Welcome TO THE WORLD Photos: Yanni
MADELINE (TWIN)
AMELIA (TWIN)
Parents: Jassmine & Michael Nicholls Birth date: 22.01.2024 Birth weight: 2900gms Born at: Frankston Hospital
RIVER (TWIN)
Parents: Jassmine & Michael Nicholls Birth date: 22.01.2024 Birth weight: 3390gms Born at: Frankston Hospital
HARPER (TWIN) Parents: Olivia & Brad Birth date: 22.01.2024 Birth weight: 3090gms Born at: Frankston Hospital
Parents: Olivia & Brad Birth date: 22.01.2024 Birth weight: 2510gms Born at: Frankston Hospital
AXEL
NEWS DESK
Weddings added to farm’s produce DISABILITY social enterprise Sages Cottage Farm, Baxter, is joining forced with Melbourne Event Group to transform the 15 hectare farm which is run by 100 young people with disabilities - into a wedding venue. The Baxter farm, run by not-for-profit Wallara, has manicured rose gardens, a rustic cafe, vegetable gardens and farm animals. Wallara’s CEO and father of a child with intellectual disability Phil Hayes-Brown said the vision with Sages Cottage Farm was to create Australia’s most inclusive farm. This is now open to the public daily and receives more than 10,000 visitors. “We know the rustic farm is perfectly suited to weddings and events and so we really wanted a partner who gets our inclusion vision,” he said. “MEG is that partner and we are so excited to have one of the best event and catering teams in Melbourne partner with us.” Wallara is a disability support agency which supports more than 600 adults across Melbourne’s southeast and north.
The statue was carved by artist Brandon Kroon, who uses a chainsaw to create his pieces. It was installed last year. red paint and daubed with swastikas on the front and back on Remembrance Day. RSL spokesman Bruce Turner said it was a blow to see the piece of art damaged, which was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by all people who have served in the armed forces. He said the damage was likely inflicted by a “disgruntled” community member, rather than someone with a political motive. “The community in general has respected the statue and the RSL,” Turner said. The damage was not permanent, and the carving has been cleaned and reinstalled on a new block. To keep it safe, it was moved 150 metres by a crane to another part of the block, near the Flame of Remembrance. The statue was carved by artist Brandon Kroon, who uses a chainsaw to create his pieces. It was installed last year.
Soldier returns
Environment fighter dies
ROSEBUD RSL has been forced to move its soldier statue to prevent further vandalism, after it was splashed with red paint and daubed with swastikas on the front and back on Remembrance Day. RSL spokesman Bruce Turner said it was a blow to see the piece of art damaged, which was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by all people who have served in the armed forces. He said the damage was likely inflicted by a “disgruntled” community member, rather than someone with a political motive. “The community in general has respected the statue and the RSL,” Turner said. The damage was not permanent, and the carving has been cleaned and a crane was used to move it 150 metres to a new base near the Flame of Remembrance.
FIERCE protector of the environment and supporter of sustainable development Mary Drost OAM has died and been remembered by her many supporters. Drost, who was a convenor of Planning Backlash, was well known on the Mornington Peninsula for her advocacy for the protection of the former Ansett Estate on Kunyung Road, Mount Eliza as well as other tracts of land and properties on the peninsula. Drost, 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday 17 January with family by her side. Within the Greek community, Drost also played a significant role in the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece from the British Museum. She had been awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her community contributions.
LUKE
Parents: Melitta & Benjamin Birth date: 23.01.2024 Birth weight: 2540gms Born at: Frankston Hospital
Parents: Teagan & Ryan Shaw Birth date: 23.01.2024 Birth weight: 3780gms Born at: Frankston Hospital
DARRYL Donaldson says beach access through foreshore vegetation is a right. Picture: Yanni
Foreshore fury over ‘goat’ track A FURORE over foreshore access has highlighted the divide between conservation and public right of use. A recent decision by the foreshore committee at Capel Sound to prevent “goat tracks” being used for people to access the beach has upset some nearby residents. Eighty-two-year-old Darryl Donaldson, who lives on Point Nepean Road, said he and a few neighbours had come to enjoy immediate access to the beach for “decades” by using tracks through the bush. He did not believe the tracks were causing any damage to the delicate coastal bush environment, where they had existed for up to 50 years. Foreshore committee spokesperson Travis Graham disagrees. Having been in the job for 12 months, he and his crew are focused on restoring the natural coastal habitat and remedying the damage caused by people trampling the bush. “Yes, there are people who believe they can do
LOLA Parents: Jodie & Brent Birth date: 24.01.2024 Birth weight: 3030gms Born at: Frankston Hospital
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Western Port News
7 February 2024
what they want, but I’d like them to understand we have to protect what’s here and do our best to restore what’s already been lost,” he said. “This is a delicate area. There are some people who think they are using paths, but they are walking through natural coastal bush, they are trampling sensitive habitats.” Graham said the 3.8 kilometres of foreshore area was home to native orchids and other flora and fauna that were at risk from losing their “corridors” if people did not obey the rules. “There are several nearby designated access points which we point people to, but they don’t want to have to walk,” he said. “It’s a challenge to keep people out, but the areas some people are using is through a nature reserve, not a public access path.” Graham said the committee had made a concerted effort to give people easy access to the beach and had approved two paths within 30 and 200 metres of the “goat” track now being used.
