Cancer fundraiser

BO Gurks owner Jared Turnbull handing out a free pizza. Picture: Supplied

Pizzeria offers a slice of kindness AN Edithvale pizzeria owner put smiles on faces the best way he knows how last week, through the power of pizza. The Bo Gurks restaurant spent three hours handing out free pizzas last week. The initiative was an effort to cheer up the community in the midst of another COVID-19 lockdown. Bo Gurks owner Jared Turnbull said he had noticed his regular customers had become more upset in

recent weeks, and decided to try and make a positive difference. “When customers come into the shop we always like to get alongside them to find out what they’re interested in and help them find the right beer for them,” he said. “We get to know them really well so we could tell that a lot of our regulars were struggling a bit, as many of us are.” Last Tuesday, 31 August, the restaurant handed out 100 free woodfire pizzas to their customers. “It

was just so fantastic to see so many smiling faces again, especially all the little kids who came along with their parents,” Mr Turnbull said. “None of us can change the world by ourselves, but a single small act of kindness can be all it takes to lift one person’s spirits and keep them on the right track. I can’t make the pandemic go away but I can make pizzas, so hopefully we brought just a little bit of joy to the community we care about.”

THE family of a Patterson Lakes teenager who tragically died from cancer this year are doing their bit to help other kids living with the terrible illness. Aged just 13, Kai Loynes was diagnosed with the rare cancer Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma. Kai undertook nine rounds of chemotherapy, but died on 27 May this year. In his memory, Kai’s family is undertaking the Big Walk for Little Kids this month. The walk is raising money for Camp Quality, an organisation that runs camps for kids living with cancer. People undertaking the walk have been asked to walk 25kms, 50kms or 100kms. Camp Quality CEO Deborah Thomas said the organisation was working hard to help cheer up kids who are struggling. “As the situation with COVID changes week on week, these fragile children with their suppressed immune systems, are in a constant state of hope which is often raised then dashed. This uncertainty and disappointment puts their childhoods on hold, with enormous pressure placed on the whole family unit,” she said. “Whilst many kids and their families have since received a vital break on one of our fun programs, we still have a huge demand, with a large number of Camp Quality families currently on the waitlist to attend a camp.” Camp Quality estimates that 870 kids aged under 15 years were newly diagnosed with cancer last year, and around 16,000 kids had to come to terms with a parent’s or primary caregiver’s cancer diagnosis. To sign up for a walk or to donate, visit www.bigwalk.org.au.

Counting race “CITIZEN scientists” in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula can join in Biodiversity Blitz 2021. The challenge, between councils including Casey, Kingston, Mornington Peninsula, and Frankston, aims to list the most species of flora and fauna over September. Citizen scientists can download the iNaturalist app on their smart phones, join the peninsula’s Biodiversity Blitz project group, then head outdoors this month to snap photos of flora and fauna and upload them to the app. “We are running a competition between nine councils on who can record the most species,” Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said. “By taking part you’ll be contributing to community science and showing the world the amazing creatures and plants your local area has to offer. Details: mornpen.vic.gov.au/ bioblitz

Free swim classes FREE swimming lessons will be offered to young kids later this month to help prevent drowning deaths. In 2020, 12 kids under five-yearsold died from drowning in Australia. In a bid to help push that number to zero, local pools are offering free swimming lessons as part of Learn2Swim Week. The free lessons run from 25 September to 3 October. If COVID-19 restrictions stop swimming lessons, free vouchers will be handed out. To find participating swim schools and sign up visit www.learn2swimweek.com.

I’m working hard to ensure that our community’s voice is heard. If I can be of assistance with any federal issue, don’t hesitate to contact me. I am happy to help.

CONTACT ME 9580 4651

566 Main St Mordialloc VIC 3195

mark.dreyfus.mp@aph.gov.au

Authorised by Mark Dreyfus MP, 566 Main Street Mordialloc VIC 3195.

Buses replace trains on the Frankston and Stony Point lines As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing level crossings. Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions Frankston and Stony Point lines

Until 1 Nov

Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach stations closed

From 9pm 13 Sep to 31 Oct

Mordialloc to Frankston and Stony Point

Road disruptions: Closed roads Chelsea Road, Chelsea

Permanently

Closed at the level crossing

Argyle Avenue, Chelsea

Until early Oct

Closed at the level crossings

Bondi Road, Bonbeach

Edithvale Road, Edithvale

Find out if you’re affected at bigbuild.vic.gov.au

Federal Member for Isaacs Shadow Attorney-General & Shadow Minister for Constitutional Reform

MTIA6463

MARK DREYFUS QC MP Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News

8 September 2021

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