Mornington
...Don’t miss securing that wanted property ✓ Immediate access to Bond & Rent ✓ Move into that property now ✓ Fast prompt assistance ✓ Easy terms and conditions ✓ No upfront fees and charges ✓ Pre approval before finding a property ✓ We can assist with transfer of bonds between properties
YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND FOR PENINSULA FAMILIES
WE CAN ASSIST YOU WITH IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO BOND AND RENT
FACEBOOK:
peninsulakids.com.au INSTRGRAM: mornpenkids
✆1300 554 470
2-4 Chelsea Rd, Chelsea VIC 3196 Fax: 03 9776 2929 Email: info@bondassist.com.au
An independent voice for the community
Your weekly community newspaper covering Mornington, Mount Martha and Mount Eliza For all advertising and editorial needs, call 03
www.bondassist.com.au
FREE
Tuesday 23 January 2018
5973 6424 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au Splash and giggle: These asylum seekers were able relax and temporarily forgot the troubles of their homeland at Camp Manyung last week. Picture: Yanni
Time out for asylum seekers NEWLY arrived asylum seekers got into the spirit of an Australian beach holiday at Camp Manyung, Mt Eliza, last week. They took to the camp’s adventure-based activities, including the flying fox, giant swing and high ropes course. The refugee families were also taught water safety so they would feel safer and more confident at the beach. YMCA Victoria and the Department of Health and Human Services partnered with community group Life Without Barriers to host the asylum seekers in a fun, safe and engaging program, 15-17 January. About 100 campers stayed for the three-day program, with family members ranging in age from five months to 80 years being encouraged to connect with one another and build confidence. The camp also aimed to enhance the refugees’ transition to their new lives by connecting with community groups, including Life Saving Victoria, Anglicare and Mission Australia, in a non- threatening and safe setting. “We were proud to offer a program that supports and builds confidence in asylum seekers who need it the most,” YMCA Camp Manyung manager Jim Boyle said.
Calls for ‘open’ shire gifts register Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au PRESSURE is building for Mornington Peninsula Shire to make public a register of “gifts” to councillors and council officers. Anything listed in the register under the terms of the shire’s Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy is audited annually by the Victorian Auditor General’s Office. Audit results are passed on to council’s risk and audit committee, but
PERFECT DENTURES ARE MORE THAN JUST A
GREAT SMILE
not made public. Councillors are now openly questioning the policy and its statement that: “Gifts, benefits and hospitality received must not create a real or perceived sense of obligation that may lead to a perception of preference or conflict.” The policy also states: “Councillors and council staff are to ensure that attendance at private functions does not have potential implications for council’s reputation or image or may cause an actual or perceived conflict of interest.” The gifts register at Frankston Coun-
cil is open to public scrutiny and includes gifts ranging from $5 to $700, including council staff accepting hospitality at AFL and VFL games, tickets to peninsula events such as the Lights by DreamWorks experience featuring well-known children’s characters including Shrek, Mornington Racing Club horse racing events and tickets to Frankston Arts Centre productions. Calls for the shire’s gifts register to be made public have gained momentum since revelations that shire CEO Carl Cowie was a guests aboard the
THE GRAND MEAL DEAL
WHAT’S ON AT NEPTOURS
Buy a main meal & receive up to...
$15.95* OFF
FOR
TION FREE CONSULTA 8222 CALL 5976
the price of the second main meal
*CROWN CASINO – MONTHLY*
Casino’s bus program with a great BUFFET lunch (all) $35. Only p/p over the age of 18 permitted. Thu 22 Feb (numbers permitting)
QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET
Tue 13 Feb - All $30 PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT
Regent Theatre Wed 21 Mar (a) $140 (p/s) $130
BEAUTIFUL THE CAROL KING STORY
Wed 2 May matinee (a) $140 (p/s) $130 WIZARD OF OZ
Wed 23 May (a) $130 (p/s) $120 THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
Evening Only Thu 19 Jul all tickets $130 MAMMA MIA
Princess Theatre Wed 29 Aug (a) $140 (p/s) $130 4 WEEKS ONLY
Valid to 1/2/18. Monday to Thursday only. Bistro only.
*Applies to meal of least value. Excludes entrees & seniors meals. Excludes online printouts. Not valid with any other discount offer or on public holidays.
2/340 Main Street Mornington
www.morningtondentureclinic.com.au
Ph 5975 2001 124 Main St, Mornington
Phone: 5981 1277
www.neptours.com.au
cruise ship Seabourn Odyssey hired by prominent businessman and Portsea property owner, Lindsay Fox (“Shire boss on Fox ‘party’ cruise”, The News 11/12/17). The seven-day Mediterranean “procreation cruise” in July 2016, from Athens to Venice, appropriately timed to coincide with Mr Fox’s 8oth birthday in April 2017. Mr Cowie has stated that there was no need for him to add his presence on the cruise to the gifts register as it was made during approved leave at no cost to council.
Denture Perfection
As Vital As Your Smile
30 Perfectly Fitted Dentures and a Happy, Healthy Smile
Calls for the register to be made public also come in the lead up to the expiry of Mr Cowie’s current employment contract with the shire. Councillors must give Mr Cowie six months’ notice if they decide to advertise – rather than automatically renew - the job that comes with a salary package of about $400,000. It is understood councillors will discuss the gifts register at a closed briefing before the first public council meeting of the year on Tuesday 30 January. Continued Page 7
For genuine care, experience & attention to detail. See David Ayton at
Main Street Denture Clinic
• 30 years serving Mornington • Medibank Preferred Provider • Phone Quotes • Repairs in 4 hours • Free Initial Consultation 173 Main St Mornington
www.mainstreetdentureclinic.com.au
5975 1675