FOR A GOOD CAUSE
At the Viva La Gong Festival, the Vietnamese community in Wollongong donated their entire proceeds from its food stall to raise a total amount of $1801.00 for the Vietnam Veterans Association/ Illawarra Sub-Branch to assist this organisation with their welfare services. Last Year we also raised $2004.35 for this organisation.
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It was a big effort for our small community. Everyone contributed in whatever way they could. Whether it was monetary contributions or labour, all of it was done in the spirit of goodwill. Thank you Mylan restaurant for their generous donation of the delicious spring rolls and thank all the people of the Illawarra who bought our food on that day.
This month also marked the 51st Anniversary of the death of Warrant officer Kevin Dasher Wheatley VC (1st Australian soldier killed in Vietnam). The Vietnamese Community would like to take this opportunity pay tribute to Warrant officer Dasher Wheatley VC in particular, and to all the Australian men and women who served and fought for our freedom and democracy against the Communist of Vietnam during the War.
We are forever grateful for their courage and extreme bravery. We are grateful especially to their widows and their families for the sacrifices they’ve made. Their sacrifice will forever be in our hearts.
Teresa Tran, President, Vietnamese Community in Wollongong
BEST OF THE WORST
A friend of mine once remarked that “we don't vote for the party we like the most but the party we hate the least”. Since we were, at that time, on opposite sides of the political divide and the party of my choice had just gained electoral victory, I put his comment down to cynicism and sour grapes. However there have been several changes of government since that time and with each passing of the baton, I have become convinced of the wisdom of my friend.
As the daughter of a great man of principal and a fighter for fair pay and conditions for workers, I have always voted for the party founded by the trade union but as so often happens, time has tarnished the unions with corruption and political ambition and the Labor party has drifted further and further to the right causing me great indecision at the ballot box. Since there appears to be no credible alternative, I continue to vote for the “party I hate the least” which I conclude contributed to the ghastly outcome of the American election complements of people just as politically disenchanted as I am myself.
The rise of nutters like Pauline Hanson and sundry fringe parties who have nothing to contribute to the main game, is a worrying symptom of voter fatigue and disillusionment which should be sending warning signals to the major political parties.
Slogans like “Jobs and Growth” are meaningless to those who are out of work or have access only to part time employment. Slogans are meaningless to the millions of young people who will never achieve the “Great Australian Dream” of owning their own home.
Keating recently reiterated his judgement that our geographical location dictates that our ties with Asia should not be overridden by eternally clinging to the coat tail of the USA. Labor in particular needs to think carefully on the outcome of the Trump election and what it could mean for Australia should America, in its bid to “Make itself Great Again”, come into conflict with our Asian neighbours. Meanwhile, the conundrum at the at ballot box persists.
Denise Meredith, Kanahooka
BAIRD BEHAVIOUR
At the next election let us make sure that Mike Baird himself is fully privatized. Vote him out of office.
Make him a private citizen and let us hope that he does not set foot in the cabinet room again.
John Parkinson, North Wollongong