23 June 2015

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LETTERS Education answer With all the conjecture in the media about family violence it is necessary to understand a few basics to have a fair perspective. First and foremost, it is never OK for a male to hit a female. There are nine types of domestic violence and these include verbal, social, psychological and financial being the kind most often perpetrated on men. Men are being portrayed in some brochures as all potentially violent and, of course, this is manifestly unfair. The One in Three Campaign – Family Violence - Australia says No! claims more than 30 per cent of domestic violence is towards men and the Australian version of The Guardian says 40 per cent. Then we have to factor in the male suicide rate is 60 per cent greater than the road toll. Intervention orders are issued at the rate of more than 1000 a week, which can be interpreted both ways. Education of young people must be mandatory through high school. Collaboration between people with sufficient emotional maturity to make equitable decisions and management

of those violent dysfunctional people who are perpetrators will all be looked at by the Family Violence Commission currently underway. Tony Nicholl, Mt Eliza, facilitator Dads in Distress

Three word slogans Prime Minister Tony Abbott is back with his three word slogans about boats and terror. It seems every time his government gets found out about doing the wrong thing (paying people smugglers or curtailing Australians’ freedom with regressive security laws), they treat us like mushrooms and keep us in the dark about things we have every right to be informed about. Tony Abbott's mantra of “we do what is in the interest of security of Australia at any cost”, is wearing thin with me. This behaviour is reminiscent of many authoritarian regimes around the world and can only lead to justifiable disquiet of people who are real democrats. It will lead to the radicalisation of many groups in our society who cannot seem to get a voice in the discussion about our future of how our society will be shaped.

The example of [Speaker of the House of Representatives] Bronwyn Bishop attacking [Human Rights Commission president] Gillian Triggs on [ABC TV’s] Q&A last week for just doing her job, shows us how narrow minded this government has become. Rupert Steiner, Balnarring

Drivers at fault Reading the article about the intersection of Robinsons Rd and Westernport Highway intersection (“No more deaths: petition plea”, The News 16/6/15) I was simply bemused by the childish attitude of people blaming the intersection for all the accidents. I am sorry to say it is not the fault of the intersection but the inattention of the drivers, for example, being too busy with their phones and lack of attention to the road. That intersection has been there for years. Come on people, stop with the silly excuses and learn how to drive and concentrate on the road. I just cannot believe how people are quick to blame anything but themselves. George Jonker, Hastings

Light relief

Highway robbery

The lights at Frankston-Dandenong and Seaford and Ballarto roads, Seaford, have recently been reprogrammed and are far more dangerous for walkers than before for the entire length of both the “walk” and the flashing “don't walk” periods. Drivers pass very close and at high speed to walkers when making turns and seem to feel no need to give way to walkers or to not pass them so closely. Drivers making U turns are especially dangerous and unpredictable. These lights need to be returned to their old program. Arthur Hawley, Seaford

POLICE are appealing for help from the public after an armed robbery at a service station in Mornington on Sunday 7 June. Frankston Embona Task Force detectives have been told a man brandishing a knife entered the service station on Moorooduc Highway just after 9pm. He approached the lone male attendant and demanded the contents of the till before taking cash. The man then ran from the store. He is described as Caucasian, about 40 years old, 183cm tall and with a medium build. He was wearing a black hoodie top, black beanie and had a black scarf covering his face. He also wore a black glove with white motif on his right hand only, faded blue jeans which had a darker blue hem at the top of each back pocket and black leather shoes. Detectives have released a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to in relation to the incident. They are keen to speak to a customer who attended the store immediately before the offender to buy an 8.5kg gas bottle. Anyone with information about the incident can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au

Puzzling interest I, from afar, am still puzzling over Cr Andrew Dixon’s recent letter (“thanks for advice”, Letters, The News 2/6/15). Yes, he does need somebody to point out how interest works and thankfully David Harrison and John Cain have given him an elementary lesson that I hope, beyond hope, he can grasp. I am still trying to figure out how this relates to a million dollar house. Joe Lenzo, Safety beach

Business backing for anti-violence campaign MORNINGTON Peninsula businesses are supporting Australian of the Year Rosie Batty’s campaign against domestic violence. A breakfast in August being held by Peninsula Business Networking will feature a talk by Ms Batty as well as raise money for the Luke Batty Foundation, named after her son who was killed by his father after a cricket practice at Tyabb in February last year. The group expects more than 100 to attend the event and hopes to raise money through sponsors and the breakfast, which costs $49 for members and

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Mornington News 23 June 2015

$59 non-members. Sponsors pay $220 for a package that includes use of their logo on the day, displaying promotional material and mentions by the master of ceremonies. The cooked breakfast runs 7am–8.30am Tuesday, 11 August at Mornington Racecourse, 320 Racecourse Rd, Mornington. Book online at www.peninsulabusinessnetwork.org.au or to arrange sponsorship call Melinda Ryan on 0409 101 822 or email melinda@nepeanplanning.com.au or Paul Roberts 0449 854 197 or paul@ morningtonlegal.com.au

Tunes of the past TUNES and songs from an earlier era will fill the air when the Probuskers singers and musicians play 2.304.30pm, Sunday, 12 July, at Blairgowrie Senior Citizens Hall. Organisers says those attending can dance “if you wish”. Tickets $15 at the door with proceeds going to the parish centre, St Andrew’s Rye. Details: 5985 1399.


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23 June 2015 by Mornington Peninsula News Group - Issuu