Thursday, December 3, 2015

This year, when it didn't appear I asked a passer by when it would be erected. She informed me that it had been, but inside the church.

This amazed me, and I can't help but feel that this is being done so as not to offend "you know who".

Hopefully they will put the crib back outside so everyone can enjoy it and the message it brings instead of hiding it away.

I AM pleased to advise the Australian government’s $20 million national volunteer grants program for 2015 is currently receiving applications.

Volunteers play a critical role in helping shape Australia and in the building of stronger, more resilient communities and nationally, six million people give their time, energy and skills in supporting others.

These grants are designed to encourage volunteering while also helping small community organisations to assist their existing volunteers, making their volunteering work easier, safer and more enjoyable.

Grants of between $1000 and $5000 are available for not-for-profit community organisations to support their volunteers through practical measures such as the purchase of small equipment items or reimbursement for the cost of fuel, training and other items.

Volunteering touches all aspects of Australian society, whether it be helping out with local sporting teams and land care groups, responding to natural disasters and emergencies, or helping local charities support some of our most disadvantaged people.

Further information about Volunteer Grants 2015, including the application pack, is available online at www.dss.gov.au/grants, or by telephoning 1800 183 374 or email vg2015@dss.gov.au. But please be quick – applications close at 2pm on Wednesday, 9 December 2015.

I WOULD like to highlight that the letter submitted by Helen McIntyre in The Border Mail on 30 November 2015 is factually incorrect.

Cathy McGowan did not bring mobile tower funding to Indi. It is not possible as she is not a member of the government. Sophie Mirabella started the process in 2008.

Malcolm Turnbull, the then Minister for Communications and his parliamentary secretary for Communications, Paul Fletcher, negotiated with stakeholders Telstra and Vodafone and injected government funding into the project.

The value of the project is expected to be $385m.

What a delightful and heart warming story I read in The Border Mail on Monday, November 30. “The benevolent barber” by Tahlia McPherson.

I would like to say what a special young man Dude Hut barber Josh Bourke is, giving up his time to care about our homeless citizens of our community.

What a lovely gesture, and I am sure very much appreciated Josh.

If I was your mum, how proud I would be, to know just how much you care.

The Border Mail is pleased to announce it will run a weekly Letter of the Week competition - the lucky winner receives a double pass from Regent Cinemas Albury to watch a movie of their choice. 

Email submissions toletters@bordermail.com.au. Winners will be announced on Saturdays.