I have been so lucky to work with the Gunnedah Community and make great friendships along the way.

It would be remiss of me not to thank the people responsible for making this journey an enjoyable one.

Thank you to the business houses of Gunnedah who provided donations and sponsorships for our fundraising events.

The inter-agencies who worked tirelessly and closely with me to support those less fortunate and those needing that extra support.

The schools and community groups that used the facilities to ensure ongoing support of the PCYC.

To my volunteers and office staff who gave their time unconditionally be it a fundraiser or running an activity at the club.

Lastly, the Members of Gunnedah PCYC, the Gunnedah Community and all those mentioned above who supported me during my time as Manager of the PCYC, you are all amazing people and I thank you.

Rhonda Smith,

Gunnedah

What a queer place this country Australia is, we give overseas monetary aid to many overseas countries amounting to millions of dollars reference. dfat.gov.au. yet we have to beg for money as is required for a new Paramedic base.

Then for the Breast Cancer, Rescue Helicopter, I could mention hundreds more examples of needy charities.

All aid to foreign countries should be in goods that our farmers and manufacturers produce. 

Ken Lloyd,

Gunnedah

Since July 15 th 1998 I have lobbied both State and Federal Governments to hold a special event.

They’ve all said “No”. In fairness when I made this suggestion, I admit I requested a “Say No to Drugs” day – such as walking across bridges, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This was an idea first suggested by Margaret Mackay of Port Macquarie, who lost her son when he overdosed on methadone.

I have pushed for this awareness because ‘Minimal Harm’ strategies have failed at least three generations of child, and has damaged society beyond measure, causing the breakdown of the family unit – which has, in turn, put children at risk of harm, and even murder, by drug addict adults.

I believe that marijuana is the key to the doorway to harder drugs. Drug and alcohol addicted adults are the major causes that lead to the deaths of innocents. It’s time that the Department of Education told the tragic story of Donald Mackay – a man who was murdered because he cared about the future of his children and ours. Schools should also hold copies of a book written by a Woman’s Day reporter Rachael Morris called “Murdered by the Mob” which told the story of Mr Mackay’s murder.

Sadly, Donald Mackay’s widow Barbara lost her life to an autoimmune disease but prior to this when she heard the bells tolling 35 times for the victims of the Port Arthur Massacre, she said, “I suddenly had the feeling that after 20 years, I felt the bells were tolling for me”.

So, I feel what better tribute could be paid to Barbara, for her tireless work after the death of her husband, Donald, their children and grandchildren, in every town and city at the same time than to have a walk across bridges every year on the anniversary of his death?

Gunnedah has done this before. On the 15 th July 1998 a simple ceremony of remembrance was held in the town to commemorate Donald’s life as an anti-drug campaigner and signatures of support were sent to Mrs Mackay.

Mrs Mackay responded the following month saying, “it was really wonderful to open the lovely card with such kind messages, and all those signatures. It was very encouraging – for as far as I am aware, your gathering was the only acknowledging event of the 21 st anniversary of his passing. It meant a lot to me… would you pass on my sincerest thanks and best wishes in your efforts to protect your local area. God bless you all.”

Previous to this, in an interview with the Sun Herald in 1997 Mrs Mackay said that her husband had “effectively been silenced – and now she was too because she was not allowed to circulate her book ‘Before I Forget’”.

According to the article, Mrs Mackay said: “Plans for her book to be published were suddenly cancelled by the publisher’s overseas board members because of defamation concerns.” This involved a section of the book she originally wrote as a letter to her grandchildren and explains how and why their grandfather died.

Such an event as walking across bridges would also pay tribute to anti-drugs campaigner Warren Woodley of Tamworth – founder of Australian Cities Against Drugs and Margaret Mackay of Port Macquarie – whose ongoing work to save the youth of the nation must not be forgotten either. Like my requests for an annual event, Members of Parliament also said “no” these campaigners, completely ignoring their requests for drug rehabilitation centres.

So, with Gunnedah taking a lead with its “Say No to Drugs” event happening soon and raising awareness on drug rehabilitation issues, it is perhaps time to make this an annual event – and in doing so honour all of those whom have had the courage to stand up and say “No”!

Judith Law, 

Gunnedah