NEWS DESK
Guards march off job at naval base GUARDS employed by Wilson Security walked off the job at HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point last week to protest changes to workplace rules. The action resulted in bans on visitor checks, on-site patrols, bag and vehicle checks and training. Industrial action elsewhere affected Defence sites across the state as well as at hospitals, offices, stations, and factories. The guards, members of United Voice, are angry at what they claim are “broken bargaining rules in the security industry and across the workforce”. They say they have been negotiating with Wilson on pay and job security for a year and a half. United Voice Victorian secretary Jess Walsh said Wilson had imposed a two-year pay freeze on the guards and sought to introduce a two-tier pay structure as a way of pushing new guards on to the award minimum. He said it was the third time guards had taken industrial action in recent months, and was “the most widespread action to date”.
JULY - SEPTEMBER 2018 At Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery
“These guards are highly-trained, professional staff who do incredibly important work protecting our men and women in uniform, as well as patients and health professionals, and yet their pay has been squeezed for the last two years,” Mr Walsh said. “They do not deserve this kind of disrespect. “They will do whatever it takes to win jobs they can count on.” Mr Walsh said the action caused significant disruption at HMAS Cerberus as well as at other Defence sites, including the Australian Geospatial Intelligence site at Bendigo, Simpson Barracks, Defence Fisherman’s Bend and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Maribyrnong. “There is a risk that if the action escalates, operations on some bases would be shut down,” he said. Wilson Security was invited to comment on the action. HMAS Cerberus would not comment. Stephen Taylor
WHAT’S ON EXHIBITION
20 JULY 9 SEPT
2018 NATIONAL WORKS ON PAPER PRIZE An MPRG exhibition
20 July – 9 September 2018 Sixty-three finalists from around Australia have been shortlisted from over 1,000 entries for the National Works on Paper acquisition and award (total prize money $50,000). PROGRAMS
SATURDAY ART TALKS Saturday 4 August With 2018 National Works on Paper finalists Cameron Robbins, Rosie Weiss and Kylie Stillman.
THE COOK, THE ARTISTS, THEIR WORK AND PAPER Saturday 8 September Join Guy Mirabella for an immersive dining experience with artists Katherine Hattam, Locust Jones and Godwin Bradbeer.
YOUNG AT ART 24 July and 14 August Art activities for pre-schoolers. Georgie Mattingley, I Had to Lift the Calf 2018 (detail), hand-tinted silver gelatin print
mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au adults $4 concession $2
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Mornington News
24 July 2018
Bag limit: IGA duty manager Ben Campbell with BERG MM project officer Liz Barraclough with recyclable bags available at the Mt Martha supermarket. Picture: Supplied
Village shops reject plastic bags ENVIRONMENT group BERG Mt Martha is pleased that the major supermarkets have stopped handing customers single-use plastic bags but says there is “still a long way to go” in “the war on waste”. BERG adopted the Clean, Green Mt Martha slogan last year when it began campaigning against the use of plastic bags. “The first step was gradually to introduce the program to the community,” project officer Liz Barraclough said. “Most traders came on board, particularly the biggest shop IGA. “But even though we can celebrate most of Mt Martha Village going single-use plastic bag free, there is still a long way to go. “It’s terrific to see so many Mt Martha shoppers using their own bags or just carrying out their few items, and happily supporting the change”, Ms Barraclough said. The group’s campaign included promoting the documentary A Plastic Ocean;
Carrying out litter audits of Balcombe Estuary; and, inviting local traders to a meeting to get them to agree on a plan of action. Ms Barraclough said ABC-TV’s War on Waste series “also inspired residents to be more aware of what goes into their garbage bins”. BERG MM and Mt Martha Boomerang Bags held an information display outside Mt Martha IGA to highlight the plastic pollution problem, suggesting such alternatives as compostable dog poo bags, paper straws, bubbles instead of balloons, fabric shopping and fruit bags. Boomerang Bags gave away 40 re-usable shopping bags sewn by volunteers from fabric scraps and remnants. Boomerang Bags are available free or for a donation at White Vase, in Mt Martha Village, or The Briars office. Boomerang Bag sewing bees are held 1-4pm Mondays at Mt Martha Community House. Details: boomerangbags.mm@gmail.com
Heritage lawn for croquet THE rinks have been laid, membership is growing and the first association croquet club in Mt Martha is ready for play. The Briars Heritage Croquet Club secretary Maureen Gordon said the new club would enhance the history of the Briars and its original occupants, as well as providing a great outdoor activity for all age groups. She said club members had raised money to resurrect the original croquet lawn, thanks to the “tireless efforts” of executive members Maureen and Lewis Gordon, Beverley Treloar, Ross Bayley, members Victor Sullivan and Ursula Drennan, supporters Valerie Gardiner and Geoffrey Swain, as well as The Briars staff and local businesses. They had obtained a lease for play and maintenance of the new court from Mornington Peninsula Shire. “Membership is growing and qualified coaching is available for a challenging fun game in a splendid environment,” she said. Ms Gordon said the Victorian Croquet Association was encouraging councils to promote croquet. She said Mornington Peninsula Shire had made a $3000 grant. Details: call 97814118.
Game ready: The Briars Heritage Croquet Club president Lewis Gordon and young croquet enthusiast Oscar Scheen all set for action at The Briars, Mt Martha. Picture: Maureen Gordon, Oscar’s grandmother