Devil in the detail
ARE THE citizens of Gundagai and Wagga aware that the ACT government is considering developing a new suburb in Tuggeranong, which would be very close to the Murrumbidgee River?
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The government already has a poor record in keeping Canberra's lakes clean and safe for recreational use, and is therefore unlikely to succeed in keeping extra pollutants and rubbish out of the river if this development proceeds. This would surely adversely affect enjoyment by downstream users.
Diana Schneider
Canberra
Looking for answers
ON APRIL 24 last year, you ran a story on my great, great, great uncle – John Earnest Alexander Bruce.
He was a Gallipoli veteran who was killed in action in France in February 1917. It was a moving tribute to him.
I have a couple of letters and mementos of his from France and your story added to the overall picture.
My family and I are planning a trip to France later this year.
We intend to visit John's grave as well as his brother, Charlie, who was killed at Passchendale later in 1917 and lies in Tyne Cot cemetery in Belgium, plus the area where my grandfather fought (and survived, just) in the same battle.
No one from our family has managed to make it to their graves in the almost 100 years since their deaths.
The problem is that it appears John has no grave.
His name appears on the memorial at Villers-Bretonneux cemetery but there is no grave reference.
Your article says he was killed around Warlencourt France.
The only army reference for the day he died says that his company was moving into the line and suffered two dead and two wounded. I assume John was one of the dead.
If I am unable to find a grave I would at least visit the area where he was killed. I am hoping to gather as much information before our trip in November. I would appreciate any information or references for information your researchers or anyone else may have to try and pinpoint where he may lie.
Greg Miles
Melbourne
Farming future at risk
I WAS fortunate enough to attend the Global Food Forum in Melbourne last Wednesday.
Growing up on a mixed farming enterprise, I was so proud to be an Aussie farmer’s daughter, knowing our produce was made with love and hard work then distributed around the world.
As farmers, Dad and Mum have always strived to be efficient and innovative, and alongside this they are wonderful environmental custodians.
Now, I run my own cropping enterprise and as a fourth generation Australian food producer, there is nothing I love to do more than produce food efficiently, nor is there any other occupation I want to pursue.
For a long time, I have felt disillusioned that government decisions have hamstrung our industry. So with a group of like-minded food producers, we started a campaign called Speak Up, with the aim of educating others about our wonderful industry.
We are sitting on a gold mine of opportunities through agriculture, but we need to be supported with government policy.
There are numerous opportunities to provide sustainable environmental outcomes and allow for food production in the Murray Darling Basin. We need leaders with a will and vision to see it happen.
We also need the media to help educate our country about our ability to be efficient producers of clean, green Aussie food and fibre.