Now, it is required of us to be able to grow old gracefully because it is the done thing.

Easier said than done.

Us ancient relics (as often referred to by those still young and yet to get a taste of the lifestyle of us olds as we’re affectionately known as) are yet to join the ranks of ageing.

We olds rise to all occasions even though our osteoarthritis skeletal systems are reluctant to co-operate and enjoy any fleeting moments they are encouraged to enjoy.

At 84 years my loved ones see me as 60 years.

Maybe its because (so far) I'm still able to keep up the pace albeit out of the need to remain independent (so far good).

Us olds are underestimated as to what we can still do (at a slower pace).

Our brains still function from motivated stimulating conversation on every subject imaginable.

For me it is law, medicine, politics and religion.

The same for some of my life time friends we all having studied these fields along with journalism.

Most of us still have some real spunk (lurking somewhere).

We enjoy most things (in moderation).

We don't fear old age or death or that our age is (something that must be surgically removed) we having a already (over the years on way or another) accommodated the medical profession to enable it to financially stay afloat.

We olds don't need to be liberated, we already are through sheer endeavour having been there and done that and are a wealth of wisdom waiting to be tapped (rather than patronised).

Long live the aged for such is life in abundance.

The federal government has interfered with water. Section 100 of our Australian Constitution reads:

"The Commonwealth shall not abridge the right of the State or the residents there into the reasonable use of the water of the river for conservation or irrigation".

In 2007 in the middle of the drought, federal minister for the environment Malcolm Turnbull used RAMSAR International Agreement to give the Commonwealth control of the state's most valuable assets, water.

The only politician who voted against it was independent Tony Windsor and the other politicians were too weak to stand up for the states.

Australia is known as a country of drought, bushfire and floods and in 2018-19 another drought and the states governments are responsible for water and looking back the federal government with their buy back of irrigation water, on December 31 2015 was 214,175 megalitres for the environment.

Too many people who have (no practical experience in water) are making decisions for drought effective communities, who have never lived in the country.

The Murray Darling Basin Authority is a failure; water has become a business to be traded and sold and once the water belonged to the land and now one does not have to own land to own water.

There is a lot of misinformation out there about what you the residents want, or don’t want. 

Twice in the last few years councillors have voted not to consult residents as to whether they would support a reduction in councillor numbers. 

Note most councils have nine councillors, including Wagga and Albury

Its been said that residents have been asked in two referendums in the last few years and they have voted clearly the do not want a reduction. What are the facts?

In 2004 there was a referendum and residents voted for a reduction to nine. On the 1st July, 2006 there was another referendum on the occasion of a by-election. 

The following question was put: ‘At the last referendum it was passed that the number of councillors be reduced to nine. Given the City’s current growth, do you agree that 12 councillors should be elected to give better representation to the community?’

Was that a loaded question or not? 6,398 voted yes, 5,933 voted No.

Question, did the 6,398 residents vote for 12 councillor or for better representation? 

If the question was asked again would you vote for better representation?

Thumbs up to a lady called Kia who ran out of a local pub on the main street with some iced water for us when we were changing a flat tyre on Australia Day afternoon. Thank you so much! 

Whether it’s praise, an issue or something else, email the editor: letters@areanews.com.au or post a letter to PO Box 1004, Griffith, NSW 2680.

You can also drop it in to our office on 11b Banna Avenue.