NEWS DESK RSPCA clears ranch THE RSPCA will not be laying charges against the Ace-Hi ranch in Boneo, which was raided by inspectors in May. As reported in The News, the RSPCA visited the Boneo Rd property amid claims by a former manager of underfeeding and overworking of horses. At the time, the RSPCA said it had investigated “a number of welfare concerns at Ace-Hi in the past decade” as well as more recent reports raising concerns for the welfare of horses on the property. The officers left without laying charges and have now ended their investigation. On Friday RSPCA Victoria released a statement confirming that the investigations did not reveal any issues which would meet the threshold for prosecution under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The statement said Ace Hi Riding Ranch had complied with the recommendations of a qualified equine veterinarian and had “been provided with advice on the care and welfare of horses”.
History lecture, walk MORNINGTON & District Historical Society members can listen to the annual Leslie Moorhead memorial lecture in the meeting room, Mornington Fire Brigade, Nepean Highway, Mornington, 2pm, Saturday 22 October. The cost is $10 each. A cemetery walk will be guided by Val Wilson, 1.15pm, Sunday 23 October. The cost is $5 each. Those attending should meet at the cemetery gates in Craigie Rd, Mt Martha. Tea and coffee will be provided.
Free To Shine’s masquerade FREE To Shine’s Mornington Masquerade Party is at 7pm, Saturday 29 October, at the Mercetta Café and Bar. It will feature live entertainment and a live auction. The auction will offer items such as Mercure Portsea Golf Club accommodation and vineyard gift packages. The cost is $70, with virtual tickets $20. The ticket price includes two drink vouchers and a selection of canapés. All proceeds go to protecting Cambodian girls from sex traffickers. Details: freetoshine.org/masquerade/
Gala evening to help Abacus ‘achieve with autism’ Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au LIKE many mums, Mornington’s Michelle Bendell held her breath when her son Sidney started school this year. And just like thousands of parents, she was anxious – but hopeful – that education would give her son the chance to grow, learn, make friends and become independent. But, without the early learning intervention that was provided to her son, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, that first day at a mainstream school may never have happened. Ms Bendell and her husband Justin realised as soon as their son was diagnosed that early intervention was the key to helping the family deal with the challenges ahead, and the best way for Sidney to get the specialist help he needed. While meeting the costs of intensive one-on-one therapy and ongoing support has not been easy, the couple agree that every cent of it has been necessary to help Sidney develop into the happy student he is today – able to communicate, learn and connect. Ms Bendell is organising a gala evening is Mornington to raise awareness of autism and fund programs for Abacus Early Intervention Centre, the state’s first non-for-profit specialist Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy centre, on Saturday 22 October.
Family ties: Michelle Bendell and her children Molly and Sidney enjoy some quality time. Picture: Yanni
She said her son had developed the communication and adaptive living skills he needed to be able to continue his education at school after being at the centre for two years. The early intervention programs at Abacus supported Sidney with essential learning skills, such as verbal and non-verbal communication, toileting, motor skills, listening and socialising. “Without that help early on Sidney would not be succeeding in a mainstream school like he is today,” she said.
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Mornington News 18 October 2016
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the minutest of ways, Abacus is changing not just Sidney’s life, but ours as a family.” This year’s gala theme is ‘A Night Out in Monte Carlo’. Ms Bendell said she hoped organisations and individuals would get behind the gala event, which would be an “uplifting” occasion. “It’s important to never stop believing that these children will have the brightest future ahead of them”. Details: Michelle on 0403 867987 or email: achievingwithautismgaladinner@gmail.com
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“We have seen such a dramatic change in his speech, concentration and overall demeanour. “Sidney now has many friends who think that he is pretty cool, is learning more words and sentences every day, and, most of all, is a very loving and happy little man.” Ms Bendell said parents have travelled from all over Melbourne and Victoria since the service started eight years ago to access the programs. She said her son’s future was no longer uncertain. “Every day in
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