Imagine my shock when l was informed by Ambulance Victoria triage that l should have called a taxi and gone to a gp earlier, or consulted a pharmacist for advice. I felt l was doing the right thing by taking prescribed medication to improve my condition, and my call for an ambulance was a last resort. The person l spoke to from Ambulance Victoria triage sent a non-emergency ambulance this time, but told me not to expect it to happen again.

Had l been refused an ambulance, this could have become a life-threatening, emergency situation given I have insulin-dependent diabetes, and I was actually admitted to the hospital therefore confirming I needed medical attention. It has raised the wider question of access to emergency services for people who, like me, are elderly, live alone and face chronic illness. A taxi is not an ambulance, and surely a taxi driver is not expected to assist acutely ill people from their homes to the taxi and help them into emergency?

Marlene Madigan, Sebastopol

As Ballarat Citizen of the Year 2016, selected by Ballarat's City Councillors, for which I feel extremely honoured, I would like to make a few comments about 'things' worrying many of our citizens. Having lived in Alfredton for more than 50 years, and worked in the CBD for over 40 years, I have formed my own opinion about several items.

Firstly, the saleyards, about which I have written before. As I drive in the area often, I feel there is sense leaving them where they are and upgrading them. There is so much room for them, support is in the area, no residents seem to complain about them, and they are part of the city. There is also room for the showgrounds to be shifted into this area, and it would be appropriate with the Pony Club nearby.There is no need to upset Miners Rest residents.

Secondly, the Civic Hall. It seems we may be moving in the right direction here after council's meeting but I agree with comments Merle Hathaway made (21/4) about enhancing its functionality. Reading through and looking at the options of the Civic Hall Master Plan, with the inclusion of the library in the plan I think councillors will make a decision out of option 2 or 3, with any changes needed, which will carry us into the future.

Lastly, the railway station. This area is such an iconic part of Ballarat, we really don't need to do a lot except make use of the goods sheds as put forward by many as a convention/exhibition/community centre and maybe incorporate our Tourist Bureau. As parking in this part of town is very difficult, a multi-storey carpark is essential and there is land for it to be built on, if enlarging the current carpark is not feasible.

We realise there has to be some commercial activity, and even residential premises, as shown in the options for the Hall. Provision also has to be made for the growing number of commuters travelling to Melbourne.

Anne Smail, Alfredton