Target Country's planned closure will be a loss for shoppers in Batemans Bay and other affected towns and the Eurobodalla Shire Mayors' attempt to change the company's decision is commendable. (BayPost/Moruya Examiner online 3/4/2019)

Retailers need paying customers coming through theirs doors in sufficient numbers to remain financially viable and those customers will come only when what is on offer is appealing enough - satisfying needs and giving better choice/quality/value than competitors and to a lesser extent dependent on the environment.

Dan Murphy's will be a draw to the area but will its presence alone change Target's appeal?

There's a parallel lesson here for council relating to the need for the proposed development at Mackay Park to have the maximum number of paying "customers" through its doors to offset the running costs.

The only way that will be achieved is by providing the mix of features that will attract the highest possible number of locals and visitors - those features must include the Olympic size pool along with the other planned aquatic facilities, decent sized performance and arts spaces with crowd handling capabilities, convenient parking and of course large and comprehensive community spaces if the crazy plan to sell the Community Centre goes ahead.

The complex must be planned and built to be successful from day one, and not only for today but to continue to service the shire's residents and visitors in growing numbers for generations to come.

My father, Roy Webber, has a dear friend who has lived in Batemans Bay all of her adult life.

Gwen Wray would have turned 97 recently and Dad tried to ring her without success. He is desperate to know of her whereabouts.

She would be a very well known identity - being involved in local theatre and teaching piano for many years. We would appreciate any news of her.

Anyone who reads my letters to your publication knows they are usually based around political issues.

This is straight from left field but the issue has confused me so much I had to share it.

On April Fool's Day, I took my dogs to a park that I've been to every morning for more than 30 years just to give them a quick run.

About five or six cars were parked at the edge and numerous older people were standing there.

A man and then two women started waving. I thought something must have happened so I came around and wound my window down, only to be told that they were about to start a tai chi class.

I was gobsmacked, then thought it was an April Fool's joke, but soon realized they were serious.

This is a public park of approximately four acres and herein lies the problem: people, elderly people at that, concerned with their rights and with absolutely no concern about mine. They had no respect in their approach and seemed to believe that if they were doing something calm or spiritual or for the environment that made them better people or more important, with higher rights than the rest of us.

The politically correct world is not working and is actually isolating us, not bringing us together.

Although the NSW Election pre-poll was a long stretch of two weeks in which to try to convince the voters to cast their votes "our way", the Narooma pre-poll was not merely hard work and long hours, it was also much fun among the volunteers of all parties. We had made friendships over many elections.

Saturday's workers at Tilba, Narooma, Dalmeny and Bodalla reported mostly convivial connections with all other parties ... and so it should be. Each to their own, in politics and religion.

I offer our hard-working Bega MP Andrew Constance, his team and all the volunteers from Batemans Bay to Eden my heartiest congratulations on a well-deserved win. What was really heart-warming were the folk who wanted to help Andrew because he had helped them or their organisation.

Bouquets to voting centre manager, Barry Wilkinson, who went out of his way to consult and accommodate volunteers so voters had "a clear run". His polling place ran smoothly and we volunteers adhered to his rules with a smile.

Thank you voters for putting up with us. Hopefully, one day, the choices are displayed in the booths so you may cast your vote, without harassment from party workers outside.