NEWS DESK
Questions over roundabout priorities MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council says it will continue to press the state government for the extra $5 million needed to install a roundabout at the dangerous Forest Drive and Nepean Highway intersection. The need for road safety improvements at the Mt Martha intersection has long been a priority of the council. Infrastructure strategy and climate change manager Davey Smith said that part of the council’s Towards Zero road safety commitment was “to actively advocate to the state government to improve safety at high risk intersections that are the responsibility of VicRoads”. He said the federal government allocated $5 million on the basis of a matched contribution from the state government for a $10 million roundabout at the intersection. Mornington resident Lindsay Fraser brought the issue into focus after driving up Dunns Road, Mornington, towards the new Coles outlet. “At the road leading in to the Civic Reserve recreation area they were building a new roundabout,” he told The News. “I cannot see how this [would be] an important location compared to Forest Drive, the site of serious accidents. “This roundabout has been put on hold because of [lack of] funding yet
Table tennis adds meaning to life
a roundabout of no real significance is being built on Dunns Road. There certainly have not been any serious accidents or deaths there. Mr Smith said the roundabout at the entrance to Civic Reserve would cater to those using four new soccer fields and the athletics track. “The new roundabout will ensure safe access and egress is maintained at the reserve and congestion during peak times is managed appropriately,” he said. Stephen Taylor
Tourist ‘hot spot’ THE Mornington Peninsula has been described as “hotspot” for international tourists with a 13.6 per cent growth rate in the year to March. Tourism Research Australia reports tthe rise in international overnight visitors in regional Victoria tripled the national regional average – up 12 per cent compared with 3.3 per cent in other states. Phillip Island was up 39.1 per cent, Gippsland 17.1 per cent, Goldfields 16.8 per cent, Murray 16.2 per cent, Geelong/Bellarine 11.4 per cent and Great Ocean Road 10.9 per cent. Chinese visitors continue to lead the charge into Victoria with almost 680,000 arriving in the past year and sending $3.2 billion.
Laying it on the table: Birthday girl Elaine Burge shows off her table tennis prowess. Picture: Gary Sissons
AGE is just a number to Elaine Burge who wouldn’t miss her twice weekly table tennis sessions despite tuning 90 last week. The Somerville resident has been a keen member of the Mornington Table Tennis over 40s group for the past 20 years. “Table tennis is a wonderful social activity and I’ve made lots of friends here,” she said. “We have coffee and a chat and can relax and have fun.” Ms Burgess, who fought against breast cancer in 1989, said one of the benefits of the one-on-one sport was “breaking the ice” in social situations.
“It’s easy to talk to people when you are playing against them whereas, if you met them on the street, you could be a little stand-offish,” she said. Ms Burge said her husband, Len, was a big supporter of her three-hour table tennis sessions at the Mornington Civic Centre. “It’s so invigorating,” she said, adding that other activities to spin-off from the table tennis included walking and travel groups. Ms Burgess is a woman of other talents, too: She is an award-winning artist with a host of prizes and high commendations, including winning the Sunbury Major Art Award in 1979
and the Sir Arthur Streeton Award in 1983. Her paintings have been bought by major art galleries, libraries, arts councils and colleges, including Australia House, London. Her works are cherished by private collectors in 16 countries and have featured in editions of Australian Artist Today and her biography is in Artists and Galleries of Australia and New Zealand. But, for now, table tennis – and companionship at the civic centre – is her major focus: “I just love coming here,” she said.
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25 June 2019
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