community is arguably the very best thing about being human. Our ability to live side by side in peace, to welcome newcomers, to look out for each other and to fight for the places we call home, are really what being human is all about. This is what we mean when we use the term 'shared humanity'.

In south-west Victoria, we have some very impressive communities, like the Portland Glenelg Gasfield Free group who were instrumental in securing a ban on unconventional and Coal Seam Gas throughout Victoria, the Merrivale Residents Association who fought so hard to stop the industrialisation of their wetland and residential area and of course the amazing community effort of Peter's Project which was responsible for Warrnambool's new cancer center.  

Shane Howard (The Standard, Wednesday, October 26) knows a thing or two about community as his family was involved in the fight to Save St Brigit's church, which has now been turned in a successful neighbourhood hub. The power of community is being demonstrated again as the Belfast Coastal Reserve Action Group fights to protect their beautiful, wild beach and coastal environment from the ominous overcrowding, hard hooves and waste of the ever-present racing industry.

There are so many reasons why horses should not be on beaches and especially in the few wild places we have left. The hard hoofed and heavy horses of government and industry should leave the coastal reserve and its wonderful community in peace to look after the land and each other. Please help BCRAG to protect its flora and fauna from heavy, hard hoofed animals.

Lisa Owen, Warrnambool

AS ODD as it sounds, a letter appealed to me this past week (Letter: Tony Delaney, The Standard, Saturday October 22). It included an impassioned plea to force our want-to-be councillors to reveal their political alliances before we vote for them.

We are all well aware of at least one councillor who was considering a tilt at state politics and for much-needed transparency we need to know the affiliations. This council certainly needs a huge injection of truthful candidates and by allowing us to root out any conflicts of interest before throwing our valuable votes down the drain ,that would be the well overdue step towards a well-respected and functional council.

We would know which candidate relies on, for example, Deakin for their employment and thus would not be in a position to vote on any upcoming matters without declaring a conflict. Thus could we expect that person to proclaim Deakin a waste of public funds, purely there to fill the pockets of the highly paid elite staff members while providing small numbers of students with the education they could quite easily obtain online, if that was the case. Or could we expect that if a councillor owned a shop in Liebig Street that was positively impacted by the expected works that they would declare that as a conflict?

The letter in question mentioned the One Nation party but I would be more concerned if a member of the Labor party or, heaven forbid, the Greens got into the seats of power.

Scott Norris, Warrnambool

THANK you very much for your article on former councillor Geoff Smith (The Standard, October 22). The reference to councillors discussing matters and not personalities into a matter is something all who aspire to serve as councillors, or other leadership roles, should always keep in mind.

Over a number of decades the councils I have observed that were respected, were those that allowed members to express their views, even if a minority view, yet still be respected for speaking up.

James Judd, Colac

WHAT a vile little letter from Ian Marr of Allansford (The Standard, October 22). In his virulent opposition to marriage equality, Mr Marr had the gall to say he was "not homophobic" but then, like all good homophobes, quickly unleashed his hatred of gays and lesbians with such appalling statements as: "I am sick and tired of this movement that is almost trying to say that gays are more normal than the rest of us – and let's face it, homosexuality, no matter how you cut it, is not the norm."

And then this gem: "What's next – will it be made compulsory?"

Well, Mr Marr, I am sick and tired of hearing vile, homophobic rubbish that serves to isolate young gays and lesbians, that adds to the national crisis of depression and suicide, and that attacks and harms people who are asking nothing more than to be able to have the choice of marrying the person they love.

What gives me heart, Mr Marr, is that you are in fact "not the norm" and that most Australians – the open-hearted, open-minded, tolerant, good people that make up the majority of this country – have absolutely no issue with same sex marriage and see it as the basic human right that it is. Perhaps one day you will see the same.

Carol Altmann, Warrnambool

ON BEHALF of the Leukaemia Foundation and Victorian families affected by blood cancer, I would like to thank the local team behind Warrnambool’s amazing Light the Night event on October 21.

Light the Night is the Leukaemia Foundation’s annual fundraising walk, and the money raised gives families the emotional and practical support they need and funds research to help more Australians beat blood cancer.

In 2016, across cities and towns in Australia, 142 walks were organised, and more Australians than ever were involved in this beautiful evening.

The event at Warrnambool, raised vital funds for the foundation, and is the result of the hard work and enthusiasm of those community supporters who volunteered their time and efforts to make the night shine.

I would like to thank the community who participated by carrying a lantern and giving generously to the cause. It is your support that makes the Leukaemia Foundation’s crucial work possible.

For those who were unable to attend the Warrnambool Light the Night event, you can still support our cause by donating. Your donations are essential in helping us fund research and assist families affected by blood cancer.

Every day, another 35 people are diagnosed with blood cancer. Although research is improving survival, sadly one Australian loses their life to blood cancer every two hours.  It’s not too late to be a part of this touching event!

You can continue to support Warrnambool’s Light the Night by searching for and making a donation at lightthenight.org.au or by calling 1800 500 088.

The Leukaemia Foundation receives no ongoing funding from the government, and we truly appreciate your support which allows us to continue our important work.

Meaghan Bush, acting general manager, Victoria, Leukaemia Foundation