NEWS DESK New inventor: Bridgette Veneris, left, helps sister Chloe Veneris apply a band-aid solution at St Joseph’s School. Picture: Gary Sissons
Machete lead in tree vandal hunt Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au
Bright idea out of this world Liz Bell liz@baysidenews.com.au A NEW solution to an age-old ‘sticky’ problem has won Chelsea student Bridgette Veneris a trip to NASA in America and $500 for St Joseph’s primary school. The lateral-thinking ten year old has just won the littleBIGidea competition for her sticky plaster dispenser, which is now being patented and will hopefully be on the supermarket shelves in the not-too-distant future. So impressed were competition organisers with her idea that judge James O’Loghlin, host of the ABC’s New Inventors TV show, flew down from Sydney last Tuesday to surprise Bridgette at school with news of her win.
The win is particularly special for the family, who have endured a tough 12 months after Bridgette was diagnosed with leukaemia last year. Bridgette’s mum Sharon said the family was “blown away” by the win, and was looking forward to a family holiday in America when the young science buff’s chemotherapy finishes in 18 months. Ms Veneris said Bridgette’s idea came about during her cancer treatment and weekly blood tests when she noticed the difficulty nurses had opening sticky plasters, and the waste created by peeling off the sticky covers. “We are so proud of her, she did this all on her own because she is interested in things and loves to discover,” she said. “So after seeing how frustrating it
was for nurses to try to open sticky plasters with their rubber gloves on, she started playing around with rolls of sticky tape to test out her idea. “It took a few goes to get it right, but she drew some diagrams and sent them off to the competition, and they loved it.” St Joseph’s Primary School principal Gavan O’Donnell said Bridgette was an “amazing” student who approached her cancer battle with the same energy and positive approach that she had for school and learning. “It is great news and we are so excited for Bridgette and her family,” he said. The littleBIGidea competition is run by Origin Energy and invites students from grades 3 to 8 to come up with a great idea, big or small, and then describe it in words or in a video.
A MACHETE found on the Henry St Trail in Heatherton may have been dropped by a tree vandal responsible for the destruction of up to 30 trees across Kingston over the past few weeks. Moorabbin Police Sergeant Kevin Bond said the machete was similar to that described by a resident who saw the man hacking into trees in the area. When confronted the man acted aggressively before running off. Sergeant Bond said forensic tests were being run to help identify the man, described as Caucasian, in his early 20s, who is also believed to carry an axe. “We have made no arrest as yet and have not identified our suspect, but we hope public information will lead us to him and that the fingerprints will provide evidence,” he said. Kingston Council has called on the community to report tree damage and vandalism following the spate of attacks in the Henry St Trail/Karkarook Park area. Council officers on patrol are urging neighbouring residents to report suspicious activity to the police immediately. The council also erected signs near The Glade, Bonbeach, after trees there were vandalised. Replanting has begun on the foreshore to replace damaged trees. Mayor Cr David Eden said council
is “extremely disappointed that efforts to beautify the area with tree plantings were being ruined by such senseless vandalism”. “Council invests a significant amount of ratepayer funding in maintaining existing trees and planting more than 3000 trees each year. Each tree costs $250 to plant and maintain for the first two years of its life,” Cr Eden said. Sergeant Kevin Bond advised residents to call 000 if they spot the man acting suspiciously. “They should not approach the male as he is believed to carry an axe or a machete with which he damages the trees,” he said. Residents are fed up with the senseless vandalism and want the man caught. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000, Kingston Council 1300 653 356 or Moorabbin police 9556 6565.
Correction LAST week it was reported Cr Rosemary West was unanimously backed to be deputy mayor at a Kingston Council meeting where a new mayor and deputy were elected by councillors (“Eden is new mayor”, The News 9/11/16). Crs Tamsin Bearsley, Geoff Gledhill and George Hua opposed the nomination of Cr West for deputy mayor.
Rough seas claim fisherman FISHERMEN fought in vain to rescue a man who slipped and fell from Mordialloc Pier in severe weather conditions, early on Monday morning (14 November). Father-of-one Matt Allan was fishing with a mate on the south side of the pier between the centre shelter and the far end, 2.50am, when he appeared to lose his footing in the wet conditions. Witnesses said the keen angler, 31, of Pakenham, called for help when he fell three metres into the swirling water, while his mate, with the help of another fisherman, attempted to use a net and fishing poles to pull him to safety. A Mordialloc police report said the heavy seas foiled their rescue attempts. After several minutes, Mr Allan’s body drifted under the pier and re-emerged on the north side without showing signs of life. Strong winds and a high tide at 2.40am
– with waves breaking over the pier – may have contributed to the tragedy. Crews on a Mornington Coast Guard boat found the Mr Allan’s body at about 4.25am and took him to Patterson River boat ramp. Fishermen are now calling for the placement of life rings at strategic places along the pier for use in similar emergencies. Police will prepare a report for the coroner on Mr Allan’s death.
Calm after storm: Fishermen at Mordialloc Pier the evening after a man drowned after falling off the pier early on Monday morning. Picture: Gary Sissons
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BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
16 November 2016
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