NEWS DESK
Jobs focus for Indigenous A SERVICE for Indigenous job seekers in the Melbourne south east region was launched this week. Elder Uncle Chris West hosted a welcome to country and smoking ceremony at the Narim Marr Dihambana (Frankston Gathering Place) on Monday (28 May) to launch the Deadly Yakka program. The program is a MatchWorks employment agency two-week course specifically designed for Indigenous people. MatchWorks executive general manager Renae Lowry said the program aims to build a network for job
seekers to find a job they are passionate about. “It covers goal setting and personal development, life skills for work, interview skills, cultural awareness training, presentation advice, workplace expectations and job search skills while also addressing personal barriers to understand what has been holding participants back in their journey to work,” she said. The Deadly Yakka program has previously been rolled out in Bendigo, Sunshine, Bacchus Marsh, Werribee and Warrnambool. Indigenous mentors stay in touch
with job seekers and participants when employed to help with stable employment. Matchworks has offices in Frankston, Pakenham, Mornington, Hastings and Rosebud in the region. See matchworks.com.au online or call 5229 8733 for more details.
Group effort: Smoking ceremony guests place gum leaves on fire at welcome to country ceremony. Picture: Gary Sissons
Comment on The Pillars
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A PLAN to oversee public access to The Pillars and identify ways to manage its hordes of visitors while protecting cultural and environmental values is up for public comment. Mornington Peninsula Shire acknowledges that the effect of visitors on the vulnerable site – and its impact on residents – is “still a major issue for council”. The mayor Cr Bryan Payne said given the increasing popularity of the site “we need to protect it from further impact”. “This plan aims to achieve this.” Input for the plan has so far come from DELWP, Parks Victoria, Bunurong Land Council, Victoria Police, VicRoads, Ambulance Victoria, Mt Martha CFA, Mt Martha LSC, Life Saving Victoria and the community. “From feedback we’ve received to date, measures implemented by council have reduced the impacts to local residents,” Cr Payne said. “We encourage the community to continue providing feedback on issues associated with … the site as well as providing comments on the draft plan.” Strategies to control visitors over summer included installing 40kph speed signs; warning signs; parking restrictions and No Stopping signs from November-April and alcohol bans. Bollards were installed along the Esplanade to prevent parking and create room for pedestrians and traffic counts and parking surveys were held at peak times in surrounding streets to gauge traffic impacts. Parking patrols were held three times a day, seven days a week in peak periods and litter patrols increased. Following the public exhibition the feedback will be reviewed and, possibly, incorporated in the plan. Community comment is open until 15 July. Residents can contribute online at mornpen.vic. gov.au/haveyoursay Surveys are also available in hard copy at the shire’s offices in Rosebud, Mornington, Hastings and Somerville. Post to: Jeska Dee, The Pillars Mount Martha Long Term Management Plan, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Private Bag 1000, Rosebud, Victoria, 3939. Stephen Taylor
Boardwalk on backburner
Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.
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Frankston Times 4 June 2018
NO decision has been made by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council on building a boardwalk to link The Pillars with beach access points, and reducing the number of people walking along the Esplanade. Property and strategy manager Yasmin Woods said last week: “At its meeting on 22 May council decided: That it is noted the draft long term management plan makes it clear that council has not, at this stage, considered or made decisions in relation to the boardwalk.” She said actions that have been taken are listed at mornpen.vic.gov.au/thepillars.