Deception at Mornington

● ● ● ● ● Peninsula Strikers Junior

Football Club member, Adam

✔Frankston City sporting clubs are set to continue to receive a helping hand from the Council as part of its $9 million Relief and Recovery Package. Councillors voted unanimously to approve the waiving of winter seasonal sports club tenancy and ground allocation fees ($149,337) for 33 sports clubs for the period July 1 – September 30. Council also waived school and personal trainer ground hire fees ($9500) and licence fees and charges for licenced occupiers in Council-run community centres ($26,100) for the same period. Deputy Mayor Nathan Conroy said the waivers provided a significant support for our community following an incredibly difficult period due to the lockdowns as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

● ● ● ● ● Martin Pakula, Keysborough MLA

✔Visitors to Braeside Park will

soon enjoy upgraded facilities as part of a major Victorian Government investment in Melbourne parks. The program will deliver new picnic tables, refurbished and upgraded picnic shelters and toilets, upgraded electric barbecues, replacement of playground equipment, improved signage, wider and more accessible pathways, trail and carpark repairs. At Braeside Park, improvements at the Telford picnic area will include upgraded picnic tables and shelters, drinking fountains, barbecues, toilets and signage, along with some minor road repairs. The picnic tables and public toilets will be made accessible to people of all abilities. Keysborough MLA Martin Pakula said: “In the past 15 years visitation to Braeside Park increased from 200,000 to more than 800,000 in 2021. We understand the community loves the park as it is so we’re focusing on upgrading the current facilities so that they continue to offer locals what they want, while improving accessibility and catering for increasing visitation.”

Threat to Mornington MP

■ David Morris, Mornington’s Liberal MLA, is to face a fight from his own party, to retain his seat in State Parliament.

Mr Morris is to face a pre-selection challenge, ahead of next year’s State Election due to be held on November 26, 2022.

Former Federal MP Chris Crewther has nominated for the seat.

It comes as David Davis, Southern Metropolitan MLC, has ambitions to transfer to the Kew seat in the Lower House.

Also under challenge are former State Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien (Malvern), Neil Angus (Forest Hill) and Brad Battin (Gem-

brook).

Michael Kean is putting his hand up for the Gembrook seat.

The turmoil will not assist reinstated Liberal leader Matthew Guy, already copping considerable fallout from Kew MLA Tim Smith’s drink-drive woes.

Brighton MLA James Newbery is to also face a pre-selection challenge. ■ Meanwhile, Hastings MLA Neale Burgess, 65, announced last week that he will not be recontesting his seat: “It’s time now to pass the baton to someone new, with a fresh persepective, who will continue to service this wonderful community,” Mr Burgess said.

● ● ● ● ● David Morris, Mornington MLA Casey pushes for jobs

■ The City of Casey has launched a new pilot project,

Changing Perceptions in Em-

ployment.

Changing Perceptions is a unique, place-based skills and jobs program that places a human lens on this complex issue.

It seeks to leverage the existing programs and support available to job seekers, and incorporating existing learnings as a springboard, this pilot will focus on the human element of the job seeker and employer interactions.

The pilot, designed to address unemployment issues comes following funding through the Office for Subur-

ban Development’s Metropolitan Partnerships Develop-

ment Fund, which was provided to Casey on behalf of the SouthernRegion Councils.

Casey Council hopes to see positive outcomes that will ben● ● ● ● ● Glenn Patterson,

City of Casey CEO

efit the whole community. This is hoped to be achieved by information sharing between employers and job seekers at strategic points throughout the project and at a personal level to build understanding, empathy and trust. City of Casey Chief Executive Officer Glenn Patterson said he was proud to see the launch of this program in

Casey.

“The alignment of skills and employment opportunities in our region is a complex issue, but it’s one that Casey is committed to improving, in order to bring benefits to our businesses and our residents,” Mr Patterson said. “Casey, like many LGA’s in the South East, has industries crying out for workers and job seekers who are ready to apply their skills and step into work.” Somers artist exhibits

■ Somers artist Alexander Knox will be showing his works at the 2022 Lorne Sculpture.

Alexander is a multidisciplinary artist who is extensively represented in public collections around Australia and an esteemed winner of the Helen Lempriere Sculpture Prize in 2006 amongst numerous other accolades.

His large-scale sculpture installation will be kinetic and create an imposing presence on The Flat where he work will be displayed.

The Lorne Sculpture Biennale is proceeding apace, with selected, prominent sculpture artists busy creating their works in studio before heading to Lorne for installation next year, ready for the event which opens on Saturday,March 12 and runs to Sunday, April 3.

Speaking directly to the multiple histories of Lorne, the Lorne Sculpture Biennale will explore the deep connections to nature, history and community through sculpture, performance and conversations, all working to the Spirit of Place theme created by Artistic Director, Graeme

Wilkie.

Held on traditional Gadubanud land, the works will explore the deeper histories of Lorne by taking a deep dive into Lorne’s diverse and fascinating past. ● ● ● ● ● Alexander Knox ■ Police are appealing for assistance to identify multiple offenders following thefts and deceptions across Victoria.

Investigators have been told stolen credit card numbers were used in transactions to purchase goods at stores in Fairfield, Preston,

Ballarat, Delacombe, Mentone, Keysbor-

ough, Mornington and Echuca.

The stolen credit card numbers were used to purchase goods believed to be totalling more than $22,000 at stores in April May, July, and August.

Police have released CCTV images of men they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.

Mt Eliza Over 55s

■ Mt Eliza Over 55’s club has now reopened. It offers a wide range of activities including: snooker and billards, new vogue dancing and line dancing, keep fit excercises, table tennis,indoor carpet bowls,card afternoons and a fortnightly film shown on the second Friday of each month.

Memberships fees are $10 annually with $3 for each activity.For more information go to website www.mteliza55plusclub.org or phone Lorraine 0434 088 821 for more information about times and classes.

- Lorraine Brown Staikos at Kingston

■ Cr Steve Staikos has been re-elected as Mayor at the City of Kingston and will lead that community for the next 12 months.

Bunjil Ward Councillor Staikos has served on the Council for 13 years and has been voted by his councillor colleagues to serve as Mayor for a fourth term, having previously served in 2009-10, 2017-18 and 202021.

Wattle Ward Councillor Jenna DaveyBurns was elected as Deputy Mayor for the next 12 months.

New playground

● ● ● ● ● Cardinia Shire Councillor Brett

Owen officially opened the new playground with his son Max; Tien Kieu Member for South Eastern Metropolitan; and Keith Ewenson’s son Andrew and his wife Rachel, Keith’s wife Val and Keith’s daughter Leslie.

■ A new park with play areas specifically designed for younger and older children was officially opened in Upper Beaconsfield.

The Keith Ewenson Park playground has been upgraded and now features a brandnew play space as well as shelter, seating, landscaping and connecting concrete pathways.

The colourful playground also showcases a climbing cube and a rock-climbing wall.

The Victoria Government committed $79,000 towards the project as part of the Parks Revitalisation Grants Program.

Cardinia Shire Council contributed $105,708. Beacon Hills Ward Councillor Brett Owen attended the official opening of the park with Tien Kieu, Member for South Eastern Metropolitan.

“Last year, we asked for your feedback and comments on what you would like to see in the new playground design for Keith Ewenson Park,” Cr Owen said.

“We heard you and have designed a playground that is suitable for children of all ages.

“It is bright and full of areas to explore for the whole family. This upgraded playground and surrounds is a wonderful addition for this local community.”

Keith Ewenson Park was named in 1995 in acknowledgement of Keith’s dedication to his local community. He served as a Councillor on both the former Pakenham and now Cardinia Shire for 27 years.