NEWS DESK
Author launches in Frankston DEBUT novelist Rose Hartley will launch her book Maggie’s Going Nowhere at the Frankston Library. The author will speak at the library on 29 January from 6pm. The book follows the story of Maggie Cotton, a young heroine who is dumped by her boyfriend, disinherited by her mother, and kicked out of her degree in one day. Ms Hartley is a graduate of the Clarion Writers’ Workshop. Bookings for the free event at library. frankston.vic.gov.au/Whats_On or by phoning 9784 1020.
Helping hand: Volunteers gathered at Frankston Library. Picture: Supplied
Volunteers knit for wildlife OVER 100 people teamed up at Frankston Library last week to help make nests for animals affected by bushfires. Fires raging across the nation have devastated the wildlife population, experts say. University of Sydney ecologist Professor Chris Dickman said that he estimates “the number of animals killed in bushfires in NSW to more than 800 million animals, and more than one billion animals impacted nationally.” “I think there’s nothing quite to compare
with the devastation that’s going on over such a large area so quickly. It’s a monstrous event in terms of geography and the number of individual animals affected,” he said. The Peninsula Belles Branch of the Country Women’s Association of Victoria donated wool to the library to use to crochet and knit nests for wildlife. Mount Martha woman Sandra Wylie was among the volunteers who visited the library at the event on 8 December. She brought along
daughter Elisia and her friend Billie, both aged 12. “I knew they were both very passionate about animals and thought they would like to come along. I grew up in Gippsland and even last year we holidayed in Yarrawonga. What has happened down there is very sad,” Ms Wylie said. Her daughter Elisia said “we both really care about animals so when Mum told us this was on, we wanted to come and help out.”
A single ember can spread bushfires as far as 40km. Burning embers from bushfires can travel up to 40km, starting new fires in seconds, destroying homes and making escape impossible. If the Fire Danger Rating is ever extreme or above, don’t hesitate. Leave early.
Plan. Act. Survive. Go to emergency.vic.gov.au
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Frankston Times
14 January 2020
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