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The article relating to Daniel O’Riordan’s comments on the lack of Irish celebration in Bendigo (Bendigo Weekly, March 16) created much angst among the members of the Bendigo Irish Association Incorporated and their supporters.
This association was formed in 1991 to promote the culture of Ireland as former Hibernian Societies had lapsed over the years.
An annual St Patrick’s Day concert was held on March 17 and proceeds supported the family care sisters, Bethlehem Home for the aged and Salvation Army.
This year a decision was made not to hold a concert as it was a Saturday night which was commercialised by hotels and conflicted with the Dahlia and Arts “Touch of Irish” activities.
Our annual activities continue – Bloomsday, June 16 and Sunday, May 6 is our Annual General Meeting with guest speaker Irish Artist Patrick Verdon. All are welcome. Phone: 5443 4803.
Our history book Shamrocks in Sandhurst dedicated to the late Bishop Noel Daly who gave us so much support.
Details of the Association’s activities are at the Bendigo Goldfields Library.
Greta Balsillie,
Foundation Secretary,
Spring Gully
Question from a resident
On Wednesday, March 21, I attended a council meeting of the City of Greater Bendigo for “Questions from Residents”, having provided the outline of my question earlier.
I spoke as a private citizen, and challenged the council on its lack of activity after a public meeting almost six years go, concerning the future of Fortuna.
At that meeting it was recommended an advisory body of concerned citizens be sought by council to help demonstrate to the state and federal governments that Bendigo in general had great concerns about the potential and future of the Fortuna site, and that three-way discussions be developed.
In that six years some community groups have fought for this cause but have no links with council.
These groups have been able to demonstrate that the site could be acquired, developed and become a huge attraction without being a drain on ratepayers.
My pre-submitted question was given the answer that, at this time, such further approaches to state and federal governments would be”premature.”
But this was not the gist of my question. Such approaches have been on-going but my concern is that these governments cannot assess the issue without it being made clear to them that we, in Bendigo, value and cherish this part of our heritage, and have the vision and an outline of how it can be developed as a major community, state and national asset.
It would not be a millstone around the neck of ratepayers, but rather a proud example of what Bendigo can offer the nation.
Merle Hall,
Bendigo
Calling John Norton
I am writing regarding a friend of mine who emigrated to Australia, to a place called Kangaroo Flat, near Bendigo.
I know this may be a one-in-a-million chance that he can be located. His parents moved out there in 1982.
His name is John Norton, he emigrated from Leicester, UK, probably in the 70s.
John Newby,
Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Fair go for all
I write regarding this City of Greater Bendigo council’s total inability to look after all residents.
They do not mind taking rural residents’ rate money but they fail to provide anything in return.
If you do not live in urban Bendigo you are not entitled to anything, it would appear. We pay our rates, too, and want something for our money.
I have written to Council many times about the poor condition and lack of maintenance of Harlands Road and Raywood-Neilborough Road, along with several request for the floodway dip in Millwood Road to have a large pipe placed there to enable residents past that point.
The most recent correspondence from council dated March 13 states “Compared to other project ratings, this project does not have highest priority.
“...at this stage the project is not included in the five year capital works program.”
Sorry council but this is just not good enough, I have asked on several occasions for council to show me what they actually do for the rural residents yet they have failed to respond; that is because they do nothing.
The last flood in early March saw myself and many others isolated because the floodway reached 700mm and was impassable.
It has been mooted by council that we chose to live out here – yes we did, however there was no warning when buying that access to Bendigo would be cut by
flood waters.
Council needs to look seriously about spending money in rural areas and stop spending all our money on the CBD and urban Bendigo; we are equal residents and deserve equal consideration.
Leigh Palmer,
Cra-Mer Park Miniature Equine Stud
Expense of the future
I, along with thousands of Victorians want clean, renewable energy, rather than continuing and increasing reliance upon dirty brown coal.
I want an Environment Minister and a State Government who can be relied on to stand up to big polluters by refusing to hand over billions of tonnes of dirty brown coal, while simultaneously using taxpayers’ money to fund the coal industry’s dirty work – a disingenuous media spin campaign to clean up its bad image, and promulgate such oxymorons as “a clean coal future.”
I am outraged as Premiere Ted Baillieu and Energy Minister Michael O’Brien slash support for renewable, sustainable energy and industry and instead give the rapacious coal industry a free ride at the expense of our future generations.
Michelle Goldsmith,
Eaglehawk
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