NEWS DESK
Volunteer recognition hits home
Splash dash: Competitors at this year’s Blessing of the Cross event swim towards a wooden cross blessed by Greek Orthodox Bishop Iakovos. Picture: Gary Sissons
Pollution a cross to bear THOUSANDS of people flocked to the Frankston waterfronts on Friday to join in the Blessing of the Waters celebration, and to escape the 33-degree heat in the cool waters of Port Phillip Bay. The Blessing of the Waters is celebrated every year at Frankston by followers of the Greek Orthodox faith to celebrate Epiphany Day and the Baptism of Jesus. Divers of different ages and energy levels dived off Frankston Pier after a wooden cross was blessed by Greek Orthodox Bishop Iakovos before being tossed into the bay. Theo Demetriou, 28, from Clayton was first to snatch the cross this year.
Participants at the event were asked to sign a waiver acknowledging the illness risk involved in diving into possibly polluted waters after flash flooding swept waste into Port Phillip Bay last week. Swimmers were advised to thoroughly shower straight afterwards by Coast Guard volunteers at the group’s clubhouse. The Holy Cross is believed to bring health, guidance and good fortune to those who retrieve it, and their families, for the year ahead. A traditional Greek festival with dancing and food was held on the Frankston Waterfront after the cross was retrieved.
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PENINSULA Community Legal Centre joined the International Volunteer Day celebrations on 5 December, recognising volunteers who support the centre’s free legal services and help strengthen access to justice for the community. Education and volunteer manager Andrea Staunton said volunteers had donated around 5000 hours in the past 12 months to the centre. “In 2015-16, our volunteer lawyers provided 1,697 free legal advice to clients at our Frankston, Frankston North, Cranbourne, Rosebud and Bentleigh offices,” she said. “Volunteers also provided paralegal support and undertook special projects, organisational governance, trainee and student placements.” The centre acknowledged volunteers by presenting awards at its AGM, with the highest honour, the Kath Nielsen memorial award, presented to lawyer volunteer, Victor Moss. Mr Moss has been with the centre since 2009, providing advice to 229 clients as well as taking on additional work on a pro bono basis. Mr Moss said he was “surprised, slightly embarrassed but above all honoured” to receive the award. Long service awards were given to Bill Boucher, Ian Hone and Jonathan Sise for 10 years’ service, and Michael Denison for 35 years’ service. For details about free legal services call 9783 3600 or see pclc.org.au online. Global applause: Peninsula Community Legal Centre volunteer Victor Moss with his award.
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Frankston Times 9 January 2017
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