NEWS DESK
Get together an exercise in water safety Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au CREWS from three volunteer rescue organisations joined forces off Safety Beach last week for coordinated water training exercises. The Water Police took an active role and oversaw the exercises on Sunday 31 July. About 40 volunteers from Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad, Mornington Volunteer Marine Rescue, and Safety Beach and Queenscliff Coast Guards, manned six boats to practise man overboard drills and search and rescue operations at sea. Crews reported that the sight of the rescue vessels all lined up in Martha Cove was “impressive”. The aim of the exercises was to simulate the demands and dangers of real life rescues, especially in the upcoming boating season. In one training scenario, crews were called out to find a “woman” – in reality a dummy – who had “fallen overboard” from a ship. They found “her”, but were then called on to find her “husband” who had “jumped in to save his wife”. Like most practice sessions, this was based on a realistic scenario, with water police using tide and drift maps to pinpoint the locations of the dummies. Graeme McGillivray, of VMR Mornington, said crews from all boats did a line search with simulated time lapses about 2.5 nautical miles off Safety Beach. “The idea was to get everyone working in line,” he said. “Lots of things were achieved on the day.”
Coast Guard Safety Beach’s Mark Brookes described the joint operation as “very successful”. He said he looked forward to working with the other volunteer rescue organisations in future. “There’s no suggestion that we work against each
other, but with each other,” he said. Volunteer crews from the three organisations are on call 24 hours a day year round to help those who find themselves in trouble on the water. This could include sinking vessels, or those with flat batteries or mechani-
cal problems. Other boats may have run aground and need towing back to shore. The training also strengthened the links between the three organisations. It was organised by Safety Beach Coast Guard.
Train as you play: Search and rescue boats motor out from Safety Beach to begin the mock training exercises. Pictures: Gary Sissons
Limb difference no barrier to this little boy Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au IT’S not unusual for a mum to be proud of her son – that’s what mums are like. But the obvious joy and encouragement shown by Mornington’s Anita Duesterhaus for her 18-month-old bundle of joy is enchanting. Malakye was born without a right forearm and hand. In the great scheme of things, such an omission should hardly be noticed, so Ms Duesterhaus’s defence of her progeny, even while he was in her womb, is unsurprising. “I was offered a termination at 34 weeks,” she said last week. “There was nothing wrong with my son other than he never grew his right arm, so it shocked me that a termination would even be considered as an option at that late stage of pregnancy.
“I have twins who are now 16 that were born at 34 weeks so, for me, it was never an option and I obviously declined.” Mrs Duesterhaus underwent tests to determine the reason for Malakye’s limb difference. “It was most likely due to me having had some kind of infection early on in pregnancy. “He was born at 38 weeks, healthy and gorgeous, and with the cutest little stump I ever did see. “He is now 18 months old and every day he amazes me with his newest accomplishments. He is a gorgeous, happy young boy and he is so clever too.” Malakye was not classed as having a disability by Centrelink, which led to a long battle for Mrs Duesterhaus to be able to access disability services, such as physio and occupational therapy. “I spent a lot of time googling and watching YouTube while trying to find different ways I
could help my son achieve his milestones,” she said. “Finally, when he was almost one, we were taken on by Biala Peninsula disability services in Mornington. “After six months, Malakye no longer needs to attend as he is at normal development for a child of his age. “I can’t wait to see what his future holds as I know it will be filled with great things.” Mrs Duesterhaus has set up an Instagram page: malakyes_mummy, to share her son with the world. She hopes it will inspire other parents facing a diagnosis of limb difference in a child. Biala CEO Marlene Fox said the organisation had provided early intervention specialist care to Malakye. “We were pleased to be able to offer him a little extra support and make sure he was on track,” she said. “He is much-loved at home and going well.”
THE RYE HOTEL
Happy chappy: Malakye gets on with life under the loving gaze of mother Anita Duesterhaus. Picture: Supplied
2415 Point Nepean Road, Rye Beach www.ryehotel.com.au | 5985 2277 Southern Peninsula News 9 August 2016
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