Ron Snape, Central Tilba

I would think that any person in our community who listens to the news, follows current affairs or reads the newspapers would agree that our freedoms are being slowly but surely eroded. The freedom to speak ones mind, without being labelled, the freedom to demonstrate against things we object too, without being attacked, the freedom to practise Christian beliefs without being called a homophobe, and even the freedom to attend an event that some might find offensive.  All these things, we consider as our rights, are being attacked by the far left and the social engineers in our society. Presently we have a healthy diverse, town and shire. By diverse I mean we have a great mix of opinions, lifestyles, religion and cultures. But what if groups in our community succeeded in banning things they didn't agree with, where would that end, and wouldn't our community be the worse for it? We should be careful we don't allow ourselves to become a monoculture, like that well known town on the Far North Coast where the views of the far left prevail through the council and community and progress is virtually at a standstill. The council continually verges on bankruptcy, the roads are the worst on the coast, childhood tooth decay is one of the worst in the state and immunisation for childhood disease is also one of the worst in the state. All this because only one view prevails, the agenda of the far left. If we value the freedoms this country still gives us, we should also value its diversity and to ban an event simply because some find it offensive, leads us down the slippery slope to a completely socialist society. And whats next, a ban on flouride in our water, childhood disease immunisation, Australia Day celebrations, Anzac Day, all it takes is one victory to empower those that would take our freedoms from us. In fact the easiest way to discourage events we may not agree with is to simply not go and if the great majority agree and don't attend the event will wither and die, and that’s democracy.

Robert Golding, Mystery Bay

As the first rays of sunlight filtered through to light the faces of all who had gathered,  RSL president Paul Naylor spoke about the ‘original digger’ being an everyday working man in every town – the butcher, farmer, mechanic. Listening intently at the ANZAC dawn service in Narooma, Chris O’Brien was so moved that on returning to her Dalmeny home, she began to write a song of remembrance. Chris was born in England and emigrated to Australia in 1974.  She has for many years attended the 11am service in support of family, friends and her students directly involved in the service. As the melody began to flow, Chris found herself drawn to the words of the Ode which have become the chorus and pivotal theme of her song ‘We Will Remember Them’.  Chris was especially affected by the grave fact that we still today have ‘lads and lasses serving in the fields of war’.  Her deep seated longing for peace in our world, rings out loud and clear in the lyrics as they are carried by the melody and harmony lines. Working alongside a modern day composer to bring a brand new work to fruition and experience it in a live performance has been a privilege and a joy. 

Merinda Antill and Narooma Community Choir

Remembering on Anzac Day, all the soldiers and civilians killed during past wars, reminds us that we should not forget the many animals that also served and gave their lives to support our troops. Among their many duties during WWI and WWII dogs ran messages, laid telegraph wires, detected mines, dug out bomb victims, and acted as scouts and sentries. Dogs were also great morale boosters, providing companionship and warmth to the troops.  Many dogs have gone to war and their indomitable courage and supreme loyalty to their handlers has saved countless lives.  Still today, the innate qualities of intelligence and devotion of dogs is highly valued by our service men and women.  Horses and mules also played a vital role keeping open supply chains, carrying all manner of equipment, ammunition and pulling heavy artillery. November 1914 saw the first four Australian Light Horse regiments sail off to war. The losses of both men and beasts were horrific – 8 million horses, and countless mules and donkeys died in WWI alone. And there were other creatures too - more than 100,000 pigeons served for Britain in WWI and 200,000 in WWII. Elephants, camels, oxen, bullocks, cats, canaries, even glow worms contributed to the war effort. Sadly, unlike their human counterparts, many of the animals that survived WWI and WWII were not brought back to their home countries - they were either abandoned or shot.  Let us Remember Them too. If you have a puppy or dog you would like to train, contact Narooma Dog Training Club – 0458 953 281.

Carol Helmers, NDTC