Western Port News 13 January 2021

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Wednesday 13 January 2021

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Adding Aboriginal art to streetscape Mornington Peninsula Shire has collaborated with NBN Co and six Aboriginal groups on a project to wrap 16 NBN street cabinets, or nodes, in art. The project promotes the relationship between the shire and the traditional owners through its arts and culture and reconciliation action plans. The mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said the pieces “beautify the streetscapes and give the First People living on, or visiting the peninsula, visibility as they see their culture proudly on display. Art is what shapes us. It takes us on a journey of discovery and is an important part of our everyday life. “The project celebrates our First Peoples’ culture and stories, embodies the creativity evident on the Mornington Peninsula and stimulates and enriches community and visitors’ ideas and knowledge. “The 16 artworks show us new ways to connect. We can find meaning in their stories and the communities they represent.” Artist Lionel Lauch, of Living Culture, said his work Grandfather Sun at Mornington was “about healing and positive energy from the rays touching us like a hug”. “My earth paintings educate people about Aboriginal culture and invite people to open their eyes and see what culture is there, all around us.” The works are at Hastings, Balnarring, Tyabb, Somerville, Flinders, Red Hill, Rosebud, Dromana, Rye, Mornington, Sorrento, Tootgarook and Mount Eliza. Each has a QR code offering viewers information about the work and the artist.

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s senior social planner Aboriginal culture and community development Deborah Mellett with Lionel Lauch, of Living Culture, and the NBN’s general manager partners and performance Sharda Symons.

Flare sparks NYE scrub fire Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au A PARACHUTE flare set off by New Year’s Eve revellers is being blamed for a potentially devastating scrub fire in Mornington Peninsula National Park on New Year’s Day. Reports suggest young people had congregated at Dimmicks Bushland reserve, Blairgowrie, in the lead-up to midnight. Sorrento CFA Captain Mike Versteegan said the flare was launched just before

midnight over dense bush off Mungala Crescent. CFA crews from Sorrento and Rye searched for the smouldering flare in vain – fearful that it would begin a blaze and rage overnight. “We couldn’t find it,” Captain Versteegan said. “Then next day at about 11.30am we got reports that a wind change had brought it to life and we raced back down there.” CFA crews from Sorrento, Rosebud

and Rye attended but the size of the blaze, and the difficulty accessing it in two-metre-high scrub, forced them to call in helicopter water bombers. It took 90 minutes to bring the blaze under control. Parks Victoria staff used a backhoe to clear firebreaks. “The fire was started by someone irresponsibly setting off a flare which is intended to only be used in distress – and that was not the case at midnight,” Captain Versteegan said. Senior Sergeant Steve Duffee, of Rose-

Hoonpover

Total fire ban

FIRE restrictions began on Monday 14 December meaning it is illegal to light a fire in the open air without a written permit from the CFA or a Municipal Fire Prevention Officer until the ban is lifted. Details: cfa. vic.gov.au/warningsrestrictions

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bud police, said four police attended the blaze which damaged about one hectare of bushland. He said the cause was “unknown at this stage”. “Fireworks are illegal and should only be used and observed at organised events,” he said. “The cause of this fire is still under investigation but the potential for fireworks to start fires and cause injuries is a real risk. I would urge people to follow the rules and not play with illegal fireworks.”

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Western Port News 13 January 2021 by Mornington Peninsula News Group - Issuu