THUMBS down to the creatures who helped themselves to a wheelbarrow, along with various ornamental bird cages, from my father’s front verandah.

These objects were collected by his wife, who passed away less than two months ago.

They are probably too young to understand that objects can become containers for memories.

Perhaps they would even return the stolen items?

HAVING recently relocated from Sydney to the Riverina, I looked forward to rekindling my love of country rugby league; in my view, the heart and soul of the game. 

I am, however, sadly disappointed by the standard of first grade refereeing. Often overweight and unfit, the officials given the responsibility of adjudicating over the senior grade games routinely struggle to keep pace.

Inconsistencies in decision making, failing to rule on obvious knock-ons and strips in tackles, and taking short cuts around scrums just isn't good enough. Blowing penalties to slow the game down for their own benefit is simply unacceptable, and I've seen it happen more than once.

These things lead to player frustration, which then leads to a drop in the standard of play. 

I've been there, and agree that it isn't easy, but my message to the whistle-blowers is to lift your game boys. Get to training, get match fit, and get some consistency into your decisions. You might then earn back the respect of the players, 'cause from what I've seen and heard, you don't currently have it. 

Frankly, the players from all teams in the Group 9 competition who put in week after week deserve better that they're getting from the officials.

IN HER open letter to Councillor Paul Funnell, president of PFLAG Wagga Toni Watts asks Paul to provide specific evidence for claims that the Safe Schools Program is totally unsafe for school children. She points to the Safe School Hub website for information.

Having scanned the Safe Schools Hub home page; on the face of it, the majority of its content is in-line with the guidelines of the National Safe Schools Framework, but the Safe Schools Coalition Program has alarming features. The Safe Schools Hub is against all forms of bullying, but the Safe Schools Coalition has an extreme ideology concentrating on sexuality.

Safe Schools has been marketed as an anti-bullying program. But a video of the official program launch shows it is “not about stopping bullying” - rather, its aim is to normalise and celebrate homosexuality and transgenderism.

But media reports have highlighted even more worrying programs. Children as young as four are being treated as sexual beings and told they can choose their gender.

A new program is being rolled out in childcare centres and kindergartens. Among other things, it will explain cross-dressing and take toddlers on tours of opposite-sex toilets.

Paul Funnell has real concerns for children - we should all respect their rights, and the rights of their parents as the first educators of their own. School principals and teachers in school should not be obliged to follow a toxic agenda.