Western Port YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND FOR PENINSULA FAMILIES FACEBOOK:
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Wednesday 13 April 2022
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Plea for diligence with donations Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au
ROB and Bec with their children Maddison and Mathew and their tribute to Shane Warne. Picture: Gary Sissons
Somerville wall for Warne ROB Phillips has always been a cricket fanatic, and plays for French Island. The Somerville business owner was hit hard by the death of his idol, Shane Warne. “We really wanted to do some-
thing to honour Shane”, Phillips said. “My partner Bec suggested a mural”. The tribute now adorns the wall of his business Phillips Auto Spark, in Simcock Street, Somerville.
MORNINGTON Peninsula residents are being warned that leaving donations outside closed shops or full bins over Easter could lead to them being captured on CCTV and fined. According to the waste watch group Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria, around 90 per cent of all donations left outside charitable stops or recycling bins end up in landfill because they are damaged or soiled. Vinnies general manager Jeff Antcliff says that although peninsula residents are getting better at reducing this waste, there is still a long way to go. “Over the past five years we have had a reduction on things being left unattended at our shops on the peninsula, and I’d like to thank residents for that, but it’s about continuing that education process,” he said. Mr Antcliff said well-meaning people went to a lot of trouble to launder and fold and pack good for donations, only to leave it unattended, where it often became soiled by weather or blown around. “We are trying to get the message of reuse and recycle and part of that message is only leaving donations at open stores, or placing inside a donation bin,” he said. Dumping donations actually results in op shops and recycling shops having to foot the hefty disposal and landfill bill, estimated to be around $3.4 million a year. Given that Easter and key holiday periods are when the bulk of donations happen, Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria says a lot of clothing, household textiles and other items may not get a new lease on life or benefit those in greatest need if left outside a closed store. KABV’s Travis Finlayson said people often see donations left outside op shops, and so believe they are doing the right thing by adding to the piles. “Without realising it ... they have left their donations exposed to being rifled through, picked over and what is not stolen, scattered about in messy, windswept piles of litter, open to the elements. “This often means those quality items are no longer saleable and most likely end up in landfill.” According to Mr Finlayson an increase in CCTV outside charity stores and at clothing bin hubs across Melbourne has seen a significant increase in signs warning people off donating out of hours or outside bins.
COME AND SEE THE CHICKENS ROAMING FREE IN THE PADDOCK!
VOLUNTEERS at Vinnies op shop Hastings, Paul Benjamin, Angela Jones and Graeme Kirkham, with some of the donated goods that made it into the store. Picture: Gary Sissons Some stores have resorted to installing barriers or blocking off the front entrances to stop donations to closed stores while a growing number of councils are now contemplating reducing the number of resource recovery bins because they have become too difficult to manage. Mr Finlayson said the increased surveillance had resulted in a growing number of donors being issued with fines to reduce the number of donations ending up in landfill. “However, it is important to point out that we are not ‘enforcement happy’ and that enforcement is very much the last resort. Rather we are trying to ensure that donations have a positive impact on our circular economy,” he said. “So, my big plea to all the wonderful donors out there: Let’s aim at diverting as much as we can from landfill this Easter. Let 2022 be a critical turning point and the moment where we all do our bit towards building a true circular economy.”
BARN DOOR SALES MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8AM - 4.30PM AND SATURDAYS 8AM - 12.30PM
Our farm is family owned and managed. We have been producing quality eggs for over 40 years, supplying the public, restaurants and other businesses on the peninsula. Eggs are collected 365 days a year so you can be assured that you are buying the freshest eggs with the best yolk and flavour. Retail and Wholesale from our barn door.
5977 5405
220 Eramosa Road West, Moorooduc. corner of Binnak Way email: admin@somervilleeggfarm.com.au