YOUR readers might be interested in reading about this spontaneous act of kindness.

Our Belconnen Branch of the CWA arranged to hold our monthly meeting at a community hall in Scullin. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, we were locked out and so held the formal part of our meeting in the car park.

An enquiry at Alzheimer’s headquarters nearby resulted in our members and visitors being warmly welcomed to their boardroom, where we swiftly set up the tables for our fundraising “Cards Without Four Corners” morning, put the kettle on and prepared morning tea, as well as laying out a trading table offering handicraft, fresh produce and pantry items.

We even spilled out into the reception areas of the building, which had the entire complex really buzzing.

Thank you, Alzheimer’s for accommodating so many of us at such short notice. This spontaneous act of kindness surely demonstrates what a caring community we enjoy here in Canberra.

Kay Beagle, publicity officer, Belconnen Branch

of the Country Women’s Association of NSW

No Joy for minister

KATY Gallagher should bite the bullet and sack Joy Burch following her disgusting Twitter message referring to Christoper Pyne.

She has been an underperfomer in the three portfolios she’s been given by Ms Gallagher.

Community Services: The Bindubi Youth Centre and its many problems, which she mishandled so badly.

Disability Services:  This was in complete disarray including recently closing a respite care house urgently needed by children and young adults with disabilities and utilised by parents, many of them coping alone as single parents.

And now, as Education Minister and even worse Minister for Women, someone who should be setting an example, she reproduced this Twitter message using the most disgusting word which completely denigrates women.

Katy, she must go!

Heather Ponting, Greenway

Remember the special things

EACH year disasters affect thousands of people across Australia.

Despite disasters being fresh in our minds, many of us still aren’t adequately prepared and haven’t really thought through protecting those irreplacable items that are most precious to us.

New research commissioned by Red Cross found nearly half the population had not included items of personal value in their emergency plan. We’ve seen first hand how losing precious and irreplaceable items makes it even harder for people to recover from a disaster.

When making your emergency plan, don’t overlook cherished items like photos, special gifts, mementoes or the kids’ favourite toys.

There are simple steps to ensure your safety, the safety of your loved ones, your livelihood and the things you hold dear.

Download an emergency REDiplan from Red Cross and work through it with your family, get an emergency kit and get to know your neighbours.

It is never too early to be prepared. It could save your life.

Joan Hughes, executive director,

ACT Australian Red Cross