I was the hospital visiting volunteer at the Horsham hospital for 27 years and most people loved what I did, as much as I loved doing it. It is so rewarding. 

Now I am older, the most wonderful people are looking after me with so much love and care and I can’t thank them enough. I am so blessed. 

So now I am recommending volunteering so rewarding while you are doing it and then when you need help, someone is there to help you. You don’t do it to seek rewards, or at least I didn’t.

All I can say is thank you everyone and may God bless you all. 

Dorothy Armstrong, Horsham

I WOULD appreciate an opportunity to speak face-to-face with someone who is committed to political correctness and can advise me about all legal implications relating to thought, speaking or writing. 

A number of years ago, we were told that this newly enlightened standard of behaviour was introduced as a safeguard against discrimination. 

Since then, this new ruling has been misused to discriminate against those prepared to uphold truth, decency and morals. 

By doing so, these people then become guilty of discriminating against those promoting various evils enjoyed in our decadent culture. 

It so happens that with all of the opinions I hear about, political correctness is despised and its loss would be a great gain to encourage proper freedom of speech rather than restrict it. 

Cyril Dymke, Horsham

I AM really pleased to inform your readers that local businesses in the Ripon and Lowan electorates will benefit from the Andrews Government’s cuts to payroll tax.

In a massive boost to regional economies, our government will reduce the payroll tax rate by 25 per cent in regional Victoria – from 4.85 per cent to 3.65 per cent – making it the lowest rate in the country.

This will slash costs for about 310 businesses in Ripon and Lowan, which in turn will support companies to grow and create more jobs.

This regional payroll tax cut is on top of other business tax cuts announced in this month’s Victorian Budget.

The government is bringing forward the timeline of last year’s payroll tax cuts meaning the payroll tax-free threshold will now increase to $625,000 as of July 1 this year, and to $650,00 from July 1, 2018, in a fast-track of changes set to save business up to $48 million and create new jobs.

The government is also allowing more small businesses to opt for an annual payroll tax payment instead of monthly payments.

Agri-businesses will also benefit, with the Budget removing insurance duty on agricultural products, making it cheaper for farmers to insure against crop, livestock and equipment damage.

We’re making sure that every region shares in our economic success with a new regional tax cut that will help businesses in Ripon and Lowan grow, and encourage more new businesses to set up shop and create jobs across Western Victoria.

Jaala Pulford, 

Member for Western Victoria

THE 2017 Federal Budget lays the foundation for a strong and sustainable National Disability Insurance Scheme and is a welcome end to speculation about how the scheme would be fully funded, if at all.

It is imperative that NDIS funding is approved in the Parliament so that people can get on with their lives.

With security for the immediate future of their support arrangements, people with a disability – and carers – will breathe a sigh of relief and begin to plan skills development, study, increased independence and a return to work. For too long all of these things have been put on hold as people feared the NDIS would be starved of funds before it ever got going.

But it’s not just social capital that will grow. NDIS investment will also grow the economy as people with a disability increase their participation, along with a growing workforce of skilled support workers and therapists in cities and towns throughout the nation.

Funding the NDIS is a budget commitment that all Australians can be proud of.

Andrew Donne, chief executive, 

Endeavour Foundation