Each child is special and they will receive only one shoe box of gifts once in their life.

This gift will bring immediate joy and hope to the child and may open up opportunities they had never dreamed of.

Samaritan’s Purse can then assess the needs of the community such as safe, clean water, education, health and community empowerment projects and implement programs where possible. The total number of boxes received and processed in Melbourne this year was 58,566. From Victoria, three containers full of shoeboxes have been sent to Papua New Guinea, two to Cambodia and one to Thailand. I am very proud to say that throughout the Wimmera and southern Mallee we collected 2257 boxes, which were forwarded down to Melbourne.

All of our team would like to give a huge thank you to each person who took the time to become involved either by packing a shoe box or donating goods or money.

Thank you also to the many people who made many different handmade items for the boxes. We look forward to working with you all again next year. Remember, you can collect items all year round. For further information, please refer to our website www.samaritanspurse.org.au

ANN ROHDE

Horsham

IT is no surprise that Country Fire Authority volunteers feel left in the lurch this summer. With the enforcement of fire restrictions starting on December 12, there is still no enterprise bargaining agreement in place to ensure volunteers will be fairly treated and represented.

So much has been said this year about the controversial agreement, but Victoria’s 60,000 volunteer firefighters just want to see the authority sign a deal that does not stop them from supporting their regional communities, just as they have for more than 100 years.

With the militant United Firefighters Union now delaying the vote until possibly next year for fear of it being rejected, there is an uncertainty over the role of volunteers, their relationship with members of the union and their future with the authority over the coming months and years. Regional communities need to know who will be protecting the protectors this fire season.

Many expect it to be one of the worst seasons on record, due to the high grass growth resulting from good spring rains, so we must be prepared accordingly.

Given there has been no resolution with the enterprise bargaining agreement and the government has not been able to meet preventative burning targets, the Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino needs to consider and explain the impact this unresolved dispute will have on volunteers this summer.

SIMON RAMSAY

Member for Western Victoria

Christmas is a busy time for the Salvation Army. While the true meaning of the season is of peace, joy and hope, it’s a fact that hundreds of thousands of Australians find Christmas stressful and a financial nightmare. 

The Salvation Army gives hope to those who need it most at Christmas by distributing tens of thousands of food vouchers and hampers to people in need and providing gifts and toys to families in crisis.

I would like to urge readers to stop for a moment and ask, ‘can I help someone who is struggling?’ I truly believe that we are a nation that stands by those in need.

You can donate to the Salvos by calling 13 SALVOS (137 258). 

MAJOR PAUL HATELEY

Salvation Army Australia