NEWS DESK
Western Port Proudly published by Mornington Peninsula News Group Pty Ltd
PHONE: 03 5974 9000 Published weekly. Circulation: 15,000
Journalists: Stephen Taylor, Brodie Cowburn 5974 9000 Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Advertising Sales: Bruce Stewart 0409 428 171 Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production/Graphic design: Marcus Pettifer, Danielle Espagne Group Editor: Keith Platt 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Andrew Hurst, Craig MacKenzie. ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@mpnews.com.au Web: www.mpnews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURS 4 APRIL 2019 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: WED 10 APRIL 2019
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We stand as the only locally owned and operated community newspaper on the peninsula. We are dedicated to the belief that a strong community newspaper is essential for a strong community. We exist to serve residents, community groups and businesses and ask for their support in return.
To advertise in Western Port News contact Bruce Stewart on 0409 428 171 or email bruce@mpnews.com.au Western Port
Picture: Duade Paton
Birdlovers fear its the last of the curlews THE declining numbers of a bird once frequently seen in Western Port are being used as an example to persuade political parties to do more to protect native birds. BirdLife Australia president, John Barkla says the critically endangered eastern curlew was once a drawcard for visitors to Western Port but its numbers had now dropped to “a handful”. “I’ve been visiting the Ramsar wetlands in Western Port for decades. Once it was the perfect site to see and hear the calls of flocks of hundreds of these glorious birds, but now you are lucky to see more than a handful,” Mr Barkla said on the eve of last week’s Act for Birds forum at Balwyn demanding political parties “take urgent action to protect Australia’s unique native birdlife”. “Like many of Australia’s shorebirds, our eastern curlews are being
pushed to the edge of extinction,” Mr Barkla said. “Destructive coastal development in Ramsar wetlands is occurring not only here in our backyard of Western Port, but across Australia... Our state and federal governments are allowing the mudflats that the curlews rely on to fuel up for their epic migration to the Arctic and back each year to be destroyed. “Eastern curlew populations are declining faster in south-eastern Australia than anywhere else across the country. There is no denying that this is a serious, local problem. Mr Barkla said younger Australians were likely to miss out on seeing the “absolutely magnificent” rise in flight above the wetlands. “The eastern curlew, like all of our native birds must be protected. It is clear that with continuing declines
in their population, our environment laws are not doing their job and working in the way that they should.” His feelings were echoed by Sean Dooley, editor of Australian BirdLife Magazine, who worries “that my children will never get to see birds like the eastern curlew”. Mr Dooley said strong environment laws were needed to protect native birds. “Ahead of May’s federal election, we are calling for all parties to commit to developing national environment laws that protect Australia’s wildlife, an independent national environment commission, an independent national environmental protection authority, funded recovery plans for threatened species and guaranteed community rights and participation in environmental decision making.” Keith Platt
FRANKSTON HIGH SCHOOL
You’re invited
2020 Enrolment Information and School Tours A learning culture money cannot buy
Community Conversation National aged and disability services reforms Mornington Peninsula Shire invites community members, aged and disability services clients and their carers to engage with Council in a discussion about the National reform of aged care and disability services and the best role the Shire may play in supporting older residents in the future. The reform proposes a new service model that will provide clients with choice of service provider. In this changing environment Council needs to consider the best way to respond to the potential changes that the reform may bring. Your input is an important part of our future planning process. Council remains committed to ensuring continuity of care for clients now and as any national changes are introduced.
Join a Community Engagement session: 8 April, 4.30 – 6.30pm
Shire Office – Mornington, 2 Queen Street
9 April, 11am – 1pm
Rosebud Memorial Hall, 994 Point Nepean Road
11 April, 3 – 5pm
Hastings Hub, 1973 Frankston – Flinders Road RSVP (optional) 5950 1688 community.care@mornpen.vic.gov.au If you require support to attend a session, please contact 5950 1688
For more information: mornpen.vic.gov.au/servicereforms 5950 1688
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Western Port News
3 April 2019
Frankston High School has an outstanding reputation as a high performing school, particularly in the areas of academic achievement, music and sport. Prospective parents are encouraged to attend an information session and tour of the school on the following dates:
Wednesday 24 April Friday 26 April Monday 29 April Tuesday 30 April Thursday 2 May
All tours to start at 9.15am Presentation Space Senior Campus
For parents unable to attend through the day, an information evening will be held on Thursday 2 May at 7.00pm. As places are limited, bookings are required for all tours. Please book via our website at www.fhs.vic.edu.au