We received some very sad news that one of our family members named Barry Byrne had died.

I really used to enjoy hearing from Barry.

Last night one of his family members rang in to thank us for all of our wishes.

He will be greatly missed.

Marcella Cerna

Southern Highlands, NSW

A little story about Barry Byrne.

Every year he would spend his holidays visiting and attending

Whenever he was due at the Queensland Parliament he would always let me know and I would take him for dinner.

One most unforgettable evening prior for going for dinner I took him into the Members Bar.

Edmund Casey the then leader of the Opposition was there among many others.

Edmund came across and as I was about to introduce Barry to him, Barry presented his hand to Edmund and in full voice stated "Oh Edmund Casey The leader of her Majesty's Opposition and member for Mackay as well as being Father of the House".

"As father of the house you will be called upon to speak in all condolence motions .Pray tell us when the former Premier of this state whose name I will not mention in this August gathering departs this earth you will be called upon to speak in the condolence debate." (Barry was referring to Joh Bjelke Petersen)

Casey replied, "I would simply stand up and say my mother was a good Catholic lady and taught me never to speak ill of the dead and sit down".

Barry retorted, "Bravo Bravo for if you would have said anything different WE would have had to report you to the privileges committee for misleading the House."

Tony McGrady,

Mount Isa

I have just heard the Prime Minister read his list of places which will now be closed.

He says he is trying to control the spread of the virus by breaking its chain of transmission in social gathering places.

He says he has to be literal and spell it all out because there is no other way to get the message across. But there is one glaring omission from his list -- sex venues (brothels, saunas and so on).

He doesn't realise that he has face up to things which he really, truly, deeply doesn't like, then include them in the nation's life.

Scott Agnew,

Coopers Plains

On Good Friday, Jesus died on a cross. Hope in him being the Saviour of the world seemed lost for the people who followed him. But on the Sunday, Jesus rose from the grave, overcoming death itself. He burst forth to new life and he offers this same gift of new life to us all today. It's a quality of abundant life that continues forever.

The good news of Easter is that even though Jesus' followers could not see a way forward, God was at work. Likewise, even when we cannot see the future, we can place our hope in Jesus, "hope of all the world".

God still wants to meet us in our challenging places and help us rise up out of heartache and into hope. In a world of uncertainty and anxiety - Jesus promises peace and he promises us we are never alone.

His promises are for anyone and everyone who believes. No one is outside the love of God and his offer to bring wholeness, salvation and hope.

Janine and Robert Donaldson

Commissioners, The Salvation Army