General News
2 December, 2023
Letters to the editor: Christmas and woke
Season to embrace random challenge Sir, How dearly I love where I live and the reason why? You are the reason why. Over the years I have witnessed the abundant beauty of community kindness; I have seen it shine brightly on so many different...
Season to embrace random challenge
Sir, How dearly I love where I live and the reason why? You are the reason why. Over the years I have witnessed the abundant beauty of community kindness; I have seen it shine brightly on so many different occasions.
Small communities are caring communities. We are each aware of the impact of inflation on our neighbours and friends and with the lead up to Christmas I thought what an ideal time to spread a little extra kindness to people living in our neighbourhood.
This leads me to propose a whole Community Challenge involving every person, young and old, to initiate three random acts of kindness before Christmas. The challenge is to get creative and deliver three gifts of kindness to make a positive impact on others in the community.
The aim is to bring joy to others when they least expect it. Examples might include dropping off a plant at the gate of a newcomer to town, leaving some fresh homegrown produce at a family’s front door, mowing your neighbour’s nature strip, cooking a meal for someone struggling, offer to clean an older person’s windows, drop flowers off to someone who has been unwell or make handmade cards to someone who might be missing a loved one.
The gift of giving expects nothing in return but the truth is, you will receive something in return; you will experience the warm feeling of joy when you deliver your random acts of kindness.
Let’s celebrate our generous community spirit and elevate it to new heights over the month of December. I am excited to hear the stories of your creative goodwill. I will close with Mark Twain’s words of wisdom: “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
Anonymous but Optimistic
(Name and address withheld by request)
Reconsider ‘woke war’
Sir, Thank you Loddon Herald for exposing the prevailing philosophy of the Loddon Shire councillors.
Last week’s published responses from Max Higgs, Catherine Norman and Marg Van Veen, beautifully convey the perspective that is shared by majority of the modern world, as we move to a fairer and more compassionate society. Being ‘woke’ is just fundamentally about being polite and respectful.
Cr Holt’s conservative dinosaur ideology will alienate young people looking to return or settle in our towns. This patriarchal form of thinking has already resulted in our shire having great football facilities but no child care! I urge Cr Holt to reconsider his ’war on woke’ as it damages the reputation of the Loddon Shire and is frankly embarrassing for those of us who live here.
Susan Gould
Mysia