NEWS DESK
Pet expo faces the axe after 10 years Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors are likely to drop the Peninsula Pet Expo which has been running for the past decade. A report to councillors says the free expo at Rosebud – originally known as the Pet and Pony Expo - has become unviable because of the declining number of visitors and a doubling of the cost to $80,000. “Furthermore, there are limited animal-related entertainers and stallholders available to take part,” communication, media and events manager Mark Kestigian stated in a report to council’s Tuesday (23 May) meeting. Mr Kestigian said many of the stallholders who had been provided with “free marquee hire” for past two events had said they would not be involved if they had been charged. Mr Kestigian said there were alternative ways for the shire to raise awareness about responsible pet ownership, including microchipping. The expo’s “agricultural show elements” included milking, blacksmithing, sheep herding and horsemanship, obedience demonstrations and displays. “Recent exit surveys and reviews of the expo have revealed decreasing crowd numbers due to factors including change of venue, similar pet exhibitions held in neighbouring municipalities and competing events on the same day,” Mr Kestigian stated. “With the increasing number of events on the peninsula, there are already more than 30 events held each year that are funded by council
and which are characterised as family fun day events.” Mr Kestigian said the expo had been held every two years since 2011, but had failed to show any “measurable increase in attendance”. Fewer than 2000 had attended the November 2015 event. Mr Kestigian has urged councillors to discontinue the Peninsula Pet and spend its budget allocation on “responsible pet ownership, community awareness and other promotional activities”.
Jazz at the bowl ACCLAIMED jazz singer Marie Wilson will perform at Frankston Bowling Club on Sunday 28 July. The Sydney vocalist, who was born in India of Anglo-Indian parents, has carved a career in jazz since migrating to Australia in the 1960s. In 1988, she was named NSW Jazz Singer of the Year, followed up by Mo Awards in 1995 and 1999. She has worked with Australia’s leading musicians including James Morrison, Don Burrows, Julian Lee and Kenny Powell. Wilson’s first LP, I Thought About You, released on the Larrikin label in 1984, became the first Australian jazz vocal album to be released in the US. She will perform at David May’s Jazz at the Bowl with Neil Taylor (piano), Trevor Firth (reeds),Leon Heale (bass) and Allan Smith (drums) from 6-9pm. Entry $12. Details 5945 7773.
Ready to read: Mt Eliza Rotary Clun Book Bonanza organisers Linda Morris and Merilyn Hamilton-Smith sort donated books with tyhe help of with Quinn Carter and Elouise the dog. Picture: Yanni
A ‘bonanza’ of books to go THIRTY tables of used books on a variety of subjects make up the main attraction at this year’s Book Bonanza being run by Mt Eliza Rotary Club. The donated books range from the 1880s and include Shakespeare, Dickens and Agatha Christie sets, to illustrated coffee table books and biographies. Categories include the arts (theatre, film, music, Australian artists, birds and plants and photography); antiques (dolls houses, Matchbox cars); interior design; cooking; gardening; handicrafts; military history (aviation, maritime and transport- air, land and sea); political history (Australia, US, UK); literature (including Penguin classics, crime – fact and fiction);
nature and pets; children’s and teens; health and family matters; Pilates, yoga, massage; motoring (racing and handyman; sport (cricket, football, golf, rugby, soccer, sailing, tennis, basketball, racing, Commonwealth and Olympic games); religion; Australiana (outback traveller’s tales; world travel. There will also be CDs, DVDs, records, paperbacks and novels. Entry is free and the club will use proceeds from the sale for community projects. Devonshire tea and coffee available at Mt Eliza Rotary’s Book Bonanza, 10am-3pm at the 1st Ranelagh Scout Hall, Butler Reserve (off Ranelagh Drive), Mt Eliza on Saturday 27 May and 10am-2pm Sunday 28 May.
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23 May 2017
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