Enough.

We, the intelligentsia of Emmaville, are no longer prepared to have ourselves put down and insulted by GTW Agnew.

I suggest, cordially, that he/she demonstrates his/her mettle, by agreeing to come down from Coopers Plains, wherever that is, and have an open debate at Emmaville Memorial Hall on the matters raised. In particular, I am riled by the insinuation that Emmaville residents are somehow backward.

There is no fog in Emmaville, GTW, we are all clear thinkers here.

GTW Agnew, come on down!

The death from heat exhaustion of police dog Waco, who collapsed in Deception Bay north of Brisbane while tracking a car thief, is a tragic reminder that the continuing heat wave can easily be lethal.

Last year was the hottest year on record, and temperatures have soared again in the first days of 2017.

We all know not to leave dogs or children locked in cars, but this incident shows that there are plenty of other deadly hazards to avoid during extreme weather. PETA suggests you take the following precautions.

Keep animals indoors, with fans and/or air conditioning running. If animals must be left outside, make sure that they have plenty of water in a tip-proof bucket and shade all day long. Even brief periods of direct exposure to the sun can be deadly.

Don't take dogs jogging in hot weather. Walk dogs early in the morning or late at night, rest often and take plenty of water. Hot pavement can burn paws, so test it with your hand first. Never leave animals in a parked car. On a 30-degree day, the temperature inside a car can reach 54 degrees in just minutes. Animals can die of heatstroke – even if a car is parked in the shade and its windows are partially open.

Never transport dogs on the backs of open utes. They can be thrown out, and the hot metal can burn their feet.

Check on neighbours' animals if you see them left outdoors. Make sure they have adequate water and shelter.

If you see a dog showing any symptoms of heatstroke – including restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, lethargy and lack of appetite or coordination – get the animal into the shade immediately. You can lower a dog's body temperature by providing the dog with water, by applying a cold towel to the dog's head and chest or by immersing the dog in tepid (not ice-cold) water. Then immediately call a veterinarian – every second counts.

With all the subtlety of a train smash, Barnaby Joyce says that anyone who wants to change the date of Australia Day should crawl under a rock. With typical conservative ignorance and arrogance, he is refusing to think about the muddle which the present Australia Day really is. 

As all good monarchists with half a brain are aware, Australia wasn't founded until 1901, on New Year's Day. 

Having Australia Day on January 26 is just a way for the other States and the Territories to make sure that NSW doesn't have a foundation day of its own.

It would be far better to celebrate Australia on the anniversary of when we actually did something for ourselves, something which we did all by ourselves, and which was also significant in world history. 

That day is November 2, the day in 1942 when Australian soldiers alone took back the village of Kokoda.