NEWS DESK Working lunch: Members of Peninsula Business Networking at their 4 August lunch are, from left, Nathan Rayner, Teresa Westgarth, Adrian Raftery, Kylie Raftery, Eric Staplies. Pictures: Supplied
Networking for business DESPITE small businesses being hit hard, membership of Peninsula Business Networking has doubled during the COVID crisis. The not-for-profit group’s events coordinator Kathy Edwards said the increase in numbers was due to “an influx of new start-ups on the Mornington Peninsula and established business owners wishing to extend their business relationships circles and open opportunities to attract more clients”. There were 36 members at the PBN lunch, at Red Gum Barbecue, Red Hill on Wednesday 4 August. “The event was part of PBN’s monthly events available for any small to medium sized business owners on the peninsula or organisations supporting small business,” Ms Edwards said. Volunteers on the PBN committee “who are passionate about supporting local businesses” are president Merrin Munroe, secretary Rondelle Douglas, membership Nathan Rayner, treasurer Melissa McKean, Fausto Sinni and Ms Edwards. “The idea is to have a forum where likeminded business owners can get together support each other, cross promote and open new opportunities for their business,” Ms Edwards said. Holding events at different locations gave business owners the chance to “attend multiple events and showcase our beautiful region”. Ms Edwards guest speakers were at breakfasts and lunches while evening events were for networking. The next event will be a lunch on Wednesday 15 September at two venues in Sorrento: Ocean Beach Pavilion and Carmel at Sorrento. PBN membership is $75 a year (corporate $500), details: members.peninsulabusinessnetwork.org.au/
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Southern Peninsula News
18 August 2021
POLICE closed a 100-guest house party in Mount Eliza on Saturday and spent much of the day patrolling surrounding streets turning potential guests away. Sergeant Daniel Patton, of Mornington police, said sound and stage equipment for the illegal gathering had been set up at the private house in Clendon Close, off Tower Road, on Saturday 14 August. The house backs onto the Mt Eliza Ashram, in Tower Road, and it is believed guests had been instructed to park in that property’s car park. After hearing about the proposed party on Friday night, police began their patrols early on Saturday as guests began arriving and “turned away lots of cars”. Around 10 invitees were issued $200 fines for not wearing face masks and a “couple of people” fined $1817 for being beyond their five kilometre limit. All were then turned away. The homeowner, 44, was fined $200 for failing to wear a face mask and is being investigated for the more serious charge of refusing to comply with a direction requirement which carries an $1817 fine. “Police were there all day,” Sergeant Patton said. “At least half a dozen were there for their entire shift and had blocked off all areas where party-goers could have been expected to park.” Sergeant Patton said the host was a “known agitator and protester” against COVID-19 restrictions. Coincidentally, ashram followers were being urged on Saturday night to join an online celebration of Divya Diksha. Stephen Taylor