NEWS DESK
Cash for kinder ‘challenge’ Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au KINGSTON councillors have promised to work with the Chelsea Heights Kindergarten to try to ensure the kinder’s long-term viability for future generations. A funding swap with Chelsea Kindergarten threatened to leave the Chelsea Heights with less money than needed to renovate its existing Third Ave site to include a second room to meet imminent state mandated child to carer ratios requirements (‘Cash swap not child’s play’, The News 2/9/15). Councillors at Monday evening’s public council meeting unanimously agreed to defer a decision on any council funding so detailed plans can be mapped out to both the kinder committee and council’s satisfaction. The Labor state government has promised $450,000 for redevelopment works after agreeing to switch $2 million in funding promised by the previous Coalition government to a relocation of the Chelsea Kindergarten instead. At Monday’s council meeting Cr Ron Brownlees complained council had been made to look like “the ogres” in “a disgraceful situation” council had not caused. “We didn’t promise the money for either of those kinders and the fact that they were locked together as a double project and there has been a reversal of funding due to an issue that was not of our doing,” Cr Brownlees said. “We have tried to make it happen by offering a small amount of money – we don’t have to offer any money because
In the swim: Ageing Well Expo poster girl Lois Dennington will represent Victoria in the Australian Masters Games, 3 October.
Swimming in gold Future funds: Chelsea Heights Kindergarten committee president Nicole Adams, Ashlee and Angus hope red tape can be cut to get on with a renovation to add a second room at the kinder. Picture: Gary Sissons
there was never any promises made. Any political promises made to us – we weren’t even engaged as far as I know about the project in square one and what they were costing.” Other councillors recognised the need to rein in costs but also acknowledged council’s central role in funding childcare options in the community. “It is normally either ward councillors or a relevant department working with a particular kinder and realising there is a need for renewal,” Kingston mayor Cr Geoff Gledhill said. “In this case it has been in the reverse, which I think has presented some challenges and there is also been a level of inconsistency with who we have been discussing the matters with.”
A council officer’s report lodged at Monday night’s meeting stated anything less $520,000 in council funding was “non-negotiable”. A letter from the Chelsea Heights Kindergarten committee, seen by The News, sent to councillors before Monday’s meeting denied this assertion and said the kinder “has been strongly willing to try and negotiate and find the best solutions for our community”. Cr Gledhill hoped a solution agreeable to all parties can be found. “We will get it back on track and we can handle it in a manner that we can be pretty proud of, the way we have handled many early learning/kinder outcomes in the past,” he said.
FEW 81-year-olds are as active as Lois Dennington, of Edithvale. Still working full time in Mornington, the octogenarian is about to represent Victoria in five swimming events at the Australian Masters Games. Ms Dennington first began competitive swimming after her youngest child left home in 1984 – now she has won so many medals that she’s lost track. “I have three photo albums full of pictures of my medals,” he quipped. She’s hoping to bring home more gold this week. “I’m competing in five events: three backstroke and two freestyle.” Ms Dennington holds the Victorian records for the 50, 100 and 200 metres backstroke in the 80-84-yearold category. A key factor in keeping her social and active is regularly attending her
swimming club, she says. An ageing population in the Frankston-Mornington Peninsula region makes it increasingly important for oldies to keep healthy and active. Peninsula Health’s successful Ageing Well Expo, held during Seniors Week, is the largest event in the region dedicated to ageing well. The expo, in its 10th year, attracts more than 1200 residents to see its specialty workshops and stalls tackling ageing issues, such as healthy eating, planning for retirement, power of attorney and mental health. The expo will be held 9.30am2pm, Thursday 8 October, at New Peninsula Baptist Church, 370 Craigie Rd, Mt Martha. Details: Call Peninsula Health Community Health, 5971 9173, or email amurphy@phcn.vic.gov.au
Poison canisters danger warning for beaches BEACHGOERS are being reminded not to open any containers washed up on Kingston beaches. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority warned toxic canisters in the Torres Strait, Queensland, NSW, South Australia and Tasmania. The unlabelled silver canisters contain a rat poison known as aluminium phosphide. When a canister is opened, powder reacts with moisture in the air to release highly toxic phosphine gas which is a danger to humans. While there have been no reported cases in Victoria and currents make it likely these containers will not find their way to Port Phillip Bay it is a reminder for all beachgoers to report mystery canisters washed ashore at any time. Exposure to phosphine gas can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, breathing dif-
ficulties, dizziness, tightness of the chest, diarrhoea, fluid in the lungs, liver/kidney damage, and in severe cases death. The gas is also flammable and can spontaneously ignite causing burns or small explosions. Most aluminium phosphide is imported into Australia from China and Africa, and the unused nature of the canisters suggests they have come from an unreported shipping cargo loss sometime before February 2012. The AMSA will monitor the situation and provide technical advice to local hazmat and emergency response services when the canisters are washed ashore. Queensland and NSW fire and emergency services have dealt with over 40 canisters washed up in three years. Canisters should not be moved or opened and any sightings should be reported to emergency services on 000.
Toxic danger: Rat poison, also a danger to humans, is in containers washed up on beaches.
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BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 30 September 2015
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