Trial By Media
I was personally disappointed by the numerous Articles in both the ‘Warwick and Stanthorpe Today’, Newspapers dated 12 May 22 which concerned the Stanthorpe 150 th Celebrations and numerous other activities in the Stanthorpe region. Stanthorpe is a wonderful area and I have been by no means neglecting it for political rivalry or divisions.
I would generally not reply to such exaggerated assertions but in this case I feel it is warranted.
My family like so many other has two teenagers who require time and effort in the evenings after school. My husband is a Truck Driver who is often away overnight due to his occupation. This makes me the primary carer at night. I made an informed decision not to participate in this particular event due to the fact that the Acting Rehearsals required me to travel approximately 3 hours round trip from Rodgers Creek to Stanthorpe and 1hr in rehearsals (4 hours per night). I also considered the fact we have 8 other Councillors who would appropriately represent the region in the event.
My Husband and I both paid over $300 to attend the Apple and Grape Gala Ball, unfortunately I came down with COVID19 and was quarantined during this period In Accordance with QLD Health Regulations.
I was due to sell my Weaner Cattle at the Stanthorpe Weaners Sale on the 12 th May 22, but this was cancelled, due to weather events beyond my control. I certainly do support the region, both Warwick, Stanthorpe, Killarney, Leyburn, Allora and Pratten and all the other smaller townships.
We are one not divided.
I cannot speak on behalf of my other colleagues but I was appalled that that as Councillors we were collectively chastised for ‘Excuses’. Not all Councillors can attend all events that is why the Mayor requests or delegates appropriately, the ANZAC Day Services where a fine example of this in action. I was elected independently and I stand for my constituent’s in the region independently. Im not here for ‘excuses’ but I do make well-reasoned decisions in my capacity as a Councillor, Farmer and Mother.
Of note, Im currently flooded in on my property, so sometimes there are circumstances beyond our control.
Kind Regards
Mrs Cynthia McDonald
Mother, Farmer
The Forgotten Ones
It was interesting to receive a email from the SDRC on Friday the 13th May 2022 of an opportunity for RESUPPLY of Essential Goods and it was addressed “Resupply – Condamine River Road”.
The email provided a procedure as attached.
I rang the number provided to sort something out for the 8-10 persons that were trapped out there in the Gorge due to this weather. Mind you, I have had to live in my office at Killarney for weeks on end because of the same issue. But that’s a later story.
A lovely lady answered the phone and I requested some assistance in getting supplies out to the Gorge. I also suggested the only way that was going to happen was via helicopter and that threw a cat amongst the pigeons as that was not in any of their attached plan.
She requested I hold until a supervisor could advise and when she responded it was a response I did not expect although not surprised. “you have to ring SES”
The SES is obviously were busy tidying up and going about their business in saving people. I get that.
So SDRC did not have a plan for the resupply of the people living in the Gorge. That is evident now and once again we are “the forgotten ones.”
But that is only one part of the problem we experience living in the Gorge. And why we are forgotten after the weather events also by the SDRC.
We spend weeks trying to either get home or back into town based on the crossings and we can wait weeks to achieve that.
SDRC refuses to assist us in reinstating the depth of the crossings by simply placing natural river rock that is in abundance lying around the place to make the passage safe to travel and organise our own resupply.
It is a very low cost effective solution that Council are refusing to consider and yet we pay our rates with no services provided out in this part of the world.
You would think that maybe this could be incorporated in their resupply plan or any of their minor maintenance plan for Condamine River Road.
BUT NO – Lets just forget about them.
Brian Thomas, Killarney
Staring death in the face
After one of the most dramatic weeks of my life (apparently) I felt the need to put pen to paper for a couple of reasons. One to give thanks, and secondly, to share my little cautionary tale.
I started Monday at the pre-poll election booth at Warwick. Something I’ve been doing for quite a number of elections, local, state and federal.
Little did I know that shortly after lunch I’d be staring death in the face. In the form of a heart attack. And not any old heart attack. The type that apparently kills 88 percent of those that have one.
What they call a “Widow-Maker.”
In slightly more technical terms, a 100 per cent blockage of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery.
Now this sounds, and is serious, as any cardiovascular affliction is. It was just, well, for something so serious, pretty darn anti-climactic. The actual event was boring even.
I’d be lying if I didn’t think I was a likely candidate for a heart attack. Many of my lifestyle choices over the years have been dubious. Although I’ve made some major lifestyle changes in the last few years including losing a lot of weight (45 kgs), I knew the long term effects would still be there.
I’ve always, therefore, been on the lookout for signs and symptoms of one. So when it came a knocking on Monday I knew what it most likely was. What surprised me was what a soft little baby knock it was.
I had always expected chest clutching pain extending to my jaw and arm etc, shortness of breath and dizziness. What I got was a mild but persistent ache in my upper chest. The sort of thing I’d experienced many times after a footy game where you’d done a fair bit of tackling. Certainly nothing uncomfortable. Just there.
It’s scary. It was so benign I’m sure I could have ignored it if I really wanted to. Something that probably would have been the last mistake I’d make.
As a copper I’d dealt with death from an early age and investigated many deaths where people had died from heart attacks. Many were eerily similar to mine. Except they had not gone and sought help and were found dead a couple of hours or so later.
I learnt from their mistakes and went to the Warwick Hospital. A place where they do take these things seriously and it was diagnosed quickly and efficiently. I was later taken to Toowoomba and the next morning I had a procedure under a local anaesthetic to get that pesky artery back up and running.
After a couple of days of monitoring, when I even had the time to zoom into councils general meeting from the ICU. I was back in Warwick in time to witness the Friday the 13th floods.
I’d just like to take this opportunity to say a couple of things, firstly, thanks to everyone for the care I was shown. Our wonderful staff at Warwick Hospital, the overworked ambos and the staff at St Andrews at Toowoomba as well as my darling wife and family and everyone who sent well wishes.
The main reason I wrote this however was to encourage others to never ignore the signs your body sends you. Even the subtle little ones mine sent me.
Ignoring them might be the last thing you ever do.
Life is too precious and you only get one shot at it.
God bless.
Andrew Gale, Warwick
Hypocritical dam brigade.
Last week a letter to the editor said to be by “The Emu Swamp Dam Brigade” was given prime space on page 2.
The main point being made was that they claimed a group called POW had not named themselves in an advert.
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
That dam Brigade had not named themselves.
In fact, they have written many letters to the Editor of our community newspaper using that pseudonym.
My parents taught me that hypocrisy is when “what you say is not what you do”. And those acting like that are hypocrites.
They also taught me that hypocrites tend to be cheats and liars.
I tried to look up That dam Brigade on the internet, but they don’t seem to exist!!
I looked up POW and found the group does exist.
www.powemuswamp.org/our-future
POW stands for ‘Protect Our Water’.
I have put my name to this letter and believe everyone who writes a letter to the Editor should do so. We can then have an open, productive discussion.
Brian Gibbons, Stanthorpe
Hypocritical dam brigade.
Last week a letter to the editor said to be by “The Emu Swamp Dam Brigade” was given prime space on page 2.
The main point being made was that they claimed a group called POW had not named themselves in an advert.
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
That dam Brigade had not named themselves.
In fact, they have written many letters to the Editor of our community newspaper using that pseudonym.
My parents taught me that hypocrisy is when “what you say is not what you do”. And those acting like that are hypocrites.
They also taught me that hypocrites tend to be cheats and liars.
I tried to look up That dam Brigade on the internet, but they don’t seem to exist!!
I looked up POW and found the group does exist.
www.powemuswamp.org/our-future
POW stands for ‘Protect Our Water’.
I have put my name to this letter and believe everyone who writes a letter to the Editor should do so. We can then have an open, productive discussion.
Brian Gibbons, Stanthorpe
