NEWS DESK
Menu change proves healthy, profitable choice CELEBRITY chef Jamie Oliver would be proud of Kunyung Primary School’s canteen menu, thanks to a team of parents and strong school support, says “open minded” manager Mandy Biggins. “The canteen for 30 years has provided a range of snacks and lunches for the pupils and, over this time, it has seen many changes to the menu, but nothing as dramatic as our most recent project,” she said. “Gone are the pre-cooked packaged meals, snacks and juices, replaced by home cooked meals made from local produce, home baked muffins and cookies, fresh popcorn, fruity energy balls and delicious frozen yoghurt treats.” Under the supervision of Ms Biggins, parent volunteers are rostered to bake fresh food for the pupils. Ms Biggins has managed the canteen for 10 years, constantly updating the menu under National Healthy School Canteens guidelines. “I felt it could be improved on but was not sure how to go about it,” she said. Education sub-committee member and nutritionist and parent Alison Miles helped develop a healthy, nutritious and delicious menu. The canteen manager was initially tentative. “It seemed overwhelming to completely change the menu and produce everything on site,” Ms Biggins admitted. “We were concerned whether the pupils would react positively to a menu devoid of pre-packaged items but, with guidance and support, the transition has been a huge success and feedback from both pupils and parents has been positive,” she said. “Now I can appreciate what a great decision it was to go healthy. “Now my day revolves around preparing delicious food from fresh produce rather than filling the oven with packaged meals and party pies.” Kunyung hopes to lead the way in having delicious and nutritious meals and snacks for pupils. “Our vegetable patch will provide produce to the canteen, and we encourage other primary schools to re-assess their canteen menus and seriously consider what they are really feeding their pupils.” The proof is in the pudding – pardon the pun – with confirmation that the canteen is producing a profit. “This is vital as it has to be self-funding,” Ms Biggins said. Stephen Taylor
Yum yum: Canteen manager Mandy Biggins, herewith Francesca, Lilka, Brigitte and Saskia, says Kunyung pupils look forward to meal times now. Picture: Gary Sissons
Shire to hire in-house lawyer Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is about to appoint an in-house lawyer to provide “risk-based” solutions for its legal dilemmas. The “corporate counsel” will report to the chief financial officer - currently Matthew Hubbard - and be responsible for legal advice and representation on a such issues as planning, commercial contracts, property transactions, governance,
SIMPLIFY YOUR STONE SELECTION...
employment law, freedom of information and privacy. While no salary range had been provided, The News believes an in-house lawyer is considered to be more cost-effective than the bills being clocked up by the shire from private lawyers. Shire CEO Carl Cowie sees hiring a lawyer as being a “proactive” stance towards managing the need for legal advice on internal matters, as well as to “cover off” on the variety of local, state and federal laws and regulations that impact on the shire’s regular operations.
We are the ONLY showroom on the Mornington Peninsula for stone products. Whether you’re building or renovating, visit our showroom for professional and friendly advice, a diverse range, easy selection and free quotes.
Benchtops, Walls & Floor panels • Reconstituted Stone • Marble and Granite • Porcelain • Ultra-Compact
He declined to comment on how much the shire spends on legal advice. A legal source told The News that about half of the state’s 79 municipalities employ in-house lawyers that focus on specific areas, but only about six have “corporate counsels” who report directly to the CEO or chief financial officer and have a brief covering all council-related matters. The advertisement for the shire’s corporate counsel states the successful lawyer will need to “… possess sophisticated communication and engagement skills and be able to interpret and trans-
late complex legislation into practical advice and risk-based solutions”. The move to bolster legal efficiency comes in the wake of a long-running dispute among councillors over their expenses budgets. Cr Hugh Fraser said that while two of his councillor colleagues, Antonella Celie and Anne Shaw, obtained legal advice over a recent expenses dispute “without council’s knowledge”, his recent request to shire management for legal advice on the code of conduct review was denied. See “Unsafe advice” Letters Page 47
VIEW OUR EXTENSIVE DISPLAYS OF: GRANITE, MARBLE & RECONSTITUTED STONE
PORCELAIN PANELS
OPEN: Mon-Fri 10am-3.00pm Sat 9.00am to 2.00pm (Starts June) SHOWROOM: Shop 8, 1-13 Mornington-Tyabb Rd
Mornington (03) 5975 1566 mornington@multiformstone.com.au www.multiformstone.com.au
ULTRA-COMPACT PANELS
Mornington News 14 June 2016
PAGE 3