Fan’s fond memories
I HAVE just read online your story of the lady who travelled from Germany to see Minyip, aka Coopers Crossing (Titled: A trip down memory lane, Wimmera Mail-Times, November 10).
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I am coming to Australia from England next year and Minyip is definitely included on my travel schedule. I was and still am a huge fan of the show.
I still have the letter that I received from the actual Rural Flying Doctor Service in Mt Isa when I inquired about doing work experience with them during my gap year in 1992. Sadly, that didn't happen but my parents did buy me a flying lesson for my 18th birthday as I was so obsessed with the show and particularly Dr Geoff and Kate Standish. I've tried to follow Robert Grubb's career from here since the show ended and this week he is guest appearing in Neighbours in the UK! It feels as though everything is falling into place for me.
Basically, there are thousands of us around the world who would visit tomorrow if they could and would really love to see the memories of the show and the town preserved. Someone should certainly start taking tours out there again as the love for the show has not faded in 25 years.
Thank you for sharing the story.
Erica Mynard, England
Service, sacrifice honoured
ON SATURDAY at 11am, the nation fell silent to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who served in defence of our country. Almost a century ago, the Armistice with Germany that ended the First World War was signed on this day.
Remembrance Day is the day we remember the service and sacrifice of every Australian — more than 1.5 million of them — who have served in defence of our nation and values. We also reflect on more than 102,000 Australian lives lost in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping. Lest we forget.
Dan Tehan, Veterans’ Affairs Minister
Show and shine a success
THE Balmoral District Lions Club hosted a Show and Shine last weekend. It was a very successful day, recording a record number of cars on show and a record crowd in attendance. A special thanks to the Wimmera Mail-Times and 3WM for articles and promotion of our event. Thanks to Supercheap, Barbeques Galore, Betta Electrical, Cheap as Chips, Latus Jewellers, Premix King, Horsham Newsagents, Traction Ag, Bunnings, Mitre 10, Bursons and Daryl Robinson Auto Electrician for their support.
Balmoral District Lions Club
Driver safety reforms
THE state government has announced driver safety reforms to toughen penalties for dangerous drivers and keep Victorians safe on our roads.
Under the proposed changes, full licence holders detected with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05 to 0.069 will face licence cancellation and disqualification for three months for a first offence. Drivers over 0.05 will be required to have an alcohol interlock fitted to their vehicle for six months and all drink-drivers will have to complete a new behaviour change program before being relicensed. Up to 3000 full licence holders are caught drink-driving between 0.05 and 0.07 BAC each year. Last year drink-driving contributed to 23 per cent of road deaths.
Research shows that licence disqualifications can cut instances of repeat drink-driving by 70 per cent and reduce crashes by 79 per cent. Installing alcohol interlocks slashes repeat drink-driving by 63 per cent.
Victoria Police will be given greater ability to immediately impound vehicles for a range of dangerous driving behaviours. There are also tougher penalties for excessive speeding, unlicensed driving and employing an unlicensed driver in a driving role.
License disqualifications will also be doubled from three to six months for those caught driving under the influence of drugs. Court penalties and penalties for repeat offences also double.
Luke Donnellan, Roads Minister