NEWS DESK
Homestead where the heart is A COMMUNITY group working to historic farm buildings at Down’s Estate in Seaford have been given 18 months to show that a farm homestead and large shed should not be demolished. The Down’s Estate Community Working Group (DECWG) received unanimous backing from councillors at this month’s public council meeting to begin work on “a community use project�. The group hopes an indigenous bushfood garden and permaculture site can be established at Down’s Estate alongside an indigenous cultural trail. DECWG representative Maureen Griffin told councillors at the meeting that the group wants to work to save the farm homestead, formerly occupied by renowned whip and saddlemaker Harry Down, and a large shed on the site.
“We want to give it our best to shot to save the house for the historic value and the story it tells,� she said. “We have worked extremely hard for four years and we have had excellent support from [council] officers for the last three months in particular. We will give it everything we’ve got to make something for that house as well as that shed.� A carport, outbuildings, water tank and windmill frame have been demolished due to being deemed unsafe. The community group’s members will now carry out maintenance and weeding at Down’s Estate and undertake a basic restoration of the shed if funds can be found. Weeding to control Spiny Rush on the estate is done by council using Melbourne Water grant funds so the weed
does not enter the adjoining Ramsarlisted Seaford Wetlands. Council officers recommended the DECWG become an incorporated entity to be eligible for council funding considered in future budgets. Officers previously backed the demolition of the homestead and shed but councillors decided to give the DECWG more time to prove the buildings can be saved for community use (‘Historic homestead saved’, The Times 7/3/16). At this month’s meeting council officers again favoured demolishing the buildings but councillors backed an option to “retain the house for a further 18 months with the option to renovate it contingent on funding availability and the progress of the DECWG program�. Neil Walker
Still standing: A shed and farm homestead at Down’s Estate have been saved from demolition. Picture: Gary Sissons
Hospital ‘hot spot’ for preventable visits Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au FRANKSTON has been identified as a ‘hot spot’ for preventable hospital admissions in a report by the Grattan Institute. The think tank - based in Melbourne and partly funded by the federal and state governments, the University of Melbourne and BHP Billiton – released its Perils of place: identifying hotspots of health inequality report last week naming Frankston as among 25 areas in Victoria where “potentially preventable hospitalisation rates at least fifty percent above the state average in every year for a decade�. Grattan Institute health program director Stephen Duckett says the problem can be addressed,
but only if governments come up with targeted solutions for individual places. “Australia is not a uniform country and a onesize-fits-all approach will not work. Local, tailored policy responses are required,� Dr Duckett said in a statement. Preventable hospital admissions and readmissions include patients seeking treatment for diabetes, dental conditions, skin infections and lung disease. Peninsula Health community health general manager Ruth Azzopardi said Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula has an ageing population “that is likely to have a higher incidence of chronic diseases�. “We have a number of community programs in place to reduce readmissions of these clients.�
Girls night in
Dr Duckett says government and primary health networks must ensure all communities “get a fair go�. “Because persistent hotspots are rare, targeting them alone will not substantially reduce the growing burden of potentially preventable hospitalisations, but it’s an important first step,� he said. The government will save money and, more importantly, some of the most disadvantaged Australians will get the chance to lead healthier, more productive lives.� The Grattan Institute estimated at least $15 million a year would be saved in both Victoria and Queensland if preventable hospital admissions could be stopped with better health education and treatment before a hospital visit is needed.
LANGWARRIN Community Centre is holding a fun, free, women’s only event to publicise breast care and awareness. It’s on 7-9pm, Friday 5 August, at the centre, 2 Lang Rd, Langwarrin. A guest speaker yet to be announced will discuss breast care and awareness, and selected stalls will offer items for sale. Those interested are asked to bring their friends and share a couple of hours in fine company, enjoying a glass of BYO bubbly – and leaving “a wiser woman�. Door prizes are on offer and there will be snacks with coffee and tea provided. Register for catering at langwarrincc.org.au or call 9789 7653.
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BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK Frankston Times
1 August 2016
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