Western Port
View the whole picture.
YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND FOR PENINSULA FAMILIES FACEBOOK:
peninsulakids.com.au mornpenkids
com.au
An independent voice for the community
INSTRGRAM:
Your weekly community newspaper covering the entire Western Port region For all advertising and editorial, call 03
FREE
THE P RO PE R TY INSI G HTS SITE
Tuesday 12 December 2017
5973 6424 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au Discovering, listening and learning: Pupils Lachlan, Hannah, Janaya and Codi with their frog recording equipment. Picture: Yanni
Sounds, a good way to spot frogs TYABB Railway Station Primary School pupils visited Devilbend Reservoir at Moorooduc last week using an app which identifies and records different species of frogs. The app allowed the four young researchers to hear the frogs and identify their type, location and numbers, rather than physically having to flush them out and handle them, which could be stressful to the amphibians. Integration aid Geordie Male said the pupils detected four or five frog species. He said the school had been keen to link the pupils with Mornington Peninsula environment groups and found the Devilbend Foundation members “very approachable”. “They put forward some good initiatives and we look forward to working with them next year.” Parks ranger Sam Pollard said staff enjoyed working with the children, and helping them understand that working on environmental projects can be fun. “We like teaching pupils about the environment and what out there and not to be afraid of the bush.”
Shire boss on Fox ‘party’ cruise Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire CEO Carl Cowie was among the high profile guests aboard a luxury liner cruising the Mediterranean for a so-called “conception party” of prominent businessman, Lindsay Fox, a year-and-a-half after accepting council's top job. The cruise was made in July 2016, an appropriate time before Mr Fox’s 80th birthday was celebrated in April this year with far fewer guests at Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove at Red Hill South. The boundary of Mr Fox’s sprawling Portsea property was contentiously extended across the beach by the Titles Office on Christmas Eve 2013 after a
build-up of sand increased the distance to the acknowledged high tide level. The mayor Cr Bryan Payne last week said Mr Cowie took annual leave and paid his own airfare to Europe. “Carl Cowie was a guest on the trip organised by Mr Fox last July. He was on annual leave and paid his own airfare to and from Europe. The shire incurred no costs as a result of this trip.” Council on Friday did not respond to questions from The News about any declaration about the trip made by Mr Cowie on the shire’s gifts register. The shire’s Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality policy – an “internal” document “owned” by the CEO - states: “Gifts, benefits and hospitality received must not create a real or perceived sense of obligation that may lead to a perception of preference or conflict.”
The policy also states: “Councillors and council staff are to ensure that attendance at private functions does not have potential implications for council’s reputation or image or may cause an actual or perceived conflict of interest.” The News does not suggest any wrongdoing by Mr Cowie. When first contacted about Mr Cowie’s trip, Cr Payne said the Fox cruise happened before he was a councillor (he was elected in October 2016) “but I did know about it”. “I agree it could look like a conflict of interest if it didn’t have council approval,” Cr Payne said. “I’m surprised you guys didn’t pick it up sooner.” The Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality policy is not publicly available on the shire’s website. The official council response provid-
Jewellers
Hastings Central Medical Centre
Celebrating OVER 30 YEARS in jewellery manufacture
We know your area.
Jewellery for all occasions WE WILL BEAT ANY PRICE
Drive through to Craft village Trading hours: Thursday to Sunday 10am-5pm
Hastings 4/82 High Street 5979 8833 obrienrealestate.com.au/hastings
TYABB CRAFT VILLAGE
14 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Tyabb Phone 5977 3711
ed to The News on Friday stated: “The Gifts policy is an internal corporate policy. Such policies are not placed on council’s website. “The register has been audited on an annual basis. There is no legal requirement to make this available externally subject to Freedom of Information requests.” Neighbouring Frankston Council's Staff Gifts and Hospitality Policy register is available for public inspection. As reported widely at the time, Mr Fox – generally regarded as one of the peninsula’s most high profile property owners – chartered the Seabourn Odyssey for a seven-day trip between Athens and Venice for his "conception cruise". The ship costs about $200,000 a day to charter and is capable of carrying
more than 450 passengers. Mr Fox’s guests included actor Hugh Jackman, TV personality and Collingwood Football Club president Eddie McGuire, retail billionaire Solomon Lew and his Premier Investments CEO Mark McInnes, mining magnates Gina Rinehart and Andrew Forrest, former Crown Casino boss and horse breeder Lloyd Williams, the Pratt family and politicians Bill Kelty and Jeff Kennett. Several of the cruise guests own property on the peninsula. Mr Cowie has just returned to work after a council-sanctioned trip which included seminars and conferences in Sweden, Germany and Malta. This latest overseas trip was paid for from his $30,000 study tour allowance on top of his near $400,000 salary package.
5/53 Victoria Street, Hastings (Next to Coles car park)
Bulk Billing GP clinic
Want your home
5979 1801
SOLD?
Monday to Friday 9:00 am— 5:00 pm
Skin Checks
every TUESDAY
3/53 Victoria St. Hastings
No referral needed
Call 5970 7333 Shop 10, 14 High St. Hastings 3195