Author teaches word craft to children
Green light for speed cut
CHILDREN who enjoy writing stories or “devour books�, or dream of becoming an author are ideal candidates for writing workshops with bestselling Frankston author, Michelle Hamer. Hamer has run writing and publishing programs with local schools for several years and is now launching Wordsmiths, creative writing workshops, at the Frankston Library in term three. “Children have innate imagination and creativity,� Hamer said. “But they can get overwhelmed when they try to order their thoughts on the page. “By offering them some insight in to writing techniques and story structure they can have the satisfaction of creating cohesive, effective narratives.� Hamer says she also focuses on fostering imagination and creativity. “Kids often get told off for daydreaming, I think we should encourage it. Fantasies and daydreams are integral to the life of an author, I do some of my best work while staring off in to space,� she says. Hamer is the author of 11 books published around the world. Last year she had four children’s books published in Penguin’s Our Australian Girl series. “Working with kids is inspiring and challenging,� she says, “And it gives me a great sounding board for new book ideas. The kids quickly let me know if they don’t like what I’m working on.� Wordsmiths Writing Workshops will run weekly from Monday 20 July to 14 September at Frankston Library. Grade one-to-three from 4.10pm, grades four-to-six from 5.10pm, and secondary from 6.15pm. Cost: $200 a term. Details: facebook.com/wordsmithsworkshops or email: wordsmithsworkshops@yahoo.com.au
DESPITE strong community pressure to keep speed limits as they are, VicRoads is proceeding to reduce Coolart Rd to 80kph. “To make this road safer right now, the speed limit needs to be reduced and we will start working on making repairs on the road to improve the condition of the road,� VicRoads Metro South East regional director Aidan McGann said. He said that a large part of the community had expressed a desire to retain a higher speed along the road and suggested that VicRoads should instead make the road safer with widening and repairs and improve lighting. Mr McGann said VicRoads had received more than 650 responses to a survey and hundreds of comments on social media “which has created a clear picture of what the community is seeking�.
“The big message we have received is that there are sections of Coolart Rd that are in need of urgent repair. Some people have said they don’t feel safe on the road, because of the road condition. “Bringing the road up to a standard where the community feels safer is a high priority and this will be given a lot of attention in the next 12 months�. A follow-up survey would be made in 12 months. “In the short term, VicRoads with the support of Victoria Police, will press ahead with reducing the speed limit to 80kph,� Mr McGann said. “Many people have expressed concerns with the behaviour of some drivers using this road, with speeding and reckless overtaking being specifically mentioned.�
Arrest over armed robbery, burglaries
Author writes: Author Michelle Hamer will be teaching her craft to children of different ages during third term at Frankston Library.
A 39-year-old Rye man has been charged with armed robbery after allegedly threatening an 80-year-old woman milk bar attendant with what appeared to be a shotgun. The gun was later found to be an imitation. The man is also facing seven counts of burglary and two of theft from cars in the Rosebud area over the past few weeks. He allegedly pointed what was thought to be a sawn-off shotgun at the woman at the Melbourne Rd milk bar about 4pm on Sunday 14 June. The woman told police the man ran around the counter and forced her to open the till, escaping with $400. Detective Sergeant Nick Vallas, of
Mornington police, said it would be alleged the gun was found when the man was arrested during a raid on a house in Woomera St, Rye, early on Thursday morning. The arrest was made after Detective Leading Senior Constable Deb Seymour, of Mornington police, thought she recognised a possible suspect and his car while viewing CCTV footage of robberies at Rosebud stores, a doctor’s surgery and offices. She was later granted a warrant to search his home for stolen goods. The man faced Frankston Magistrates’ Court the same day and was remanded to appear at a later date. Stephen Taylor
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Mornington News 23 June 2015
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