NEWS DESK In brief Poppy-making workshop, 5-8pm today (Monday) and Wednesday 10am-noon – Join in the 5000 Poppies project at this free Frankston Library knitting workshop. BYO needles and wool and learn a variety of techniques for making poppies. No need to book. Details: 9784 1020. Legal matters and ageing, 10am12.30pm today (Monday), Frankston Mechanics Institute – This free workshop looks at important topics such as wills and powers of attorney, and how to protect yourself, your money and your rights as you get older. Bookings essential on 9786 1445. Small business grants applications close today (Monday) – Frankston City Council’s innovative business grants program includes five categories, with successful applicants receiving up to $15,000. Grants are available for start-up businesses, those relocating to Frankston City and home-based business looking to move into commercial premises. Specialised categories include emerging exporters and green business grants. Details and application forms at frankston.vic. gov.au Mayor’s mystery cocktail party, 2-6pm, Sunday 1 November, mystery location – Enjoy an afternoon of good food, wine and intrigue in one of Frankston City’s most beautiful locations, which will be revealed by a bus trip from the Frankston Arts Centre. This is the major fundraiser for the Frankston Charitable Fund for 2014. Tickets are $100 each including food and drink and can be purchased at visitfrankston.com or on 1300 322 842
Choir tunes into a musical future Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au THE School of Hard Knocks Frankston Chapter choir had its first “come and try” day last Wednesday, with around 55 prospective choir members, volunteers and agency workers attending the launch at the Uniting Church in High St. “It was the first day of engaging with the choir and it was very exciting,” patron and choirmaster Jonathan Welch said. It will be running every Wednesday until mid-December. “We still have a few hurdles to overcome but the important thing for us is that we are able to rely on the support of community groups. It’s about the community getting together to back this project and helping make it successful.” The choir is being modelled on the original, successful choir featuring the disadvantaged and homeless, aiming to give them a purpose and focus in life – rather than just a drab, humdrum existence on the streets. The concept was launched at a Rotary Club of Frankston Long Island fundraiser at the Frankston International Motel last month attended by Dr Welch and community supporters. The group is hoping to attract prospective choir members as well as agency workers and anyone who may be interested in volunteering to help with lunches and support members. Youth training organisation Steps catered for, and cooked, lunch for
From the top: Dr Jonathan Welch leads the choir. Picture: Yanni
those attending Wednesday’s Choir launch. Trainer and recruiter Bruce Ranken, his team of trainee cooks and a qualified chief “did a sensational job”, according to those attending. Mr Ranken said the five students were studying Certificate III in commercial cookery and working with job service agencies and the unemployed. Many came from the training organisation’s Frankston office. “They had a ball,” he said. “They enjoyed cooking for the choir and learning new skills and menu planning. They got first-hand experience in plating meals. “Some of the trainees (aged 1955) had never spoken to a customer before; some have never worked at all.”
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Dr Welch said those auditioning for the choir were “having fun, meeting each other and doing warm-up singing exercises”. Many are clients of a Frankston soup kitchen. “This is a big, collaborative model; it requires the help of lots of people and various sectors, so we hope the local business sector and local schools get on board so the choir can have a very long life.” Choir organisers say the costs to the community of backing the choirs are recouped in the long run as members benefit from improved health, confidence and self-esteem. They become less of a burden on society and can become positive contributors. “When people become disengaged they face loneliness and isolation
issues. Through the choirs they re-establish positive links with the community, with potential employers, and so reconnect and rejuvenate their lives. There are definite cost-savings in the longer term.” Past District Governor Rotary International Janet McCahon described the event as “uplifting for so many people in Frankston who are on the fringe of society. There are lots of prospective members here.” Community Support Frankston manager Steve Phillips said “today is about receiving expressions of interest; to see who wants to be in the choir – as a singer, a singing ‘buddy’ or as an agency helping the disadvantaged.