Thanks to many of you for coming to Deaf Awareness Training and even some of you who sacrificed your time to learn Auslan (Australian Sign Language) with your local Deaf guru, Will Taffe.  

Recently, I visited a café in my hometown after the Games and the lack of this retailer’s ability to communicate or gesture with me when I did not understand struck me how indebted I am of your willingness and dedication.

The community who worked hard to transform Albury-Wodonga into Deaf friendly cities will not be forgotten.

The support from the venues exceeded our expectations and every day was met with glowing smiles.

Accessible venues at galleries, libraries and many more demonstrated that it is not just about “hosting” the Games but creating an all-inclusive city for everyone from all walks of life to visit.

The success of these Australian Deaf Games is proof of the great extent of your commitment, is something to be very proud of, and other big cities have a lot to learn from you.

Thank you for making a difference. Thank you for believing in the Games. Thank you for welcoming us with open arms, smiles, laughter and to many of you for being a volunteer at the Games.  

I hope to see you all again very soon as do all my friends.

Contributor Eleanor Kirk (‘It’s time to make the pill available over the counter’, The Border Mail, February 14) aged 20, makes me smile. 

In a rant designed to provoke, she demands that her generation (who are they again?) be granted their wishes. 

Having decided not to have babies, calling for a review of female contraception and the need to wait in a doctor's office for the prescription, Eleanor displays the expectations of the times. 

Why does it make me smile? 

Well it was the same in my day, the 1950s. 

To Eleanor I say, maintain the rage. Sisters forever!

On Monday this week I was a passenger on the 7.05am V/Line service from Southern Cross to Springhurst.

The train departed precisely on time.

As the journey continued, the train, due to slowing down at different sections on the track, began to fall behind the scheduled times. Finally reaching my destination at Springhurst we were 30 minutes late .

Why they have a timetable stating estimated times of arrival that are impossible to achieve is beyond me.

Track conditions make it impossible to run on time and so their targets are never met, which are demonstrated in the latest statistics.

The winner of the letter of the week is Steven Taylor, of North Albury. You can collect your prize from The Border Mail’s office in Wodonga at 1 McKoy Street. Send your letter submissions to The Border Mail via email to letters@bordermail.com.au.