Wednesday, 27 June, 2018
Pakenham
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/PakenhamBerwickGazette
Pony rescue may end up homeless
Brave Tayla needs our help
A tribute pilgrimage to the Goon
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Gumbuya girl’s thrilling birthday By Melissa Grant
Indie Denney (right) and sister Harlie feed a kangaroo during her birthday party at Gumbuya World on Saturday. Photo: Belinda Denney
Few people can say they have had a birthday party where they were born. That’s because most babies enter the world in a hospital, and not outside a theme park. Indie Denney was delivered in an ambulance parked at Gumbuya World on May 16, 2014 en route to Warragul Hospital. The Pakenham girl celebrated her fourth birthday at the refurbished theme park on Saturday. Gumbuya World gave Indie the party as a present after her birth story was published in The Gazette last month. Indie had a ball at the park alongside her fam-
ily and friends, who enjoyed the thrilling rides and a wildlife tour. Mum Belinda said Indie couldn’t wait to meet some of the native wildlife. “All Indie wanted to do at her birthday party was feed the kangaroos,” she said. “She got her birthday wish and as she was feeding one of the kangaroos a joey popped out of its pouch and she fed it too!” Belinda thanked Gumbuya World for giving Indie a memorable birthday party. “One of Indie’s friends said it was the best party ever and didn’t want to leave,” she said. “We had a fantastic day and it was very special to celebrate Indie’s birthday where she was born.
Pay to play policy By Kyra Gillespie
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Council’s latest levy scheme may threaten the future of Cardinia’s volunteers and community groups. A recently endorsed ‘Fees and Charges Schedule’ will see groups slapped with new charges for the use of council-managed buildings, facilities and open spaces. As part of a new booking system due to roll out later in the year, council will be able to cash in on the use of reserves, parks and barbeques. While they say the new system will enable community members and groups to book council buildings and facilities more easily, there is concern about its effect community and non-profit groups. “This will really affect us, we’re all volun-
teers and can’t afford to fork out extra to host events,” Scouts District Commissioner Olive Elston said. “All the events we run are advantageous to council’s youth policies because we get young people involved in the community, so I don’t see why they would want to charge us. “What about Australia Day events? Or when the scouts run a barbeque on behalf of council? I see it as totally out of left field.“ Council claim the new arrangement will ensure open spaces are left in the same condition they are found. But Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents Association president Gloria O’Connor is skeptical. “It’s funny that council are charging residents and ratepayers for a space already paid
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for by the community,” Ms O’Connor said. “A lot people in community groups are already giving their time and resources to put on these events in the first place. “We already pay money for council that makes their revenue, it doesn’t make sense.” Community Engagement Coordinator Shoheli Sunjida, who works closely alongside the Casey Cardinia Indian Association, said these new charges will impede their ability to host events. “Council should be supporting us, not making it complicated for community organisations to host events that bring the community together.” Council’s General Manager of Community Wellbeing, Jenny Scicluna would not disclose the amount that will be charged when con-
tacted by the Gazette, but said the fee payable will vary depending on which space is being booked for use. Ms Scicluna also said considerations may be made for non-profit groups. “Council is currently exploring price point considerations for community and non-profit groups to ensure fair access is supported,” she said. “Existing fees and charges will continue to apply under the current booking system and throughout the beginning of the 2018-19 financial year. “Most of the new fees and charges will come into effect once the new online booking system has been introduced.”
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