One of the greatest indignities that man can inflict on his fellow man is to deny him the right to a name.

Yet, when, after a foray into the Soviet system of management bankrupted the Rylstone Shire Council, the powers in Sydney amalgamated Rylstone and Mudgee councils, those powers twice denied the people of the new council area the right to have a name, inflicting on us instead the descriptive title we see on our trucks about town.

Imagine my astonishment then, when the matter was put to a referendum, the people declared they didn’t want a name. So we are stuck with this vague description.

With the news of a recent snowfall blocking the Jenolan Caves Road in “Western NSW”, residents should now be able to see that the descriptive title that we bear is hopelessly inadequate. It was only ever to suit the desk jockeys in Sydney anyway.

So I call on the new council which will be elected next month to set as a priority, get us a proper name. And I call on the people of the shire area to support that action. I don’t mind if it its Mudgee or Cudgegong, both are excellent names.

Ted O’Brien, Mudgee.

My father, Max Walker, has been on the Mid-Western Regional Council for over 14 years. 

I am very proud of what Dad has achieved throughout his time with the council. 

I also know for a fact that even though he will no longer be a serving councillor he will continue to help the people of Mudgee as he loves his home town and is very proud of this great community. 

When Dad believes in something for the community, he does not take a backwards step and always endeavours to achieve a positive outcome. 

The constant ringing of the phone is a daily reminder of how many people feel as though they can share their thoughts and opinions with Max about local issues. 

Max has contributed a lot of his personal time to the community and to this day has never made an expense claim. I believe this shows how genuine his passion is. 

Congratulations on all your achievements Dad, we are very proud of you. 

Natalie Walker

I read with interest the “facts” presented in the Lithgow Mercury in regard to greyhound racing.

I would like to understand the “facts” on cruelty to domestically owned pets.

I’m not quite sure the facts presented to the Government enquiry are not without some dispute from the greyhound industry.

In my experience, the evidence I’ve seen from greyhound owners is that they feed their dogs better than themselves and provide a quality of medical care higher than they provide of themselves.

As a domestic pet owner,  a previous greyhound owner and with council committees with our local dog pound, the facts I gleaned are that there is significant cruelty to domestically owned animals, I have not had the same experience with greyhound owners.

Do we now have to wonder if domestic pet ownership is under threat?

Grahame Danaher, Lithgow

Facebook readers were inspired by 74-year-old Eunice Marskell who completed the Mudgee Running Festival 10km event. 

Wow - well done at any age, but fantastic when you have reached "the age of elegance"!

​Louise MacPherson, via Facebook