INSIDE THIS EDITION…
Voice Ocean Grove
FUN RUN, PAGE 5
September 27 - October 10, 2017
OCEAN GROVE’S NUMBER ONE NEWSPAPER
FREE FORTNIGHTLY
1231978-CB27-16
Leading Senior Constable Chris Anderson, Senior Sergeant Shane Madigan, Sergeant Mark Gray and Sergeant Tim Bennett from Bellarine police are supporting Blue Ribbon Day. 173175
In the line of duty
Blue Ribbon Day is on Friday 29 September. The day honours the ultimate sacrifice that police officers have made in the line of duty. A total of 159 Victorian police officers have been killed while doing their jobs with 30 being murdered, which underlines the dangers faced by police on a daily basis. Victoria Police invites all Victorians to pause on Friday to remember those members of our police force who have paid a price beyond measure for safety in our community. To donate to the cause, go to www.remember.org.au/donate
Crossing the line By Luke Voogt A retired Ocean Grove bishop has accused a local MP of barring him from grilling Immigration Minister Peter Dutton on Australia’s “secretive" Border Protection policy. Former Anglican Bishop Peter Danaher joined about 50 people protesting outside an invitationonly community meeting at Highton Bowls Club on Monday. “They don’t want us to be any part of the discussion,” said Rev Danaher, who is president of the Victorian Council of Churches. “It was an absolute waste of time and an insult to people who have a view on a subject.” Rev Danaher contacted Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson’s office when the Combined Refu-
gee Action Group informed him on Friday about the meeting. But Ms Henderson’s office told him the meeting was at capacity. “I went to the venue regardless, in case there happened to be any spare seats.” Two police officers blocked the doors to the meeting but a fellow protestor saw plenty of spare seats prior to it commencing, Rev Danaher said. He was on Ms Henderson’s mailing list and was disappointed not to receive notice of “the socalled community meeting”, he said. He had planned to question the minister on “women and children living in appalling conditions” on Manus Island and Nauru. “All the issues pale into insignificance when you look at the way people are treated,” he said.
But Ms Henderson said the meeting was “at capacity” and that she worked very hard to represent her constituents’ views on asylum seekers. “It was simply not possible to accommodate everyone who wished to attend,” she said. “I respect Rev Danaher’s right to protest and I would be pleased to assist him in any way I can.” Ms Henderson promoted the government’s immigration policies, which included abolishing 457 visas and deporting non-citizens who commit serious crimes. “Our government has removed 2000 children from detention, closed 17 detention centres and is working hard to re-settle asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru who were put there by Labor.”
STALEMATE: Retired Bishop Peter Danaher missed the chance to grill Immigration Minister Peter Dutton on his policies.
DISPLAYS NOW OPEN 7 DAYS | 12pm - 5pm
The Erskine 240 & Marcoola 245 52-54 Unity Dr, Armstrong Creek, Mount Duneed Richard Barton: 0433 220 998 Nick Ford: 0407 731 512 Ocean Grove Oice: 5255 3556 Erskine 240 shown
hotondo.com.au 12362553-JV35-17