CANDIDATE THANKS
Dear editor,
Although my campaign did not secure victory in the recent election, I am humbled and deeply grateful for the unwavering support shown throughout this journey. To my supporters – your belief in me, your non-aligned independent Mayoral candidate, has been both inspiring and heartening.
I have offered congratulations to the newly elected Mayor, Mrs Rosanna Natoli for her success in the election. Winning the trust and confidence of the community is no small feat, and I wish her the very best in her new role.
To all those who cast their votes in my favour, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. Your support has been the driving force behind my campaign, and I am truly honoured to have had your backing. While our efforts may not have yielded the desired outcome, the principles and values we stood for remain as important as ever.
Throughout this campaign, I emphasised the need for authentic leadership experience, a commitment to responsible management of our region’s budget, and a dedication to compliance and genuine consultation. These principles will continue to guide me in my future endeavours, as I remain steadfast in my belief that performance should always take precedence over politics.
Once again, thank you for your trust, your support, and your unwavering dedication. It has been an honour to stand as your candidate, and I look forward to continuing to serve our community.
Wayne Parcell,
Sunshine Coast Mayoral Candidate,
Montville.
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NEW MAYORS
Dear editor,
I was impressed by the candidates elected as mayor of Noosa Council, Frank Wilkie, and Sunshine Coast Council, Rosanna Natoli, in the calm positive manner they conducted their campaigns.
It was an eye-opener for me having moved from Canberra and observed the brutal dog-eat-dog approach to campaigning based on hyper-negativity and fear.
Initially, our new mayors have shown the qualities of being genuinely strong leaders.
How do we know that someone is strong?
The German poet, Goethe, wrote perceptively, “There is nothing as strong as gentleness and nothing as gentle as true strength.”
The strongest people are not those boasting about their strength.
As community members, we need to determine what is genuine news or camouflaged opinion.
The authentic strong leaders are the gentle ones. They are the leaders who exude authority, strength, and confidence. They do not have to boast about how strong they are.
There is an old maxim that a weak person feels that they need to demean and conquer others to appear strong. A strong person knows that they must conquer themself.
We know that someone is innately strong if they are composed, gentle, and compassionate. Well Frank and Rosanna you are off to a good start.
Garry Reynolds,
Peregian Beach.
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US INFLUENCE
Dear editor,
Being bombarded with Americanisms seems to be part and parcel of living in a global community with social media and internet, interchanging habits, behaviours and language.
However the most annoying of sayings from: “The Land of the Free” are: the disrespectful “O.M.G.” [from a nation whose motto is :”In God we trust”] and “like”, affecting every global culture and language. It appears to affect younger, internet- literate generations, more so than pre-computer demographics who don’t like “like”!
The U.S. introduced the world to McDonald’s and K.F.C. and our screens are rife with their advertising. The older generations don’t “like” the continual advertising, enticing families to feast on convenient foods, rather than sit around the table with good, nourishing family dinners.
The Land of Hope and Glory is itself having its challenges with lifestyles, language, lack of respect for authority, violence, political upheaval and historical amnesia. We see the decline from afar and are witnesses to its apparent demise.
When every second word is “like”, filling in the gaps of inarticulate speech, with a presidential wannabee who can’t complete a sentence, what hope, and glory is that? We don’t “like” what we hear and what we see coming from the world’s leading democracy in decline.
E. Rowe,
Marcoola.
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COAST RAIL
Dear editor,
There is a light at the end of the tunnel, the Miles government has fast-tracked $5 million to further develop design and planning for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line.
The funding lays the foundations for the proposed 37.8km rail extension between Beerwah and Maroochydore with delivery planned by 2032.
The government will sound out the market, advising the construction companies and other stakeholders so that they can be ready to deliver such a massive project with the expertise and workforce required.
The government’s Buy Queensland policy will mean many Sunshine Coast businesses will benefit and create numerous local jobs.
The government has previously committed $2.75 billion for this project, subject to the federal government matching the funding. Let us hope the upcoming federal budget delivers for the Sunshine Coast and that funding is actually in the budget papers as a firm commitment.
Rather than playing petty party politics, the Miles government is getting on with the job and delivering for Queensland.
Robyn Deane,
Bli Bli.
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DEMENTIA HELP
Dear editor,
Research commissioned by Dementia Australia and undertaken by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in 2023 shows the number of Australians living with dementia is expected to nearly double by 2054.
In 2024 it is estimated around 82,270 people are living with all forms of dementia in Queensland. This figure is projected to increase to around 168,300 by 2054.
No one should have to face dementia alone.
Dementia Australia is here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. If you or a loved one have a diagnosis of dementia, or mild cognitive impairment, or you’re concerned about changes to your cognition or that of a loved one, call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
Maree McCabe AM,
CEO Dementia Australia.
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