Motorcycle park reopens for riders Deadly toll: Students Rachel Dodd, Olly Brayne and Errin Lindner at the Counting Women display at Chisholm TAFE’s Frankston campus. Picture: Gary Sissons
Facing the reality of domestic violence A CONFRONTING but important project focused on domestic violence is on display at Chisholm TAFE’s campus in Frankston. The ‘Counting Women’ T-Shirt Project, a student initiated display, displays a T-shirt for each individual woman in Australia murdered by a partner or ex-partner this year. Each T-shirt lists the woman’s name and details where possible and is accompanied with relevant newspaper articles and a blackboard updated with the current death toll, a shocking 78 so far in 2015. Chisholm group coordinator of community services Dr Ilsa Evans said the project had been a pivotal assignment for Diploma of Community Services students. “Highlighting this topical issue is of critical importance to all members of our community and we see family violence not just a personal issue - but a community one,” Dr Evans said. “We want this project to be an important representation
of this serious topic and ensure our community understands the impact it causes”. The project was started after guest speaker Rosie Batty, Australian of the Year, visited Chisholm TAFE’s Time to Change community forum to discuss family violence. The students aim to use research from Destroy The Joint, an online community for gender equality in Australia, to maintain the display as an ongoing visual representation of domestic violence. Last Wednesday (25 November) was White Ribbon Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness to stop men’s violence against women, since more than one woman per week is killed by a current or former partner in Australia. People are being urged to speak out and report domestic violence to police. See whiteribbon.org.au for details. Anyone who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault can call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for counselling and help. Call 000 in cases of emergency.
THE Frankston Motorcycle Park is open to motocross riders again. The gates were opened up again for access to the tracks this month. Frankston Council, the Frankston City Motorcycle Park Club and Motorcycling Victoria agreed that MV should oversee the park’s operations for an 11-month trial period, starting this month, after the death of 25-year-old Danny Edlington in a collision on the main track in April. The motorcycle park was shut down by council, as landlord of the premises, for several months until agreement on the future running of the facility could be reached. Motorcycling Victoria CEO Wayne Holdsworth said the body had “developed a good relationship” with council and the club committee members. “Whilst we don’t have the level of experience that the Frankston City Motorcycle Park Club have in managing such a facility we do still have significant experience in this space and feel suitably qualified to provide more than adequate processes and programs to see the park develop and run with an improved safety and efficiency,” Mr Holdsworth said in a statement issued last week. “Subsequent to the dreadful accident that occurred over Easter
2015, MV were contacted by Frankston Council to guide them on what the next steps should be and what we felt was the best outcome for all.” Mr Holdsworth hit out at “keyboard warriors” who criticised MV during the protracted negotiations to reopen the park. “Just for the record, the social media posts had no influence whatsoever in MV’s decision to guide the parties through this situation. Genuine, responsible and respectful representation and discussions by people do, however, make a difference.” He noted: “Whilst we understand that the governance that is now in place at the facility seems to some as draconian, this is our only means to mitigate the risk attached to this sport. We make no apology for trying to make this sport as safe as we can consider the risk associated with it.” The MV chief thanked club president Ralph Ridley and committee member Paul Finley for their “outstanding” work over the past few months to have the park reopened. See fcmp.net.au for motorcycle park opening times, membership and fees. Neil Walker
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Frankston Times 30 November 2015
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