Mr Constance, please think of the benefits accruing from the Batemans Marine Park to the Nature Coast before responding to the wishes of a very small, if very loud, minority. The Marine Park benefits all of us - including future generations - by sustaining, protecting and enhancing our shared marine and coastal environments, and by helping to attract the tourism that our region depends on for its economic survival. The Marine Park even benefits its detractors, by increasing the fish stocks that form the basis of their sport. If you did, indeed, promise Ecofishers that a change of State Government would bring with it changes to Marine Park legislation, then at least listen to the very many voices arguing against the running down of this public resource before taking any action. We are, after all, the majority.

Six fish for supper, Mr Constance? I think this makes my point.

Lorna Tilley, Friends of Durras

Pause to remember our fallen

On Remembrance Day every year Australians pause for one minute’s silence - in homes, schools, offices and at ceremonies across the country and overseas.

This moment of silent respect pays tribute to the more than 102,000 Australians who have lost their lives in wars, conflicts and peace operations and to those who continue to live with the physical and mental scars of their service today. We wear a poppy to symbolise remembrance and new life, and we give thanks to those who gave their freedom so that we could have ours.

More than 416,000 Australians enlisted for service in the First World War, more than 331,000 were deployed overseas. More than 61,000 lost their lives on the Western Front, at Gallipoli, in the Middle East, in the air and on the high seas. These losses were from a population of only five million.

In 2009, our strong tradition of marking Remembrance Day is as important as ever. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War. In 2009 we also said goodbye to our last living link to the First World War, John ‘Jack’ Ross and the last Victoria Cross recipient of the Second World War, Edward ‘Ted’ Kenna. We also marked the 10th anniversary of the International Force for East Timor operation - restoring peace for the people of East Timor.

To commemorate the service and sacrifice of all Australians lost in wars and conflicts as well as those who have passed away since, I encourage you to observe one minute’s silence at 11am on November 11 and to wear a red poppy to honour their memory.

Poppies are available from the RSL office in your State, or contact the RSL National Headquarters on 6248 7199.

Lest we forget.

Alan Griffin MP, Veterans’ Affairs Minister

Don’t forget where we came from

I Write in support of the fine article and editorial which appeared in the Moruya Examiner on Friday, October 23, dealing with the present refugee furore. There is little doubt in my mind that the Australian debate has moved on from the recent Wilson Tuckey comment and the lies of the Children Overboard debacle of the past government.

Whilst the present Federal Labor Government has removed some of the more dehumanising laws of that era, we need to encourage both the Federal Government and Opposition to revisit Australia’s position regarding refugees and provide moral leadership in finding a more realistic solution.

No more party political point-scoring at the expense of suffering people. We look to our political leaders to provide the necessary open forums for intelligent debate in a spirit of bi-partisanship. Do not fail us, please.

Finally, as someone who came to this country 33 years ago, I received a warm welcome, as did perhaps readers’ parents, grandparents or prior generations. Let us not forget this as we debate the rights and wrongs of this most important issue of dispossessed people seeking sanctuary in this land.

Lorna Anderson, Bingi