Mayor’s charity to support foundation THE Mornington Peninsula Foundation will be the recipient of this year’s Mayoral Charity fundraising raffle. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council mayor Cr Steve Holland said MPF was chosen because of the group’s commitment to improving the lives of young people on the peninsula and breaking the cycle of disadvantage. MPF is a philanthropic organisation working across two main geographical areas – Western Port and the southern peninsula. The focus has seen them successfully support community and education partners, including kindergarten, primary and secondary schools, as well as community support services. Holland said he was delighted to be fundraising for the foundation. “I have seen the fantastic work this organisation is doing in our community, especially in supporting young people,” he said. He also thanked businesses and sponsors who had supported the event. “I’d like to encourage our community to get behind this important initiative and buy some raffle tickets,” he said. The foundation’s CEO Stephanie Exton said money raised from the raffle would go to work undertaken by MPF’s community partners in education and family support. “MPF works closely with 10 schools across the southern peninsula and in Western Port, with a focus on the transition to evidence based teaching integrated with locally based community support services,” she said. “The work is seeing improved literacy, engagement in learning and attendance. More schools are keen to join the systems change
– with more funds more schools can become involved.” Holland said the aim was to raise $20,000 to help MPF continue to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families who are facing challenging circumstances. The raffle will be drawn at midday on 20 November. There are 13 prizes with a prize pool of $6593. For more details and to buy tickets visit: mornpen.vic.gov.au/raffle
Deputy mayor was there for the vote MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire deputy mayor Cr Debra Mar was one of six councillors to vote for a move that effectively ruled out any debate about publicly releasing information provided to councillors during private briefings. Mar’s name was inadvertently omitted from the list of councillors backing a ruling by the mayor, Cr Steve Holland (“Council undecided over release of ‘secret advice’” The News 10/10/23). The other five councillors who also backed the mayor were Holland, Sarah Race, Antonella Celi, Despi O’Connor and Kate Roper. Against the mayor’s ruling were David Gill, Simon Brooks and Lisa Dixon. Crs Anthony Marsh and Susan Bissinger did not attend the 3 October public meeting.
Point Nepean Heritage
MOTOR SHOW
New track: Racing Hearts founder Lisa Coffey after the charity won the Australian Jumping Racing Association’s Life After Jumps Racing award. Picture: Supplied
No barriers for horses’ after racing AUSTRALIA’S first equine-assisted therapy program to use retired racehorses is celebrating the Melbourne Cup with a difference. Racing Hearts, a charity that gives former racehorses a new lease on life through retraining and integration to therapy programs for humans, is inviting the community to be part of early cup celebrations and experience humans “helping horses helping humans”. Founded in 2018, Racing Hearts operates from a 12-hectare property in Balnarring with a sand arena for riding lessons with a therapy focus. The organisation has rehabilitated more than 100 retired race horses, working with Racing Victoria with a large focus on their reset program that caters to horses with special needs. The cup celebration morning on Friday at its
Balnarring farm will offer visitors the chance to meet world famous three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey and Racing Hearts ambassador, Glen Boss, and have a photo taken with the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup. Visitors will be able to be part of Australian thoroughbred racing history and see first-hand how Racing Hearts cares for horses when they retire from racing. There will also be riding displays and interactions with horses. Entry is free and donations to Racing Hearts charity can be made on the day. The celebrations are on Friday 20 October from 8.30am to10.30am, at 82 Bittern-Dromana Road, Balnarring. Book tickets at trybooking.com/CMJOT
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Southern Peninsula News
18 October 2023
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