Southern Peninsula
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PHONE: 03 5974 9000 Published weekly
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Audit period: Apr 2014 - Sept 2014
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Journalists: Stephen Taylor, Brodie Cowburn 5974 9000 Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Advertising Sales: Ricky Thompson 0425 867 578 or ricky@mpnews.com.au Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production/Graphic design: Marcus Pettifer, Dannielle Espagne Group Editor: Keith Platt 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Craig MacKenzie, Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Ben Triandafillou ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group, PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@mpnews.com.au Web: mpnews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURSDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2021 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: WEDNESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2021
An independent voice for the community We are the only locally owned and operated community newspaper on the Mornington Peninsula. We are dedicated to the belief that a strong community newspaper is essential to a strong community. We exist to serve residents, community groups and businesses and ask for their support in return.
NEWS DESK
Shining a light on mental health Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au THE Mornington Peninsula and Frankston are considered self-harm “hot spots” with some of the highest suicide rates in Melbourne. The startling finding was revealed in the recent Royal Mental Health Commission report which highlighted the two local government areas as being “in particular need of mental health assistance, support and consideration”. World Suicide Prevention Day was Saturday 11 September. Free counselling service for young people Left and Right Counselling CEO Daniel Lennon said one in four Australians aged 12-25 reportedly struggled with mental health problems. “Throughout the pandemic, demand for mental health support among young people has reached an all-time high,” he said. “Self-harm and non-suicidal self-injury numbers are increasing, and crisis lines such as Lifeline are experiencing record demand. “Mental health services are at capacity all over and we are experiencing record numbers of referrals throughout the local area as young people seek support.” Mr Lennon said continued lockdowns were “exacerbating underlying issues” among young people, such as tension at home, reduced access to coping mechanisms and social support, and a loss of independence. “The longer the lockdowns con-
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Membership Of The Rosebud Park & Recreation Reserve Committee Inc.
Nominations are being sought from the community for membership of the Committee of Management that will manage the Rosebud Park and Recreation Reserve including the Rosebud Park Public Golf Course. Applications are being sought from the general public with an interest in managing the entire reserve. The Committee is responsible for the day to day management of the reserve including maintenance and protection of the golf course and significant native vegetation areas and to lead management and planning decisions on behalf of both the local community and the wider Victorian community. This is a unique opportunity to become actively involved in the conservation and management of a highly significant area of open space comprising a mix of community interests. Key attributes being sought include interest and enthusiasm in the local environment, a commitment to caring for, preserving and managing the different components of the Reserve and an approach to the task that includes maximising community involvement and participation.
and needs • Community liaison, education and/or training • Local natural environment • Committee and meeting procedures, and administration • Environmental management • Business & asset management • Human resource management • Tourism and marketing • Legal affairs • Financial management/accounting • Sport and recreation • Aboriginal and cultural heritage All registrations of interest will be considered. Further information and nomination forms are available from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, from Timothy Norman: timothy.norman@delwp.vic.gov.au or 0448 945 995. All Expressions of Interest are to be emailed to: property.portphillip@delwp.vic.gov.au by close of business Friday 1 October 2021. Find information about DELWP at www.delwp.vic.gov.au
Specific interest or skills in one or more of the following areas would be highly regarded: • Knowledge of community diversity, interest
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Southern Peninsula News
15 September 2021
tinue, the greater the need for mental health support,” he said. “The wait time in the area for a young person to receive mental health support is currently three to six months.” He said the free counselling service, based in Frankston, was “working hard to provide desperately needed assistance to young people”. “Organisations like ours need continued support, funding and assistance to meet increased demand,” he said. “The wellbeing and mental health of young people requires a joint local community and state solution. These are unprecedented times, and they require an unprecedented response. Left and Right Counselling uses a person-centred therapeutic approach to empower its clients to build resilience and coping skills for the future, Mr Lennon said. The service has no session limit, flexible time slots and doesn’t require a Mental Health Care Plan to access. Its referral partners include Headspace Frankston, Headspace Rosebud, Anglicare, Baptcare, ELMHS,
Peninsula Health, Monash Health, Monash Children’s Hospital, HeadToHelp, Betterplace, Child Protection, Frankston Magistrates Court, MacKillop Services, Bounceback, YSAS, Chisholm, sports clubs, primary and secondary schools, doctors and psychologists. World Suicide Prevention Day aimed to “create hope through action”, according to Suicide Prevention Australia CEO Nieves Murray. She said the fact record numbers of people were seeking help from suicide prevention services was a “silver lining” that shows the sector is making a major contribution to keeping the community safe. Ms Murray said young people were seeking help at twice the rate of their parent’s generations, following decades of awareness-raising, stigma reduction initiatives and advocacy. “Creating hope through action is an important part of World Suicide Prevention Day and every other day of the year,” Ms Murray said.
Applications open Fire Management Contractors List 2021/22 Mornington Peninsula Shire invites applications from local contractors to be considered for our fire management contractor list. The Shire inspects private land for fire hazards in the leadup to summer and during the declared fire danger period. Where a fire hazard is identified, landowners are sent a fire prevention notice issued either under the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 or the Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958 to remove the fire hazard by a specified date.
To assist owners with carrying out the work, the Shire includes a fire management contractor list with each fire prevention notice. The list will also be published on the Shire’s website. Work required can include slashing grass and weed or vegetation removal. Contractors must follow COVIDSafe practices and State Government advice around COVID-19 restrictions.
Applications close 5pm Friday 17 September 2021 To apply and learn more visit: mornpen.vic.gov.au/fmc
For more information contact the Environment Protection Unit: 5950 1050