Letters to the Editor, The Daily Advertiser, December 15, 2021

It is appalling that one of the major business streets of the city, Dobney Avenue, has been allowed to deteriorate to the state it currently is.

Much of its business is conducted with out of town customers as it is light industrial. What must they think of a major regional city that cares so little about its commercial business areas that it is maintained to such a poor standard?

At least it is in line for a renewal soon.

It astounds me that the Wagga Wagga City Council has kilometres of bike trails around the city, on the premise that people will use bike travel for work and leisure. What statistics are there to confirm the premise?

The most recently constructed ones I call the Mini-Humes, they are of such high standard they could give the national Hume Highway a run for its money.

As a regular traveller on Fernleigh Road, Pinaroo Drive, Dalman Parkway and Red Hill Road, I have never seen a single bike rider, except for on the Red Hill Road section. One day last week, as I drove from the western end of Red Hill Road, there were two people walking their dogs, a mother with a pram, and one adult and child on bikes riding on the trail.

But on the actual road pavement was a man and three children, pedalling their bikes, parallel to the bike trail!

You would have to ask why weren't they using the bike trail?

I thought the notion was "build it and they will come". Even then, people aren't using it.

Instead, do we just have an expensive white elephant courtesy of the Wagga ratepayers?

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I am excited to announce Stroke Foundation's annual physical activity fundraiser Stride4Stroke has raised a record of more than $453,000 this year.

I wish to thank the 1393 participants from right around Australia for this incredible achievement. Every step, every minute of activity and every dollar raised will make a difference to survivors of stroke and their families. By getting involved in Stride4Stroke, our 'Striders' also helped raise awareness of stroke in their local communities and took steps towards reducing their own stroke risk by being active. Together, they clocked up almost 1 million moving minutes.

Stride4Stroke's beauty is its flexibility. You choose your own physical activity and set a personal movement goal to complete anytime during November. I have loved seeing the images of participants on social media running, walking, doing yoga and all sorts of other activities while proudly wearing their green Stride4Stroke tank tops.

Although it is a virtual campaign, the passion and dedication displayed was an incredibly united effort.

Stroke strikes the brain. It is one of Australia's biggest killers and a leading cause of disability. It's estimated more than 27,400 people will have a stroke for the first time this year, including children, young adults and seniors. Every dollar raised through Stride4Stroke will help Stroke Foundation prevent stroke, fund research and support survivors and their families at all stages of the recovery journey.

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