Charity night for hit-run victim
Nauru Files ‘historical’
A WHITE Light charity night will be held in aid of Jarrah Smith and family after his tragic accident in Forest Drive, Mt Martha earlier this month. It is from 7pm, Friday 9 September, at New Peninsula Centre, 370 Craigie Rd, Mt Martha. The night will include a three-course meal, spot prizes, fully licensed bar, live band and live auction. Tickets are $100 with 30 per cent of sales going to the Smith family. They are available at leafranceswells.wixsite.com/whitelightjarrah or facebook.com/whitelightcharitynight/ Jarrah, 17, was struck by a car on 10 August while on his way home from school. The force of the impact shattered his pelvis and caused brain damage. He remains in a coma. No charges have yet been laid against a woman, 46, interviewed by police immediately after the incident. Her car was found at Balcombe College. Acting Sergeant Matt Walsh, of Mornington Peninsula CIU, said police were awaiting the result of blood tests. “Inquiries are still pending,” he said. Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who have further information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
Students in nationals MT ELIZA’S Emma Pollard has won this year’s Victorian cross country skiing title and qualified for the national championships. The year 12 Haileybury student carved up the slopes at Mt Buller against a competitive and specialised field during the championships. She and six other Haileybury students qualified for next month’s nationals at Perisher, NSW. Haileybury’s head of snow sports Andrew Wheeler said the students had worked all season to combine their cross country training with their downhill program at Mt Hotham.
Immigrant tales: From left at rear, Rosalindo Cerda, Anastasia Kipouropoulos and Grace Edwards feature in a TV documentary series made by associate producer Katina Nomikoudis and (front) technical producer David Muir and producer Terry Cantwell. Picture: Gary Sissons
Facing past and present THE life stories of migrants who call Frankston home will be aired on community television C31 next month. The four-part Faces of Frankston TV series, produced by Mornington filmmakers Whitewater Documentaries, will feature 30-minute interviews with Frank Cannizzo (Italy), Rosalindo Cerda (Chile), Grace Edwards (Philippines) and Anastasia Kipouropoulos (Greece) who recount outsiders’ tales of escaping conflict in their countries of origin, in some cases, before becoming Frankston insiders through community work. Frankston Multicultural Community Network commissioned the documentary series. “We sometimes don’t think of Frankston as a culturally diverse place, but 10 per cent of peo-
ple living in the municipality come from over 130 countries,” network coordinator Katina Nomikoudis said. “Many have been here for a long time and have made a significant contribution to the community.” Whitewater Documentaries producer Terry Cantwell said the company had been working on “technically complicated stories about shipwrecks and war mysteries” for the past few years. “Although each of our interviewees were from different cultural backgrounds, and each had very different life experiences, a common theme of commitment to the community emerged. It’s great to think that these people are our neighbours.”
FEDERAL Dunkley Liberal MP Chris Crewther has responded to the first protest held outside his Frankston office since he was elected in July. The MP noted “a small quiet group of people” from Christian organisation Love Makes A Way visited his Davey St electorate office on Wednesday 17 August (“Protest for refugees”, The Times 22/8/16) to raise concerns about the treatment of asylum seekers highlighted by the leak of more than 2000 incident reports from Australia’s detention centre on Nauru. Mr Crewther said the front door was locked “as a result of security concerns raised by the Australian Federal Police”. He was in Canberra at the time of the protest. The new MP says he understands Love Makes A Way’s concerns and has scheduled a meeting next month to “hear their views in person”. “It is, however, important to note that the ‘Nauru Files’ that have been published are initial reports and in some cases, hearsay – not statements of fact,” Mr Crewther said in a statement. “Many of these allegations are historical in nature and have been reported, investigated and appropriate action already taken. “However, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection is examining the published documents and if there is even one new claim, it will be dealt with appropriately.” Mr Crewther said the federal government “supports the Nauruan Government to provide for the health, welfare and safety of all transferees and refugees in Nauru”. “What is often not reported about Nauru are the success stories among settled refugees, who are getting on with their lives. Some are running businesses, operating restaurants and catering businesses, a taxi service, car mechanic, mobile repair business, tailor service, and several hair and beauty salons.” Guardian Australia published the leaked Nauru Files which detailed incidents of assaults, sexual abuse, self-harm attempts and child abuse. Neil Walker
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