NEWS DESK
Fireworks show to proceed
Picture: Gary Sissons
Words of warning for jet ski hoons Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire officers can now get tough on jet ski hoons but, instead of issuing fines for bad behaviour, will still only be “speaking to and educating the public, surveillance and gathering evidence”. Instead of issuing infringement notices, officers will use cameras to gather evidence and act as witnesses to inform Marine Safety Victoria of dangerous and unlawful behaviour by jet ski riders. Acting manager environment protection Katie McKenzie said officers would enforce compliance within
the five-knot zone – usually within 200-metres of shore – or 500-metres from shore along the coastline from Safety Beach to Portsea. These are the areas where jet ski riders come into most contact with swimmers and paddle boarders. “Our officers will focus on hoon behaviour in the five-knot zone, which includes enforcing speed limits, in an effort to protect swimmers and other water users,” she said. “Hoon behaviour outside the five-knot zone can only be enforced by the Water Police.” Ms McKenzie said as well as shire officers “patrolling beaches watching out for speeding and erratic operation of jet skis, they will also be encour-
aging good behaviour on our heavily used beaches: after all, summer is for everyone”. The shire is the third largest coastal municipality in the state with 10 per cent of the coastline. “We hope visitors have a fantastic time this summer at peninsula beaches. Be sure to treat our precious environment with care and show respect for those enjoying it around you,” the mayor Cr Sam Hearn said. The council has called on the state government to introduce a range of measures to address community and council concerns regarding personal safety, amenity and threats to marine wildlife. To learn more visit: mornpen.vic.gov.au/pwc
FIREWORKS will go ahead at the Frankston Waterfront Festival despite calls to cancel them in the wake of the bushfire crisis. The move was debated at council’s 28 January public meeting, but ultimately it was decided to proceed with the fireworks display. Frankston councillor Quinn McCormack said it would be “insulting to celebrate by exploding fire into the sky”. Cr Glenn Aitken said he was “astonished by people who are sensitive to fireworks.” Cr Colin Hampton said “I can’t see the logic in abandoning them.” To assist with the bushfire relief effort, council agreed to a number of measures. They included donating funds raised at the Waterfront Festival and the Ventana Fiesta to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. Council also agreed to the following measures: • Waiving fees for overdue or lost items at Frankston Libraries for patrons caught in the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires. • Waiving of hall hire fees for le-
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gitimate fundraising activities for victims of the 2019-2020 Victorian bushfires between 1 January - 31 March 2020 Donation of wildlife nesting boxes (occurred 6 January 2020) Establishment of a concierge service to provide a higher level of support and reduce red tape for fund raising activities A $1,200 cash donation for Sundown at McClelland Sculpture Park (being held on 8 February 2020) to go towards event logistics expected with a larger crowd The waiving of up to $972 of commission from green fees due to Council at Centenary Golf Club stemming from a Charity Golf Event to be held on 7 February 2020 Waiving of up to $1,500 hall hire fee for AWARE to hold an event where approximately 40 people will make dreys for ringtail possums on 15 February 2020 Brodie Cowburn
LAST year’s Waterfront Festival. Picture: Supplied
WHAT’S NEW...
The confronting realities of gun violence PENINSULA-born playwright, Joanna Murray-Smith, tackles the confronting and heartbreaking issue of gun violence in American Song. Originally commissioned by Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, the play tackles the confronting and heartbreaking issue of gun violence, reaching beyond national or cultural borders in an intimate exploration of love, forgiveness and parental responsibility. With playwright Mur¬raySmith’s characteristically deft wit and compassion American Song makes a difficult topic thoroughly gripping, wryly humorous and deeply moving. “My biggest fear was writing a play that wore its political heart on its sleeve, that proclaimed its allegiances and set the audience on alert. Regardless of my view on guns, I didn’t want to box myself in to an anti-gun identity as a writer, or allow cultural commentators to declare my allegiances in responding to the play.” Told through a single character – Andy – an ordinary man who is led to places he never imagined, thanks to unforeseen events. Andy’s experience is common to many of us; the slow accumulation of a good life: love, work, friendship,
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family. As he heads off to work to give the biggest presentation of his career, he wishes his teenage son Robbie goodbye. Eight hours later, everything has changed. A profound tour-de-force for one actor, performed by Red Stitch ensemble member Joe Petruzzi, American Song asks: What could I have done differently? Can we ever know the moment when a good life turns irredeemably wrong? American Song was first
produced in the US to great acclaim in 2016, with its acclaimed Australian premiere at Red Stitch Theatre in October 2017. Red Stitch and Critical Stages Touring bring American Song to the intimate Cube 37 Theatre at Frankston Arts Centre. See heart gripping show on Wednesday, March 18 at 7.30pm Tickets: $30-$40 Bookings: 03 9784 1060 or thefac. com.au