I hope Greg Mirabella gave this honest, simple reasoning when he briefed the Wodonga Liberal branch meeting on Monday.

Sophie always did it her way from day one in 2001, believing Liberal endorsement for Indi was the easy road to Canberra.

The parliamentary Liberal party will be happy to miss Sophie’s temper tantrums.

It would be hard to find a greater contrast than the results of two Liberal ladies first elected in 2001. 

Sussan Ley in the seat of Farrer must be admired for her continued progress year after year while the electors of Indi say bye, bye Sophie – she did it her way to parliamentary oblivion.

In the past couple of weeks, we paid our respects to soldiers lost 100 years ago in two significant battles of World War I. 

I was honoured to attend dignified remembrance ceremonies at Fromelles and Pozières, France, on July 19 and July 23.

It was particularly touching to share the services with people from my local electorate of Ovens Valley and see them given a chance to pay their respects to their ancestors, who died so far from home.

At the Battle of Fromelles, we lost more than 5500 Australian troops in just 14 hours.

The Australian War Memorial describes it as “the worst 24 hours in Australia’s entire history”.

It was the first major battle on the Western Front our soldiers fought in, intended to divert attention from the Somme offensive.

But it was a complete failure, with 5533 Australian and 1547 British casualties.

Some 400 soldiers were captured. By comparison, the German casualties numbered little more than 1000. The Battle of Pozières, lasting about two weeks, was just as devastating. 

Australian historian and war correspondent Charles Bean wrote that Pozières ridge “is more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth”.

The centenary service at Pozières was a moving experience, one of those utterly sobering moments that bring home with clarity the sacrifice our troops made in horrific conditions. 

I felt the hairs stand up on the back of my neck as the march on the colours and the catafalque party went by.

We lost so many brave Australians; there were so many young lives lost.

While in France, and at the request of family members, I also visited the grave sites of our fallen soldiers.

The sheer numbers are breathtaking, but it is not until you see the rows and rows of crosses that you start to understand what the numbers mean.

I am writing in response to the article “What's wrong with … The Great Australian Spelling Bee” (The Border Mail, July 20).

Rather than praising these kids for their spelling prowess, the author cynically criticises them for the “practical skills” which ​they supposedly lack.

​These children are only 8 to 13 years old. They have years to learn “real world” skills. He mentions manufacturing as one of these. You've got to be joking. Australian manufacturing jobs are disappearing down the plug-hole. Anyone who wants to work in manufacturing had better consider moving to China, as that may soon be the only country making anything.

As for spelling being irrelevant, he is definitely wrong. A job application that has spelling errors will be put at the bottom of the pile, reducing the chances of even getting an interview. Any show that encourages young people to improve their literacy should be applauded.