Mornington
Mornington
23 September
Your guide to what’s on this weekend for peninsula families
2014
Sweet like chocolate > Page 3
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Tuesdayy 23 September 2014 2014 01 14
MPNEWS (1300 676 397) or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au Centre stage: Rosie Batty, Fiona McCormack, Rodney Vlais and Ken Lay take questions from the audience during the the Peninsula Voice forum on family violence at Mornington last week.
Time to embrace Rosie outlook Chris Brennan chris@mpnews.com.au MORE than 540 people including senior police, politicians and community leaders, packed Mornington’s Peninsula Community Theatre last week in an overwhelming show of support for the campaign to turn the tide against family violence. Emotions ran high and many a tear was shed as the audience heard shocking details of the effects family violence was exacting on the community.
The forum, organised by recently formed community group Peninsula Voice, featured speeches by Rosie Batty, Police Commissioner Ken Lay, Domestic Violence Victoria chief executive Fiona McCormack, and Rodney Vlais from Men’s Referral Service and No To Violence. Peninsula Voice president Peter Orton said organisers had been overwhelmed by the community’s response to the forum, with 540 guests attending and hundreds more having to be turned away. He was especially pleased with the
level of official response, which included a large contingent of serving police officers attending. “There were about 25 senior police filling the front rows of the venue, including members of both the Frankston and Mornington family violence units,” he said. “Some of these members would have been the first on the scene of the Tyabb cricket training session earlier this year [where schoolboy Luke Batty was murdered by his father]. “It was inspirational to see such
a high quality event, organised and funded completely by volunteers and community action.” Most guests agreed the passionate speech delivered by Luke’s mother Rosie Battie was the highlight of the forum. “Many said it was an absolute privilege to witness such highly emotive presentations, particularly Rosie’s,” Mr Orton said. “Young Luke’s image beamed out on the big screen as Rosie delivered a heartfelt plea for change to the many lives which are damaged by deaths like
that of Luke. “There were moments where it was difficult to see a dry eye, senior police included.” Ms Batty told the audience she was determined the death of her son would not be in vain and that family violence had at long last emerged as a major political issue in the lead-up to November’s state election. She said the focus of domestic violence need to shift from blaming the victims to addressing the behaviour of the perpetrators. Continued Page 10
WHAT’S ON AT NEPTOURS
MORNINGTON
THE BIGGEST DISPLAY OF
MATTRESSES BEDROOM FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES ON THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA BEDSHED MORNINGTON SUPERSTORE Peninsula Homemaker Centre, Cnr Nepean Hwy & Bungower Road Phone 5973 6333 • www.bedshed.com.au
*CROWN CASINO – MONTHLY* Casino’s bus program with a great BUFFET lunch (all) $35. Only persons over the age of 18 permitted. LAST THURSDAY EACH MONTH QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET Tue 14 Oct - all $30. Shop for all the bargains we do not have down here. We even supply a couple of Eskys for some of your perishables. MATTHEW BOURNE’S SWAN LAKE Wed 22 Oct (matinee) (a) $120 (p/s) $115
STITCHES & CRAFT SHOW Caulfield Racecourse Thu 23 Oct All $55 HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY Tue 11 Nov Adults $70 (p/s) $60 (ch) $50 STRICTLY BALLROOM Wed 25 March Adults $125 (p/s) $110 THE LION KING Wed 11 March (matinee) (a) $120 (p/s) $110 DIRTY DANCING Wed 25 Mar Adults $115 (p/s) $105 ANYTHING GOES Wed 10 Jun (a) $130 (p/s) $120
Neptours Phone: 5987 2011
www.neptours.com.au