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Last week, my Town Talk appointment was with Denise Crawford.
Denise is concerned, caring, passionate and community focused.
As a result, she has been volunteering for decades.
We had been talking for some time when I referred to something she had said — seeking clarification.
She replied “We can’t put any of that in the paper”.
I had to laugh — this was going to be a very short story.
So, I asked her what she cared about.
We talked for a while about the shortage of housing and the Affordable Housing project, funded by the Victorian Government.
This is now under the control of the minister — and we all know that the Spring St budget is somewhat out of control.
So, not a lot of hope there.
Denise is strongly opposed to the ‘Big Pear’ and asked me what good it would do for the people of Shepparton?
She said it would be more useful if council purchased a few pairs of shoes.
I believe this was a private initiative; and that it is on hold.
Denise is also concerned about an empty purple bin, as they have no glass to put into it.
She said it costs them money and is compulsory — and she is correct about this.
It is on your rate bill even if you don’t use it.
We also discussed the hard rubbish collection.
Denise wants it desperately and she’d like two of these each year.
I believe an annual hard rubbish collection begins in July next year and I’m grateful for that.
The problem, for people who have no means of getting rid of large items, is that stuff has accumulated over time and the first collection won’t do the job.
She asked me what I thought about our painted cows and I defended them quite strongly.
They differentiate our city from others; are colourful, and children love them.
We all need some colour in our lives.
Also, dairy farming has played an important role in our history.
Denise is also concerned about the money spent on fireworks, here and in Melbourne.
During our discussion, I gained the impression that this lady would not be keen to supply me with a photo; so, I’ve played a little trick with the photo, you see.
I estimate it was taken in 1949.
Although no longer able to hold a driver’s licence, Denise manages to keep up her volunteering and, as I was leaving, she said something that told me all I need to know.
“You see, when desperate people cry, I cry with them”.
Diplomacy in action
I’ve been watching a very idealistic television series about diplomacy — not politics.
Madam Secretary shows us the world of diplomacy, as we would like it to be — but probably is not.
It also portrays the United States as the world’s saviour, which it definitely is not.
It was particularly interesting when three former secretaries of state turned up — Hilary Clinton, Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell.
The guests, playing themselves, had a somewhat stilted discussion.
Their conclusion was that ‘nationalism’ is the world’s greatest threat; loving your country is one thing — but allowing no opposition, disdaining elections and closing borders — is another.
And I found myself wondering if the US is heading in this direction, right now.
Later in the series, the screen writers made an Australian prime minister the bad guy, who refused to take a share of refugees.
This seemed unlikely and unfair; have we ever refused to take desperate people?
Madam Secretary is on 7plus and worth a watch.
Take care, and may it be easy my friends.
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Phone: Text or call 0409 317187