NEWS DESK
Netball leads way to healthier club THERE are now 10 times more obese children and teenagers in the world compared to 40 years ago – according to a global study of over 200 countries. A proactive healthy step has seen Michele Cavanagh, president of Bonbeach YCW Junior Netball Club, and committee members pledge to take a proactive approach to fostering a healthy culture at the junior netball club. They have recognised that in addition to promoting physical activity, they too have an opportunity to broaden and connect with players to encourage healthy food habits in an attempt to reduce poor lifestyle behaviours and conflicting messages that juniors can face. The first step in trying to improve the healthy culture at the club was to drop the common ‘lollies at halftime or at the end of a game’ mentality often seen at junior sport. As a replacement, fruit will continue to be offered midway through and at the end of games. Another initiative which has been altered by the committee was the ‘chocolate drive’ fundraiser that is held annually which will now be replaced with various other fundraising initiatives such as raffles. Local health coach and ambassador to Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution and That Sugar Film Maddie Race was invited to the club in late-August to conduct a one-hour educational healthy eating workshop for players in replacement to their normal training session. “Players were educated on how to
Health pledge: Charlotte and Tegan from Bonbeach Junior Netball Club. Picture: Gary Sissons
read food labels and in particular identifying the amount of sugar in popular kid’s food,” Race said. “We also did a mindful eating exercise and completed a simple food quiz, where we were able to collect valuable data for the club and individual teams on the current food habits.” As part of the workshops held by Race, families received a digital copy of her ebook Healthy eating guide, kids playing sport edition to help them understand the impact food choices have on their daily life, mood, perfor-
mance and recovery. Race said she is passionate about inspiring mums, dads and kids to get back in the kitchen and cook using real ingredients to create healthy meals. “Healthy and thriving sporting communities extend past training and game day. As a society, where childhood obesity is at epidemic rates, we need to take a more proactive approach when it comes to food options presented to children,” she said. “By removing conflicting messages and fostering a positive healthy
dialogue to support training and game day as Bonbeach YCW Junior Netball Club is currently undertaking is the positive start that we need. “We are living on way too much processed, convenient food that line supermarket shelves and often deemed ‘healthy’ because of poor labelling laws and hidden salt and sugar. “This food is often cheaper and directly marketed to busy families. This food is often seen at weekend sport canteens and needs to change.” Ben Triandafillou
Watchdog eye on complaints Continued from Page 1 Kingston Council confirmed of the 11 complaints: n Three matters related to outstanding rates or financial hardship (Finance Department) n Two related to parking infringements (Statutory Education and Compliance Department) n One related to noise (Environmental Health Department) n One related to a barking dog (Statutory Compliance Department) n One related to parking signs (Traffic and Transport Department) n One related to construction of shade sails (Building Department) n One related to landfill planning matter (City Development Department) n One was related to special charge scheme (Finance/Governance Department). Mr Nevins said the complaints referred to council by the Ombudsman’s office were dealt with by governance manager Phil De Losa. The Ombudsman’s 2015-16 annual report lists 79 complaints made about Kingston Council in the year before the latest report. Last week’s 2016-17 annual report listed neighbouring Frankston Council having 71 complaints made to the Ombudsman and Bayside Council having 66 complaints. Casey Council was the most complained about council with 139 complaints. There are no figures confirming how many complaints were investigated and substantiated.
State brothel busters call wins support Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au COUNCILS across Victoria have backed a Kingston Council push for a state government led crackdown on illegal brothels masquerading as massage businesses. A Kingston Council motion tabled at a Municipal Association of Victoria state council meeting last week (19-20 October) calling for a state taskforce to tackle massage parlours offering extra illegal services was supported by attending councils. Kingston mayor Cr David Eden and council CEO John Nevins attended the two-day MAV meeting in Melbourne. Cr Eden said the support shown for
Kingston’s proposal to have the state government take on responsibility for “complex” and potentially costly investigations of suspected illegal brothels means other councils want “to see more action taken”. “We appreciate the police do an outstanding job but more resources are urgently needed as the number of illegal brothels is on the rise and council has been forced to step in as we have seen no police enforcement on this issue,” the mayor said. He said ratepayers could not be expected to solely fund such investigations. “Kingston Council has successfully prosecuted four illegal brothels in recent months and we’re investigating five more, but each case is complex and cost-
ly,” Cr Eden said. “And the businesses may simply move to another area. “We need a state-led approach that uses the expertise of Victoria Police to shut these illegal operators down for good.” Cr Eden noted the state government is responsible for the licensing of brothels with input from Victoria Police. “Local councils are not equipped to deal with operators who may be involved in more serious criminal activities not can we address the potential exploitation of illegal brothel workers or provide appropriate support structures when required.” Kingston Council has written to Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville urging the Labor state government to act.
High exposure: A former massage business Fire Banana in Mentone closed after Kingston Council hired investigators found illegal services offered. Picture: Gary Sissons
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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 25 October 2017
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