Essential workers
I wonder if those who are arguing against racing or the May carnival have considered the impact on the jockeys, trainers, stablehands, owners and suppliers of the industry if racing was to be cancelled. Racing in Victoria employs some 33,000 people either directly or indirectly. The vast majority of these participants rely on racing to continue for their livelihoods. Even a few weeks shutdown would cause tens of thousands to lose their jobs, perhaps permanently. Racing Victoria has been proactive in protecting the industry workers from the start. Their operating procedures have been developed in consultation with top experts and could be a model for other industries as restrictions are eased. Indeed, when there was even the hint that one of the participants could be infected they shutdown mid-meeting until that person could be tested and cleared.
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We should also consider that in the current climate, with virtually every other sport suspended, racing will be providing much needed entertainment to many who are confined to their homes. When the current level of restrictions were put in place, the Prime Minister said anyone with a job is an essential worker. I think they qualify. "An industry worker".
Chris Stebbing, Koroit
Racing complies
With reference to Monique Ferrier's letter (The Standard, April 4). Monique is a regular contributor to your column in past seeking banning of horses at the beach, and now two days racing in May at Warrnambool. Clearly a hatred of horses, horse people and anyone connected - it's nothing to do with beaches or Covid-19 in fact - but using that to politicise her anti equine position. No mention of the 38 race meetings conducted without incident in Victoria in March. No mention of the races conducted successfully at Warrnambool on March 12 and 27 that would have the same number of people/horses attending than the proposed May event. No request to ban Terang races April 13 or any others in Victoria or the rest of Australia that are all operating (Tasmania excluded) in reduced capacity and strict protocols. Shame on you and some councillors who likewise have used Covid-19 for your own agenda. Less people will attend the May races should they proceed than the number that attends each Warrnambool supermarket daily. It's not even about the money, Monique, note even the 25,000 racing people in Victoria that saves the government (and you and I) $487m in the next six months, plus they are paying taxes as well. Like RVL, we will abide by the proper authorities in whatever decision they make at any time, as we, like you, are complying with.
Peter Lafferty, Warrnambool
Hold your horses
I was staggered to hear Warrnambool City Council's decision last Wednesday to call on the Victorian Government to request the two race meetings in May be cancelled. It seemed WCC were totally ignorant of the biosecurity measures already in place for race meetings in Victoria and for the upcoming meetings on May 5 and 6. Surely a discussion with Racing Victoria officials and Warrnambool Racing Club should have been considered before, 'grandstanding' comments likening our May races to a potential 'Ruby Princess debacle' in NSW. The knee-jerk reactive decision making is in stark contrast to the delayed decision to change the date of the public holiday on May 7. This gazetted public holiday could and should have been changed several weeks ago.
The RV response to WCC's decision details why the meeting has changed shape, and that industry participants will not stay overnight in Warrnambool, and certainly will not travel interstate. WCC seem oblivious to these facts, and the strict biosecurity protocols have been in place for many weeks. Are councillors aware there will be no crowds at the May race meetings? As stated in the RV response, the community can rest assured this May carnival will be in name only and will be nothing like events of previous years.
We are all aware of the serious nature of this pandemic but, at the moment, the industry has been given permission to continue under strict guidelines. Racing Victoria has employed protocols which are over and above that required by the Victorian Government and the Chief Heath Officer's advice. In a local podcast, long standing stalwart, Peter Hulin, outlined the reasons for his resignation. One being that decisions were being made before all the facts had been considered. This is surely another case in point.
Karen M Wilde, Allansford
'Applaud mayor'
It now appears that the COVID-19 epidemic has
been well contained in Australia from an infectious diseases point of view and
the death toll here should be nothing like the USA and some European
countries. The far greater health consequence of it is more likely to be
a serious rise in mental health issues as a consequence of people losing their
incomes, especially small businesses. The Victorian Government recently
announced an extra $60 million funding for mental health services,
acknowledging the expected surge in people needing help. Recent press
reports have the mayor of Warrnambool in trouble for stopping to chat with some
small business owners in the hospitality sector and sharing a drink. He
says he accepts that he did the wrong thing and that the incident was an
inadvertent error on his part.
For anyone in the thick of a trauma like
this economic shock, having someone check in on your wellbeing is important. Having someone of standing in the community do it, means even more. If
the Warrnambool mayor was doing this, then I applaud him for it. It was
also mentioned Warrnambool has been bestowed a Most Liveable City award
which generally reflects a council doing a lot of things right.
We've
seen a few stories during the pandemic of people being reported for breaking
the rules. I pray that we don't become a nation of dob in your neighbour. Don't let a small indiscretion outweigh a lot of other good work
Warrnambool.
Paul Callihan, Lake Wendouree
Mayor 'just doing job'
I am puzzled and more than a little concerned about the negativity and criticism directed towards Tony Herbert, Warrnambool's mayor, in recent articles. A photo showing the Whalers Hotel as a backdrop is only part of the story. Tony is having a beer with two other men, business owners. They stood at safe distances in front of Bojangles. Both had seen Tony down the street on a brief shopping errand for his family. They reached out to him as their mayor to share their fears for their own families, businesses and livelihoods. Tony listened. My wife's family comes from Allansford. We have known Tony and his wife Caroline, a tireless health care worker, for many years. When we visit Warrnambool, long-standing residents and new arrivals tell us they would not want to live anywhere else. "Welcome to God's own country," we are told each time we arrive. Discussions will no doubt exhaust what a mayor is to do or not do as part of the job description. But I am reminded of what Justin Langer told Barry Cassidy in Thursday night's "One Plus One" - people who talk excellence but walk mediocrity are liars. Tony has shown that he not only talks and walks excellence, but he listens. Regardless of the fine, Tony was doing his job. What else can a mayor do?
David Davis, Kew
'Unacceptable behaviour'
The citizens of Warrnambool have every right to express concern at the management of Warrnambool City Council. The recent behaviour of Mayor Tony Herbert is utterly unacceptable and cannot be tolerated by his most loyal supporter. One must have confidence in one's leader and the leader must have credibility. Sadly Mayor Herbert has destroyed every right he may have had to represent our great city and has brought the title of mayor into total disrepute. His actions have now been documented not just in Australia but sadly internationally. The excuses he has put forward to justify his actions are that of a child. Councillor David Owen wishes to condemn the photographer for daring to get a clear and accurate record of the incidents but clearly Cr Owen should be the most outraged of all people with Mayor Herbert's blatant disregard of citizens health. The sick, elderly and people of good health are dying in the hundreds of thousands due to the indiscriminate nature of this pandemic not to mention the economic catastrophe aftermath. Mayor Herbert releases a video imploring all citizens to do the right thing and adhere to the social distancing advice from governments of all levels and within hours completely disregards his own advice. This is not to mention crossing double lines, driving on the wrong side of the road in our main street, parking illegally, drinking in our main street illegally. Should these actions be tolerated of a person who wishes to continue as the figurehead and leader of our loved city?
Peter Hulin, Warrnambool
What about GPs?
Listening to the news recently, made me wonder if we learned anything from the deficiencies of USA health system. The recent discussions about flu vaccination did not include much about GPs but put emphasis on what pharmacies offer. Indeed they offer $14.99 vaccines purchased for $7 and the vaccination training was provided for free by the government. By comparison, we were quoted buying prices of $11.95 and $14.90. GPs pay hefty fees for ongoing training, focussed on diagnosis, prevention and treatment (including vaccinations) and our clinics offer privacy and isolation as opposed to populated public spaces intended for dispensing medication and selling products. Our flu clinics offer not only access to hand sanitiser but also avoid all aerosol transmission. Plus we know our patients so they don't need to complete the pre-immunisation checklist and we don't compromise on the waiting time post vaccination to observe for possible side effects. Why are GPs expected to provide care for minimal pay and recognition and why is primary care not an important focus for health policies? Isn't it better to prevent than to treat seriously sick patients in hospital? Also, a note about PPE shortage, including masks and sanitiser. Promises are not enough to protect us.
Dr Tatiana Cimpoesu, 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 at standard.net.au/comment/your-say/ and in print.