The candidates who did turn up answered some very pertinent and considered questions from young voters attending. It was very disappointing to discover that the Liberal and Nationals candidates had both RSVPed to attend, but for reasons known only to themselves did not show up, but were seen spending the day with Scott Morrison, who decided to make a short notice visit to the region.

I think that can be seen as a pretty clear example of where priorities lie for these two candidates. The "party" will always be a priority over the people of the electorate, showing clearly that their constituents are not important to them. Does this ring any bells from our past experiences in Indi?

If the candidates of a party put their constituents last in their priorities, then perhaps that is where the voters should put them on the ballot paper - last.

The fact that small towns matter to some candidates was clearly demonstrated by the Nationals candidate in Indi, Mark Byatt, on Monday evening, when he relinquished the opportunity to attend a forum in Mansfield, choosing instead to meet and greet the people of Chiltern.

We were extremely fortunate to have the time to talk to Mark, who spoke to us about how government systems work, what steps need to be taken in order to lobby for our needs and the various agencies that are available for help.

Mark was expert in the way he connected with the attendees; to sincerely listen, engage and actually consult, with intent to deliver the opinions, concerns, challenges and hopes of small towns. How the system works to represent us is what matters; who advocates and who diligently consults, this is what matters to small towns inhabitants.

Mark Byatt is a very down to earth and honest person, who is obviously interested in all the people in his electorate. With his vast experience, especially across all areas of local government, he will be a true and effective representative for all of us.

Thank you to Joanne and Adrian from the Telegraph hotel for providing the venue on Monday evening.

It made my day when I saw that the Office of Public Prosecutions will appeal the pathetic sentence handed out to the drunken remorseless thug who attacked two decent, hardworking paramedics; one a female ('Attacker appeal', The Border Mail, May 6).

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SEND US A LETTER

This offender displayed zero remorse in the photography published in The Border Mail as evidenced by him giving others the finger. In a nut shell, civilized members of society are sick of reading about these lowlifes that see it as a fun activity to attack the front-line emergency helpers such as the police, paramedics, firefighters, SES, nurses and doctors.

Every worker is entitled to a safe workplace and to go home in one piece. These are roles these criminals could not ever do. My parting words to like minded thugs is, if you want to act like an animal, the rest of us hope that you will be caged like one.