Birds and walks a reason to retire SPOTTING birds and taking long walks to see the country close up are some of the activities on the “life list” of Greg Hunt, who has retired after two and a half years as executive officer of the Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation. His position at the biosphere will be filled by Mel Barker, who Mr Hunt describes as “a very well-credentialled local”. At the time of Mr Hunt’s appointment, the biosphere foundation’s chair Duncan Malcolm pointed out that he was “not the Flinders MP” of the same name, but the previous executive officer of the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (“Seasoned campaigner heads biosphere group” The News 11/12/2018). “I am having another go at retirement after two and a half particularly fulfilling years at the Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation,” Mr Hunt said last week. “Nonetheless, I’m going to be sad to go as there are some fascinating projects about to start and the biosphere is in a good position to start them.” He said biosphere staff “are as committed to the organisation as anyone could be and they are right across the work program and the community for whom they deliver” (“AGL defeat ‘start’ for community action” The News 27/4/21). “The issue is that there’s so much else for a still fit and healthy fellow to do,” Mr Hunt said. “My life list of
Australia’s bird species has a few too many gaps and I’ve got to go to some of the best and or remote parts of the country to see them. “There are long walks to take also if you want to see the country close up, and I do.” Mr Hunt said he would “try and avoid work” but admitted to “having a few irons in the fire to keep my mind alive”. He said the biosphere foundation’s work in climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development “has thrown up many challenges and has led to much strategising and willing and robust debate”. “But change will always do that and that’s why working in change is so fulfilling.” Keith Platt
Wild Women launch INSPIRE Tribe’s Nikk Hughes is guest speaker at the Wild Women in Business launch, Mornington Yacht Club, 8am, Friday 7 May. “We are on the hunt for high level doers who can add value to our group of amazing women. We are here to support you, challenge you and add value back into your business and life in return,” the group’s founder Lauren Wild, pictured, said. Bookings are essential. Email lauren@wildwomeninbusiness.com.au or go to wildwomeninbusiness.com.au
GEENA Davy hits her stride (main) and wearing those winning medals. Pictures: Supplied
Golden jump after year of waiting MOUNT ELIZA’s Geena Davy has won gold at the under-15s national heptathlon in Melbourne and the national triple jump at the Australian Track and Field Nationals in Sydney. Like many young athletes Geena was unable to compete in 2020 and did not see her friends at events or feel the excitement of the competition. A Little Athletics competitor since she was 10, Geena during the season trains twice a week with coach, Jason Hodson. Hodson suggested that Geena enter
the state heptathlon at Bendigo, where she came second and qualified for the two-day nationals at Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne. The heptathlon consists of hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200 metres on day one, followed the next day by the long jump, javelin and 800m. Geena came first with 4517 points. She has recently returned from Sydney where she competed at national level in long and triple jump in the Australian Track And Field Championships.
The 14-year-old is a member of Mornington Little Athletics and Mornington Peninsula Athletics Centre. In Sydney, she competed with 16 girls from around Australia in long jump at the Olympic stadium to win silver with a 5m 51cm jump. Geena was up at 5am the next day at the warm up track at for an 8.30 triple jump. With and initial 19 girls competing, Geena eventually hopped, stepped and jumped her way to a winning triple jump of 12m 22 cm.
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Southern Peninsula News
5 May 2021
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