Dear Reader,

My wife and I have just returned to Sydney from a 1,200 road trip around Western NSW. It is twenty years since I have done that.

We visited Bathurst-looking prosperous and good- Orange similarly looking good- before staying in Canowindra where I lived as a small boy from 1947 to 1955. It looks much as it did then but seems to have civic pride.

 We then went to Forbes which has a few empty shops but looks clean and nice and Parkes which seems to be thriving.

We then continued through the beautiful countryside to Wellington where I lived in 1968 and 1969 and worked as a solicitor.

 I lived at 17 Maughan Street with my parents. My father Doug Menzies is still remembered by some and was the OIC of Police from about 1966 to 1972.

He and my mother were quite involved in the community and enjoyed their time in Wellington. My mother played bowls on the Apsley bowling green which is now a bitumen carpark!

I am pleased they cannot see Wellington now. It is as bad or worse than many towns in poor areas of South Africa I drove through last year. It is depressing to say the least.

I had heard about it being bad  but was still shocked as I walked around.

I also enclose a couple of photos of the old Police Station (who owns it now?) and a dead tree in Maughan Street.

I have not included photos of all the empty shops. There are simply too many. Most are in a disgraceful state.

The old Wellington Council must surely share the blame for this. I have been a Councillor and know Councils have certain powers which clearly they have not exercised here.

Most shops have filthy windows (some broken), cobwebs inside and outside, dirty insides often with a broken counter or other bits of furniture.

Coles has been allowed to present a blank concrete wall to Nanima Crescent. Why? Not even scenic posters?

The old Western Stores is in a shocking state with bric a brac inside for all to see through dirty windows. Even once lovely Cameron Park has deteriorated. And so it goes on.

Perhaps you have all become used to it and accept it. Please don't.

I have tried to find the email addresses of ex Councillors on Wellington Council but cannot. Please send this email on to them and anyone else who loves the town as I used to.

Please give the email to Administrator Michael Kneipp and Mark Riley and to anyone else in authority who can make a difference.

There is clearly no easy answer. Old friends I spoke to were apologetic and clearly embarrassed by what has been allowed to happen the town. There will be lots of reasons for your problems. Troy Grant was Deputy Premier and must be aware of it.

I have also sent this email to the Premier as she needs to know about it.

State Government intervention is needed. That is the stage it has reached.

I would like to hear from you all even if you do not agree with me on some points. Please tell me there is some hope because I saw none.

Yours sincerely,

Max Menzies

Northbridge, NSW