Bakers selfless leaders
I hope the broader Albury-Wodonga community through to Benalla and beyond appreciate what a credit Stuart and Annette Baker are to the wider community; leaders that are selfless and look for no platitudes. Inspirations.
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They sadly lost their beloved and treasured daughter Mary to the scourge of suicide. But instead of retreating into an understandable morbid shell they have decided to take suicide head-on to highlight the far-reaching tentacles of this tragedy yet surviveability of a suicide crisis.
I attended the Winter Solstice and was amazed by the likes of Rosie Batty and Kathy Kelly recounting their tragic stories; equally so the attendees were left dumbfounded by the lack of input by these so-called leaders in psychiatry and suicide prevention at Albury-Wodonga Health; probably out of their depth and skill set sadly at the cost of the vulnerable.
Those that I spoke to were as equally dumbfounded by the absence of those so-called leaders in mental health and suicide prevention at AWH, not a good look and a worry when one considers this is the main mechanism around North East Victoria beyond headspace to intervene with those at risk of suicide.
Ivan Bundy, Beechworth
Be better than this
The letter titled 'Humanity Gone Missing', regarding the men stranded on Manus and Nauru, is a timely reminder that we have just had Refugee Week, where hopefully the community has been correctly informed on the issues of seeking asylum in Australia.
Unfortunately Australia has a system that is punitive, and the government continues the 'alternative facts' narrative that boat arrivals are illegal immigrants and possibly criminals. Given that it is not illegal to arrive by boat when seeking asylum, and most asylum seekers have been found to be genuine refugees, this is just scare mongering.
By not allowing these refugees access to education, work, family and community connections, we are not just denying them a life, but the Australian community also misses out. There are many refugees that settled here post WWII,the Vietnam War, and following more recent conflicts around the world. These refugees have enriched our society not just with their diverse cultures but in all facets including medical, legal, business, science, the arts, technology, etc.
Getting the children off Manus and Nauru occurred due to public pressure. We need now to do the same for those left behind. At the moment, and for the last six years, they have no life, no future, no hope, just black dog despair leading to physical and mental decline. Wake up Australia, we can be smarter, more humane and better than this.
Pauline Scott, Glen Creek
Calling former students
The Albury High School class of 1966-1971 are all turning 66 this year.
We are holding a reunion on October 25, 26 and 27 but even with the best efforts of many of us and despite the reach of modern technology, we are having difficulty contacting 92 out of 237 people. If you started at Albury High School in 1966 or were part of the group who finished in 1971, the organising group would love to hear from you.
You can email AHS.66to71@gmail.com, or contact Virginia Waite by phone or text message on 0419 758 968.
Michael Carrick, reunion committee
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