‘DV’ is domestic violence
Dear Echo News,

To all those who seek to end the scourge of domestic violence in all its forms, I have a plea: use the full name, every time.

Do not abbreviate it to ‘DV’ – which all-but removes its meaning and certainly diminishes its importance.

If it’s worth discussing and if it’s worth the attempt at stopping domestic violence, once and for all, it’s worth saying and writing its name in full, every time.

Domestic violence may be perhaps the most shameful of all crimes committed but that doesn’t mean we should shy away from naming it.

Meanwhile, thank you to those who work so tirelessly and passionately to bring an end to this blot on our society.

P Carman
Hovea

No EV for Midland planned
Dear Echo News,

Can you believe it?

It is 2024, and despite spending millions of taxpayer dollars on the new station there is no strategy or provision for EV charging.

Swan councillor Sarah Howlett has tried to raise the alarm, but it has fallen on deaf ears.
The issue is much bigger than EV charging.

While cities like Barcelona have reduced ICE vehicle use by 40 per cent saving the nation huge import costs on fossil fuels our governments local and state seem to think that transition will come along in its own time without proactive planning.

Yet Midland MLA Michelle Roberts has offered to match federal funding from Tania Lawrence to provide separated personal EV and bike lanes north, south, east and west from the station so that school kids and commuters can ride from Swan View, Guildford, West Midland and Greenmount safely to the station taking loads of traffic off our busy roads.

Forget putting solar on prime farming land. How about putting rooftop solar on all car parks and the huge warehouses in Midvale so people can recharge during the day when they are at work.

Is it pure laziness or is it climate denial?

It’s time for a community forum to tell our politicians what we need for our kids’ future.

C Hughes
Midland

Salvos Christmas Appeal
Dear Echo News,

It truly is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Shops are brimming with festive products, the airwaves are beginning to hum with Christmas tunes and families are putting up their Christmas trees across the country.

For the Salvos, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas too, but for a very different reason.

For us, we are starting to see our busiest time of year come to fruition; we are seeing the need for our services increasing, more and more people calling up for Christmas support, the financial and emotional stresses of the festive period beginning to overwhelm people, and the threat of loneliness and isolation starting to creep into people’s lives.

For many, Christmas is a time of joy, relaxation, sharing with family and friends, and hope.

But for some, including many of those who The Salvation Army support every day, Christmas is a time of increased pressure, stress and loneliness.

We have seen another devastating year for people financially in 2024.

The Salvos have seen an increase in demand for our services.

Individuals and families who have never reached out to a charity before are doing so for the first time this year.

In fact, recent research from the Salvos found that seven in 10 Australians are watching their spending more this Christmas compared to previous years.

But there is hope.

Throughout the Christmas period, The Salvation Army distribute hundreds of thousands of gifts and toys, food hampers, special Christmas meals and much more to those who are doing it tough in our community.

We also provide safe places for community and connection.

We often find that a friendly chat or a shoulder to cry on can be just as powerful as the practical support of gifts, meals and hampers.

The Salvos want everyone to know that we are here for you this Christmas if you need support.

No child should have to go without a present on Christmas Day, no person without a special Christmas meal and no one without a place to go for community and connection.

Reach out to us if you need a hand.

We also can’t do this work without the support of the Australian public through our Christmas Appeal, which is aiming to raise $27 million this year so Aussies don’t have to go without this Christmas.

If you need help this Christmas, or if you are able to donate to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal, please visit salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).

Colonel R Walters
The Salvation Army