Chelsea – Mordialloc
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NOW PUBLISHED WEEKLY
FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT
PAGES 21–22 CLASSIFIEDS
PAGES 24–25 SPORTS DESK
PAGES 26–27
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4 September – 10 September 2013
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Kinder builds on constructive play BUILDING renovations at Patterson Lakes Kindergarten are set to transform the kinder as staff and children prepare for a fresh start. The new surrounds will not be the only change on the way. The kinder is holding a competition to redesign the centre’s logo ahead of the completion of a $700,000 new building currently being constructed. Kinder president Courtney Smyth said the early childhood learning centre’s committee came up with the idea of inviting the Patterson Lakes community to get involved in the project and show off their artistic flair. It’s all part of a push to draw attention to the kinder’s revamp ahead of the opening of its new building early next year. “The refurbishment will enable us to increase the number of places available and we’ll also be offering space here to other commnity groups, including playgroups, who are interested in renting or hiring space,� Ms Smyth said. Enrolments for the kinder’s 2014 program are open now. New logo entries must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 18 September. The design should visually represent the Patterson Lakes community, kindergarten and children. The logo must include the kinder’s name or the abbreviation ‘PLK’. A graphic designer will work with the winning entrant to create the final logo to be displayed on the new building. Visit www.pattersonlakeskinder.com for full competition details and entry form. Construction time: Sienna and Oliver are helping build a bright future at Patterson Lakes Kindergarten. Picture: Gary Sissons
Crime rise hits home By Chris Brennan KINGSTON’S crime rate jumped 8.6 per cent over the past 12 months – more than five times the rate of increase for Victoria as a whole – with drug offences, crimes against property and family violence leading the way, Victoria Police statistics reveal. The latest police statistics for the year to 30 June show the total number of drug
offences in the Kingston area surged an alarming 35.8 per cent compared to the previous year, from 366 to 497 incidents. Police singled out the rising use of methamphetamine, better known as ice, as being of particular concern. Crimes against property, a category that includes burglary, vandalism and theft, rose 10.9 per cent, from 5755 reported offences to 6381, while crimes
Carrum Downs RE T IRE M E N T V I L L A GE
against the person, which includes rape, murder and assault, rose 2.9 per cent from 1180 cases to 1214. The number of assaults in Kingston was up 4.7 per cent, with 905 reported incidents. Of those, 381 offences – or more than 40 per cent of the total – were attributed to family violence, which remains an area of intense focus for police. Despite the rise in the number of
crimes detected in Kingston, the city’s overall crime rate remains lower than the state average, particularly in the cases of residential burglaries, car theft and assault. Newly appointed City of Kingston police commander Inspector Bruce Weymss said that while the area remained a safe place to live, work and visit, family violence, drug abuse and the burglary of
local businesses had emerged as critical issues requiring increased police attention. The rate of increase in crimes recorded in Kingston over the year from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 was higher than the state average, but the city’s overall crime rate remains slightly lower than the Victorian average. Continued Page 5
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