Women’s roles in war need to be retold
The organisers of the pop-up exhibition, Women of Empire 1914-1918 which was held in Ballarat recently should be congratulated for highlighting the mostly unsung roles of women during the First World War. However, I was surprised to learn that few school groups, and certainly no girls' schools, have visited this well-researched and visually stunning display. The exploits and tragic fate of the men who participated in the Great War is well-documented and rightly commemorated by descendants and the community at large. Even the sad history of the horses that never returned is well-known. But what of the intelligence, strength, ingenuity and courage of the women who joined up to "do their bit", as nurses, doctors, ambulance drivers; fighting discrimination at home, and bombs and disease abroad? What of the mothers, wives and sisters who organised large-scale relief efforts at home, spending countless hours raising funds and knitting socks?
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The stories of the individual women showcased in this exhibition are both inspiring and breathtaking. The role of schools in disseminating the Anzac legend in the past twenty years cannot be overstated. It is a shame the role of women during this pivotal time in Australia's history, as so beautifully documented here, could not also be studied and appreciated by our school children; especially our strong and inspiring women of the future.
Maria Taylor, Creswick
Presence of authority needed
I empathise with Nick Bruyn of Alfredton with this dismay of drivers in Cuthberts Road who regularly exceed the speed limit, perform doughnuts and burnouts, and generally show no respect for residents' right to peace and quiet in their residential streets. As an older person who has distant memories of a time when our streets were not regarded as the playground of spotty youths in ill-maintained Commodores, I can't help thinking that indications of tyre-shredding on our streets may well indicate that some areas - my street included- regularly attract such behaviour, and should surely suggest to our police that regularly patrolling these areas might lessen such dangerous and anti-social behaviour. Surely it must occur to the powers that be that nothing reduces undesirable behaviour on our roads like the presence of a clearly marked police vehicle.
Sandy Richards, Mt Pleasant.
Cyclocross exceeding boundaries
I am absolutely disgusted the council has allowed this event to have the wetlands included. There's a sign as you enter the wetlands: all bicycles please dismount before entering. There's a very good reason for this. The protection of the wildlife has to play a big part. We walk this area every day and many large birds frequent these paths, and to have these people racing bicycles is not only terrifying the wild life, but cutting up the walking track. I am disgusted this council would allow such an event to be held in the wetlands area. And to actually close off this area for something such as this is appalling. You have to wonder what mentality drove this decision.
Russell Evans, Alfredton
World interest?
Listening to Tom Elliott's radio 3AW interview the Mayor of Ballarat re a trip overseas for him and two other executives, I was embarrassed to say I have lived in this great city for over 50 years. The crunch came when he (the mayor) said this trip would help put Ballarat on the world map.
Half the world would not know where Australia is, let alone Ballarat. I doubt very much if they would be interested in how the development of the Civic Hall is going. If the council wants approval to increase rates, don't waste ratepayers money on junket trips overseas.
Barrie Hood, Lake Wendouree
