The people that helped out during this last week ranged from Ballarat to Ararat, Willaura/Moyston to Stawell and Horsham.

The district really did chip in to help this family out with donations.

The Ararat Salvation Army used their truck to pick donations up. Dale Harris helped with gas operation of the new property.

This quiet but very helpful Bruce from Woolworths helped out with donating a few things from the shop.

The family from the fire are doing well in there new home.

Thanks to the local council. Maternal child and health and the kindergarten family. Grampians Community Health and department of Human Services.

They all deserve a big round of applause.

Teresa Turner

Stawell

I'm so sorry that we failed to protect the big established trees in London Road and Patrick Street.

Thank you to those that signed my petition, but we were in a minority of people who cared. I am sorry I failed.

I am filled with immense sadness that the tall Eucalyptus scoparia outside Laidlaw Park, illuminated at night, is now erased. Goodbye.

In London Road, the thick trunked Paperbarks, the tall dark trunks of the Ironbarks, and the River Oaks that stretched up tall and willowy, all were strongly growing, established and very beautiful. Now gone.

In Patrick Street the old gnarled flowering gums and outside the library the mallee Yellow Gums all used to fill with purple crowned lorikeets in summer.

Council staff impressed on me that people can get "emotional" about trees but were happy to walk with me and explain why each tree had passed its used-by-date! 

Council staff and I vehemently disagree that species consistency is "desired" - they argue that the amenity, functionality and safety of exotic trees is "proven". It is proven that deciduous trees attract pest bird species.

Native trees support biodiversity. Established trees lock up carbon and tree height enhances property values. Oh for enlightened council staff!

It is time that council call a halt to this damaging, illogical and frightening agenda of replacing existing large street trees with deciduosity!

Please, people of Stawell, take time to look at what little we have left and care.

Wendy Marriott

Stawell

Dear Editor,

The road toll touches us all, and no one should play politics with the lives of Victorian motorists.

So I was disappointed to see the Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, falsely claim that the Andrews Labor Government is cutting funding for roads maintenance.

The opposite is true. The 2015-16 Victorian Budget has invested an extra $80 million in the Road Surface Replacement Program.

More, not less roads around the state will be resurfaced, so families in regional Victoria can travel in safety.

We're also investing over $85 million to strengthen country bridges and improve safety for passengers, commuters and motorists at country level crossings.

And if we're on the topic of cuts - it was the previous Coalition Government that allowed funding for country roads and bridges to lapse.

But that's beside the point. Road safety is a priority and it shouldn't get bogged down in politics. There's work to do and we're getting on with it.

The Labor Government's Towards Zero campaign is about saving Victorian lives.

We're working with regional Victorians to improve safety on the road, and we're working with local councils to identify their infrastructure needs.

Investment has increased and work has already begun, because every family deserves peace of mind - and every family deserves to get home safely.

Luke Donnellan, Minister

for Roads and Road Safety