Support for voluntary assisted dying
I fully and totally support assisted dying.
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I nursed my mother in law while she died from cancer.
After two years of horrendous treatments, she died a painful and suffering death which took seven days. Seven days of unnecessary suffering.
I have been living with and caring for my father in law who has severe skin cancers. Large open ulcerated wounds that stink like a dead rabbit. They rot and bleed.
He also has dementia. He cannot have surgery to remove the cancers as the dementia means he cannot follow the management needed for skin grafts. He suffers continuously from infection.
He has become aggressive due to the dementia. He is heavily drugged and he has no quality of life left anymore. He will die a long and suffering death. Maybe years of suffering. He did not want this!
I personally have rheumatoid arthritis disease. I live in chronic pain and fatigue every day of my life. I have to take drugs that have nasty side effects. My life is full of pain and depression. I will suffer joint deformation to the point of being bed ridden. I will suffer multiple organ damage and failure.
I WANT THE CHOICE to end my life when the time comes. When I can no longer live with any quality. When I can no longer be relieved of pain and suffering.
Sue Arcus, Parkesbourne
I cannot imagine how terrible it would be to put my beloved children and grandchildren through the terrible agony of watching me die in extreme pain and humiliation.
They know me as an independant, capable person.
I am in the last decades of expected lifespan - and we all know capability will lessen in coming years.
But please spare us all a terrible end.
It is my life: please let me end it, when the time comes, with dignity.
That will be a true gift of love.
Annie Bilton, Goulburn
Kenmore Hospital fire was avoidable
News of the vandalism and fire at the historic Kenmore Hospital is devastating. It was avoidable. The NSW Government has for too long disrespected the heritage buildings and land for which it is the responsible authority, choosing to pursue a crude disposal, asset recycling and redevelopment approach instead of adaptive re-use for community benefit. The result is what you see at Kenmore today, but it is happening right across NSW. It must stop!
Public lands and buildings belong to the people. At Kenmore the public was simply locked out and the property sold. A listing on the State Heritage List didn't prevent the current damage.
At Callan Park in Rozelle, a determined community of guardians is continuing the fight to ensure that they are not denied the continued use and enjoyment of the land and historic buildings, which are also subject to the State's asset recycling and redevelopment policy. They too find themselves in conflict with the State Government's determination to exclude them from further engagement in the future of Callan Park.
The Kenmore property must be re-acquired by the State, for the purpose of a campus for a School or University, or both. It's buildings, farm and landscaped setting lend themselves to adaptive re-use, just as Western Sydney University now occupies the 1810 Orphan School and former Hospital buildings at Rydalmere. It is an example for all three levels of government and relevant to all of the many historic public properties in Goulburn and elsewhere in NSW.
Jennie Minifie, East Ryde
Questions about the Tarago waste incinerator
In looking at Veolia's decision to withdraw funds from the new Art's Centre, when that money seems to have been part of the agreement for Veolia to operate its waste treatment plant, it might be worth going back to the beginning.
Why do we need a waste treatment plant in Tarago in the first instance, especially as the residents of Tarago suffer undue effects such as unpleasant odours?
If it is agreed that the NSW Government should govern in the best interests of all its citizens, the question is why is it pushing the issue like waste disposal into rural areas. In fighting that policy, our council is to be applauded to putting the health and wellbeing of its citizens ahead of financial interests.
The Minister for the Environment recently told us in a news bulletin that the so-called, "Waste To Energy" project in four rural locations was an important part of the NSW clean energy policy. The incinerator's objective is to burn waste and the small amount of energy they produce creates carbon emissions as well as noxious emissions. It is unclear how this helps with the achievement of the NSW 2030 emissions reduction targets.
Replacing the use of new plastic containers with those made from recycled or compostable plastic has been announced through ANZPAC Plastics Pact by 2025 by the major supermarkets and other organisations and tends to remove the need for waste incineration.
Goulburn Mulwaree can show the way as a clean, sustainable, thriving and climate resilient shire.
Bob Philipson, Goulburn
The NSW Health Minister apparently considers a waste incinerator that will probably emit toxic gases and produce toxic ashes - all of which will affect the surrounding people's physical, emotional and mental health - as not his area of concern.
I would think the Minister for Health should be very concerned about how such a thing may well affect people in NSW.
I wonder if Ms Tuckerman might approach him about it.
The reply I received to my email to Mr Hazzard:
"Thank you for writing to the Hon Brad Hazzard MP, Minister for Health and Medical Research.
As the issues you have raised fall within the administration of the Minister for Energy and Environment, your email has been referred for their consideration.
Thank you again for bringing this matter to the Minister's attention."
He might as well have written "I don't give a stuff and will pass it on."
Alex Mortensen
Just add a clay target range
For those who are applying to governments for grant money and finding this a cabalistic and arcane art, I can offer a suggestion: include a clay target range in your project.
Historically these have been viewed favourably by both state and federal governments.
Renewable energy and info-tech hubs; threatened species regeneration sites and bicycle paths could all do well to incorporate clay target shooting in their business cases.
Matt Ford, Crookwell
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