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Page 6 Tuesday, 4 March, 2014
Connecting people and communities RTM
Memorial funds A TOTAL of $500,000 has been secured to fund an Ash Wednesday Memorial in the Cockatoo township. La Trobe MP Jason Wood said he is committed to building the project and has secured the $500,000 in federal funding towards its construction. “In partnership with the Cardinia
Shire Council, a significant place will be built for people to better appreciate the enormous impact these fires had on our community,” he said. “A big thank you should go out to the Ash Wednesday Memorial project committee led by president Graham Simpson, a former Cockatoo CFA captain involved in the
fires, who has helped plan the memorial.” On 16 February 1983, 47 people from Victoria and 28 people from South Australia lost their lives during the devastating fires that swept through the two states. Mr Wood said the memories of the fires are still etched into the minds of many in the community
and the anniversary allows the community to remember the bravery of CFA fire-fighters. “With the unusual hot weather we should all be alert and prepared to the threat of fire and remember the incredible importance the CFA plays in protecting our community,” Mr Wood said. Warratina Lavender Farm co-owner Peter Manders with Chinese comedian and actor Guo Degang at the announcement. 116035 Picture: JESSE GRAHAM
Friends tap into cash Reserves
Sweet smell of success
By REBECCA BILLS FRIENDS of Water Race and Quinn Reserve have received over $18,000 over two years to preserve Quinn Reserve. Awarded under Melbourne Water’s River Health Incentives Program in 2013, the group received $12,250 for contractor weeding and spraying, volunteer weeding and volunteer planting of 3500 Indigenous plants to the reserve. In 2014, an addition $5760 was awarded to add a further 3500 Indigenous plants to Quinn Reserve. Friends of Water Race and Quinn Reserve president Ben Ellis said the grants had been a big help in maintaining the sustainable future of the reserve. “The differing amounts in the two grants is due to different weed type and density issues which had to be dealt with before planting could take place,” he said. “The aim of these grants is to enhance the environment of Quinn Reserve where it adjoins Olinda Creek and to stimulate community involvement.” Melbourne Water regional manager (North East) David
By JESSE GRAHAM
Friends of Water Race and Quinn Reserve president Ben Ellis at Horseshoe Falls in Quinn Picture: REBECCA BILLS Reserve. 115959 Norman said Melbourne Water supported volunteer community groups, like the Friends of Water Race and Quinn Reserve, with grants so they could continue their important work to boost the health of waterways. “These groups work extremely hard with limited resources to protect and improve local rivers and creeks,” he said.
“They give up their valuable time to improve the health and amenity of these community assets for the benefit of all.” Mr Norman said the group was a truly positive force in the community and that Melbourne Water monitored all grant programs closely. “It’s important we acknowledge their contributions and
encourage their ongoing work, which helps improve water quality and habitat for native plant and animal life,” he said. “As part of our reporting requirements, recipients must provide progress reports and final reports for projects, which detail the activities implemented and the results achieved as well as the actual expenditure, supported by invoices and receipts.”
Big boost to aged care By REBECCA BILLS
Member for Evelyn Christine Fyffe, resident Beryl Scott, Yarra Ranges Shire Mayor Fiona McAllister and Allity CEO David Armstrong officially opening Picture: REBECCA BILLS Lilydale Aged Care. 115958
LILYDALE Aged Care has opened its doors after a $12 million re-development project. Last Friday, the official opening of Lilydale Aged Care managed by Allity was attended by Member for Evelyn Christine Fyffe MP, Yarra Ranges mayor Fiona McAllister and chief execu-
tive officer of Allity David Armstrong. Mr Armstrong said the state-of-the-art aged care home was a wonderful and welcoming place that epitomises the word home for their residents. “It proudly continues the history of care and community that has always been a feature of this site,” he said.
“The lives and stories of our residents at Lilydale are the fabric of this district’s history, community and spirit. The home was previously the old Dame Nellie Melba Bush Nursing Hospital site which subsequently became the Lilydale Hospital before transitioning into the aged care home.
Opinion
WARRATINA Lavender Farm reached international heights last week when a $2.5 million deal was signed in a deal to bring teddy bears to overseas children. A group of Chinese delegates, parliamentarians and international media flocked to Warratina Lavender Farm in Wandin Yallock on Thursday 27 February, where it was announced the farm would be exporting lavender-scented teddy bears to China. The deal, which is currently signed for a year with OzStars Entertainment, is worth $2.5 million, with the possibility of lavender tea, oil and cosmetics to be sent off in the future. Warratina Lavender Farm owner Anne-Marie Manders said she was very excited about the business opportunity, which would also see limited-edition teddy bears distributed to the country. She said that, while items often come and go in popular fashion, she hopes the bears deal is renewed at the end of its 12 month period. “I’m glad we’ve built up a strong respect and trust with these people,” she said. Ms Manders said the majority of the visitors to the farm were Chinese tourists and that the lavender-scented bears were always a hit with visitors of all nationalities. President of the Upper House Bruce Atkinson MP spoke at the event and said his presence, along with Melbourne MP Jennifer Kanis - who represented Opposition leader Daniel Andrews - was an indicator of joint-support for the venture. “There’s bipartisan support for ventures such as this, which are designed to develop trade and investment, cultural and social ties between Victoria and China,” Mr Atkinson said. Chinese comedian and actor Guo Degang, who is part of the deal, announced at the launch that he planned to continue his support of Melbourne by aiming to create one of his movies in the state every year. The announcement is expected to be broadcast through more than 100 media outlets in China.
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Investment welcome WITH the commencement of Aldi’s new store in Monbulk, at a cost of about $4 million and with the expected opening date of August/September 2014, this is a great opportunity to get people to come back to Monbulk from Emerald and beyond. This new complex should make Monbulk more attractive for others to occupy the empty shops. There has not been a new shop built in Monbulk for about 25 years - the chances of someone building a new shop is remote with a quarter of the shops in the town now vacant. Let’s hope other business will follow. Bruce Johnson, Silvan.
Dysfunctional job THE youth unemployment crisis reveals worrying pockets of disadvantage in regional Victoria and Melbourne’s northern suburbs under Denis
Napthine’s watch. As entire industries collapse and employment security declines (only two per cent of new jobs have been full-time since the Liberal National Party Coalition was elected in Victoria), the jobs future of our state should be at the forefront of the Napthine Government’s agenda. Denis Napthine’s actions show the opposite: they cut $1.2 billion from TAFE, reducing the courses on offer and the number of enrolments and their major infrastructure pipeline consists of one dodgy tunnel. Over the last term of the previous Labor Government, average annual job growth was three times faster than it has been under the Coalition. Victorian Labor leader Daniel Andrews has already released detailed policies to create 10,000 jobs, transform our roads and public transport and get our economy back on track. But in his dysfunctional minority government, Denis Napthine has shown he is more interested in fighting for his own job than fighting for Victorian jobs. Victoria deserves better. Tim Pallas, Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Employment.
Plan against litter EVERY year Knox City and Yarra Ranges Shire Councils call on Ferntree Gully and Belgrave residents to join Clean Up Australia Day. Last year more than half a million volunteers around the country removed just over 16,000 tonnes of rubbish, which is a formidable achievement. Ferntree Gully and Belgrave residents should be proud of their contribution. As an organisation focused on minimising the impact on the environment, the National Packaging Covenant Industry Association is participating. We have also encouraged our member companies to take part. But while cleaning up after litterers is a noble and necessary cause, we believe it should be more than just a one-day event. It should be considered the right thing to do every day. Instead of just one-off events we need to find more long-term solutions to the littering problem. We need to fight littering by changing behaviours and prevent litter happening in the first
place by tackling the causes. The NPCIA’s National Litter Action Plan has been developed to do this. By providing the right infrastructure so residents can deposit their litter, by making it unacceptable in society to litter and by taking action against those that still chose to litter, we can have a lasting impact. In contrast, cleaning up after litterers in problem solving terms is an “end of pipe” solution. And other solutions put forward, such as the Container Deposit Levy (CDL), will make people feel it’s alright to litter because someone else will be motivated to pick it up and collect the deposit. Clean Up Australia Day should be applauded for the impact it has had and we are pleased to be part of it again this year. But as a country we need to look at the litter plans and the commitments already in effect which will prevent litter happening in the first place. Stan Moore, CEO, The National Packaging Covenant Industry Association.