NEWS DESK
Aboriginal names for $13m youth hub Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au YOUNG people and the “wider community” will be able to choose one of three Aboriginal names for the yet to be completed $13 million southern peninsula youth hub at Rosebud. The name will be chosen from three suggested by the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation: Tounnin Wominjeka (warm welcome); Umarko Wominjeka (all, everyone welcome); and Kartnuk Bullito Wongonon (joy everywhere, all about). The hub is expected to open in November and the shire will later this month and in February seek the opinions of youth groups and schools. In a report to council’s 19 December public meeting, shire officers said youth groups would be asked to vote on the three names. The chosen one
would “be the final name for the hub that we will commence community consultation with to the wider community”. “Once the final name has been determined, the wider community will be consulted and provided with the opportunity to give feedback on the name,” the officer’s report stated. The “final name” would then be put on public exhibition for 30 days “to inform the community of the decision”. “Any feedback must be considered and objections addressed. The naming proposal is then lodged with the Registrar of Geographic Names Victoria for consideration and approval.” Councillors agreed in May last year to ask the Frankston-based Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation to consider suitable names based on a list of words suggested by young people that represented them “and
how they feel”. The adoption of an Aboriginal name for the youth hub follows council’s decision to name the $50m Rosebud aquatic centre Yawa. The process for naming the youth hub - by considering only Aboriginal names - is unlikely to lead to the same delays surrounding the naming of aquatic centre. After rejecting an Aboriginal name on National Sorry Day in May 2020, councillors eventually agreed the centre would be called Yawa (Yawa ‘milestone’ for aquatic centre, The News 3/8/20). The $13million youth hub being built at Olympic Park, Rosebud will provide such services as youth health and learning through the shire’s youth services department, Headspace, YSAS, Oakwood School, Peninsula Health and The Brotherhood of St Laurence.
Cr David Gill said the choice of name for the youth hub “should be made by our youth and First Peoples”. While the names may sound strange he wondered if that would have been the reaction made by Aboriginals hearing such names as Dromana, Rosebud or Mount Eliza. “They’re probably just as strange in many ways, but will roll off our tongues in no time,” Gill said. “It’s no more difficult than the English language … getting something authentic and real, with 60,000 years of culture behind it.” Cr Despi O’Connor said it was “really fitting” to use names suggested by the Bunurong Land Council as “a lot of our First Nations people live around this area of the peninsula”. Cr Debra Mar said young people could see the youth hub as their second home and the meaning of the
suggested names “certainly goes to that point”. Cr Sarah Race was excited that young people had said they wanted Bunurong names for the youth hub. When work started on the youth hub last year, then mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said young people living in the southern peninsula were accessing services and programs at lower rates than would be expected, and many vulnerable young people were missing out on the services and supports they needed (Start for $13m ‘youth hub’ at Rosebud, The News 3/10/22). He said the hub would meet their current and future needs. “Evidence shows an accessible youth-friendly site will deliver the best outcomes for young people and their families. We’re so pleased this one stop youth hub is being built in Rosebud,” he said.
Call for free vaccine Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au PARENTS are being urged to be alert to the symptoms of meningococcal after a recent case in Frankston and another believed to be on the Mornington Peninsula. The mother of 18-year-old Lachy Wright posted on a Mount Eliza Facebook site that her son had complained of a sore throat two weeks ago and within 48 hours was fighting for his life and placed in a medically induced coma. Lisa Wright said her son was rushed to Frankston Hospital where he was diagnosed with meningococcal disease and given a five per cent chance of survival. She said the doctors and nurses at the hospital were “heroes” who saved her usually fit and healthy son’s life. Medical staff told her there needed to be changes in the current meningococcal vaccine in Victoria to save lives, with current federally financed vaccines not protecting against strain B, which is the predominant strain. While children are vaccinated for free against meningococcal strains A, C, W and Y under the National Immunisation Program, strain B is an optional vaccination that costs families up to $360 a child for multiple doses.
Meningococcal bacteria are spread by close contact. Children aged under two, adolescents and young adults between 15 and 24, smokers, and people with respiratory tract infections such as influenza and COVID-19 are at more risk. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, rashes and neck pain. The mother is calling on politicians to list the vaccine on the NIP so families can afford to protect their loved ones. It was reported that another case was detected recently on the peninsula, although the location is unclear. South Australia and Queensland are the only states providing free vaccines against the B strain to children and teenagers. Meningococcal cases in South Australia declined more than other states after its meningococcal B vaccine program was introduced in 2018 to include children under the age of four and young people aged 17 to 20. The uncommon but serious bacterial infection requires urgent medical care to prevent death or disability. Last financial year in Victoria there were seven reported cases of meningococcal disease, including two deaths. Most cases were aged between 15 to 20, and their illnesses were due to meningococcal bacteria serogroup (strain) B.
EASTERN Victoria MP Tom McIntosh cuts the ribbon at the newly reopened Rye pier. Picture: Supplied
MP’s red ribbon day for pier opening THE rebuilt and upgraded Rye pier is open to the public. Eastern Victoria MP Tom McIntosh gathered a few pier users in the week leading up to Christmas to cut a ribbon to mark the pier’s “return”. He said the changes were paid for as part of $140 million the state government had spent on piers and jetties since 2018. “A favourite among holidaymakers, Rye pier’s new widened timber decking will ensure more locals and visitors can safely enjoy its new features, including an enhanced viewing platform offering scenic views of the coastline,” McIntosh said. “The revitalised pier now boasts accessible [boat]
ramps, connecting seamlessly to the new low landings and a more extensive pier head, anticipated to become a popular spot for anglers.” The pier had also been fitted with handrails, solar lighting and seating “crafted from salvaged timbers, preserving a connection to the pier's storied past”. “While the primary focus has been on promptly reopening the pier for the holiday season, final touches will be completed in the new year, including boat access to the new low landings and a signage trail for snorkelers,” McIntosh said. The upgrades would increase the pier's berthing capacity, creating more space for boaters, larger vessels and tall ships.
Tutors invited to offer courses at U3A
On course to lower drownings A RESCUE and resuscitation course is being run for surfers and other water users at the Yawa Aquatic Centre, Rosebud next Sunday (14 January). The free course is being jointly held by Belgravia Leisure, Mornington Peninsula Shire and Surfing Victoria in a bid to the number of reduce
drownings on the peninsula. Belgravia’s community engagement and inclusion coordinator Tom Duell said the Surfers Rescue 24/7 training program was a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course that provides training to assist in an emergency “and could ultimately save a life”.
“Surfers and board riders of all ages and abilities are responsible for saving lives every day. Even surfing’s biggest names like Kelly Slater and Australia’s Mick Fanning have endorsed the program and jumped to action when required,” he said. Register at: tinyurl.com/Yawarescue
U3A Southern Peninsula is looking for tutors to run one-day, short or long educational courses for its members. “Current members are receptive and an enthusiastic audience and love anything new to engage them, we are also expecting an influx of new members,” course coordinator Rosalie Arnold said. “U3A is a volunteer run organisation of retired or semi-retired people over 50 and, while there are no monetary incentives, sharing your interests, making new friends, and engaging within the Mornington Peninsula community is a great reward.” Arnold said no academic qualifications were required and there were no exams or graduations for the group of “like-minded friends living up to our motto Live Learn and Enjoy”. “We have a diverse range of courses including, but not limited to, art, craft, languages, literature, indoor exercise classes, music, and discussion groups plus a variety of outdoor activities
U3A Southern Peninsula president Pat McConvill. including, walking, cycling, kayaking, golf, and lawn bowls. “New tutors would be most welcome and given every assistance to enable them to share their passion.” Details: u3asouthpen.org.au or email Rosalie Arnold at courses@ u3asouthpen.org.au
Southern Peninsula News
10 January 2024
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