Michelle it was a wonderful ride on Prince of Penzance in the 3200 metre race, and also I must mention too, your brother Stevie's efforts, who picked the ideal barrier, giving the horse a great chance.

Sometimes fairytales do come true and in my opinion, it couldn't have been more deserving to a hard-working Payne family and a great local trainer in Darren Weir.

Geoff Rundell - Ballarat

Little wonder Trade Union membership across the workforce is dropping off. Disillusioned members who have diligently paid union subscriptions for years, read daily of scams and rorts within Trade Union hierarchy. Some Union officials, from a position of trust, liken getting access to a union cheque book to winning the lottery.

When those responsible for keeping a finger on the pulse of union finances are too gutless or too inept to maintain the checks and balances, it is putting the fox in charge of the chickens. Fraud is inevitable.

Ian Jakobi - Wendouree

In response to Anne Adams' letter re: parking for The Archibalds. I'm not sure what you expect, free parking at the door for hundreds of visitors?

Our gallery is in the CBD and as with most major centres, parking is metered for an hour. All you needed to do was walk a block or two west to find all-day parking for very little. Frankly, the Archies are worth it.

Thanks Ballarat for a fabulous exhibition and opportunity.

Maree Harrison - Ballarat

I totally agree with Jenny Moxham's letter in the Weekend Courier, Nov 6th, "Pigs suffer." We must look past the pristine, plastic wrapped animal flesh in our supermarkets. Pigs are treated as unfeeling "units," they suffer deprivation and the torture of teeth grinding, tail removal and castration without any pain relief.

If we did this to our dogs we would be prosecuted. Yet the industry "Codes of Practice" protect the perpetrators. Pregnant sows are forced to live in tiny, filthy stalls barely big enough to contain them.

Surely this and the threat of cancer, cardio vascular disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes and obesity is enough to make us rethink our choices. The decision to eat a vegan diet is not only best for our health, it is also the kindest choice we can make. Many delicious recipes are available on the net and in libraries.

Diane Cornelius - Seacliff Park, SA

It concerns me that when I requested that the magnificent Cypress Avenue in Victoria Park be listed by council in their significant tree register I received the following reply: "As these trees do not belong to council they will be considered at a later date".

This avenue should be listed as significance just by virtue of its size and aesthetic appeal. Why wait?

If you have not travelled through the avenue lately, make the effort and consider the planning, the planting, the energy and time involved in producing such an outstanding shaded avenue of trees. The avenue of Cypress trees so impressive as you enter, Phillip Island is covered by a council heritage overlay and is on the National Trust register of significant trees.

As I understand it Victoria Park is crown land in council's care; it should be very easy for council to place it on its own register of significant trees. So as part of that caring please list this avenue of trees as a matter of urgency.

Dinah McCance - East Ballarat