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Author talks the walk into print WHILE many people plan a huge party when they the reach the milestone age of 60, it’s not something Somerville grandmother Margaret Caffyn contemplated (left). She had a calling to walk solo the 800 kilometre Camino trail in Spain. So what makes a successful career woman pack it all up and walk alone on one of the most historical pilgrim paths in the world? At first it was to find herself after all those years being “everyone’s someone” – mother, wife, daughter, friend and employee. “I felt I had lost myself,” Caffyn said. However, the more she delved into the journey, the more she realised it was actually “a calling”. “It called me in a spiritual way. When this happens, you have no control and you realise that it is no longer your decision, you have to answer the call,” she says in her book. “I found myself being swept up in a spiritual way that I had never experienced before. I felt that I was reminiscing … that I had already walked this path, perhaps in a previous life. It felt so familiar.
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“I pondered about the thousands of feet that had trudged along the path, the Romans, Napoleon’s troops, priests, thieves and robbers, but mostly the devoted Catholic pilgrims. I was humbled. I could almost feel their energy seeping up through the ground and into my feet.” The further along the rocky roads Caffyn walked, the less time she spent thinking about her home, her job and her life which she had thought was on track, like most women her age. While on long service leave from her secure role as administration manager to a bayside doctor, she soon realised that there was another corner to turn. She returned home, left her job and started on a new journey. Caffyn will discuss her adventure, answer questions and meet others who braved the walk at her book launch, 4-6pm, Sunday 4 June, at the Wholesome Nest Cafe, 642 Nepean Highway, Carrum. $1 from every ticket sold will go to Motor Neurone Disease (Victoria) in memory of Caffyn’s husband, and also his father, who passed away from the disease.
Green light for shire bus contract Western Port
PENINSULA Transport Assist will have its Mornington Peninsula Shire bus contract renewed for a further two years following high customer satisfaction and projected cost savings. The shire’s sustainable transport project coordinator Rita Kontos, in a report to last week’s council meeting, said that an evaluation of community bus hire outsourcing over the past 12 months had proven positive.
Let’s talk! How do you move around in Somers? We’re keen to hear your thoughts on what facilities, if any, you would like to improve walking, cycling and pedestrian movement in Somers. Whatever your views are on footpaths, crossings, pedestrian safety, mobility restrictions… Council wants to listen.
Tell us your ideas!
Four criteria were used in the assessment: increase in use against previous 12 months; diversity of users (youth, aged, disabled); customer satisfaction, and cost benefits. Ms Kontas said the shire saved $13,000 by outsourcing the bus hire operations. “Forward projections indicate this amount will increase due to an increase in bookings and a minor increase in bus booking fees.”
The shire leases two community buses for community groups, schools, and not-for-profit organisations to transport clients to activities and services. “The overall usage results indicate that increased demand over the last five months will result in an increase in forward revenue which will positively influence the cost benefits over the next 12 months,” Ms Kontos said.
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In person Share your thoughts directly with Councillors: Forward Planning Committee Meeting Date: Thursday 15 June Time: 6.30pm Location: Balnarring Hall, 3041 Frankston – Flinders Rd, Balnarring
Each month the Westernport News will run a Community Events page, where your school or organisation can promote upcoming events, fund raisers, social events, etc. at no charge.
To speak at this meeting register at the ‘Your Say’ section of the Shire’s website under ‘Somers Pedestrian Feedback’ by 5pm Monday 12 June 2017. mornpen.vic.gov.au/yoursay
This page is sponsored by the Coles Supermarket Hastings and listings are completely free.
Online If you can’t attend the meeting, or would like further information, please visit our website and select ‘Somers Pedestrian Feedback’ to share your ideas with us by 5pm Monday 12 June 2017. mornpen.vic.gov.au/yoursay We welcome your input, and if you have any queries please contact our infrastructure planning team by phone or email. 5950 1272 somerspedestrians@mornpen.vic.gov.au
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Western Port News 30 May 2017
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