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3 MAY, 2022
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Disco vibe is back Get your dance shoes on, the Sunbury Blue Light Disco is back in town in early May. While previous years have had themes, this time round the event is going back to basics – a classic disco vibe. Angus McTaggart is one of the people who make the Blue Light Disco happen and is excited to help kids connect with local police officers. “Hopefully these little primary school kids … are able to come to the event and just thoroughly enjoy it,” Mr McTaggart said. The event, on May 6, is just one in a long history of the program which has been running for more than 40 years. The parent-free, volunteer-run program is for children in prep to year six, and aims to give attendees an understanding of what police do and who they are. The event runs from 6-8pm and tickets are $8, which need to be purchased online, and there’ll be a free sausage sizzle too. “Everyone can come in their disco outfits, whatever they want to come in, bring some glow sticks and everything,” Mr McTaggart said. “They can just have a good time.” Senior Constable David Attard with Ryan, 7, Keira, 11, Tristan, 11, Amelia, 9, Abbie, 11, and Emily, 11.
(Damjan Janevski) 277913_04
Panel suspends Cr Dance By Elsie Lange Trevor Dance has been suspended as a Hume councillor for “serious misconduct“ in failing to comply with two lawful directions from an arbiter. Mr Dance has been suspended from office for three months from Friday, April 29. He has vowed to appeal the decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. In July, 2021, council, through its appointed representative, Cr Carly Moore, applied for a Councillor Conduct Panel to examine an
allegation that Mr Dance had engaged in serious misconduct under the Local Government Act. The panel was asked to investigate whether Mr Dance had complied with the council’s internal arbitration process following Mr Dance’s allegation of alleged misconduct by Cr Jack Medcraft. The panel determined that Mr Dance was guilty of “serious misconduct“ in failing to follow a direction that he attend hearings on June 17 and 24, 2021 in-person. The panel rejected Mr Dance’s contention that his mental health made it impossible for him to comply with the directions. “We do not
accept that is so,” the panel said in a report. “He failed to comply with the directions because he chose not to comply. “He said, at the time, that he was too unwell to attend council premises or be in the same room as Cr Medcraft. “Yet on 21 May. 2021, at a time a directions hearing was being attempted to be arranged by the arbiter, Cr Dance attended a function at council premises which was also attended by Cr Medcraft.” Cr Moore said the community expects and deserves the highest standard of conduct from
all elected representatives. “The independent arbitration process is an important part of the councillor conduct framework that supports good governance in local government in Victoria and needs to be respected,” she said. “The sanction is in line with council’s submission and we believe the sanction reflects the importance of respecting the process.” Under the Local Government Act, if a councillor is suspended they cease to be a councillor and they are not entitled to receive an allowance for the term of the suspension, unless the act otherwise provides.
Mary-Anne Thomas MP
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LABOR MEMBER FOR MACEDON DELIVERING FOR OUR COMMUNITY
Authorised by MA Thomas, Shop 14, Nexus Centre, 9 Goode Street, Gisborne
A: Shop 14, Nexus Centre, 9 Goode Street, Gisborne, VIC 3437 P: 5428 2138 E: mary-anne.thomas@parliament.vic.gov.au MaryAnneMacedon @MaryAnneThomas maryannethomasmp
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