Unfortunately, this was not the scene at Spencer Park on Australia Day this year.

Instead it was a drunken binge by far too many of the youth of the area, eventually leading to fights.

It was at this stage the police finally decided to step in and put a stop to the brazen law breaking.

Where were the police all day as this disgrace slowly built up over a number of hours with young people drinking in the streets from wine cask bladders and any other form of alcohol they could get their hands on with only one intention, to get as drunk as possible in the shortest amount of time and cause trouble.

Derrick Bentley, Merimbula

The survey conducted by the Bega Valley Council on fluoridating our water supply was flawed.

The question only asked if you want fluoride in the water to prevent tooth decay. It did not ask if you wanted poor health as a consequence.

I didn't receive a phone call about the survey nor did anyone I know. The survey should have been sent out to all ratepayers.

Fluoride is far more effective in toothpaste than drinking water will ever be and our health won't suffer as a consequence.

And it goes without saying that fluoridation is an expense the ratepayers don't need thrust upon them. 

Brad Staker, Merimbula

Congratulations to all the Australia Day award winners. In particular its really heart warming to see Dane and Junee Waites receive joint citizen of the year.

Dane's Dream took many years to come to fruition, they never gave up and as for running 4000kms I am sure Junee ran every step of that and as a Mum must have held her breath more than once. 

You are both an inspiration to me every day  congratulations. 

Ruth Meadows, Tura Beach

Since 1967, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has looked after our National Parks, their precious wildlife, worked for the conservation of native and threatened species, educated generations of school children and played host to countless camping holidays and bushwalks.

Their ability to perform these essential public services is now under threat from a restructure by the NSW Liberal/National government, which will result in a series of cuts and job cuts and loss of expertise. 

We love our national parks.

They receive more than 40 million visits in New South Wales each year, and an overwhelming 94 per cent of visitors describe themselves as satisfied or very satisfied with their experience.

Parks like Bournda National Park and Bournda National Park are an important part of the community, environment and public space.

If the NPWS restructure goes ahead, the NSW community will soon notice the consequences of the government’s reckless approach to parks management.

There will be fewer rangers, closed tracks, less maintenance of visitor facilities and encroaching invasive species will become the unfortunate norm.

There will be a knock on effect on local jobs, tourism and the local economy. 

I urge readers to contact the NSW government and ask them to stop their war on National Parks and treat rangers and all staff with the respect they deserve.

Dr Mehreen Faruqi, Greens NSW MP