Mail - Ranges Trader mail - 03rd May 2016

Page 1

Ranges Great race

2 Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

Trader

7

A Mail News Group publication

Mail

Covering the Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges & Cardinia Shires

Beeches movement

27-28

Best in local sport

Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

SES misses out

FAMILY LAW SPECIALIST

9729 6844 0408 541 073 The Basin

•฀฀S eptic฀Tanks •De-sludged •Blockages

YARRA RANGES OPTICAL Fashion Frames at Affordable Prices

AAB Lawyers can assist clients with: > Asset protection > Property division > Parenting arrangements and disputes > Family violence Anna Bulner B.A., LL.B. Accredited Family Law Specialist The only accredited Family Law Specialist in Emerald and surrounds First consultation free for the first hour

P (03) 5968 5221 E anna@aablawyers.com.au 398 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald aablawyers.com.au

772 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully Phone: 9758 0377 OPEN 7 DAYS

EYE TESTING AVAILABLE 69 Main Street, Monbulk 9.00am - 5.00pm 1183945-ACM20-15

Ph: 9756 6626 Conditions apply

SALES • REPAIRS • HIRE Nail Guns, Compressors, Power Tools

1220068-KC16-16

ALL HOURS

265747-LH34-6

Melways Ref Map 111 H10

ARE you a potential member of an Emerald Camera Club? A group of camera enthusiasts believes there are enough interested shutterbugs in the region to warrant starting a club in the area. But first, they will be holding a meeting on Thursday, 12 May, to determine if this is the case. They will be meeting at 7.30pm at Emerald U3A House, 4022 Main Street, Emerald. All are welcome. For more information call Paul on (03) 9752 0148. 153405 Pictured are happy snappers Paul Bianco, Jo Baker and Chris Britton. Picture: ROB CAREW

E&J SEPTICS

Akoonah Park Market BERWICK Produce, Craft & Variety Market EVERY SUNDAY. OPENS 8am-1.30pm Free Entry Family Market PHONE BOOKINGS ON 9796 1455

Shutterbugs sought

1224831-DJ16-16

SHADOW Minister for Emergency Services and member for Gembrook Brad Battin has slammed the State Budget for a lack of funding for SES units. “As far as I’ve seen, there is zero funding for any SES in the capital funding. “The SES is a statutory authority like the CFA and it is vital government works with that statutory body to give them the correct funding to ensure the safety of the volunteers at these stations,” he said. Mr Battin said the poor condition of the Emerald SES unit’s shed was evidence that there needed to be more funding for SES units everywhere. “There are SES units all over the state and there are many that need money but there’s not many that turn out 1000 times a year and this is a big issue here,” he said. Emerald SES is one of the busiest units in the state and has been waiting on funding for an upgrade for their facilities for three years. Ben Owen from Emerald SES said he was disappointed another State Budget had gone by without any funding to upgrade their outdated unit shed. “Prior to last state election the last government pledged funding for new station but we have seen no funding with this government,” he said. “We have been operating out of this shed for over 30 years with one or two little attachments to fit a new truck but it is very outdated and very restricted for space. “Members have to carry their uniforms in their cars because we have no space to hang them on the walls, we’ve got a portable toilet, no showering facilities, no heating. "It is just a shed and it’s not big enough for trucks and vehicles for

us to do what we need to do.” Emerald SES has been forced to share space with the Cockatoo CFA for one of their rescue trucks because they don’t have the space to store it. “We are very lucky the CFA were able to assist us but it just proves our shed does not meet our needs,” he said. The local CFA also donates money brought in through their op-shop to help Emerald SES with purchasing new uniforms and safety equipment. “We’ve got a local CFA who gives their op-shop money to us because the CFA decided we needed the money and were more desperate for it,” Mr Owen said. “We have to buy our own gloves and glasses, these things aren’t provided by the state.” While Emerald SES are based in the Gembrook electorate, Mr Owen said they serviced roughly 80 per cent of the Monbulk electorate, the seat of deputy premier James Merlino. “I’ll be continuing to push for this funding,” Mr Battin said. “We have one petition going already and we are starting up another one to get more of the community involved, not just in our electorate but we’ll be calling on James Merlino’s electorate as well because the SES services his electorate.” “If you can’t train people properly, how can you expect them to work properly at their job? That’s going to have a negative impact on the community. “Now it’s up to Daniel Andrews and James Merlino to fund the funding for a station like this,” he said. Current State Minister for Emergency Services Jane Garrett has been contacted for comment.

1205363-ACM45-15

By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS


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