1. Who was it that closed the Ararat line?

2. Who was it that reopened the Ararat line for the benefit of the travelling public?

3. Who was it that closed the Bairnsdale line?

4. Who was it that reopened the Bairnsdale line for the benefit of the travelling public?

5. Who was it that closed the passenger service on the Mildura line and put unwanted buses on and had shares in the bus company?

6. Who was it that wanted to close down the rail service to Ballarat and put on smelly, dirty buses?

7. Who was it that closed down the rail passenger service between Geelong and Ballarat and Maryborough?

8. Who closed down the rail service between Dimboola-Rainbow and Echuca-Toolamba that you now gloat that you have reopened?

This is just a few. The coalition has a history, as everyone knows, that they don't want the railways as they can't make money out of them to boost their greedy profits and shares.

Privatisation of public transport does not work, as has been proved.

One has only to look at the failed attempts of El Zorro Transport, all because of corporate greed.

It was mooted by your previous failed leader that the coalition was considering privatising V/Line and the people of western Victoria threatened World War III if this happened.

Also for the stupidity of your previous failed leader cancelling the remainder of the new V/Locities, we had to go on to the end of the waiting list for the new ones to arrive.

I suggest, Mr Ryan, that you don't waffle on with propaganda, do your research and get the truth out there.

I also notice Ditchy's cartoon (The Courier, November 9) that the picture tells a thousand words.

Never a more truthful showing of the LNP and the coalition.

BILL WINN

Canadian

A thank you to Special

Olympics volunteers

ON BEHALF of all involved in the Special Olympics, let me say thank you to all those who volunteered their services and time to make this year the great year that it was. Without your kindness we would not have been able to run.

But you gave up your day for us, which was greatly appreciated by all the athletes, coaches and all regions from Special Olympics, Victoria.

So please take a bow, for you are all great in our eyes.

From us who smiled and took a deep breath.

CRAIG McKENDRY

Wendouree

Rail precinct parking

remains a major issue

FOR years now, all those people that use the railway system have been totally inconvenienced by the lack of proper and sufficient parking at the railway precinct.

Now, when there is a terrific opportunity to remedy this problem, every man and his dog is trying to jump in and grab a piece of the action proposing all sorts of development and more white elephants to be built at the rail precinct.

The proper parking needs to be extensively improved and expanded, as has been recently done at the Melton station.

Or are we to continue to be the poor relations, parking in any streets available no matter how far away? If anyone ever cared to check, there are four very full trains leaving between 5.23am and 7.28am five days a week.

Where are all these and later train users supposed to park?

HUBERT ROBINSON

Ballarat

Jumping in the lake for

climate change campaign

SUNDAY, November 17 has been declared a national day of action on climate change by GetUp, which is supported by all environment and sustainability organisations.

Communities, groups and individuals will be gathering in capital cities and regional cities across Australia.

In the light of the dire predictions of climate scientists and the lack of real commitment at a government level, it is expected that tens of thousands will take to the streets and local parks to call for meaningful and urgent action on climate change.

Through the GetUp website, I have organised the Ballarat "Go Jump in the Lake" event at Lake Wendouree on Sunday, starting at midday.

Across Australia, the message will be that Australians want action on climate change support for renewable energies and the rapid phasing out of polluting power sources.

The more than 100 registered to attend will enjoy a picnic lunch, hear from local speakers and cheer on the lake jumpers, who are demonstrating that jumping in the lake may in hotter climates prove a popular refuge.

If governments won't act, we will.

JANE MARRIOTT

Broomfield

Appalled at cost of Civic

Hall demolition plans

I AM appalled that the Ballarat City Council proposes spending between $2.4 and $4 million to demolish our hall.

And replace it with what?

I would like to remind all the councillors that 72 per cent of ratepayers have voiced their opposition to this move.

I realise that it needs some repairs, but had the money expended on surveys and proposed plans which were rejected out of hand by the ratepayers been spent on necessary repairs, the hall would be much nearer usable.

There are problems with kitchen and toilet facilities, but surely these could be overcome by spending the proposed demolition costs on these things.

Opponents claim the acoustics are defective.

I would point out that these defects could be rectified by the use of adjustable curtains, similar to those used in the Sydney Opera House and the State Theatre in Melbourne.

Councillors, please remember you are our servants, not our rulers.

IAN MITAXA

Wendouree

Hall debate is becoming

a modern day Eureka

THE Civic hall debate has similarities to Eureka.

A vocal group of unhappy locals versus the authorities acting by the book (democracy).

The original trial of Bentley the hotelier was not accepted by the public, thus leading to the stockade and civil war, where miners lost heavily and were arrested by the book.

Two David and Goliath outcomes ensued Bentley faced justice and the miners were acquitted.

The pressure from a group of common ordinary citizens overruled the rulers.

The book was rewritten.

Our forefathers not only wanted democracy to be done, they also wanted it to be seen to be being done.

Now a livid vocal group of commoners is trying to save our Civic Hall. Civic from the Latin 'ciuis' of the people.

Another David and Goliath syndrome. Looks like slingshot practice on the hall.

Town leaders travelling without the majority on board have the job in front of them.

The hall was reroofed about 20 years ago, leaving the rest ripe for renovation.

The Castlemaine prison on state land was sold and is now needed back.

COLIN HOLMES

Ballarat