A croquet course could attract interest from visitors. Being adjacent to the Information Centre, ideal spot for it. No travelling all around town looking for the venue!

Not to mention, it would be appreciated by our own local players. (They deserve a medal for putting up with the conditions, at present in the rose garden site!)

Congratulations to federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley on her efforts to protect our precious koalas, which she announced recently.

I agree that we should consider whether the threatened species status of our koalas should be raised from 'vulnerable' to 'endangered', as announced by Ms Ley.

Likewise, I commend her efforts to protect the Great Barrier Reef, which is another Australian icon. However, there is one 'threatened species' under Ms Ley's watch which continues to get little or no attention.

I'm talking about the irrigation farmers, in particular those who frequent the lands of the mid-Murray region in southern NSW.

Believe it or not, the federal representative in Canberra for this 'threatened species' is none other than the federal Environment Minister.

So I would like to ask: Why isn't she putting more effort into their protection, instead of the feel-good koalas and reef?

Don't get me wrong, I fully support all efforts that protect Australia's iconic animals and environments.

However, I also see human beings who have worked their land for generations, putting food on the table across our nation, become vulnerable because there is a distinct lack of government support.

The Murray-Darling Basin Plan, as the centre-piece of the government's water policy, is an unmitigated disaster, yet neither Ms Ley or her colleagues have the political courage to address it.

As a consequence we have the livelihoods of farmers threatened, as is their ability to produce the staple foods that we rely on. At the same time we have significant environmental damage caused by unnatural and damaging river flows.

If the Environment Minister doesn't want to protect our farmers, why wouldn't she want to protect the iconic Murray River and its tributaries, which are suffering so much damage?

Wouldn't it be wonderful if Ms Ley made a public statement (and backed it up with action) to indicate her government was going to do something to protect both the farmers and the environment that the Basin Plan is ruining.

The nation has come together in a mighty way this year for Australia's Biggest Morning Tea. Together, we have raised over $5.1 million nationally and more than 20,000 hosts have raised a cuppa to support people affected by cancer.

On behalf of Cancer Council NSW, I would like to thank the local community for gathering together to share a cuppa - we couldn't do it without you.

Over 900 locals, businesses and schools in the western region hosted a Biggest Morning Tea so far, helping raise over $260,000!

Thank you again for all the incredible support so far this year - your morning teas allow us to continue their life-saving cancer research, prevention, advocacy and support programs, supporting all Australians affected by cancer.

To donate or register to host please visit, biggestmorningtea.com.au or call 1300 65 65 85.

Email your letter to the editor to letters@areanews.com.au or post it to PO Box 1004, Griffith, NSW 2680. All letters will need a number (for publication) and a contact phone number (not for publication). Or use the form below...