NEWS DESK
Social media the new face of tourism THE coffee table book Wine Food and Farmgate will be integrated into a social media and online format to help promote the peninsula’s premium food and wine offerings in a new marketing campaign unveiled last week. The state government has provided $27,500 to fund the initiative and to finance research into the needs and expectations of holiday home owners in the region. Both projects will be run by Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board together with Tourism Victoria. Peninsula MPs Neale Burgess, David Morris and Martin Dixon announced the funding. The project would utilise the latest marketing innovations to “help visitors to the region to discover the stunning diversity of our physical landscape, the quality of our food and wine, and the high standard of accommodation”, they said. “Consumer behaviour in accessing tourism information and promotion has changed dramatically and the increased use of digital media has meant there is a need to incorporate this activity into marketing campaigns.” Tourism Minister Louise Asher said the latest technologies would help enhance tourism.
Op shop heaven COMMUNITY Caring’s op shop in Rosebud is now open four days a week, 10am-4pm Tuesday to Friday. Proceeds from the outlet at 1 The Drive, Rosebud, on the corner of Boneo Rd, help families in need on the Mornington Peninsula. Details: Jane Norris, op shop coordinator, 0409 232 321.
Polio support MORNINGTON Peninsula Post Polio Support holds a support group meeting at 11am on the second Saturday each month at Mornington Information Centre, 320 Main St, Mornington. Details: 5974 3495.
Knitters called on to make winter warmer FOOD For All’s winter blanket appeal is underway with knitters being asked to make blankets, rugs and comforters for needy families as well as older people and the homeless. Last year more than 200 knitters from Frankston, the Mornington Peninsula and beyond contributed thousands of squares to be sewn into blankets as well as scarves, beanies, mittens and baby clothes. More than 150 blankets were distributed by Food For All through St Vincent de Paul Conferences Mornington Peninsula. The project is again being supported by Carrum Downs Community Bank. “We are delighted to be doing this again,” bank board chairman Greg Sugars said. “Not only are we bringing knitters together on a valuable project, linking Bendigo Bank’s peninsula branches, which act as collection and distribution centres for wool and finished work, but also we are providing warmth at a difficult time for people in need,” Mr Sugars said. The branch will sponsor knitters with $6000 worth of wool from Bendigo Woollen Mills. Since 1991, Southern Peninsula Food For All has provided food parcels, Christmas hampers and blankets for people in need. Food For All chairman Ken Northwood said blankets were distributed during home visits. “St Vincent de Paul can’t keep up with the demand for beanies and scarves, so they are welcome too,” Mr Northwood said. “We are delighted to be working again with community bank branches.” Mr Sugars said it was hoped to match or better last year’s total of 151 blankets. For details of patterns and wool, contact Fran Henke on fhenke@bigpond. net.au or a Bendigo Bank branch.
Carer support service homes in on Rosebud
Stitch in time: Carrum Downs Community Bank board chairman Greg Sugars and board secretary Natalie Fairlie with the first knitted blankets to come in for last year’s winter blanket appeal.
PENINSULA Support Services carer support program has moved from Mornington to Rosebud. The program, which provides support for carers and families of people with mentally illness, was relocated last week in response to higher demand in the Rosebud area. The service had been in Mornington for nearly three years and assisted more than 160 carers. Individuals and families caring for people with a diagnosed mental illness are given one-on-one support and respite care options. However, carer support and family engagement worker David Goschnick said many carers on the peninsula were not aware of the help available. A high proportion of “hidden” carers had been identified in the Rosebud area, he said, prompting the relocation of the service’s entire carer support team to new premises on Point Nepean Rd. The program is funded by the federal Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Mr Goschnick said it “recognises the important and difficult, but often overlooked, role carers have in providing support every day to friends or family members with a mental illness. “Our program is unique in providing carer support workers who are linked directly to the Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation Support Service component of the mental health system. “In acknowledging and promoting the carer’s role within the ‘recovery’ process, workers assist in linking both the carer and the person they care for to appropriate services and supports. “This enables carers and families to better cope with their role, improve their relationship with the person they support and balance their own life.” Peninsula Support Services carer support program is at 825 Point Nepean Rd, Rosebud. Details: 5970 5000 or www.pss.org.au
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Southern Peninsula News 27 June 2013