NEWS DESK
Kids boost aged care spirits DURING a normal year, children attending the First Learning Centre in Frankston South are able to visit their neighbours at the Benetas aged care home. Children and aged care residents would share music sessions together, an experience which was enjoyed by both. Aged care residents would also visit for morning and afternoon tea. Unfortunately this year has been far from normal, and children at the centre have been prevented from vis-
iting the aged care facility during the pandemic. While lockdown restrictions are in place, the kids have been keeping busy thinking of ways to put smiles on the faces of aged care residents. Children have been writing letters, baking cakes, and making cards for their friends in aged care this year. “This has helped our older friends keep their smiles and we have been told they love receiving such great work from our little learners,” First
managing director Emma van Hoof Jenkins said. “We really can’t wait to get back into our regular visits with our older friends, however for now, we have been walking to the front letterbox and waving at our friends through their windows. It’s been amazing to see the response and beautiful gifts in return.” Benetas residents reading cards sent to them by kids in child care. Picture: Supplied
Police will monitor peninsula holidays POLICE say they are ramping up patrols to prevent out-of-towners flocking to holiday hotspots on the Mornington Peninsula. The aim is to ensure that only peninsula residents or others travelling with a permitted purpose arrive in the area. Police say they will have a “highly visible” presence at checkpoints on arterial roads, mobile vehicle checkpoints and ongoing patrols as part of Operation Sentinel. A note on the police Eyewatch social media page said anyone pulled over at a vehicle checkpoint could expect to have their licence and work permit checked by police and their
Kingston councillors reject transparency measure Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au KINGSTON councillors have rejected a proposal to begin receiving a monthly report of policy and legislation breaches. The report, which would have been made a public document, was suggested by Cr David Eden. The mayor Georgina Oxley and Cr Rosemary West supported Cr Eden’s proposal, but Crs Tamsin Bearsley, Ron Brownlees, Geoff Gledhill, and George Hua opposed. Crs Steve Staikos and Tamara Barth abstained from the vote, and the motion was defeated. Cr Eden said “I don’t think this is something that is a massive new task
with investigators and a tremendous amount of work, it is not that. It is a report coming back to council that identifies anything that senior management or the CEO is aware of with respect to breaches of legislation, policy, processes, procedures, or other relevant practices.” “To ask for a report that details all the identified breaches is more than reasonable because if they are already identified, they could be being captured somewhere. If there are breaches of legislation or policies, and nobody is bothering to capture that or record that or look at how we can put together processes to stop those issues popping up again, then that’s even more alarming.” Cr Oxley said “we have a couple of examples recently where we have
council resolutions that haven’t been followed. They haven’t been minor things in a resolution, they’ve been major breaches in policy and even recently major breaches in legislation.” “We don’t have a framework in place that makes sure councillors are informed of these issues, we just think we are being informed. I think part of the problem is it’s been shown on a number of occasions in the past few months that we are not being informed of everything. If we aren’t being informed we aren’t doing our job in ensuring this organisation operates with good governance, and we are not doing our job in managing the performance of the CEO.” Cr Bearsley called the motion “bureaucracy at its worst”. Cr Hua said
that “looking at the reports, the cost to council every year would be more than $300,000.” “If there’s a breach, at our weekly briefing the CEO would notify us. It’s pretty straight forward,” he said. The issue of transparency came up at council earlier this year when multiple votes on “CEO employment matters” were held behind closed doors. At the time, Cr Oxley said “the fact I can’t share serious issues with the community, and what we are doing about it, is really bad (“Serious issues at council aired behind closed doors”, The Times, 3/6/20).” Another vote on “CEO employment matters” was held behind closed doors at council’s 21 September meeting.
residential address confirmed. “Police will also be proactively patrolling popular locations, such as beaches, parks and other areas where people are expected to visit. “While these checkpoints may cause some inconvenience for local residents, it’s important to remember that they are an important component in stopping the spread of coronavirus and keeping the community safe.” For information about the latest restrictions visit the Department of Health and Human Services at dhhs. vic.gov.au/coronavirus or call the hotline 1800 675 398. Or visit DHHS page on Facebook.
Photography competition deadline extended THE submission deadline for the annual OptiKA photography competition has been extended. Submissions can be made until 19 October. The winner will receive a $4000 cash prize. Kingston Council CEO Julie Reid said “OptiKA is an important way for council to support the development of local and budding photographers and videographers.” “Considering the challenges our communities are currently facing, we have decided to waive this year’s entry fee and extend the deadline for OptiKA 2020,” she said. “We encourage you to get your entry in by midnight Monday 19 October to go into the draw to win up to $6,000 in cash prizes.” To enter the free competition visit kingstonarts.com.au/Optika2020
• 24/7 Registered nurses • Delicious meals cooked • Permanent, Respite, High Level fresh on site daily and Dementia Care • Movie theatre, libraries and craft rooms • Large private rooms inclusive of ensuites, patios and balconies • Café
OPENING NOVEMBER 2020 Brand New Residential Aged Care Home Now Opening in Your Community
1300 1300 13
74 Potts Road, Langwarrin, VIC 3910 CS.LW@signaturecare.com.au
www.signaturecare.com.au Frankston Times
6 October 2020
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