He searches for, and finds, the heart and soul of the person he is writing about, and expresses those thoughts quite lyrically, sometimes reminding me of Tim Winton’s writing.

Take for instance the first paragraph in Saturday’s March 17 article on Keith Marshall, titled “A beautiful life in motion”.

“It’s a funny thing, he says, settling those broad shoulders, steely arms patchworked in age-mottled skin, a veteran swimmer’s-frame cranked like high-tension fencing wire from a relentless crawl through the blue.” You want to keep reading don’t you? Congratulations Nigel. I look forward to reading your first novel.

Parks Victoria wishes to provide clarity around some of the points raised in the letter of March 14, ‘Keep us in the loop about decisions on Buffalo Chalet’.

Parks Victoria manages some incredible destinations across the state, and Mount Buffalo National Park is no exception. We need to ensure our park facilities are meeting the demands of our visitors to ensure they are safe, accessible and meet their requirements.

So, in 2015, the then Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville MP announced a $1.5 million investment assigned to rejuvenating the Gorge Visitor Area and bring the area to a contemporary standard for visitors. This provided an exciting opportunity for Parks Victoria to look at this popular site and develop facilities that would suit all users.

Parks Victoria conducts a rigorous and accountable project management process including risk assessments, cultural heritage, environmental impacts all which align to the appropriate legislation.

The Gorge Visitor Area Upgrade project is multifaceted with different elements being undertaken in two distinct stages. Stage one involves earthworks, excavations and the car park reconfiguration to allow safe entry and exit for coaches and cars. One aspect of stage one that has just been completed is the refresh of the visitor toilet block which was managed in-house. Parks Victoria has now gone out to tender for interested businesses to undertake the major works to complete stage one works. Stage two will involve the upgrade of the existing all-abilities lookout as well as looking at a proposal to offer a portable food and beverage offering that can be utilised at a number of possible sites within the Gorge Visitor Area.

Parks Victoria has recently provided an opportunity for feedback on the project. This feedback will be consolidated and provided to the project management team for evaluation and consideration.

Having experienced a terrifying incident early Wednesday morning, I wish to publicly thank the 000 operator who treated me with the utmost respect ,and to the Albury police officers who attended. The officers were professional, kind, calm, and helpful throughout and did everything possible to assist me. I fully appreciate their efforts.

Thank you Albury police, for keeping our citizens safe from harm and for being a professional and reliable source of help when it's most needed.