They know the power of the seasons, and that small actions have surprisingly powerful results. They know the true value of patience, humility, accountability, loyalty and faith. And they are rock solid.

They are practical, generous, compassionate and respectful of other people's sacrifices. So on Saturday in Albury, I was totally perplexed by the hoards of shoppers not social distancing, not face-masking, and not sanitising. Nor were lots of businesses.

COVID-19 is a clear and present danger to every business and family in this region. It is a super-sticky, multi spin-off, steroid boosted, wildfire without the glow.

The virus arrived preceded by massive fires, financial stress, drought and water concerns, and is smothered in paradoxes and unknowns.

It is overwhelming. Who remains untouched? Every country, community and race, touched by the same problem. The virus is targeted and super smart. It's invisible, wildly infectious, and humans are herd animals, so it spreads via our movements and our contacts, relying on our inattention, our indiscipline, and our loathing of being told what to do.

IN OTHER NEWS:

We are in the middle of a medical pandemic, and businesses are struggling.

Wodonga Council says that it can not afford to fund Business Wodonga to the tune of $80,000 each year. If they had not undersold the land in Bandiana by $285,000 they could have funded Business Wodonga for a further 3.5 years with this extra money.

What a waste of ratepayers money. Shame on you Wodonga Council.

I write regarding the advertisements placed in The Border Mail by the Liberal Party advertising the fact that Helen Haines voted with Labor 78 per cent of the time over the last two weeks.

In all of my time keeping abreast of politics and current affairs I have never witnessed such a ridiculous effort by any political party or politician to take a cheap shot at a standing member of Parliament.

It is an absolute insult to all voters within the electorate of Indi in that it suggests that we are so stupid that we would be influenced in any way by such a statement. I, and the majority of voters in Indi, elected Helen Haines as our representative because of the fact that we trusted her to make decisions which represented the majority view of the electorate. I believe that she has done this with the greatest of enthusiasm and has been exemplary in keeping us all informed and finding ways to consult when necessary.

One of the most disappointing things that I take from this advertisement is that it targets Helen Haines as a woman new to politics and makes the suggestion that she, like so many of them, lacks integrity and will follow what is perceived as popular. They are so wrong on that observation.

One thing you can be sure of is that this has ensured you have my support and vote for as long as you choose to represent the Indi electorate.