NEWS DESK
Conference calls for council trio Neil Walker neil@mpnews.com.au THREE Mornington Peninsula Shire representatives headed to Canberra this month for the National General Assembly hosted by the Australian Local Government Association. Mayor Cr Bev Colomb, deputy mayor Cr Graham Pittock and Cr Hugh Fraser attended the three-day annual conference for council delegates from across the nation on 1417 June. Cr Colomb described the yearly meeting as “a great opportunity” for council to meet federal government ministers and their staff to highlight challenges faced by the Mornington Peninsula community. “It is also a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of potential funding sources for local government going forward, to discuss opportunities for closer partnerships on important initiatives and to form strong working relationships for future project proposals.” Councillors met with an adviser to Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull to push for improved mobile phone coverage in “black spots” on the peninsula, especially with regards to emergency management. Council also lobbied for the National Broadband Network to be rolled out quickly across the peninsula to support businesses and en-
courage jobs creation. The possibility of outreach arts programs to complement the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery was raised with Executive Director of the Ministry for the Arts Sally Basser. Cr Colomb said: “I was also was privileged to hear Rosie Batty, family violence campaigner, Australia of the Year and proud peninsula resident, address the National Government Assembly in Canberra. “The Luke Batty Foundation has now launched the Never Alone campaign to stand with the women and children affected by family violence so that they are supported in the community and have a powerful voice in the corridors of power.” Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Warren Truss addressed the assembly delegates and federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt was also among the speakers. The cost to have the three Shire representatives attend the assembly was $7028, in the same financial ballpark as neighbouring southeast councils Frankston and Kingston who spent $7617 and $7682 respectively on travel and accommodation to send three representatives each to Canberra. “It’s a very small cost relative to the opportunities it presents for our Shire,” Cr Colomb said.
Green thumbs: Volunteers at Mornington Botanical Rose Gardens’, from left, Bronwyn Evans, Pauline Eu, Graeme Dent, Frances Adam, Jill Warner, Ruth Henderson, Virginia Godfrey and Muriel Dent. Picture: Keith Platt
A bloomin’ marvellous award MORNINGTON Botanical Rose Gardens’ volunteers can take a bow. Their efforts have been acknowledged by an Award of Garden Excellence from judges at the 17th World Rose Convention in Lyon, France. The 39 members of the World Federation of Rose Societies have confirmed that, while there are many wonderful rose gardens around the world, some are truly exceptional from a historical, educational and/or visual point of view. One of them is at Mornington. From 1995, the World Federation of Rose Societies has recognised the best of these outstanding rose gardens for the award. Of the three recipients in Australia all are in Victoria: the State
Rose Garden at Werribee, Morwell Centenary Rose Garden and the Mornington Botanical Rose Gardens. Volunteers from Mornington attended the presentation and received a certificate. A plaque is being made in Italy to be presented at the gardens in spring when blooms are plentiful. Mornington Botanical Rose Gardens were nominated by Australian Rose Society past president Ian Spriggs three years ago. In that time, it has been assessed by experts from the Victorian and Australian rose societies and their presentation forwarded to France to be voted upon at the conference. “Mornington Botanical Rose Gardens are managed and maintained by volunteers who are to be congratu-
lated for their efforts in achieving this prestigious award,” volunteer, committee member and assistant treasurer Graeme Dent said. “Many thanks also must go to everyone who has sponsored and/or assisted the MBRG Inc. over the years.” Mornington Rose Gardens are in the Civic Reserve, corner of Dunns Rd and Mornington-Tyabb Rd. They are seven days a week and admission is free to the public. A pruning weekend will be held on 11-12 July. Free pruning demonstrations will be held at 11am and 2pm on both days. New volunteers are welcome to join the team. Visit morningtonrosegardens.com. au Stephen Taylor
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