Are you not aware of just what you had? Your greed for the dollar will ruin everything, it's already begun.

The visitors are not endless cash cows. You're abusing their loyalty and support. Are you offering more from one year to the next?

Price rises are not an entitlement, get over yourselves and look at the big picture.

No visitors, no folkie, no money, you're sinking fast, without a lifeline.

Vicki Walter, Warrnambool

Re the Princes Highway Action Alliance calling for people to sign a petition calling for funding to upgrade the highway west of Colac (The Standard, April 16). People can sign any and all the petitions they like but nothing will change while we remain an ultra safe seat on both national and state levels.

We have, in effect, been voting for poor roads and services (and doing it very successfully) for many years.

And as long as we blindly follow the voting habits we have always followed we will continue to do so.

Gary Sayer, Warrnambool

While animal rights have been used by many who took part in the national demonstrations, essential issues have been avoided by all. They are feeding off young children who rely on milk for food, with many relying on formula to make up bottles. If all animal products are to be avoided we would have no cows milk that is the main base to produce formula.

Other major issues avoided are the massive unemployment in all areas associated with the agricultural industry and businesses that use any animal products and who is to make up lost income.

James Judd, Colac

Re the report vandals are the most likely cause of the transmission power line falling after gun casings were discovered (The Standard, April 17).

Knuckle-draggers with firearms have always shot road signs, houses, sheds, stock and yes power line insulators. It's not a new example of vandalism but the cretins with guns are unable to think of new things.

David Hounslow, Warrnambool

Thank you, Warrnambool. For many of us, Easter is a special tradition and family time when we look forward to the extra-long weekend, school holidays, and often Easter egg hunts and hot cross buns.

But for some south-west families, it will be very different - there'll be long drives to hospitals, days jam-packed with tests and treatments, and, if possible, family gatherings around a hospital bed. These families have a young son or daughter with cancer and unfortunately cancer doesn't stop at Easter.

At Redkite, we've spoken with so many Mums and Dads who say it can be very tough to embrace Easter when your child is hurting.

And as much as parents can try to make everything seem normal, Easter can never be the same when your child is sick.

In fact, based on research, we expect 140 Australian children and young people up to 24 years to be diagnosed with cancer during the month of Easter.

Fortunately for these families, they are not alone. Redkite gives children and young people with cancer and their families constant support to help them through these challenges. With critical services including counselling in hospitals, music therapy and paying essential household bills, Redkite is there every step of the way - from diagnosis, to remission and beyond.

But, we couldn't do it without the incredibly generous support of individual donors and corporate partners. This includes the incredible fundraising efforts of Coles team members and Warrnambool's big-hearted community, who are supporting us during Easter through the sale of new Easter Bunny Chocolate Biscuits and then through the sale of packets of hot cross buns sold after Easter.

On behalf of all the families Redkite helps, I'd like to offer an enormous thank you to the Coles Supermarket and Coles Express customers and teams in Warrnambool for the support they have given so far and everything they do in the future.

I also encourage members of the community to help us be there for local families this Easter by donating to Redkite at www.redkite.org.au.

Monique Keighery, CEO Redkite