NEWS DESK
Councillors split over colleague’s course Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au CR KERRI McCafferty has been cleared by her Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor colleagues to undertake a $3900 councillor group coaching program. The money is within her annual allowance, of which she has so far spent $1540, but required council approval as it was more than $2000. Cr McCafferty, who was absent from the Tuesday 5 April public council meeting, has been cleared to do the course run by Ruth McGowan OAM. Ms McGowan, author of Get Elected (the Australian guide on how to campaign for political office) and Best Practice Guide for in Gender Equity in Local Government, for the Victorian Local Government, says her coaching can “assist local government leaders to thrive”. Cr Sarah Race supported Cr McCafferty’s request to do the course “as we want to be the best that we can be”. “Leadership skills, community skills, better manage time and communication, can only be a good thing,” Cr Race said. “The politicisation and weaponising of our council professionally developing is shortsighted. “Our community should be proud that we want to embark on continuous improvement, so we become better leaders and decision makers. “One of our tasks as judicious stewards is to limit our blind spots for the unknown unknowns as much as possible, and we do this through professional development.”
Cr Debra Mar said she did not want to “deprive a councillor of furthering their education or to gain knowledge that would directly accommodate their role as a councillor” but “presumed” the $3900 course “does not offer an accredited certificate set by accredited industrial standards”. “For a group coaching program probably offering a participation certification of sorts using ratepayers’ money I would have to question that … but I’m actually willing to listen to debates around the chamber before making a final decision,” Cr Mar said. Cr David Gill said he would vote for Cr McCafferty being cleared to do the course as the money was set aside for councillors’ education. “Whether this particular one meets all the requirements … is a fairly moot point,” he said. “If you can find what you need from your training, I think that’s satisfactory and in the rules. Cr Susan Bissinger: “This is clearly a councillor improvement role, it’s not anything else. It’s not billed as anything else. I think it’s a really good move and if Cr McCafferty feels it will benefit her, which I think it will, then it’s a great move for her to initiate this.” The $3900 course cost was passed on the casting vote of the chair, the mayor Cr Anthony Marsh 5:4: For, Crs Race, Gill, Bissinger and Antonella Celi. Against: Crs Mar, Lisa Dixon, Steve Holland and Marsh. Absent from the meeting were Crs McCafferty, Paul Mercurio and Despi O’Connor, who has taken leave to contest the seat of Flinders in the Saturday 21 May federal election.
LEST WE FORGET
ANZAC DAY | 25 APRIL 2022
AN INVESTIGATION is under way into the causes of a fire that destroyed two Mornington fast food restaurants and forced the temporary closure of Nepean Highway. The Red Rooster store and a neighbouring kebab shop were gutted by the fire which started around midday on Sunday 17 April and quickly filled the streets with thick, black smoke. It is believed the fire started at Mornington Star Kebabs. Pictures: Dary Lane Portraits (top) and Gary Sissons (left)
Anzac Day is an important day of national remembrance for our local community. It’s a time for us all to pay respect to those who served our nation, the sacrifice of our servicemen and women, and those who sadly lost their lives. We commemorate the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War and the strong bond between our nations while reflecting on those who are still serving in overseas conflict to this day.
Balnarring Service 9.30am Anzac Park - Cr Frankston-Flinders Road and Russell Street, Balnarring Dromana Dawn Service 6.00am War Memorial, The Peninsula Club, Gibson Street, Dromana March 9.15am O’Donohue Street, Dromana Service 9.45am Dromana Cenotaph Cr Pt Nepean Road and Verdon Street, Dromana Flinders March 10.30am Gather near the Flinders Hall, corner Norman Street and Cook Street, Flinders Service and Wreath Laying 11am Flinders War Memorial, corner Cook Street and The Esplanade, Flinders Red Hill Service 10.45am Red Hill Community Park, Arthurs Seat Road, Red Hill
Fast food outlets consumed by fire
Rosebud Dawn Service 6am Rosebud RSL Memorial, Eastbourne Road, Rosebud March 9.30am Corner 9th Avenue and Point Nepean Road, Rosebud Service 9.45am Rosebud Cenotaph, Corner Jetty and Point Nepean Roads, Rosebud Rye Dawn Service 6am Memorial Wall, Rye RSL, Nelson Street, Rye March 12.15pm Rye Pier to Rye RSL Service 12.35pm Memorial Wall, Rye RSL, Nelson Street, Rye Sorrento Dawn Service 6.00am Sorrento Foreshore War Memorial March 11.30am Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento Service 12pm Sorrento Foreshore War Memorial
Shop 1/739 Point Nepean Road, McCrae VIC 3938 P: (03) 5986 6661 E: chris.brayne@parliament.vic.gov.au Authorised by C. Brayne, Shop 1/739 Point Nepean Rd, McCrae, VIC 3938.
Southern Peninsula News
20 April 2022
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