Marginalised and forgotten
Dear Editor,
The farmers and CFA volunteers of Victoria have been insulted by this treacherous Labor government and its accomplices in the Upper House. The passing of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Tax in the early hours of May 23 will decimate the farmers, families and communities of rural Victoria. All homeowners and businesses will be burdened with this tax.
Dan and Jacinta have systematically set out to dismantle a world-renowned firefighting service operated by volunteers. Imposing a 189% tax increase on farmers, who make up the bulk of CFA volunteers is morally wrong.
On Tuesday, May 20th I and others from Pyalong, stood on the steps of Parliament in Spring Street. We were honoured and humbled to stand in a crowd of about 8000 Victorians, many of whom had left their homes and farms in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Volunteers who have given 40/50 and 60 years of selfless service to their communities and this state. Time poor farmers who left their drought ravaged farms to travel hours to Melbourne and then home again. Country people and residents of Melbourne who recognise the deceit of this tax stood with us.
At a time when most of the state is suffering from drought, this government has deliberately been slow to declare further municipalities drought affected, thereby denying vital assistance to these communities. This morning (May 30), VFF Board Member and Western District dairy farmer, Bernie Free called it a natural disaster. Victorian farmers are having to look at sourcing fodder from Western Australia and Queensland.
Our CFA volunteers and farmers are born resilient, but sadly they are not invincible. I hope and pray that every farmer, volunteer, family, rural small business and community can support each other and stand strong together. We all need to get behind rural Victoria now and right up to November 2026 when we have our only democratic chance to oust this appalling government.
After more than 45 years of farming and volunteering, I have never felt more marginalised and forgotten, but thankfully I am not alone.
Therese Ryan
Pyalong
Distressed and upset with cemetary condition
Dear Editor,
I am a grieving daughter and to have seen Wallan Cemetery to go visit my mum, dad and nephew who are at rest, l couldn’t even sit on my mum and dad’s grave.
It has been vandalised yet again along with other graves. l am very distressed and very upset.
Kim Baker
