NEWS DESK
Budget help to probe Buruli APART from national issues, the federal budget contained few specific finance packages for the Mornington Peninsula. The largest was nearly $1.5 million for Stopping Buruli ulcer in Victoria, the flesh eating ulcer that in 2019 became prevalent on the southern peninsula. The budget also included $300,000 for “pedestrian safety upgrades” at Arthurs Seat. The Buruli money will support 22 research projects under Professor Tim Stinear at University of Melbourne. Buruli ulcer (BU) is described as a destructive skin and soft tissue infection that can cause permanent deformity. The National Health and Medical Research Council says the ulcer is caused by a bacteria carried in the guts of possums and spread by mosquitoes to people from areas contaminated by possum faeces. “A targeted intervention based on screening possum faeces followed by control of mosquitoes in areas where possums and mosquitoes are shown to carry the bacteria will be trialed here, giving public health officials a means to stop
this disease,” NHMRC media manager Thea Williams said. “Arthurs Seat is one of the most picturesque locations on the Mornington Peninsula, with 250,000 locals and tourists visiting the location each year,” Flinders MP Greg Hunt said. “Last year I met with representatives from the local community, the Mornington Peninsula Shire, Parks Victoria and the Arthurs Seat Eagle to discuss issues around road safety and the numerous close calls pedestrians have navigating the roads at the summit. The gondola ride’s CEO Tom Smith was quoted in a news release from Mr Hunt’s office as saying his company had been working with Parks Victoria, Victoria Police, the Department of Transport, the Mornington Peninsula Shire and local members of both state and federal parliaments “to continue to ensure that visitors to both the Eagle and the state park can safely enjoy all that is on offer within the summit precinct.” The Arthurs Seat Eagle is co-owned by businessman and former Australian of the Year Simon McKeon.
JP for life BOB Bolch, RIGHT, has been made a life member of the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices. Mr Bolch was appointed as a JP in Queensland in February 1997and became a member of the Victorian branch of the RVAHJ and a member of the Mornington Peninsula branch in August 2004. He opened the document signing centre at Frankston Police station in August 2005. Since October 2008 Mr Bolch has organised four other signing centres on the peninsula. In conjunction with Victoria Police he set up The 100 Club, which recognises the volunteer work carried out by members at signing stations on the peninsula.
Mr Bolch’s other achievements since arriving in Victoria are receiving a Chief Commissioners citation for assistance to Victoria Police in 2013, and in 2017 received an OAM and was named Victorian Senior of the year. In 2018 he was elected chairperson of the RVAHJ’s peninsula branch.
ARTIST William Kelly and actor Martin Sheen discuss peace in the documentary “Can Art Stop a Bullet”. Picture: Supplied
Peace film online ‘one more time’ THE multi-award winning documentary “Can Art Stop a Bullet: William Kelly’s Big Picture” is having its final online screening on Thursday 29 October. Described as a peace documentary, the film follows Cheltenham-based artist William Kelly through various countries, recording his views on peace along with those of actor Martin Sheen, photographer Nick Ut (whose photo of a child fleeing napalm bombing is credited with adding impetus to ending the Vietnam War) and philosopher A C Grayling. The image of that young girl is also incorporated in Kelly’s 13-metre long “Peace and War/The Big Picture” banner, which hangs in the La Trobe Reading Room at the State Library of Victoria, Melbourne. The banner includes Kelly’s “visioning” of Picasso’s
Guernica. Its creators say “Can Art Stop a Bullet” is international, but was “born” locally, with director Mark Street living in Mentone, sound recordist David Muir, Mornington, online editor Alan Ryan, Mount Eliza and media producer Terry Cantwell, Mornington (“Film follows artist’s pursuit of peace” The News 9/6/20). The 90-minute documentary was one of the last films shown at Mornington Cinemas before it was closed due to the COVID-19 emergency. "Can Art Stop a Bullet?” will be streamed online via fanforcetv at 6pm Thursday 29 October as part of the City of Kingston's Seniors Festival. Tickets: $10 at fanforcetv.com/programs/kfhrcasab Keith Platt
Nominate a local hero
2021 Australia Day Local Awards The search is on to find Mornington Peninsula’s most dedicated, generous and community minded people.
Do you know someone whose contribution to our community deserves to be recognised? Acknowledge their contribution by nominating them for the 2021 Australia Day Local Awards.
Nominate for: • Citizen of the Year • Young Citizen of the Year • Community Event of the Year Nominations are open and close Friday 6 November 2020.
Nominate them now!
mornpen.vic.gov.au/ausdayawards 5950 1137
VOTE 1
Mechelle
CHEERS
For Council
NEPEAN WARD Proven Record of Advocacy Commitment to Community, Equity and the Environment. Authorised by M.A. Cheers P0 Box 384 Rye 3941
Southern Peninsula News
14 October 2020
PAGE 5