The Weekly Times - TWT - 4th July 2018

4 THE WEEKLY TIMES Wednesday 4 July, 2018
Help needed for
drought
stricken farmers
Dear Sir,
Don’t doubt the drought!
Imagine your lawns, our
parks, our playing fields
without a blade of grass,
and without the availability
of water.
This is the scene that our
country friends are exposed
to day after day, month after
month. However, this is only
the tip of the drought “iceberg”.
Then reality bites! Their
stock is in very poor health,
barely able to stand. The sale
price is worthless, and then
ultimately and tragically there
is no choice but to destroy
their livestock.
Recently the Premier and
Deputy Premier visited a
property at Dubbo sifting
drought stained dirt through
their hands in front of the media.
The response by the
State Government for the
drought relief was short,
unresearched, and lacked
compassion for the suffering
which exist in the bush.
It included a fifty thousand
dollar seven year LOAN!!!!,
support for innovation for
farming, and…… wait for
this…..guidance for the
preparation for impending
drought.
Clearly this proposal was
developed by bureaucrats in
Macquarie Street!
If our Local Member, Mr
Anthony Roberts (a Minister
in the Government) actually
agrees and supports this nonsense,
then he and his cabinet
colleagues need to confront
the real issues facing the
farmers and their suffering.
Not just a “fly in and fly out”
visit expressing the governments
so called understanding
and sympathy to the bush.
The key support the farmers
need is a subsidy program so
feed and hay can be transported
to the farm gate. Due
to the lack of available feed
most need to be obtained
from WA. The cost of feeding
farm stock is prohibitive.
The State Government has
a subsidy based program for
our public transport system
for 85 percent. Where is the
subsidies support for our
farmers and their transport
costs?
Having grown up in North
Western NSW I have experienced
and witnessed the
devastation, the suffering,
and the anguish of a prolonged
drought.
The wider affect the drought
has on a town’s community
is severe and in some cases
HUNTER’S HILL COUNCIL
HUNTER’S HILL COUNCIL
NOTIFICATION OF DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION
In accordance with the provisions of Part 6.1 Notification Policy of Hunters Hill
Consolidated Development Control Plan 2013, notice is hereby given that Council
is in receipt of the following Section 4.55 Application modifying the previous
Development Application and Development Application.
DA No. Site Proposal Contact
2016-111-3 28 Mary Street
Hunters Hill
2018-1050 60 Woolwich Road
Hunters Hill
Letters to the Editor
permanent.
So I say to Anthony Roberts
and his government, be
careful not to take the country
vote for granted.
Remember the Orange bielection
of 2016.
PETER THOMAS
Gladesville
Rational thoughts
or ‘racist rants’
Dear Sir,
I thought I’d move from
looking at Mr Ikonomou’s
racist rant (don’t you just
love that phrase?) as if it
held any historical or factual
evidence to the language he
uses. (Year 9 English would
love this!)
For a start, we PC fairies
actually live at the “bottom” of
the garden - a misquote from
a poem originally by Rose
Fyleman (Try Google, gentle
reader. Be warned - she’s also
an “other.”)
None of us, by the way, are
in the habit of ignoring crime,
density of population or the
other ills of modernity. We just
don’t blame any particular
group.
Mr I, as I now fondly think of
him (well, it is always “me, me,
me” isn’t it?) uses the classic
terms of the racist, so he cannot
be pinned down to justify
what he says.
Let’s see: “billions of dollars
of Chinese money (some
undoubtedly corrupt)” - does
he mean the money is corrupt,
the Chinese who invest
it are corrupt or does the word
“undoubtedly” give him away
- he does not actually know?
Actually, if we look at
Australian history we’d understand
that in the past it
was British money and then
American money that bought
up our assets - think General
Motors Holden (how long
was it actually an Australian
car?); British Tobacco - we’ve
smoked ourselves to death
ever since - what say you
about corruption?
More people die from nicotine
than ice, Mr I, terrible as
the latter is.
High rise may be ugly and
crowding out the traditional
home.
Well, we could expand
into the food-growing areas
around our cities with traditional
quarter acre blocks.
That’s where the wogs and
ities (excuse the expressions,)
who were the “huge influx” of
the 1950s, ended up.
But, Mr I, they weren’t
“Asian” were they? What happened
to the Italian market
gardens that once were the
feature of Eastwood?
Section 4.55 – Amend
setback of swimming
pool from secondary
boundary
Demolition of
existing dwelling and
construction of new
two (2) storey dwelling
and swimming pool
LETTERS
Welcome
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from our readers. Full
name, address and
telephone number
MUST be supplied, even
if not for publication.
Send to: TWT PO Box
123, Ryde 1680 or email:
contactus@weekly
times.com.au
Of course we’ve got to be
wary of people who think they
can “buy” influence with political
donations.
Watch out for mining magnates,
property developers,
newspaper owners, retired
politicians and their ilk.
That’s why we live in a
healthy democracy which has
laws to protect us, active journalists
(like in this paper) to
suss out such attempts.
But, Mr I, why have such a
narrow focus? Racist rants
are no substitute for rational
thought.
Did we need “that type of
migrant” in the 1870s that
bred our first terrorist, Ned
Kelly - Irish, cop killer?
Did we need those sons of
old England that murdered
and raped at Myall Creek in
1838?
Dear Mr I, we’ve tried taking
you seriously, we’ve tried to
suggest that you are laughable.
Find something else
to do. Join a political party -
Pauline would probably take
you.
BOB SELINGER
Eastwood
Australian Mental
Health Prize
Dear Sir,
The majority of Australians
are touched by the
impact of mental health in
some way.
Many live with the daily burden
of anxiety or depression,
or care for a loved one.
Devastatingly, thousands
of Australians die by suicide
each year and many more
make an attempt.
It is the leading cause of
death for Australians between
15 and 44 years of age, but it
can be prevented.
There are thousands of people
working tirelessly to make
a difference in this field and
their efforts could not be more
urgent.
Anyone who knows of such
a person would no doubt appreciate
their achievements,
but I would encourage them
to take it one step further and
nominate them for the Australian
Mental Health Prize.
Mr Kerry Smith
Senior Development
Officer
Mr Shahram Zadgan
Development
Assessment Officer
The plans and supporting documentation may be inspected at the Customer
Service Centre between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday. Written
submissions will be received up until 4.00 pm 3 August 2018 and all enquiries
may be directed to Senior Development Officer or Development Assessment
Officer, on 9879 9400.
Barry Smith
GENERAL MANAGER
The Prize was established
to acknowledge those who
are doing innovative work in
this area, whether they are
involved in the industry as a
vocation or are advocates
because they have been
touched by mental illness.
Acknowledging those who
work or volunteer in the industry
is an important part of
the process to destigmatising
mental illness.
Nominations are now open
and I urge people to nominate
people in your area.
More information and nomination
forms can be obtained
from www.australianmentalhealthprize.org.au
Entries close on September
7.
For those who are living
with the burden of mental illness
every day, thank you for
your support.
ITA BUTTROSE AO OBE
Chair - Australian Mental
Health Prize Advisory
Group
Big Asian demand
for NSW coal
Dear Sir,
A new report on expected
Asian demand for Australian
thermal coal highlights
a significant opportunity for
NSW, and the risk that this
opportunity may be lost to
others.
The report by expert industry
analyst Commodity Insights
(commissioned by the
MCA and COAL21 Fund) has
forecast strong demand for
Australian thermal coal, including
here in NSW, across
existing and emerging Asian
markets between now and
2030.
The report estimates that
Asian thermal coal demand
is expected to grow over
400 million tonnes (Mt) from
740Mt in 2017 to 1147Mt in
2030 - that’s double Australia’s
total 2017 thermal coal
export volume of 200Mt.
Demand is expected to be
driven by increased regional
industrialisation and the development
of high efficiency
low emission (HELE) coalfired
power stations across
many of NSW traditional
coal export markets including
Japan, China, Taiwan and
Korea, as well as in emerging
markets like Vietnam, the Philippines
and Thailand.
This report confirms strong
future prospects for NSW
coal exports due to a significant
increase in Asian
demand for thermal coal for
power generation, providing
an opportunity for more NSW
mining jobs, higher sustained
NSW mining royalties and
lower global emissions.”
It should also be understood
that failure to grasp this
opportunity will mean thermal
coal will be supplied by others,
resulting in fewer NSW
jobs, less NSW mining royalties,
and potentially higher
global emissions from low
quality coal.
The NSW Budget was a
clear demonstration of the
economic benefits of mining
to NSW, with a record $1.8
billion in royalties for 2017-
18, and even higher royalties
forecast for the years ahead
to help to pay for better services
for the community.
The projected $7.4 billion in
mining royalties to 2021-22
would more than pay for the
NSW Government’s $6 billion
commitment to fund 170 new
and upgraded schools, or pay
for almost all of the NSW Government’s
$8 billion commitment
for better health facilities
including 40 new or upgraded
hospital across NSW.
This report shows that with
the right policies to support
mining we can lock in these
benefits for the longer term.
However, the report highlights
the need for an efficient mining
approvals process and a
regulatory system that is effective
but not burdensome.
STEPHEN GALILEE
CEO, NSW Minerals
Council
Hunters Hill Guest Column
Bridge is good for the brain
and a fulfilling activity
BRIDGE is derived from
the 17th century card
game whist, which was in
vogue among the English
nobility of the time.
In whist, four players (who
comprise two partnerships)
are each dealt 13 cards from
a 52 card deck, with a partnership’s
objective being to
win as many tricks as possible.
There was no auction to
determine the trump suit as
there is in modern bridge
and the scoring was vastly
more simple.
In 1925 Contract bridge
was invented by the American
Harold Vanderbilt.
It quickly gained popularity
in the United States and it
experienced its Golden Age
in the 1930s and 1940s during
which time the game featured
prominently in Sports
Illustrated and competed
with baseball to be America’s
national pastime.
Bridge remains popular
around the world today.
It combines the elements
of mental stimulation, luck
and socialising all of which
are hard to find in other
games as cheap and easy
to play.
* * *
ALTHOUGH bridge’s
golden age may not be
replicated again, millions
of Americans still enjoy the
game.
The game is a dominant
force in European countries
such as France, Italy, The
Netherlands, Norway and
Iceland whilst other unlikely
hotbeds of bridge include
Brazil, Turkey and Israel.
In recent years the game
has spread like wildfire
through China and Indonesia.
Bridge is one of the few
games played today by people
of all ages, faiths and nationalities.
To The POINT
with BOB TERNES
Closer to home, bridge in
Australia is controlled by the
Australian Bridge Federation
which has about 330 clubs
under its umbrella with a total
membership in excess of
35,000.
You will find a thriving
bridge club in almost every
regional city in Australia and
these clubs are always delighted
to welcome visitors
to participate in their sessions.
It certainly adds another
dimension to the joys of
travel knowing that it is easy
to meet the locals and enjoy
a social game of bridge with
them.
Still on the travel theme,
bridge holidays have become
extremely popular
with a growing number of
players.
These holidays are normally
run by experienced
professional players and
teachers and enable players
to improve their bridge play
whilst meeting new friends
and enjoying new holiday
destinations.
These holidays explore
exotic locations both in
Australia and overseas and,
because of the group travel,
are often available at discounted
prices.
* * *
EVEN closer to home,
the Hunters Hill Bridge Club
has successfully operated
in Hunters Hill for more than
forty years.
Today it boasts over 350
members who, because of
the support of the Hunters
Hill Council, enjoy playing
at numerous bridge sessions
during the week in the
beautiful Henley Community
Centre located on the banks
of the Parramatta River.
The Club caters to all
standards of players from
absolute beginners to established
representative
players. The Club is very active
in promoting the game
and throughout the year it
provides lessons for beginners
as well as for intermediate
and advanced players.
These lessons are given
by accredited teachers and
representative players and
enable club members continually
to improve their skills
and enjoyment of the game.
The Club operates in a
friendly, social atmosphere
with the real opportunity
of making new and lasting
friendships whilst enjoying
a hugely challenging game
requiring skill, knowledge,
concentration and logic.
The Club is run by the
members as a not-for-profit
organisation which enables
it to keep costs to a minimum.
For a very small outlay you
can enjoy a game of bridge
over a three hour period in
very congenial surroundings.
The Hunters Hill Bridge
Club looks forward to welcoming
you as a member.
More information can be
found on our website www.
huntershill.bridge-club.org
or by phoning 0419 488
701.
BOB TERNES is the
President of Hunters Hill
Bridge Club
Lane Cove MP Anthony Roberts announces funding for heritage in Hunters Hill.
He is pictured at Gladesville Hospital, a significant heritage site Mr Roberts has
fought hard to protect. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO
Hunters Hill heritage wins
State budget funding
THE Hunters Hill Heritage Trust has received more than $36,000 in the
State Budget thanks to lobbying from Lane Cove MP Anthony Roberts.
Mr Roberts said the community organisation with information and photographs
$36,010 grant has been
approved under the NSW
Government Heritage Grants
Program to help the trust
share the stories of Hunters
Hill’s past.
“I am pleased to announce
the successful grant to Hunters
Hill Trust Incorporated,
for their Project called the
Heritage of Hunters Hill: Digitised
Online Resource; Publication
and Oral histories,”
Mr Roberts said.
“Looking after our heritage
is everyone’s responsibility
and local communities play
an important role in maintaining
more than 400 members
committed to preserving the
unique heritage of Australia’s
oldest garden suburb.
Hunters Hill has 1,244
listed heritage items that
includes buildings, sub-divisions,
bushland, stone walls
and 223 places listed on the
Register of the National Estate
and 102 documented
Aboriginal heritage sites.
“It is a place of national
significance this project will
provide images and historical
information for approximately
500 of these heritage
items so that they can be
of heritage items
and interview senior community
members about past
aspects of life in Hunters Hill.
The grant will also enable
the Trust to add newly created
heritage records to the
website.
“The publication, searchable
heritage material and oral
histories will be launched as
the centre-piece of the 50th
anniversary of the formation
of the Trust,” he said.
“This event is likely to attract
significant attention as
it was part of the first Green
Bans in the world.”
heritage at a local level. understood and protected For more information
“This funding round marks
the 40th anniversary of the
state funded heritage grants
program.”
The Hunters Hill Trust is a
for future generations,” Mr
Roberts said.
He said the grant will specifically
assist the Trust to
create a bank of historical
about the projects and the
NSW Government’s Heritage
Grants visit the website
www.environment.nsw.gov.
au