LETTERS
Letters - 300 words maximum and including full name, address and contact number - can be sent to The News, PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or emailed to: team@mpnews.com.au
Frankston faces gridlock without train extension The state government has a golden opportunity to fix Frankston’s public transport woes, its city centre street congestion and the lack of affordable parking – but only if it muscles up and adds to the 30-year infrastructure strategy released on 19 August by Infrastructure Victoria (“Buses better than extending electric train line - report” The News 24/8/21). By add we mean build the long-overdue Frankston rail extension to at least Langwarrin with commuter parking for 3000 plus cars – and new stations for the proposed “next generation” of buses to dock at. Remember, this rail project is supported by both the federal Coalition government and Labor, and already has $225 million of federal money on the table. The state government must face reality – Frankston’s station precinct barely handles the current bus traffic of 34 buses an hour in morning peak. Imagine the gridlock of five times more buses? Even if the government agrees with Infrastructure Victoria’s plan to introduce paid station parking, Mornington Peninsula commuters will still sprawl empty cars throughout Frankston’s CBD – because that’s where the line ends – rather than a purpose-built park and ride station away from our CBD. Backing away from extending the line in the next five years just kicks the can of Frankston’s public transport improvements down the road. We need buses and the rail extension; it’s not an “either or” situation. The state government is required to respond to IV’s recommendations within 12 months. This is Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke’s chance to shine a light on the bus bedlam, which
occurs just outside his Young Street office window, and put Frankston’s rail extension firmly back on track. Ginevra Hosking, CEO Committee for Greater Frankston
Hunt ‘responsible’ It was good to read [Flinders MP] Greg Hunt in regard to the Pfizer negotiations in last week’s letters page; facts must be accurate and falsehoods most certainly are to be corrected (“Correcting the record” Letters 24/8/21). However, I am still of the belief that Mr Hunt, in his role as federal health minister, is substantially responsible for the glacial pace of the vaccination rollout in Australia, compared with the progress made by nearly all other developed nations, and the ongoing consequences which this has created. When I hear, for example, of another lockdown extension, of an increase in domestic violence, of another teen suicide, of another local business going to the wall, the first name I think of is Greg Hunt. Perhaps I am mistaken to hold Mr Hunt responsible, in which case I would appreciate him replying to correct my, possibly, muddled thinking. Jonathan Atherton, Mount Eliza
Afghanistan support Last Friday (27 August) the Afghan Marco Polo restaurant in Main Street, Mornington, put on a fundraising pick-up dinner service, with all proceeds going to an Afghanistan relief fund. It was over-committed by patrons. For those who
missed out, the food was delicious. Congratulations to the restaurant for this generous work and to all those who further supported it with supplementary donations. It goes some way to help relieve the collective guilt we all feel about the shambles of a withdrawal, leaving many behind. We should all make the effort to support those local businesses that support us. John Dusting, Mornington
Timing is everything I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the incredible work our health professionals do every day to save lives and support survivors to recover well after stroke. We know their working environment has become more challenging amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but their dedication to the 27,400 people who will experience a stroke this year, never waivers. I was heartened to see survivors of stroke and their loved ones around Australia also share their gratitude during Stroke Week (2-8 August), embracing the United By Stroke theme. However, the reality is, we can have the best doctors, nurses and allied health professionals and the most advanced treatments for stroke, but time is still the critical factor. You must get to hospital quickly to access emergency stroke treatment. After a stroke, around 1.9 million brain cells die each minute. In most cases, the faster a stroke can be diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of a good recovery. Time saved equals brain saved. I encourage the community to keep spreading the FAST acronym. Knowing its message and sharing it with your family and friends can be the first step in saving a life and avoiding ongoing disability. It may be your own life or that of someone you love. The FAST message will help you recognise the most common signs of stroke: Face, check their face. Has their mouth drooped?; Arms, can they lift both arms?; Speech, is their speech slurred? Do they understand you? Time, is critical.
If you see any of these signs, call triple zero (000) straight away. A stroke can happen to anyone at any age and research tells us the number of working age people having strokes is increasing. These people are not just numbers, they are mums, dads, sons and daughters. They have jobs and families and plans for the future. Stroke is always a medical emergency. Please know what to do when stroke strikes. Think FAST and act fast at the first sign of stroke. Sharon McGowan, CEO Stroke Foundation
Check pool fencing Royal Life Saving is asking all Australians with swimming pools to use the weeks before summer to check their pool fencing to protect young children from drowning. In the past decade, more than half of all children aged 0-4 who drowned in Australia lost their lives in a backyard swimming pool. Children who drowned often gained access to the pool area through a fence or gate which had fallen into disrepair or a gate which had been deliberately propped open. We know families are under a lot of pressure with lockdowns in place in many parts of Australia. The demands of constant supervision are exhausting. But close supervision is the best way to protect a child from drowning. Our research shows any distractions, such as using mobile phones or doing household chores, while children are near water increases their risk of drowning. A pool fence in good repair can give you precious minutes when a determined toddler unexpectedly wanders off towards the pool. Almost 40 per cent of child drowning happens over the summer months which is why now is the time to get your backyard swimming pool prepared. Adults can access a free home pool safety checklist to make sure their pool area is safe and secure at royallifesaving.com.au/stay-safeactive/locations/water-safety-at-home Justin Scarr, CEO, Royal Life Saving
100 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK...
Campaigning in full swing for state election Compiled by Cameron McCullough DESPITE adverse weather conditions, there was a splendid attendance at the Frankston Mechanics’ Hall on Tuesday night, when Mr A. K. T. Sambell, who has been brought out by the Frankston Branch of the National Federation, expressed his views. The Shire President (Cr W. P. Mason) occupied the chair. He said that nothing in his public career had given him greater pleasure than the task of assisting the candidate in this election campaign. Mr Sambell, who was most cordially received, spoke for nearly three hours. The soundness of his views and his undoubted earnestness in offering what he considered practical solutions of present day political problems, kept the audience keenly interested and he was frequently applauded. Mr Sambell said he had been approached by the National Federation to offer himself as a candidate on two former occasions but he had not then been able to accept. On the present occasion he had been asked to nominate by the Frankston Branch of the Federation, but the reply from Melbourne had been received that his name should have been submitted earlier. He failed to see where he had lost any time, assuming he was correct in his contention that he should first ascertain the desires of the people he proposed to represent. (hear, hear) Personally he had a very great respect for the selected candidate, but it was only fair to state that right throughout the constituency a great deal of objection had been raised to
the selection of a candidate by two or three city men. However, it was satisfactory to know that his candidature had some endorsement from the people of this district. (cheers) Mr Sambell said he realised that this constituency wanted a fighting representative in Parliament. He instanced the Kananook Creek as a matter in which the member for the district should refuse to take “No” for an answer. How many years had elapsed since the district had been robbed of its beauty? The creek had been a living thing, giving great enjoyment to the people. What loss did its present useless condition represent in money, and yet no one seemed to be worrying about it politically. A tangible scheme for its improvement had been formulated, but on the report of a junior officer of the department, the blue pencil had been passed through it. The matter was not going to stop there. (Cheers.) Mr Horsley, a senior officer, had lately said the scheme was practicable, and now the only thing lacking to secure success was the political punch. If returned to Parliament he ventured to say that at the end of three years the people would have nothing to complain of concerning the condition of Kananook Creek. (cheers) Another matter dealt with was the rule of thumb governing road administration. The maintenance of Point Nepean road fell heavily on this Shire, particularly the Seaford Riding,
considering that 90 per cent of the traffic using the road came from outside the Shire. Formerly the Shire had half cost of maintenance, now it was one-third. Chairman – Who was responsible for that reduction ? Cr Oates – Our Engineer, the candidate. (applause) Mr Sambell said Point Nepean Road should be classed as a national road. The Government wisely preserved the foreshore; but that meant that from Mile Bridge to Carrum boundary no revenue was derivable from the property on one side. From Carrum to Mordialloc both sides of the road were built on, and the Councils concerned collected hundreds of pounds in revenue. This was a case in which the State should recognise the value of the road as a State road – the same as had been done in the road from Melbourne to Geelong – and not expect a small section of the community like Seaford to bear the crushing burden of maintenance. Mr Sambell dealt exhaustively with road policy, water supply, railway management, the electricity scheme, and other questions. He had praise for the Lawson Government, and referred to the peculiar alliance between the Labor Party and the Farmers’ Union. Dr Maxwell, in moving a vote of thanks to the candidate, said he would prefer to move a vote of confidence, but he believed that was not the fashion these days. He desired to say straight out that he was an out-and-out “Sambellite.”
(laughter and cheers) He did not know Mr Sambell personally, but he had watched his career. Everything was chaos when Mr Sambell came to this Shire, ten or more years ago. The wonderful improvement effected in that period spoke for itself, for if an engineer was to be held responsible for bad spots in the road he ought certainly to receive credit for the good roads. Frankston ought to be proud of being able to bring out a man of Mr Sambell’s ability. (cheers) Cr Oates seconded the motion, and stated that while Mr Downward had referred them to the Act when they asked for relief in connection with main road maintenance, Mr Sambell had set to work and actually secured an amendment of the Act, reducing the shire’s liability from half to one-third. If Mr Sambell could do that as shire engineer what could he not do as their member in Parliament. (cheers) The meeting closed amidst the utmost enthusiasm after Mr Sambell had answered several questions. He said he was not a betting man and did not know much about the totalisator, but did not believe in legalised betting. He was in favor of Scripture teaching in State Schools, on a plan approved by all denominations. He believed in higher salaries and fewer politicians. *** IN connection with the Frankston Fire Brigade Ex-Soldier writes to the “Standard” as follows: Ring the fire bell! This was the first intimation to the people that two little
children had been lost, and readily did the Fire Brigade respond to the call. It was noticed however, that the Fire Brigade consisted of lads in their teens. Good willing lads, admitted, doing their duty as loyal citizens. It must be acknowledged that the township of Frankston is going ahead rapidly, but by the number of wooden houses, it hardly bears thought what would happen in the event of a big outbreak of fire. Captain D. Petrie is to be congratulated on the manner in which he has devoted his time and energy in training these lads in firedrill, in spite of inadequate appliances and lack of support. Throughout my travels in the world I have particularly noticed that every township is proud of its Fire Brigade, and it is considered a great privilege and honor to be admitted as a member. It is the duty of every strong able bodied man to take a course of fire drill, to be ready when occasion arises. I wonder what would be thought of any man were he to see his own dwelling in flames, with the possibility of loss of his dear ones, and trained men were not available to come to his assistance – he had left it to the other fellow. I appeal to the manhood of this town to come forward and show their grit, and make our Fire Brigade what it should be – a strong body of men ready to deal with any emergency, and look upon it as a citizen’s duty, and not an obligation. *** From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 26 August 1921
Frankston Times
31 August 2021
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