NEWS DESK
Globe trotters hope to take a trip VISITING other countries and seeing how life is lived elsewhere can broaden minds, young minds even more so. Teachers at Mahogany Rise Primary School in Frankston North have seen this first hand thanks to a previous overseas learning trip for pupils to Scotland three years. The innovative approach to school funding, asking for donations online, caught the attention of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and actor Russell Crowe last time around. The politician and the gladiator helped spread the word about the project by sharing the fundraising campaign on social media. Staff at Mahogany Rise hope to repeat the fundraising feat and have invited neighbouring Aldercourt Primary School on board for another trip to foreign fields. Six intrepid young travellers from each school to represent the Frankston North community as part of a trip that will see each student experiencing a two-week taste of school and family life in London and Paris. “The project truly is a life changing opportu-
nity,” Mahogany Rise Primary School principal John Culley said. “We know from our experience in leading two past expeditions and from the research literature, that providing children in disadvantaged communities such as the Pines, with opportunities like this significantly raises both academic outcomes and life aspirations for the children and families involved.” Mahogany Rise and Aldercourt Primary Schools’ creative approach to providing the best possible learning experiences money can buy can be supported by visiting the project website at togetherwerise.com.au or by calling Mahogany Rise on 9786 3211.
London calling: Mahogany Rise Primary School assistant principal Daniel Riley, top with teachers Kathie Arnold and Lori Adamec hope enough money can be donated to send 12 pupils from the school and neighbouring Aldercourt Primary to the UK and Paris. Picture: Yanni
Second councillor in spotlight Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au
Train pain on way: The Frankston line will be shut down between Caulfield and Moorabbin for 37 days so level crossing removal works at Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh can be finished. Picture: Gary Sissons
‘Blitz’ causes line closure FRANKSTON line commuters face more short-term pain for long-term gain with the rail line set to be closed between Caulfield and Moorabbin stations for more than a month from the end of June. Buses will replace trains between the stations for 37 days from 24 June until 31 July so level crossing removals at Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh stations can be completed. The works to separate road from rail, described as a “massive winter construction blitz” by the Labor state government, will be finished by August.
Acting Premier James Merlino said the three level crossings will be removed by August, six months ahead of schedule. “We’re not wasting a single day removing these three dangerous and congested level crossings that have plagued communities for more than a century. Soon these relics of the past will be gone,” Mr Merlino said. Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the level crossings will be gone by the time train services between Caulfield and Moorabbin resume and three new train stations will also be completed.
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public is up to them. Often councils will table it at a council meeting but they may not make it public,” Ms O’Brien said last month. Frankston Council has refused to say if the reports and decisions on Cr Hampton and Cr Taylor will be made public. There is no indication as yet of when rulings will be given to council. Cr Hampton and Cr Taylor say they are unable to comment on the panel hearings due to Local Government Act restrictions. The Frankston councillor conduct panel hearing will be one of the final investigations headed by the MAV. The state government has handed responsibility for future investigations into councillors’ behaviour to Local Government Victoria for any complaints received after March this year.
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“Removing these crossings will reduce traffic congestion, improve public transport and make these communities safer. There will be disruption while these works occur, but it will be worth it.” Trains on the Stony Point line will also be unable to access Southern Cross station for maintenance while the line is partially closed so buses will also replace trains on the Stony point line from 25 June to 31 July. Weekend closures will also take place on 14-15 May and 4-5 June between Caulfield and Mordialloc.
A SECOND Frankston councillor is being investigated by a local government watchdog as the result of an alleged stoush at a public event at Frankston’s The Deck bar late last year. Cr Colin Hampton awaits a Municipal Association of Victoria decision about misconduct complaints after a panel heard evidence on Friday 8 April about alleged derogatory remarks he made about fellow councillor Darrel Taylor (‘Silence surrounds conduct hearing’, The Times 25/4/15). Cr Taylor appeared as a witness at the MAV panel hearing but The Times can now reveal he is also under investigation after Cr Hampton complained about his behaviour on the night. The Times understands Cr Hampton, the deputy mayor, was upset Cr Taylor gave a speech after mayor Cr James Dooley at the marketing campaign launch to sell apartments at the planned $80 million Allure Bayside building in Davey St. Frankston Council has refused to answer any questions about the councillor conduct panel hearing held last month despite ratepayers potentially facing a bill costing tens of thousands of dollars for the hearing. MAV spokeswoman Stephanie O’Brien said the association’s decisions on councillor conduct hearings are released to councils which then choose whether to make a panel’s report and decisions public. “Whether or not they make that
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