NEWS DESK
Kinders visits in political spotlight
Charity funding
THE kid gloves are off between Kingston councillors and MPs over visits to kindergartens. Councillors narrowly voted at the latest public council meeting to force kindergarten committees to tell council when federal or state MPs intend to visit kinders to “strengthen council’s ability to respond if council-owned kindergartens are being used in a manner that is inconsistent with council’s intent in the issuing of leases.” Councillors who backed the move voiced concerns about councilowned buildings and council logos being used for political purposes. Those who opposed forcing kindergartens to report to council before MPs visit their premises criticised the introduction of “more red tape” and felt parent volunteer committees had enough voluntary work to do without worrying about the extra notification requirement. Crs Tamsin Bearsley, Ron Brownlees, Paul Peulich, John Ronke and mayor Geoff Gledhill voted to have any kindergarten visit by a state of federal MP flagged to a council officer to be “entered into councillors’ diaries”. Crs David Eden, Steve Staikos and Rosemary West voted against the proposal. Tamara Barth was absent from the meeting due to ill health. The News asked Labor federal MP for Isaacs Mark Dreyfus, Carrum MP Sonya Kilkenny and Mordialloc MP
Tim Richardson whether they would notify council of any future intention to visit kindergartens in Kingston. All three said they intended to keep visiting kinders as they already occasionally do and would not formally notify council beforehand. The Labor trio all said they have always tried to work constructively with council on federal, state and council funding for childcare. “My purpose in visiting any kindergarten, as an elected member of parliament, is to hear directly from parents, carers and the dedicated staff about the issues that matter to them about what can be done to improve kindergarten services and about what is working well,” Ms Kilkenny said. “I want to make sure that 4 year old kinder funding is continued and I would love to see kinder funding extended to 3 year olds.” Mr Dreyfus said: “find visiting kindergartens a useful way to speak with working parents and better understand the needs of young families and of the childcare sector. “I will continue to visit kindergartens in my electorate, as I have done since my election to Parliament.” Mr Richardson said it is important that council and MPs work together to provide childcare services to the community. “I’ve had a number of positive meetings with kinders and council representatives and I don’t think it needs to be as blatant as ‘who is attending what meetings’.”
SCREENING rates for breast cancer in the Carrum and Frankston electorates are among the lowest across the state, according to new data. BreastScreen Victoria noted participation rates for 2012-14 reveal just 49 per cent of women in Carrum and Frankston aged between the ages of 50 and 69 had checks for breast cancer as part of the free BreastScreen Victoria program. The participation average across Victoria was 54 per cent with suburbs such as Geelong and Essendon hitting
the 60 per cent participation mark. Parliamentary secretary for health Mary-Anne Thomas, who released the data to state MPs last week, said it is vital to detect breast cancer early to improve the chances of survival. “A regular breast screen, every two years, is the best way to find cancer early,” she said. “I encourage Victorian women, particularly those over the age of 50, to have their breasts screened regularly, and if you’re eligible, it’s free through BreastScreen Victoria.”
Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au
CHARITIES making a difference in Kingston are being encouraged to apply for Kingston Charitable Fund grants. Grants made by the Fund are generally between $1,000 and $5,000 but applications for larger projects can be considered. Launched in 2007, the Fund has distributed more than $370,000 in grants to more than 50 local non-profit organisations. Only charities with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) and Tax Concession Charity (TCC) status are eligible. Applications open Monday 17 August and close 5pm Friday 11 September. An information session for interested groups will be held 11am on Thursday 20 August at Kingston Council Offices, 1230 Nepean Highway. See kingston.vic.gov.au/kcfgrants or call 1300 653 356 for further details.
Wetlands wonders: A Swamp Harrier, above, lands for a bit of hunting and, left, a Blue Fairy Wren surveys EdithvaleSeaford Wetlands. Pictures: Gary Sissons
It’s Australia Day?
Birds enjoy fun in the rain BIRDLIFE at Edithvale-Seaford wetlands is taking advantage of last month’s higher rainfall to breed, feed and hunt. The internationally protected site is home to 190 bird species – 38 of which are migratory species that come from as far away as Japan. Melbourne Water South East Region manager Greg Bain said rainfall was 22 per cent above average, which had encouraged many birds to prepare for the breeding season. “The wetlands will be a great spot for birdwatching over the coming weeks, as the birds engage in courtship and pair bonding before laying their eggs in spring.” For a great view of the wetlands, visit the Education Centre 1-5pm, Sundays. Melbourne’s water storages increased by 21.4 billion litres during July, representing a 1.2 per cent gain. Storages finished the month at 69.5 percent capacity. This is lower than the same time last year, when storages were at 77.4 per cent.
It’s best to get breasts checked The BreastScreen program enables eligible women to get free mammogram checks. BreastScreen Victoria CEO Vicki Pridmore said participation rates are influenced by many factors, including the ageing population – meaning more women are entering the age range of BreastScreen’s target population of 50-74. “Urban participation trends tend to be lower than rural and remote areas across screening programs in many countries due to the diversity of com-
munity, transience and lifestyle factors. Appointment availability may be an issue in specific areas and increased private screening in some areas may also contribute to a reduced participation rate.” In 2014-15, the number of Victorian women screened in the program hit an all-time high of 241,122. BreastScreen Victoria has clinics in Frankston and Moorabbin. See breastscreen.org.au or call 13 20 50 for further information and to book an appointment.
IN Coriole, a little country town in Northern NSW, folks are getting ready for the big day. But what are they really celebrating? No one seems to have a proper answer to this question, but all parties have their own two bits to put in. Master of satire, Johnathan Biggins, has whipped up a comedy in Australia Day with as much froth as a shaken tinnie where jokes snap along like a string of Chinese firecrackers. Laugh all you like, but there is plenty to think about in this hilarious examination of the true blue Aussie identity. Racism, federal politics, disability, the environment and corruption get a fair crack of the whip in this fast-talking send-up of nearly everyone. Queensland Theatre Company has produced a corker and it would be a shame to miss out on where you might fall when the snags are down. See thoughtful, charming comedy Australia Day and then discuss at Frankston Arts Centre on Thursday 27 August at 8pm. Bookings on 9784 1060 or thefac.com.au
Correction LAST week’s article ‘Rural living loses out’ (The News 5/8/15) stated “the Meinhardt report cost ratepayers $164,000” and “Crs Bearsley, Brownlees, Gledhill, Paul Peulich and John Ronke backed the production of the $164,000 report from Meinhardt”. Kingston Council has advised Meinhardt was hired to do work to the value of about $160,000 but the contract was split into two parts, the first part (stage one) was the technical feasibility report and this cost $87,000, not $164,000 as originally stated.
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BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 12 August 2015
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