NEWS DESK
‘Close peninsula’ call Awards for basketball ‘legend’ to stop virus spread Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au A SOMERS health expert has added her voice to calls the Mornington Peninsula should be excluded from the Greater Melbourne lockdown area to help beat COVID-19. “We need a checkpoint as they have at the border between Victoria and New South Wales to keep people out and stop the virus spreading,” virologist Sue King said. “The state government needs to put a stop to it.” Ms King is backing the mayor Cr Sam Hearn’s demand that the peninsula be designated a regional area so visitors simply cannot flock in from other suburbs and potentially bring infections with them (“Outsiders stay away - mayor” The News, 14/7/20). “This is a highly contagious, deadly disease and we have no idea how many infectious people there are on the peninsula and what suburbs they are in,” she said. “We need to know so we can lock down those suburbs immediately.” Ms King said the problem was exacerbated because people’s Medicare cards link them to their place of residence – not where they had been tested – so it was important for accurate COVID-19 tracing that people stay at their main homes. Ms King studied virology at university and worked in infectious diseases
Going viral: Virologist Sue King wants tougher restrictions on visitors. Picture: Supplied
at a medical school in the UK and is “very familiar with viruses”. She said people visiting the peninsula from inner Melbourne should be quarantined for two weeks – especially those coming from high-risk areas. “This virus is extraordinarily contagious and can last on plastic for seven days,” she said. “It is very stable and presents no symptoms in a significant number of people and is easily passed on – even when an infected person has no symptoms.”
A WOMAN described as a “legend” in the Mornington Peninsula basketball community has been awarded The Jack Carter Memorial Award – Sports Administrator of the Year, for Basketball Victoria. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Mornington District Basketball Association general manager Samantha Browne had to accept the state-wide award in constrained circumstances. Instead of basking in the limelight at a glamorous event at Crown before 2000-plus attendees from hundreds of basketball associations, she had to settle for a Zoom video call presentation by association president Antony Hirst joined by committee members in their own homes. “Our association in the past few years has thrived due to Sam’s hard work, ability and resilience,” Mr Hirst said. “In these COVID-19 times our association is well placed in a sustainable position for long-term viability which would not have been achieved without her input and leadership.” Basketball Victoria was equally impressed: “Samantha’s work with Mornington has increased domestic participation numbers by over 700 and implemented player pathways and skill programs. Her work has also introduced policies and procedures to manage operations, streamlined internal processes and enhanced the member experience.” Ms Browne also received a Change Our Game Scholarship through Sport Victoria. The program helps women access professional learning and development opportunities to enhance skills in sport and recreation leader-
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Here’s to you: Samantha Browne receives The Jack Carter Memorial Award – Sports Administrator of the Year, for Basketball Victoria. Picture: Supplied
ship and management. Michelle Bolitho, who is on the committee of management of the Mornington and District Basketball Association, said: “Samantha is one of the few women in Victoria in a general manager role and is paving the way and leaning into the unique challenges that girls in sport face,
seeking solutions and innovation to improve attraction and retention – not just for basketball, but for all sports. “Sam is such a role model in our basketball community. She is the reason we are thriving and gaining recognition from the big city associations and we are just so super proud of her.” Stephen Taylor
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Southern Peninsula News
22 July 2020
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