Rock fishing is a deadly activity LIFESAVING Victoria has issued a list of safety measures for rock fishing which it sees as one of the most dangerous aquatic sports in Australia. The rocky shorelines of Mornington Peninsula facing Bass Strait are as much a lure to anglers as their baits are to fish, and just as deadly. On 10 January a 67-year-old man died after being swept from rocks while fishing at Sorrento. One week later a 26-year-old fisherman was washed off the rocks at Bridgewater Bay in Portland. The two deaths sparked an appeal from Life Saving Victoria for anglers to take more precautions. Top of the list is for rock fishers to wear lifejackets and never fish alone. The check list also cautions them to wear appropriate, lightweight clothing and footwear, avoid fishing during rough weather or where there are large waves, plan and escape route and “observe first, fish later”. A news release from LSV quotes Chinese fisherman Victor Fan, who survived a rock fishing drowning incident in January 2012 at Pyramid Rock. “People don’t realise just how dangerous rock fishing can be, I know I certainly didn’t,” Mr Fan is quoted as saying. “I urge people to learn from my mistake and ensure they prepare for changing conditions and always wear a lifejacket. No fish is worth risking your life.”
Statistics show there were 13 drownings along the Bass Strait coast between 2000-2012. Most of the incidents involved men aged 35-59 years from a non-English speaking background. None were wearing lifejackets. “It’s a sad reality that the simple act of wearing a lifejacket would have most likely saved many lives,” LSV principal research associate Dr Bernadette Matthews said. “If you do get swept off the rocks unexpectedly, wearing a properly fitting lifejacket will keep you afloat with your head above water until help can arrive.” Information on rock fishing: www. lifesavingvictoria.com.au/rockfishing
Easter in gardens THE Garden Vineyard, Moorooduc, is opening to the public on Easter Saturday and Sunday to raise money for Mornington Rotary Club. Proceeds will be used for the club’s community work. The garden has been grown over the past 18 years and comprises a series of smaller, linked gardens. Moti and Oska clothing will be on sale with wine tasting from Moorooduc Estate, which makes the Garden Vineyard wine. The garden is at 174 Graydens Road, Moorooduc and will open 10am-4pm Easter Saturday and Sunday, 26 and 27 March
Disease no barrier to Everest bid DIAGNOSED with multiple sclerosis (MS) at 13, Bobby Bajram, pictured above, knows what it means to face difficulties in life. But being a determined type, he’s now created another peak that has to be reached: climbing Mt Everest. “I promised myself that MS would not beat me, and that one day I would walk to the top of the world,” the now 48-year-old last week explained to Rosebud Secondary College students. Mr Bajram’s visit followed a chance meeting with a group of the college’s students while hiking near Mt Bogong last month. “Our paths literally crossed,” he said. “The students were on their camp and I use the Bogong region for
my training.” During his visit to the college Mr Bajram spoke about his struggles with relapsing-remitting MS, such as five years of intermittent blindness and nine years in a wheelchair. He said MS still leaves him bedridden for half of each year. “When my MS attacks, half of my body still becomes paralysed and the pain is excruciating. Walking feels like I am walking through thick mud,” Mr Bajram said. When well, he follows a five-hour daily training regime including gym sessions and treks in a specialist climate room to simulate high altitude conditions. “I’m not a cowboy. Climbing Ever-
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est is a huge challenge even for an athlete and requires the right preparation.” His preparation has already involved climbing the 5654 metre high Kala Pattar and Mera (6476m) in Nepal. He says his plan to climb Everest in early 2017 left his neurologist “extremely concerned” and could ultimately cause his MS to worsen. “I know the risks, but I think it’s important for all people, disabled or otherwise, to have a crack and see what they’re capable of. I know I could lose my sight again or end up in a wheelchair once more, so it’s important to have a go while I can,” Mr Bajram said.
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