What is their own problem that the colour of someone's skin incites such unrest in them that they have to lash out so very inappropriately? Benedicta and Peace, I want you to know that I, and all my friends are so very happy to have you in our town, and that our lives are enriched by you and your culture which you bring to us. I wish you both all the very best for wonderful futures in Australia.

Lorraine Collishaw, Newington

Disturbing to read that a fire fighter from the Traralgon CFA station collecting donations for local brigades was handed a .22 bullet shell and told to give it to the Premier and career staff. As we saw with the murder of Jo Cox in the UK last week, a toxic debate can lead to tragic outcomes. It is therefore cause for great concern to learn of the role the Liberal Party in Victoria is playing in unnecessarily setting volunteers against professional fire fighters and inflaming what is obviously a tense situation over the fire fighters' EBA.

In the mail today, I received a Liberal Party leaflet outrageously accusing Premier Daniel Andrews of putting thousands of lives at risk. The reality under the proposed EBA is that there is no union veto over CFA decisions and the role of volunteers in regional areas, and in the 34 integrated stations is not altered. Even the president of the Victorian Farmers Federation acknowledged today that there are 1200 stations across Victoria where the EBA has no impact at all.

David Miller, Ballarat

I am writing this with regards to the article about the efficiency of the train service being seen as unsatisfactory at 85%. My experience tells me that, with regards to operating machinery for several years, the best long-term average operating reliability from any machine, if regular and proper maintenance is carried out, is accepted by manufacturers and operators at around 90/93%.

Take in other variables like weather, track wear, signal malfunctions (the list goes on), plus the fact that the harder you push a machine trying to achieve better results, the greater the stress on both the machine and the operator resulting in even greater downtime and loss of efficiency. Having said that, my personal opinion is that at 85% efficiency, the trains to and from Ballarat are doing rather well.

The whingers and others who talk down the train service might be better served if they were to get a little experience in the real world of operating a timetable service, and see how they cope.

Alan McKenna, Enfield

Although this federal election lacks the pizazz of past political battles, there are still many passionate volunteers from every party running candidates in Ballarat, doorknocking and handing out leaflets at pre-polling booths across the city.

Even though some people cannot be swayed from our sworn political allegiances, we must all remember to respect all volunteers who are donating their time and effort to campaign for their chosen candidate in our harsh Arctic-esque Ballarat winter. Every volunteer deserves our compassion and I salute candidates themselves and all who partake in campaigning on their behalf.

Rob Edward Smith, Ballarat City Council candidate