NEWS DESK Wine industry jobs STUDENTS are being encouraged to consider following a career path into the Mornington Peninsula’s $200 million a year wine industry. The industry group Mornington Peninsula Wine is working with members of a learning and employment network on “active vocational pathways” for students from the region’s 29 schools to work in the peninsula’s wine industry. Partnering with the Frankston and peninsula local learning and employment network (FMPLLEN), schools and students can take Vocational Education and Training Certificate (VET) courses in horticulture, viticulture or winemaking. The courses include “hands-on” experience with peninsula wineries and vineyards and are aligned with changes being made to the state’s senior secondary certificate. “A growing demand for agricultural graduates, restrictions on travel and access to skilled visa holders since the start of the pandemic, ongoing economic uncertainty, and a four per cent unemployment rate, has placed an intense strain on the wine industry’s labour market, as it has on many other agricultural industries,” Mornington Peninsula Wine CEO Olivia Barrie said. Barrie said Mornington Peninsula Wine’s effort to increase the intake of students to the industry included an awareness campaign for schools and career counsellors. Launched in March, two vocational placements have already been made and several work experience students have participated in the grape harvest at various wineries in recent weeks. Fore details call FMPLLEN on 8679 3422.
National award for ‘time and effort’ MEMBERS of the West Rosebud Bowling and Croquet Club are ecstatic that Brian Richardson has been recognised with the 2021 Good Sports National Volunteer of the Year Award. Club president Phil Brown said the award acknowledged the time and effort Mr Richardson had put into improving the club, whether it be in his more noticeable roles of maintaining the grounds, organising social bowls events, or working behind the bar. “Behind the scenes Brian offers and has delivered so much more,” he said. “Brian is always around the club, whether it be applying his initiative and skills to extend the life of items that would have otherwise become obsolete and ended up in landfill, or assisting with bowls programs designed for youth and all abilities in our community.” Mr Richardson was crowned the Good Sports 2021 Volunteer of the Year for going above and beyond in contributing to a more supportive and family-friendly sporting environment for everyone at the club. “Some volunteers are nominated for their years of involvement, or for the positions they may have held. And then there is Brian Richardson, undeniably the greatest clubman,” Mr Brown said. “Brian is self-driven to improve the lives of others and always finds the time to engage with those who need a minute of his time.” Mr Richardson, who is currently interstate on holiday, receives $750 for contributing to culture change from the ground up, but devotes more than 60 hours a week towards all aspects of running a good sports club – from
BRIAN Richardson goes “above and beyond” in everything he does for the West Rosebud Bowling and Croquet Club and has been recognised with a national award for his efforts. Picture: Supplied grounds maintenance and organising game days, to supporting committee members with decision making around the club. West Rosebud Bowling and Croquet Club is in its 63rd year and is one of the last remaining bowls and croquet clubs on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria that has retained grass greens. Mr Brown said the grounds at the club were another attraction, with Brian to thank. “He has created beautiful sustainable garden beds that are thriving on natural rainfall,” he said. “Aging club members, many now living in residential care with minimal garden, sit for hours and admire them.” During COVID-19 lockdown periods, the star club volunteer took on even more projects. He wasn’t
104 reasons to celebrate at Calvary Rye Sands Born during the dying days of World War I, Edna Snelling has lived her long life with ups and downs, but what makes her so special is that she is still enjoying herself today, at a whopping 104! Edna was raised alongside her four other siblings by a single mum during the Great Depression and her upbringing was everything but easy by today’s standards, but Edna is also convinced that you can’t miss what you have never had. Like many in her generation, Edna started work at the tender age of 13, becoming a fine seamstress, a career that she pursued for the remainder of her working life. However, Edna was not only fulfilled by her professional life, making beautiful clothes for her fellow Melburnians, but also by her true passion outside of work, dancing. On reflection, the Centenarian now believes that her balanced life made all the difference, helping her outlive her siblings by decades. Not only did Edna get enough exercise through her passionate dancing, but she also had a job she loved and a joyful family life with late husband Ray and her daughter Jude. Mother and daughter are still close friends and have enjoyed their retirement on the Mornington Peninsula together for many years now. Edna celebrates her 104th birthday with her family and friends at Calvary Rye Sands while already making plans for the next big birthday that is now less than a year away.
36-40 Weir St | Rye VIC 3941 1800 52 72 72 | calvaryryesands.org.au PAGE 12
Southern Peninsula News
20 April 2022
able to access his usual gardens in the grounds, and so began to beautify the carpark area. Mr Richardson proceeded to remove environmental weeds that had smothered indigenous vegetation. He set about building a collection of flora for this area, propagating plants, and germinating seeds, transplanting the more mature species into a gloriously mulched garden bed next to the entry. He also took home garden signs and bench seats just before curfews began and repainted them. “Brian’s hard work around the grounds of the West Rosebud Bowling and Croquet Club supports us in creating a more welcoming and safer environment for all members,” said Mr Brown. “We get to see the incredible impact he has on the club every day and we’re so proud that others now
get to see that too with this Good Sports Award’s Volunteer of the Year Award.” Hosted by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation in Melbourne last month, the awards ceremony recognised Good Sports clubs and their volunteers from across the country who are passionate about community, their members and making their club the very best it can be. Mr Richardson has donated his $750 prize money to have the club's old ride-on mower repaired, if there is anything remaining from that it will go towards tip fees to dispose of green waste. “We are extremely proud and grateful, as a not-for-profit community sporting club, to have a volunteer dedicate himself as much as Brian has been prepared to do since he joined our club,” Mr Brown said.