NEWS DESK
Medicentre’s end a sore point
Dig for war memorial underway WORK has finally begun on the construction of a new Frankston War Memorial at Beauty Park. The project has been mired in a funding controversy over the past year but councillors finally gave approval last month for a scaled back $480,000 memorial instead of a $1.4 million memorial and avenue of honour originally proposed. Councillors disagreed about the scope of the construction project but agreed to the latest design which has the potential to have further stages added, including an avenue of honour, if funding is available. New mayor Cr James Dooley attended a sod turning ceremony last Monday (16 November) with federal Dunkley Liberal MP Bruce Billson and representatives from the Frankston and Seaford RSLs. Departing mayor Cr Sandra Mayer said last week that is pleasing that the community rallied to help fund the new war memorial, needed because of overcrowding on Anzac Day at the existing Davey St memorial. “In addition to organisations and government departments partnering to make this happen, significant contributions towards the project have come from community fundraising efforts, driven largely by the Women for Frankston War Memorial who
Digging in: Frankston mayor James Dooley, left, federal Dunkley Liberal MP Bruce Billson, Frankston RSL president Kevin Hillier and Seaford RSL president John Beslee at the sod turning for a new war memorial to be built at Beauty Park. Picture: Gary Sissons
have raised thousands of dollars for the project.” The $480,000 construction of the new memorial, to be built between Baxter and Spring Streets, has been funded by council ($323,000), the federal government ($120,000), Frankston RSL ($25,000), community donations and Cr Darrel Taylor via his discretionary ward grants ($15,000). Frankston RSL will also contribute $10,000
annually towards the war memorial’s upkeep. All features from the current war memorial at the Frankston Civic Centre - such as plaques, badges, obelisk and the eternal flame - will be part of the new design, while as an ongoing project, names of returned Frankston servicemen and women will be engraved on the new memorial, starting with 200 World War I veterans.
AN after-hours medical centre at Frankston Hospital will shut its doors for the last time later this month amid claims federal funding cuts are to blame. The Labor state government says the axing of $100,000 in annual federal funding has forced Medicentre, a privately owned after-hours general practice that bulk bills more than 10,000 consultations a year, to shut up shop. “The Medicentre’s location in Frankston Hospital allows our community to utilise a number of facilities such as radiology and pathology, which would otherwise be inaccessible after hours,” Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke said. “It is a very busy, very popular option for families and also takes the strain off our Emergency Department.” Federal Dunkley Liberal MP Bruce Billson said the Medicentre board had decided to “cease trading” on 29 November. He said the board made its decision after consultation with the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network. “It seems to be a bit of politicking from state Labor about a service they don’t put a dollar of cash into,” Mr Billson said. “The Medicentre’s board
took the decision to discontinue rather than transition to a more sustainable model.” The Mornington Peninsula & Frankston Medicentre opened in 1986 to provide general practice services to patients and ease pressure on GPs having to always be on 24/7 call. Mr Billson hoped “an alternative model” could be put in place at Frankston Hospital. He said he will speak to Peninsula Health and the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network to see whether there is market interest in another provider stepping in to provide after-hours GP services at Frankston Hospital. The former small business minister said “financial incentives” are available to any GP who also runs a day practice. Mr Billson said Medicentre had been offered interim funding “to ease the transition” but the board had decided to close the after-hours general practice with almost immediate effect. Mr Edbrooke laid the blame for Medicentre’s closure squarely at the federal government. “Taking away our communities healthcare as a result of federal government cuts is unacceptable.” Neil Walker
Burdetts Café A great place to relax and unwind
Frankston Regional Recycling and Recovery Centre Now Open Harold Road, Skye (off Ballarto Road, opposite the Skye Recreation Reserve)
Open seven days a week, 8am–4pm (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day)
Hard waste, green waste and recyclable material such as cardboard and scrap metal will be accepted. Asbestos, hazardous substances, food, liquid and medical waste will not be accepted. For further details please visit: frankston.vic.gov.au/FRRRC or phone 1300 322 322
After visiting the garden centre and gift shop at Burdetts Home & Garden, enjoy lunch or light refreshments in the cafe. Endulge yourself with our famous “High Tea” or our outdoor Al Fresco area. The cafe is open 6 days, is fully licensed and can cater for group bookings.
Present this ad for 5% off your purchase (excludes concrete, min spend $20)
Come and enjoy the great food and great atmosphere at Burdetts Café
Follow Us
frankston.vic.gov.au
1300 322 322
Burdetts HOUSE & GARDEN SUPPLIES
615 McClelland Drive, Langwarrin Ph 9789 8266 Fax 9789 8810
www.burdetts.com.au
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Frankston Times
23 November 2015
PAGE 5