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Editor: Neil Walker 0431 932 041 Journalists: Brodie Cowburn, Stephen Taylor, Neil Walker 5973 6424 Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Dellaportas Advertising Sales: Anton Hoffman 0411 119 379 Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production and graphic design: Marcus Pettifer, Dannielle Espagne Group Editor: Keith Platt 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Andrew “Toe Punt” Kelly, Craig MacKenzie ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@baysidenews.com.au Web: baysidenews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURSDAY 22 MARCH 2018 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: MONDAY 26 MARCH 2018
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Dog gone: Diner has closed its doors.
Big Dog Diner downed Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au A BURGER bar in Frankston fined for several food handling offences last year has closed its doors for good. Big Dog Diner, an Americathemed fast food outlet, on Cranbourne Road closed down last month. A Big Dog Diner burger joint in Bendigo has also shut up shop. Frankston Council took the business proprietor to court in February last year after council inspectors were “obstructed” from carrying out food safety inspections (“‘Dirty’ diner fined”, The Times 13/6/17). The state government’s Food Convictions Register listed multiple hygiene offences at Big Dog Diner. Business owner Kris Stephens claimed on Facebook the company “made the top 6 per cent of company’s [sic] (in the worlds [sic] history) based on turnover”.
He posted the company was “two [sic] big and very vulnerable” and he admitted he “had not done enough homework and created better management systems”. “Lastly I will say to anyone who is in business well done! It’s not easy but I hope you all find it as worth while [sic] as I do and will continue to learn grow and improve as I will.” A sign on a window at the Frankston diner said the landlord is owed rent for sublease of the premises. Food handling offences last year included a failure “to store food in such a way that it was protected from the likelihood of contamination”, failure “to maintain the food premises to a standard of cleanliness where there was no accumulation of garbage, food waste, dirt, grease or other visible matter” and a failure “to maintain easily accessible hand washing facilities”. The diner’s owner was also fined $50,000 in Bendigo for multiple food standards code breaches at its restaurant.
A COMMUNITY group helping Frankston people “who have nowhere else to turn for help” has commemorated its 50th anniversary. Community Support Frankston, originally the Frankston Citizens’ Advice Bureau, began offering help in the area in 1968 and is a place where food and shopping vouchers are available to those in need. CSF also offers information, support and advocacy for people with problems paying bills, housing costs or essential medical and essential medicines bills. The group is calling for more volunteers to try to help more people in the years ahead. “While our organisation is proud to be reaching such a milestone, we wish we could be doing more to assist the increasing number of people in Frankston experiencing financial hardship,” CSF manager Steven Phillips said. Volunteers are put through nationally accredited training to provide support to people with complex needs. In the past financial year, CSF volunteers responded to more than 10,000 face to face assistance sessions, a record number requests for help in the agency’s history. The organisation’s 50th anniversary was marked with a letter of congratulations from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. “Over the years, CSF has played an important role in supporting the local community, delivering essential services, providing emergency relief and advocating on behalf of those in need,” Mr Turnbull said in the letter. “Through these efforts, CSF has helped meet the changing needs of the local community and nurtured capacity, connection and opportunity. “On this special anniversary, I commend staff and volunteers — past and present — for your commitment to making a difference, and wish you continued success.” Mr Phillips said Frankston Council will
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Frankston Times 19 March 2018