Toilets trouble for station patrons Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au STATION-GOERS at Mentone say they are unhappy about unisex toilets at the train station and want genderspecific loos back for the sake of privacy. The Friends of Mentone Station and Gardens chair Dorothy Booth says women who use the toilets are often confronted by the sight of male occu-
pants in the two unisex toilets at Mentone Train Station. “Men go in and don’t bother to lock the door,” she said. “It’s embarrassing for people. What’s wrong with sex-specific toilets? All it requires is a simple change of label on the door.” The toilets were changed from male and female toilets to unisex loos as part of the state government’s Bayside Rail Project upgrades including accessibility improvements at stations along the
Frankston line such as Mentone two years ago. Public Transport Victoria spokeswoman Michelle Zydower said the switch to unisex toilets and installation of new locks and signage made the facilities compliant with Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport. “The design of accessible toilets at Mentone Station recognises that a passenger with accessibility needs using the facilities may be accompanied by
a carer of the opposite sex,” she said. “Mentone is a premium station which is staffed from first to last trains and passengers can approach these staff if they have any concerns.” Ms Booth said station staff are sympathetic to complaints but doubts there are “hordes” of disabled people regularly using the toilets at the station. She noted the all-girls Kilbreda College is situated near the train station so females’ comfort with the toilets arrangement should be a priority.
Taking a stand: Some women feel uncomfortable with Mentone unisex toilets.
Bee teams teem across urban suburbs THERE’S a buzz about Kingston suburbs. Beekeeping is increasing in popularity as a hobby but it is important to learn the basics of beekeeping and harvesting honey before installing a hive according to a Mordialloc beekeeper. Tony Buckle says budding beekeepers should learn about urban beekeeping and an information evening at Chelsea Heights Community Centre this month is the perfect chance to head along and get some tips. “It’s like any hobby, if you go in blindly you’re just not going to do it probably,” Mr Buckle said. “There’s a lot more to it than people think and the main thing is the husbandry of the bees - it’s not all about just taking the honey.” Scouting out a suitable position, at least three metres away from any neighbouring home’s fence, is important as is understanding pests and diseases that can harm bees.
He recommends people look after European honeybees. “The Italian ones are particularly good because they’re quite docile but it does depend on the Queen bee.” As for being stung, Mr Buckle says this is “part and parcel” of beekeeping but it is not too sore. Wearing white is a way to ensure bees see a keeper as being friendly. “Novices wearing a brown wooly jumper couldn’t look more like a bear and wonder why they get stung.” Being “slow and fluid” around bees in hives also reduces the risk of bee stings. “It’s quite a meditative hobby really when you get into that flow … don’t go in making a lot of noise or you can be in trouble.” He says the average Queen lays about 2000 eggs per day and there are 60,00080,000 bees per average-sized beehive. Mr Buckle says it is good that more people are interested in keeping bees
since it replenishes dwindling numbers. Prospective beekeepers should check with Kingston Council before installing a beehive. Certain species of feral bees are not allowed to be kept on residential properties as are European or English wasps. “Obviously humans come first but a hive’s footprint is very small and bees will fly out within a 10-kilometre radius,” Mr Buckle said. n An ‘Urban Beekeeping and Honey Production’ information session by Diana and Nikolai Faizoulline from Hampton Hives will be held at Chelsea Heights Community Centre, Beazley Reserve, 160 Thames Promenade, Chelsea Heights on Monday 25 July, 7pm. Entry $5. See chelseaheightscommunitycentre.com.au or call 9772 3391 for booking details. Neil Walker
Honey to the bees: Tony Buckle attending to his beehive. Picture: Gary Sissons
STOCKTAKE
SALE
UP TO
Must end soon! shop IN-STORE and ONLINE
ASHTON
3 seater sofa in downtown fabric WAS
$2549
$1899
NOW
SARI
223w entertainment unit in clear lacquer WAS NOW
NEW HAVEN 180w buffet in white wash
$2049
$1599
WAS
$1699
$1299
NOW
CANTINA
high bar stool in black/oak WAS $279 SUPER SAVER low stool WAS $229 NOW $149
$179
TURNER
recliner chair + ottoman in black/chocolate WAS $1299 SUPER SAVER
$749
www.ozdesignfurniture.com.au Stocktake Sale (with up to 50% off) available from 28/06/2016 to 25/07/2016. Discount for new orders varies dependant on product, with minimum discount of 20% off applicable and up to 50% off discount applicable on floor or clearance stock at stores discretion only. This may vary from store to store. Not to available in conjunction with Super Savers, Glasshouse and Circa ranges or any other offer.
OZ DESIGN FURNITURE MORNINGTON PH: 8560 1137, SHOWROOM D4, PENINSULA HOME, 1128-1132 NEPEAN HIGHWAY VIC LOCATIONS: BENDIGO 8692 2589, ESSENDON 8560 1130, GEELONG 8560 1124, HOPPERS CROSSING 8560 1141, MORNINGTON 8560 1137, NORTHLAND 9471 0244, NUNAWADING 9894 1566, RICHMOND 8560 1120 Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
13 July 2016
PAGE 3