A letter to an editor
I regret that I have only just discovered the passing of Ray Leeson or, as I always referred to him, 'Mr Leeson'.
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He was my editor during my cadetship from 1964 until early 1968. My father, Len Thompson, also worked on the Goulburn Evening Post from 1963 to 1970 upon his 'retirement' from the Tasmanian Parliament where he had served for nearly 30 years as Clerk and Sergeant of Arms. He returned to his original profession, thanks to Ray Leeson, and gave me a start as a stumbling, bumbling journalist ramming home accuracy and 'don't make that spelling mistake again'.
I shall never forget the book and the message he gave to me on the inside cover on the day I left. I am proud of the fact that I have been a newspaper publisher and managing editor continuously for the past 40 years in Port Macquarie and south-east Queensland. This would never have happened were it not for the support I received from Mr Leeson when I really needed it.
I am so sorry I did not discover his passing until just now, even though I am pleased to say we spoke for the last time just prior to his death in successfully trying to track down another former Post work mate, Marj Skeffington, now retired in Yass.
To the Leeson family, I pass on my sadness and sorry. How time flies. I was 17 when I started at the ‘Penny Post’ with the Daniels brothers still going strong. I turned 70 just a few month ago.
Vale, Ray Leeson. What a decent, humble man you were! You were also the fastest two-fingered typist I ever saw!
Gerard Thompson, via Facebook
A huge thank you
A letter of sincerest thanks to members of all our emergency services. On Christmas evening I was run down near my home and pinned under a car for about an hour and a half.
My first recollections, after the crashing of a metal fence, were calling for help and a reassuring voice: "I'm a paramedic and we're here to help you.” While I was impatient to have the vehicle off me, the rescue guys required a safe and secure lift so as not to cause any further injuries to me.
To the strangers and neighbours who came to my initial aid by trying to lift and chock the vehicle off me to remove some of the pressure; to the ambos who eased my pain and transported me safely; to the police who controlled the scene and did initial investigations; and to the crash rescue team who made sure the vehicle was lifted safely and helped extradite me from under it: there are no words to express my gratitude, so please accept this massive THANK YOU! Thanks also to the Snowy Hydro Southcare helicopter for delivering me safely in an induced coma to Royal Canberra hospital.
To the people of Goulburn: you don't know how much you need these services until you need these services. Please donate generously, as I now intend to do, so their life-saving work can continue.
Rob Watterston, Crestwood
Less talk, more action
Great to see [Goulburn Mulwaree] Council implementing its Corporate Sustainability Action Plan (‘We’re getting hotter’, GP 9/1).
Like Goulburn Wetlands, the impetus for a plan came from the community back in 2013 when The Goulburn Group introduced senior council staff to 'Sustainability Advantage', a NSW Government program to support councils reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency. The council's Sustainability Committee endorsed the decision and drafted the first plan.
It is therefore disappointing to read that emissions have "remained relatively unchanged" according to the council’s recent report for the period.
If we are to play our part to limit global warming to 2 degrees, we need to see significant reductions in carbon emissions in 2017 and beyond. But please, no more consultations and consultants reports. There is already an opportunity for community comment on sustainability in the draft Community Strategic Plan on public exhibition until January 20. So make sure the council is positioning our region to seize the economic benefits of a low carbon future.
No reason to delay action. The council has an opportunity to secure funding for LED street lighting and other future proofing measures through the NSW Government’s Climate Action Fund to be launched in 2017.
Other regions are positioning themselves to get a slice of this $500 million dollar opportunity. Goulburn Mulwaree Council, are you ready?