Mornington YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND FOR PENINSULA FAMILIES FACEBOOK:
peninsulakids.com.au mornpenkids
An independent voice for the community
INSTAGRAM:
Your weekly community newspaper covering Mornington, Mount Martha and Mount Eliza For all advertising and editorial needs, call 03
FREE
Tuesday 5 October 2021
5974 9000 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au
Mermaids step out for a cause
Taking a break: Mermaids Jacky Howgate, Yvonne Underwood, Jan Mann, Kathy Anne Morell, Linda Mclean Cook, and Paula Wilson enjoy a break after the Olivia Newton-John Wellness Walk. Not pictured but in the team were Paula Cody and Tara Borthwick. Picture: Supplied
MORNINGTON Mermaids were tooted, cheered and clapped as they took part in the Olivia Newton-John Wellness Walk last week. Setting off from Lilo Cafe, Mornington, at 11am, wearing masks and socially distanced, they walked along the Esplanade, through Mornington Park and down to the end of the pier. Sunday 26 September. They returned up Main Street to Barkly Street and home to the cafe for a “well-earned coffee”. Organiser Jacky Howgate said the walk raised more than $300 on the day boosting the online total to more than $2100. “We dressed in different coloured tutus and took along our Mornington Mermaids Flag,” Ms Howgate said. “We were tooted, cheered and clapped on the way and brought smiles to the faces of young and old alike.” Ms Howgate said the group was excited to share in Olivia’s birthday – the singer/actor was born 26 September 1948 in Cambridge, UK – and grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and treatments. “Our support crew took photos, made donations and gave us snacks to keep us going,” she said. “There were a few tired feet at the end of our walk which took us almost two hours as we stopped to spread the word and collect donations, but we were pleased and proud of ourselves. We didn’t measure our route exactly, but it was over five kilometres.” Details: #oliviawalkforwellness
Hospitals on alert for COVID surge Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au TWO Mornington Peninsula hospitals are preparing for a spike in COVID-19 cases over the next few weeks. Acting on instructions from the state government restrictions were placed on elective surgery from Friday 1 October, and beds were set aside to treat pandemic patients. Ramsay Health Care’s chief nurse and
clinical services director Dr Bernadette Eather said elective procedures at the company’s hospitals, including Beleura Private, were being reduced. “As was the case last year when elective surgery was reduced, [we] are ready and willing to assist with the state’s pandemic response.” Dr Eather said Ramsay Health was “not currently treating any COVID-19 patients in our Victorian hospitals”. “We have a comprehensive pan-
demic management plan in place at all our sites, which includes appropriate processes and policies to manage any COVID-19 outbreaks in the community,” she said. Peninsula Health chief operating officer Helen Cooper said she was “absolutely aware of the potential for a spike of COVID-19 cases on the peninsula” but was confident its hospitals at Frankston and Rosebud had enough surge capacity and suitable areas re-
served for treating patients if a spike eventuated. Ms Cooper said modelling suggested a “different type” of patient and possibly higher numbers than were treated at the peak of last year’s pandemic. This was because the more virulent Delta strain was being picked up by younger people rather than the elderly and those in age-care. “We have a significant number of places we can surge to,” she said. “We
will be able to work it out.” Ms Cooper said the Frankston and Rosebud hospitals “had the luxury” of not being inundated by the high numbers of patients seen by their northern and western suburbs counterparts. “Our staff are well prepared and trained for this,” she said. Four COVID-19 patients were being treated at Frankston Hospital last week.
We may not have our doors open but we are happy to offer assistance if you email us at smiths@choicesflooring.com.au You can even click and collect samples you can view on our website: choicesflooring.com.au Choices Flooring by Smiths
Shop 1, Cnr Bruce St & Tyabb Rd,Mornington
5975 2600 choicesflooring.com.au