NEWS DESK
Conduct panel hearing ‘worth it’
Brick by brick: Schoolchildren are being encouraged to use skills gained playing Minecraft to design a new Frankston train station as part of a state government competition. Digitally altered picture: Andrew Hurst
Fun contest pulls into station SCHOOLCHILDREN can showcase their Minecraft game skills in a competition to design the new Frankston train station. The state government’s Frankston Train Station Design Competition is open to Frankston schools’ pupils and students aged 6 to 16. The junior design competition has been launched ahead of a Frankston Train Station National Design Competition to be announced by the Office of the Victorian Government Architect. Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke said he looks forward to posting some of the “awesome” designs on Facebook.
“The junior design competition, launched in anticipation of the new Frankston train station, to be built by the end of 2018, is a fun way for our kids to tell us how they want to shape the future of their Frankston,” he said. Entrants should design the train station of the future using digital tools such as Minecraft or iPad apps. Designs can either be uploaded to YouTube or an image can be submitted.’ A platform and tracks for trains must be included in the design. See pauledbrooke.com/station-design-competition for full competition details.
A COUNCILLOR conduct panel hearing held in April cost ratepayers $15,000 but one of the two councillors questioned by the panel feels it is money well spent. Cr Darrel Taylor, who had allegations of misconduct dismissed by the panel, says he wanted misbehaviour by councillors at Frankston Council to be made public after becoming frustrated by a lack of consequences for “unacceptable” conduct. “I’ve witnessed behaviour from some councillors that I personally regard to be totally unacceptable and no action has been taken,” Cr Taylor said. “Some councillors believe they can behave in an inappropriate manner and get away with it.” Deputy mayor Cr Colin Hampton was ordered by the panel, facilitated by the Municipal Association of Victoria, to formally apologise to two council employees due to “objectively threatening behaviour” witnessed by bystanders at a Allure Bayside apartment development launch in November last year. Cr Hampton demanded to know who had “authorised” Cr Taylor to speak at the event after mayor Cr James Dooley had addressed attendees. Council CEO Dennis Hovenden, who was also at the evening event, told the hearing he was “disappointed and uncomfortable about having to give evidence to the panel” in his evidence at the councillor conduct panel hearing. The two-man panel, barrister Peter Harris and MAV governance member Matt Evans, noted Mr Hovenden “was
Cr Darrel Taylor
disappointed that the parties could not resolve the matter through mediation, particularly that one councillor went directly to a councillor conduct panel without accessing mediation”. Cr Taylor made no apologies for insisting misconduct allegations be heard by the independent panel. “I thought it was time that someone stood up against this type of behaviour and if cost 15 grand to do that and councillors are now put on notice, it’s been worth it.” The current Frankston Council term has been volatile, especially in the past 12 months, amid complaints of “bullying” between councillors. Some of the accusations have been made at public council meetings. Frankston’s nine councillors face voters for re-election in October. Neil Walker
United against abuse NETBALLERS and spectators are uniting for a ‘Sisterhood Masked Morning Tea’ to raise money and raise awareness of Sisterhood, a project initiated by Frankston Toy Library, to support victims of domestic violence. Players will wear something orange at Frankston District Netball Association games on Saturday 23 July at Jubilee Park and entry by gold coin donation for spectators will be contributed to the Sisterhood organisation. “We are looking forward to everyone wearing a mask or orange supporting our theme ‘Unmasking the Violence’,” FDNA president Sharni Plant said. “We hope that by raising awareness, all our netball Sisters will empower themselves to understand what is acceptable behaviour in a relationship.” Games start at 9am at Frankston Netball Pavlion, Jubilee Park Reserve, Hillcrest Rd Frankston and spectators are also encouraged to wear something orange or a mask to show support against domestic violence.
Orange is the colour: Cr Sandra Mayer, left, Jill Bloink, Sharni Plant, Kelsey Allen and Anne Tyrrell make a stand against domestic violence. Picture: Andrew Hurst
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18 July 2016
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