LETTERS Unions good and bad James McLoughlin is correct in the need for unions (“Unions the answers” Letters 28/7/20). However, the unions themselves have much to answer for. I was in a union for 30 years and it did nothing for me when I was sacked for refusing to drive a semi-trailer with no trailer brakes. I was also threatened with being blackballed if I didn’t pay 12 months’ dues in advance after I changed jobs and joined another union. That was two lots of dues in one year I was made to pay. Soon after that union fell into turmoil as the committee members became like the politicians and personal interests led to much infighting which resulted in negative media publicity. Having said this, I would point out that wages have remained static over an unreasonable period and finding job security in, as James stated, the most casualised workforce in the world today is next to impossible. Now retired, some years ago I found joy when I joined a good union. No industrial action was taken without going to a members’ democratic vote. When new management took over and tried to cut our wages and conditions the union held us in good stead when we challenged management to accept similar cuts, which of course they wouldn’t. Look how hard the police and ambulance unions had to fight for insulting pittance wage increases while the politicians in rare bipartisan agreement gain instant outrageous salary increases at the same time. Good unions are needed now as never before. Aussie (Austin) Sadler, Mornington.
Defending Daniel Private aged care is Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s domain, not [Victorian Premier Daniel] Andrews. The name Aspen medical services has popped up lately, the same nursing service that the Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian had in Newmarch House where 19 elderly died from the coronavirus. This was the same company that had also been
assisting on the [cruise ship] Ruby Princess and due to incorrect biohazard routine, allegedly delivered the coronavirus to Newmarch House. Aspen Medical is now working in private aged care centres in Victoria and they are employed by the Morrison government. There are 769 aged residents infected in aged care centres, but only five in public-run ones. Private aged care is the responsibility of Health Minister Greg Hunt. Biosecurity, that’s the prevention and spread of harmful organisms, is the Morrison government’s responsibility. Andrews was pilloried over the breaches of security at the hotels and unlike a typical LNP politician, he has done a mea culpa. Dan Andrews employed the same companies as the federal government does. The companies hired inexperienced workers with limited training for which Andrews can’t be blamed. Then there’s the senior Australian Border Force officer who allowed 2700 people off the Ruby Princess believing they had tested negative for COVID-19 when they had tested negative for the flu. I found these facts in the Bulletin, but couldn’t find them anywhere in the other media. John Cain, McCrae
Defending Scott What an astonishing letter from John Cain (“Knives Drawn” Letters 4/8/20). I am surprised The News would publish such a biased view of the current situation about our leadership. Prime Minister Scott Morrison certainly does have a team of staff working tirelessly on COVID-19 and a few other matters such as Services Australia (Centrelink), treasury, foreign affairs and defence. Are we to believe poor [Victorian Premier] Dan Andrews is handling everything on his own? That’s not possible because then he would have no one else to blame when the full truth of his mismanagement is finally revealed. The snide insults directed at Mr Morrison are hardly worthy. Yes, he enjoys his football, which is still being played in NSW and Queensland, unlike Victoria. And don’t be fooled by a long lens which makes everyone appear to be
very close together. The final insult thrown at his “happy clapper group” is a sad reflection on your correspondent. Would Mr Cain dare insult [Treasurer] Josh Frydenberg (Jewish) or Ed Husic (Muslim) in similar fashion? I think not. Jack Wheeler, Mornington
Defending John I do not need to defend John Cain as I’m sure he can defend himself (“On the record” Letters 4/11/20). But for Roger Cleary to criticise [Victorian Premier] Daniel Andrews when foul-mouthed [Liberal MP for Kew] Tim Smith makes such disgusting remarks that even his LCP mates cringe… Vic Langsam, Frankston
Only in Victoria While the Letters pages have been inundated with criticism (and a lone voice of praise) of the Premier Daniel Andrews, a lot, including the praise, have been short of actual facts. Here are a few reasons Victoria differed from other states: 1) Only in Victoria did we have a group of eight senior ministers, including the Premier, but not the Chief Health Officer or police commissioner (who only submitted daily reports) making final decisions 2) Only in Victoria could returned travellers in hotel quarantine refuse to be tested and then leave after the 14 days. 3) Only in Victoria did the Premier stand up in Parliament and say “Canberra doesn’t run Victoria, I do” and proceed to make policy against the recommendations of the advising cabinet. 4) Only in Victoria has the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee found that the Health Records Act was used to hinder efforts to contract trace the origins of the Cedar Meats cluster that reached 111. 5) Only in Victoria did someone from the Department of Jobs and Infrastructure decide it would be a good idea to employ out of work hotel bouncers for hotel security. 6) Only in Victoria did health authorities stop using the Covid Safe App for about two weeks
because they were “so pressured”. 7) Only in Victoria could health staff and army personnel door knock 3000 homes of people who were supposed to isolate and find 800 not at home, which meant until the declaration of a state of disaster people with the virus were free to leave their homes for exercise. 8) How telling that it was our Health Minister, who went against direct advice and attended Parliament on 4 August along with a few other Upper House members and refused to answer questions. Michael G Free, Mount Martha
Oppose government I once knew a wise old man named Stan. He was called “Mr Somerville” by many locals. Born during World War I, he fought against the Nazis in World War II, survived the prisoner-of-war camp, lived through tough post-war times working in different European countries and finally migrated to Australia in 1950. He built a new life with his family from scratch under difficult circumstances and he truly loved his adopted country. Just occasionally he would say to me “Australians are like children”, and I never quite understood what he meant by that. Until now. I wonder when Australians will grow up to take their lives and livelihoods into their own hands again and challenge their biggest child, the incompetent, helpless and fear mongering Victorian government? When the restrictions of civil liberties are completely out of proportion to the desired outcome - managing the threat of COVID-19 - it is time to stand up. I am sure Stan would agree with me. Silke Steenblock, Somerville
Letters - 300 words maximum and including full name, address and contact number - can be sent to The News, PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or emailed to: team@mpnews.com.au
100 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK...
Miss Gregory and Mrs Ward take aeroplane flights Compiled by Cameron McCullough ON Thursday Morris Bros’ aeroplane made a fight from Mordialloc to Frankston, and the landing and the taking-off were splendid. Amongst the passengers who made the flight at Frankston were Mrs Ward and Miss Dolly Gregory, who thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Morris Bros hope to visit Frankston again shortly to make passenger flights. The date will be advertised in “The Standard” in due course. Messrs Fitzgerald and Sheridan also made a flight. *** ON August 17th, after touring Gippsland, a Peace Loan aeroplane, piloted by Captain Matheson, will arrive at Frankston. Captain Matheson earned “his wings” on the battle fronts of France and Palestine, and the machine he is using is a 130 h.p. Clerget Avro, which travels at a rate of 75 miles per hour. He will leave Lang Lang on August 17th for Somerville, where he will land at 12.15. At two o’clock he will arrive at Mornington, and lands at Frankston at 3 o’clock, leaving for Cranbourne 30 minutes later. The arrival of the aeroplane will be the occasion of a special effort by local committees to secure the district’s quota. *** ACCORDING to “The Argus”, the Venereal Diseases Committee is at present urging the State Ministry to accept an offer by the Commonwealth
Government for the transfer of the Langwarrin Camp which, it is suggested, should be used as an isolation clinic. The area at Langwarrin comprises 550 acres, and the purchase price is about £7,000, while it is estimated that 50 beds, could be maintained at an annual expenditure of £3,000. *** THE Trustees Executors and Agency Company Limited of No. 412 Collins Street, Melbourne, is applying for Letters of Administration of the estate of Thomas Male the elder, late of Yuilles Road, Mornington, retired farmer, who, died on the 20th May last. The estate which is valued for duty purposes at £2821 consists of realty £392 personalty £2429 and is divisible amongst the Widow and children. *** MISS Mackay expects to leave Frankston to take charge of the Mornington post office on Tuesday next. During her residence here Miss Mackay proved a zealous worker on behalf of the Presbyterian Church, and her departure will be a great loss to the church. The members intend entertaining Miss Mackay at a social in the hall on Monday evening next, when the general public are also invited to attend. *** BY advertisement in another column a public meeting is convened for Wednesday night next in the Mount Eliza State School, to consider the question of erecting a public hall in the district. ***
MR Bolger, father of the well-known Frankston footballer, Mr. G. Bolger, died at Cheltenham on Monday last. He at one time resided at Frankston, and deep sympathy is felt for the bereaved family. *** OWING to pressure on advertising space we are compelled to hold over a quantity of interesting reading matter including correspondence, reports of local functions and an interesting contribution from our Tyabb contributor. *** A PUBLIC meeting to discuss the formation of a company to establish cool stores at Frankston is advertised to be held at Brody and Mason’s office on Wednesday afternoon next at 3.30. *** THE fortnightly euchre party and dance, in connection with the Frankston Brass Band, takes place next Thursday. *** PROTESTANT Federation. Frankston Branch. There was a good attendance at the annual meeting of the above association, held in the local Mechanics’ Hall on 22nd July, 1920. Mr Hartland was voted to the chair. The secretary read an apology from the President of the Branch (Mr Jas Grice) who was unable to be present through illness. The minutes of last annual meeting were read and confirmed on the motion of Mr Nicholson, seconded by Mr Johnson. After the correspondence had been received, the secretary’s report and balance sheet was read and adopted,
on the notion of Mr Nicholson, seconded by Miss McComb. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Jos McComb, seconded by Mr. Twining, that a letter of condolence be forwarded to the President on his recent illness and congratulations on his recovery. Mr. H. McComb moved and Mrs Randell seconded, that a letter be forwarded the Executive stating that this meeting upholds the Ministry in the deporting of Father Jerger. Carried. *** TRELOAR will umpire the DromanaSomerville match at Dromana next Saturday. Nugent takes the game at Hastings. *** THE Peace Loan quotas are: Shire of Flinders, £20,000; Shire of Frankston and Hastings, £18,006; Shire of Mornington, £9,000. *** FOR Chronic Chest Complaints Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. *** THE State Treasurer, Mr. McPherson, proposes to visit Tyabb, Somerville and Hastings next week for the purpose of inspecting the cool stores of the co-operative fruit growing companies. As the growers have subscribed the conditional £1000 the Government proposes to erect similar stores at Red Hill. *** THE Family of the late Mrs. W. Firth, of Orkney Farm, Somerville, desire to thank their many friends for cards, letters, telegrams, and floral tributes received during their recent sad
bereavement.
*** HEARD on the Train Progress! Progress everywhere! Shop rents in Frankston are on the rise! A vacant house advertised in the “Standard” on Friday, last attracted no less than 18 enquirers before evening the following day. Summer is in sight! And once more the question of freezing works for Frankston is being discussed. This time it looks as though there will be “something doing.” Anyhow the orchardists will be asked the question shortly. The Frankston Pictures, promoted by the Frankston Brass Band, is the advertised attraction for tomorrow night in the Mechanics’ Hall. A feature of the show will be the screening of incidents at the Frankston-Dromana football match, snapped last Saturday. The Band is endeavoring to be a self-supporting institution, and one commendable feature of the enterprise is that it will keep upwards of £500 in the town, which sum formerly “went abroad.” The council elections do not promise to be wildly exciting, although there is time for development between now and nomination day – the 12th inst. The East Riding contest wherein the Shire President, Cr. D. Hoban, is being opposed by Mr A. J. Alden, will be watched with interest. *** FROM the pages of the Mornington Standard, 6 August 1920 Frankston Times 11 August 2020
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