LETTERS
NEWS DESK
Food for needy I want to take this opportunity to congratulate a number of organisations for the funding they have committed to allow Life-Gate to construct a purpose-built $31,000 trailer. This funding will allow local volunteers to provide meals and drinks to the needy and homeless from March. The initiative will see to it that meals and the like will be supplied at strategic locations where there is a need basis, such as the Frankston railway station; the former Frankston Ambassador site; the Seaford caravan park; and Frankston North. Since the closure of City Life there has been a real void insofar of emergency meals for our city’s most vulnerable. However, this new initiative by Life-Gate will greatly assist those in desperate need. Life-Gate managed to fund this project with most funding coming from corporate Frankston. This within itself is a fantastic outcome. I also want to thank the many people that generously contributed via online fundraising. I look forward to LifeGate continuing to do great work on behalf of the Frankston community, and I hope to see more corporate generosity from our many businesses and industries in Frankston throughout 2018. Kris Bolam, councillor, NorthWest Ward
Sky high bungle Who is the clever little sausage who decided that it would be a great idea to run two of the Mornington Peninsula’s top attractions, the Tyabb air show and the Rosebud kite festival on the same day? Brilliant. Denis Feely, Tyabb
Move it
FRANKSTON High School student Alex Fox was among many participants in PARC’s Let’s Move for a Better World on Friday (16 March). The campaign is part of a worldwide move to help fight obesity and change sedentary lifestyles. A total of 1.2 million “moves” last year raised $7000 towards gym equipment at McClelland College in Frankston. See parcfrankston.com.au for details. Picture: Gary Sissons
Rally for refugees Many Australians are publicly calling on the federal government to change the current inhumane and unjust policies towards refugees on Nauru and Manus Islands, and those in Australia. A rally is to be held at 2pm on Sunday 25 March outside the State Library, Melbourne to express our great concerns about the continuing inhumane treatment of refugees. This rally has been organised by the Refugee Advocacy Network and is supported by many and varied organisations. Australia is responsible for the futures of those detained offshore and in Australia. We pay many millions of
dollars of our taxes to maintain these unsustainable offshore centres and are responsible for policies which reflect little respect for the human rights, and leave people – men women and many children to languish in limbo. There are other options for an Australian response. Attendance at the rally is important. It’s time again for Australians to tell politicians loud and clear that we do not support the current cruel policies towards refugees. We want offshore centres to be closed. We want the detainees on Nauru and Manus to come here or be settled in a suitable third country. We want an honest and respectful dialogue as we confront this complex world wide issue of people leaving their homes to find safety elsewhere. We need long term sustainable and humane policies for those who seek refuge in our country. Come to the rally if you can with family and friends. Ann Renkin, Shoreham
‘Draconian violence’ I would like to know why 20 security officers were sent to arrest a couple with two small kids in the early hours in order to place them in detention pending deportation. Why such draconian violence on a peaceful valuable family simply because you can. This is horrible behaviour from the Department of Home Affairs whose minister is no longer answerable to the parliament. We need to stand up to bullies who appear to enjoy power far too much. Patricia Rayner, Somers Letters - 300 words maximum and including full name, address and contact number - can be sent to The Times, PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or emailed to: team@ baysidenews.com.au
Policepatrol patrol Police
Driver no rockstar
NOTHING good ever happens after 2am is a phrase often banded around nightclubs and that seems to have been the case on Friday 9 March when a 29-year-old male driver allegedly engaged in some reckless conduct endangering life. The man from Ringwood East was seen performing a burnout outside the Rockstar Bar in a green Holden SS ute before heading northbound and losing control of the car and crossing all three northbound lanes of the Nepean Highway. The driver drove over a median strip and mounted a gutter and also collided with a post at Wells Road. The Ringwood East man nearly took a memento of Frankston with him when a section of footpath became lodged in the ute’s bumper bar. Police interviewed the man about his driving conduct and are seeking more witnesses to the potentially deadly driving behaviour. The man has not yet been charged.
Night ends in multiple strikes AN evening out at tenpin bowling ended with strikes of the wrong kind for an 18-year-old male bashed by a group of men. The 18-year-old was at Strike Bar in Frankston’s Beach Street at about 7.30pm on Saturday 3 March before heading to a nearby nightclub. He left the club at about midnight, being helped out of the premises by
mates since he was “quite intoxicated”. Walking along Beach Street, the victim and two friends, a man and woman, became embroiled in “a disagreement” with four males who threw the 18-year-old to the ground and kicked him in the head. He suffered lumps and grazing to the head and body and a cracked tooth. Police are reviewing CCTV footage in the area between midnight and 1am and are also seeking witnesses.
Quarry fire starter
Police were called to a fire at the entry of a quarry in Quarry Road, Langwarrin at about 2.45am on Monday 12 March. Upon arrival, they discovered a burnt out black Holden utility with no identifying features or number plates. The stolen car, much likes its owner, was “completely gutted”. Witnesses to the arson are being sought.
Rock thrown
A GANG of seven youths loitering in Wyndham Drive, Frankston are being sought by police after one of the youths picked up a rock and threw it through the front kitchen window on a home on the street. CCTV footage is being reviewed.
Graffiti gang
VANDALS tagged a car and bus stop on a graffiti spree overnight on Monday
FRANKSTON HIGH SCHOOL
2019 Enrolment Information and School Tours A learning culture that money cannot buy
Volunteers thanked: Mayor Colin Hampton, left, with Frankston Beach Association members. Pic: Supplied
Foreshore efforts set in stone Frankston High School has an outstanding reputation as a high performing school, particularly in the areas of academic achievement, music and sport. Prospective parents are encouraged to attend an information session and tour of the school on the following dates:
• Monday 23 April • Tuesday 24 April • Thursday 26 April • Wednesday 2 May • Friday 4 May
All tours to start at 9.15am For parents unable to attend through the day, an information evening will be held on Wednesday 2 May at 7.00pm As places are limited, bookings are required for all tours. Please book via our website at www.fhs.vic.edu.au From Monday 19 March 2018
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Frankston Times 19 March 2018
VOLUNTEERS dedicated to preserving the Frankston’s foreshore for more than 30 years have been recognised for their ongoing service to the community. Frankston Council has installed a plaque set in stone along the Frankston Waterfront boardwalk which acknowledges “the dedication and ongoing service to our community in re-vegetating the Frankston Foreshore since 1987 by past and present volunteers of the Frankston Beach Association Incorporated’. The mayor Cr Colin Hampton said the plaque is “a tribute to all volunteers who have given their valuable time and expertise to take care of our local environment.” “The Frankston Beach Association has greatly contributed to the preservation of one of Victoria’s most popular beaches which is regularly filled with people in the summer months.” “On behalf of council, our community and our
environment I thank the Frankston Beach Association for their dedication and contribution to preserving our natural environment.” Frankston Beach Association is a non-profit volunteer organisation that participates in the restoration and preservation of the foreshore reserves. Frankston Beach Association secretary Joan Cavanagh said the group lives by its motto “preserving the beach for all to use”. “We’ve been responsible for obtaining grants and planting over 350,000 plants since 1987 under the leadership of Kathleen Hassell, whose efforts in the revegetation of the foreshore have been recognised with an Order of Australia Medal,” Ms Cavanagh said. “Our dedicated team of volunteers undertake planting on a regular basis and will continue to do so into the future.”