NEWS DESK
Sporting chance centres ‘on market’ Continued from Page 1 The directors of Peninsula Leisure are -- chair Roseanne Healy who is also a director on many South Australia company boards; remuneration and reward committee chair Barbara Crook; strategy and marketing committee chair David Shilbury; audit and risk committee chair Simon Allatson and Phillip Johnson who is also chief financial officer of South East Water. Both Mr Hovenden and Mr Gledhill did not answer questions about any remuneration and rewards paid to Peninsula Leisure directors. Shire chief financial officer Matt Green confirmed “a request for pro-
posal process” for the four sports centres took place last year. “The process does not indicate council had made a decision to outsource services, rather it was to gain a clearer understanding of other operators in the field,” Mr Green said in a statement. “Having tested the market, and shared these findings with council, the shire continues to review various options to ensure the best outcome for the community. “Access to health and fitness opportunities remains a priority, and council is focused on ensuring the best value-for-money services are offered
to our community.” Mr Green said the review “included staff, facility members, user groups and discussions with other local government facilities’ management teams”. Questions about shire council officers recommending a commercial manager be appointed to take over the running of Devilbend Golf Course in Moorooduc were not answered by Mr Green. Park Leisure board member David Shilbury sits on Golf Victoria’s board. It is not known if Peninsula Leisure has expressed any interest in running the golf course.
Every picture tells a story: Frankston Library staff picks for a Bookface competition held during Liberary and Information Week. Picture: Yanni
A comp to face the page
Life aquatic: The Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre managed by Peninsula Leisure Pty Ltd first opened its doors in 2014.
GET your face out of Facebook and into a book. That’s the message of a Frankston Library competition this month. A Bookface contest is encouraging readers to post photos online lining up a face or other body part with a book cover displaying a matching body part. Participants should post their Bookface photo using the hashtag #FrankstonBookFace on Instagram. “Bookface brings book cover art into the real world in a hilarious
way,” Frankston mayor Cr Brian Cunial said. “I look forward to seeing the creative ideas that people come up with to celebrate National Library Week.” Library and Information Week is an annual event in the final week of May and this year falls on 22-28 May. Frankston librarians will judge Frankston Bookface entries and a winner of a mystery prize will be announced on 26 May. Neil Walker
T H E 17 t h I N T E R N AT I O N A L
C O O L C L I M AT E W I N E S H O W Celebrate International cool climate wines at the recently renovated Mornington Racecourse. Recognised as Australia’s foremost show for inspirational cool climate wines, the ICCWS attracts more than 500 wines in up to 40 classes, including new Italian Classes thanks to a recent partnership with the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Melbourne.
Done deal: SES Chelsea controller Ron Fitch thanks Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson for helping secure funding for a new HQ. Picture: Phil Wall, SES
Public Tasting Tuesday 23rd May 6pm - 8pm $25.00pp includes: wines from the show ¼ aŅųĹĜĹčƋŅĹ {åĹĜĹŸƚĬ± ĀĹčåų üŅŅÚ
Awards Dinner Friday 26th May 7pm for 7.30pm $125.00 ($110 concession) Includes: A tasting platter of Mornington Peninsula produce; Three-course dinner; å± ¼ Ņýååţ FĹÏĬƚÚĜĹč ƼŅƚų ÏĘŅĜÏå Ņü ĀĹå wines from the show to match. $130pp if booking both Public Tasting & Dinner Or $160pp VIP Trophy Table at the Awards Dinner 8Ņų ƋĘå ĀųŸƋ í ŞåŅŞĬå ƋŅ ϱĬĬ ƚŸ ±ĹÚ ÆŅŅĩ ÚĜųåÏƋĬƼţ Includes: Pre-dinner private tasting, dinner plan as above + seating at a Judge's table with a selection of gold medal wines. For all event enquiries or to book visit: www.coolclimatewineshow.org.au info@coolclimatewine.org.au m:0432 434 255 PAGE 6 Frankston Times 15 May 2017
New base rises from ashes A NEW headquarters for the Chelsea unit of the SES will be built in Aspendale with $2.8 million in funding last week allocated to its construction in the 2017-18 state budget. Chelsea unit controller Ron Fitch welcomed the decision by the state government to provide funding for a new base on the corner of Nepean Highway and Station Street, Aspendale for Chelsea area state emergency services. Construction is expected to begin next year, subject to Kingston Council approval, with completion estimated as early 2020 at the latest. “There were times when we thought it may never happen but we never gave up hope and today was the culmination of so much hard work by so many people and to each of them we say a big thank you from all of us,” he said. The announcement came mere weeks after a fire in a rescue vehicle, blamed on a faulty battery, damaged the unit’s existing headquarters at Bonbeach Reserve, Scotch Parade. SES volunteers have been sharing resources with their Frankston colleagues while the damage is repaired. “The Frankston members have been fantastic and have made us feel very welcome but we don’t want to be like that annoying relative who comes to stay for a week and then stays for six months,” Chelsea SES spokesman Phil Wall said. Mordialloc Labor MP Tim Richardson said the new building will ensure will be able “to continue
their outstanding work”. “Our dedicated volunteers in the Chelsea region do an incredible job,” he said. “They step up at any time of day or night to help people in their time of need.” The state government also announced an overhaul of the way SES units across Victoria are funded in last Tuesday’s state budget. Councils will no longer be expected to pitch in to fund the volunteer units after the Labor state government decided to provide $14.9 million over the next financial year to SES units. Some councils, but not Kingston Council, had threatened to axe funding to SES units and cited the state government’s rate capping policy as the reason to stop directing ratepayers’ money to the units. Kingston Council allows Chelsea SES to use the council-owned Bonbeach depot rent free and shares rental costs for Moorabbin SES with Bayside Council. Council is aware of the Victorian Government’s budget announcement regarding funding increases for the SES but has not yet received official advice regarding additional funding to be provided to our very important local SES units,” Kingston Council city assets and environment general manager Daniel Freer said. Council contributed about $42,500 in grants to Chelsea SES and about $21,500 to Moorabbin SES in 2015-16. Neil Walker