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15 JUNE, 2021
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Ninja hopeful aims high
(Pictures: Supplied)
Fraser Rise builder Daniel Tolli has set his sights on tackling one of his hardest ever challenges – conquering Mount Midoriyama. Mr Tolli is one of the hopefuls tackling the all-new Australian Ninja Warrior course when it returns to screens Sunday. While the challenge will pit Mr Tolli directly against other competitors, he also faces a race against time due to a hand condition called palmar fibromatosis which gradually causes fingers to become deformed. “I have always been involved in competitive sport, coming from an elite gymnastics background,” he said. “I feel Ninja Warrior has the ability to showcase my ability and test myself with my age and a physical disability I have.” Mr Tolli said he was drawn to take part in Australian Ninja Warrior as he wanted to show people that it’s possible to get the best out of yourself with hard work and a positive mindset. “The physical side to compete in this sport is very challenging … But I feel the mental side … is where it can make or break anyone. Ninja is very unpredictable – you can have a great day one day and if your mind is slightly off the next it’s very easy to fail.” Benjamin Millar
Staff sign off red-flagged By Benjamin Millar Melton council has defended a decision to add Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and the rainbow LGBTIQ+ flag alongside the Australian flag to its template for staff email signatures. While some Melton residents have raised concerns with the changes, labelling them divisive, the council has argued they are commonly used at local government level in a bid to be more inclusive.
Resident Peter Kenda said the “directive” issued by chief executive Kelvin Tori for staff to update signatures to include the rainbow flag along with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags was inappropriate and divisive. “No one should feel compelled to affirm any political, religious, ethnicity and social issues that do not relate to their job,” he said. Resident Christina Santalucia said the inclusion of the Australian flag should be sufficient as it “is meant to be the unifying symbol of cohesion for all of us”.
“It would be more appropriate and professional for the Melton council to focus on the tasks at hand such as minimising rates, building and infrastructure, rubbish collection, improving libraries, early learning and sports facilities, parks and roads rather than to engage in the culture wars of division.” Mr Tori said the inclusion of the flags is common among councils and demonstrates that the council is an inclusive workplace. “It’s common practice for local government to show support for LGBTIQ+ and Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander communities in a variety of ways,” he said. Mr Tori said the flags were included after an internal review prompted by inconsistency in email signatures across the organisation. “A revised guideline was developed and approved by the executive team,” he said. “As CEO, I advised staff of the implementation of the new corporate email signature. This was not a formal resolution of council.” Mr Tori said staff have since been advised that the use of the flags is discretionary.
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