Congratulations to Wangaratta Players cast and crew for their wonderful performance of "Waiting for God".

A professional performance with lots of laughter and tenderness in just the right places.

Well done, Wangaratta Players Inc.

I know all three shows last weekend were sold out so if you want to experience this wonderful play I suggest you get your tickets now.

Jane White, Wangaratta

Plague of panels, turbines on both your houses

Festooned upon the land, the Don Quixote’s sometimes turn,

A blight across our realm, they devastate the sky and ranges,

Taken subprime and bestowed to be premature toxic landfill,

Birds of a feather, who gives a care if eagles dare or care to fare?

Pave Meadow Creek, put up a solar lot near other people’s places,

The sun shines intermittently and in the winter diminishes markedly,

As emotional clouds of mist swirl and cloak the mountains constricted,

Turbine or battery fires but can you ever catch this with a coffee cup?

Carpet productive ground with short lived and noxious silica sheets,

Shore waves crash nonchalantly where energy slips as sand thru fingers,

Obliterate the peace with a sub-audible hum from a large bass drum,

In one to two decades will the proponents bother to repair the land?

Still, still the day that basks stark white upon the countryside,

Prickle the ridgelines with edifices of profligate public subsidy,

Kowtow to the influencers and those with nefarious ways,

A thousand, million stars in our draw but not a bite to eat.

By Evan Evans, Hobart (formerly Myrrhee)

Solar company's social licence questioned

To Meadow Creek Solar Pty Ltd.

We are writing as residents of the King Valley community and holders of the Advanced Certificate in IAP2, with a strong understanding of ethical stakeholder engagement and community consultation.

While your project may have received formal Victorian government approval, it is critical to understand that you do not currently hold a social licence to operate within our community.

This intangible but essential licence is based on the acceptance and approval of your activities by local stakeholders, and it cannot be bypassed through regulatory loopholes.

Without such a social licence, which would be essential if this was a mining project, you should not proceed with construction.

The social licence to operate is not a one-time achievement - it must be earned and maintained through transparent, inclusive, and respectful engagement.

Your current approach does not reflect the values outlined in the IAP2 Core Values and Code of Ethics, which require:

Meaningful and inclusive consultation

1. Respect for community concerns and cultural values;

2. Transparency in decision-making;

3. A commitment to building trust and legitimacy.

Your lack of genuine engagement with the King Valley community, including Traditional Owners and long-standing residents, undermines the legitimacy of your project.

We urge you to pause any construction activities and initiate a proper engagement process that reflects the principles of ethical practice and community partnership.

MCACAG members, John and Jess Conroy, Ange Godley, Sarah Minifie, David Minifie, Brad Hennessy, and other members of the wider community