Dear Echo News,
As a lover of history, I love living in Bassendean which is one of Perth’s oldest pioneering towns.
This year is the 150th anniversary of our heritage red pillar post box which has been continuously used since 1876.
The reason this pillar box was state heritage listed was to see that it remained in situ and not imprisoned in some dusty old museum.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Perth’s ‘oldest’ red pillar post box (VR 1868) despite my best efforts.
This box was located at the front entrance of our zoo for many many years until it was removed and put in a shed at the rear of the zoo for a couple of decades.
In 2015 I wrote to the director of Perth Zoo and asked if I could purchase the pillar box, renovate and paint with a view to approaching Bassendean town council and having the box placed outside our library on crown land for all to admire and utilise and also have it state heritage listed.
Unfortunately, as a result of my enquiry Australia Post retrieved this rare piece of WA history from the zoo shed, renovated it and placed it in the confides of a commercial building in Northbridge where it remains today!
What a huge disappointment it is not on the street for all to enjoy.
G Coleman
Bassendean
Dear Echo News,
Cancer Council WA welcomes the Cook government’s amendment Bill to strengthen Western Australia’s tobacco and vape laws.
This announcement reminds us that, to be effective, tobacco control must have continued political commitment and sustained investment – a comprehensive approach requires strong legislation, effective enforcement, public education, and accessible quit support to all work together.
These proposed amendments to the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 will provide strong deterrence to businesses that supply illicit tobacco and vapes, including significant penalties and closure powers.
Given the urgency of the issue, Cancer Council WA hopes to see the Bill progress quickly through Parliament.
We also look forward to hearing more about the second tranche of amendments later this year, addressing public health issues and tobacco retail licencing.
We hope together these amendments will help bring WA’s tobacco legislation back up to speed and ensure it remains responsive to emerging challenges.
There’s never been a better time to quit — and free support is available.
People who smoke and vape can visit makesmokinghistory.tips for practical advice, new ways to quit, and to create a free quit plan.
Young people who want to quit vaping can visit cleartheair.org.au for quit tips, the “Am I Addicted?” quiz, and practical support to help them break free for good.
Melissa Ledger
Cancer Prevention and Research Director
Dear Echo News,
I must say the widespread advice to ‘create or revise your emergency care plan’ sounds good.
Unfortunately, this makes me laugh.
If we get fair warning of a fire we will grab a few things (we already have most of them packed or accessible), get in the car and get out by turning left or right, according to which seems the safest.
By this time, or soon after, power may be turned off and, hence, we would have no bore water.
If the fire comes in the middle of the night, we would hope to be notified in time to jump into the car and get out as fast as possible.
Because not only would the electricity and water be cut off, if a single big tree branch falls across our driveway we have no way out.
The ditch alongside our road is so rough and deep I doubt if we two elderly people could cross it on foot and certainly not by car.
Maybe one day, when the area is burned out, the City of Kalamunda, albeit too late, will actually decide to remove the deadwood and at least some of the trees where safety is a concern.
B Buchanan
Walliston
