NEWS DESK
Jubilee Park sees first upgrades Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au NEW facilities including cricket nets and a netball shelter have been opened at Jubilee Park, marking the beginning of a series of planned works for the precinct. Dunkley MP Chris Crewther attended the opening, confirming that the federal Liberal government had made a $160,000 contribution towards the most recent batch of works. “I’m delighted that the Australian Government has been able to provide $160,000 to partner with council to build new cricket nets, netball court shelter and PA system, and to develop concept design plans for a new indoor stadium at Jubilee Park. This will benefit the growth and development of local netball, football, basketball and cricket communities, and contribute to the health and social wellbeing of the community,” Mr Crewther said. “As announced in June, I have also been able to secure in-principle budgeted federal funding of $5.2 million towards the expanded indoor stadium project at Jubilee Park. I am excited to see this vision become a reality for the community. It is wonderful to see these projects come to fruition for the benefit of the local community.” The $5.2 million in federal government funding for the Jubilee Park precinct came after planned investment into Frankston Basketball Stadium in Seaford was pulled earlier in the year.
Mentone Library invites guests
THE Mentone Public Library has extended invitations to guests for two gold coin entry events in the month of September. The first is their monthly ‘Page Turners’ event, which brings in local writers to workshop and hone their skills. Elsie Johnstone and Paul Karp will be workshopping writing with attendees. The event will take place from 10.30am - 12pm, 19 September. The second event at the library will be ‘An Author for all Seasons: Series Eight’ with author Danae Andrea Harwood. Ms Harwood will offer a talk about her experiences with travel blogging. The event will take place from 11am1.30pm, 22 September. Bookings for these events can be made by contacting 9583 8494 or mentonepubliclibrary@ gmail.com.
Pet rego due now
Playing ball: Chris Crewther MP and Cr Colin Hampton were flanked by keen netballers at the opening of new facilities at the Jubilee Park. Picture: Supplied
The finished development of Jubilee Park is expected to cost over $30 million. Frankston City Mayor Colin Hampton thanked the federal and state governments for their contribution to the refurbishment so far. “I’d like to thank the Federal and Victorian Government’s for their generous contributions towards these upgrades and plans, and look forward to them continuing to sup-
port the full redevelopment of Jubilee Park as a regional hub for netball, cricket, basketball and football,” Cr Hampton said. “Council has already committed $10.6 million towards expanding the indoor stadium at Jubilee Park alongside the Federal Government’s existing $5.2 million, which will provide elite pathways for our future sports stars. But we need still addi-
tional funding to get this $31.5 million project underway. “This is a fantastic example of all three levels of government working in partnership for the benefit of the local community and Council looks forward to this positive relationship continuing to deliver vital improvements within Frankston City.”
MORE than 800 Kingston pet owners have yet to finalise their pet registration for the year. “April is pet registration time, but we understand life can get busy and owners may have forgotten,” Kingston Deputy Mayor Georgina Oxley said. “Council is giving another gentle reminder before owners face fines for unregistered animals.” Kingston Council will soon be sending out final reminder notices and potential fines, but is offering a lastminute window to register your pet. The penalty for having an unregistered dog or cat is $322 plus the cost of registration. To register your pet phone 1300 653 356 or for online registration see kingston.vic.gov.au/pets
Painters hone their skills to beat Parkinson’s
Steve Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au
A DESIRE to give something back to the community after she retired prompted occupational therapist Pamela Farrington to start the Mt Martha creative group Painting with Parkinson’s. Now, however, she realises the benefits run both ways: “All the members are my friends and I value them so much that I am the one who feels blessed.” Ms Farrington has been running PWP for eight years “to give people with Parkinson’s a fun, creative outlet with others who are dealing with various symptoms of the neurologi-
cal disease”. “We start off with simple, seated exercise which has been found to stimulate neural pathways,” she said. “Then, under instruction from volunteer Michael Lord, we do a different form of painted art (adapted to various skill levels) at each session. The members have found this stimulating, satisfying and fun – and something to show to family members and friends.” The group, which meets at Mt Martha Community House, had an exhibition in the foyer of Mornington library where “interest from the public was lovely with two people visiting the group to see us in action”. It also exhibited at Kingston Gallery where three members sold their paintings. Although Ms Farrington does not
have Parkinson’s she knows the painters “really appreciate their chats over morning tea about various things that concern them, such as treatments and doctors”. “I encourage humour and we feel we can solve most of the problems in parliament – including getting along with each other despite differing views!” she quipped. In a welcome move, Ms Farrington said Mornington Peninsula Shire had taken over paying the $400 annual rent that she had been paying for past five years “to keep my group afloat”. Painting with Parkinson’s at Mt Martha House is supported by the Mornington Peninsula Shire through the neighbourhood house program. The benefits for the painters are a
welcome social inclusion, because often the symptoms of the disease make it hard for them to access other groups. “Falls, memory loss, soft voice, tremor, depression and anxiety can inhibit people mixing socially,” she said. “As a retired community occupational therapist who specialised in Parkinson’s at a rehabilitation centre in Melbourne I am comfortable working with Parkinson’s members and am able to adapt activities accordingly. “We have 10 regular members at present, with numbers fluctuating due to holidays, sickness etc. “Paintings are mostly acrylic but some do pastels and there’s quite a bit of watercolour, too.” The group meets 10am-12 noon,
first and third Wednesdays, but not on school holidays. Mt Martha community house is at 466 Esplanade, Mt Martha, corner Dominion Road. All materials and morning tea is provided. The group took part in the first Peninsula Parkinson’s Walk, Sunday 2 September, around Frankston Botanical Gardens. “It was well attended and we had lovely weather,” Ms Farrington said. “It was the 10th anniversary of the Parkinson’s Walks at Federation Square. The walk was organised by Karen and Glenys of the Frankston Parkinson’s Support Group. “Parkinson’s Victoria is thrilled this regional walk has come to fruition.” Details: Ms Farrington 0448 835 488.
Did you know... you can view our papers online
www.mpnews.com.au PAGE 6
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 12 September 2018