LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thanks for support

WE FELT the need to write and thank the people of the Riverland who have given us so much love, care and support since the devastating loss of our business in the needless fire at Glossop Steel last Monday.
Firstly, we must pay tribute to the CFS and the fire officers who attended the fire. These people put their lives on the line every time they attend such a call out and they give their time voluntarily, not seeking rewards. Our prayerful thanks go to these men and women.
We have been overwhelmed by the generosity and care shown to us by people and businesses wanting to assist us in so many ways with offers of help to clean up, food, flowers, phone calls and prayers. Each and every one is very much appreciated.
We would like to thank our dedicated staff for their workmanship and their loyalty while we have been in business.
We sincerely thank all our customers over the past 11 years. Without you, our business would not have been the success it was.
JOFF AND VERONICA LINGER
Glossop

Guts and determination

HOW DEVASTATING for the businesses in Glossop the huge fire that gutted their buildings must have been.
Riverlanders' hearts must go out to them for their huge loss. To think that it may be due to some inconsiderate person/s action is beyond belief.
The Lingers have served the community through their businesses and also Glossop Steel for many years and are such lovely people.
It is wonderful to see that they are being offered support in so many ways, but understandable that they cannot continue on in their business.
It was a welcome sentiment to read the letter to the editor in Friday’s Murray Pioneer, headed 'Glossop will rise again’, by Phillip Goldspink, production manager at Upper Murray Case Supplies.
Congratulations must go to the team at Upper Murray Case Supplies and Bob’s Barn for making the decision to continue on bigger and better than ever.
The ‘community spirit’ mentioned helped them to make the decision to press on, plus the great work from fire crews etc.
It is people like this in the Riverland who should be commended for their guts and determination in making our area such a wonderful place to live.
RHONDA CENTOFANTI
Winkie

Aged care standards

FOLLOWING THE Murray Pioneer articles headed ‘Hamilton-Smith calls for local health safety net’ (13/1/12) and ‘More scrutiny on local aged care service’ (17/1/12) I wish to make the following comments.
I take the statements in these articles very seriously and wish to reassure the public that I have the greatest confidence in the senior nursing leadership team at Renmark and I am confident that the care is of a high standard.
Country Health SA (CHSA) continues to monitor all our aged care facilities to ensure they are meeting standards and providing quality care and we have been delighted to receive positive feedback from the community recently.
Feedback from national surveyors following the recently completed National Aged Care accreditation survey at Renmark Paringa Residential Aged Care facility indicated a high level of compliance with the national standards.
This will be confirmed formally in writing in the next few weeks by the National Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.
CHSA regularly compares the standards and staff in our aged care facilities with similar organisations across country South Australia and nationally.
Staffing levels at Renmark Paringa Residential Aged Care facility exceed comparable facilities in South Australia and nationally.
There is an expectation in CHSA that health services function appropriately within the budget allocated to them.
For aged care services this broadly equates to income and expenditure being in balance.
There has been no reduction to the budget for Renmark Paringa Aged Care Facility and resources are being managed efficiently and effectively.
The Renmark community has a right to expect high standards from its aged care facility and I can assure the local community that this is being delivered by the staff at Renmark Paringa Aged Care Facility.
Country health staff work hard and value the support of the Health Advisory Councils and the community.
I am truly appreciative and proud of the valuable and challenging work that they do.
PROFESSOR BELINDA MOYES
Chief executive officer
Country Health SA

Double Dutch to me

IT SEEMS I owe Rebecca Byers and perhaps some other Murray Pioneer readers an apology for suggesting that they download The Secret of Oz from YouTube (The Pioneer, 13/1/12).
My excuse is that I only started using a computer last year at age 75 and this is the only time that I have looked at anything on YouTube. All that stuff about ADSL, Kbps, Kbyte and Kbits is all double Dutch to me.
I did say that it is worth the trouble and I am still of that opinion.
I am currently trying to get the DVD from America, if that is possible. At a reasonable cost I would donate them to public libraries in Australia.
GILBERT AHRENS
Tanunda