NEWS DESK
Bushfire money goes to six brigades SORRENTO Portsea RSL sub-branch’s bushfire dinner and auction in February raised $28,500 as the final event in a fundraising campaign beginning when the fires started in early January. But rather than donate the money to one of the many larger funds operating at the time, Sorrento Portsea RSL president John Prentice said the committee decided on a different tack. “We wanted to select a community cause that was badly affected by the fires and where a financial contribution would make a real difference,” he said. Four months later the committee agreed to share the money equally among six small East Gippsland CFA brigades: Bruthen, Toorloo, Kalimna West, Wairewa, Johnsonville and Mallacoota. Each received $4750. “These smaller groups do not have the ability to raise the extra funds they require due to their isolation and small communities,” Mr Prentice said. “Many are made up of farming families directly affected by the fires that went through East Gippsland.” The club’s generosity has already been acknowledged: Bruthen Fire Brigade Captain J A Nicholas wrote back last week to thank the Sorrento Portsea RSL for its donation. “Just after the fires we had a group of veterans turn up at Bruthen to provide on-ground assistance in and around town,” he said. “Of particular note was the fact that we had members of many peninsula CFA brigades fighting fires by our side on the night we lost 68 houses. I have no doubt many of the fire fighters frequent your RSL. “This group, and your very generous donation, will assist us in keeping our community safe.” Mr Nicholas said this coming fire season was “shaping to be as complex as the last if we don't get rain”. Mr Prentice praised the work of Sorrento Portsea RSL’s committee and volunteers, auctioneer
Fire front: The Sorrento Portsea RSL committee, above, which organised a campaign which raised the $28,500 that was donated to six East Gippsland CFA brigades involved in fighting this year’s devastating bushfires. Right, a “strategic burn” at Bruthen and, above, blackened trees the next day. Pictures: Yanni (main) and supplied
Russell McCraw, Sorrento CFA for its contribution of $3000 from a tin rattle, the Tom Katz live music crew who contributed the proceeds of the RSL’s Sunday shows in January and February, and the Australia Day barbecue team. “We received donations large and small which contributed significantly to the final result,” he said. “A total of $28,500 from a small club like ours is an incredible result.”
Flinders knitters JANIE Varkulevicius, Susie Guthrie and Vivienne O’Donoghue did what was expected of them on Public Knitters Day by plying their craft in the fresh outdoors, and in public. The three keen knitters set up on the verge of Norman Street, Flinders, close enough to the Donna Maria cafe to keep a steady stream of coffees coming to supplement their hot water bottles. Picture: Ted Warden
Gallery’s anniversary MORNINGTON Peninsula Regional Gallery is set to reopen to celebrate its 50th anniversary with an exhibition that follows the development and growth of its collection, 1 July-22 November. The upcoming FIFTY exhibition features about 100 artworks of significance. They include eX de Medici’s Red (Colony) 2000, Arthur Boyd’s iconic Mt Martha from Rosebud Beach 1938, Lisa Roet’s giant primate finger Orang-
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Mornington News
23 June 2020
utan Index 2001-03 and Locust Jones’ epic Geronimo 2011. Founded in 1969 by Alan McCulloch, the-then Mornington Peninsula Arts Centre acquired its first artwork in 1970. Its collection has grown to include more than 1800 paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures. Many focus on the cultural heritage of the peninsula, which has been a source of inspiration for artists since the 1850s, including Fred Williams, Albert Tucker and Arthur Boyd. A series of new collection rooms will take visitors on a journey through their historical and contemporary representations of the peninsula. An online launch of the MPRG: FIFTY exhibition and 50th publication will be streamed live from 6pm, Thursday 23 July. Afterwards a weekly in-conversation series will be presented 7.30pm, Thursdays. Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery is on Civic Reserve, Dunns Road, Mornington. Open 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Details: Visit mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au or call 5950 1580.