NEWS DESK
Crewther wins preselection
Education boost: Education Minister James Merlino, left, Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson and Annie at Chelsea Heights Primary School to announce a grant for a sensory space for pupils. Picture: Gary Sissons
School upgrade for all senses PUPILS with special needs at Chelsea Heights Primary School will be among the first to benefit from a state government Inclusive Schools Fund program. Labor Education Minister James Merlino and Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson visited the school on Monday to confirm Chelsea Heights Primary will receive a $200,000 grant to transform its school hall into an interactive sensory space and multipurpose area suitable for physiotherapy. Principal Jane Satchwell welcomed the funding and said all of the school’s pupils will benefit in some way from upgrades to the Julie Elliott centre,
named in honour of one of the school’s first teachers more than 100 years ago. “The area will re-engage pupils and help them self-regulate in the classroom,” assistant principal Pia Licciardo said. NAPLAN scores have risen since the school introduced sensory based learning to complement the school curriculum. Mr Richardson said the new sensory room will improve education outcomes for students with special needs. “I congratulate principal Jane Satchwell and assistant principal Pia Licciardo and the wonderful parents and
students for realising the school’s vision of excellence for every child and look forward to working with them through this exciting time.” The Special Needs Plan will see 33 projects funded via a $10 million program. “The Special Needs Plan is helping us achieve this vision by giving students with disabilities the same chances as other students who do not face the additional challenges of a disability,” Mr Merlino said. Schools unsuccessful in the first round of the Inclusive Schools Fund can apply again in future rounds for funding.
KINGSTON councillor Paul Peulich and former Carrum MP Donna Bauer have missed out on Liberal preselection for the seat of Dunkley at this year’s federal election. Chris Crewther, former CEO of the Mildura Development Corporation, won the Liberal nomination in a close run race featuring eight candidates. The vote by Liberal Party members came down to the wire between Ms Bauer and Mr Crewther on Sunday afternoon (21 February) at a party convention in Mt Eliza with Mr Crewther, 31, emerging as the preferred candidate. Mr Crewther unsuccessfully contested the seat of Mallee in 2013 and is a former staffer of Victorian senator Michael Ronaldson. Sitting Liberal MP for Dunkley Bruce Billson will retire from politics after this year’s federal election, yet to be called by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, after his demotion from his small business ministerial position in cabinet last year after the ousting of former prime minister Tony Abbott. Mr Crewther, who has a Frankstonbased business consultancy, and is married with a six-month old daugh-
Good luck: Outgoing Dunkley Liberal MP Bruce Billson, left, congratulates Chris Crewther on his nomination as Liberal candidate for Dunkley.
ter, will face Labor candidate Peta Murphy, a criminal defence lawyer, in the Dunkley electorate contest. Dunkley includes the suburbs Frankston, Langwarrin, Mt Eliza, Mornington, Seaford and Skye. Neil Walker
Food, wine, music and more KINGSTON’S two-day Mordialloc Food, Wine & Music Festival is on Saturday 5 March-Sunday 6 March at Peter Scullin Reserve, Mordialloc. The festival features non-stop music across three stages, roving performers, gourmet food and wine stalls, rides, children’s activities and more.
The festival, which runs 11am-10pm on Saturday and 11am-6pm on Sunday, is expected to attract more than 40,000 people over two days to the magnificent Mordialloc foreshore. It is a family friendly event with no BYO or dogs allowed. See kingston.vic.gov.au or call 1300 653 356.
Plea to put more limits on jet-skis Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au CONCERNS over swimmers’ safety off Bonbeach and Aspendale beaches have been flagged by Kingston Council. Mayor Cr Tamsin Bearsley says council has written to Parks Victoria to request an extension of existing ‘no boating’ zones to keep boats and jetskis away from people in the water offshore. “At the moment some of the boating zones begin directly in front of the foreshore carparks, which is where most beach goers hop out of the car and head straight for the water,” Cr Bearsley said. “Council has requested existing no
boating zones are extended to ensure swimmers and water craft are kept safely apart. Jet-skis and boats should be kept well away from our key swimming areas.” Gnotuk Ave in Aspendale, Williams Grove in Bonbeach and Watkins St/ Coleman Rd in Aspendale are three areas where council wants to see no go zones extended for water craft. Parks Victoria local ports and waterways manager Victor Teoh said new boating and swimming zones are being introduced across all of Port Phillip and Western Port to improve safety on the water following after two years of public consultation. “Parks Victoria is ensuring all boating zones across Port Phillip and Western Port are safe, easy to identify
and also easy to comply with,” Mr Teoh said. “The new boating and swimming zones are introduced with upgraded aids to navigation and signage to clearly mark the zones for the public. “The stage 3 upgrade was completed in 2014 and covered the north eastern side of Port Phillip from Seaford to Mount Martha including Aspendale and Bonbeach.” A ‘swimming only’ zone was introduced in front of the Edithvale Life Saving Club in 2014 as part of the stage 3 upgrade (‘Jet-ski hoons ‘could kill’’, The News 19/2/14). Mr Teoh said a review of all ‘no boating’ zones will take place later this year.
Making waves: Council has asked Parks Victoria to extend no go zones for jet-skis.
Clear Skin REMOVE SUN DAMAGE AND HYPERPIGMENTATION IN ONE TREATMENT 1300 661 819 www.lumpsandbumpsskinclinic.com.au
BEFORE
AFTER 02.10.2016 13:18 News Corp24Australia Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News February Proof 2016 ©PAGE 3