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Puppy love is for the blind in Parkin household
Big grain terminal opposed this will make an already dangerous practice totally untenable. “The impact on local residents could be fatal if an emergency requiring fire brigade or ambulance was to occur during a peak time logjam and access to local residents was delayed or denied.” Mr Cohen said the proposed entrance was directly opposite a Mission to Seafarers facility and adjacent to Moorpanyal Park, a children’s playground. The facility's operating hours were unspecified, so it could easily run 24 hours seven days a week by default, he said. Residents were also concerned about the use of toxic fumigating chemicals. “This obviously poses an unacceptable threat to the local community.” Bunge Australia general manager Chris Aucote said he would work through issues with residents to explain how the operation would work and minimise impact on the area. “The modelling we undertook is based on peak maximum movements per day but in reality there'll be significantly less volumes than that. “Trucks will be scheduled, and all transport operators will be accredited and licenced.”
PUPPY LOVE: Natasha Parkin with new seeing eye dog Angela.
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IT WAS a plea for volunteer puppy carers in the Independent last year that first alerted Natasha Parkin to the idea. “We were talking about getting a dog and caring for a Seeing Eye Dogs Australia pup seemed like the perfect way to test the waters,” Natasha laughed. The Newtown family, including husband Lyle and children Eric and Alice, were matched with a sweet-natured black Labrador named Connie. Connie accompanied Natasha to work at Deakin University where the students loved having her in their tutorials. “They even bought Connie thank you gifts at the end of the semester,” Natasha said. Connie visited many public places including parks, cafes and the cinema, which all helped with her socialisation. “You don’t need to have any experience with dogs. In fact, we've learned a lot from having Connie,” Natasha explained. “It's been a learning curve but the support we get from the SEDA puppy trainers is fantastic. They're always available on the phone if need be. “They're inside dogs, so you don’t need a big backyard and you don’t a high level of fitness because taking them for walks is not too strenuous. “It’s a key time for basic socialisation and becoming familiar with different environments, noises and situations they'll encounter as a working dog.” The Parkins have just said goodbye to Connie after completing her initial care but almost immediately welcomed Angela for the next 12 months. “It was very sad saying goodbye to Connie," Nathasha said. "She was really well behaved and a gorgeous girl but we have no time to wallow in grief. Angela is just as gorgeous - we all fell in love with her immediately.” Natasha said the family was happy to take it one dog at a time but looked forward to receiving updates on how Connie fares through her formal training. Each Seeing Eye Dog costs around $35,000 to train. Vision-impaired people face a year-long waiting list for the dogs. With SEDA covering all costs, the program requires volunteers to care for a puppy in their home from eight weeks until they are about 12 months old.
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A RESIDENTS group has slammed a proposed multi-million dollar grain storage development at Corio Quay North. North Shore Residents Group has lodged an extensive objection to the proposal, claiming it was “dismissive” of the impact on anyone living nearby. Bunge Australia has announced plans for a 450,000-tonnes-a-year bulk grain export terminal on land leased from Midway. The grain receival facility and three storage silos will connect to an existing woodchip loader at Corio Quay North, creating up to 100 jobs during construction and up to 15 ongoing. President Bruce Cohen labelled the proposal as dangerous and a traffic hazard that would add 100 to 200 truck movements a day. The applicant's report on the proposal was “flawed and dismissive of the issues involved and the impact on the local area and the residents”, Mr Cohen said. “Trucks already pull out from the Midway site without due care and attention to other road users. With the proposed increase in truck movements
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Friday, 19 September, 2014 Page 5
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The Melbourne Welsh Male Choir heading our way for the Geelong Seniors Festival Right now the members of the internationally renowned Melbourne Welsh Male Choir are preparing for their annual recital at St Mary’s Basilica as part of the Geelong Seniors Festival. Last year we saw a standing ovation from more than seven hundred senior citizens at the conclusion of the two hour performance. On Friday October 3rd the fifty two choristers will perform songs from traditional Welsh hymns and anthems, spirituals, selections from Broadway shows, as well as some famous operatic choruses. Formed in 1984, The Melbourne Welsh Male Choir and has grown from a small group of enthusiastic singers into one of Australia’s most acclaimed male choirs, with an on-stage strength of 50-60 choristers. Appearing at some of the most prestigious concert venues, the Choir has shared the platform with some of the world’s most distinguished performers, including Judith Durham. Hosted by Tuckers Funeral and Bereavement Service this recital commemorates the 12th anniversary performance by the choir in Geelong and it is promising to be bigger and better. To reserve your free tickets contact Tuckers on 5221 4788. All donations received on the day are greatly appreciated with all monies forwarded to the St Mary’s Parish Foundation and The Les and Trevor Cole Fund. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear the world renowned Melbourne Male Welsh Choir. 1154320-DJ38-14