I arrived in Horsham with my car loaded to the hilt because I have been living in a women’s shelter, due to a domestic violence situation.

My handbag was missing and I tried to recall my exact moves to ponder it’s locality or if it was stolen.

I was unwell, tired and stressed from many previous weeks and went into panic mode. I literally collapsed in tears. My bag had all that was important, especially money to get me to Adelaide.

Two local women – Kerri Harvey and her niece, Renee – came to my rescue. Kerri listened to my story, held my hand, reassured me she would give me money to get home to Adelaide and pointed me in the direction of the local police station and told me they would call the Halls Gap police to check if my handbag had been found. 

Renee kept reassuring me and Kerri told me to return to her and Renee at the café they were going to have lunch after I had finished with the police and they would feed me and give me money for petrol to Adelaide.

A policewoman, Emma, came to my rescue as I alighted from my car, distressed and sobbing. With her calm reassuring manner, she calmed me down and while she phoned the Halls Gap police station. I looked again in my car for my handbag. Still to no avail, even though this was my fourth look.

Embarrassingly though, I located my bag. It was in a tight spot where I hadn’t looked because in my mind it was impossible it could have been in that spot because of where I thought I had placed my bag. I also hadn’t realised there was a gap area. I returned to Emma shamed faced. She assured me no apologies were necessary, I had been through enough and was not to feel the least bit guilty. This was what I needed to hear.

These three women calmed me and made me smile in my time of distress and I can only say thank you girls and God bless you all. You are everyday women who shine because they care.

Judith Kittel, Adelaide 

SOMEHOW, I got a link to your story on same-sex marriage and the thoughts of the local churches (Stance remains same, Wimmera Mail-Times, Monday, September 18, 2017). I would just like to point out that there are some thoughts put forward that are really impressive – on the stupid scale.

That Derek Bodycote believes schools will be grooming children into homosexuality and lesbianism, proves his ignorance. 

Ian Smith, Warragul 

WHEN life gets a little hard around the edges, I find those beautiful words outside the church at Natimuk very uplifting. 

They are: “He is risen. He paid the price. Have you accepted the gift.” 

Scripture says that the gift of God is eternal life, knowing His presence with us day by day in our lives. 

From your 95-and-a-half year-old reader. 

Cecilia Lyell, Horsham

A SURVEY released by Alzheimer’s Australia, Dementia and the Impact of Stigma, has found people living with dementia and their carers often experience embarrassing situations, feel socially disconnected and less competent.

The same survey also found one-in-two members of the public is frustrated by their lack of understanding about dementia and want to know more.

During Dementia Awareness Month this September, Alzheimer’s Australia is raising awareness and understanding of dementia so people living with the condition can be better supported to feel less isolated and alone. There are more than 413,000 Australians living with dementia and an estimated 1.2 million people involved in their care. 

The survey can be found online via fightdementia.org.au and I encourage your readers to find out more about dementia through our website or if they have any questions or concerns to call our National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.

Maree McCabe, chief executive, Alzheimer’s Australia

The government’s recent release of the Home Care Packages Program Data Report, six months after the implementation of the Increasing Choice Home Care (ICHC) reforms, shows there are more than 50,000 older Australians awaiting a home care package, with an additional 35,000 people receiving services below their assessed level of need.

The data also reveals that the almost one-in-five older Australians waiting for a home care package have been waiting longer than 12 months.

Reform on this scale is not without its challenges and it reveals a system in transition and requiring urgent attention. The home care system is being challenged by the implementation of significant changes that support greater consumer choice, while it is also straining to keep up with growing demand.

The Government’s data confirms the serious concerns raised recently in LASA’s Increasing Choice in Home Care Issues Paper which was based on a national survey of almost 20 per cent of home care providers. The Issues Paper was delivered to the government last month calling on them to address 17 key issues.

The aged care industry stands ready to work with the government and others to resolve the identified issues in the service of older Australians.

Sean Rooney, chief executive, Leading Age Services Australia