The Ovens Valley region is a magnificent part of Victoria to live and raise a family and we are grateful for our natural surroundings. 

Being safe and feeling safe are two important elements of any community as our children, our parents and grandparents enjoy the opportunities that are before us.

During this week we commemorate National Police Remembrance Day to honour and in memory of the 159 brave Victorian men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in performing their job. Every time a police member is called to respond, there is always a risk involved.

On behalf of the communities within the Ovens Valley, I sincerely thank our Police officers and I ask everyone to take a moment and reflect on the work our Police do for our safety.

I AM writing to encourage all of the young voters to maintain their interest in politics, despite the recent events reported in relation to the election result in Indi.

The race for Indi was run eighteen months ago, a protest was lodged, then dismissed, with the Independent candidate, Cathy McGowan remaining the winner with a margin of several hundred votes.

Since the Coalition was already successfully in place with a large majority, that should have been the end of it. The decision to involve the overextended Federal Police, appeared petty and a waste of resources.

The thought of now having two, perhaps over-enthusiastic young women who cast ineligible votes, being charged with fraud and perhaps receiving a conviction which could affect their future, is absolutely appalling. I would far sooner see young people politically engaged, rather than accept the level of indifference to democracy that is articulated in the Lowy Institute’s recent report.

Young people have the skills to access the broad range of opinions that are presented in social media, which are vital to our understanding of changes predicted for the future.

The wholesale loss of distinguished and insightful journalists from the print media across the nation, denies many people in the community such information.

Enthusiastic young people are the future of this country and will decide the success of Australia throughout this century. I have worked closely with MPs and Ministers on both sides of Parliament for many years and I can assure young people the actions taken regarding Indi would not be supported by most MPs.

What a great forward thinking idea for Wodonga to permanently home the Spirit of Anzac display.  

Wodonga Chamber of Commerce suggested the Bandiana Army Museum.

Also, the idea it may be time to relocate the Wodonga Cenotaph has been put forward. The former Bandiana saleyards site would be an ideal location. The site has significant acreage and fronts the Murray Valley highway. It would be easy to find.

Let us support each other in gaining these employment and tourist attractions for our city.

WITH the expanding of the residential zoning of beautiful Wodonga, it is with dismay that the alignment of the Murray Valley Highway at Killara is allowed to leave a horrendous misalignment with the new estate service road. 

This in effect bottlenecks commuters, tourists and workers who use this to visit the Hume Weir and lovely towns beyond. Local residents deserve better.