No voters not all bullies
Doug Steley's letter "No room for bullies" (Illawarra Mercury, Tues 26th September) speaks of the bullying many of us experienced for numerous reasons in the school play ground when we were young.
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He then expands his comments to the bullying of those of the gay community which is fair enough, but in doing so appears to accuse all those people who are voting No in the postal plebiscite to having been a bully of gays, and are now "screaming foul".
Where does Mr Steley place those homosexuals who are voting No in the postal plebiscite.
We have had two young gay men on a Monday evening on ABC tv tell of why they are voting No.
We have had a brave young gay Queensland university student in the university grounds arguing back against the barking Left mob telling them that thousands of homosexuals are voting No.
In Ireland Ketih Mills, a gay man from Doublin fought against same sex marriage there, but unfortunately no politician stood up with him.
Mr Mills spoke of the bullying he received earlier in life, but also during the same sex marriage vote in Ireland when he was the receiver of bullying from the Yes voters.
These homosexuals are brave people and they truly know what bullying is about, and they will continue to be admired and supported by those people who are voting No.
For these brave homosexuals to stand up against the onslaught of bullying from the yes voters they must truly believe in their stance, and that is "believing marriage is one man and one woman" (Ketih Mills). Mr Steley needs to listen to these people.
Bob Patrech, Figtree
Attack on our spirit
On Tuesday of this week I attended a rally in the mall regarding an unthinkable threat to the quality of life of our citizens with disabilities, a threat that could lead to the closure of such Disability Enterprises as Greenacres and Flagstaff among others.
A case being put forward by an advocacy group and supported by the Federal Government in the Fair Work Commission is seeking to change the wages formula applied to people with disabilities.
This move if successful could lead to the loss of 500 jobs in our region and the closure of Greenacres.
The new formula stems from a perhaps noble idea which unfortunately ignores the realities as they apply to people with disabilities.
My wife and I have a son working at Greenacres but this work is not a stand alone factor but a vital part of his total lifestyle.
Like all parents,we wanted to facilitate the best possible life for our son. Working at Greenacres has given him a role in the community, a sense of worth and a social support network.
As part of a varied financial package he has sufficient income to live a fulfilling existence.
His job matters.
Greenacres has served the disabled for half a century. It is a vital part of the social fabric of this city.
It and other Disability Enterprises are the embodiment of the caring community culture that exists in this region.
This wage case is an attack on our community spirit and has created a disturbing uncertainty for the workers, their families and carers.
I urge all Wollongong residents to actively support our most vulnerable citizens in our fight against this move.
John Cropper, Thirroul
In the name of art
Over 200 tonnes of rock will be lifted into the Mall as art.
I hope WCC has done load calculations to ensure the rocks and/or the crane will not destroy the pavement where limited loads are permitted and do not cause obstructions to emergency vehicle access.
Ian Young, East Corrimal
