MAY 15, 2018 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
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Quentin’s top dog, for sure
(Joe Mastroianni)
When Stuart Macdonald purchased Quentin the German shepherd off Gumtree in 2013, a remarkable journey began. Most dog owners claim their dogs are the best, but Quentin has the awards to back up such a claim. “I purchased Quentin when he was 10 months old,” Stuart says. “I didn’t know it at the time, but I was actually his fourth owner in that short space of time. “The lady I purchased him off had done a few shows with him and suggested I continue it, so my wife and I did and haven’t looked back.” Quentin and Stuart first tasted victory at the Royal Melbourne Show. “We’ve competed in show since the start, with him winning the Best German Shepherd at the 2015 and 2017 Royal Melbourne shows,” Stuart says. “He also won best in trial in obedience overall in the 2017 Royal Melbourne Show.” The duo took a road trip to Adelaide last month for the German Shepherd National Show and Trial. “He came second in obedience in his class and ninth out of 25 in open dog in his class, which saw him win the trophy for best dual-performance dog,” Stuart says. Quentin has also been recognised as a Grand Champion after accumulating 1000 points through his many competitions. Tate Papworth
MPs blast toilet charge By Tate Papworth The state government has labelled as discriminatory a $20 fee to access disabled toilets at Sunshine Plaza and has vowed to take action. Housing, Disability and Ageing Minister Martin Foley told Parliament last week that the fees, introduced last month, were an “outrage”. “I would encourage the owners and operators of Sunshine Plaza shopping centre to do the right thing and to end this discriminatory practice forthwith, prior to governments and other agencies having to look at what tools we have to deal with this matter,” he said. The fee issue was raised in Parliament by
St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman following a report in Star Weekly earlier this month. “Recently there have been local media reports that Sunshine Plaza management have begun charging disabled customers $20 to use the disabled toilets,” Ms Suleyman said in Parliament. “Centre management has fitted the toilets with a master locksmith access key after an alleged misuse of the toilets. “This means that people with a disability now have to go to centre management, fill out a form and pay $20 to be given use of these basic facilities. This is simply not on, and in my view there may be a breach of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 and many others.
Star Weekly Weekly, May 1
“I am seeking immediate action from the minister. I am absolutely outraged, and I will not rest until this outrageous discrimination has been rectified. “Furthermore, I am calling on Sunshine Plaza management to immediately apologise to all those who have been offended by this action.
“There must be a better way to stop the alleged misuse of toilets from re-occurring that does not involve unfavourable and discriminatory treatment of disabled customers – the most vulnerable in our community.” Mr Foley added: “I join the member in condemning here on the floor of the Parliament and in the Sunshine community the set of clearly discriminatory activities of Sunshine Plaza shopping centre. “I will work with the honourable member for St Albans to make sure that this outrage is brought to account and that this blatant discrimination against people with disabilities is brought to an end as soon as possible.”