NEWS DESK
Bright sparks call power company after storms IF a tree or branch has come down onto power lines near your home, don’t immediately call the SES – call the power supply company. The power company’s crews will come out and isolate the power from the lines, and, in some cases, also remove the fallen tree or branch. “When we have multiple calls for assistance during a major weather event, it can be frustrating if we have to go to a job only to find that power lines are involved and are still live,” Chelsea SES controller Ron Fitch said. “We cannot do anything while we wait for the power company and the
time this takes could mean other jobs are held up.” Homeowners and tenants should never touch cables or power lines and should always assume they are live. “Safety is paramount, so make sure you stay well away from the area and ensure no one else goes near them until the authorities arrive,” Mr Fitch said. If the tree or branch is still a problem when the power has been disconnected, or repaired and reconnected, and the area has been declared safe by the power company, call the SES on 132 500. They will be happy to help. If a nature strip tree has come down
and is blocking a roadway, but power lines are also involved, again, call the power supply company. If no power lines are involved, call the SES on 132 500 and a crew will be dispatched immediately. Winter is the time to make sure all gutters and downpipes are clear before the rains begin and you find yourself with water running down the walls or through light fittings. Check around outside and, if branches are overhanging the roof, carport, shed, driveway or garage, trim them back. A little prevention now can save so
much heartache later. “Some people think of the SES as a gardening service and want us to look after the basic maintenance around their house,” SES deputy operations controller Evette Davis said. “But it is too late once a tree has come down, or the rain has come through, and we can only help to clean up the mess that’s left behind.” Another simple message is: never enter floodwater. Don’t drive, walk or cycle through floodwaters as you have no idea what is in the water, what is below the surface, or what is no longer below the water’s surface.
Aussie tale of family, property and belonging Ben Sabatucci
Wanted by police A WARRANT has been issued for his arrest of a man known to frequent the Frankston, Langwarrin and Cranbourne areas. Ben Sabatucci, 24, is wanted by police in relation to the alleged theft of a motor car and theft from a motor car. He is described as 170cm tall, medium build, brown eyes, brown hair and fair complexion. If you know something, say something, police said. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au
THERE’S more to land than real estate. There’s more to family than DNA. Kingston Arts presents a uniquely Australian tale in Boy Out of the Country for one night only at Parkdale’s Shirley Burke Theatre this month. Jane Clifton (TV show Prisoner) leads a stellar cast to tell a story of land, family and belonging when a family’s block of land, worthless for generations, is suddenly re-zoned as part of a regional housing estate. This fast-paced, funny play delves into family loyalty, property prices and life beyond the big city explored through the relationship between two brothers. The performance is part of Kingston Arts’ strong theatre calendar bringing leading productions to the south east. Mayor Cr Tamsin Bearsley said Kingston Arts always presents top of
the range theatre shows like this one. “Kingston Arts has fantastic shows on offer right here in the neighbourhood to suit different tastes and budgets,” she said. “Regular theatre goers can enjoy quality performances with leading casts while newcomers can try theatre close to home without breaking the bank.” Reviews are positive. The Age gave the performance a big rap: “The play is infused with the vitality of Aussie idiom and melodrama that crackles with understatement and wit.” n Boy Out of the Country is at the Shirley Burke Theatre, Parkdale, Tuesday 7 June, 8pm. Tickets: Full $45, concession $40, groups 6-plus $35. See kingstonarts.com.au or call 9556 4440 to book.
Critically acclaimed: A one-off performance of Boy Out of the Country will be staged at Parkdale’s Shirley Burke Theatre.
Giant step help call for Space Camp trip YOUNG schoolgirl Emily Pleece may be visually impaired but she has a big vision. In September, the Aspendale Gardens resident will blast off to US southern state Alabama for a specialist space camp for blind and vision impaired students just like herself. Now, she is busy raising funds to get her dreams off the ground. Emily, 14, has been vision impaired since birth, after suffering a stroke in utero, and she also presents on the autism spectrum. The Parkdale Secondary College student hopes that Space Camp will bring her confidence, independence and a global network of friends. Space Camp is held at the Space & Rocket Centre for one week each
year. It is dedicated to blind and vision impaired students from America and around the world. Emily, who is in Year 9, found out about Space Camp through the Support Skills program which she attends at the Statewide Vision Resource Centre twice a term. Several students from Support Skills are also planning to attend and are on a mission to raise money anyway they can. Emily’s mother, Julianne Vermeend, is excited by what the program will offer. “It’s a phenomenal program. Students learn about space, technology, team work, participate in challenges, complete a mission, develop and grow personally, and have the opportunity to build friendships and
support networks all over the world.” Several local students have previously attended the program, with some going on to study astronomy and then pursuing careers in this area. Emily’s ambition might not lean towards science but she has an interest in being a mobility and orientation instructor, or a place in the Education Department that provides services to vision-impaired students. “Emily loves her time spent at Support Skills, and has shown a desire to help others. Often she is the one getting help, but, at Support Skills, she has shown herself to be very capable and enjoys assisting her classmates,” Ms Vermeend said. “Space Camp will help her to connect with others and inspire her.
A past alumni of the camp said ‘Just because I can’t see the stars, doesn’t mean I can’t reach for them.’ That’s such a wonderful attitude to have.” Emily needs to raise about $80009000. She has already raised $3000 through donations from Rotary and Lions clubs and Parkdale Secondary College. Her family and friends hope to raise the rest of the money needed via market stalls and applying for grants. Businesses willing to donate financially, or with products suitable for auctions or raffles, can visit Emily’s website at emilypspacecampfundraiser2016@jimdo.com or search for ‘Emily P’s Space Camp Fundraiser 2016’ on Facebook.
Inspired vision: Emily Pleece hopes to head to Space Camp in the US later this year. Picture: Gary Sissons.
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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 1 June 2016
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