I THINK it was the New York Times newspaper that coined the phrase ‘All the news that’s fit to print’, and that’s exactly what The Toodyay Herald does.
I’m sick of people saying the paper is bringing our town into disrepute.
Just read it – every page has a positive story about local people and local community and sporting groups.
It’s simply a great place to live.
I send copies of to friends in Perth and interstate and get nothing but positive feedback.
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Someone asked me who were the so-called ‘disaffected minority’ referred to in one of last month’s letters, which also said the paper doesn’t represent the silent majority.
Then that person asked me who the 2000 petitioners were regarding last year’s rates hike, saying that didn’t leave too many other people to be called a silent majority.
The icing on the cake for Toodyay is to have one of the last locally-owned, not-for-profit proper newspapers left in Australia to give us comprehensive and fearless reporting at a very professional level about the good and bad around us.
Talking of good things, I have a close friend involved with the Alzheimer’s community who came up from Perth especially to visit our new Memory Café at the Cola Café.
We were impressed by the organisation, atmosphere, staff attitude and genuine pleasure that everyone seemed to get from the occasion, and I should note the generosity of the Toodyay Music Society which volunteered the services of a singer and guitarist who really added to the atmosphere.
I’m sorry I didn’t get their names but it was a terrific gesture and at times there was some real sing-along happening.
I even met some fans of my 2J2AIR radio program Swooners and Crooners.
An advertiser in last month’s Herald said we have a great editor, a great CEO and council, and great shire officers.
Well, I partly agree.
Yes to the editor and definitely yes to the officers of the shire who I have always found friendly and helpful.
I do have concerns about the council and CEO, and the way they go about their business.
When they start taking a community-spirited, open approach to communicating their plans and the challenges facing the town, and once they learn to cop criticism with good grace, we may all have good things to say about them too.
They seem to forget that we put them there.
I must add that it’s not all bad news.
The shire eventually did a good job on the Charcoal Lane toilet block mural which has really cheered up that part of town, and their persistence in saving the Duke Street footbridge has brought about a good outcome, so well done those who made it happen.
Let me finish on a positive note by saying moving here as a retiree seven years ago has proved to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and I’m sure it’s adding a few years to my life.
My involvement with a number of community organisations has enriched my life and, to put it simply, I love living here.
The Badger (Richard Hazlewood)
Bejoording
