Congratulations Horsham Rural City Council for proposing that we keep this excellent city up there with the state's other progressive regional innovators.

No, not just keep up councillors - let's get in front of them.

You now have a lively formal protest group and 740 submissions to help guide the way.

Jim Delahunty, Drung Drung

I COULDN'T believe what a hypocrite I had become when I, like hundreds of others, joined the cavalcade of cars that trouped the 19 kilometres out of Horsham to the Jung market on Saturday.

The inducement of the market atmosphere, the lovely array of homemade and fresh produce and the large selection of plants blurred the part of my reasoning that told me it was wrong to traipse all that extra way when we had already driven from Kaniva.

I hated going that much further, but I had reasoned that most of us go to a market to contribute to the betterment of the environment by buying and planting trees and plants, supporting those who are clever at crafts and growing healthy produce among others. Then on reflection, I realised I was ashamed to be one of the many who traipsed out there in gas-guzzling cars creating more damage to the environment than what the benefits of planting a few trees would counteract.

A Sunday drive is one thing and the grounds are in a nice spot, but after the market there is nothing else out there.

In my opinion, the market would be a better attraction to all the community if it were closer to the town or river area. I know I'll need a better excuse before I would make another excursion into the bush.

Catherine Selwood, Miram

THURSDAY, December 5 is International Volunteer Day - a day to celebrate the contributions Australians are making in 26 developing countries in the region, through the Australian Volunteers Program.

The federal government has supported people like us to volunteer internationally since the 1960s.

More than 15,000 of us have packed our bags, said goodbye to family and friends, and headed off in support of incredible organisations overseas.

In farewelling our own communities, we've supported communities in developing countries to achieve their goals. While our skills, experience and motivations are many, we're united by a desire to broaden our horizons, learn from others, and bring out the best in those we work alongside.

Today we say thanks to all volunteers - for what they give, and for what they bring home.

Paula Haro, Allen Hortop and Carlene Frank, Returned Australian Volunteer Network - Victorian state representatives