This nasty and spiteful dispute went on for over 1000 days. It simply couldn’t go on for another 1000 days and that’s why we’ve brought it to a close. Under the agreement, volunteer fire stations will continue operating as they always have – with their own independence, their own special connections to the community, and their own unique knowledge of their local area.

The role of volunteer firefighters in this state is sacrosanct.

At no stage has our government questioned it or jeopardised it.

It is time to debunk the lies of this nasty scare campaign:

1. The need to dispatch seven firefighters to a fireground is limited to 34 integrated stations in highly populated areas, like Frankston and Geelong. This won’t apply to the other 1200 stations around our state – that’s 97 per cent of them.

2. There is no veto power in this agreement. Like most workplaces, there will be consultation on issues that affect the employment of career firefighters, such as the recognition of prior learning. But let’s be very clear, there is no veto power.

3. The agreement specifically states that the role of volunteers is not altered by the agreement, and to suggest it will destroy the authority is the most irresponsible lie of all.

I promise your readers this: by the time the next fire season rolls around, this long running dispute will be behind us, the authority will be stronger than ever before, and so will be the dedicated volunteers who have protected our state for so many years.

In the meantime, the Emergency Services Minister James Merlino and I will be visiting volunteer and career firefighters across Victoria to explain the agreement, to listen to local brigades and to honour the work done by volunteer and career firefighters to keep our state safe.

DANIEL ANDREWS

Premier of Victoria

REGARDING the story on the barber’s shop in the Tickle and Giggle building in McLachlan Street that now has a new neighbour (Mail-Times, June 17).

When I returned to Horsham after trade training in Melbourne, Fred Gilbert was the owner and one-man operator of that business, which he subsequently sold to Allen Ross. Those two individuals were the only ones who touched my hair from August 1946 until April 1980 when I semi-retired and moved away. Fred also moonlighted as a square dance caller, calling regular dances in the RSL hall until about 1953.

RON FISCHER

Horsham

INTERACTION with our four-legged friends can have a hugely positive influence on our health and wellbeing.

Pet therapy is now common in hospitals, and comfort dogs are often sent to help people grieving after major tragedies, as occurred recently with the Orlando nightclub massacre.

That’s why VicHealth is getting behind International Bring Your Dog to Work Day on Friday, June 24 and why every Friday, dogs of all shapes and sizes are on duty in our office providing support, entertainment and cuddles to our employees. As a proud dog owner myself, it’s my favourite day of the week.

Studies have shown employees who bring their dogs to work experience lower stress levels, higher job satisfaction, and increased productivity. People move around more, get some physical activity in by walking their dogs at lunchtime and there’s increased social interaction between staff members who might not normally talk to each other.

​JERRIL RECHTER

VicHealth Chief Executive Officer