Pokies odds stacked against you?
Having a crack on the pokies should be fun. I cannot believe how many establishments in Warrnambool take people's money to build their businesses up.
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It is pretty much stealing, the odds are not on your side. I would love a government official to audit all venues' books.
Jodie Campbell, Warrnambool
Cheese name restrictions food for thought
Your article on local cheese and the prospect names like parmesan and brie won't be able to be used (July 22). Now you can see why the UK needs to leave the European Union. Australia will be told what to do to conform with their rules.
Michael Hoare, Warrnambool
Youth homelessness link to mental health issues
It's great to see the issues around mental health getting media coverage, particularly the challenges for young people in navigating this increasingly complex world.
Congrats to The Standard for continuing to cover these issues, and publishing young contributors like Jen Rowan (Opinion July 19: Smashing the mental health stigma in our small towns).
As we fast approach National Homelessness week, August 4-10, it's important to remind ourselves of the crucial links between mental health and secure housing, and take action wherever we can to address those risk factors for mental illness.
Youth Affairs Council Victoria has recently conducted consultations with young people in this region to inform our submission to the Victoria Royal Commission into Mental Health, 'Beyond Access: How young people from rural and regional Victoria are struggling with mental health services', available at yacvic.org.au.
Many young people in our consultations identified the importance of secure housing in maintaining good mental health, and talked about the difficulties they experience accessing affordable housing and support services.
Research tells us that mental illness is more widespread among young people experiencing homelessness and the longer that young people experience homelessness the more likely they will develop serious mental illness.
We can't continue to let this happen in our community. I urge south-west community members to get informed about the crisis of homelessness in this region and get involved in the Homelessness Week activities, starting with the free community event and barbecue at the Warrnambool Civic Green on August 6 from 12pm-1.30pm.
Karen Walsh, Warrnambool
- Please note: The Standard prefers letters to be less than 250 words. Preference is given to shorter contributions. Letters must include the author's name, address and contact phone number for verification purposes. Letters are published online and in print.
