3 November 2015

Page 11

Mag award puts aero club top of the nation

Beware: con men on the move

PENINSULA Aero Club, Tyabb, has been named Aero Club of the Year. This comes through aviation magazine, Australian Flying, acting for the Royal Aeronautical Society, Australian Division. “Of all the clubs in the country, Peninsula Aero Club’s submission won,” president Peter Bernardi said. The award was presented by Captain David Jacobson, a former commercial airline pilot with 24,000 flying hours’ experience. It recognises the club’s outstanding support, facilities and training to the general aviation community, as well as its high standards of safety in operations, while creating an environment that fosters participation in aviation. The award also acknowledges the efforts of club members and the committee as being valuable members of the general aviation community. “It is a fantastic achievement for the aero club,” Mr Bernardi said. The November/December edition of Australian Flying award reads: “Peninsula Aero Club is not only a vibrant club for visitors and aviators, but also the body that administers Mornington Peninsula Airport at Tyabb in Victoria. “With around 530 members, PAC provides facilities for social gatherings, maintenance organisations, warbird collectors, Air Ambulance, Victoria Police Air Wing, Royal Flying Doctor Service and firebombing operations. “PAC is also actively involved in encouraging secondary school students to explore flying careers through the Student Flight Training

THE state government is warning Victorians about a coming spike in the number of dodgy door-to-door tradespeople trying to rip off people. Consumer affairs minister Jane Garrett said summer was the peak time for con men offering cheap "today only" cash deals on jobs such as painting, roof and driveway repairs. In 2014-15, Consumer Affairs Victoria received 486 reports of travelling con men, with reported losses totalling $1.35 million. Reports spike between January and March. Ms Garrett said con men often ask for cash payments up front, then take the money and run. They leave behind unfinished or poor quality work. Victorians are encouraged to report con men to a national hot line – 1300 133 408 – or call police. Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Fyffe of Frankston police said a gang of Irish gypsies several years ago had conned several "vulnerable" elderly homeowners out of tens of thousands of dollars by promising to repair their roofs. The gang extracted deposit money and cash for supplies, returned next day and appeared to do work on the roof but caused more damage, he said. Some con men used fake business cards from a legitimate company. The men were caught, had their visas revoked and were deported to Ireland. Sergeant Fyffe urged residents to be careful of itinerant tradies. Never pay money up front. If the price sounds too good to be true it usually is. "If you need a tradie, look online or in the Yellow Pages," he said.

Here’s to you: Peninsula Aero Club president Peter Bernardi accepts the Aero Club of the Year award from Captain David Jacobson watched by Royal Aeronautical Society chairman Murray Stimsom.

program. “Members are also very active in Angel Flight and the club is one of the major supporters of FunFlight.” Mr Bernardi said club management’s view was that Tyabb airport is “an integral part of the Tyabb community”. The aero club will host the Christmas Toy Run with the Antique

Aeroplane Association of Australia on Saturday 28 November. “Our Tyabb community is invited to join us,” Mr Bernardi said. “It’s our way of giving something back. “We’ll have aircraft on display, some fantastic heavy metal going through its paces in the sky and, afterwards, on display near the clubhouse. “There will be a free sausage sizzle

lunch and club members will be out and about with their planes.” Visitors can take unwrapped gifts for Food for All, which has been working across the Mornington Peninsula for the past 24 years. Toys are needed for children aged 8-14. Lego or similar are always popular. Tyabb Air Show will be held on the long weekend, Sunday 13 March.

Western Port News 3 November 2015

PAGE 11


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