The Courier represents a well-balanced blend of local news, sport, personal stories and photography that raises our awareness and appreciation of our great little community. It also allows an opportunity for local issues to be canvassed honestly but respectfully through the Opinion page. 

The paper’s community focus, expressed through quality journalism and layout, creates an excellent vehicle for those wishing to advertise their products and services.

At a time when many rural and regional newspapers are closing due to financial constraints, we are indeed fortunate that our local newspaper just gets better and better. Congratulations to all concerned.

Phil Proudfoot, Dunbogan

Until the early hours of last Tuesday, the only time I had ever taken notice of the orange uniforms of the SES was by way of news bulletins, etc. During the high winds of last Monday night, October 10, my wife and I were disturbed by noises on our rear roof, and at around 12.30am I discovered that a sheet of roofing had come adrift, and within minutes we were looking at a threatening sky through a large hole. After phoning the SES number, within an hour three orange uniforms arrived. Nothing was a problem: Up on the roof, roofing sheet temporarily back in place, tarpaulin over same and trip to the beach for sand and heavy bags to hold everything down. It was finished just as the rain started. I did not get the names of the three men, but my wife and I are extremely grateful for their prompt attention and good-natured demeanor, even though they were woken and kept from their beds for a couple of hours.  

Ian Johnston, North Haven

Whatever your political leanings maybe, I draw your attention to page 31 of the Sunday Telegraph on October 9. One can only imagine whatever the dire results will be if this matter is not checked and corrected. There are claims that some Child Care Centres have no children whatsoever. Inspectors have been to the establishments, found no children at all and still sent out the cheques despite the establishments raking in $1.6 millon of subsidies. Sophisticated criminal syndicates have worked their way into our child care sector. There are claims almost $30 million has been funneled into Islamic State coffers. Mr Simon Birmingham is the present Minister responsible for this matter and needs to do something urgently.

I urge you to write to your Federal Member and stop this waste which seems to have become a sport in Canberra.

Graham Williams, Laurieton

A proposal to extend bus services from beyond Laurieton and Diamond Head Road Dunbogan has been put forward to the community by the Laurieton Men’s Shed and Diamond Waters Caravan Park to approach the NSW Minister for Public Transport. This service will provide transport to many residents of the caravan park who do not have their own vehicles. This will also allow members, potential members and work for the dole participants to travel to and from the men’s shed. There are also a number of houses in the Beach St area and some of these houses contain school-aged children. At the moment people have to negotiate a narrow bitumen road with cars and sand trucks for two kilometres because there is no footpath. There are four pages of signatures supporting this service. If you wish to support this proposal, contact the Laurieton Men’s Shed, 164 Diamond Head Road, phone 0491 110 605 or email laurietonmenshed@gmail.com

Richard Curry, Laurieton Men’s Shed