20 October 2015

NEWS DESK

Blue Dog Night raises spirits and money AN event to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of mental illness will be held Saturday 7 November, at Southern Peninsula Arts Centre.

Blue Dog Night will kick off with a barbecue at 6pm and show at 7pm. Tickets are $20 at the door with those under 16 free.

Artists and photographers will display work in the foyer for a silent auction. Entertainment will be by bands The Warrains, Ling Marra and SugaTree, and Melbourne band Lasseter’s Reef, and Isla Ka from Tasmania. Organiser Erin Watkins will play original tunes.

The event drew inspiration from a night of live music, food, prizes, and sharing of stories among friends at Trim’s Restaurant, McCrae, last year. Proceeds from that event went to beyondblue.

This year, with help from Chris Swayn, Kelly World, Yanni Dellaportas, and Ms Watkins's parents, Blue Dog Night will have the same aim of reducing stigma, raising awareness and encouraging people not to suffer in silence.

Funds raised will go to beyondblue and The Black Dog Institute.

To donate art for the silent auction or to make a donation email Erin Watkins: ezzwatkins@ hotmail.com

Ready to entertain: Yanni Dellaportas, Ryan Pentland and Natalie Parker of band SugaTree, Blue Dog Night organiser Erin Watkins, with Kelly Jean Daymond, Chris Swayn and Brendan White of The Warrains.

State praised for helping ‘bridge the gap’ THE state government is pouring money into Rosebud to both make it a “destination” and to bridge the gap between the infrastructure of Melbourne’s inner and outer suburbs.

In a statement issued last Friday Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Bev Colomb enthusiastically supports the government’s $4.15 million grant for the shire’s the Destination Rosebud project.

The total value of the project is $5,501,713 with council contributing $1.35m in this year's budget.

Council says it will “inject” 33 jobs and $10.6 million into the local economy “and will provide opportunities for our young people to re-engage in employment, and to reconnect and bring a sense of pride to their community”.

Works include a “gateway” entrance to Rosebud, a “shared street and car park and plaza/pier forecourt at Jetty Rd”, free wi if access, lighting, replacing crumbling footpaths, picnic tables, barbecues and shelters.

The government money will also go towards completing a master plan (adopted by council last week) on the

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Jetty Rd foreshore, including a “nature-based playground”.

"On behalf of council and the community I sincerely thank the state government for this tremendous backing that is much-appreciated by our community and which will see Rosebud supported as a great place to meet, live, work and play," Cr Colomb stated.

She said council was “ecstatic” and believed the project would strengthen “the special relationship between the township, business, community, visitors and the coastal environment”.

Mornington Peninsula is one of 10 “Interface Councils” surrounding metropolitan Melbourne.

Cr Colomb said the 10 municipalities included some of Melbourne’s fastest growing areas. Other councils in the interface group are Cardinia, Casey, Hume, Melton, Mitchell, Nillumbik, Whittlesea, Wyndham and Yarra Ranges.

"The state government's funding announcement is the first step in its commitment to bridging the infrastructure gap in the outer suburbs,” Cr Colomb said.

"Interface councils are extremely supportive of the policy direction that the Andrew's government promised prior to the election and has already started to deliver in its first year of government.”

Cr Colomb said the plan for Destination Rosebud was a decision of council and she thanked councillors for “sowing the seed that grew into the submission and ultimately transpired into receiving funding support for the project”.

"It was an absolute privilege to be with my Interface Council colleagues earlier this year visiting with the Minister for Local Government and the Treasurer to put our case forward.”

In the same statement Cr Antonella Celi was quoted as saying the announcement of funding for the project was an "outstanding result for our community" that would “help realise the community's vision”.

"This is an outstanding result for our community that has had so much input into the planning for Rosebud over many years,” Cr Celi said.

"The project will provide a much-

needed boost to the local area - for our community and businesses - and really help revitalise the local area for everyone to enjoy," she said.

Cr Graham Pittock was “impressed by the mayor, [CEO] Carl Cowie and team for providing the government with a doable strategic action plan. It is a wonderful achievement".

Council lists “elements” of the Destination Rosebud project as streetscape works at the “gateway” entrance to the town at Point Nepean Rd; creation of a shared street and car park and plaza/ pier forecourt at Jetty Rd; public wi fi access at the pier area; improvements to the public toilet near Jetty Rd; design guidelines for the township; lighting around foreshore areas; pavement renewal; event infrastructure and soundshell works; bin surrounds, planters, picnic tables, barbecues and shelters; improved beach access and funding will contribute towards the implementation of the Jetty Rd Foreshore Recreation Node Master Plan, including the installation of a nature-based playground.

Search for coaches THE new Women’s National Premier League soccer consortium Southern United is interviewing prospective coaches and plans to announce appointees soon. Its policy is that, if a male candidate is successful, then the best female candidate will be offered an assistant-coaching role.

The consortium represents one of the largest catchment areas in Victoria. It is an amalgam of Casey Comets, Mornington, Langwarrin, Seaford United and Peninsula Strikers juniors.

The interim board consists of Michael Woodward (Strikers and ex-local zone representative), Rob Harrington (Strikers), Rosemary Meeds (Mornington), Dawn Stone (Casey Comets), Stuart McLeod (Casey Comets), James Honey (Langwarrin) and Willie Lynn (Seaford United).

Board elections are expected to be held in November, with the format still to be decided.

Southern United will play its home games on a rotating basis at Casey Comets, Mornington and Langwarrin as they fulfil the match-day venue criteria. Training will be shared among the other consortium members.

“This is the first time so many different clubs in the local area have come together to form the one club,” organiser Craig MacKenzie said.

“There is great expectation throughout the Casey, Frankston and peninsula areas that it can hit the ground running in 2016 and make an immediate impact.”

Southern United trial dates and venues for Southern area Under-13, 15 and 18 girls’ teams will be held 10amnoon, Saturday 24 October, Lawton Park, Barrett’s Rd, Langwarrin.

Dromana gardeners DROMANA Community Gardeners have signed a lease on the property in Marna St and are scheduled to turn the first sod Wednesday morning.

Dromana Men’s Shed and hardware chain Bunnings will build a decorative fence and compost bays on Wednesday 21 October. A community open day will be held Sunday 8 November.

Members will plot out the garden design with rope, spray paint, hay bales and bamboo stakes. There will be guided tours of the garden, sausage sizzle, fruit trees plantings, information stand and a membership drive.

Zumba fundraiser ZUMBA Mornington Peninsula is doing a fitness class fundraiser for beyondblue, 6:30-7:30pm, Monday 26 October, at Rosebud Primary School. The cost is $10 (children Under 13 free).

Those attending are asked to wear something blue.

The Zumba instructor is Helen Rollinson, call 0418 762 242.

• Wedding • Conferences • Functions • Family Bistro • Playzone • Full TAB Facilities • Live Fox Footy channel 2415 Pt Nepean Rd Rye Beach Ph 5985 2277 www.ryehotel.com.au Southern Peninsula News 20 October 2015

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