Disappointing from Tim
It was discouraging to read in The Border Mail of 20 September 2018, Wodonga Councillor, Tim Quilty, being critical of Wodonga ratepayers supporting the Hothouse Theatre and other local theatre groups. As a Wodonga resident and the president of a local amateur theatre group, The Other Theatre Company, I am very grateful for the continuing help and support offered by both Hothouse Theatre and Wodonga Council.
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Our company’s first appearance on stage was a fun, audience participation piece that delighted the younger participants at the Wodonga Council’s Children’s Fair of 2013. The modest donation made by council for our involvement kick-started our group. We have moved on from such humble beginnings to produce (by 2019) 11 major theatre shows on the Border, introducing annual performances of Shakespeare to the Albury Botanical Gardens, and three locally written, original plays. Indeed, those original works have been performed at The Cube (Heroes with John Wood in 2014) and Butterfly Lounge at Hothouse in 2017.
Our latest original, locally written, produced and performed play will be the comedy Scene Changes that will have its premiere at Hothouse’s Butter Factory Theatre this November 2018.
Such shows would never see the light of day but for the help and assistance of Wodonga and Albury councils with a generous community grant, and the terrific help, support and encouragement of the staff at Hothouse Theatre. The arts is not for the rich elite. Far from it. It provides an opportunity, however, for the young and old to develop as performers and grow as people in front of an appreciative audience – from all walks of life.
When compared to other community groups, I think Tim will find the contributions council makes to support the arts is very modest. The benefits to the community in providing entertainment and opportunities are immeasurable.
Miguel de Oliveira, Wodonga
Drivers must be better
My wife and I were travelling on the Hume Highway upon returning from Melbourne earlier this week, when an unbelievable incident occurred. We were travelling approximately 110kms an hour, cruise control set on 112km (allowing for the tolerance) and approaching a B-Double to overtake, we were in the right hand lane. I saw in my rear vision mirror a ute of some sorts approaching us pretty quickly, we stayed in the right hand lane as we were only a few car lengths from passing the truck.
The ute went into the left hand lane, and then proceeded to speed up and go in front of us with only, at the most, two car lengths between the right hand rear of the truck and our car, what moronic behaviour. At this speed any mis-judgement would have been catastrophic.
No doubt this driver has spent its required number of hours during his "L" period and then sat the necessary tests. I have always held the view of learner drivers should have quality teaching not quantity (150 hours) in their practical teachings.
Quite obviously, this moronic behaviour clearly displayed that this driver is very short of any clear knowledge of the dangers of Highway driving. It's not always the state of the roads that needs improving, driving behaviour also needs to be improved.
Mark Sarau, Barnawartha
- Send letters to letters@bordermail.com.au