Schools, community centre share in grants
Hope for change: The Freedom Birds packages. Picture: Supplied
Different approach to refugee freedom push SOUTHERN Peninsula Grandmothers for Refugees are sending freedom birds in packages to the MPs in Canberra. This is a different approach while still reminding our politicians of their responsibilities towards asylum seekers and refugees, the group says. “It is over six years that most of the refugees in off-shore detention [centres] have survived the incredibly harsh treatments and the difficult environments,” member Anne Renkin said. “And there is still no hope of a safe future for them. Our freedom birds represent hope and justice for refugees.” The group says the federal Medivac legislation was also being challenged
by the government “although seeming to work very well without threat to our security”. A rally supporting the Medivac legislation was planned to be held Saturday 9 November in front of the State Library. “We think it is well and truly time for the government to change these cruel policies and practices towards refugees and to work towards finding safe places for these people, such as New Zealand,” Ms Renkin said. The group’s name change signals that most children are out of detention but there are many refugees under Australian Government jurisdictions who face detention, family separation, slow processing and no hope for the future, Ms Renkin said.
SOMERVILLE Community House and three peninsula schools will share in this year’s annual community grant of $5000 from Peninsula Quarries. The $1250 grants are awarded by the company’s community engagement group. Pearcedale Primary will use the grant to build an easily accessible and secure bike shed. It’s certainly needed because an increasing number of students riding bikes or scooters to school has brought the existing shed to “bursting point”. Wallaroo Primary will expand its cooking and garden program. Students plant and tend the school’s gardens, growing herbs and vegies, used in making healthy and nutritious meals for the students – all for free. Tyabb Primary will use the grant to replace an old, ruptured water tank that for years flushed their toilets. They will now be able to conserve drinking water saving the school hundreds in water bills. Somerville Community House’s garden group will build raised garden beds in the community garden to allow those in wheelchairs, or with other disabilities, to grow their own vegetables and herbs. Peninsula Quarries services the civil infrastructure industry in the region with an extensive range of quarry materials and products for road building and sewerage ponds. The company will soon be involved in building the Mordialloc Bypass. The company’s community engagement group chair Rob Gerrand said the grants were “an outstanding environmental initiative”. He said because of the high quality of the applications
Leg up: Peninsula Quarries’ Chris DeFreitas, Somerville Community House’s Margaret Barlow, Jacky Woodhouse and Kim Fitcher, with Peninsula Quarries’ community engagement group chair Rob Gerrand. Picture: Supplied
the group had decided to make a grant to each. “This year’s recipients are outstanding community organisations and worthy winners,” he said.
Applications for 2020 grants open early next year. Details will be available on the Peninsula Quarries website or from the Clifton Group 9654 3522.
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13 November 2019
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