Please reconsider Watson’s Park sale

I was saddened to read in the Sentinel-Times of the South Gippsland Council’s decision to sell off a small parcel of land known as Watson’s Park, Koorooman. It’s so disrespectful to a person and family who contributed so much to the South Gippsland community.

I, my wife and two children were fortunate to rent a house off the Watsons for two years when we first moved into the district in 1978.

We found Gordon Watson, our landlord, one of the considerate and warm gentle human beings we have ever met.

When we paid our rent, he would leave vegetables that he had grown on our back door step for us.

He walked with a continual stoop from years of hard work establishing his farm that had been originally selected by his parents.

Gordon and Linda held garden parties for many years to help raise funds for charities and community projects.

This small park that he planted and tendered is a small remembrance to his life and contribution to the district and should be preserved.

The sale of it should be reconsidered by the council and the cattle underpass placed in another location.

Ian Starkey, Leongatha North.