NEWS DESK
Cyclist mourned in wake of five fatalities ABOUT 100 cyclists rode in the name of road safety on Saturday 16 June when The White Bike Foundation and Mornington Cycling Club staged their third memorial ride for Joel Hawkins. Their destination was the ghost bike honouring the memory of the Mt Martha 17-year-old who was struck and killed on the Nepean Highway at Ponderosa Place, Dromana, 17 June 2015. The annual memorial ride took place just days after five road users died on Victorian roads, including a 61-year-old cyclist who was struck by a truck at Moorooduc, about 16 kilometres from the site of Hawkins’ death and almost three years to the day later. “Our energy and thoughts go out to all those affected by the recent crashes – and all road fatalities – especially the family and loved ones of those directly involved,” The White Bike Foundation director Chris Savage said. “We launched the foundation in March to educate and protect all road sharers and prevent tragic incidents – like these – occurring on Australian roads.” Mr Savage said the media had focused on the “so-called war between motorists and cyclists”. “There is no war. We are all people, we all bleed and we all just want to get home safely,” he said. The foundation launched its road safety awareness campaign on 17 March and then delivered a message to Flinders MP Greg Hunt MP at Par-
Family and friends gather around the White Bike at Dromana after their memorial ride for fellow cyclist Joel Hawkins who died three years ago after colliding with a van. Pictures: Supplied
liament House, Canberra: “There are 86,400 seconds in one day. Pause and take two to make the safest decision for all road users. #think2.” Mr Savage said the foundation aimed to educate and protect all road users by encouraging respect, mindfulness and patience, and to work with schools and like-minded organisations to drive cultural and legislative change. Its first ambassador, Robbie Peime, returned from his maiden Ironman tri-
athlon in Cairns to join the Saturday ride on a handcycle. Still-grieving parents Graeme and Trudi Lowndes came from Bendigo and participate in the Hawkins memorial ride. Their son Jason was killed on a training ride near Bendigo in December. “Accepting the loss of Joel doesn’t get any easier with time, but The White Bike Foundation is working extremely hard to make a major change. Hopefully, that will mean
less families have to go through the pain we face every day,” Joel’s father Leslie Hawkins said. Joel’s mother, Liza Hawkins: “We are so grateful to everybody who continues to keep the memory of our beautiful son alive. “The work that the foundation does helps to bring us strength in the darkest of times. Hopefully, it does the same for Graeme and Trudi Lowndes, and for all those families suffering the anguish of losing a loved one too
early due to the irresponsible actions of another person on the road.” Mornington Cycling Club president Bruce Trew: “Joel was a fantastic lad and a well-respected and extremely talented member of the MCC. Safety was always a priority and Joel was pedantic with lights, fluorescent clothing and keeping to cycle lanes where possible. He took all the precautions he could three years ago, but it wasn’t enough.” Stephen Taylor
Your Child Eats
FREE
1st - 30th June 2018
Buy 2 Main Meals and Your Child Eats FREE* *Purchase 2 main meals and receive a Child’s meal and soft drink for FREE. Max 1 children aged 2-12 years. Any additional children will need to be paid for. Excludes Juice. Valid Mon-Fri for Lunch & Mon-Thurs for dinner. Limit 2 coupons per table.
FREE 2 week hearing technology trial* 1
2
Try it
Wear it
Risk free
Work Home Play
Trial the hearing aids
Wear the hearing aids with no cost or commitment
3 Love it
Personalised to you Decide if you love the hearing aids or simply return them and owe nothing Moxi Fit by Unitron
Insera in-the-ear
Hidden Hearing invite you to trial the latest in hearing technology. • FREE hearing assessment valued at $145 • Be fi tted with trial hearing aids on the same day • No cost, no commitment & no risk
Call to book your free trial 1800 717 717 Locations: Mornington ••Rosebud Rosebud Mornington Seaford Seaford ••Toorak Toorak www.hiddenhearing.com.au
*Terms and Conditions apply. Moxi Fit (RIC) are used for the technology trial. Your (ITE) if you are eligible, will be custom made after the trial. Individual results may vary. ^ Offer ends Tuesday, 3st July 2018 © 2018 Unitron. All rights reserved
Southern Peninsula News
26 June 2018
PAGE 3