I was particularly impressed that the parade included members of the police, emergency services and CFA who are not often recognised for their service as well as hundreds of bright young school children many wearing the medals of their relatives. Those of us living in big cities could learn a lot from your local commemoration.

WORK is about to commence on renovating Mount Buffalo chalet, but it is not all good news.

The government, DELWP, Community Action for the Chalet and Heritage Victoria were all like-minded in supporting the proposed demolition of the rear 60 per cent of the building. However, this section is not included in the renovation works. Why not? It would appear that the chalet in her present form is not intended to exist in the future. Also the government’s plan to build a separate visitor information centre/café near the chalet when there is already a cafe inside the chalet appears not to have met with any opposition. Why not? This new structure cannot benefit the chalet in any way.

Why has $2.8 million been accepted to restore the chalet when the penguin centre on Phillip Island gets $48.2 million and Flinders Street railway station $100 million? The largest timber structure in Australia, Heritage listed, gets $2.8 million. The government has promised to safeguard the chalet – clearly this is not the case – only the core section is being safeguarded.

The whole of the chalet needs protection. Minister Lisa Neville and Premier Daniel Andrews are the people to contact to voice your concerns as to what is really planned for the chalet. Visit www.mountbuffalochalet.com for more information. 

THE City of Albury RSL sub branch sincerely thanks the wider Albury community for the tremendous support that was shown across all the activities that made up Anzac Day 2016 in Albury.

The many positive comments we have received has confirmed the many months of preparation by volunteers has been very much appreciated by the community. Albury City staff carried out their tasks and responsibilities in a most professional and praiseworthy manner and we thank the entire team for the well exercised traffic management plan. 

Council staff were on the go from 3.30am manning the traffic control points and taping Dean Street whilst many of you were still asleep. The dawn service again drew a very large and appreciative crowd. The 9am Dean Street march was also very well attended and provided an excellent opportunity for the community to not only thank the veterans but also the various members of the emergency services that took part in the march. The 10am service attracted a large crowd and again was well received by those in attendance. This service gave the community an opportunity to join in with the singing and to lay wreaths. We will continue to encourage full participation in the day’s activities to ensure the Anzac spirit lives on in Albury. It is important to us that we have total community support and engagement. We are an all volunteer not-for-profit organisation. Remember that freedom is not free.

This week's winner of The Border Mail’s letter of the week competition is Cassandra Pollock of Wangaratta. Winners should collect their prize from the front counter at 1 McKoy St, Wodonga.