It makes you wonder if the polls carried out by the pollsters is worth the money spent on it, as people obviously do not tell the truth. Mr Shorten lost the unloseable election and Mr Morrison won the unwinnable election. There are major changes ahead for the Labor party with another new leader and hopefully not more of the same with the Coalition with Mr Morrison as Prime Minister.

In the Mallee we had 13 candidates, with three independents. Anne Webster, the candidate for the National Party, has won the seat and I would congratulate her on doing so. I would also like to commend all of the candidates as I know that a great deal of work is involved - especially if you don't have a party behind you.

My husband and I are very proud that we supported independent Jason Modica as we believe him to be a man of integrity, intelligence and commitment to the Mallee. He is the deputy mayor of Mildura, a small business man and, more importantly, a loving husband and father. He also appreciated the volunteers who assisted him and made sure he thanked them on every occasion.

The knowledge he has of the Murray-Darling crisis made him an excellent potential politician and I have no doubt that he will continue to lobby for this crisis to be addressed. It is not a problem just for the Mallee, but for Australia. The neglect of these river systems is a sin and people have lost their homes, land and self esteem - and this needs to be addressed immediately.

Without water, crops will not be planted and harvested and we will pay more for our food. Without water and increasing heat for longer periods, this area will not be suitable for human habitation.

Dr Webster had the unusual luxury as a candidate of being involved in handing out taxpayer-funded government grants, so became well known.

The National Party must have expended a significant amount of money on the campaign - one only has to look at the daily advertising and the wrap around on newspapers, which are very expensive, along with the decoration of a shop used for the campaign, the large number of posters around polling booths and along the highway.

The advantage is that a candidate has access to resources that the independents didn't; but, of course, the disadvantage is that you have to follow the party line.

Now it is our turn. We must follow up on the promises that our MP representing the Nationals made prior to the election and ensure that they were not just hollow promises pre-election.

Eileen Pica, Mildura

THANKS to your staff for visiting us and reporting on the closure of the Grass Flat Uniting Church.

About 100 people were seated in the Grass flat Uniting Church on May 19 at 11am to take part in worship and a service of closure. This church is part of Horsham and districts now. It was opened in 1906.

A few tears came to our eyes as we read of the difficulty and the time taken to build the church as the stone was quarried from the hill behind, 90 dray loads in one day.

Reverend Linley Liersch and Jenny Payne presented a colour brochure which revealed that 55 ministerial placements had nurtured our faith over the years and that is not counting all the Lay Preachers who served. Over the years, eight people of the Grass Flat congregation have become ministers.

We were privileged to have the chairman of the Presbytery of Grampians, Andrew Boatman, and Reverend Linley Liersch, the minister of Horsham and districts, to lead the service.

They were assisted by readers Allen Webb, Reverend Elaine Oliver and Chris Smith.

Musicians on piano and organ were C. and V. Webb; prayers, Jan Grimmett; offering to the Horsham and district education hub, Stuart Webb and Owen Webb; procession helpers, Kenneth Hateley, Kerry Rethus, Allen Webb, Harold McCredden.

We believe God will have a better plan, so we will follow where He leads.

Val Webb, Grass Flat

I WOULD just like to say what a lovely story you have written on Jenny McRae (Wimmera Mail-Times, May 29).

She is amazing and should be very proud of herself. Well done, very special mum, keep up the good golf.

Marie Allen, Geelong

I URGE readers in your area who may have issues with mental health to reach out and get the very real help that is out there.

About 230,000 people have schizophrenia. Together with their families, a million Australians are affected by Schizophrenia. Psychosis is costing our society over $4 billion annually.

The reality is people with schizophrenia can and do recover.

It's a myth to believe people with schizophrenia are violent. They are no more likely to be violent than anybody else. Readers should be aware that if someone is experiencing changes in mood or rapid mood changes, unusual behaviour or they are withdrawing and isolating themselves from others, this may be an early warning sign of poor mental health.

It is shameful that the average life expectancy of people with schizophrenia in Australia right now is just 54 years old. Research shows less than 50 per cent of people with schizophrenia are getting clinical or recovery assistance.

Our message is reach out. Readers can call our free phone number on 1800 985 944 or go to www.minetworks.org.au

Tony Stevenson, chief executive, Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia