NEWS DESK
Supporters keep Sailability afloat THE 16-year Sailability program at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron has long benefitted from backing by private individuals, the community organisations and state and federal governments. The most recent grants totalling $12,000 came from the Department of Social Services, Sorrento Rotary Club, Southern Peninsula Community Support Fund and Camerons Bight Boat Club. The money from Rotary has been used for maintenance and extra fenders for the waiting area on the landing in the marina. The club has added safety railings near where Sailability participants will assemble and board the 303 yachts. The federal money has been used to replace an aluminium hull. These grants and donations will also pay for first aid and powerboat handling courses for volunteers involved in the Sailability program. Camerons Bight Boat Club gave $2000 and a member gave $1500 for a new support boat needed to be stored on a floating pontoon. The $1500 from the Southern Peninsula Support Fund will be used to replace worn sails on two yachts which have done about 20 seasons of service between them. The Kindilan Foundation is paying for new volunteer uniform shirts and slickers. Sailability Blairgowrie uses specially designed yachts which will not tip over and is open to people of all ages and ability. There is no charge for the Tuesday dependent participants, many of who have been participating since 2002
when the late Geoff Watson and his wife Eily and a group of volunteers began the program. The program also enables people of all ages and abilities to sail at advertised times at weekends and during holidays. Experienced Blairgowrie sailors can sail with visitors or people who are more experienced can sail solo or in pairs. The sailing is always supervised by an observer powerboat. For details call the Sailability coordinator Brian Jones on 0466 273 874.
Saints feed homeless SAINTS “in shining armour” have made up a cash shortfall to buy a mobile kitchen trailer to help feed homeless and disadvantaged people in the Frankston area. Karingal Hub shopping centre has donated $8000 to Life-Gate after Frankston Council last month failed to support a submission to Frankston Council’s midyear budget review. Life-Gate co-founder, the Reverend Angel Roldan, told councillors at January’s public council meeting that $28,000 towards the $36,000 kitchen trailer had been raised from corporate and federal government donors. St Kilda Football Club has also invited Life-Gate to be the AFL club’s charity partner at this year’s Saints Season Launch event. Money raised at the 9 March season launch will be donated to Life Gate’s Meals For Change mobile kitchen to cover extra costs and buy food. “We’re amazed at how the community has come together to cover this shortfall,” the Rev Roldan said, describing the donors as "knights in shining armour". “We would love to see the community come along to the Saints season launch to support this worthy cause.” Neighbouring Kingston Council introduced a Quick Response Grants program after the Labor state government axed councillors’ discretionary ward grants in 2015 following controversy over grants being given to groups with political affiliations. n St Kilda Football Club’s Season Launch is at Frankston Park Oval on Friday 9 March, 6-8.30pm. See saints. com.au or call 1300 467 246 for more details. Neil Walker
ROSEBUD COUNTRY CLUB
2018 PRO-AM
THURSDAY 15 MARCH
Play with some of Australia’s best professional golfers Members $125 Visitors $200
Includes entry into the morning field, catering & beverages
Bookings Ph. 03 5950 0800 207 Boneo Road, Rosebud VIC 3939 www.rosebudcountryclub.com.au Southern Peninsula News
6 March 2018
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