This dog will help 6 year old Jamie by alerting his parents to seizures

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Hello, firstly we would like to introduce ourselves. We are Brent and Michelle REID.

We are fundraising on behalf of our 6 year old son, Jamie.

Jamie was born with a rare brain condition called Bilateral Frontal Polymicrogyria. The result of this is uncontrollable epilepsy (150-350 seizures a week), Autism, Global Development Delays and Intellectual Disabilities.

Jamie has been selected as a suitable candidate for an Autism/Seizure assistance dog. The dog will assist Jamie and the family by alerting us to seizures prior to them occurring. The dog will also assist Jamie personally with his Autism. The assistance dog is trained to disrupt autistic melt downs and ensure Jamies safety when out in public. The assistance dog is trained to be tethered to Jamie allowing him freedom to walk freely without the need to be placed in a trolley/stroller or strong hand grip. Jamie has a penchant to want to get out and run and without the knowledge of his own safety. The assistance dog will be with him at all times and when required will stop Jamie to ensure his safety. This is extremely important in situations where there is water, as Jamie has a fixation with playing with water.

The dog is also trained to be able to track Jamie and locate his should he get out and wander off.

The assistance dog will deliver peace of mind, comfort and safety for Jamie. The opportunity it will give Jamie will be outstanding as it will offer him a greater level of independence that a normal 6 year would enjoy. The assistance dog will open his world and like most special needs kids allow him to feel normal and like he fits.

As part of the process of placing the dog with Jamie, we have agreed to fundraise towards the dogs training. The training of each Smart Pup costs $25,000.00 and as a not for profit organisation they rely on fundraising to be able to provide an assistance dog to the candidate family.

This is where we are asking if you would be able to assist in any way possible to help us achieve this opportunity for Jamie.

 

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All donations made are charitable donations to Smart Pups. To let them know that your donation is in support of a particular Smart Pups family you can use ONE of the donation codes provided below when completing a direct Bank Deposit or PayPal transaction. Donations without a donation code will be allocated to the general Training Program to help Smart Pups cover the balance of the training costs for our families.

DONATION CODE OPTIONS:

a) FULL NAME CODE: Jamie Reid or
b) ALFA CODE: jmrd or c) NUMERIC CODE: 55209

To donate via direct deposit - Smart Pups Westpac | BSB: 034198 | ACC: 415185
To donate via PayPal - Click on the BIG RED Smart Pups Donate Button on the website at www.smartpups.org.au.

NB: The three donation code options are provided in an attempt to meet the different code restrictions set by each Banks IT system. A direct Bank Deposit does not attract any fees. If making a donation via PayPal you must manually type the child’s name in the ‘NOTES TO SELLER’ field at the time you make the transaction. Please be aware that, as there is no fee waiver in place for charitable donations, PayPal will charge Smart Pups an administration fee on each donation.

MY RANT ABOUT THE WELFARE CARD

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Time and time again we are faced with the same scenario, liberal or labor introduce some punitive measure designed to change behaviors the major parties team up while the greens are on the sidelines making statements against the measures. Select information is given to media but what about the facts they all ignore, who mentions those facts and how often is our media on the end of really informing the general public?

The welfare card trials have been debated on the assistance it is supposed to provide addicts or those caught in bad behavior situations, the greens come out with income management failure stories and the information is limited to these areas. Those who have witnessed first hand what effects drunks or other addictions cause take the simplistic approach that if there was no cash then that would not happen. Others take a more in depth look and suggest the heart of the addiction needs to be addressed first.

Both are in a sense true. Maybe it wouldn't happen for short periods but there is always crafty people who will find ways around it and that information spreads so it will always be short lived. Some people need to reached out to and feel supported to break into new lifestyles others will never change and no amount of restrictions support or help will change that for very long.

What is not being said is how they will manage to achieve these results. How can a banking product be introduced that can pick and choose consumers? How is that in line with consumer laws and protections in place? Will it be a way forward that businesses will pick consumers based on if they are 'working class' only. It could be done by simply stocking an item that is restricted such as prepaid cards. Will discrimination become more widespread and allowed?

Is that mainly due to the fact it is a prepaid card itself but they are masking this fact? Is Australia happy to change our entire social security system to one that mirrors the USA concept of providing social assistance via prepaid cards that can restrict brands or products in large chain supermarket stores. Will every person look towards someone they know with a challenging disability and ask if they deserve to be limited in life due to that disability?

This is not income management in the sense the greens may point out, it is much  more than that, income management is the mechanisms of centrelink holding money. The security of conduct being accountable all the way up the chain and onto the floor of Senate or the house. Every aspect or situation is covered in some form of legislation and when push comes to shove, those on income management could have payments made directly into the bank account of any businesses they wished to deal with. Given it would of been a major hassle but the right to do it was there.

I say was because this card will remove that area entirely. A visit to centrelink to reveal your housing costs and other bills cost will set an amount to be directed to these areas. If not via the centrepay system where government charges the biller for the service then it will need to be made via the welfare card.

Any direct payments are taken to of been made from a card and will attract fees that the biller can then charge onto the consumer. Direct debits the most commonly used payment type will be prohibited. The form of payment costing nothing is taken away from those that can least afford the few dollars it costs.

Rent at a cost of $250 per week paid via the card attracting a charge of 2% will increase yearly rent cost by $260. Money that could be used for healthy food.

The rest of the 80% is put onto the card and indue a private organization can then place its own restrictions on where the card can be used. Centrelink effectively wipes its hands of if you can access that money to pay for your living costs and needs. There will be limited information of the sort Indue can pick and choose, with less scrutiny to ensure objectives are achieved.

Will family tax benefits for all soon shift to this sort of card, after all it is also welfare. So to are the allowances, childcare benefits and pensions thousands rely on. Will all money be forced into payment systems that skim a few dollars here and there and consumers allocated rather than have any choices to keep prices low and markets competitive.

Not to mention a prepaid account funds are owned by the issuer until the holder calls on the funds. Social Security has been an inalienable payment to protect people for a long time, this will ignore that fact and issue income support, allowances and the family tax benefits of some to an issuer of a card. If it was placed in to a bank account like the legislation actually does state, it would be owned by the account holder.

I doubt it will be rolled out to major cities as some might gleefully suggest, as the merchant code process and control over store owners is simply not sound enough nor policed in any sense. Getting around the card will be easier if implemented in major city areas. The control will not be there only the fact it is a prepaid card and the pretend benefits of reducing alcohol or the like will not really be possible, will anyone wake up to the whole thing then I wonder?

The bigger implications are being ignored and hard questions thrown off the table, will you start to question the motives and future for our country today or will you too just ignore it until it's too late?

Targeted processes are already in place to deal with individuals situations so why the huge costs of a trial if there is not much more to it?

When it comes to all politicians these days there is ALWAYS more to it.

How many know that in May 2015 basics cards were replaced with stored value cards but funds could be recalled to the income management account. It was the real first step in the welfare card trial and has obviously already been in trial under a varied form. Stored value cards are prepaid cards. Link to instrument : https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2015L00781

Ultimate goal appears to be to send income support to private organizations who are paid more to restrict the payments of those on income support than the people who actually need the assistance due to ill health or the jobs pool getting lower and lower every year.

How's that for class war!

sandra legro
Spencer street sebastopol VIC

Chucking in rocks not a simple cure

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With the disappearance of Whitehill Road from Drummonds, a number of people online have stated why hasn’t Council done anything about this? There are also people who state that the problems are caused by the construction of rock walls, such as the port, the marina and various groynes and simply chucking more rocks in to save one road will only cause problems elsewhere.

The problem of coastal erosion is created largely in part to a lack of sand moving north as well as sea level rise and constructing infrastructure in questionable areas of the coast.Council needs to fully understand our Coastal processes, as simply throwing rocks into one area to save a road, will most likely cause a road somewhere else to be undermined and the problem simply gets moved up and down the coast. To that end the City commissioned a study late last year to understand our coastline in full, so that bad decisions about building on our coastline are no longer made. It is only when armed with the science can we make these decisions properly.

Then the matter of cost needs to be discussed. It is clear that we need to protect the northern beaches starting from the Marina and traveling up to Drummonds. The cost of saving just the Beresford foreshore is approximately $21,000,000. (Geraldton total rate collection is $42,000,000). From there we need to look at St George’s beach which is also under threat and of then up to Drummonds. The costs of simply chuckingin some rocks and sand at Whitehill road would be around $1,500,000 a year to build and maintain.

So where does the funding come from if the City has no way of paying for these works itself? The State Government. Application for funding for Beresford was finalised in February 2016 and we are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this application so that we can commence works to save our northern beaches. This process is probably not as fast as everyone would like but it is a process that needs to be followed. When it comes to responsibility for funding costal protection works, the State Government is responsible as they constructed the Port and the Marina and are of the owners of foreshore reserves. We as A City have a role in advocating for the funding and in consulting for the design.

As a City we are working as fast as we can to get real science behind our coast line so that we can make smart, effective and sustainable decisions as to how we invest Government funds to protect our coast line. Without the science the State will not fund coastal works. Randomly chucking in rocks here and there and constructing groynes without due regard for the remaining cost line has failed us in the past, creating the problems today and we do not want to continue see new problems such as Whitehill road created in the future as a result of actions wetake today.

Failure to provide a detailed scientific solution to coastal protection could result in a total loss of beaches to the north, replaced by a long line of limestone groynes and concrete seawalls. Surely this is not what the people of Geraldton want for their coastline? 

 

Shane Van Styn
Mayor City of Greater Geraldton

Hands down to Tristan and Erica at batavia coast

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hey guys, just thought i would make you aware and make a point that Tristan and Erica at batavia coast and dive have to positively hands down give the best service in geraldton, im new to scuba diving and they have spent the time with me teaching me all those little tips and tricks i would never find in a text book and making sure i have everything i need, if anyone was ever thinking of learning to dive or need any gear i cant recommend these guys highly enough!! maybe you can give them a shout out to often everyone likes to criticise service in geraldton so when someone stands above the crowd they should be recognized in our community

Adam Taggart

Melissa Price on the Cashless Welfare Card

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Melissa Price
Federal Member for Durack 

The Welfare Debit Card is designed to encourage people to further their education and seek other employment opportunities, as well as to reduce welfare-fuelled alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence and increase childhood school attendance.  

The trial of the card has the support of Labor with the bill passed in Parliament late last year. Ceduna in South Australia was the first trial site which started last month, and Kununurra and Wyndham are scheduled to start later this month. 

Card holders are able to access 20% of their welfare payment in cash, with the remaining 80% accessed by the Welfare Debit Card. Direct debits can be set up on the card, and BPAY is also available - so card holders can pay things like rent, mortgages and bills. People are able to apply to opt out or opt in to the trial. 

The Federal Government is currently considering whether Geraldton could be a potential third trial site. Around 10% of the Geraldton population is on some form of payment from the Government. This includes some 3,000 people on a payment equivalent to "the dole".  Unlike the other trial sites Geraldton is a city and welfare recipients are predominately non Aboriginal. It is likely that should the trial proceed in Geraldton that only those on Newstart or Parenting Payment would be captured in the trial, but this decision has yet to be made. 

But what is so special about Geraldton? Does it have a worse crime rate and major social issues when compared to similar size towns in regional Australia? Of course not.  What it does have though is a desire to be better, innovative. It has leadership that wants more for its city and its people. It wants to put the ice dealers out of business. Get all of its children living safely and going to school and provide more opportunities for adults to get into employment and get off welfare. 

Under the leadership of the Hon Alan Tudge, the Minister for Human Services, the Government is consulting widely in Geraldton about the city being a trial site. At the same time reviewing the services available to support those impacted. Like in other trial sites, it is critical that we ensure we have services like drug and alcohol support, financial planning, sufficient child care, family violence support, job services and other practical advice and assistance readily available. Even practical assistance like help to get a driver's license. 

Opponents of the welfare debit card argue that people will find a way to game the system.  Yes, there will be some that will go to any length to access more cash. Others argue the card is a breach of human rights. Personally, I am more focused on the rights of the children to lead a healthy, happy life. As one of my constituents wrote to me and said “the situation of children, who are some of the most vulnerable members of our community, must not be overlooked. They too have a right to choice, and even more basically a right to food, clothes, a place to live, physical safety and to be loved.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. 

Now, not everyone is doing the wrong thing by their family; most people are trying hard to make a better life. As someone who has been a single mother, I know firsthand how hard it can be to get ahead, when balancing work and family commitments. The worst thing is dealing with the stigma of being a single parent and convincing an employer to give you a chance. 

Change is never easy. But nothing changes if nothing changes. I hope that if Geraldton is chosen as a trial site for the Welfare Debit Card it has the courage to embrace change.

Aquarena Creche to close it's doors, but it may reopen in the future

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Note: The bigger story here is probably that more staff cut backs will be taking place at the City of Greater Geraldton in the coming months. But as various cuts to city expenses rolls out, residents start to notice that their particular beloved service is under threat. EG will have more on the City budget and changes around the city in the near future. 

Cost cutting results in closure of Aquarena creche... but hopefully not forever

Everything Geraldton recently received a copy of an open letter to the CGG council and CEO, from a concerned resident regarding the future of the creche at Aquarena, Geraldton's public swimming pool, after hearing the creche was shutting down. 

To the CEO, Mayor and all Councillors,

I am a mother of two children, aged 4 and 2.

We love living in Geraldton and we love going to the Aquarena.

Last week, it was brought to my attention that the creche at the Aquarena might close at the end of the current term, which is in less than two weeks.
I hope this is not true, as this would cause great angst to myself and many other mothers.
I use the Aquarena weekly to exercise and keep fit and healthy. 
Without the creche, I wouldn’t be able to do that anymore, as the cost and time involved for me to hire a babysitter would be far too expensive.
Losing the fantastic service of the creche will also have further consequences for myself and many others.
We won’t be able to enrole our children in swimming classes due to having to supervise other younger children. Therefore a loss in revenue for swimming classes could be expected.
At the Aquarena, families meet and spend time enjoying the cafe and shop at the pool, which wouldn’t happen anymore, resulting in a loss of social interaction and lifestlye in Geraldton.
The creche is an essential component of the Aquarena and keeping it running at an affordable cost is of great benefit to many people, and also essential to the sustainability of operating a community service.
I look forward to a positive response from you regarding this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Insa Korth
Geraldton Resident and Mum.

Should rate payers be funding babysitting for other people?

The City of Greater Geraldton CEO, Ken Diehm, responded regarding the matter, saying the closure of the creche was part of wider cut backs, aimed at reducing the $7million deficit the city runs.

"The Aquarena is a key public service provided by the City," said Mr Diehm. "However it costs the City approximately $1million dollars a year to keep its doors open. The Aquarena however needs to contribute to the required savings and hence the service delivery model for the crèche is being changed. The Aquarena crèche, as it is currently run with Council officers, will cease on 9 April 2016."

But it's not all bad news for creche users, with Mr Diehm saying the city will be reaching out to the private sector in the future to run the creche.

"The Aquarena will be looking at external private opportunities to facilitate this service and will be seeking expressions of interest in the near future from commercial providers and educators to continue the operations,” said Mr Diehm. 

Mr Diehm also said there will be a reduction in staff numbers throughout the City of Greater Geraldton.

Leave our coast alone

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Absolutely no way. It is only a money making venture for someone that would have more than their fair share of money already. Leave our coast alone. You only have to look at what is happening to our beach's and foreshore. You can't keep filling in the ocean and not realise the water has to come back some where. Chapman Road and St Georges beach's are a prime example. Before any minster in any government make these stupid decisions I suggest they hop out of the air-conditioned office get in a car like the rest of us and have a look at what they are making these decisions about. This is an absolute disgrace. I mean no driver, do it yourself and drivel like the rest of us. It would be an eye opening experience to see what the vegetation in Australia looks like

Rose Ann Jupp

Dog owner expresses "deepest regret"

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The owner of the dog from this morning's incident has expressed their regret over what happened:

"As the dog owner involved in the incident this morning I would like to express my deepest regret that such a thing happened. Although I did express my most fulsome apologies at the time I understand that this may not have been recalled. I have taken every measure I can at this point, to address the situation and will take all measures to ensure that this cannot happen again. The event was extremely unexpected, however I will not ever again put the dog or another person in any situation where there could be the slightest risk from the dog. The incident caused me great distress afterwards and I would have liked to speak with the mother and father. However I respect their feelings and again offer my most heartfelt regret to all concerned."

 


Mother asking for help after son attacked by dog in Mt Tarcoola

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A local mother has reached out to EG asking for help from the community after her son was bitten this morning by a dog. 

If you know anything or can assist, please email Everything Geraldton geraldton@justeverything.com.au and we will pass your info along. 

"IMPORTANT!!!! If anyone was in the Tarcoola area near the park and the shops around 7am this morning and saw a lady in her late 50's early 60's with brownish red short hair walking 2 dogs one white and one golden/ginger, I would LOVE TO KNOW. One of her dogs bit my 19 month old son on the face while he was getting on the slide at A CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND!!!! She didn't even say sorry to my husband, she said "dogs will be in the naughty corner" and rushed off. My husband obviously caring for our son and running home with him to get to the hospital, didn't get a chance to get any information from the lady. So please if anyone knows/saw her could you please let me know. A dog biting any child is a serious problem, and I do not want this to happen to any other children!!!!"

10am- Update from the mum: "Thank you so much to everyone for the comments and Shares. We think we have found her. Just waiting on the Rangers to call me back to make a report now. Thanks again. And our little man is doing good. Just some butterfly stitches and some antibiotics, but it will leave 2 scars on his face. I just don't want this to happen to any other children, or any human for that matter."

1:00pm update: 

The owner of the dog from this morning's incident has expressed their regret over what happened:

"As the dog owner involved in the incident this morning I would like to express my deepest regret that such a thing happened. Although I did express my most fulsome apologies at the time I understand that this may not have been recalled. I have taken every measure I can at this point, to address the situation and will take all measures to ensure that this cannot happen again. The event was extremely unexpected, however I will not ever again put the dog or another person in any situation where there could be the slightest risk from the dog. The incident caused me great distress afterwards and I would have liked to speak with the mother and father. However I respect their feelings and again offer my most heartfelt regret to all concerned."

Warning shared as thieves try to get in through roof tiles

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An Everything Geraldton reader shared this image earlier this evening. If you can assist police or see anything suspicious call them on 99234555.  

 "Drummond Cove residents BEWARE !! My mum's house this afternoon when thieves tried to get in through the roof!!  She heard the banging and they probably didn't know she was home at the time.  Please be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local police who are currently investigating."

- Gabrielle

Good work Geraldton - Bushfire fundraising a success

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Thanks Lloyd for sending in the following:

South West WA Bush Fire Emergency Fundraiser

"Great effort Geraldton! As most of you are aware during the month of January, Officers from Geraldton Volunteer Fire & Rescue distributed donation tins throughout the Geraldton Region, raising funds for those affected by the Bush Fire Emergency in the South West Region of WA. We can now confirm a total of $2,701.95 was raised. On behalf of Geraldton Volunteer Fire & Rescue we'd like to sincerely thank our community for your efforts and generosity towards our South West WA Fundraiser."

Lieutenant Ben Collins & Apparatus Officer Tayla Renwick - Geraldton VFRS.

Great service at Ultratune- Letter to Editor

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 "Hi, is it possible to post the following on your page/website please? TIA ..... Huge praise to Ultra Tune Geraldton for their professional excellence. They are very gracious and understanding of circumstances and overall provide an amazing, fantastic efficient service above and beyond the expected. Ian and the whole Ultra Tune team receives highest recommendation I can possibly give to anyone needing mechanical services, as they are definitely the best I have ever dealt with in over 30 years in Geraldton. To describe Ultra Tune Geraldton team in one word it would be AWESOME. Thank you once again."

- Ric

This is why we shop local: Letter of thanks from crash victim

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I would like to give a Very big thank you to Ray Hicks of Geraldton Toyota. 
After a car accident early in January it was found a mix up by a bank had put a lien on my work van ( I had paid cash for it) and my insurance company was unable to pay out the claim until it was removed.

At this stage I had no idea of what I could do against a large multinational bank, it's than that Ray from Geraldton Toyota came to my help.
Firstly dealing with the bank, sorting out copies of the PPRS forms to prove that no one had or should have any claim on my van. Once the bank lien had been lifted he also supplied copies to my insurance company so that my claim could proceed. 

So Again thank you Ray Hicks and Geraldton Toyota for helping me out in my time of need.

Polly Perham

Problems with School Bus - Letter to the Editor

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"We seem to have a problem with our school bus service, one bus in particular, the 007 which goes from Strathalbyn to Geraldton Senior and return. This bus has not had any airconditioning both last year and this year and the bus driver has also commented to the kids that the engine cooling system is also defective and they have to stop regularly to cool it down, there are no windows for airflow, these ongoing problems result in the children being late for school. The driver has taken this issue up with his employers but nothing has been done about it. This issue is not adequate in this day and age and numerous times the children are having to get of the bus with heat exhaustion problems."

 

- Sean Williams, parent.

"Thank you to the staff at the Regional Hospital"

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"A huge thank you to the staff at the Regional Hospital. You work tirelessly around the clock to look after those in need. My daughter was recently hospitalised and the ladies in the children's ward were all highly efficient, extremely kind and caring. Everybody we encountered was friendly and attempted to lift the spirits of my girl. Thank you for your tireless dedication to all the nurses in the children's ward, the emergency room staff, the Dr's (even on crutches himself yet so pleasant and kind), the kind orderlies for endless cups of tea, and the wonderful pediatrician. It was evident to us that your work and dedication is not fully appreciated by some yet you are the backbone of a successful society. Thank you."

- Philippa

An open letter from Geraldton Doctors to the Prime Minister, regarding children in detention

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The Hon Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of Australia

The Hon Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection

Ms Melissa Price MP, Member for Durack

We, doctors of the Geraldton community, have a moral and legal obligation to report abuse of children living under Australian jurisdiction. It is unacceptable in our professional opinion that the Australian government knowingly places the health of vulnerable children at risk through its policy of mandatory immigration detention. The appalling secrecy provisions of the Australian Border Force Act, which actively restrict doctors from fulfilling their duty to advocate for the best interests of their patients, further compromise the health and safety of children in detention. 

We stand with our colleagues around the country in condemning the detention of children. We advocate that they must be release into the Australian community immediately where they can resume their childhoods and begin to recover from the harms inflicted by immigration detention. 

Earlier this month the Senate passed a motion to remove all children from offshore detention. We the undersigned call on you to ensure passage of this bill through Parliament and that you amend the appalling secrecy provisions of the preventing health professionals and others from reporting abuse and other human rights violations in offshore detention facilities. 

Your sincerely,

 

 

 

"I would like to thank her from the bottom of my heart for her honesty."

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I went into Woolies Centro and brought some lotto and scratches for my husband's birthday. After buying them I went to Woolies and Bakers Delight. Walking out of the center I realised I didn't have my lotto gift envelope. After checking I back tracked to where I had been but no luck. So I re purchased, feeling sick that I had thrown money away. This afternoon at work one of the school Mums came over to me with the envelope I had dropped. It had slipped under the counter a bit but a lady saw it and handed it to them. I would like to thank her from the bottom of my heart for her honesty.

- Vick