Greatly anticipated by Narooma business people as a much needed source of income, yet abhorrent to the majority of Eurobodalla Shire residents, whose wishes to stop it were ignored by Council.

Who would ever have imagined that one of the remaining, pristine areas in Australia would be the yearly venue for hoards of gun obsessed morons who gain pleasure and excitement from maiming and killing defenceless, living creatures, in the name of sport?

Who, also seem intent on promoting a culture of hunting and gun ownership, along with the lack of feeling and compassion it encompasses, in the young, as being ‘normal’.

It is true that guns have played a major part in the rise of civilization; both good and bad.

A gun used by an expert shooter is more humane than a trap, snare, bow, poison or so many other cruel, ways of killing animals.

Competition shooting skills, at non- live targets in gun clubs should be enough satisfaction for most. 

But for those Neanderthals, still craving the “thrill of the kill”, a rigid test of marksmanship must be essential.. 

Maybe this IS the requirement, but if so, how many times is the rule adhered to or monitored? How many thousands of animals have been exposed to long, drawn out suffering and death by an arrow or bullet, fired by some heartless, inexperienced person calling themselves a ‘hunter’? 

How can any decent human being, look into the eyes of a living creature and bear to see those eyes go dim… gaining pleasure from ending a life?

Would they have the brains to imagine what the animal felt- or how they, themselves, would feel - being shot? 

Do they assume that animals don’t feel, or is their mentality so lacking intelligence and imagination?

Would anyone shoot his or her own, beloved dog? 

Would the dog feel pain any less than the animal they aim to kill?

In my opinion, this gathering of people who take pride in hunting and killing for SPORT and pleasure is a travesty; a shameful reflection on our Council. 

Please, let this be the last ‘Huntfest’!

Diana Gillies

Moruya