Western Port News 15 July 2020

Western Port YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND FOR PENINSULA FAMILIES FACEBOOK:

peninsulakids.com.au mornpenkids

An independent voice for the community

INSTAGRAM:

FREE

Your weekly community newspaper covering the entire Western Port region For all advertising and editorial, call 03

Wednesday 15 July 2020

5974 9000 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au

Surviving the times as they’re changing SCIENTISTS say the future of little penguins in Western Port may lie with their ability to change diets along with the onset of climate change. An increasing part of the penguins’ prey is seen as junk food because of a lack of nutrients.

“Climate changing penguins choice of food” Page 11 Picture: Yanni

Outsiders stay away - mayor Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au THE Mornington Peninsula should be excluded from the metropolitan “lockdown” areas to prevent infected outsiders coming in, the mayor Cr Sam Hearn said last week.

He fears residents from hard-hit areas of inner-Melbourne may interpret the “one-region” status as a “reason to travel to the peninsula and inadvert-

ently put our local community health containment at risk”.

Cr Hearn was speaking after the state government reintroduced stage three COVID-19 restrictions and included the peninsula as part of the Greater Melbourne urban area.

Television news bulletins on Thursday showed hordes of visitors making the most of the warm weather in peninsula towns and on foreshores.

Cr Hearn said the council acknowl-

Jewellers Celebrating OVER 40 YEARS in jewellery manufacture

Expressions of Interest are sought for 2 honorary Directors to join the Board of Rosebud West Community Hub, known as Seawinds Community Hub, a not-for-profit Community Centre, based in Capel Sound.

Dear valued customer, during the restrictions of COVID 19 Jewel Of The Nile jewellers are open Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10am to 4pm.

We are seeking people who are committed to supporting the local community through the delivery of learning opportunities.

The Hub includes an Early Learning Centre (3 & 4 year old Kindergarten and Long Day Care), in addition to providing space for adult learning, mutual support groups and community activities including a Men’s Shed.

Previous governance experience and Skills including Business and management experience; Analytical abilities; Risk and financial management; along with a strong commitment to supporting community development would be valued.

Further details are available from the CEO Ms Karen Vanderkaay on 59 82 2204 Applications, including a CV, can be sent in confidence to Dr Robert Barnes, Seawinds Community Hub, 11A Allambi Avenue, Capel Sound, 3940

edged the appropriateness of the state government’s actions “given the grave urgency of the situation” and affirmed the shire’s commitment to supporting them over coming weeks.

But he said a better approach to ensuring public health and safety would be to keep the areas separate so people could not travel here.

“With no active cases on the peninsula we encourage everyone throughout greater Melbourne to do the right

The main gate may be locked, if so please call us on 5977 3711 or 0408 531 687 and we will open the gate for you.

Your Authorised Husqvarna Servicing Dealer

thing and stay away for the next six weeks.”

Cr David Gill agreed: “The peninsula is in lockdown again because we are classified as metropolitan. As a semi-rural shire, some distance from Melbourne, we do not belong in the suburban classification.”

Cr Hearn said he was “encouraging our whole community to understand what the stay-at-home restrictions are and to use common sense over the

We Are Open Pasta Machines.

Gnocchi Boards.

Chopping & Serving Boards.

Caviar Bakeware.

Cookie Cutters & More..

Available Now Denor Homewares Mornington Shop / McLaren Place Mornington Vic

Thank you.

TYABB CRAFT VILLAGE 14 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Tyabb Phone 5977 3711

coming weeks”.

“We have been through this before and I’m confident we will band together as a community and get through this,” he said.

“The highest priority is to care for each other by remaining vigilant, continuing to keep 1.5 metres between yourself and others and practicing good hygiene. Staying the course during this next phase will make sure we all get through this.”

Open

p:

Days Mon to Fri

- :::, Sat

- , Sun

Across the carpark from Mornington Central

-

w: www.DenorHomewares.com.au

The he

our comm u

ty ni

urhood bpo H h g

s

t of ar

se ou

Neighbourhood Houses The heart of our Community

Ne

i

Reopening – Sorry, not just yet We were excited to welcome everyone back to the Crib Point & Somerville Community Houses for Term 3 but unfortunately, we will have to remain closed for now due to the new lock down restrictions.

We have missed you all so much and have been working hard to make sure everything is safe for your return but we’ll just have to wait a little longer.

Most of the programs that we planned to open with, will go ahead when we can reopen. In the meantime, watch for any updates on our websites or Facebook pages.

We also want to invite you to send us positive lock down stories or photos of items you have been making or cooking to share with the wider community. This way we can celebrate the positives and share the good vibes. Just make sure if a photo includes a person, you have permission to share it.

Kim at the Annie Sage Community Centre

Our emails are as follows.

Crib Point Community House: info@cpch.org.au Somerville Community House: info@somervillecommunityhouse.com.au

You would remember that Stage 3 lockdown means there are only four reasons people are permitted to leave their homes:

Welcome to the SOMERVILLE COMMUNITY HOUSE Term 3 Program

CLASSES POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Rolling out the Welcome Mat

1. Shopping for food or other essential items 2. To provide care giving, for compassionate reasons, or to seek medical treatment

For the Kids and Teenagers • Kids Acrylic Art

• Tween Acrylic Art

Please note: These classes have been reduced in price and numbers, and are subject to change.

Somerville/ Tyabb Rotary meet Wednesday evenings Annie Sage Community Centre Home of the Somerville Community House 21 Blacks Camp Rd, Somerville Phone to secure your spot: 5977 8330 or 0438 241 134 PAGE 2

Western Port News

15 July 2020

4. Work or study, if you cannot work or study from home.

So please stay at home and stay safe so we can welcome you back as soon as possible.

Crib Point Community House Inc. Inc. Reg No. A0005121C

ABN 13 567 174 223

7 Park Road, Crib Point. Vic 3919

5983 9888

www.cpch.org.au info@cpch.org.au

NO CLASSES, GROUPS OR MARKET UNITL FURTHER NOTICE

Term 3 Classes

Knitting and Hookers – Monday $3 Walkers and Talkers – Monday, Wednesday, Friday Amblers – Tuesday/ Thursday Adult Painting/ Drawing Class – Wednesday $3 Somerville Stitchers – Wednesday $3 Adult Craft Various – Wednesday $3 Mornington Peninsula Writer’s – Alternate Saturdays $3

3. For exercise (outdoor exercise only, with only one other person or members of your household)

Groups and Classes for Term 3 Monday

Tuesday

Wellness Craft Ladies Woodwork Meditation & Spritual Dev

Easy Walking Meditiation with Candy Sheer Art Attack

Wednesday

Thursday

Material Girls Family Tree Circle Women’s Wellness Ladies Woodwork

Cackle ‘n’ Craft Knitter ‘n’ Hookers Meditation & Spritual Dev Sewing for Beginners Book Club

Friday

Stitchin’ Sisters Patchwork

PHONE: 5983 9888

Saturday

Photo Scrapbooking

NEWS DESK

Business ‘suffers’ from being ‘metro’ Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au THE impact of tougher COVID-19 restrictions is “having a dire impact” Mornington Peninsula businesses”.

The doomsday scenario described by the mayor Cr Sam Hearn followed the state government’s inclusion of the shire in the greater Melbourne lockdown area.

Cr Hearn said the peninsula had lost up to 6000 jobs, seen a 21 per cent drop in gross regional product (compared with 6.9 per cent for Australia) and an 11 per cent fall in job prospects.

Statistics released over the weekend show that Victoria and New South Wales have only one job vacancy for every 10 people registered as unemployed. In Victoria there are 389,000 people on the dole and 28,700 available jobs.

The shire last month asked both the state and federal governments for help, providing a list of projects ranging from homeless housing to a technology park (“Shire seeks $320m rescue package” The News 22/6/20).

“A further six-week lockdown has the potential to send many local businesses to the wall,” Cr Hearn said.

“We feel that this is a disproportionate impost on peninsula businesses compared to other municipalities, such as Geelong.

“We would welcome a conversation with the state government about the ra-

tionale for our current classification as a metropolitan council when there are a number of compelling reasons to reinstate us as a regional municipality.”

Former mayor Cr David Gill said the state government was being “extremely short sighted” in not recognising the peninsula as a regional area from an economic and planning standpoint.

He said including the shire in the Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Scheme threatened the “essential” $1.2 billion green wedge food bowl mainly servicing the fast-growing Melbourne.

“What suits suburban planning is slowly ruining our much admired coastal and hinterland villages and making it more difficult for farmers to survive on the land,” Cr Gill said.

“The state government is putting all this in jeopardy.

“Without our farming community the temptation for non-productive housing in the green wedge and further sub-divisions becomes more likely in the future.”

Cr Gill said the benefits of being recognised as a region were important to businesses on the peninsula.

He backed business lobby group the Committee for Mornington Peninsula in its push to have the state government change its mind and recategorise the peninsula.

“As a semi-rural shire some distance from Melbourne we do not belong in the suburban classification.”

All clear for ‘essential’ ferry Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au POLICE checked and cleared all passengers for travel on the Sorrento to Queenscliff ferry after stage three coronavirus restrictions came into force on Thursday 9 July.

The ferry is classed as an essential service, linking the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas.

Although Mornington Peninsula is subject to the restrictions, Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula are not within the Melbourne metropolitan area.

“During the next six weeks we expect that the only travellers on our service will be people that have a need to travel for one of the three permitted reasons,” Searoad Ferries’ operations

general manager Wes Oswin said.

“The travellers will predominantly be trades and business people, government employees as well as emergency service personnel.

“We also have a number of people, including medical professionals that live on one peninsula and need to travel as a result of their work.”

Police cleared all passengers on Thursday’s 1pm service after they arrived at Queenscliff Sorrento and have since told The News that while no specific checks are being made at Sorrento, random checks are being made of motorists throughout the peninsula.

Mr Oswin said Searoad Ferries had decided it was impractical to use thermal Cameras to check passengers’ temperatures “as most people are ticketed and board the vessel while seated

in a vehicle”.

Searoad CEO Matt McDonald said the ferry would keep running to a twohourly schedule “for those services that need to travel for one of the permitted reasons”.

“This includes travel for emergency services, essential supplies, work, education and medical purposes as outlined in the government guidelines.”

The Department of Health and Human Services website says other vehicles can use the ferry if travelling to Gippsland or Phillip Island, but travellers “should plan your trip so that you don’t need to stop in an impacted area unless it is for one of the three reasons”.

Details: dhhs.vic.gov.au/updatedrestrictions; searoad.com.au

ANY SYMPTOMS GET TESTED It’s important to get tested for coronavirus at the first sign of any symptom and stay home until you get your result. Getting tested means you keep yourself, your friends, family, workplace and your community safe.

It’s not over yet.

Find out where to get tested visit vic.gov.au/CORONAVIRUS Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

Western Port News 15 July 2020

PAGE 3

MELBOURNE AND MITCHELL SHIRE STAY HOME Stay at Home restrictions are now in place for Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.

There are only 4 reasons to leave home.

Shopping for food and supplies that you need

Care and caregiving

Exercise

Work and study if you can’t do it from home

And if you have symptoms, get tested For all current restrictions go to vic.gov.au/CORONAVIRUS

Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

PAGE 4

Western Port News

15 July 2020

NEWS DESK

Tech ‘park’ to bring jobs and growth Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au NAVIGATION technology company Sealite is the major player behind plans for a $540 million technology park at Somerville.

The company says the proposed Mornington Peninsula Technology Park will activate projects and deliver jobs and growth as part of an “urgent pandemic recovery”.

Backing for the plan is being sought from Mornington Peninsula Shire and the state government as part of the Building Victoria’s Recovery Taskforce.

The shire claims the peninsula has “been hit harder than most areas of Victoria in terms of job losses and general economic downturn” (“Shire seeks $320m rescue package” The News 22/6/20).

However, the shire has already earmarked land for a similar technology park on the outskirts of Hastings.

Backers of the Somerville plan consider the shire’s proposal “to still be embryonic and not able to deliver results for some time” while their’s can be providing jobs within 12 months.

Sealite, already based at Somerville, is set to be the Mornington Peninsula Technology Park’s anchor tenant.

The company is a global leader in designing and manufacturing marine and aviation aids to navigation. It has plants and offices in Australia, Sin-

gapore, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as distributors servicing over 100 countries.

CEO Chris Procter said the Somerville proposal had “extensive benefits for the local economy and the local community”.

“The Mornington Peninsula Technology Park will deliver hundreds of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of economic growth, and we are ready to get started now,” he said.

“There are some 700 direct and indirect jobs during construction, and around 1500 STEM-related jobs once the precinct is fully populated. This project represents $1.2 billion in economic value for the region and the Victorian economy. This is exactly the kind of project we believe the state government and the council would want to help us recover from the pandemic.”

The proposed 50-hectare technology park on Bungower Road is on land designated for port related purposes.

The masterplan shows low rise buildings; 50 per cent open space; 25 hectares with 250,000 square metres of floor space targeting high-tech businesses; and a redeveloped heritage precinct and active recreation facilities.

Mr Procter said Sealite had “a pipeline” of prospective work worth more than $260 million.

“We’re seeing particular growth in defence spending on the upgrade of port infrastructure and military airfields,” he said.

PENINSULA Grammar students are back to online learning this week. Pictured are junior school head Celeste Hudson and principal Stuart Johnston. Picture: Gary Sissons

Lockdown no limit on learning at grammar WHEN the Premier Daniel Andrews announced a return to stage three restrictions last Tuesday, he also tackled the vexing question of what to do with the hundreds of thousands of student due back at school this week for the beginning of term three.

The premier’s solution was to get VCE and specialist school children back, but to extend school holidays for those in prep to year 10, returning them to remote learning on 20 July.

Peninsula Grammar, Mount Eliza, is one of a handful of Independent schools that will return to its online learning program today (Tuesday 14 July), rather than giving students an extra week of holidays.

In a letter to parents, principal Stuart Johnston said the school had

again found itself “in a situation that requires both resilience and resoluteness”.

“I write today to inform you we will not waiver in our determination to secure the learning journey of each child at the school,” Mr Johnston stated.

Preparations began in early March to take the school curriculum online at the first sign of an escalation of the coronavirus crisis. During remote learning in term two, students were required to be at their computers during usual school hours, in school uniform, and were directly taught by their teachers with only slight variations to their in-class timetables.

Having proven the effectiveness of their online learning program, the school has decided that students’ best

interests are served by reverting to online learning for the beginning of term three.

“Throughout the duration of this crisis, we have placed the students and their learning at the centre of all decisions, and so we remain determined to provide for them the routine they need at this point in time,” Mr Johnston said.

“We are inherently proud of the quality of the learning our exceptional teachers have provided and will continue to provide our students and we will not compromise on this.”

Students in years 10, 11 and 12, as well as those whose parents are unable to be at home, will return to the school’s classrooms on Tuesday.

Cameron McCullough

Beautiful Curtains

Whatever your room or style, we have the perfect fabric for you.

Give up your bed for youth in need Saturday 1 August 2020 Online event: 6 – 10pm Tonight more than 116,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness including approximately 220 young people from across the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region.

FREE measure and quotes

0 3 5 97 5 9 3 6 6

www.shadesofaustralia.net.au Shop 8a, 1-13 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Mornington

To help raise awareness about this issue, the Shire and Fusion Mornington Peninsula encourages the community to give up our beds, sleep in our cars, pitch a tent in our yards or sleep on our couches.

This year registration allows you full access to Fusion’s online event, including interactive experiences, live panels presenting local youth services, tours of Fusion’s accommodation facility, guest speakers as well as live performing artists.

Together we will help provide accommodation, support, opportunity and hope for young people experiencing homelessness in our community.

For more information and to register, visit: sleepinyourcar.com.au Western Port News 15 July 2020

PAGE 5

NEWS DESK

WHAT’S NEW...

Chef to the stars now delivering food on the Mornington Peninsula A NEW home delivery food service has launched on the Peninsula to cater to the growing demand for preprepared, healthy and delicious meals while we all wait out Victoria’s second wave of COVID-19.

With over 10 years of experience in the film and TV catering industry, local chefs Dan Hawke and Reece Morrow have spent years catering for the likes of Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Heston Blumenthall and Chris Martin on the sets of The Voice, Masterchef and Pirates of the Caribbean. With their film and TV work on pause indefinitely, now they’re catering for the Mornington Peninsula in this coronavirus time of need.

Dan and Reece, who live in Mt Eliza and Mt Martha, have brought their mobile kitchens from Fox Studios in Sydney with the aim of providing instant meals for peninsula locals.

“There is very little going on in the film and TV industry at the moment and we thought our own community, where thousands of people are trying to avoid going out unnecessarily or are working from home.

We thought they could use some help,” said Reece, who relocated with his wife and two kids a year and a half ago.

“We brought the kitchens and fridges here and have set up our HomeRun Food Co service to help people who cannot easily get to the shops or are just sick of

cooking,” said Dan, who is also a member of his local CFA. “We source as much produce and ingredients locally as we can, ensuring we’re supporting the community that we live in and love.”

Home Run Food Co sells a variety of dishes including family meatballs, crushed root vegetables, mixed grain salad and a Mexican fiesta box! All meals are hygienically and safely packed in sanitised vacuum sealed bags and refrigerated until they are ready to be eaten.

It is a quick few minutes in the microwave and they are ready to serve and enjoy or pop in the freezer to eat at a later date! www.homerunfood.co

Moving to preserve: Sandra Holmes, Marty Lenard, Ann Robb and Margaret Howden are determined to retain this shop front slice of Mornington’s past. Picture: Gary Sissons

Up front plan to ‘save’ shop HISTORY buff Margaret Howden is waiting to hear back from Heritage Victoria about saving a Mornington shop front from demolition.

Ms Howden said the “gorgeous” old hardwood frontage at 27 Main Street was due to be pulled down and replaced as part of a redevelopment.

She said the builder was amenable to her plans to preserve the facade if she can have it removed.

“I have got friends of friends finding a builder to do the removal and a truck to take it away,” she said.

Ms Howden said she had contacted Cr Bev Colomb who discovered that other shop fronts “from there up” were on the historical register but not number 27. “We now need a new home for it.”

Stephen Taylor

Looking for ways to get active?

Shire’s new website is keeping you in the game Local sport and recreation is a fundamental part of the Mornington Peninsula lifestyle.

MIX IT UP. KEEP IT FRESH.

To get active and connect with local sports and recreation activities check out the Shire’s new website called ‘Our Active Peninsula’.

Next level taste + nutrition + convenience Fresh, pre-cooked, chilled and vac-sealed dishes prepared by chefs

Order by midday for same day delivery before 6pm

www.homerunfood.co PAGE 6

Western Port News

15 July 2020

For more information, visit the website: active.mornpen.vic.gov.au

From walking trails, footy, archery, horse-riding, cricket, swimming, golf, surfing, fishing and getting active at your local gym, there are many opportunities.

• • •

Want to get active?

Run a sports club?

Operate a local sports and fitness business?

Warning that fast food is recipe for ‘traffic holdup’ Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au SAFETY Beach businesses fear the establishment of a McDonald’s Restaurant or any large fast food outlet at a busy intersection will ruin their trade and litter the beach.

It is believed that AA Holdings, which owns the BP service station at the Nepean Highway and Marine Drive corner, wants to redevelop and combine it with a McDonald’s outlet although, at this stage, the identity of the prospective eatery is unknown.

Cr Antonella Celi, who said she was “aware of the community’s concerns”, said an application by Insight Planning Consultants to Mornington Peninsula Shire’s planning committee could be referring to any of several large restaurants/convenience stores.

“It is a significant application but there’s no way of knowing who it is at this stage,” Cr Celi said.

The shire’s planning services manager Lucas Gardiner said the site owner was not required to inform council of who the proposed tenant is.

“Council has to assess the use of the land for a convenience restaurant and we are provided with information, including hours of operation and patron numbers to assess this,” he said.

That’s cold comfort to Jim Mavrogiannis, who runs Zero 95 Dromana pizza bar and Laneway Espresso, both in Point Nepean Road. He said he feared a fast food giant would “kill businesses” along Point Nepean Road.

“I love being here but this will put us out of business,” he said.

Take away “disaster”: Safety Beach business people are concerned about plans for a fast food outlet on their patch. Picture: Yanni

Mr Mavrogiannis said traffic to and from the restaurant would stifle trade.

“The main entrances into Point Nepean Road and Marine Drive are often banked up now,” he said.

“We hear McDonald’s are coming and it will be a lot worse. It’s an absolute drama already.”

Maria Pizzirusso, whose family runs

the La Onda Latin Mex Restaurant in Point Nepean Road, was also certain the applicant was McDonald’s. “Yeah it is,” she said, adding that the size of the newcomer would “change the whole dynamics and landscape” of the area.

“We are a small family owned restaurant and it’s bound to affect us,” she

SEASON SPECIALS*

said.

“There’s the environmental aspect to consider, too, with lots of waste, straws and wrappers, left lying around, and the traffic congestion would worsen because of the location.

“We want to keep the area neutral, small and without all the extra stuff that a McDonald’s would bring.

“Even though our customers are not their customers they are bound to interfere with our income.”

Neither McDonald’s nor AA Holdings would comment on the application which is on the shire’s planning website. It runs until 30 July.

SOHO 3 seater

UP TO 50% OFF* SELECTED SOFAS

in vintage charcoal fabric

ONLY

$2649

*TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY

OR

50% OFF YOUR SECOND ITEM*

ROOT

coffee table in raw

*TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY

HAMLET

3 seater sofa in lemay glacier fabric.

ONLY

$2599

BUY THIS

GET 50% OFF* THIS

ONLY

HAMPTONS

180cm entertainment unit in white.

ONLY $1199

NOW

$599

6 OR 12 MONTHS INTEREST FREE

$1999

AVAILABLE

RITA

storage unit in mindi/rattan.

ONLY

$1999

BUY THIS

GET 50% OFF* THIS

MADE

100cm buffet in acacia blonde.

ONLY $1299 NOW

$649

MORNINGTON PH: 8560 1137, SHOWROOM D4, PENINSULA HOME, 1128-1132 NEPEAN HIGHWAY FIND YOUR NEAREST LOCATION OZDESIGNFURNITURE.COM.AU *See in-store or online ozdesignfurniture.com.au/ozpromotions for more information.

Western Port News 15 July 2020

PAGE 7

NEWS DESK

Western Port

Police patrol

Proudly published by Mornington Peninsula News Group Pty Ltd

PHONE: 03 5974 9000

With Stephen Taylor

Slowing down at The Schanck

Published weekly. Circulation: 15,000

Journalists: Stephen Taylor, Brodie Cowburn 5974 9000 Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Advertising Sales: Bruce Stewart 0409 428 171 Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production/Graphic design: Marcus Pettifer, Danielle Espagne Group Editor: Keith Platt 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough

A 60kph speed limit near the Bushrangers Bay car park entrance is designed to improve the safety of large numbers of people parking and walking next to a former 100kph section of Boneo Road.

The lower speed limit at Cape Schanck will be in force until the end of September. It will operate all day, every day.

Speedsters sailing through at the old speed risk a $702 fine and sixmonth licence suspension. Truck drivers could be fined $1652 with the same licence suspension.

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Andrew Hurst, Craig MacKenzie.

ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@mpnews.com.au Web: www.mpnews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURS 16 JULY 2020 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: WED 22 JULY 2020

Smash but no grab

Local news for local people

We stand as the only locally owned and operated community newspaper on the peninsula.

We are dedicated to the belief that a strong community newspaper is essential for a strong community.

We exist to serve residents, community groups and businesses and ask for their support in return.

To advertise in Western Port News contact Bruce Stewart on 0409 428 171 or email bruce@mpnews.com.au Western Port

A CAR driven by an elderly woman mounted the kerb and smashed the side window of a real estate agency at Rye last week.

SES and Rosebud CFA crews rushed to assist the woman who was uninjured and did not require an ambulance, 6.30pm, Wednesday 8 July.

Granger Estate Agents director Darren Sadler said the damage bill was around $30,000. He said debris had to be cleaned up and brick work replaced. The front door was hanging off its hinges and plywood panels used to cover the broken window before it was replaced.

Driver blows it A MAN in a green Mazda 2 allegedly driving erratically on Nepean Highway, Mornington last week

CANDIDATE INFO AND TRAINING

October 2020 Local Government Elections

THE car that crashed through a shop front at Rye, above, and police on patrol near the Bushrangers Bay, track, below.

later allegedly returned a breath-test reading of 0.277 per cent.

The 45-year-old Frankston driver was pulled over in the Bunnings car park. He was charged with drink driv-

ing and unlicensed driving and bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court in February.

Police are hoping to speak to a woman driving a silver/white fourwheel-drive overtaken by the man in the right-hand-turn lane just as the lights turned green at Oakbank Road – the Bata Shoes turn off.

The woman is urged to call Frankston Crime Investigation Unit, 9784 5590.

Anyone else with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au

Attention Schools, sporting clubs & community groups

Candidate Information and Mandatory Candidate Training Sessions Sat 8 August, 1 – 3.30pm 2 Queen Street, Mornington bit.ly/2VWdzEu Mon 10 August, 6 – 8.30pm 90 Besgrove Street, Rosebud bit.ly/2VYA8Z9

Want to know more about Councils?

Thinking of running as a candidate in the 2020 Council Elections?

The workshop will cover: • Mandatory Candidate Training, plus

Come along to an interactive workshop presented by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) in collaboration with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.

•

Registrations essential. bit.ly/2VWdzEu bit.ly/2VYA8Z9

For more information, call or visit the Shire’s webpage: 5950 1137 mornpen.vic.gov.au/councilelections

PAGE 8

Western Port News

15 July 2020

Module One: Basics of Local Government

• Module two: Election Candidacy The VLGA provides relevant, accessible and comprehensive training on the business of local government and the journey from community member to candidate and (potentially) Councillor.

Free advertising listings Each month the Western Port News will run a Community Events page, where your school or organisation can promote upcoming events, fund raisers, social events, etc. at no charge.

This page is sponsored by the Balnarring & District Community Bank and listings are completely free.

Listing should be about 40 words and include event name, date, time & address.

Send your listing to:

Community Events

PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or email communityevents@mpnews.com.au

SES mountain rescue – again CREWS from Sorrento SES were involved in another successful rescue after an accident on the Red Hill mountain bike trail, 3pm, Sunday 12 July.

Whereas last week they used their “mule litter wheel” to evacuate a young rider after he crashed over a jump, this time they drove their four-wheel-drive up the track to rescue an 18-year-old man with a broken collar bone.

SES controller Mark Daw said crews made it up the track near Boundary Road, Dromana, before Ambulance Victoria arrived.

“We assessed the patient who was suffering a broken collarbone after going over the handlebars,” he said.

“He was with his dad. It was quickly getting cold and he was in a lot of pain.”

Ambulance Victoria arrived from the other side of the hill with the park rangers and assessed the rider’s injuries.

“They were happy for us to slowly drive the patient out to a waiting ambulance up the top of the hill not far from Eatons Cutting, with the medics travelling inside with the patient.”

The SES advises mountain bike riders to “know your limits, wear safety gear, and always make sure you’re not alone”.

High but not dry A VOLUNTEER Marine Rescue crew from Hastings found the water at Middle Bank in Western Port too shallow to assist a boat which had run aground, just after midnight, Sunday 12 July.

“The occupants were concerned about waves breaking over the 6.75-metre vessel,” VMR president Neil Cooper said. “When VMR’s TX1 arrived, the boat was in too shallow water to assist. However, with an incoming tide, they were able to get themselves off.

“This is an extremely dangerous piece of water and it is best to give it a very wide berth.

“VMR has assisted many vessels there, some, unfortunately, not able to be retrieved due to the

shallow water and extreme wave action.”

VMR’s Hastings vessel also towed a boat which had run out of fuel to Warneet. “As all of this was happening, one of our members was cruising home after a morning’s fishing and came across a vessel with engine issues,” Mr Cooper said. “He assisted that boat back to Hastings.”

He said rescue crews “covered a lot of miles in 25 hours”.

Earlier, on Port Phillip, a Volunteer Marine Rescue Mornington crew assisted a broken down boat from the other side of the bay, Saturday afternoon 11 July.

“It had come from Werribee for a spot of fishing, but then broke down requiring assistance,” VMR president Neil Cooper said.

“Mornington’s vessel AK1 attended and towed the 4.57-metre vessel with three people aboard to Martha Cove while a relative drove the trailer around to collect them.

“Although we always try to return vessels to the ramp they launch from, sometimes it is just too far to tow. In this instance we were directed

by Water Police to tow to the nearest safest harbor.”

Hastings car fire A CAR fire at Hastings last week is being investigated by the police. Hastings CFA crews responded to the call at the corner of Hendersons Road and Pineview Lane, 4pm, Thursday 9 July. The VW Amarok was well alight.

Porsche down and out CAR thieves trying to steal a 2020 Porsche from the garage of a Portsea beachfront house early Monday morning may have panicked before driving the car over a 2.5-metre cliff.

Unable to drive the Porsche, the offenders then made their getaway by stealing a Mercedes Benz.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Shane Moodie, of Somerville CIU, said two or possibly three offenders entered the garage of the Point Nepean Road property, 2am, Monday 13 July.

“It appears one of the offenders reversed the new Porsche out of the garage and over the cliff where it remained,” Detective Moodie said.

The car’s owner awoke when he heard noise and went to investigate. He was punched in the face as he tried to prevent the other offender from stealing a Mercedes C63 from the garage.

He fell to the ground with minor injuries.

Highway patrol police pursued the Mercedes along Point Nepean Road and onto Peninsula Link without success. It was later found dumped in Langwarrin.

Detective Moodie said there were “no suspects at this stage”. One offender is described as “short and wearing a white top and white surgical mask”. The other offender was not seen but the victim believes they spoke to each other “in a foreign language”.

Paraglider safe THE police Air Wing used a dye marker to signal the location of a paraglider’s kite floating off St Andrews beach on the weekend.

Acting Sergeant Ron Trainer, of Rosebud police, said 000 callers had reported a “possible person in distress” after seeing a paraglider ditch into rough seas, 3pm, Sunday 12 July.

Crews from Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad retrieved the kite but there was no sign of the pilot. Witnesses said he managed to untangle himself and make it to shore unharmed before leaving the scene without giving his name and address.

“We attended and recovered the kite and it is now at Rosebud police station,” Sergeant Trainer

said. “When the owner comes to collect it we can piece the jigsaw together.”

House destroyed A WEATHERBOARD house was destroyed by fire during an early morning blaze at Red Hill last week.

Incident controller Graeme Briggs, of Balnarring CFA, said the house near the corner of Red Hill and Dunn’s Creek roads had been on fire “for some time” when they arrived, 6am, Tuesday 7 July. Crews from Red Hill, Balnarring, Somers and Bittern were on the scene until 11.30am.

Smoke alert for CFA ROSEBUD and Rye CFA crews managed to contain a blaze to the one property at Capel Sound, 4pm, Tuesday 7 July.

Smoke was visible from the fire station when crews raced to the Wyuna Street house which was joined to its neighbour by a common wall.

Crews who entered the brick house were later required to decontaminate as protection against possible asbestos in the building.

They were on the scene for about 60 minutes.

Shed fire CFA brigades from Rosebud, Dromana, Mount Martha, Boneo and Narre Warren rushed to a shed fire at Rosebud South last week. The building was fully alight when they arrived, 6.35pm, Monday 6 July.

The firefighters blamed a high fuel load and structural instability for hampering their efforts to control the blaze. It was only brought under control when they forced their way into the rear of the shed.

Three-time winners ROSEBUD and Rye CFA units helped the Fire Rescue Victoria pumper to extinguish a shed fire at Capel Sound, 5am, Friday 10 July.

The fire in Tarwarri Avenue was the third “significant structure” fire the crews tackled in the area in a week.

TRANSMEND FLOATS, TRUCKS & TRAILERS Custom Floats Building Floats & Trailers

• Obligation Free Quotes!

• Workmanship Guaranteed!

• Manufactured to your specification All Repairs & Servicing

• New Windows Front & Side • New Roofs • Rust Repairs • Small or Large Repairs • Chassis Work

• Paint Work • Lights & Rewiring • Floor Replacement or Repairs

• New Checkerplate & Rubber Flooring

2/8 Simcock St, Somerville Vic 3912 T: 03 59 77 66 77 email: transmend@bigpond.com (*conditions apply) Western Port News 15 July 2020

PAGE 9

NEWS DESK CEO blocks budget backflip

Plover’s seven years of disappointment

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker has ended a bid by Cr Hugh Fraser to have the council take a step back and reject a budget adopted at its 23 June meeting.

Cr Fraser had sought to overturn decisions which included abolishing the contentious rural living rate and excluded the fees and charges schedule.

However, Mr Baker last week used his powers to block Cr Fraser’s plan, last month’s resolution had already been put into motion and a statutory process commenced. “Accordingly, I consider this matter to be outside the powers of council and vague and unclear,” he said.

Cr Fraser had wanted council to stand by the draft 2020/21 budget adopted on 23 March.

He said the CEO’s decision was “denying council the opportunity to debate and adopt that draft budget on 14 July and get on with the capital works and priority projects and other council spending provided in that 23 March draft budget”. Stephen Taylor

IT can be hard to keep track of hooded plovers as they flit around from one place to another, unrestrained by any travel bans.

But, dedicated followers of the locally endangered birds can sometimes manage to build up a character study of individual birds.

One such bird, UJ, was first tagged as a 28-day-old chick on 5 April 2013 at Hamers Haven, on the Bass Coast.

Last week, she was near Mushroom Reef, Flinders a place that in some ways UJ has come to call home.

Although a blood sample was taken from UJ seven years ago bird banders were unable to determine her gender.

In subsequent years UJ was found to be female, laying eggs in at least 11 nests (usually no more than a small hollow in the sand) over the past five years.

Unfortunately, no volunteers from the dedicated Friends of the Hooded Plover has ever seen a chick hatched in one of UJ’s chosen home sites.

“The failures of theses nests have included tidal inundation, various predators and also unknown causes,” Friends of the Hooded Plover (Mornington Peninsula) president Mark Lethlean said.

“She has had a few partners over the years, including a young bird from Phillip Island flagged Yellow 52, who we know from DNA tests to be male.”

Although it is unlikely that UJ and Y52 are still a breeding pair, they were both back on the Mornington Peninsula this month.

UJ at Flinders and Y52 at St Andrews, near Rye. Mr Lethlean photographed Y52 feeding with a flock of 20 birds last week and photographer with The News Gary Sissons took shots of UJ at Flinders.

While the locally endangered hooded plover numbers appeared to be on the increase between 2016 and 2018, when 25 birds fledged, or reached the flying stage, things have dropped since, with numbers being more than halved.

“We have seen more nest failures lately, which means less chicks hatching and in collaboration with BirdLife Australia and Parks Victoria we are currently looking to investigate the possible causes,” Mr Lethlean said.

Hooded plovers have a precarious survival rate, with just 25 chicks fledging in the two breeding seasons between 2016 and 2018 from 341 eggs laid in 156 nests. Just 98 of the eggs hatched.

Over the two following years the number of eggs dropped to 271, resulting in 61 chicks of which 12 fledged.

Only once in four years did the number of survivours reach the number regarded as necessary for the hooded plovers to maintain a viable population.

Keith Platt

JPs available DURING the COVID-19 pandemic the closest Justice of the Peace signing centre for the Mornington Peninsula is at Frankston Police station.

JPs are available 10am-3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays take affadavits, statutory declarations and certify national and international documents.

Signing centres at Carrum Downs, Mornington, Rosebud and Hastings will reopen when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Call 1300 365 567.

Picture: Gary Sissons

Climate changing penguins’ choice of food Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au SCIENTISTS are trying to find out if there is a link between climate change and the food of choice for little penguins.

With rookeries at Phillip Island and on a breakwater near St Kilda, the penguins are frequently seen in Port Phillip and Western Port.

Although it is estimated the penguins eat more than 100 tonnes of sardine each breeding season, their popularity with tourists earns more money for Victoria than all its commercial fisheries.

Their diet has proved to be more varied than previously known and researchers say future-proofing their prey is essential for the penguins’ long-term survival.

The waters of south-eastern Australia are regarded as a climate change hotspot, warming at four times the global average. Protecting the prey of little penguins may also benefit the health of the whole marine system, according to an Australian Research Council (ARC)-funded study led by Monash University and Phillip Island Nature Parks scientists.

The study sets a new baseline for long-term monitoring of Bass Strait food webs.

Scientists have developed a novel index to determine the availability of the little penguins’ prey availability from what they eat, how much and how hard they have to work hunting during their high-energy period of breeding.

The researchers found that the penguins extracted around 1300 tonnes of biomass from their coastal ecosystem over two breeding seasons, including

PAGE 10

Western Port News

Picture: Yanni

219 tonnes of the commercially important sardine and 215 tonnes of red cod.

“As marine environments are increasingly affected by human pressures and climate change, marine food webs are changing,” study author Dr

15 July 2020

Catherine Cavallo said.

“If little penguins can maintain breeding by switching prey to match availability, they may be more resilient to these changes than specialist predators.”

Phillip Island Nature Park marine scientist, Associate Professor André Chiaradia said analysing the penguins’ diet “is a good way of monitoring how marine life is affected by climate change, pollution and other environ-

mental changes."

This latest study follows research last year by a team which found that about one quarter of the little penguins’ diet consisted of jellyfish and salps – tiny tube-like animals not generally thought to be an important food source for penguins.

Earlier research showed that penguins mostly consumed small fish – anchovies, sardines and immature reef fish.

In the latest research Cavallo collected and used DNA to analyse penguin faeces.

Previously, penguins were made to vomit up their dinner when they came back to shore, which only revealed the food that was the hardest to digest, such as fish bones or squid beaks.

The DNA tests from about 400 penguins showed the more varied diet.

However, the findings are unable to show whether penguins eat jellies and salps because there are fewer fish in Bass Strait, or whether it has always been part of their diet.

“We know that penguins are opportunistic feeders,” Cavallo said. “They eat what's available, and can snack on more than one kind of food.”

It was also known that jellyfish proliferate when oceans become more acidic – one of the effects of climate change. Jellies and salps are less nutritious than small fish and contain less protein.

Cavallo says her research has established a more comprehensive baseline for the little penguin diet, but the question remains: are penguins filling up on junk food out of necessity?

Su p p o r t t he Mo rn i n g ton Peninsula b e in g d e si g n ate d regional Thank you to all of you who have contacted local MPs and contacted us to show support for our push for Mornington Peninsula to be designated as regional.

As a community we must band together and get behind this issue.

There are many benefits to the Mornington Peninsula being designated as regional.

One being that we wouldn’t be in lockdown for the next six weeks and beyond.

The formal designation of the Mornington Peninsula as a ‘region’ rather than a metropolitan community is a priority pillar of the Committee for Mornington Peninsula (CfMP). Regional Victoria has access to a wide range of Victorian Government initiatives through agencies such as Regional Development Victoria.

These include reductions in payroll tax, land tax, and access to the $500m Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund to assist overcoming the challenges that come with living and working outside of urban areas. The Mornington Peninsula also misses out on additional NDIS support, living away from home allowances for students, financial incentives for employers to take on apprentices and a number of agricultural support programs.

Although regional by nature, the entire Mornington Peninsula forms part of Metropolitan Melbourne. This mean Mornington Peninsula residents and businesses face all the challenges of a regional community, without access to crucial funding and support received by other regional areas.

Just this week the Prime Minister announced special visas for Hong Kong residents to come to regional Australia to fill skill shortages. The Mornington Peninsula won’t have access to this program because we are considered metropolitan Melbourne. We welcome you to get involved in supporting our advocacy and research into the Mornington Peninsula becoming a region.

How can you help?

Head to our webpage www.committeeformp.com.au/newsand-media/push-for-regionalisation-ofmornington-peninsula/ and: Sign the e-petition An e-petition is currently live on the Victorian Parliament website. We would encourage everyone to sign this petition and share it with your local networks.

Complete the CfMP Survey of Local Issues Our current survey covers a number of local issues, including regional designation.

COMMITTEE FOR

MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Western Port News 15 July 2020

PAGE 11

LETTERS

Letters - 300 words maximum and including full name, address and contact number - can be sent to The News, PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or emailed to: team@mpnews.com.au

Opposition leader should keep quiet unless he can be helpful It was encouraging to see the government and opposition parties at federal level cooperating to get the COVID-19 pandemic under control and devising plans to support people and the economy as much as possible.

What a contrast at state level in Victoria. There can be no doubt that Premier Daniel Andrews is doing his best to control the virus in Victoria despite the extremely bad luck that has seen it spike again. This is not Dan Andrews’ fault, yet his calm amazes me as he continues to handle the situation while opposition leader Michael O’Brien keeps pecking at his head like a demented magpie.

If Michael O’Brien cannot say anything helpful he should just keep his mouth shut. I rush to turn the TV off every time the ABC, trying to be even-handed, gives him an opportunity to make his usual vitriolic comments.

James McLoughlin, Balnarring

‘Confident’ in Andrews I would like to commend [Victorian Premier] Dan Andrews for the fine job he is doing to protect us all despite his detractors.

I don’t feel let down by him. He is making the decisions on advice of the state health officer and can’t be held accountable for the stupidity and selfishness of those who were continually flouting the advice to self isolate by sneaking out to parties or people who decided to go to holiday homes in Portsea after Aspen skiing trips and demonstrating in defiance of the advice given.

I didn’t realise how affluent we have become when we’re prepared to fork out $1600 dollar fines without batting an eye so that we can sneak out.

I find it obscene to think that people actually think that Andrews would put Victorians’ lives at risk so that he can play (as some people call him) Dictator Dan, when all the while he has our interest at heart.

The other states haven’t copped what we have endured, but give it time.

We haven’t had the wash up from the Ruby Princess fiasco from NSW and other states are again receiving overseas tourists.

It’s time we realised just how virulent this virus is. I don’t have confidence in [Prime Minister Scott] Morrison who seems to be riding on the coat tails of the decisions of the states and, lets face it, he’s still got bushfire victims waiting in the wings for the assistance promised.

I certainly don’t have confidence in the state Liberal leader Michael O’Brien and his mob. All they do is carp and don’t offer solutions. Lets hope this lockdown will be successful in easing the situation and we can get back to some form of normalcy by adhering to the advice given to us.

John Cain, McCrae

out your houses before lockdown. In Andrews’s defense he did say “don’t go to your holiday home”.

I wonder how many of those coming down here have been tested [for COVID-19]? Also, thank you for not social distancing in the shopping precinct down here.

As a 74-year-old I have sorely missed knowing that we on the peninsula no longer hold the distinction of having one of highest level of confirmed cases of the virus in Victoria and also for not forcing me to further restrict my movements and exercise time.

The original outbreak of the virus was brought here by returned travelers from Aspen who needed to holiday here.

So thank you for bolting down here before the total lockdown came into effect, for not social distancing on the streets, letting your dogs run along streets and almost causing accidents as you take your exercise, and also for almost forcing me into total hibernation for six weeks.

Oh, I forgot too thank you for bleeding our supermarkets dry and me possibly having to get up at 6am to get food, if there is anything left on the shelves, and for also clogging our limited medical resources.

So reiterating: on behalf of the peninsula’s permanent residents, thank you to all the those that have come down. Thank you for not observing the premier’s instructions to stay home in your principal place of residence and potentially raising the risk for community transmission of the virus on the peninsula.

John Zacek, Rye

Welcome back I assume some 99.9 per cent of those with holiday houses came to the Mornington Peninsula last week for a calmer feeling of safety, and near enough to 100 per cent of the 99.9 per cent free of the virus.

Welcome. With the utmost respect, kindly allow me to make the one suggestion: do your supermarket shopping on weekends.

Cliff Ellen, Rye

Labor letdown In March, I was criticised for praising Flinders MP, Health Minister Greg Hunt for his exemplary handling of the COVID-19 pandemic (“Labor would have better ways of tackling COVID-19” Letters 30/3/20).

Given the recent fiasco in hotel quarantine by the Victorian government and its various other miss steps resulting in us once again being in lockdown, I am sure the majority of readers would now wholeheartedly disagree that assertion.

Bill Holmes, Sorrento

‘Thanks’ to visitors

Make it Indigenous

I would like to thank Premier Daniel Andrews for giving all those with holiday houses a 24hour heads up to flood down to the Mornington Peninsula before 11.59pm on the 8 July and also to holiday house rentals a thank you for renting

Frankston’s aquatic centre is called Peninsula.

Hastings’ is Pelican Park. A [private] pool in Mornington is Kings. After all the investment in time and money and all we can come up with is Rosebud, for the reason it’s in Rosebud.

Exercises in isolation

We pay tribute to our Indigenous peoples at every Mornington Peninsula Shire Council meeting. Unless we start putting those words into some sort of practice that’s all they’ll ever be, just words on paper, to be read at the right occasion.

The landscape at the pool should also have a totally with Indigenous flora and theme. It would serve the peninsula’s sustainability and ecological and biodiversity policies and represent our connection to the biosphere reserve of which we are a member. We have all the knowledge expertise and materials to do this in our shire.

Yawa: to swim. It’s a no brainer.

John Blogg, Somers

Pool for Mornington I have been a resident of Mornington for 60 years and write in support of an aquatic centre for Mornington (“Now for Mornington” Letters 30/6/20).

As stated, we are well served for beaches but sadly these are not ideal for children to learn to swim. They are also far too cold for many months of the year for those people who would like to swim in order to keep fit.

Such a venue could incorporate a separate warm water pool for those who need to do Hydrotherapy.

Rosebud’s aquatic centre involved much discussion some of it Ill tempered.

Let’s not go down that track, let’s just agree that we need it and “get on with it”, but definitely not on the foreshore.

Paula Dorrington, Mornington

Historical record Thanks to the cover of the property guide in the 8 July issue of The News, I now have a photo of “Back Road Bob” Cairns’ Fern Villa.

CAIRNS - On the 26 July, Annie Eliza, beloved wife of Robert Cairns, Fern Villa, Rosebud, and mother of David, James, George (deceased), and Godfrey, aged 74. (P.1, Argus, 27/7/1922.)

The blurb on page 3 of the guide gives the address of this historic home as 14-16 Morris Street, but unfortunately repeats the late Peter Wilson’s’/Ray Cairns’ guess that the name was Tornvilla. The print in the Peninsula Post was either too faint or too blurred so a guess was required.

DESPITE Mornington’s University of the Third Age (U3AM) premises being closed since mid-March, about half its classes are still operating.

While email and phone calls keep tutors and students in touch, there has also been a move to Zoom.

Physiotherapist Helen Gordon’s exercise group Shake, Rattle & Roll, had a waiting list but now, with online Zoom, numbers can be unlimited.

Gordon leads from in front of a TV screen and more than 60 students are regularly following her movements in their own homes.

U3AM president Dr John Beaney and his wife Beryl took care of the Zoom set-up for Gordon, who broadcasts her weekly sessions from their home.

A letter in the same edition rightly points out that Rosebud does not describe the area for which the aquatic centre is being built (“Rosebud inappropriate” Letters). But the letter also repeats the old Furphy that Rosebud was originally called Banksia Point. There was only one Banksia Point in Australia - at Katoomba.

The vessel Rosebud ran aground in late May 1855, not 1851, and Edward William Hobson was no longer a pastoralist at the time. After George Smith had transferred the lease of Tootgarook back to him in 1850, he immediately transferred it to James Purves.

Peter Wilson correctly stated that Hobson became the sole owner of the Rosebud in mid-1854 but was unaware that the sheriff had impounded the vessel early in 1855 due to unpaid crew wages and port fees.

Purves had bought the schooner by March 1955 and insured it for 700 pounds.

Ray Gibb, Rosebud.

Vegan protection Victoria is again in stage-three lockdown, state borders are closed, and COVID-19 news is again accompanied by pictures of slaughterhouses.

Two workers have tested positive at an abattoir in Brooklyn and another abattoir in Thomastown, while hundreds of others are being tested.

This follows the closure in April of Cedar Meats, which was the centre of a cluster of over one hundred cases of COVID-19.

Slaughterhouses are toxic for the humans who work there and the animals who suffer and die there. But they are ideal for viruses, since people work in close proximity and social distancing is not possible.

In Australia, the injury and illness rate for workers in the meat industry is four times the national average since staff are often forced to work at reckless speeds to maximise production.

Australian abattoirs and factory farms are every bit as filthy as the wet market in China where the coronavirus is believed to have originated.

A colossal 75 per cent of recently emerging infectious diseases affecting humans are transmitted from other animals.

Going vegan is the best way to protect workers, prevent future pandemics, and spare animals from needless suffering.

Desmond Bellamy, PETA Australia

Advertisement

JOBS - Unused industrial land right at our doorstep!

For decades, opportunities to create new local jobs have been staring us in the face but lost because of re-zoning delays and indecision by the MORNINGTON PENINSULA SHIRE. Growing industries mean new jobs.

Council should be encouraging new business to our area and urging existing businesses to expand.

• Now as the recession bites, the debacle of not unlocking the land must end!

• Procrastinating and dithering over sensible proposals and applications is inexcusable.

• Wasting millions on legal actions and compliance issues is unjustifiable to ratepayers.

REZONE THE THREE PROPOSED SITES & LET THE MARKET DECIDE WHICH IS THE MOST SUITABLE To meet demands of this unprecedented pandemic and economic recession, the Shire needs to be proactive and let common sense prevail, not red/green-tape, Consultants or Bureaucrats.

For further information visit www.stefanborzecki.com and send me your comments.

Watsons Ward – Somerville, Tyabb, Baxter & Moorooduc

PAGE 12

Western Port News

15 July 2020

Authorised by Stefan S Borzecki 2 Lumeah Road Somerville Vic 3912

Western Port

property

ELEMENTAL LUXURY PAGE 3 WEDNESDAY 15th JULY 2020

BAXTER, SOMERVILLE, TYABB, HASTINGS, BITTERN, CRIB POINT, BALNARRING, BALNARRING BEACH, FLINDERS

Speak to your agent about listing on realestateview.com.au.

Be seen everywhere.

‘a lifestyle village for the over 50’s’ 249 High Street, Hastings, 3915 www.peninsulaparklands.com.au

NEW

$210,000 u u u u

Bed

Bath

Car

2

1

1

Large lounge & dining area Galley kitchen with upright stove Two large bedroom both w/BIR’s Separate laundry and bathroom

$220,000 u u u u

Bed

Bath

Car

2

1

1

Kitchen with great bench space Lounge room with air-conditioning Renovated bathroom and laundry Rear verandah, single carport

$230,000 u u u u

Bed

Bath

Car

2

1

1

Fantastic open plan Kitchen plus separate dining area Lounge with air-conditioning Single garage with roll-a-door

SOLD

$235,000 u u u u

Bed

Bath

Car

2

1

1

$250,000

u Kitchen/diner with bay window Lounge and main bedroom both with air-con u u Separate bathroom and laundry u Front & rear verandahs, lock-up storage

Bed

Bath

Car

2

1

1

Huge lounge with new carpet Both bedrooms have BIR’s Kitchen with great bench space Veranda and a single carport

$260,000 u u u u

u u u u

Bed

Bath

Car

2

1

1

Fantastic open floor plan Huge kitchen and dining area Lounge room with air-conditioning Single garage with auto roller door

$290,000 u u u u

Bath

Car

2

1

1

Fantastic floor plan Huge kitchen & dining area Large lounge with air-conditioning European laundry

SOLD

NEW

$280,000

Bed

Bed

Bath

Car

2

1

1

Two bedrooms with BIR’s Large lounge with raked ceiling Spacious kitchen/dining area Garden shed, single garage

$325,000 u u u u

Bed

Bath

Study

Car

2

1

1

1

Open plan living Kitchen with great bench space Lounge room with raked ceilings 2.2 K/W solar system has been installed

To arrange your site inspection contact David Nelli 0403 111 234 or at the office on 5979 2700 Email: david@peninsulaparklands.com.au mpnews.com.au

Wednesday, 15th July, 2020

WESTERN PORT NEWS

Page 2

ON THE COVER

CONTEMPORARY LIFESTYLE LIVING AT ITS BEST OFFERING a stunning seaside escape to enjoy throughout the seasons, this incredible back beach property is a contemporary masterpiece with a sublime native coastal backdrop.

Beautifully crafted and thoughtfully designed to nestle amongst the natural fauna, the home offers a wonderfully unique living experience on a scale rarely seen with expansive light filled living effortlessly flowing to grand outdoor zones and a spectacular in-ground solar heated pool. Upon entry a feature limestone wall makes an eye-catching first impression with a long hallway creating two separate wings. Handsome engineered oak floors take you through to a show stopping main living zone highlighted by a superb recycled red brick open fire place and large panels of glass that run from end to end creating a vivid snapshot of the outdoor aspect. The sophisticated central kitchen brings all the elements together with wonderful use of wood and stone combined with feature tiling and a striking window splashback. A range of Smeg appliances include a 900 millimetre oven with gas cook tops, there is a built-in coffee machine and a microwave with a dishwasher incorporated into the lovely island bench. To the west wing are the four bedrooms; each with a distinct style that in equal parts embrace both a rustic and nautical aesthetic. The intriguing master bedroom has oak floors and seamlessly connects with an enormous ensuite showcasing a stone bath and a fully-tiled frameless glass shower which has a rainfall shower head. An equally spacious and well-appointed main bathroom featuring floor to ceiling tiles, dual vanities and a deep soaker bath caters to the three remaining bedrooms. Externally, the home continues to impress and amaze with the wonderful timber deck poised to soak up the summer sun whilst affording an outlook across the 1105 square metre block. The pool is securely fenced and there is an undercover alfresco for sheltered outdoor dining. From the street, a sealed drive leads to a garage and there is an additional parking bay.n

HOME ESSENTIALS

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

ADDRESS: 6 Beryl Place, RYE FOR SALE: Price On Application DESCRIPTION: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 car INSPECT: By Appointment AGENT: Sam Crowder 0403 893 724, Crowders Real Estate, 2375a Point Nepean Road, Rye, 5983 3038 mpnews.com.au

Wednesday, 15th July, 2020

WESTERN PORT NEWS

Page 3

INTRODUCING

W AT E R F A L L G A R D E N S ROSEBU D

Photo is indicative only.

A boutique community of luxury, 2 & 3 bedroom single level homes.

These residences, in the heart of an established neighbourhood in Rosebud, set the scene for a new enclave of luxurious living. Combining cosmopolitan

All homes feature:

• • • • •

Premium finishes including stone benchtops Quality appliances Master with WIR & ensuite 6 star energy rating Low maintenance living

inner-city styling with a sublime coastal setting, located opposite Bay Views Golf Course and only a short drive to Rosebud beach.

PRICED FROM $534,500 - $659,000

D i s p l a y s u i t e at 6 1 F a i r w a y G r o v e , R o s e b u d Open By Appointment

Development by:

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N P L E AS E C O N TAC T:

Robert Bowman: 0417 173 103 robert@bowmanandcompany.com.au

Darren Sadler: 0448 947 622 darren.sadler@granger.com.au

71-77 Hove Road & 61 Fairway Grove, Rosebud

mpnews.com.au

Wednesday, 15th July, 2020

WESTERN PORT NEWS

Page 4

20 STEPS

TO BUILDING, RENOVATING AND DECORATING YOUR HOME

1 peninsula home 1128 - 1132 nepean hwy mornington 03 5973 4899 luducoliving.com.au

UPDATE YOUR FURNISHING

FOR ALL YOUR HEATING & COOLING NEEDS

2 INSTALL HEATING & COOLING

3 UPGRADE YOUR FLOORING

4 HAVE A STEEL FRAME BUILT

5 FURNISH YOUR WINDOWS

Peninsula Home | 1128-1132 Nepean Highway | Mornington VIC 3931 | PH: ( 03) 5976 7343

foxysappliances.com.au

We’ll help you find the floor you’ve been searching for.

Choices Flooring by Smiths Shop 1, Cnr Bruce St & Tyabb Rd,

As classified as an essential trade we are still open for business

Mornington • 5975 2600

choicesflooring.com.au

Please call if you would like an appointment

carpet | timber | luxury vinyl | laminate | bamboo | vinyl FRANKSTON

FRANKSTON

• Residential structural steel • Handyman and landscaping steel supplies • Agent for BOC gas GET IN TOUCH TODAY: 03 9776 9611 www.frankstonsteelsupplies.com.au

OPENING HOURS: 8.00 - 4.30 (Mon-Fri), 8.00 - 12.00 (Sat)

ADDRESS: 31 Hartnett Dve, Seaford, Vic

Quality Outdoor Blinds & Awnings Expert Advice. Quality Materials. Customised Solutions.

Outdoor Blinds & Awnings, Plantation Shutters, Bi-folding Panels, Skylight Panels, Roller Shutters, Outdoor Electric Heaters.

Plus we offer a choice of fabrics & colours for your indoor blinds

21/61 Frankston Gardens Drive, Carrum Downs www.undercoverblinds.com.au info@undercoverblinds.com.au

Western Port News

15 July 2020

PAGE 17

20 STEPS

TO BUILDING, RENOVATING AND DECORATING YOUR HOME

6 UPDATE YOUR POWER TOOLS

7 HAVE YOUR POOL OR SPA SERVICED

Water Testing

FREE Water Testing Swimart Mornington Peninsula Home D3/1128-1132 Nepean Hwy, Mornington VIC 3931 (03) 5976 4334

swimart.com.au

Pumps & Filters

Chlorinators & Purifiers

the heart of your swimming pool system

a great range to suit your requirements

Pool Cleaners a great range of cleaners to suit your pool size

We provide onsite servicing, regular pool and spa maintenance, pool plumbing, problem solving, equipment installation, stain treatments and much more!

8 INSTALL A LIFT

9 HAVE A CARPORT OR PERGOLA INSTALLED

OUTDOOR LIVING & CARPORT SPECIALIST • PERGOLAS • DECKING • CARPORTS • LANDSCAPING • CONCRETING • PERMITS • PLANS • RENOVATIONS • FULLY INSURED

Call Steve 0487 779 800 www.conventionalcarports.com.au

10

we TINT so we

from the OUTSIDE 100% PRIVACY

$1695.00 LATEST CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY Sedan*

HAVE YOUR WINDOWS TINTED Western Port News 15 July 2020

from the INSIDE you LOOK CLEARLY OUT

[

Af ter P R I VA C Y & SECURIT Y? FEEL SAFE & SECURE IN YOUR OWN HOME

www.toptint.com.au 41 Progress St Mornington

PAGE 18

12454673-FA29-20

#

A WARRANTY IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE COMPANY THAT STANDS BEHIND IT

20 STEPS

TO BUILDING, RENOVATING AND DECORATING YOUR HOME

11

12

DeckSeal specialize in the restoration & preservation of timber decks. Our services extend to timber screens, benches, boxes, cladding, doors, windows & also concrete cleaning & sealing.

We do it all from deck sanding, cleaning and sealing through to timber maintenance. Residential & Commercial.

Continually delivering a beautiful & long-lasting deck surface.

IMPROVE YOUR DECK

Call, email or visit our website for more information. phone: 1800 DECKCLEAN (1800 332 525) email: info@deckseal.com.au www.deckseal.com.au

Bathrooms, Laundries & Kitchens on a budget

13 CHOOSE FITTINGS FOR YOUR BATHROOM

14 INSTALL A PUMP SYSTEM

15 HAVE YOUR ROOF REPAIRED OR CLEANED

www.dreamdoors.com.au

12453788-RC29-20

Your dream kitchen awaits...

CA

97 LL US 82 TO 16 DAY 22

• Showers • Baths • Vanities • Toilets • Troughs • Sinks • Tapware & more Peninsula Plumbing Clearance Centre 10/684-700 Frankston Dandenong Rd, Carrum Downs www.pensinsulaplumbingclearance.com.au

CALL IN AND SAVE $$$

Cafa’s Pumps & Electric Motors 124 DENHAMS ROAD KOOWEERUP • Solar powered bore and Dam pumps available • Large range of House and Farm Pumps instore • Range of Water Filtration on display

Ph: 5997 2188 Mobile: 0429 411 345 email: sales@cafaspumps.com.au www.cafaspumps.com.au

12421240-RC27-19

UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN

Mornington Peninsula based, family owned and operated, contact us on 0412 100 141 for a roof health assessment Services include: • Tile & Metal Roof Restorations • New Tile Roofs & Extensions • Roof Repairs High Pressure Cleaning • Installation of Gutter Protection systems • Fully Insured & Workmanship Guaranteed

www.allswellroofing.com.au Western Port News

15 July 2020

PAGE 19

20 STEPS

after

• • • • •

“For Excellence in Quality and Service” Call Chris for a FREE Quote on 0417 154 490 www.affordablesolarsolutions.melbourne

before

17

20 Year industry leading warranty Seamless injection moulded flashing NFRC energy rated & tested Australian designed, owned & made Choice of diffusers

Display now open at: Home Innovations Shop 10/111 Cranbourne Road, Frankston

Experienced Concreter for: • Driveways • Patios • Garage Sheds • House Slabs• All Types of Concreting • Exposed Aggregate • Plain & Coloured

CONCRETE YOUR DRIVEWAY OR YARD

Call Anthony for a free quote on 0423 808 691

12453633-RC29-20

16 HAVE A SKYLIGHT INSTALLED

TO BUILDING, RENOVATING AND DECORATING YOUR HOME

Based on the Mornington peninsula “keep it local, use a local”.

Mornington Peninsula Electrical

18

All aspects of electrical work LED downlights • Faults • Switchboard upgrades • Call for a quote

Michael 0418 957 407

UPDATE YOUR ELECTRICS

REC18106 12453896-CG29-20

Westernport Home maintenance

19 12391459-SN27-18

MAINTAIN YOUR HOME

Inside & Outside Home Maintenance Painting, Garden Care, Window Cleaning, Gutter Cleaning & Deck Re-staining

Call Peter: 0414 528 720 peter.maybus@gmail.com The Specialist in Mobility and Home Living Aids

20

WESTERNPORT MOBILITY HOME LIVING + HIRE

• Service • Battery tests • Repairs • Accessories • Home Hire

WE REMAIN OPEN FOR BUSINESS! IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE PAGE 20

Western Port News 15 July 2020

We’re local and we come to you!

• During this difficult time, we will remain open whilst permitted.

• We offer FREE HOME DELIVERY* on all products.

• Just call 03 5979 8374 or 1800 449 452.

• Practicing Social Distancing

The One Stop Mobility & Home Living Shop Shop 6-7, 28 Victoria Street, Hastings. PH: 1800 449 452

*

conditions apply

100 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK...

A visit to Balnarring - Thoughts about the peninsula’s future Compiled by Cameron McCullough AWAY in the bygone past, when the pioneering stalwarts battled grimly with Nature and misfortune to make the Mornington Peninsula a fit place for the orchardist, the pastoralist, and the agriculturist, some doughty old settlers smiled meaningly at the hardships of the pioneering life.

They worked day and night, from sunrise to sunset, and late into the night.

They smiled in those days of woe, simply because they were peering into the microscope of the future, and there they detected visionary glimpses of those more successful days which ultimately became realities.

Much the same today, we are peering into the future, as have done the forefathers of many residents here today.

On Saturday last “The Standard’s” representative had the pleasure of visiting Balnarring with representative Frankston sports.

Despite the chilly extremity of the breezes, it was a very pleasing outing.

It gave to me a glimpse of the country between Frankston and Balnarring. And, in turn, that glimpse gave rise to these thoughts, which I here subscribe, as I passed.

But, first, I must say something about what caught my eye.

One of these sightly things was the adorable, flowering wattles those soft, downy, little petals resonant of Nature’s love which moved the heart of Adam Lindsay Gordon, and made that joyous singer of sweet verse, the late Miss Jennings Carmichael, glory in its ecstacies.

Really, the wattles at the Bittern

railway station were lovely. It is one of Nature’s whimsicalities to please the eye, and the wattles at Bittern have surely had that happy result many times.

The homes en route are another pleasing sight. There are, indeed, some very fine homes to be seen.

In front, are “the smiles of the rose,” the purity of the lily, and the various exquisite beauties of floriculture; at the side, mostly shrubberis, but sometimes the useful cabbage and carrot.

These homes indicate the general nature of the country. In a desolate country, remarkable for its un-productivity, one does not see fine homes like these.

In the distance one’s eye detected the silvery waters of Westernport Bay, but almost everywhere, through the horticultural districts, we were rushing swiftly past young, but vigorous crops, past sheep and cattle grazing in the fields, past wealth giving orchards.

There were vistas of rural scenery unfolded one to the minute.

As we sped past urban scenes, through sylvan groves, one could not help thinking of mystical lore.

Here, surely, the mystic Pan would have delighted to make music on his mystic pipes; here, amongst the noble avenues of gums, and the ti-tree thickets, one might, like the visionaries, see the hiding planes of fearful dryads.

We did not have the chance to visualise the Baxter district, but appearances suggested that Tyabb, Hastings, and Somerville enjoy that spirit and atmosphere that serves to denote

general prosperity and the demeane of rural hospitality.

In short time, these places will thrive.

They are fostering the co-operative spirit, uniting the producers into a compact body with a unity of purpose and the desire to improve the district as a whole.

Bittern and Balnarring, both handy to the Naval Base, are more strictly devoted to agricultural and pastoral industries.

Balnarring is on the maps alright, but it is difficult for one so prosaic as the average journalist to say precisely whether its a township, a village, or just merely a place.

Take away Stone’s Store, the Church of England, and the Mechanics’ Hall, and Balnarring has gone.

All the residences are farm-houses, and are very scattered.

But there’s money in Balnarring the rich pastures, the grassy solitudes, and the cultivated fields alike prove that.

Unlike many other places to my knowledge, Balnarring does not forget those who paved the way in the early days.

In its public hall, it has some of their photos, including one of the Hon. Alfred Downward, M.L.A. who for the past 25 years has represented the Mornington Peninsula in the State Legislature.

The photo of Mr. Peter Nowlan, who, from 1868 to 1897, as Shire Secretary of the Flinders Shire Council, is there; likewise those of Messrs John Davies, Robert Stanley, and David Mars, three old pioneers, who took an active part in municipal life

for more than 20 years.

Men like Messrs William Davies, Robert Johnson, George Cole, John Campbell Downward, William Hurley, John Buckley, John Oswin, Paul Van Suylen, Edward Downward, Edward Stanley, and Captain Bryant Tonkin are all honored in the same style.

Some have crossed the Great Divide, some are here yet, but Balnarring pays tribute in the truly thankful spirit. *** A NOTE of simplicity is shown in the smart bathing costume worn by Viola Dana in “Some Bride” at the Frankston Pictures Saturday night. *** WIDOWS, orphans, widowed mothers and other immediate dependents of deceased soldiers, and also the more seriously disabled soldiers, are entitled to claim from the A.I.F Canteen Funds Trust.

Particulars may be obtained from Mr E. Barrett, secretary of the Frankston Repatriation Committee, Frankston. *** FOR Children’s Hacking Cough, Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. *** AT the monthly meeting of the Frankston Mechanics’ Committee held on Monday evening there were present – Cr. W. P. .Mason (president), Cr Oates, Messrs W. W. Young, P. Wheeler, W. Crawford Young and the secretary, C. Dalman.

An offer from the Sale library to exchange books periodically was considered.

It was thought that the idea could be

better worked between towns closer together.

Miss P. Twining, secretary of the Welcome Home Committee, wrote asking permission to place an Honor Board in the main hall.

The request was readily granted.

Mr H. Vicars was elected to fill a vacancy on the committee.

A vote of thanks was passed to Mr James Lambie, of “Karinza”, Mornington Road, for his gift of two framed photographs of Murray district views.

Accounts amounting to £23 17s 3d were passed for payment. *** THE 12.26 p.m. train for Melbourne now leaves Frankston at 12.36, and running express from Mordialloc to Glenhuntley, arrives at Flinders Street at the same time as formerly. *** THE annual statement and balance sheet in connection with the Frankston branch of the Protestant Federation has been prepared and duly audited, and will be presented at the annual meeting of members to be held during the current month. *** NEXT Monday night Mrs Wheeler, the gifted elocutionist will appear in the Frankston Mechanics’ Institute under the auspices of the W.C.T.U. and the Rechabite Lodge.

The recital will be illustrated by lantern views, and the Frankston Brass band will assist. *** FROM the pages of the Mornington Standard, 9 July 1920

ALLSORTS

SECURE STORAGE BRAND NEW FACILITY

$210 per month

 Brand new shipping containers  Secure 24 hour access  Security camera monitoring  Boat/Caravan storage available

CALL NOW! FILLING FAST!

15 Cannery Court, Tyabb – Phone 0439 386 396 allsortsstorage@bigpond.com Western Port News

15 July 2020

PAGE 21

OBITUARY

Ronald Maxwell Whitten – Orchardist, sportsman and family man OBITUARY

Ronald Maxwell Whitten 14 February 1941 – 5 May 2020

By Peter McCullough Life-long district resident Ron Whitten passed away at The Bays Hospital, Mornington on the 5 May at the age of 79. Married to Gail for over 50 years, he was the father of twins Craig and Karen, and of Leanne (deceased); father-in-law of Ian and Miranda; and grandfather of Ellie, Jess and Lachie. Because of existing restrictions, attendance at the funeral, held at White Lady Funerals, Mornington, on 14 May, was limited to family members. The eulogy was given by Ron’s son, Craig, and this obituary is based on his reflections. *** RON Whitten was the son of Frank and Molly Whitten, having an older brother (Malcolm) and a younger brother (Howard). Frank and Molly (nee Hodgins) had been tennis partners for many years before marrying in 1936 and settling at ‘Mile End’ on Stumpy Gully Road in Moorooduc where they built a substantial brick home and established a large apple orchard. This was part of a much larger Whitten partnership which included Les on the corner of Hodgins and Coolart Roads, and Doug at Doncaster. The Whittens also owned a large grazing property at the top of Hodgins Road which stretched through to Balnarring Road.

As a youngster Ron loved riding ‘Grumpy’, the boys’ Shetland pony,

although he had to compete against brother Malcolm, cousin Lance Hodgins and neighbour Graeme Unthank for a spot. Ron also loved

playing football and cricket with his brothers and would later recount how the youngest brother, Howard, would hit a 6 and announce ‘Game over’,

Clockwise from top left: Molly Whitten with Malcolm and baby Ron; Ron Whitten circa 1949; Malcolm, Ron and Howard at Mile End, circa 1952; Ron and Malcolm, circa 1945; Grumpy with Malcolm, Ron and cousin Lance Hodgins.

PAGE 22

Western Port News 15 July 2020

thereby robbing his two older brothers of their chance to bat.

After completing his primary schooling at Hastings Primary, Ron became a boarder at Mentone Grammar. Ron’s recollections of life at a boarding school were not great: it was cold at night as there were no windows on the accommodation block, only chicken wire and shutters. Besides, importantly for Ron, the food wasn’t that good!

However Ron excelled at his studies and was a keen participant in tennis, cricket and football. Craig recalled how, during his own teenage years, he required a cricket ball. His father produced one mentioning, with a faint smile, that he had been presented with the ball after taking a hat-trick in an inter-school game.

Perhaps because of his thirst for knowledge, Ron always enjoyed reading newspapers and at Mentone Grammar he had an understanding with the school gardener, who was a reader of that long defunct paper ‘The Argus’, that when he had finished with it he would leave it in a secret hiding place for Ron to collect.

Ron’s examination results in his final year were particularly good and the Headmaster called him to the office to discuss what course he might pursue at university. It was a short interview as Ron announced his intention was to return to the farm.

Ron Whitten had a life-long interest in harness racing which he inherited from his father, Frank, who owned a number of horses; several,

such as Tara Gold, had considerable success. Harness racing was also an interest of a gentleman in NSW named Harry Wahlstrom who became friends with Frank. More importantly, Harry had a 14 year-old daughter (Gail) who took a fancy to Frank’s 21 year-old son (Ron). They met again when Gail was 18, Ron was 25, and they spent the day walking together around the Liverpool Show in the rain.

Gail and Ron married at Campbell Town, NSW, on 24 January, 1970 but the joy and excitement of the big day was dampened somewhat when they rolled up to the accommodation for their first night as a married couple, only to be told that the proprietor had confused the booking arrangement and another couple had been given their room. Consequently the first night of their honeymoon was spent sleeping in the car at a truck stop!.

For a few years Gail and Ron rented accommodation in Hastings and it was during this time that the twins, Craig and Karen, were born (January,1971) and then Leanne (December,1972). In 1977 the family moved to ‘Dontara’, a 140 acre property in Hodgins Road which Ron had purchased from his parents in the late 1960’s. The new home incorporated a flat at one end which accommodated Gail’s mother for some years.

Although the property in Hodgins Road included a small orchard, Ron ran cattle on most of it and assisted

his brother, Malcolm, who owned an orchard on the other side of the road.

Cricket and football went by the wayside as Ron focussed on tennis; he played competition tennis on a Saturday and for a time was President of the Hastings Tennis Club.

Gail, too, took to the court in those early years.

As the children made their way through school, Ron served for a time on the School Council at Hastings Primary School, and then Hastings Secondary College (now Western Port Secondary College.)

The 22 July, 1990 was the saddest day in the life of Ron, Gail, Craig and Karen when 18 year-old Leanne died in her sleep. She had been diagnosed with diabetes several years earlier but completed her Year 12 successfully and was admitted to a course in public relations at the Warrnambool campus of Deakin University. Leanne had found a pleasant place to board, was enjoying her course, and had been given a clean bill of health by her specialist when having a routine check-up while at home for the mid-year break in June.

As the family prepared to leave for Leanne’s funeral, held on a cold, wet day in the middle of winter, Ron said: “It is important that today is a celebration of Leanne’s life, and not a dark solemn event.” For emphasis, he put on his most brightly coloured tie. Ron’s words gave the other family members the strength to cope with what was to follow.

Ron led an active life working on the farm and neighbouring orchards until he suffered a broken leg in a workplace accident in 1996. A failure of the bone to knit led to two ankle fusions and a slow deterioration in Ron’s mobility until he became a paraplegic. In view of these circumstances, farm life was no longer an option so the property was sold and Gail and Ron retired to Mt. Martha

in 2007. With a further deterioration in Ron’s health it was necessary for him to become a resident of Opalby-the-Bay where he was given excellent care. Fortunately the Centre was located only a short distance from their home in Mt. Martha; close enough for Ron to cover the distance in his motorised wheelchair.

Meanwhile, Karen, who had established a business as a beauty therapist, had married Ian Telfer in 1999 and they had provided two granddaughters: Ellie, now 19 and a psychology student at Monash University, and Jess,16, a Year 10 student at Haileybury College. In 2009 Craig, a qualified valuer, married Miranda James and they have a son, Lachie, who is 8.

Ron was very proud of his children and, in more recent times, his grandchildren. He was so proud of Ellie when she scored 97.2 in her Year 12 and he had a special connection with Jess as he saw in her part of himself: the quiet nature, intelligence, sense of humour, and a doubting of one’s own ability. He adored Lachie (‘my little mate’) and they would race each other around the backyard with Ron on his electric wheelchair and Lachie in his John Deere tractor.

While Gail and the family were paramount in Ron’s consideration, his other primary interests were harness racing and football, in particular the mighty Bombers. He was a quietly spoken, gentle man who handled the pain that he experienced in latter years in a stoic manner. To quote from Craig’s eulogy: “He had much grace and class, he never criticized people and had no tolerance of any type of racism or prejudice; the worst he would say, in his inimitable fashion, was: ‘Everybody sees things in their own different way.’”

Above: Hastings Football Club juniors, circa 1958. Ron, circled.

Right: Ron and Gail on their wedding day, 24 January 1970.

Footnote. The black and white photographs are drawn from the Hodgins family collection. Thanks, Lance.

Clockwise from top left: The Whitten family - Ron, Leanne, Karen, Gail and Craig circa 1988; the three Whitten brothers Howard, Ron and Malcolm circa 2000; Ron and Gail with the twins Karen and Craig circa 2015; Ron with his grandchildren - Jess, Ellie and Lachie circa 2016.

Western Port News

15 July 2020

PAGE 23

PUZZLE ZONE 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

18. Hormone organ 21. Exotic blooms 22. Metric weight units 23. Aimless scribbles

ACROSS 1. Water-related 4. Uncooked bread 7. Eye cosmetic 8. Tropical fruit 9. Begin again 12. Be visible once more 15. Regional speeches 17. Shocking ordeal

DOWN 1. Minor planet 2. Counting frame 3. Heavy soil type 4. Pull 5. Anonymous (source) 6. Hawaiian dance 10. Construct (building) 11. Skirt top

13. Love affairs 14. Sun umbrella 16. Forthright 18. Stare awkwardly 19. Small spots 20. Corrosive substance

Puzzles supplied by Lovatts Publications Pty Ltd www.lovattspuzzles.com See page 26 for solutions.

THE MEANING OF EXISTENCE... AND OTHER SHORT STORIES

The Gypsy Barber Fortune Telling Debacle

By Stuart McCullough WE’VE all had to make sacrifices.

Avoiding family for extended periods of time. Treating on-coming strangers as if they might be radioactive. Piling up furniture against the front door to prevent intruders (who may or may not be zombies) while ruining the lawn as you dig yourself a fall out shelter. But of all these indignities, there is one that rises above any other – not being able to get a haircut.

We’ve all had to endure various degrees of shagginess over the past few months. I had been somewhat preoccupied in the weeks leading up to lockdown, so I’ll admit that I was especially impacted. I have the kind of hair that, notwithstanding its status as a diminishing resource, tends to look wild and demented at a certain point if left to its own devices. I knew that I’d crossed a line when people started referring to me as ‘Einstein’. For a brief and glorious moment, I genuinely believed this was a reference to my awesome intellectual capacity before realizing that I simply needed a haircut.

I am not so much a creature of habit as I am hopelessly habitual. I do the same thing over and over again and take great comfort from order. But sometimes order is not an option.

When I called my barber, the phone rang out. Like a lot of people, he shut up shop for a time as things first started to unfold. I’d been going to the same barber for twenty years or so. There’s a rapport and understanding that you develop with the person who cuts your hair. It’s not something

PAGE 24

you can easily replace. But these were desperate times that called for equally desperate measures.

Things were getting critical and getting to the stage that every time I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I gave myself a little fright. One

Western Port News 15 July 2020

morning I completely terrified myself and hid in a cupboard. The time had come to do something decisive. This would mean either cutting my own hair or finding someone else to do it for me. Given that I have the kind of dexterity that, at times, struggles to

open a packet of Tim Tams, I decided that this was a job best left, if not to experts, then certainly to someone other than myself.

I realize that in this day and age, the Internet gives you a whole host of ways to choose a service provider based on the views of others. Rather than critical acclaim, I used another method – sheer geographical convenience. This meant that I made an appointment with the hairdresser around the corner from my house. It had a sign out the front boasting that the proprietor had undertaken specific training to reduce the risk of infection.

When I arrived, I was handed a business card. Somewhat disconcertingly, the sum total of that training seemed to be a quick squirt of Mr. Sheen in the general direction of the chair.

I’ll admit, I found it kind of threatening. Rather than the easy conversation I was used to, everything felt stilted.

My hairdresser was really into astrology. I am really not. Despite giving subtle clues such as standing on my chair and declaring that astrology was hokum and that I never wanted to hear anything more about it, she continued.

I felt trapped.

She asked me what star sign I was.

Foolishly, I told her I was a Scorpio.

She nodded, knowingly, as if to say ‘that explains everything’ before declaring that Scorpios were renown for not having any friends. Suddenly, frightening myself in the mirror seemed preferable to getting insulted while having a haircut. Later, I contemplated contacting all my friends to laugh at her, frankly, ludicrous claim,

before realizing I didn’t have any.

She then revealed that prior to being a hairdresser, she had trained as an accountant but had never practiced, as she had elected to work full time as a gypsy. It was only then that I noticed that instead of the traditional mirror I was, instead, seated in front of a crystal ball. Looking at the business card I’d been given, I realized that it was, in actual fact, a tarot card. As she waved the scissors around, she declared that she would now read my fortune. I could have saved her the trouble and told her that my future involved never returning here for a haircut ever again.

Only by creating a distraction did I manage to escape with my life although the same cannot be said for my dignity. I’m not sure how you’d describe the results but for several weeks I bore a strong resemblance to a gypsy. Mostly this was the haircut. But my decision to fully embrace casual dress day by wearing a single gold earring, an eye patch and a pirate shirt probably didn’t help matters much.

This week I returned to my regular barber. Were it not for the strictures of social distancing, I’d probably have given him a hug. I’d go so far as to say that we were happy to see each other.

Immediately, we fell into our old routine and, suddenly, everything felt right in the world. By the time I emerged, I no longer looked like a gypsy and no one is trying to tell my fortune against my will. Tossing my golden earring, neckerchief and pirate shirt to the side, I strode off down the street on a mission to make some friends. stuart@stuartmccullough.com

networkclassifieds.com.au networkclassifieds.com.au General Classifieds

Trades & Services Deadline

Placing your classified advert is so easy...

TRADES & SERVICES

V

12435754-LB03-20

Electricians

(Terms & Conditions Apply)

12395976-RA34-18

A.J. STEVE’S CLEANUP s 'ARDEN #LEANUPS s 'UTTER #LEANUPS s 2EGULAR ,AWN -AINTENANCE s (IGH 0RESSURE #LEANING s (OME -AINTENANCE

0481 056 198 Advertise with us and get better results

Plasterers

Call Keith 0432 480 865 Plasteringnpainting.com

V

Plumbing

ORBIT PLUMBING

LIC: 109028

www.orbitplumbing.com.au Tree Lopping/Surgery

CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP

UÊ/ÀiiÊEÊ-ÌÕ «Ê,i Û> UÊ Õ Ê ÃÕÀ> ViÊ ÛiÀ ÊUÊ7 `Ê ««iÀÉ Õ V }Ê-iÀÛ ViÊ Û> >L i

CALL:

Mulch For Sale

Ph Graham 0407 357 927

V

280 per tonne

SPECIAL OFFER FOR 2 TONNE LOAD.

NEW STAFF?

*CONDITIONS APPLY

V

Positions Vacant

NEED

Delivery included

Garage Sales

PLACE YOUR

Get 10% Discount Use code: EMPDISC

Fill your position online ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX V

ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX

12415744-DJ16-19

V

Motoring

$

** Same Day Plumbing Service **

0447 007 178

For more information contact Patrik on 041 094 2230 or email patrik@intensivecareathome.com

12442410-CLG09-20

Red Stringy Hardwood

s (OT 7ATER s "URST 0IPES s 4APS 4OILETS s (EATING s #ARBON -ONOXIDE 4ESTING s 0UMPS s "LOCKED $RAINS s 'AS &ITTING

Local & Friendly Plumber Daniel:

Medical/Nursing

section of Network Classifieds.

Quality & reliable service Small repairs welcome Free quotes

Garden Services

Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number.

It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice.

For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

ICU/PICU nurses wanted for home care in Balnarring, Bittern and Mornington.

Minimum of 2 years ICU/PICU experience.

Must be ventilation and tracheostomy competent.

Firewood

V

ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE

REGISTERED NURSES

tree & stump removals excavator & tower hire firewood & mulch sales fully insured

HEATING & COOLING www.fairbairns.com.au Est. 1982

PLASTERING & PAINTING

12337429-CG06-17

V

C1069118-KK3-13

Satisfaction Guaranteed!

Treesbgone

General Classifieds

FAIRBAIRNS

V

V

contact Graeme 0407 353 875

5998 7796

PIC: 38148 REC: 17042 AU: 06212

Tree Lopping/Surgery

Gas Ducted Changeovers Split Systems Ducted Refrig

Pets & Services

Employment

12419812-RC24-19

Pensioner Discounts

12447523-LB18-20

1155688-CG39-14

0418 172 044

Call 1300 666 808

Hot winter specials

PERGOLAS & DECKS CALL MARTIN

12415744-DJ16-19

V

Pre-Winter Gas Ducted Heater Service Specials

LIC: 109028

g.c om .au

Heating

V

Carpenters

Day Plumbing Ser vice **

0447 00 ww w.o rbi tpl um bin7 178

12371888-ACM08-18

Ask about our discounted ongoing advertising rates and how choosing more newspapers gives your advertising more impact and saves you money...

Local & Friendly Plumber Daniel:

12449843-LB22-20

(1.5% credit card processing fee applies. Cheques and money orders can be posted in or hand delivered to our local office)

T 7ATER s "URST 0IPES s (EATING s #ARBON - s 4APS 4OILETS ONOXIDE 4ESTING s 0UMPS s "LOCKED $ RAINS s 'AS &ITTING ** Same

12400498-CG38-18

VISA/MASTERCARD/EFTPOS

ORBIT PLUMBING s (O

“Local Plumbers in the Local Papers for the Local People!”

12400545-LB38-19

From plumbers to pest control, carpet cleaning to building services, dry cleaning to computer repairs, lawn mowing and more, Network Classifieds has been connecting local businesses with local community with our Trades and Services each week. Speak to our classified team and find out how easy it is to advertise.

We accept payment by:

DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME

V

12423634-SN31-19

Grow your business with

(include your name, address and phone number)

V

Massage Therapists

ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer non-sexual services.

Online: networkclassifieds.com.au (24/7) Phone: 1300 666 808 (Open 8.30-5pm Mon-Fri) Email: sales@networkclassifieds.com.au

Deadline for all classifications is 1:00pm Friday.

V

Trades Business Profile

V

12403490-RA45-18

V

Find your Local Specialist in our

Professional Services section of Network Classifieds.

Professional

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Place Your Classified Ads Online Your advert will appear in print and online!

Western Port News

15 July 2020

PAGE 25

scoreboard WESTERN PORT

The world according to ‘Jamo’ SOCCER

By Craig MacKenzie WHILE Adam Jamieson thinks the 2020 season is all but a write-off he has an idea how Football Victoria could salvage something from the wreckage.

The Mornington gaffer has called for the state body to make the most of the opportunity to align elite junior and senior competitions for 2021.

“I think the season is pretty much done now,” Jamieson said.

“But this is a chance for FV to address what I think is a real disconnect between what they’ve done with the NPL junior season and what the seniors are doing.

“I don’t understand how juniors play 33 games and (State 1) seniors play 22.

“Here’s a chance to start early next year, say February, and at least revamp some of the higher leagues into 16-team competitions.

“If seniors then play a 30-game season that makes sense to me but the way things are I don’t know how we are supposed to continually produce players with that disconnect between the lengths of the different seasons.”

Last week FV announced another suspension of all football activity for six weeks in line with Victoria’s return to stage 3 COVID-19 restrictions.

It’s the second suspension this year and it came on the same day that Football Federation Australia called off the 2020 FFA Cup and the Australia-wide NPL finals series.

Just three local clubs were still in the Cup – Langwarrin, Mornington and Seaford United.

At senior level it’s believed that FV is holding on to the rapidly fading prospect of organising an 11-game season where clubs in leagues of 12 play each other once.

Promotion still would be up for grabs and there would be no relegation.

“That could happen only if they (FV) were prepared to play midweek games and I don’t know if they are,” Jamieson said.

“I think they’ve got the venues to play midweek games and if they went Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday then maybe have a week off then back to Saturday, Wednesday they could get six games played

Deep in thought: Mornington head coach Adam Jamieson thinks season 2020 could be “pretty much done now.”

Picture: Darryl Kennedy

in three weeks but how far down the leagues does that happen?

“Probably only NPL1, 2, 3 and maybe State 1 and I’m tipping they’d want everyone involved in it if they are still going to try.”

Jamieson belongs to a select group of observers not prepared to buy into the criticism of FV’s stewardship of the game throughout the pandemic.

“I think a lot of people don’t understand that it’s a business and they have employees so they have to make money to pay their employees,” he said.

“I run a business myself so I know it’s bloody hard in these times.

“To be fair to them (FV) I think they’ve been pretty good.

“I think a lot of the criticism they’ve received is unwarranted because none of us know what’s going on out there.”

Much has changed since Morning-

ton realised last season that its promotion prospects were over and switched its gaze to 2020 little knowing what it would face both on and off the field.

“We started planning back in August when we pretty much knew our fate last season and where we were at as a football club.

“Pre-season started and we played games before Christmas then ramped it up in January and February.

“We aimed at a lot of NPL and State 1 clubs for pre-season practice matches to really test ourselves then with about a week to go we had the tragedy of losing Tony (McKay, senior team manager).”

Jamieson paused, took a deep breath and continued.

“Then a few days out from the start of the season and suddenly we’re stopped.

Did you know... you can view our papers online

Sudoku and crossword solutions A Q U

A

S

B

T

M A

E

C

R

E

S

O

www.mpnews.com.au

D

Western Port News 15 July 2020

T S

A

R

L

A

D O U G H

L

R

N

U

A

N

L

G U

A

A

L

R

E

E

C

T

T

R

A

S

O R C H

W

O

T

L

O S

I

A

P

E

A

R O

D

S

A I

P

I

T N D

A

V

M

W

E

R G

C

C

U M E

P I

I

Y

S

I

K

PAGE 26

“It’s been a shocking 2020 I can tell you.

“But through the first lockdown our boys have been so diligent in sticking to the program we mapped out for them then we ramped that up a few weeks before training started again and they were absolutely brilliant.

“So you come back and it’s nocontact training and you get so close to contact training again and then it changes again.

“I think the hardest thing to manage has been the players’ mental state – and our own.”

Jamieson spoke to his players last Tuesday after FV’s suspension announcement. It was an emotional meeting for a group with such high hopes of success.

“To be perfectly honest there were a few tears there after what we’ve been

I

C

M

A

U M A

N

N

D

C

S

E

I

D O O D

L

E

S

through this year because we’d set ourselves to try and win things not just personally but for Tony.

“We just want to play so, yeah, mentally it’s been very, very hard.”

Prior to the forced suspensions of training and playing Mornington was one of the favourites for the State 1 South-East title but nearby rival Casey Comets has been rumoured to have gone on a spending spree and agreed terms with a number of topflight players.

Jamieson isn’t fazed.

“I would have said before COVID that we would have been one of the teams to beat over a 22-game season but the changes since then and what some of our rivals have done I’d hope we still would be a top two or three side but if we have any sort of season it becomes more like a cup competition than a half-marathon,” he said.

“I’ve heard the rumours about Casey and it looks like they’ve signed some very good players.

“We actually spoke to the players that have been linked with them.

“To be honest it doesn’t bother me at all. We know what it’s like to get labelled as the club that throws the money around but we’re in a different position nowadays.

“We’ve gone out and recruited some quality kids and that’s where we want to be.

“We don’t pay overs any more and our sustainability is for the long term.

“We want to be as high as we possibly can but we want to build it from our kids because we’re now an NPL junior club and you’ve got to give pathways to kids.

“It’s the only way football clubs like Mornington will survive.

“I’m not saying that we don’t go out there and buy players every now and again – that’s football – but we’ve got to produce young talented kids.

“Look I’ve got nothing against Casey – they can do what they want.”

What Mornington’s rivals do is their business and Jamieson is focussed on his own club and what he can control.

That focus has brought multiple promotions and championships since 2009 and we should soon find out whether or not he’ll be given another chance to bring success to Dallas Brooks Park this season.

WESTERN PORT scoreboard

Junior footy season called off

Breakthrough: The Rachael Frost-trained Travimyfriend lands his first win in a year at Caulfield.

Picture: Supplied

Frost warms up with metro winner HORSE RACING

By Ben Triandafillou IT’S been just over a year since her last winner, but Morningtonbased trainer Rachael Frost was back with a bang on Saturday 11 July breaking through for a comfortable victory at Caulfield.

The former New Zealander saddled up her highest rated runner, Travimyfriend (88 rating), in the $100,000 Handicap race and finally got all the conditions to suit her seven-year-old gelding.

Having been up against the race shape and pattern at his past three starts, Travimyfriend finally drew a gate (barrier 2) and had the soft conditions to suit on Saturday.

The son of Tavistock was given a perfect steer from jockey Dean Yendall and pounced on the opportunity to run away for a one-and-ahalf length victory over the Nick Ryan-trained Battle Torque.

Trainer Rachael Frost, who also rides Travimyfriend in all of his work, was ecstatic to see the hard work pay off and land another metropolitan victory with the gutsy gelding.

“It’s not through the lack of trying,” Frost said.

“Flemington was a bit of a disaster and then last start he went good here. We probably just rode him wrong.

“I’ve had him for his whole

life since he was a yearling. He’s Group One placed in New Zealand and stakes placed here, too. Hopefully now that he’s got the form, he’ll hold it – he’s pretty good at that. He just keeps going.”

Frost said it normally takes a few runs to get the gelding up and going but he really relishes being in work.

“He might get ten days off every now and again,” she said. “But he’d rather be in work than in the paddock.”

With the victory on Saturday, Travimyfriend took his earnings to $357,164 in prizemoney and brought up his ninth top-three finish since moving to Mornington.

THE Frankston and Mornington Peninsula junior football seasons have been cancelled.

A statement released by AFL South East last week read that all of their 2020 junior football seasons would be called off. They include the Frankston and Districts Junior Football League, South East Juniors, and AFL South East Top-Age. AFL South East’s Richard Black said “whilst we are disappointed to cancel junior football this year, the health and wellbeing of the community have always been our top priority.”

“COVID-19 has presented a very unique set of circumstances and we need to ensure that our participants and volunteers emerge from this pandemic in a healthy state,” he said. “We look forward to working with our clubs to create a safe and healthy environment for all members and volunteers as we put plans in place for 2021.”

Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League president Andrew Souter said

“the Melbourne Metro area including the Mornington Peninsula has now gone into lockdown for at least a six week period.

This means that our home and away season for 2020 has now been cancelled.”

“If the government allows later in the year, we may be able to conduct a mini round robin type of competition, but based on government restrictions, this would not be able to take place until at least September. This will be dependent on a number of factors but obviously there will need to be a club appetite in the first place,” he said.

“We want to thank all clubs for their hard work in preparing for this year. We really feel for our club volunteers, the kids, and everyone involved in our great game, but we have to do the right thing in regards to the health and safety of our community.

Please let it be known that we are already preparing and working hard for season 2021.”

VFL season cancelled THE Frankston Dolphins will not get the chance to play this year, after the cancellation of the 2020 VFL season was made official last week.

The 2020 VFL season was scheduled to get underway on 1 August, before the latest spike in Victorian COVID-19 cases put a stop to those plans. AFL clubs had to fly out of Victoria during the week to ensure they could continue to play.

Frankston FC were set to be one of seven teams that would compete in this year’s VFL competition. Dolphins players returned to training at SkyBus Stadium on

2 June with a modified program.

A statement on the club’s Facebook page read “to all of our 2020 Members, we thank you for your great support this year which has been absolutely amazing and imperative to our survival.”

“To our coaches, players, support staff who have stuck with the club from the commencement of preseason training in the last week of October 2019 to our last training run last night, we thank you so much for all you have put in to this year.

“We will all regroup and work towards 2021 season now with great anticipation.”

Advertise in Western Port’s number one newspaper.

Call MPNG Classieds on 1300 666 808

Western Port News

15 July 2020

PAGE 27

Be FiRST...

HASTINGS | 5979 2831 FRANKSTON SOUTH | 9783 3390 ENDEAVOUR HILLS | 9700 1922

| CHILDCARE | KINDERGARTEN | EARLY EDUCATION | What our staff and little learners say about FiRST CHARLIE (3yrs)

BERNITA

AUDREY (3yrs)

“I build with Beaver, we build fences and also dinosaurs eat meat”

(Kinder teacher/ ECT) “At FiRST, we’re all about creating a caring, child-centred, holistic environment where learning and growth is limitless”

“I learn to draw my name.

I do drawing and do my name and play in trees”

HEATHER

ALESIA

(Co-educator) “I love teaching at First Early Learning.

The children take pride in their own education, so they have positive experiences and feel confident to continue learning”

JULES

• Open door policy welcoming and encouraging feedback from all families and involving families in their child’s early years adventures • Educational programs offered to give our little learners uninterrupted and endless opportunities when discovering their learning environments and FUN play spaces

“I can write ‘M’ for Mummy and ‘W’ for Walker anddddddd ‘D’ for Daddy.

I like to learn about digger and bird’s nests and we grow plants”

CHLOE (4yrs)

(Room Leader) “The centre, educators and management are warm, friendly and inspiring. It is great to work with a team of dedicated educators who feel like family”

• 3 & 4 year old kinder programs, providing confidence, school readiness and success

WALKER (3yrs)

“I learn to clean up and listen. I like to learn about compost and doctors and monkeys on the bed”

• A qualified and experienced team who know how to educate and welcome all children into our homely early learning centre whilst giving 100% genuine care • Story park and educator’s App allowing families to view and contribute to their child’s learning journey • Fully funded excursions and incursions for the children, including beach and bush kinder, swimming lessons, yoga and plenty more!

‘About children being children’ | HASTINGS | FRANKSTON SOUTH | ENDEAVOUR HILLS |

firstearlylearning.vic.edu.au

PAGE 28

Western Port News 15 July 2020

(Co-educator) “Working at FiRST early learning has given me an opportunity to grow as an educator. It has also allowed me to find my future and forever career”

SIOBHAN (Co-educator) “We are always encouraging sustainability and engagement at FiRST. I am dedicated when creating inclusive environments for our children to grow, learn and discover”