I am not a member, but was asked to collect in my street. 

The response was consistently: "The Salvos? Of course I will see what I have. They do a lot of good." And this gem: "Yes. The Salvos do a lot without saying much, while others say a lot without doing much."

Not many people had money to spare, but nearly all gave.

That was humbling.

One young mother came to the door with her toddler, said she didn't have any money, but then said "hang on we have our treasure chest". She and her daughter came back each with both hands full of loose coin, both with beaming smiles.

That was inspiring!

So good on you Salvos, you have earned the respect of the people and that is a rare thing these days.

FOR the eighth time in four years, the beautiful flowers and memorials my family has placed on our parents' graves at Dawson River Cemetery have been stolen, always within a day or two of them being placed there.

It is heartbreaking for the family to go there and find everything has been stripped from the graves.

Our family is not the only one this is happening to.

I have written many letters and emails to Taree council and have never received a reply.

Death tears the heart of those left behind. To be able to visit their resting place and leave a token of our love for them is the only way we can pay our respects.

Then some low life with no respect for anyone feels it is their right to take what they want from the graves.

This has to stop. As in my previous letters to council I asked why there could not be a gate at the entrance to the cemetery that is locked each evening.

Maybe one of the readers can come up with a solution to this problem.

ATTENTION Member for Myall Lakes,  Steve Bromhead: Have you any plans to initiate change to the status of the Manning Hospital?

The accident involving the five jockeys at the Taree racecourse has highlighted the shortcomings of the NSW Trauma Services Plan by transporting patients that could have been competently treated at our hospital here in Taree.

It would appear paramedics are acting as diagnosticians. While I have nothing but admiration for them and the quality of their work, I would purport that skills greater than theirs are necessary to enable the best possible outcome for the patient.

Taree has amazing doctors, anaesthetists and nurses who have only ever delivered optimal outcomes in the past.

I appreciate that our hospital infrastructure is seriously comprimised, but we have no problems with the staff, they are magnificent.

The funding that had previously been promised , the twenty million dollars, & which never eventuated, would certainly have enabled our hospitable to meet whatever standards necessary to ensure patients aren't put at risk again by precious time being utilized in transporting them elsewhere.

Perhaps if we can't effectively treat patients from this region we may need to relinquish the title of Manning Regional Hospital and revert back to Manning Base Hospital.

If our town wishes to be progressive and is to been seen as progressive we may be wise to put a stop to regressive actions.

Your help is required Mr Bromhead.