Southern Peninsula
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Journalists: Stephen Taylor, Brodie Cowburn 5974 9000 Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Advertising Sales: Ricky Thompson 0425 867 578 or ricky@mpnews.com.au Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production/Graphic design: Marcus Pettifer, Dannielle Espagne Group Editor: Keith Platt 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Craig MacKenzie, Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Ben Triandafillou ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group, PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@mpnews.com.au Web: mpnews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURSDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2020 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER 2020
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NEWS DESK
R-E-S-P-E-C-T, needed for gender equality REPORTS of family violence have escalated this year and Mornington Peninsula Shire’s new mayor says respect “is at the heart of the prevention of violence against women”. “If we are serious about ending [it], then we must address gender inequality and disrespectful attitudes,” Cr Despi O’Connor said. “Our council is committed to creating a violence-free community and we’re proud of the work we are doing to build gender equality on the peninsula.” In the 2019–20 financial year 2211 family violence incidents were reported to police on the peninsula, up 17 per cent from the previous year. The shire has for the first time a majority of women on the council, a female mayor and female deputy mayor “reflecting a shift in attitudes from our community”, Cr O’Connor said. The shire is supporting the International 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence campaign to challenge violence against women and girls. The campaign begins tomorrow (25 November), with the international Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and runs until 10 December: Human Rights Day. This year’s theme of “Respect is…” adds a positive message aimed at supporting communities to have meaningful conversations, such as “What does respect mean to you and
YOU’RE MORE SUITED THAN YOU MIGHT THINK NOW RECRUITING FOR OVER 3000 POLICE POLICE CAREERS PAGE 6
Southern Peninsula News
25 November 2020
how do you practice it?” To get involved: Wear something orange, the colour designated by the United Nations for this cause. Bright and optimistic, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls. Tune in to Dreamhouse Theatre Company’s online performance of Darker, 7pm Wednesday 25 November; Take a walk down High Street, Hastings. In place of the annual Western Port Taking a Stand Against Family Violence march, this year the Westernport Respectful Relationships Group will decorate trees with orange ribbons. The group has worked with young people to create four colouringin sheets, giving parents and carers the opportunity to reflect and discuss with their little ones what respect means. A gender equality library story time hosted on the shire’s Our Library Facebook is at 11am, Thursday 26 November: mornpen.vic.gov.au/16days
Appeal grows THE Food For All Christmas Appeal has reached $7087, with donations being received from an opportunity shop and a rotary club. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible and can be sent by cheque to Food For All, PO Box 440, Rosebud 3939 or electronically transferred to Bendigo Bank 633000 A/C No: 133457 218. Details: Diane Falconer 59884353.
Fusion’s Christmas FUSION Mornington Peninsula launched its annual Christmas Appeal last week. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Mount Martha-based welfare organisation says it has been “stretched like never before”. The Christmas appeal hopes to raise $20,000. Donations can be made through fusiondonate.gofundraise.com.au with the message: Fusion Mornington. Donors can drop into the Optus Store at Mornington and select a gift from the Giving Tree to support a young person this Christmas.
Classic breakfast THE COVID-19 restrictions have been eased and members of the Southern Peninsula Classic and Historic Car Club wasted no time in hitting the road. Meeting for the first time in months on Tuesday 17 November drivers and passengers had a classic breakfast at Kirks Hotel, Mornington. Sightseers were keen to inspect the range of classic cars parked in the Esplanade in front of the hotel. The 45 vehicles in the club range from a 1912 Buick to MX-5s. Club members participate in touring events, Details: https://crankhandle.com.au