School traffic concerns
In reference to the story about frustrations over traffic issues at Warrnambool East Primary (The Standard, March 22). My children go to Warrnambool’s St Pius and they also have a big issue with their drop off zone. First of all there is a no standing area at the end of the drop off zone and parents still park there waiting for children which then leaves the exit to the car park jammed for cars to come in and out a narrow entry and exit. Second, the school crossing is situated on a corner and at the entry/exit of the drop off zone. Once when I was stopped at the school crossing because I couldn’t get into the school because the entry/exit was congested I was forced to wait at the crossing for traffic to clear and a car tooted the horn and over took me. It is a major issue and as parents our first priority is our children’s wellbeing. When a school feels reminding parents in news letters and dealing with each parent’s complaint individually is all they can do is utter rubbish as our children are in their duty of care. When they remind parents of the dangers I feel it is putting it back on parents that it’s our responsibility. I believe the city council should be assessing the issue and making it a priority to fix the issue. It’s not good enough and this needs to be a front page discussion and explanation to how parents should be making complaints because they are falling on deaf ears.
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Melissa Jennings, Warrnambool
Thanks for the support
Last Sunday at Penshurst a group of 120 motorcycle riders and pillions got together for the National Black Dog Ride one dayer. The ride is about removing the stigma from mental health issues and promoting suicide prevention, this year’s theme was getting the conversation started – “we need to talk”. At the end of the ride we were able to donate $2000 to Headspace in Warrnambool. This was the fifth year that we have held a leg of the Black Dog Ride one dayer at Penshurst. On behalf of myself, Tige, Neil and Julie Wiltshire and Black Dog Ride I would like to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors of our ride this year, who kindly donated prizes. I would also like to thank our local volunteers who without their valuable assistance our job would be harder. And lastly to all the volunteers, supporters, attendees and their families who do so much to make this event happen. Thank you.
Heather Muskee, Penshurst
Language important
Monday’s story about jails filling up due to tougher bail laws stated: "Warrnambool magistrate Peter Mellas refused the bail applications, with one man only charged with just breaching intervention orders by being with a protected woman and therefore breaching bail conditions." The language we use to describe crimes is an important part of how we perceive these actions. The use of words like "only" and "just" in relation to domestic violence and breaches of intervention orders gives the impression these offences are minor issues. This encourages perpetrators to minimise the impact of their actions and deters victims from coming forward for fear of being dismissed and disbelieved. Please remedy this language and be aware of the importance of the language you use to describe these very serious issues.
Megan Stout, Portland
Accountability needed
Australia's federal and state governments fund billions to the Catholic Church for the operation of education and social welfare services. Taxpayer money props up Bishop's autocratic authority, not dwindling church congregations. Taxpayers must hold Bishops and their executives responsible for their failure to protect children and vulnerable adults. Bishops must not be allowed to 'wriggle out' of their espoused 'negligence'. Politicians directly fund Diocesean Bishops to manage education and welfare institutions, yet the church hierarchical and undemocratic structure continues to lack transparency and accountability.
Patricia Boylan, Cairns
