Annie joined Wagga’s Kendell Airlines as a Flight Attendant in 1986, not long after Kendell introduced the Saab 340 aircraft.

She worked continuously as a flight attendant on the Saab with Kendell and Rex and retired 30 years to the day on October 20. She loved her job.

She was passionate about her duties and responsibilities as a flight attendant and passionate about the airline and the industry. 

Many Wagga passengers will remember Annie on Melbourne flights.

I also had the pleasure of attending the Regional Aviation Association of Australia’s national convention last week and met up with quite a number of old colleagues in the airline industry.

We all lamented the changing times from the days when airlines and airports were all about flying people from place to place and everyone involved was passionate about what they did and the service they provided. 

Today, airlines are simply major corporate entities which happen to operate aircraft.

Airports are major centres using steel and concrete dedicated to driving paying consumers to retail shops and car parks.  

It is very unfortunate that along with the retirement of Annie, the once great passion associated with flying people from place to place is also fading away.

IT WAS pleasing to see the Murray-Darling Basin Authority spruiking the results of its 2015-16 fish survey, although it is important to put the survey results into perspective.

Firstly, the MDBA conveniently developed the basin plan, on which it measures such results smack bang in the middle of the millennium drought.

Conditions have improved naturally across the basin since that time so we would expect a subsequent natural increase in native fish numbers.

Also, in recent times we have introduced initiatives such as bag limits and restocking programs, as well as reducing commercial fishing.

The MDBA would have us believe its “just add water” philosophy is working brilliantly.

I would prefer a more balanced approach which recognises the benefits of some environmental watering but acknowledges the shortcomings.

I agree with the MDBA when it says there is more work to be done to ensure improvements in fish populations. But water will not bring them back, only restocking will.

People who live along the Murray River and its tributaries are passionate about its health and generally have a much deeper understanding of the system than any Canberra-based bureaucrat.

I READ just recently that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are massively over-represented in the criminal justice system.

Aboriginal people represent only 3 per cent of the total population, yet more than 28 per cent of Australia’s prison population are Aboriginal.

The juvenile justice system in the Northern Territory has also come under fire because of the way Aboriginal children are being treated.

They make up 96 per cent of the juveniles that are incarcerated there. 

But why is this so?  

Most of these children come from homes where unemployment, drugs, alcohol and domestic violence is the norm.  

Drastic action is needed now otherwise these kids can only look forward to a very bleak future or, maybe, no future at all.