Cycling to self-improvement AN incentive program at Mornington Park Primary School in which students earn points towards owning a new – restored – bike is both insightful and productive. The Wheeling It Forward program run by physical education and sport coordinator Tim Fitzpatrick encourages the students to “do the right thing” and, in this way, earn points from a teacher towards reaching the magical 100 points target. They are then able to choose a bike rebirthed and repaired by New Peninsula Mt Martha Men’s Shed members as their reward. The students build up points, called tokens, for good behaviour, such as displaying school values, being cooperative and nice to each other, drawing up lists of goals and actions and achieving them, picking up rubbish, and running activities for younger children. So successful has the program been that a spin-off: teaching bike maintenance and basic repairs to troubled students – won the Active Schools category in last year’s Tidy Towns Award. Men’s shed members played an active role in teaching and guiding the students in the program. “It was a great way of building connections with the men and bonding with them as positive role models,” Mr Fitzpatrick said. In another bike-centred first, 20 of the school’s students took part in a 20km section of the Around the Bay in a Day ride while being sponsored by United Energy. Mr Fitzpatrick said seven were riding bikes earned under
Permits for take-off
Incentive bikese: New Peninsula Mount Martha Men’s Shed members Peter Chenoweth, Murray Crabb and John Nagle work on a bike. Picture: Yanni
the tokens’ program. Restoring and repairing the bikes is the kind of grassroots project ideal for men’s shed members. New Peninsula Mount Martha Men’s Shed coordinator Peter Chenoweth said they were happy to provide the resources in the knowledge that children will benefit in the end. “It’s a good project to be part of,” he said. “We started last year and so far we have given away 30 bikes and there a few more being worked on.” The shed absorbs the costs of the
works which, hopefully, are covered by grants. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council supports the men’s shed and it received a grant last year from Vic Roads. Experience has taught the shedders to work smarter, not harder, on their Tuesday and Thursday morning stints. “We are working out the best and easiest ways to do repairs and get bikes to a usable standard, with no rust or torn seats and always new brakes,” Mr Chenoweth said. The repaired bikes are displayed at
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the school so budding owners can see what they might own one day. “It’s like an incentive to them to work for,” he said. “Not only are we meeting a need for men to connect with each other once they are retired but we hope we are helping to encourage and grow the self-esteem to our youth.” Anyone wanting to donate bikes or sponsor the shed can contact Peter Harris 0407 012 788 or Mr Chenoweth 0418 501 137.
PERMITS have been issued for the Peninsula Aero Club’s 2020 air show to be held in March. The mayor Cr David Gill said Mornington Peninsula Shire Council was “always committed to seeing the air show proceed”. “It is a great event for the peninsula, providing significant charitable donations for the local community and a showcase for aero enthusiasts,” he said. The issuing of permits shows a thaw in relations between the club and the council after the club moved to cancel the event. (“Club abandons air show” The News 13/8/2019). At the time, PAC president Jack Vevers said he had been unable to reach agreement with the council over permits. He said the shire’s “new permit process” was “unworkable” and time had run out to organise next year’s show. Cr Julie Morris last week described the air show as a “staple event for the Mornington Peninsula that focuses on giving back to the community”. The permits can be inspected at the shire’s Mornington office.
Brigade open day HASTINGS Fire Brigade will hold an Open Day, 10am-2pm, Sunday 20 October. There will be plenty of things to see and do at 149 High Street, Hastings, including enjoying a free barbecue with soft drinks for sale. Children can see the fire trucks, spray some water, jump in the free bouncing castle and enjoy free face painting. Displays from the Junior Brigade will be on show and the volunteers will make themselves known.
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Western Port News
2 October 2019
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