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THE P RO PE R TY INSI G HTS SITE
Tuesday 11 September 2018
5974 9000 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au First sod: The mayor Cr Bryan Payne, Cr David Gill, MP Daniel Mulino and Heather Goddard, Balnarring Bendigo Bank chair, with community members and shire staff at the first sod turning of works at Civic Court Reserve, Balnarring.
Revamp for reserve A PERFORMANCE space, market space, and nature-based play area, is being built at Balnarring to encourage outdoor recreation activities while residents make friends with other visitors. The first sod for the works at the Civic Court Reserve was turned Friday 31 August. The mayor Cr Bryan Payne joined Cr David Gill, MP Daniel Mulino, Balnarring Bendigo Bank chair Heather Goddard and members of Balnarring Village Common Community Group on a rather wet day. Also on hand were teachers and pupils from Balnarring Preschool who often use the vacant reserve for outdoor play and activities. The $640,000 project includes $290,000 from the state government, $300,000 from the shire and $50,000 from Bendigo Bank. Landscaping will make use of existing materials at the reserve with natural swales to improve drainage. “This upgrade will create an attractive place for people to come together and be a well-utilised focal point for the township, where a range of community events can be held,” Cr Gill said.
Awards honour community’s workers Steve Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au TWO peninsula community volunteers were honoured for their selfless efforts at last week’s Delys Sargeant AgeFriendly Awards. John Drysdale, a Somerville Community House and Peninsula North Men’s Shed committee member, was named Elder of the Year, while RPPFM’s Dennis Gist was named Senior Achiever of the Year.
Mornington Peninsula mayor Cr Bryan Payne presented the awards at the Mt Eliza Community Centre, Tuesday 28 August. They honour the men’s “significant contributions to the community and the Mornington Peninsula by a person 50-plus years of age”. Other awards were made to individuals, clubs, services or businesses that contribute to building a stronger local community for older people who live, work or play on the Mornington Peninsula.
Mr Drysdale was described as being integral to the establishment and development of the men’s shed movement on the Mornington Peninsula. The sheds promote fellowship, inclusiveness and self-respect among their mainly elderly members. The Peninsula North Men’s Shed, at Baxter, also won an award on the night. Initially financing a men’s shed on his own property, Mr Drysdale worked for five years to secure sufficient funding and site and plans for a purpose-built
shed. He also volunteered his time and expertise to assist in the establishment and revival of other men’s sheds on the peninsula. Mr Drysdale is an executive committee member and field representative of the Victorian’s Men’s Shed Association as well as a valued member of the committee of management of Somerville Community House. Mr Gist’s voice is heard by all sectors of the community as a volunteer presenter on peninsula radio station RPPFM.
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Four years ago, he introduced the PACE on AIR segment on his weekly show aiming to help shape the peninsula as a place to age well. He hosts a variety of guest speakers who discuss local opportunities and issues impacting older residents, including local intergenerational opportunities. Mr Gist frequently lends his “radio voice” and “em-ceeing” skills to other community causes, such as the Western Port Festival. Continued Page 11