NEWS DESK
Motocross park on track to reopen Continued from Page 1 A track inspector carries out annual safety audits at the Frankston City Motorcycle Park for insurance purposes. Cr Aitken said a contractor hired by the motorcycle club said it should be fairly straightforward to make the improvements recommended in the latest safety audit. “He is very familiar with the track and any adjustments we [council] want done, he would carry out.” Cr Aitken said “an overarching committee” will ensure track works are done. “Once that’s done, there’s no point in us [council] holding the track any longer,” he said. “It’d be a case of returning it back to a community-based committee which is where it should be.” He believed more regular track safety audits may be a needed in future but this will be determined by the interim committee. Motorcycling Victoria CEO Wayne
Holdsworth said the organisation had been asked for advice by Frankston Council during the transition committee process. “They [council] didn’t have the expertise with regards to motorcycling. We provided them with significant guidance, particularly in the first four or five weeks subsequent to the very unfortunate tragedy,” he said. Mr Holdsworth was part of the transitional committee but said MV had decided not to manage the motorcycle park as a shorter-term lease would not allow “significant control”. “Our absolute priority is to make sure that any track we’re involved in … has its sole operation focus around safety. If we can’t have a significant impact on that safety focus then that’s not where we want to be.” Read last year’s Frankston City Motorcycle Park audit report and the latest audit report carried out in April at baysidenews.com.au
Thieves target cars, valuables
FORMER police officer turned business and life coach Ruth CysterStuettgen wants women to know they can have a bright future no matter how dark the present can be. The mother-of-three has turned her life around after leaving an abusive situation and has written a book called From Misery to Mastery: Journey to Freedom and Empowerment as a guide for anyone who has “ever felt lost, helpless or scared of what your life has become”. She hopes the book can find an audience with “women who are suffering in silence behind closed doors” and give women tips and strategies to empower themselves to make a change. “The reason why I wanted to write the book was to use it as a tool for myself to heal and to be a voice for other women going through the same thing.” The book includes practical exercises to enable women to forgive themselves for tolerating abusive situations due to feeling isolated before seeking support. The author’s own life has been a journey to seek freedom from oppression. In the early 1980s her family left South Africa and moved to Australia. “We left to basically escape the Apartheid regime and have a better life in Australia,” she said. After studying for a degree at La Trobe University, Ms Cyster-Stuettgen joined Victoria Police and spent time living in Germany after leaving the force. Despite an outwardly happy disposition and life, she said appearances can be deceiving.
Strong advice: Ruth Cyster-Stuettgen has written a book she believes can help women navigate themselves away from unhappy and abusive domestic situations. Picture: Yanni
“There are so many women out there in an abusive situation who don’t appear to be going through things like that and that’s a dangerous thing. “Try to be strong enough to step out and create of seek help from support systems to not have to be scared of consequences of speaking out.” Ms Cyster-Stuettgen used to attend domestic violence incidents during her time in the police force and she believes the way authorities in the legal system deal with such cases has improved since the 1980s. “Decide that enough is enough, and take control of your life – move to-
wards one of peace, love and success, for yourself and your family.” From Misery to Mastery: Journey to Freedom and Empowerment published by Busybird Publishing will be officially launched at Petersen’s Bookstore, 103 High St, Hastings on Sunday 14 June, 3-5pm with special guest Rose Batty, domestic violence campaigner and Australian of the Year. Entry is free. Light refreshments will be provided. Call Ruth Cyster-Stuettgen on 0432 441 146 or see ruthstuettgen.com.au for further details. Neil Walker
UN O IT NL S Y AV F AI EW LA BL E
SIX offenders are facing more than 60 charges of car theft and theft from cars in the Frankston, Carrum Downs, and Seaford areas over the past month. The three females and three males aged 16-26 are all known to each other. Some have been remanded and others released on bail. They will all appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on various dates. Detective Senior Constable Ryan Collins said nine cars were stolen by the group – and all had been unlocked with keys easily found. Stolen property included mobile phones and cash. He urged drivers to lock their cars and remove valuables when parked – even in driveways.
Taking control to change life for the better
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carrumdownsretirementvillage.com.au Ageing in Place Villages located at Mount Martha, Carrum Downs & Berwick PAGE 6 Frankston Times 8 June 2015