Together you raised more than $40,000 for FightMND. This money will make a huge difference to help fund vital MND research as well as care and equipment for people suffering Motor Neurone Disease.

Our slogan is: “It takes people.”

I hear that your event started out rather humbly, but as momentum built and more members of the community got involved, the event turned into a festival of fun – with extraordinary fundraising. Your team jumpers that were specially made looked fantastic, as did the netball socks.

The school students who painted the giant run-through banner did a great job. The projection of the FightMND logo on the silo was genius.

Thanks to the support and sponsorship of locals being dunked in ice and the purchase of hundreds of big freeze beanies and FightMND caps, stubby holders and wristbands.

I hear your initial goal of $10,000 was already hit before the big day.

Fundraising within communities often brings out the best in people.

However to raise such a large amount from small communities such as Nhill and Dimboola is testimony to the kind-hearted, compassionate people in your region.

To the people in Nhill and Dimboola, to the players, to the clubs, to all the families and friends who got involved and especially those who have lost a loved one to MND – thank you for your support. On behalf of all those suffering from MND, thank you.

With your help, we lead the fight against MND and we will continue to fund the most promising and biggest research projects designed to find treatments and eventually a cure for MND.

Neale Daniher, patron and vice-chairman, FightMND

I WOULD like to say a heartfelt thanks to the many people who have stood by me during my recent illness and ongoing recovery. 

First is my carer, Paula Pickering, who saved my life. To my case manager Katherine Young for her encouragement and understanding. To my carers and friends who have all shown love, kindness, care and support and who have made me laugh when I thought I would never laugh again. And last, but not least, to my brother Michael who, despite living so far away, has kept a brotherly eye on me with his love and encouragement. 

There are really insufficient words to say how grateful I am – so all I can say is a big thankyou from the bottom of my heart to each and every one of you. 

Kathy Flanagan, Horsham

THOSE of us who thought, like the old song, that “love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage” have had a lot of confusing information thrown at us recently about same-sex couples and the way their non-marriages give them all the same rights as married people.

My wife and I were surprised, therefore, to attend the Roads and Maritime Service Centre last week to change our car registration, where we were asked to produce our marriage certificate. This led me to wonder what other equal rights might not be there, particularly when my daughter, currently unable to marry her long-time partner, gets to our age. Will she be asked for a marriage certificate if her not legally recognised wife is in hospital, or worse? Australia Post apparently charges hundreds of dollars for a name change, but not if you can provide – you guessed it – a marriage certificate.

Those who oppose same-sex marriage are resting their hopes on the oldies like me. But if you think we are going to support discrimination against our own kids and grandkids, you are about to be very disappointed.

My daughter doesn’t need my permission to get married. But she needs yours. Please join me in voting yes.

Desmond Bellamy, Byron Bay NSW

MEMBER for Ripon Louise Staley raises the need to "rebalance" population growth and attract people to rural and regional towns (Wimmera Mail-Times, Friday, September 15). This is a sensible move.

The developing renewable energy sector presents an opportunity for regional Victoria. It can help retain people and attract new residents. Unlike polluting coal generation that's concentrated in the Latrobe Valley, solar and wind farms are distributed throughout the state. 

The Ararat, Challicum Hills, and Maroona wind farms have created local jobs and new projects in Bulgana, Crowlands, and Stockyard Hill will deliver more. 

The Victorian Parliament will soon vote on the Renewable Energy Jobs and Investment Bill 2017 that will set targets to grow the solar and wind farms. Louise Staley can help arrest population decline by voting 'yes' to renewables. 

Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth

WE ALL face emergencies – as large as a bushfire or as personal as a medical crisis.

They can all be devastating.

These are simple steps you can take to protect the people you love, your own wellbeing and the things you value most:

Wenda Donaldsen, Red Cross Victoria