Road trauma claims victims FIVE people died across Victoria as a result of road trauma over The Queen’s Birthday long weekend (9-11 June). A cyclist, motorcyclist, pedestrian and two drivers were killed with three deaths occurring within two hours of one another on Monday. Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said we now have five families trying somehow to come to grips with the reality of road trauma. “Our police have had to knock on five doors this weekend and deliver an unimaginable message,” he said. “I feel for the families, friends and extended community impacted and also our police officers; attending collisions at all times of the day and night.” The fatalities were: n The death of a 70-year-old woman in a driveway on Saturday 9 June when she was struck by a car in Parkdale just before 10am. n A 52-year-old man killed in Stawell on Sunday 10 June, when his car rolled and struck a tree just before 7.30pm. n A 61-year-old male cyclist in Moorooduc, on Monday 11 June following a collision with a garbage truck about 10.40am. n A motorcyclist, aged in his 50s, who was killed on Monday when he collided with a car at Heathcote about 11.15am. n The death of a 28-year-old man when his 4WD rolled backward on a steep incline striking him while off-road, in Hopetoun Park

about midday on Monday. Police conducted more than 137,400 preliminary breath tests and 2051 roadside drugs tests over the long weekend; detecting 227 drink drivers and 148 drug test offences. “I’m concerned by the number of drink and drug drivers and unauthorised road users taking to our roads,” Assistant Commissioner Fryer said. “One in every 605 drivers was over the limit and one in every 14 motorists tested for drugs returned a positive result. “We’ve seen the impact drugs and alcohol have on our roads so to get behind the wheel impaired, I just don’t get it. “Over 540 motorists were also picked up for being disqualified, suspended or unlicensed. That is over 130 people each day trying to get away with driving when they shouldn’t be on our roads.” More than 8500 offences were detected during Operation Regal including: n 227 disqualified/suspended drivers n 347 unlicensed drivers n 817 unregistered vehicles n 3124 speeding offences n 341 mobile phone offences n 670 disobey signs/signals n 63 vehicle impounds n 256 seat belt offences Operation Regal ran from midnight on Friday 8 June until midnight on Monday 11 June.

YOU’RE MORE SUITED THAN YOU MIGHT THINK

Ann Brown’s schooldays hit the 75 years mark Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au A MT ELIZA woman and former Beaumaris resident who had to leave school when she was 14 is now, aged 75, about to graduate from Deakin University with a PhD (Psychology). Ann Brown’s school in England wanted her to continue with her education but her parents could not afford it. They also believed that an education was “wasted on a female”. So, it was off to work for the bright youngster who says she enjoyed office work and went on, at 18, to become personal assistant to the editor of The Sunday Times newspaper in London. “Choosing office work stood me in good stead as I was able to move in and out of the workforce,” Ms Brown said. With husband Allan she migrated to Australia when she was in her early 30s with two children aged 11 and nine. Still “hankering after study” she began a course at the Open University following her retirement in her 60s and then studied at Monash and later Deakin universities, gaining her BA (Hons) and MA before beginning her doctorate. Overcoming several personal obstacles made her studies “touch and go”. Her only brother died suddenly, and Ms Brown had to return urgently to the UK to settle her elderly mother’s affairs after she died two years ago. The family then had to contend with a fire while living in Beaumaris and find temporary accommodation. She also had to overcome health issues after fracturing three vertebrae. Ms Brown revelled in her chosen field: the effect advertising has on women of all ages – particularly on their self-image. “I began to notice that women were being targeted in advertising with the underlying message that they should have no grey hair and no wrinkles,” she said. After examining 720 advertisements created

Never too late: University graduate Ann Brown wears a mortar board made by a friend. Picture: Gary Sissons

between 1960 and 2010 she saw how they had sought to gloss over the natural effects of ageing. She interviewed scores of women aged 30-75 to gauge how the messages had impacted their lives. “We are wonderful women with so much knowledge and experience, yet the ads are not about who we are but what we look like,” she said. “Most women being affected [by the anti-ageing message] are in their 60s but I also notice that some as young as 30 are having Botox injections to improve their self-image.” And it’s not only women who are being subtly influenced. “The ads also target young boys who get the message that they have to look strong,” she said. “I did my PhD mainly on my own but drew inspiration from my mentor, Dr Tess Knight, of Deakin University, who pushed me on when I felt like giving in.” Now school’s out for the active student who is content to say she is “proud of my achievement”.

With more than 3000 new positions available, a career with Victoria Police can offer you: • Paid training and great starting salary • Rosters planned in advance allowing for work/life balance • Generous leave entitlements • The chance to make a difference to your community • The opportunity to specialise after as little as 2 years

policecareer.vic.gov.au Authorised and published by Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Authorised and published bythethe Victorian Government, 1Melbourne Treasury Place,

Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 13 June 2018

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