NEWS DESK Kerb checks
Eye on the bullseye: Jamie Burnett on target at the Frankston Archery Club in Baxter. Picture: Gary Sissons
Archers aim high for medals AN archery club has hit the bullseye with several of its members taking out top honours at recent national and state championships. The Frankston Archery Club, based at Baxter Park, has 122 members and is targeting more amid hopes for an upgrade of facilities. Club president Brian Fitton says the club is punching well above its weight in archery competitions. “We took gold, silver and bronze at the Victorian Open State Championships five weeks ago,� he said. Mr Fitton says it only takes “a month or so� for the average beginner to get up to speed and the club offers a free ‘come and try’ session on a Saturday morning for anyone “aged eight to 80� before a four-week basic archery course is undertaken. “We put a bow in their hands, give them a safety lecture and guide them to shoot correctly.� He said people of all ages and backgrounds are members
of the archery club. Members with disabilities are welcome to try to hit targets up to 80 metres away. The club president singled out 14-year-old archer Harris Grant as a future star of the sport. The teenager has been comfortably beating some of the best adult archers in the country at competitions. “We’ve also got members winning state medals who have been shooting for six months because our coach Hans Wright is a twice Olympics coach.â€? The Frankston Archery Club, formerly known as Bowmen of Frankston, was established 51 years ago. “Hopefully we can get some upgrades soon with the help of council to have some indoor facilities,â€? Mr Fitton said. ď Žď€ See facebook.com/ FacFrankstonArcheryClub or email frankstonarcheryclub@gmail.com for information about the Saturday ‘come and try’ sessions. Neil Walker
BUSINESSES across Frankston are being warned by council to ensure kerbside trading is compliant with local laws. Council CEO Dennis Hovenden flagged a sweep to ensure any businesses using the pavement in front of outlets are not hindering passers-by. “Our officers will be walking the streets, auditing major shopping and business districts within Frankston City to ensure each business is operating within kerbside trading guidelines,� Mr Hovenden said. “We understand the value that kerbside trading offers the retail environment and to the ambience and enjoyment of an area, however, we must balance this with the need to provide a safe environment for pedestrian access at all times.� Kerbside trading includes outdoor dining, planter boxes, display of goods and temporary advertising signs such as A-Frame signs. “If a business wishes to place any of these items on the footpath or nature strip, they must first obtain a permit from council,� Mr Hovenden said. Businesses with questions on kerbside trading guidelines can call council’s compliance team on 1300 322 322 or see frankston.vic.gov.au for details.
Adoption workshops UNDERSTANDING Adoption workshops at Carrum Downs are aimed at helping those who have experienced forced adoption. The focus is on helping these people understand the possible impacts and influences the adoption process may have had on their lives. Facilitators Jodie Chambers, BA
Counselling, and Lauren Howe, social worker, run the workshops in conjunction with Relationships Australia and COMPASS forced adoption support services. Ms Chambers said: “We look at some of the common traits, difficulties and idiosyncrasies of those who have been adopted as a step towards discovering more about whom they are as individuals, aside from their birth parents and adopted parents’ upbringing. “The workshops hope to bring into focus some of the possible impacts facing a child who has been adopted as we continue to make discoveries within the psychological and social sciences in regards to relationships, parent bonding, belonging and family of origin.� The Tuesday monthly meetings are held at the Lyrebird Community Centre, 203-205 Lyrebird Drive, Carrum Downs. Call Jodie Chambers, 0408 108 606 or email jodie@ lifeinternational.com.au
Restaurant door smashed TWO men who smashed their way into a Frankston restaurant are being sought by police. The men drove into the car park outside the Nepean Hwy business, 7.30am, Thursday 14 July, in a silver Holden Astra. Detective Sergeant Paul Mealia, of Frankston CIU, said they sat in the car until 9am when one approached the entrance and smashed the front door with a rock. Once inside the men stole a cardboard box containing documents before returning to the car and driving off. Call Sgt Mealia, 9784 5555, or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 with information.
Green wedge go ahead for ‘church’ Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au A RELIGIOUS group established in India could build its Australian base in Carrum Downs after councillors backed a plan to build a place of worship on green wedge land. The Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) proposal to construct a place of worship, guest dwelling and caretaker’s house on 26.3 hectares of green wedge land was approved seven to one by councillors at last week’s Frankston Council public meeting. The RSSB buildings will be erected near an existing Hindu temple. An attempt by the group to build the place of worship and dwellings to
house devotees in Chirnside Park was rejected by Yarra Ranges Council in late 2014. The mayor, Cr James Dooley, voted against the latest plan to make Carrum Downs the group’s home. Cr Michael O’Reilly was absent from the meeting. Councillors who backed the planning application, that council officers recommended be passed since it conformed with Planning Scheme provisions, welcomed RSSB’s arrival in the Frankston area. “It’s in a green wedge zone but the block of land is right on the edge of the Green Wedge and is wedged right between EastLink and Frankston-Dandenong Rd and Boundary Rd,� Cr Darrel Taylor said. “It has all the elements of a mixed-
use development and I think this sort of development is suitable for an area such as the Green Wedge. “This is going to be the RSSB Australian headquarters. This is going to add to the diversity of our city and we should be very proud that this association wants to headquarter itself in the city of Frankston.� Cr Colin Hampton noted the land around the new place of worship is “basically going to be used for agricultural and the growing of food and trees�. “Along with the temple next door I think it’s a hand in glove development – both will feed off each other – and I think it would be an asset for the city of Frankston.� Defenders of the South East Green Wedge secretary Barry Ross said the
group is “disappointed� in Frankston Council’s decision to approve the planning application and will likely appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. “We consider this whole development is over the top and would be a most unwelcome intrusion into the Green Wedge that would spoil the openness and the views of the rural countryside,� Mr Ross said. “Also, as it is right on the Urban Growth Boundary it would blur the boundary between the urban area and the Green Wedge.� Radha Soami Satsang Beas describes itself as “a philosophical organisation based on the spiritual teachings of all religions and dedicated to a process of inner development under the guidance
of a spiritual teacher�. Devotees follow “a vegetarian diet, abstinence from intoxicants, a moral way of life and the practice of daily meditation� and “members need not give up their cultural identity or religious preference to follow this path� according to the group. The “spiritual head� of RSSB is Gurinder Singh, who is regarded as the “living master� by followers. Up to 600 people will attend regular services at the place of worship and “a maximum of 200� volunteers will work on building maintenance and agricultural duties. A “maximum of 3500 people� will attend a biannual ‘National Discourse’ day on a Sunday on dates yet to be determined.
New generation TOP-UP hearing aids now FREE* E Eligible pensioners and veterans aare entitled to FREE hearing aaids through the government’s hearing services scheme*, or h they can pay extra (TOP-UP) for th hearing aids with additional or h more advanced features or for a m smaller size. sm As an EXCLUSIVE A SPECIAL OFFER, Hidden S Hearing is providing eligible H pensioners and veterans p
with certain TOP-UP hearing aids incorporating the latest generation technology FREE OF CHARGE until the END OF AUGUST The choice is yours, either a discreet deep canal aid or a miniature receiver in canal aid. In both cases the aids will be small and discreet, and programmed to \RXU VSHFLÂżF KHDULQJ OHYHOV DQG unique personal needs. www.hiddenhearing.com.au
CALL NOW to book your FREE hearing assessment and start hearing better again.
FREE CALL
1800 717 717
*Conditions and eligibility requirements apply under the Commonwealth Hearing Services Voucher System. Offer ends August 31, 2016.
BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK Frankston Times
25 July 2016
PAGE 3