Western Port
GET YOUR
FREE TV GUIDE INSIDE!
DOWNLOAD 3MP FROM THE APP STORE OR GOOGLE PLAY
An independent voice for the community
FREE9
Your weekly community newspaper covering the entire Western Port region
Wednesday 24 January 2024
For all advertising and editorial, call 03 5974 9000 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au
RSPCA offers free pet checks and advice Pet care: Dane Bath, Buruk the Jack Russell terrier, and Dr Sarah Irwin at a previous RSPCA pet health day. Right, a Labrador awaits his turn for attention. Picture: Supplied
RSPCA Victoria’s first Healthy Pet Day event on the Mornington Peninsula is on Wednesday 31 January in Crib Point, with RSPCA experts providing free check-ups, dog vaccines, pet food, and advice on pet behaviours. RSPCA Victoria community outreach manager Dr Lauren Roberts said Healthy Pet Days were a great way to provide pets with health checks. “Our expert animal care team provides pet check-ups, dog vaccines, microchipping, flea and worm prevention treatment, behavioural advice, resources and pet food,” she said. “We want to keep our pets happy and healthy for years to come, and local pet owners will have access to expert advice and the best possible service thanks to our friendly vets, vet nurses and animal behaviourists.” RSPCA Victoria head of prevention Rebecca Cook said the day was aimed at supporting “positive pet ownership and strengthening bonds between families and their pets”. “We believe in working together with Victoria’s communities, because we know it’s not always just about your pets, it’s about you too.” Pet food company Royal Canin will provide pet food for some residents. For more information or to book a pet's appointment, visit: rspcavic. org/healthypet/ To access the free Healthy Pet Day services, attendees must be 18 years old or over, have a valid concession or health care card, and have proof of address in Mornington Peninsula Shire. All cats attending must be in a carry cage and dogs must be on a lead. Due to the national cat vaccine shortage, cat vaccines are not available at the event and every animal requires an appointment. Services at this event will not be provided to breeders or litter rearers. The RSPCA will be at Crib Point Community House in Park Road, from 1pm to 3pm.
DIY events for Australia Day Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au A group of diehard Australia Day supporters in Mornington will hold their own celebration on Friday (26 January) at Memorial Park in Barkly Street. Their decision to hold a do-it-yourself celebration - including gumboot throwing - follows a decision by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council not to organise an event and community parade at Mornington. The shire’s decision is in line with
views expressed by the Premier Jacinta Allan who has cast doubts on Melbourne’s Australia Day parade ever making a return. The state government last year shelved the event for the third consecutive after it was first cancelled in 2021 because of COVID. On the peninsula the council is supporting the Rosebud Fun Run ($25,000) and Australia Day celebrations at Dromana ($25,000) and Mount Eliza ($13,000) and holding an invitation only citizenship ceremony at Rosebud Memorial Hall.
Other community-run events will be held around the shire, including at Sorrento and Portsea, with flag-raising ceremonies, music and children’s entertainment. The shire has not held an Australia Day event at Mornington since COVID restrictions started. An organiser of the Memorial Park picnic, Felicity Benson, said she and many others were disappointed the council had become too “woke” to celebrate Australia Day as in the past. “It’s really disappointing for a lot of us that this has been scaled back so
COME AND SEE THE CHICKENS ROAMING FREE IN THE PADDOCK!
much and has become so small and politically correct. They are flying the LGBTQI flag, but what about the Australian flag?” she said. “This is Mornington and we’d love an Australia Day celebration for everyone, the way it should be.” Benson said the group held a similar picnic last year and invited others to join in. “Last year we had a lovely group of newcomers to the peninsula from India, and we all enjoyed a picnic together in Mornington to celebrate the day,” she said.
“This year everyone is welcome to bring a picnic and join us.” Benson said numbers at the picnic were limited to 50 due to council restrictions on public gatherings. “I rang the shire and they said that they are not putting anything on for Australia Day this year and that it is up to the community to do something, so that’s what we are doing,” she said. “We have no idea how many people would like to join in and bring their own picnic, but we’ll have children’s games, egg and spoon race, there will be free parking, and it will be fun.”
BARN DOOR SALES MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8AM - 4.30PM AND SATURDAYS 8AM - 12.30PM
Our farm is family owned and managed. We have been producing quality eggs for over 40 years, supplying the public, restaurants and other businesses on the peninsula. Eggs are collected 365 days a year so you can be assured that you are buying the freshest eggs with the best yolk and flavour. Retail and Wholesale from our barn door.
Eramosa Road West, Moorooduc. corner of Binnak Way 5977 5405 220 email: admin@somervilleeggfarm.com.au
