Last chance for precinct
FOR over half a century, many deeply caring citizens have been putting on record their concerns at watching a very significant railway precinct be slowly diminished by apathy, vandalism from many quarters, especially a lack of vision as to its importance to the people in need of transport and the City of Ballarat's heritage.
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We have one last opportunity, it will never be available again. If only the authorities will listen and spend wisely, not squander this site to anything but the provision of an enhanced public transport hub.
A grand hotel would be an asset to our city, but on any other site, but the railway land so urgently needed for public transport more directly.
Future generations will judge harshly any poor decisions made in this one opportunity left to halt the destruction. May we not rob them of the benefits of a sound, visionary means of movement, a transport hub to be proud of.
I must commend the maintenance work already enhancing the beautiful building but please, I urge caution; it does deserve the highest standard in moving forward to add a quality of lifestyle for the present and future generations.
- June Johnson, Alfredton
End illegal practice
RECENTLY, the NSW Government released figures on reported child marriages in the state. They found 73 cases has been reported since 2014.
This revelation caused a wave of anger and outrage from public commentators and politicians, some of whom singled out local religious groups. Let's be clear that child marriage is irrefutably wrong and a violation of girls' rights.
Worldwide there are an estimated 70 million child brides. Around 40,000 girls are married before they turn 18 every single day. Girls who marry early are robbed of a future, they are denied schooling and are put at grave risk of dying from complications of pregnancy.
Plan International is working to end this illegal practice worldwide and has made significant headway. These achievements have been made, not with anger, but with care.
To make real sustainable change, we work closely with parents, men, boys, governments and community leaders to change attitudes and long-held cultural beliefs. And importantly, we must work to empower girls to understand their right to say no.
It is simplistic and wrong to say child marriage is a religious practice related solely to Islam. It is actually a very complex practice that exists among many cultures and religions and often parents feel they are given no choice in times of conflict or extreme hardship.
Is child marriage misguided and wrong? Yes. But ill-intentioned? Often times not. Responding with anger is not going to solve child marriage. We need to work at all levels of the community to create lasting political and social change to end this practice here at home and worldwide. You can donating at plan.org.au/becauseiamagirl
- Susanne Legena, Plan International Australia deputy CEO
Humans affect habitat
AS ocean temperatures change around the world, it is logical to believe creatures living in those oceans will adjust to those changing conditions accordingly. This could mean creatures such as sharks may choose to move to a more suitable habitat. These same creatures may find not only water temperatures affect their habitat, but a decline in food source.
The food sources may also change or be artificially diminished by humans raping the oceans of sea creatures by allowing large fishing vessels to drag miles of ocean floor which will eventually effect all marine life. Humans may now be seen by sharks as a plentiful alternative food source due to these changes.
- Wally Reynolds, Perth