Net result: no gun crime; no anti-social behaviour; no protestors; money spent in cafes, motels, restaurants, souvenir shops, fishing outlets, etc, but Narooma News last week contained three uninformed, vitriolic outbursts against HuntFest and its organisers, with no letters to present the truth!

So in fairness I am compelled to write this week, even though I would prefer to maintain a dignified silence.

HuntFest, and the South Coast Hunters Club, have no, repeat no, connection to the NRA, the United States itself, or any so-called US gun culture!

HuntFest is not, repeat not, designed to change Australian culture, encourage shooting of native animals, or promote the gunning down of innocent bushwalkers in state forests or national parks.

HuntFest is, however, designed to promote education amongst shooters, to teach them more about firearms safety, responsible use of public areas, control of feral pests, and safe, humane and responsible harvesting of game species. 

If you don’t like hunting, don’t participate in it, don’t attend HuntFest and don’t eat venison. 

There are much more important things to worry about than the legitimate hobbies and celebrations of those with views other than yours.

Yours in tolerance

S Kennedy

Corunna 

Thank you to the Narooma News and the Narooma community for your generous support of the Nulla for Nardy ride (882 kms over 11 days).

The ride raised $10,000 towards landscaping and a sensory garden for the recently completed second section of Nardy House.

Gail Drury

Bermagui

On Sunday Animal Welfare League (AWL) Eurobodalla conducted the annual Tailwaggers Walk and all I can say is a huge thank you to all that volunteered, sponsored, held stalls and to all two legged and four legged varieties that walked the walk and joined in the show ring events.

Not only were we blessed with a beautiful spring day but the day really brought out the best in all and only reiterates my passion for the area in which I live.

The event has been months in planning, gathering with 100% umpteen AWL volunteer based hours and it was nothing for those members and other volunteers to get up with the Kookaburra’s on a Sunday morning to set up shop by 9am.

When approaching sponsors for this event there was no hesitation or knock backs from anyone.

At Tailwaggers even some of the stall holders gave part or all of their proceeds from the day.

During the day AWL including Dog Training members ran around and gave a hand where ever needed to ensure a successful day, then at the end of the day they were all there again to pack it all up again.

Last and by no means least there was you the locals that travelled near of far just to make the day something to really wag your tail about.

We had a near record number of 127 entries for the walk – wow - and everyone was generous with donations and all in all looked like they had a great time.

We are currently experiencing some unsettling times around the world but one thing I know for sure is what a wonderful, special and heart-warming

area that I live in. Thank You so much.

Gabriele Eichler

AWL Eurobodalla Branch President

On September 21 I was part of an alive, aware, vibrant group of people in our Shire.

We gathered in Moruya to unite with thousands of others throughout the world in a Global day of Action.

We united to voice our concern and urge World Leaders to truly act for the planet when they come together in New York this week to address the critical situation we're all facing.

Our precious planet is under stress on so many fronts.

Surely such an historic event warranted wonderful coverage?

Every major city and many other cities and towns throughout Australia held deeply thoughtful, passionate gatherings that were replicated in cities and towns throughout the whole world.

Is anyone else wondering about what's happening to our "News"?

The constant emphasis on fear and the evil some are resorting to, rather than some of the good and remarkable things people are doing.

It is sad and sickening really.

Good coverage of this critical global event as well as of our own Nation's involvement would have lifted people's spirits, spread hope and reminded us of the importance of our power as the People of this great land.

P deLaney

Narooma

To the lowlife who felt the need to invade our privacy, come into our backyard and help themselves to my wife’s kayak on Thursday evening September 17, the matter has been reported to police.

If we ever see it around the area, whoever has it will be immediately reported to the police by us.

To anybody thinking of buying a cheap lime green coloured “Ocky” kayak beware, it is probably stolen and we know our kayak.

This is not the way people in Narooma treat each other so do us all a favour and go back to whatever hole you crawled out of.

You don’t deserve to be part of this great community.

Mark Hawker

Narooma

At the recent World Health Organisation Health and Climate Conference, the Director-General concluded, “The evidence is overwhelming: climate change endangers human health. Solutions exist and we need to act decisively to change this trajectory.”

Climate change poses an urgent threat to human health by affecting clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter.

We rely on healthy ecosystems to help us access and use clean water and air, healthy soils, food and to resist disease.

Now is the time for Eurobodalla to act with even more determination to contribute to reducing human induced climate change.

Many of us are already working for a more local, resilient, active and sustainable community that is less energy dependent.

Our Councillors can help by working to bring genuine renewable energy generation to Eurobodalla; to keep all new and current courses available and affordable at our local TAFE so that our community can be educated for the jobs that will result; and to protect our local biodiversity.

At the national level, we should support the twelve Australian medical and health scientists who, in an open letter to Prime Minister Abbott published in the Medical Journal of Australia last month, urged that the economic implications of climate change for human health be discussed at the upcoming G20 meeting to be held in Brisbane in November.

Action will inevitably be costly, but unless we start to address it, the impacts on the health of Australians and the national health budgets in the future will be daunting.

Sheila Monahan

Tuross Head

There has been some discussion among the local Councillors about increasing the revenues of the Council by increasing the Council Rates. Councillors have agreed to put some sort of proposal together to justify support for an increase to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for their consideration. When will meetings with the general community be held to see if they support general rate increases though?

Allan Brown

Batemans Bay

As residents in Akolele and other local areas we are distressed to hear that that BVSC is intending to close the public toilet at Payne's Island, Wallaga Lake.

We have the following health and safety concerns:

Without access to toilet facilities there will be an increase in the number of people using the bush as a toilet. This is already evident during busy holiday periods.

Subsequently the resulting runoff will pollute the water, particularly affecting the children who regularly swim in the lake increasing ear, nose, throat and eye infections.

We are also concerned about increasing e-coli affecting the quality of the fish and crustaceans taken from the lake by both recreational and commercial fishers.

Increases in nutrient levels will impact adversely on the protected seagrass beds that are critical to the marine ecosystems within Batemans Marine Park.

It should be noted that the eastern side of Payne's Island drains directly into Wallaga Lake Entrance Habitat Protection Zone.

Current users of Payne's Island facility include the daily and year round use by the fisher-folk with increasing numbers in the holidays, local tradies, bus drivers, travellers, walkers, picnickers and locals.

We would question the validity of using the resident population ratio as justification for the removal of the Payne's Island public toilets, as the population of the shire swells tenfold during peak holiday periods.

We firmly believe that in the long term interest of the area this facility should be retained and upgraded.

Robyn Levey, Jo Lewis and Kerrie Ryan

Akolele 

During Dementia Awareness Month throughout September, Alzheimer’s Australia, with support of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at UNSW, is calling on the community to join them in Creating a Dementia-Friendly Nation – that is, creating communities where people living with dementia are respected, valued and supported to maintain a good quality of life.

In the electorate of Bega there are an estimated 1,560 people living with dementia. That figure is projected to increase to about 3,540 by 2050.

These numbers show how essential it is that we pave the way for future generations to live in dementia-friendly communities.

Greater awareness and understanding of dementia in the community is essential to prevent the social isolation experienced by so many people following a diagnosis of dementia.

I encourage your readers to find out more by going to www.dementiafriendly.org.au

I urge all Australians to understand that small actions count and can make a significant difference to the lives of people living with dementia.

To become involved in the range of activities hosted by Alzheimer’s Australia NSW throughout September, visit www.fightdementia.org.au.

The Hon John Watkins

Chief Executive Officer