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Modern times in the frame FREELANCE photographer Daryl Gordon is fascinated by the connection between Balnarring and its people – and this interest has led to an exhibition focusing on “that single frame, that single moment in time’’. The Balnarring Portrait Project 2013 is being held at the Apple Stick Gallery from May 30 to June 8 from 5-7pm. Its focus is on 120 images of those who visited his ‘pop-up’ studios in the village last year. “I have always had a fascination with the storytelling and archival/documentary nature of still photography,’’ he told The News. “So, for history’s sake, I’m setting about documenting the people of my home town.’’ In this age of phone videos, selfies and social media status updates, Gordon decided to set up the pop-up studios where residents could turn up and be documented on a given day at a given time – thereby becoming active participants of the project. “Each image has its own story to tell and this story will vary with each individual viewer,’’ he said. He hopes the exhibition will become an annual event. “Over the years the stories of the people will also change so that, in years to come, the whole body of work will tell a larger story.’’ The gallery is at 3015 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Balnarring (next to the CFA building). Entry is free with wine, beer and food provided. Images are for sale for around $30. Picture: Yanni
Poor bear budget brunt By Stephen Taylor THE most disadvantaged people in our society will be the hardest hit by the federal Budget – the young unemployed, disabled, and single parents, says Emma King, CEO of the Victorian Council of Social Services. “I think young people are being demonised,’’ she told The News. “The government is hitting our poorest and most vulnerable people – the long-term unemployed and the disabled. “They are being hit on so many fronts, such as with university sector fees to be deregulated giving them the
green light to charge more, which will further disadvantage young people.’’ Ms King said moving more young people off the Newstart Allowance – which she said was $36 a day – would see more people forced into poverty. ‘’The notion that the so-called Age of Entitlement is over is so much nonsense - as is the notion that somehow the politicians’ pay freeze is going to achieve anything worthwhile.’’ Under the new rules, to start on January 1, applicants for Newstart or the Youth Allowance will have to wait six months before receiving the dole, then work for it for another six
months before either getting a job or getting cut off again for another six months. Newstart will be denied to those aged under 24 (a loss of $48 a week on the current arrangement) and move more young people on the disability support pension to Newstart or the Youth Allowance (a cut of $166 a week). On the plus side there are incentives up to $10,000 over three years for employers who hire older workers – especially those who have been unemployed for six months or more. This so-called ‘’earning or learning’’
program is expected to save the government $1.2 billion over four years. Ms King was scathing: ‘’For young unemployed to be denied youth support for six months, and to push the disabled off the disability support pension, is outrageous. How are they going to live?’’ She said low-income parents will struggle to provide for young, outof-work family members – many of them school leavers - who are unable to find work yet cannot access income support for six months of every year. And she is concerned for the many young unemployed who don’t have
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any parental support. ‘’Instead of acknowledging that early intervention and prevention of joblessness gives a real return on investment, and instead of investing in these things, the Budget will entrench disadvantage.’’ Dr Kathy Landvogt, social policy & research unit manager at Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service – which has offices in Frankston, Hastings and Mornington – said the Budget ‘’lacked coherence and fails its own test of securing the nation’s economic health for the future’’. Continued Page 10
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