Youth views important
Congratulations and thanks to The Standard for including coverage of how important young people’s views and involvement are in your recent election coverage, The Standard, November 24. Especially great effort to arrange the interviews with local candidates for students from local high schools, where young people had the opportunity to directly quiz those candidates. Young people are concerned about numerous political issues but many don’t feel that the current system includes them or even acknowledges their concerns. As Millennials now outnumber any other generation, their impact in future elections will continue to grow and change our priorities, so it’s vital we take Becc Brooker’s advice (Opinion, November 24) and encourage young people to have their voices heard. The Youth Affairs Council Victoria creates and supports opportunities for young people in the Great South Coast and across Victoria to speak out and be valued as active participants in their communities, and we applaud The Standard for furthering those aims.
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Karen Walsh, Regional Development Coordinator, Youth Affairs Council Victoria.
‘Illogical’ opposition to centre
The `not in my backyard' protesters continuing to making illogical arguments against the Lookout Residential Rehabilitation project need to have a good look at themselves.
Their argument is that the location isn't right; but the reality is that they're saying it's not right because it's near us. `Not in my backyard' protests are not a valid reason to stop a project that will benefit our community. There have been no facts identified to support their many claims.
The ongoing opposition is from a small band of localised people - who had no objection to the plans before the site was known. Overall there is clear support for this project.
A few months ago, I attended the community forum about the proposal and was stunned by the uncaring rants about ice addicts, ignoring the fact that the vast majority of people needing support from WRAD have alcohol problems. Ice might be terribly damaging for those who fall victim to it, but alcohol remains the biggest danger in our community.
Dennington residents opposing the project seem to ignore evidence that other rehabilitation centres have been successfully running for decades without the need for police intervention and without having a negative impact on their neighbourhood.
They also ignore the process that has been undertaken to review several sites across the region before it was determined that this is the most appropriate location.
Their arguments are clearly emotive, not based on planning and amenity considerations and ignoring the overall community benefit.
There are people with alcohol and drug problems in our community who need help; they could be living beside any one of us. A safe, monitored rehabilitation service will reduce this problem and improve safety for everyone.
Unfortunately, without treatment they would continue to use drugs and create problems for themselves, their families and the community in general.
I should acknowledge that I do contract work for WRAD, but this letter is written independently as a caring community member who sees the benefit of supporting people in need.
Rick Bayne, Warrnambool
Yes to centre but not here
The Warrnambool region needs a drug rehab center badly and Mike Neoh has shown us where it can work. The present idea of Atkinsons Lane in Dennington is doomed to failure and the Dennington community will never accept it or feel safe because it is a half-baked and inadequate plan. If Glenormiston isn’t an option then the organisers need to look for somewhere similar to give us the center we need. Not an ill-conceived and badly thought out option.
Judy Foley, Dennington
Wrong location
The Lookout must not go in Dennington. It cannot work there and if only the steering committee would seriously consider somewhere else more suitable we’d be happy and support it.
Tom Bertrand, Dennington
Glenormiston not Dennington
Michael Neoh has proposed a great idea for The Lookout to be based at Glenormiston. That is a great place for a drug rehab centre. Get it away from a place where it can’t work and where it will hurt too many neighbours.
Bob Hyland, Dennington
Thanks for helping
We are writing to thank The Standard and the Warrnambool community for their support of McHappy Day in 2018 - the largest annual fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). The Warrnambool community helped us celebrate 27 years of McHappy Day and raised more than $4.8 million for RMHC nationally. These donations ensure that Aussie families get to stay together while their seriously ill or injured child undergoes treatment. Throughout the country we saw communities, such as Warrnambool residents, help raise vital funds for RMHC. We saw local Bucket Brigades, Scout groups, emergency services as well as sporting and TV personalities visiting McDonald’s restaurants, to help make a difference. We want to personally say a big thank you to everyone in the Warrnambool community, who got involved, making generous donations that helped McHappy Day raise more money than ever before. Fundraising efforts like McHappy Day are vital and ensure RMHC can be there for families with seriously ill children when they need it most. With so many Aussie kids requiring treatment, every donation goes a long way to keep families together in their toughest times. You can continue to support families in need by donating to rmhc.org.au all year round. Thank you again to The Standard and the local community for all your help on McHappy Day.
Barbara Ryan, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Ambassador Charities Australia.
‘Ideal’ city
Councils and councillors have been criticised since they were conceived but look at the wonderful legacy left by all those who chose to accept those positions. Warrnambool is certainly the "ideal city" and I am proud to be a resident. The entrances to the city are well maintained, attractive and welcoming and the council outdoor staff manage to keep them looking at their best. We enjoy the best of facilities for sport, culture, open recreational areas, botanical gardens, education of the highest standards, healthcare and aged care second to none and historical records available to all. These facilities are all constantly being improved. We are also fortunate in having great commercial, mechanical and engineering and constructional businesses available. Visitors from other parts of Victoria, interstate and overseas marvel at the Lake Pertobe area and the fact that it is "freely" provided for anyone to use. Aren't we fortunate to reside in Warrnambool and able to enjoy the benefits of both city and rural living. One drawback is the amount of vandalism by a small number who want to ruin things for both themselves and others. They apparently do not realise that the cost of repairs could be depriving them of something they might want. I think we all owe a vote of thanks to all who have made this city what it is and also to those who keep it as our "ideal city".
Graeme McLeod, Warrnambool