The Lions Club of Horsham, as a project, approached the owners of the drive-in theatre, Laurie and Jean Barber, for the use of their facilities on the last Sunday before Christmas evening in 1974. 

With the support of the city council, who installed seating in the open space before the screen, the projectionist who gave up his time to operate sound and lighting, and the program under a representative of HCF the new project was born. 

The Lions club has maintained support ever since and has seen a considerable amount of money raised for the benefit of local charities. 

There must be local residents, besides myself, who were present at the time. 

Howard Rodda, Horsham

AS A first-time recipient of the wonderful services available to people in and around the Horsham area, some of which I was completely oblivious to previously, I would like to express my gratitude for the assistance given me over the past six weeks. 

Coming home after surgery in Ballarat, the caring nurses with post acute care (hospital in the home) supported me and guided me in every need required.

The Horsham Rural City Council staff with meals on wheels, personal care ladies to assist with showering, all showing professional and always compassionate.

We are extremely fortunate to have these facilities available to us.

I am more fortunate than many due to having caring family and friends, but to those who may be alone these services would prove a lifeline. 

Thank you.

Erene Vivian, Horsham

MY COPY of the Wimmera, the magazine of Horsham High School, for 1958 has a roll call at the back showing the Form VI class that included five girls and 14 boys – and 60 years ago this month I was one of those “graduating” boys.

My path since then has included Melbourne University, Secondary Teachers’ College, teaching in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, marrying Pat and then heading off on the “world tour” – popular with young Aussies back in that era.

On that trip in 1966, we discovered Nanaimo on Vancouver Island in British Columbia – and that is still my home 52 years later.

My Australian education prepared me well for a career here as math and drama teacher, school and district administrator and education faculty member at the local University College from which I retired.

Since then, extensive travel, volunteering and fitness have dominated my life.

Now I live, with my rescue cat Delta, in a waterfront condo in this thriving city of 90,000 people.

My thoughts recently have turned to the fun days in the ‘50s at Horsham High School.

If there are other members of that class who completed high school 60 years ago – or others in other grades in the roll call in Wimmera of 1958 – perhaps you could contact me so we can reminisce about the good old days, the stories of wonderful teachers, fascinating classmates, sports teams, Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and more.

Thanks, Horsham High School. Res Non Verba.

Les Dickason, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

THE real work of the Australian Parliament does not take place in the House of Representative Chamber. The real work takes place in the conversations in the hallways, in our cross house committees and in meetings with ministers.

This sitting fortnight a report was presented entitled Breaking Barriers: A National Adoption Framework for Australian Children. It is Australia’s great shame that of the 48,000 children in out of home care; children who have been left, or whom the authorities have intervened to protect – only 246 have been able to be adopted in the last 12 months.

It is essential that children are protected. It is essential that the children of Australia are never abused, neglected, or hurt. How we look after children says a lot about the kind of society we are, and we need to do more.

More must be done to place children who are currently in out of home care into permanent homes. I myself, have some personal experience in this area and I’ve observed the difference in behaviour and security within a child when they have a permanent place to call home.

My observations are that the interests of the child are sometimes found to be secondary to those of the birth parents. While we need to make every effort for unification, we must also seek to uphold what is best for the child.

Children must come first.

Supporting foster parents and encouraging the transition to permanency and open adoption needs more emphasis if we are to assist those 48,000 children in out of home care tonight.

State-based agencies and state governments play a significant role in the welfare of children. This federal government report begins a process of reform and a conversation that Australia must have.

Australia has the second lowest rate of adoption in the developed world. 48,000 of children need a place to call home. It is time to change that.

Andrew Broad, Member for Mallee