Stargazing at The Briars A RECORD crowd attended the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society’s monthly Stargazing night at The Briars Astronomy Centre last week. Coinciding with the ABC Stargazing Live TV program, visitors zoomed in on the moon and its craters, as well as planets Jupiter and Saturn, from the new Peter Lowe Astronomical Observatory. The 200-plus crowd enjoyed the usual “Talk and Telescopes” format which was enhanced with several speakers and the use of members’ telescopes for viewing the cosmos. Door prize winner Arundati, 7, was thrilled to win a telescope which could set her on her way to becoming a budding astronomer. The Briars Astronomy Centre, established in 1992, has been the focal point of the society’s observation activities ever since. The Peter Lowe Observatory, with its advanced telescopes, is the first dedicated public astronomical observatory on the Mornington Peninsula. The 50-yrar-old society has been holding regular viewings at The Briars and at nearby schools throughout that time. Members say it aims to promote astronomy as a fun activity for all ages as well as providing learning opportunities for those interested. Some have won world-wide acclaim for their work, and several images shown in the Stargazing Live program came from members. The society regularly meets at the Peninsula School, Mt Eliza, to review the latest discoveries with invited speakers. Regular members’ nights and public stargazing events are held at the astronomy centre. Details: mpas.asn.au
Strong bond: Former nurses at the Royal Melbourne Hospital celebrate 50 years since their training days with functions in Mornington. Picture: supplied
Rules, discipline forged long bonds for nurses THE old rule that nurses “live in” during their training years ago forged bonds which are still strong today. This was apparent when 35 out of a group of 50 former nurses at the Royal Melbourne Hospital met in Mornington earlier this month for 50-year reunion celebrations. They included an open house at Maureen O’Brien’s home near Fisherman’s Beach, a cocktail lunch at the Royal Hotel the next day and an after-
NEW CHILDCARE AND KINDERGARTEN 6 weeks | 5 years
noon tea at Chris Knott’s home in Rye the day after. “Discipline was harsh when we began training in April 1967,” Ms O'Brien recalled. “The hours were long and the work included many menial tasks, such as boiling the syringes and trying to remove the barbs on the needles which certainly weren’t disposable in those days. “For young girls, in many cases straight from school, being confronted with death and enormous responsibility was traumatic.
“However, the debriefing we had afterwards with friends and the hilarious situations we often encountered and shared created a rapport that we recapture after years of not seeing each other.” A highlight at the reunions was Ms Knott appearing in an original nurse’s uniform, with her arrival heralded by the dropping of metal bedpans. Eleven of the women still work in nursing, including Gay Walters, of Mornington, who is a unit manager at Frankston Hospital.
32 Amelia Avenue, Mornington.
NOW OPEN First Early Learning are now open and taking enrolments!
Offering
FREE playdates
(booking required)
Pop in anytime to meet our friendly & nurturing team and to view our new beautiful natural centre. We look forward to meeting you!
PH 9783 3390 | Info@firstearlylearning.com.au 124 Frankston Flinders Rd, Frankston South (corner Towerhill Rd)
2018 REGISTRATIONS FOR 3 YEAR OLD & 4 YEAR OLD KINDERGARTEN ARE OPEN For further information go to www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/ Community-Services/ChildrenFamily/Kindergarten
Offering quality educational programs for 3 and 4 year olds with long hours. Enrolments now open. Please call 59753300 to arrange a tour. Mornington News 25 April 2017
PAGE 9