Those trees have been there my whole life and I am eight years old.

When those people cut down those trees there is a limit of oxygen left for us. Lots of people enjoy the trees for many different reasons like climbing and just sitting under a tree having a picnic and so many more things.

What I like doing with trees is to make a swing or a cubby house. But now the trees are gone we cannot enjoy all the wonderful things that the trees give us.

Stawell needs money and I understand but this is not the way to do it and putting a hole in big hill is bad enough and taking down the trees is just complimenting it.

Many trees that have been cut down have fruit on them which means that there’s more fruit on the ground and less in our local supermarkets. Lots of different animals like birds and fruit bats live in trees, and sometimes people can cut down the trees that the animal is living in. Sometimes us humans can destroy the animal’s habitat so much that the animal is extinct.

Bridie Giles (aged 8)

Stawell

COMMUNITY bands sound the last post at ANZAC Day, bring the spirit of Christmas, and fill our halls, parks and streets with music and life.

As a city with a vibrant community band culture Stawell this year hosted the 45th Wimmera Bands Group Music School, an intensive music learning week for budding musicians across the region and beyond.

Eighty-nine enrolled students and their families, from Mildura to Mornington, enjoyed all your wonderful town had to offer. Stawell Secondary College provided teaching facilities and instruments.

Special Thanks to Principal Nick Lynch, Peter Durance, Amanda Hemley and Rosie Anastasio who assisted us in many ways.

Many businesses helped us cater for the students visiting the city to develop their musical skills including: Woolworths Stawell, Neilly’s Cafe, Newtons Butchers Stawell, Stawell Caravan Park, Town Hall Hotel, Chris & Di's Bakery, Frewstal Abattoir, Rayners Fruit and Veg, The Stawell Times-News, Baker’s Delight Ararat, Factory Sound, South Melbourne and J’s Music City, Bendigo.

The invaluable support provided by these businesses, donations from many other businesses and individuals is gratefully acknowledged by the Wimmera Bands Group Music School, students and their families across the region.

We would especially like to acknowledge our two major sponsors for the generous financial assistance that they provided to us, the The Northern Grampians Shire Council and The Coromby Brass band.

A strong working relationship with Stawell City Band has been integral to the success of this year’s Music School.

We acknowledge Band President Josie Joynson, Conductor Mark Smith and all the members of the band who willingly volunteered their time to ensure the overall success of the event.

After a successful final concert at the Stawell Secondary College on Sunday 5th July 2015, we hope the music school has achieved its aim of supporting Stawel.

Not only through a week’s visitation to the city but also by fostering sustainable community bands delivering beautiful music across the Wimmera.

Thank you to the people of Stawell for helping make this happen.

Jane and Peter Battersby

Wimmera Bands Group Music School 

NEXT week is National Missing Persons Week.

National Missing Persons Week is an annual event which takes place during the first week of August and is co-ordinated by the National Missing Persons Co-ordination Centre through the Australian Federal Police, supported by state and territory police. 

The week aims to raise awareness of the significant issues associated with this phenomena leading to a reduction in the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia. To find out more you can visit www.missingpersons.gov.au