Opinion & Perspectives
2 November, 2025
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: thank you for Show help, bring back our bank, prepare for fire season
Here's your thoughts on issues important to you
Jolly good show - organisers say thank you
ON BEHALF of the Charlton Agriculural Show Society, a large thankyou goes to every one in our Community who help make our 2025 show very successful.
To all our sponsors, without whom we would not be able to run ours show.
To our great committee and all the helpers who came to the working bees and help set the show up, and packing up.
To our pavilon secretaries and their stewards and helpers on show morning very much appreciated.
To Neighbourhood House for all the printing of cards, schedules, and gate maps.
The local service clubs for the volunteers at the gate, afternoon teas, and any others that helped out in any way.
Lastly, big thank you to each and everyone who helped and sponsored in any way.
Wendy Laffin
Secretrary - Charlton Show
Community concerned with bank closure
I WRITE to reinforce the value of local newspapers, and advise the outcome of the Wycheproof concerns on the Bendigo Bank agency closure in Wycheproof that your readers may see parallels in their towns.
It is due to the articles in the Buloke Times and the Times Ensign, and some correspondence we sent to the Charlton and Donald Community Banks, that I was invited to a video conference with some senior people at the Bendigo Bank and the Charlton Community Bank.
Unfortunately the session did not result in even a few half days of face-to-face service being made available in Wycheproof.
And the agency closed on 21 October.
Some of the reasons given were that the regulations around agency banking has become more difficult; the Bendigo Bank technology cannot be secure enough for such agencies (but the Community Bank branches are secure) and their statistics showed there is a low usage of the Wycheproof agency.
I raised the fact my wife and I had not been written to with the advice of the closure, nor the offer of ongoing transaction fee subsidisation, even though we have been back as residents in Wyche for seven years, and members of the Bendigo Bank for at least 25 years.
It seems a key component is that our account is not ‘domiciled’ in Wycheproof.
Rather in the branch we signed up with initially.
And we had not asked for it to be transferred.
At the end of the conversation, the senior bank staff asked for me to encourage the Wycheproof residents to continue banking with the Charlton Community Bank to keep it sustainable and thus Wycheproof be eligible for their grant process.
If you or any of your readers have knowledge of a banking organisation that would provide some level of regular face-to-face banking services in Wycheproof, I am sure our community would positively examine the opportunity.
Martin Duke
President - Wyche Alive
Stay safe this fire season
AS WE head into another fire season here in regional Victoria, it is a timely reminder to make fire preparation a priority. Understanding your local fire risk and taking steps to protect yourself, your family, and your property is vitally important.
To support communities across the region, local CFA brigades are hosting Get Fire Ready events during October. These events are a great opportunity to:
Get tips on preparing your home and property
Understand Fire Danger Ratings and where to find emergency information
Learn how to create a Bushfire Survival Plan
Connect with your local CFA brigade
It is easy to become complacent when it comes to fire prevention, but with our region’s hot, dry summers, it only takes one spark for a fire to start. Make sure you take precautions when using farm machinery, camping, or driving around the region. Check haystacks often, don’t light fires on Total Fire Ban days, follow campfire rules, clear vegetation around your home, and stay up to date with local fire warnings.
This summer, let’s make life easier for our firefighters, and for ourselves by taking simple preventative steps now. By preparing our homes and properties, staying aware of fire risks, and following safety rules, we can reduce the danger and protect our families and community.
Jade Benham
Mildura MP
Send your letters to the ediitor to ncn@iinet.net.au. Letters should be no more than 300 words and must include your name and contact details (required for verification). NCN Herald does not publish anonymous letters
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