NEWS DESK
Volunteers recognised for hard work SIX of Frankston’s best volunteers have been celebrated for their contributions to the community across social, charitable, and sporting volunteering services over the last year. The Impact Volunteer of the Year awards were held on 20 September. Winners Gary Zeuschner, Helena Blomeley, Peter Lewis, Melissa Burgess, Tanya Thomas, and organisation Theodora’s Cheerful Givers were celebrated at an online awards show on the Frankston Council Facebook page. Donation Chain founder Helena Blomeley won an award for initiative for her work in providing showers, toiletries, and clothing for those who need it. She congratulated the winners and other nominees for their hard work. “Together we’re making Frankston a better place, all of us,” she said. Theodora’s Cheerful Givers was the recipient of a $1000 prize for its work providing food for Frankston residents in need and for maintaining the deliverance of this service while working under COVID-19 restrictions. Gina Poulos, the creator of Theodora’s, said the prize money would aid in feeding up to 1000 residents. President of Langwarrin Netball Club Gary Zeuschner received a volunteer’s award for leadership. Over his career, Mr Zeuschner has built rapport with other clubs at Lloyd Park and provided counselling services and personal support to his members after the Treasurer of the
club passed away. He said that his focus is on “keeping women and kids engaged in sport”. Tanya Thomas was nominated for her community work for neurodiverse children. Ms Thomas helped Peninsula Health reform the way they work with children living with disabilities, particularly those who are austistic and non-verbal. The hospitals now have “passports” for healthcare staff to understand their needs quickly. Frankston North Community Centre volunteer Melissa Burgess was nominated for teamwork after she established the Friday Food Playgroup. The playgroup continues to bring families together for support and socialising and to teach children about healthy eating habits. Ms Burgess said the kids “are more likely to try new things” when they’re together. Founding member of Community Support Frankston Peter Lewis was nominated for service after 52 years as an advocate for vulnerable clients of the organisation. Impact Volunteering coordinator Sue Dunn said “I think the spotlight has really been on volunteers this year and how vital their work is to keeping our community ticking over, especially during times of crisis.” Laura Green
AWARD winning volunteers (L to R top row) Gary Zeuschner, Helena Blomeley, Peter Lewis, (L to R bottom row) Melissa Burgess, Tanya Thomask, and Gina Poulos. Pictures: Supplied
LED lights going up
Infighting, governance issues during term
THOUSANDS of street lights in Frankston will be fitted with LED lighting from November this year. Frankston Council will switch the 7000 street lights from fluorescent to LED in November. “Council declared a climate emergency late last year and this project will reduce emissions by as much as removing 110 cars from the road each year,” the mayor Sandra Mayer said. “I am really proud we are taking this step in significantly reducing our carbon footprint, as we progress towards our target of zero net emissions by 2025. The LEDs are up to 53 per cent more efficient than the lights they are replacing and the project is expected to save council over $2.6 million over the life of the light fittings. This will allow us to direct more resources into other community services, providing more value for money for ratepayers.” Council says that the old lights will be recycled, and that the new lights are expected to last for 20 years.
Continued from Page 1 Earlier this year, the process undertaken to act on changes to Frankston’s Green Wedge management plan was referred to an audit for review. This came after councillors expressed concerns that a previous resolution had not been acted on for months (“Audit into Green Wedge action delay”, The Times, 17/2/2020). Council also ordered an audit into its internal processes and potential risks for corruption after Casey Council was sacked by the state government. It is understood that the internal review uncovered one application made to council which had falsely suggested that no meetings had been conducted between council officers and an applicant, in this case an employee of Watsons (“Council planning audit complete”, The Times, 6/7/2020).
Picture: Supplied
Nominations for the election closed shortly after publication deadline. A full list of candidates running for Frankston Council will be published in The Times next week. COUNCIL elections take place next month. Picture: Gary Sissons
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Frankston Times
22 September 2020
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