Staff were naturally friendly, very genuine and nothing was too much trouble.

Cost was competitive too.

In particular, the customer service I received from staff at Shelton and Lane Printers and Stationers (front and back offices) was amazing. The same could be said about Macchia Jewellers.

You can’t buy this type of customer service and I only wish there was more of it.  

What an impressive advertisement for Horsham retail these businesses are.

Thank you and well done Horsham.

JACKIE NOONAN

Wycheproof

I REFER to a letter by Richard Opie (Mail-Times, July 25), where he incorrectly claimed that funding for Wimmera schools and specifically for Horsham College, was stopped by the incoming Baillieu government.

In 2014 when the National-Liberal Coalition was in government, as minister I was extremely proud to deliver a $10-million capital commitment for Horsham College.

I worked tirelessly to advocate for the Lowan community and for Horsham College. This money was tremendous news for the college students, staff and the entire school community.

I remind the electorate that prior to this announcement the only major capital works funding for Horsham College was delivered by a previous Coalition government for the administration centre, nothing during the 11 years of a Labor state government.

I also remind Mr Opie that in 2011, the Coalition government provided $7-million for a new state of the art Horsham Special Development School, which had also been looking for support for many, many years.

The one point that I will agree on with Mr Opie is that we can already see the benefits in the building works that have commenced at Horsham College and I look forward to celebrating its completion with the community and the current Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy.

HUGH DELAHUNTY

Former Nationals Member for Lowan

HAVING watched Q and A on ABC last Monday night with some of the members of the new Senate, what a pitiful country this has quickly become.

The animosity and hate towards Pauline Hanson and the abuse thrown at Sonia Kruger of Channel 9 has simply shown the murky depths this country has reached. 

There is no freedom of speech for anyone at all who may have genuine concerns about any issue in this country. Just who is the judge and jury? Is it the ABC and the politically correct members who front up each night on The Drum?

Since when is the Islamic religion beyond reproach? The Catholic church can be dragged through the gutter for its misdeeds, rightly so, as can any other organisation in this country.

Consistently we see, read and hear about radical Islamic extremists treating other innocent people in the most violent and inhumane ways we could ever imagine. 

Just think of that truck in Nice driving forward, mowing decent people and little children down like blades of grass. 

On the night Q and A screened there were 200 people protesting outside the ABC venue against Pauline Hanson.

Pauline is perhaps not the best person to explain clearly her genuine concerns and those of many Australians too scared to open their mouths. 

She could be the best orator in the country, but she would still be hated with a passion not seen in any other format.

The Greens member on the Q and A panel Larissa Waters, in response to Pauline’s question as to why these terrorist extremist had been so violent in latter years, said it was our fault. When are the Sunnis and the Shiites going to have a reformation? They hate each other - is that our fault?

Last week there was an horrific honour killing in Pakistan. A brother killed his own sister in the most brutal of ways, he said, for bringing shame upon their family. 

When are we going to see protests against honour killings or people taking to the streets denouncing the violence we witnessed last weekend?

RUTH SHEPHERD

Horsham

I WILL be at the Mallee Machinery Field Days this August, exploring all the gadgets and machinery and I want you to join me.

Field days are a great way for people to come together, to see what’s new in terms of farm machinery and to connect with people, ideas and opportunities.

The Mallee Machinery Field Days are one of the best events for showcasing the latest developments in farming practice, equipment, technology and services and I know they’re a highlight for the farmers in our region. The field days play a vital role in the local community, by offering a forum for farmers to research and purchase new products and also by creating economic activity, through the many visitors who come to the region, specifically for the event.

The field days provide the potential for a greater economic contribution to the region and a boost to local communities and their businesses. Volunteers work tirelessly to put on the field days year after year and they should be commended for sustaining what is becoming an iconic event.

ANDREW BROAD

Member for Mallee