There’s no gender fairy
I COULD not agree more with Brett Elliott’s comment in Saturday’s paper that our children need to be intelligent, free-thinking individuals who are accepting of humankind and who are rational, compassionate and peaceful.
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However, any reference to a “gender fairy”, which he accused me of referring to, seems to be some misunderstanding.
The only reference that I made to a gender fairy is to the fairy that presents itself in a book that is to be presented to infants’ school children under the Safe Schools program.
I at no time referred to a gender fairy as something that I believe in. I also stated in my previous letter that we are made in God’s image and I stand by that.
Our gender is not something that is fluid, although some would try to teach our children that fact, which is both confusing and untrue
Sylvia Mulholland
Lockhart
Invest in mental wealth
IMAGINE if we implemented Patrick McGorry's ideas about cost effective, scientifically backed, mental wealth as outlined in his National Press Club address.
Crime rates would decrease, the need for jails would decrease, domestic violence would decrease, drug and alcohol use would decrease, suicides would decrease, road deaths due to suicide would decrease, violence would decrease, bullying would decrease, divorce would decrease.
This means costs would go down in emergency departments, policing, road trauma and related physical health issues.
Such comprehensive, scientifically backed services as headspace and early intervention in psychosis and schizophrenia far outweigh tax cuts for small business, upgrading speed on the Hume Highway to 130 or a very fast train.
My son was killed by speeds of trains. The trauma of his death has affected everything in my life.
Previous to his death, our family business, run by my husband and myself, earned us $60,000 per year back in 2001 and had been running for 17 years. We also employed two full time staff.
Since then, my ability to contribute monetarily is nil and we no longer have the business.
The trickle up effect of preventing, treating and supporting mental wealth to those affected is in enabling them to earn wages, therefore paying taxes and spending, thus increasing small business profits and employment.
There is a strong correlation between trauma and mental health and mental health and productivity.
A trauma group recently attended by myself cannot continue because of lack of funding, illustrating Patrick's point.
I am one of many who have been encouraged by Patrick’s willingness to speak out. What are those wishing to collect our vote in a few weeks’ time offering for dedicated mental health funding and its proven associated benefits to the economy?
A Wooden
Wagga
Pollies must go bush
THROUGH your paper, I’d like to ask our Prime Minister and the Opposition leader to visit country areas.
How many times do they need to go to the big cities?
We in country towns are far more friendly. The pollies would not need to have hangers on; we’re not violent and don’t have many rallies.
Maybe their hangers on could get out a map and show how big a country Australia is and how many little towns we have.
There are plenty of people in places like Hay. Hillston or even Ivanhoe who would love to have a yarn to our leaders. They might even have a baby for them to kiss.