Out of the loop
In making his claims, Roads Minister Terry Mulder is ignoring the petition signed by 1300-plus residents – 15 per cent of the population here – and the hundreds of letters I delivered to him (‘Altona Loop commuters slam minister’s train claims’, Star Weekly, June 4).
He has not listened to the 10 or more times I’ve raised it in Parliament. He’s ignored the multiple protests at Parliament and at his ministerial office, and he’s overlooking the multiple community meetings attended by hundreds – the most recent also attended by one of his own MP colleagues.
Mr Mulder ignores his own customer satisfaction survey results, which show time after time that it’s here we have the most dissatisfied commuters on the whole network.
It also appears he doesn’t read newspapers or watch the news because the Altona Loop community has been in both on multiple occasions.
Is the government listening to the community? It’s clear the answer is no.
Colleen Hartland, Greens MP
The naked truth
I have travelled extensively around Australia and have seen that there is no shortage of beaches for people who prefer to wear clothing at the beach (‘Nude beach review’, Star Weekly, May 28).
To naturists, these people are known as “textiles”. Naturists do not begrudge textiles the amount of beaches that are available to them, nor do they judge the fact that textiles choose to wear attire at the beach.
Naturists do not go nude to shock or make a statement to others; they choose to be naked because it’s comfortable. If I have to make a choice of wearing bathers to swim rather than be allowed to swim naked, I won’t swim at all.
We have very few beaches available to us (naturists) on which to exercise our freedom of choice. So why not leave Victorians the for-clothing-optional beaches we have and plant more trees to provide the privacy that council says is lacking around Campbells Cove?
Caryn, via web
Merit matters for Bulldogs
Hi there, Mr Gordon. I am pleased to write in upon reading your article and say what a good job you did with it! I do have a few questions, though. I like a lot of things the club is doing towards reaching the goals of being a real community-style club and “winning the west”.
I’ve been a member my whole life and plan for it to pass through generations. One thing that’s been on my mind is team selection. I often scratch my head over Thursday’s selections, seeing Tom Williams in a side that’s developing and bringing through young talent. I see him have a less-than-average game at the weekend, yet he’s constantly picked ahead of young players such as Jack Redpath or Tom Campbell.
I see Liam Jones get selected week in week out, as if he doesn’t need to be forced to stand out in order to be selected.
I go to a Footscray VFL game and watch Redpath bag four goals while Jones struggles to get a disposal for the Dogs.
This is how it looks to me, and speaking to fellow Bulldogs fans I hear the same view.
I’d like a little more insight on how players are going [and] why they have been picked. I strongly believe that picking youth over Williams – who I believe will struggle to see a premiership – will bring the crowds back.
People are old-fashioned. They like to hear a player has worked hard to be selected, not the opposite. I’d love to hear others’ views on this and see a lot more articles/videos on our youth development. Keep up the good work!
Go, Dogs!
Alex Roze, Werribee
Shabby treatment for Manor Lakes
Yet again, the City of Wyndham is seen as unworthy of significant government investment or development (Manor Lakes: suburb bid wins support, Star Weekly,
June 4).
Our community is a mix of white and blue-collar workers who deserve to have the opportunity to work closer to home. Yet here again we have the shortsighted view from those in charge that Wyndham is a backwater with not much to offer. That, along with the distinct lack of interest in improving transport options to Melbourne and beyond, signals clearly that we are not on government or opposition radar at all.
CeeMee, via web
