NEWS DESK

New rules for the bays

Hospital’s 75 years of health services

CHANGES to boating and swimming zones in Port Phillip and Western Port bays are part of an ongoing review to improve public safety on the water. Parks Victoria is inviting public comment on the proposed changes. “It’s important that boating and swimming zones are a good reflection of the current and future needs of water-based activities in the area, and that they maximise safety on the water,� acting senior manager for local ports and waterways Cathy Jenkins said. “The focus of [the] review is to refine the zones in order to provide a safer environment through better separation of boating and swimming activities in high density bathing areas, and to ensure sport and recreational activities operate legally and safely. In 2009 Parks Victoria with Maritime Safety Victoria completed a

WITH a cake, candles and a happy birthday buzz, Frankston Hospital last week celebrated 75 years as an integral part of the Mornington Peninsula community. Since opening on 30 November 1941 the hospital has undergone plenty of necessary changes. From humble beginnings, the ÂŁ24,000, 30-bed hospital has grown into a major teaching and research facility and a busy one at that – Frankston Emergency Department has the most ambulance arrivals in Victoria. It is still on the same site in Hastings St, but is vastly improved, with the opening in February last year of a 92-bed state-of-the-art emergency department and three new wards. The old emergency department has been transformed into a purpose-built outpatient area. Construction will soon begin on a three-level multi-storey car park, providing 750 extra spaces, and the $15 million Academic and Research Centre, which will be built at the hospital in a union with Monash University. Peninsula Health CEO Sue Williams says Frankston Hospital is a world-class hospital. “We are delighted to celebrate the 75th birthday of Frankston Hospital, and look forward to another 75 years of providing high-quality healthcare to the Mornington Peninsula,â€? Ms Williams said.

comprehensive two-year review of all boating and swimming zones across both bays. It involved consultation with beach and boat users and operators, local government, business and life-saving clubs. Swimming and boating zones are clearly marked with aids to navigation (piles or buoys) installed in the water and advisory signs on the shore. An overview of proposed adjustments, implementation history, rules and supporting maps is available at: parks.vic.gov.au/boatzonereview Parks Victoria is seeking feedback from those interested. They should complete the survey via the Parks Victoria website, email boatingzonereview@parks.vic.gov.au or write to Boating Zone Review, Parks Victoria, 10/535 Bourke St, Melbourne. The deadline for feedback is Friday 16 December. See parks.vic.gov.au or call 13 19 63.

Kinder is the key start A new kindergarten marketing strategy to engage vulnerable families in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula and promote the benefits of kindergarten has been launched in Baxter. The Kindergarten Builds Kids strategy, a joint project between Mornington Peninsula Shire and Frankston Council, was launched at Baxter Kindergarten and Children’s Centre, which received an excellence rating through the National Assessment and Rating Process. The excellence rating is the highest applicable rating by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Assessment. This strategy has been developed as

Slice of history: Peninsula Health board chair Nancy Hogan, left, and CEO Sue Williams cut the cake to celebrate Frankston Hospital’s 75th anniversary. Picture: Yanni

part of a grant the councils received in 2015 aimed at increasing engagement with vulnerable families and increasing the number of vulnerable children participating in kindergarten. Frankston mayor Cr Brian Cunial said the early years are an important stepping stone towards developing lifelong skills . “Frankston Council recognises the importance of kindergarten and we are committed to ensuring every child, especially vulnerable children, have the opportunity to take part in a strong beginning for their lifelong learning journey through attending kindergarten,� he said.

Champion effort from Celia wins title A SPORTING dream has come true for 16-year-old Frankston gymnast Celia Kelsall, who recently took out the under-18s Level 10 Victorian state title in the Women’s Gymnastics Southern Cross Classic. Celia, who trains at Dolphin Gymnastics in Carrum Downs, has made a name for herself on the gymnastics scene since competing in her first comp 12 years ago. She was one of four Dolphin gymnasts who won the team’s title at the Level 4 National titles at Geelong in 2010 but can now stand on the podium in her own right. Last year she won her first individual medal after finishing third on vault

at the Level 9 state championships, narrowly missing overall third place by .02 points. “Not even the value of a pointed toe,� she said. Head coach Nedal Alyousef, who was Australia’s only Olympic gymnastics judge at Rio, said that only 2 per cent of female gymnasts even make it to Level 10. “To take the coveted state title is a magnificent achievement,� she said. Traditionally the year 11 student’s strongest discipline has been floor gymnastics but this year was a clean sweep, with firsts in all four disciplines of uneven bars, beam, floor and vault.

High flyer: Frankston gymnast Celia Kelsall won under-18s Victorian state gymnastics title.

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BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK Frankston Times 5 December 2016

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