Centre staff take early leave Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au THE Mahogany Neighbourhood Centre’s management committee have decided to hand over the keys to Frankston Council and walk away before Christmas. Council had indicated it would take control of the centre’s operations in August next year after alleged complaints were made against the centre (‘Centre takeover slammed’, The Times 29/9/14). Council CEO Denis Hovenden said in September that the nature of the complaints was “confidential”. The centre’s management committee are six unpaid volunteers but committee president Toni Burton said six full-time and part-time staff will lose their jobs as a result of council’s takeover. Ms Burton said the committee were still none the wiser about the nature of the complaints allegation, saying council had declined to provide details. The decision was made to hand over management of the centre to council at the end of this month rather than next August. “Why prolong it? We didn’t see the sense in waiting until then,” Ms Burton said. Social support worker Cheryl Billing Smith, a former Frankston Council community worker, has been teaching patchwork and sewing at the Mahogany Neighbourhood Centre for the past seven years. She contacted The Times to praise “the professional team” at the centre. Ms Billing Smith said the council
Good neighbours: Jenni Sheedy, left, Lindsay Jackel and Toni Burton at the Mahogany Neighbourhood Centre. Picture: Gary Sissons
cancellation of the Mahogany Neighbourhood Centre’s contract “is devastating”. “What is to become of the good work that the coordinator Jenni Sheedy has done over the decades? Her understanding of the needs of the local community are second to none and along with her fellow coordinator Lindsay Jackell they are the best in the business and they have surrounded themselves with a trusty team of committed workers in child care and in the office.” Deputy Frankston mayor Cr Glenn Aitken, whose North West Ward includes Frankston North, said council wants “the centre to work to its fullest potential”. “The current committee has done a
very good job of managing the centre to the best of its resources,” he said. “We’re certainly looking at injecting a wide range of activities into the centre and the people of Frankston North are set to benefit.” Cr Aitken said the Frankston North community “clearly have diverse needs” and providing wide access to programs at the centre may be “beyond a small committee to govern”. The centre’s staff hosted a farewell party last Friday and will close the doors for the final time under the existing management on Friday 19 December. Cr Aitken said council is ready to step in and ensure the centre is open to the community after the Christmas and New Year break.
In brief Sand sculpting: For four months the waterfront will be transformed by 3500 tonnes of sand sculptures, featuring Buzz and Woody from Toy Story, Spiderman, Iron Man, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, characters from Star Wars and more. For information and tickets go to visitfrankston.com or call 1300 322 842. Don’t leave kids in hot cars: Council is working with Kidsafe Victoria to raise awareness of the dangers of leaving children alone in cars. Inside a car it can be 20-30 degrees hotter than outside – even within five minutes of leaving the vehicle. If you see children locked in cars call police on 000. National Pet Register ChipChecker: This free event 9am-noon, Saturday 20 December, Ballam Park, allows owners to check to see if their pet’s microchip is still functioning and their contact details are up to date in just 10 minutes. Details: 1300 734 738 or petregister. com.au Lyrebird Community Christmas Festival and Carols: This free community festival, 5–9:45pm, Saturday 20 December, Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve has family-friendly activities such as face painting, rides and amusements, craft activities, food stalls, entertainment on stage from 5pm, Christmas carols from 8.30pm and a fireworks display (weather permitting). The event is alcohol and drug free. Details: 9782 0133. Live music at Frankston Library: Melbourne based cellist and vocalist Adi Sappir brings her mix of wellknown covers and original songs to the Frankston Library lounge, 1-3pm, Sunday 21 December. Details: 9784 1020.
2014 McClelland Sculpture Survey and Awards: Voting is open for the 2014 Frankston City People’s Choice Award valued at $20,000 at McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery, 390 McClelland Drive, Langwarrin. It will be announced in April. Call 9789 1671 or see mcclellandgallery.com Sand dredging: Contractors are carrying out dredging works at the entrance to Kananook Creek for three weeks. Some areas will have limited and/or restricted access during this time. Christmas window exhibition at Cube 37: The Glass Cube Gallery at Cube 37 features a display of ‘dream catchers’ made by participants in FAC’s Monday Art Therapy groups until second week of January. They assist people with disabilities and seniors with complex health issues. View them at Cube 37, 37 Davey St, Frankston. Sports uniforms survey: A partnership between Frankston Council, Frankston Volunteer Resource Centre and St Kilda Football Club aims to collect second-hand uniforms so residents can more easily participate in sport. A survey is being done to help find out how to best meet the community’s needs. To take part, go to: surveymonkey.com/s/frankstonuniformlibrary Seaford library survey: Frankston Council is renovating part of the Seaford Community Centre to become the Seaford library. The expanded, modern library service will provide free access to information and reading resources. It will also provide early literacy programs and support to families in Seaford and surrounding areas. To take the two-minute survey, visit: surveymonkey.com/s/72W8FTT
FREE entry for kids 15 years and under FREE KIDS ENTERTAINMENT FREE KIDS ENTERTAINMENT
CLIP CLOP CLUB DAY - KIDS FASHIONs ON THE FIELD - FREE KIDS ENTERTAINMENT
03 5975 3310 MRC.RACING.COM Frankston Times 15 December 2014
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