NEWS DESK Proudly published by Mornington Peninsula News Group Pty. Ltd
PHONE: 03 5974 9000
Published weekly and distributed to Frankston, Frankston South, Karingal, Langwarrin, Seaford, Baxter and Somerville
Circulation: 28,320
Audit period: Apr 2018 - Sept 2018
Source: AMAA; CAB Total Distribution Audit for further information visit auditedmedia.org.au
Editor: Brodie Cowburn 0401 864 460 Journalists: Brodie Cowburn, Liz Bell, 5974 9000 Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Advertising Sales: Anton Hoffman 0411 119 379 Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production and graphic design: Marcus Pettifer, Dannielle Espagne Group Editor: Keith Platt 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Craig MacKenzie, Ben Triandafillou ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@baysidenews.com.au Web: baysidenews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURSDAY 5 MAY 2022 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: TUESDAY 10 MAY 2022
An independent voice for the community
We are the only locally owned and operated community newspaper in Frankston City and on the Mornington Peninsula. We are dedicated to the belief that a strong community newspaper is essential to a strong community. We exist to serve residents, community groups and businesses and ask for their support in return.
PAGE 4
Frankston Times
3 May 2022
Toy Library funding cut delayed A PLANNED funding cut to the Frankston Toy Library has been delayed by Frankston Council. Earlier this year, Frankston councillors agreed to slash the annual grant funding given to the not-for-profit toy library from more than $25,000 a year to $15,000. At a meeting last week council backtracked, agreeing to continue providing the original amount for another year. At the same meeting Cr Steven Hughes raised a proposal to provide further funding to the Frankston Toy Library, but his motion was voted down 7-2. The proposal would have seen a one-off $50,000 grant handed to the library, and the provision of ex-
tra funding to cover any shortfalls the Toy Library incurs against its budget in 2022-23 and 2023-24, capped at $85,000 plus 3.5 per cent per annum. In a social media post, Hughes blasted the decision to vote down his proposal. “Frankston families deserve better. I sit in council meetings and watch councillors approve plans to spend millions on projects that have minimal community benefit. Yet, when it comes to protecting an organisation like the Frankston Toy Library, councillors suddenly become financial hawks and vote against adequate funding,” he said. “I believe that community groups must come first. I will never stop
fighting for the Frankston Toy Library and the right of Frankston families to have affordable access to their services.” The mayor Nathan Conroy defended the decision to cut the toy library’s funding after council made the decision earlier this year. He told The Times in March that the $40,000 annual grant was “not equitable in the context of what other local community groups are receiving” (“Toy library funding cut a huge problem” The Times 29/3/22). Council provides the Frankston Toy Library its Ebdale Street site at a peppercorn rent. Brodie Cowburn THE Frankston Toy Library is facing a cut in its grant funding. Picture: Supplied