browns complete tree removal
• Tree Trimming & Removal • Block Clearing • Dead Wooding • Fire Hazard & Weight Reduction • Storm Damage • Stump Removal • Travel Tower & Excavator Hire • 20″Chipper • Mulch Sales
NEWS DESK
Strength from sadness helps others Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au
20 MILLION INSURANCE COVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Free Quotes
Call Simon Brown on
0418 388 623
www.brownstrees.com.au
To advertise in the Southern Peninsula News call Ricky on 0425 867 578 or email ricky@mpnews.com.au Southern
Peninsula Southern Peninsula local families Caring for 40 years for over
erals.com.au
YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND FOR PENINSULA FAMILIES
YOUR GUIDE ON THIS TO WHAT’S FOR WEEKEND FAMILIES PENINSULA
FACEBOOK: peninsulakids.com.au INSTAGRAM: mornpenkids
ndent voice An indepe
www.rosebudfun
123 Jetty Road,
Rosebud
Caring for local families for over 40 years
Ph: 5986 8491
www.rosebudfunerals.com.au
123 Jetty Road, Rosebud
2022 nity y 13 April Wednesda for the commu An independent voice for the community
FREE
Ph: 5986 8491
FREE
Wednesday 13 April 2022
au ews.com. Beach to Portsea covering Safety to Portsea community newspaper weekly Beach s.com.au www.mpn SafetyYour r covering or email: team@mpnew and editorial needs, call 03 5974 9000 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au For all advertising y newspape 5974 9000 communit needs, call 03 Your weekly and editorial au
: peninsulakids.com.
FACEBOOK : mornpenkids INSTAGRAM
For all advertising
Our Lady students at Laarni YEAR two Primary School Day. of Fatima during Harmony and Guyan Picture: Supplied
YEAR two students at Our Lady of Fatima Primary School Laarni and Guyan during Harmony Day. Picture: Supplied
in colour Harmony around the
from schools in participated STUDENTS Peninsula Mornington at the end of March, Harmony Day in a range of activiof diversity getting involved to the theme ties linked parents and and inclusiveness. 25 March, On Friday Lady of Fatima PriOur held a crazy friends of in Rosebud of mary School where the rainbow run, of colour fun to the celebration colours added be used diversity. raised will The money for the school’s to buy resources which promotes a club, environment lunchtime and inclusive welcoming on the yard. for all children
Harmony in colour STUDENTS from schools around the Mornington Peninsula participated in Harmony Day at the end of March, getting involved in a range of activities linked to the theme of diversity and inclusiveness. On Friday 25 March, parents and friends of Our Lady of Fatima Primary School in Rosebud held a crazy colour fun run, where the rainbow of colours added to the celebration of diversity. The money raised will be used to buy resources for the school’s lunchtime club, which promotes a welcoming and inclusive environment for all children on the yard.
reef ondelay layfor on reef calls for de Shire Shire calls Liz Bell om.au liz@mpnews.c groups are
pinning
COASTAL from the on pressure
their hopes Shire CounPeninsula Mornington artificial reef being an cil to delay Port Nepean. about the installed off are concerned The groups environment reef on the impact of the consultation. community fish and lack of a plan to improve the As part of fishers, recreational stocks for
of the bay.” sensitive part reef has for such a an artificial was an exThe push for by the government said there led Ms Cheers consultation Associalargely been request community Victorian Fisheries pectation of likely to affect marine to ignore to ignore the Cheers said there was an exMs Foundation, body the the request “For a minister wants to “For a minister would be outraFishing Authority the Futurefish Victorian about matters hasn't hapcommunity consultation Liz Bell pectation tion, online asof“a outrabeand wants to council itself of would of a local structures inbut “that of a local council install 16 large concrete Authority no evidence in liz@mpnews.com.au which describes about matters likely to affect marine said. 30 about communities, representing said. shestudy. there wasgeous,” Victorian Fishing andapart 50 metres geous,” she the minister of four to clustersdated watchdog” concrete structures pened” assessment fearless dated 30fishers,communities, with an aim but “that hasn't hapMarsh In a letter to the minister install 16 large about 50 metres apart In a letter to north of Observatory the ocean CrinAnthony any environmentalabout this reef whenCr Anthony four and there was no evidence of recreational pened” recreational Marsh the mayor Point, at Point the mayor Sorrento are pinning clusters of Observatory groups Nepean. “We only heard March, March, and enhance” it’s been north ofCOASTAL of the Portsea, “protect any environmental assessment study. Sorrento Victoria. the Portsea, membersofofthe said because in the ocean Nepean. the members from it in The News, groups, has sidedwe with their hopes on pressuresaid readresidents The council throughout increase heard about this reef when fishing is toonly groups, mandates“We Coastal advisory advisory with residents Point, at Point has sided and Rye Coastal Rye the quietly Counthrough about Shire Peninsula and beach users concerned Mornington all News, it’s been andcommunity, in The pushed fishing lobby One of its the broader it in reefs we read about The council concerned alongside the broader community, of artificial recreational and boating reef beingthe “significant is urging fishing an artificialalongside reef andconcerns” powerful number because of the users cil to delay the concerns” pushed through quietly “significant and boatingNepean. and beach sheonsaid. had expressed to hold off had expressed Melissa Horne groups,” minister reef. Page 12 fishing lobby for the instal- parts of Port Phillip. installed off Port artificial on urging fishing recreational asking powerful Continued artificial reef. the planned the planned to hold off reef and is about until the for the quesaboutabout Horne plan.information “We are simply The groups are concerned calls themore wa-CommunitytoGroup put on hold calls andRye letter minister Melissa Thenot askfor more information groups,” she said. The letter a big Chair of the reef on the environment lation be impact of the Group environment It's “We are simply asking for the instalpubliclyCheers, said the plan. on the potential environment and waanswered. Community on the potential Alliance, Mechelle be made Ryeand consultation. tions arethe community lack ofsaid the lation to be put on hold until the quesimpacts to to be made publicly Chair of the Cheers, ter safety council’s support had given opponents ter safety impacts fish a plan to improve As part of tions are answered. It's not a big ask Alliance, Mechellehad available. given opponents available. of the reef “a fair bit of hope”. stocks for recreational fishers, the council’s support fair bit of hope”. “a reef of the
with quality time gEnjoy more quality time with Enjoy more one, by trustin your loved by trusting with their your loved one, After-Care After-Care with their needs in home carethe complication out of in home care needs take on how to Support, For information and NDIS Packages a call! Home Care friendly staff or give our visit our website
t NDIS Suppor Packages Home Care 1300 46
46 63
For information on how to take the complication out Home Care Packages and NDIS Support,
for such a sensitive part of the bay.” The push for an artificial reef has largely been led by the government body the Victorian Fisheries Association, and the Futurefish Foundation, which describes itself online as “a fearless watchdog” representing recreational fishers, with an aim to “protect and enhance” recreational fishing throughout Victoria. One of its mandates is to increase the number of artificial reefs in all parts of Port Phillip. Continued Page 12
Southern Peninsula
of
visit our website or give our friendly staff a call!
nance Home Mainte Garden & Home Maintenance Garden & NDIS Support s e Care Service All In-Home Care Services All In-Hom Packages Home Care
e.com.au 63 46 46 1300 after-car inhome@
om.au www.after-care.c inhome@after-care.com.au
www.after-care.com.au
QUINN Story was a happy youngster whose death year’s later at The Pillars, Mount Martha, was the catalyst for Mornington mother Monique Story to reach out to other young people. Picture: Supplied
Learn traditional oil painting from the beginning with Lulu Clifton-Evans
Workshops for beginners who would like to learn traditional oil painting but don’t know where to start or how to begin. Also for people who would like to revisit the basics. It will focus on nontoxic solvent alternatives.
Awards:
2023 Thomas Somerscales Trophy, Maritime Painting, Victorian Arts Society
2023 Summer Exhibition Best Painting, Curator’s Choice, Victorian Arts Society 2023 John Dudley Portrait Prize Finalist
2022 Oakhill Gallery Annual Exhibition winner 2022 AME Bale Finalist
Email: art@bylulu.com.au Mobile: 0438 438 108 Website: bylulu.com.au PAGE 4
Southern Peninsula News
31 January 2024
IT IS impossible for most of us to imagine anything more painful than losing two children in their prime, but for one mother, reaching out to others has given her the strength to honour her sons and turn her grief into something positive. For Monique Story, the experience of losing her beloved son Quinn in 2021 at 16, and then a couple of years later her older son Hunter at almost 23, was paralysing. But inspiringly, that pain became the Mornington mum’s motivation to make sure young people struggling to fit in, or struggling to navigate the world in general, were supported in their journey. Story says the challenges of understanding who they are and where their future lies can be suffocating for young people, add to that the experience of COVID lockdowns, school stresses and mental health, and you have a crisis. Her much-loved, vibrant and intelligent son Quinn drowned at The Pillars in Mount Martha in 2021. A Coroner’s report in mid-2023 confirmed his death as being accidental but left many unanswered questions. Meanwhile, rather than letting herself be swept away with grief, Story focused on ways to help others. She started Quinn’s Place, a “hang out” space for young people to meet friends. There are activities - X-box and computers, free entertainment, chess, and free food and refreshments from local businesses - but there is also no obligation, some young people just “chill”, play computer games or jam on donated musical instruments. “I started this place because I know that young people often feel like they don’t fit in,
like they have no place to go, and they become isolated, unsupported and anxious, but when they come here there are people to talk to, no judgements, and plenty of do,” Story said. While still mourning her younger son, Story’s grief was compounded last year with the death of Quinn’s older brother, Hunter. Hunter had been taking medication for bipolar disorder but, after deciding he didn’t need it anymore, his depression and erratic behaviour returned, and he lost the battle with his demons and the will to live. Story is now more determined than ever that Quinn’s Place remains an inclusive, welcoming and supportive place for young people. “We get young people who find it hard to talk to people, or just want some space from the world, and that’s fine, but I do find that after a while they often come out of their shell enough to make friends and feel comfortable,” she said. “That’s what I love to see, I’ve seen kids blossom, and that’s what tells me that young people need support and when they get that support, they can shine. “Sometimes it has taken a lot of courage for them to actually walk in the door, but because of the friendly, relaxed vibe, they usually come back.” As another way of dealing with her grief and helping others, Story has published a book, The Quinn Story, a brave and honest account of Quinn’s battle with PTSD, peer pressure, the trials of being a teenager, and psychosis. It is available at Farrell’s book store in Main Street, Mornington, and Wickety Wax in Mornington. Quinn’s Place has been closed for the summer break, but opens again on Friday 2 February, at 8 Drake Street, Mornington, from 6pm to 10pm. Details:Quinn’s Place (facebook. com/groups/965575644159291/).
