NEWS DESK
Book holds hope for the ‘disengaged’ By Bob Simpson PENINSULA Voice* this week hosts the launch of The Mouth that Roared, a book by social worker Les Twentyman. Twentyman describes issues concerning disengaged people and families around Melbourne. His stories are disturbing. If skimmed, one could lose all hope for disengaged people. Read more deeply and there are profound truths for redefining complex community issues. Previously, Peninsula Voice opened up conversations on complex issues, including youth depression. While individual stories are heartbreaking, disengagement, about which Twentyman writes, could leave readers generally at the point of despair. However, despite his earthiness, Twentyman has great faith and hope in the people he serves. In reading his book, these qualities were learned from people with whom he engaged over the years. Like his mum. And Father Bob [Maguire] whose “great hero is Jesus�. I imagine Twentyman would be one of Jesus’ knockabout friends, because he loves and cares for people on the margins. I think he believes there are rewarding ways of bringing disengaged young people into the engaged mainstream. Maybe, that’s wishful thinking. Or does he know how to change social policy so we can all flourish? First, Twentyman, who came from economically poor Braybrook, says, “Your belly doesn’t have the final say, all the time. I (always) wanted what we now call fulfilment.� This highlights the universal struggle for survival. But human beings also have choice and free will. Used well, there is always hope. Second, no city or shire will ever flourish unless we care and love those on the margins.
Les Twentyman Arguably, in Twentyman’s view, the quality of family relationships comes first. Third, we will never flourish if we depend on illusory economic development; hunger games mentality of survival of the fittest; unthinking compliance with rules-based legislation and regulations; or unthinking religious attitudes. There are many questions I’d like to ask. Why and how some people are fully engaged? What’s the place and nature of responsibility within disengagement? What genuine use is political government in these complex issues? Where does all the government money go? The launch of Twentyman’s The Mouth that Roared, is an important event. If you want to see the Mornington Peninsula flourish, arrange to be there, and ask important questions. The 6.30pm-9pm 9 August book launch is at the Peninsula Community Theatre, Wilsons Rd, Mornington. Details: 0438 306 594. * Peninsula Voice is a not-for-profit group of volunteers, which organises and presents public forums to promote “healthy community development�.
Big splash: The property that houses Kingswim, Mornington, sold for $5.4 million last week. Picture: Supplied
Investor buys swim centre property SPECIALISED assets continue to attract high demand from local and offshore interests, according to business brokers Fitzroys. The agency last week sold three sites in the south-east for a combined $12.4 million following a high number of inquiries – with the property which houses Kingswim swim school centre, Mornington, selling for $5.4 million. The other two properties were another swim centre and a child care centre. The 3796 square metre site at 2 St Catherine’s Court went to an investor after the agents received 70 registered inquiries from overseas,
interstate and local buyer groups. Agent David Bourke said 10 genuine offers were received and the campaign moved to a second round of eight offers, reflecting the “remarkably strong demand for specialised assets�. The sale price reflects a 6.5 per cent yield, with the property secure on a long-term lease of 15+10+10-years to tenants YMCA. The property is zoned General Residential 1. It has an 81-metre frontage to Mornington-Tyabb Rd. The 1105 square metre building operates as a swim school with a pool, commercial offices and call centre.
Now Recruiting Our new hospital (located at 75 Kangan Drive, Berwick) will open on January 18th 2018. We have more than 200 new employment opportunities throughout the hospital including nursing, theatre, food services, administration, environmental services and more. 6W -RKQ RI *RG +HDOWKFDUH LV DQ HPSOR\HU RI FKRLFH RIIHULQJ VDODU\ VDFUL¿FH SXUFKDVHG OHDYH ÀH[LEOH ZRUNLQJ conditions, learning and education. Work closer to home with a team who love what they do.
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www.sjog.org.au/berwickcareers PAGE 10
Mornington News 8 August 2017