Gamblers lose big post COVID GAMBLERS have lost $45 million to poker machines on the Mornington Peninsula in the past six months, eight per cent more than before the COVID pandemic. The escalating losses and high number of machines within the municipality will be discussed and analysed at a free forum headed by the Rev Dr Tim Costello and Rose O’Leary, advocacy and policy manager of the Alliance for Gambling Reform Committee. The Progress in Pokies Reform on the Peninsula forum will coincide with an announcement about the state government’s adoption of recom-
mendations stemming from the recent Crown Casino Royal Commission. The Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh will speak about a council sub-committee which is also working on the pokies issue. O’Leary said the peninsula had 17 venues with poker machines on, the second highest number of venues of any Victorian municipality after Geelong. She said many other local government areas had also experienced heavier than normal losses to power machines since COVID and lockdowns.
“Rosebud Hotel has the highest losses of all venues on the peninsula, with nearly $7 million being lost to the poker machines in that venue over the last 6 months,” O’Leary said. The Progress in Pokies Reform on the Peninsula forum will be held on Father’s Day, Sunday 4 September, 2.30pm-4pm at St Marks Uniting Church, Barkly Street, Mornington. There will be tea and coffee after questions and there is parking opposite the church. Details: Dr David Price 0418 752 093 or the Rev Claire Dawe 5975 1943.
Pandemic’s ‘pathway’ to comfort A PROGRAM run by Peninsula Health has helped more than 100,000 people who tested positive for COVID-19 but did not need to be hospitalised. COVID Positive Pathways started in March 2020 to provide clinical care and support to Frankston and Mornington Peninsula residents. The program started after the first people in the community tested positive for COVID-19 and staff from Peninsula Health’s community care department banded together with volunteers to ensure they were able to receive care at home. The COVID Positive Pathways team makes daily phone calls, delivers medication and clinical consultations, as well as offering social support and food packages. Peninsula Health acting CEO Helen Cooper said the team had done “a fan-
tastic job” responding to the needs of the community during difficult times. “We have received heart-warming feedback from our clients utilising this service, and we continue to receive overwhelmingly positive comments about the professionalism and compassion showed by our staff,” Cooper said. The acting operations director of community health Belinda Berry said having support available during isolation had been a comfort to people. “Having to isolate after testing positive to COVID-19 can be a lonely and scary experience for people,” she said. “Knowing their local health service is monitoring their symptoms and contacting them on a daily basis, provides a great deal of reassurance to patients on our COVID Positive Pathways program.
New health centre A NEW centre has opened in Frankston to help Mornington Peninsula residents recover from mental health and drug and alcohol-related problems. The $1.5 million Tarnbuk Centre in Nepean Highway brings together two of Peninsula Health’s existing services - the mental health service and the alcohol and other drugs service. The partnership is designed to improve continuity of care and provide a collaborative working environment for staff. The Tarnbuk Centre includes a wellness clinic, dietetics, exercise physiology and music therapy.
PICTURE: Yanni
Jetty closed for repairs WORK to make the west jetty at Rye boat ramp safe is expected to be completed by late September. The jetty is being upgraded with a $100,000 grant from Better Boating Victoria and $50,000 from Mornington Peninsula Shire. Safety concerns were raised when an inspection showed the extent of rotting timbers, including supporting
piles and decking. Work was scheduled to begin this week with the jetty being closed to the public, although the boat ramp remains open. The repairs will also include securing the solar lights, new handrails and painting. The mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said the safety upgrades will extend the lifespan of the jetty by up to 10 years.
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17 August 2022
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