NEWS DESK
Celebration and sadness mark bravery award Knitters show they care Cameron McCullough cameron@mpnews.com.au
FIVE years after her husband was murdered in front of her in a drug-fuelled attack, Bridget O’Toole has been awarded The Royal Humane Society of Australasia’s 2017 Clarke Gold Medal. The Clarke Medal is the society’s highest award for the most outstanding case of bravery considered during the year. The Clarke Gold Medal was presented by The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Councillor Sally Capp at Melbourne Town Hall on 23 August. Mrs O’Toole was attacked by Gavin Perry, 27, after the parolee entered their High Street Hastings jewellery store in July 2013. Brandishing a 20cm carving knife, the assailant threw Mrs O’Toole into a glass cabinet. Her husband, 64-year-old Dermot O’Toole, rushed into the store to defend her, and struggled with Perry. Mr O’Toole was fatally stabbed during the ordeal. In 2017, an “emotional and proud” Bridget O’Toole accepted the Star of Courage medal on behalf of her murdered husband. In the years that followed Mrs O’Toole battled for justice. Gavin Perry pleaded guilty to Statutory Murder and was handed a 27-year sentence. The terms of the sentence required Perry to serve a minimum of 23 years before being eligible for parole. The family, left shocked by the lenincy of the sentence, appealled. In 2016, the family were again left devastated when three justices of the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal against the leniency of the jail sentence. Also dismissed was Perry’s application for leave to appeal the severity of his 27-year sentence. The five years since her husband’s murder
have taken a heavy toll on Mrs. O’Toole. “We’ve been through hell since that day and nothing will ever make up for it,” said Mrs O’Toole. “But today was a lovely day, and I am proud to accept this award.” It was also a chance for her family and friends to get together and share memories of their absent husband, father, grandfather and friend. “It is difficult to find closure,” said Mrs O’Toole. Life goes on but the memories of the love she feels for her slain husband will go on forever. CITATION - To receive the 2017 Clarke Gold Medal: BRIDGET O’TOOLE in going to the rescue of her husband from being attacked by an assailant at Hastings, Vic on 12 July 2013. At 5.00pm a disguised man entered Mr & Mrs O’Toole’s jewellery store with a large carving knife. As Mrs O’Toole came out to the counter in the belief that a customer had entered, she was attacked by the armed assailant who pushed her into a glass cabinet and stabbed her several times. During the attack Mr O’Toole, who suffered from Parkinson’s Disease, came out from the workshop to defend his wife and began wrestling with the assailant. Mr O’Toole was knocked to the ground and stabbed twice in the chest. Mrs O’Toole attempted to pull the offender away from her husband and in doing so she was further assaulted. The assailant then ran out of the shop. Mr O’Toole was fatally wounded and tragically died at the scene. Mrs O’Toole suffered numerous severe wounds.
Have your say Draft Wastewater Management Plan Wastewater disposal is a significant environmental issue on the Mornington Peninsula. The Shire has the highest number of septic systems of any Victorian council, leaving around 22,000 properties across the peninsula without reticulated sewerage. Many of these systems were approved decades ago and are discharging bacteria and other contaminants into groundwater and waterways.
Have your say Community consultation is currently open and closes 5pm Friday 14 September. Surveys are also available to complete in hard copy at the Shire’s offices in Rosebud, Mornington, Hastings and Somerville.
For more information mornpen.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay
To address the environmental and public health risks posed by wastewater on the peninsula, the Shire has developed a draft Wastewater Management Plan 2018-2023 which is now available for community comment. The Plan aims to: • prevent individual and cumulative impacts the environment • protect public health • develop strategies for the management of wastewater • provide for coordinated wastewater planning and services by council and stakeholders. Online mornpen.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay In writing Attention: Peter O’Brien Re: Draft Wastewater Management Plan Environment Protection Unit Mornington Peninsula Shire Private Bag 1000, Rosebud VIC 3939
Just award: Bridget O’Toole wearing the bravery medal awarded at Melbourne Town Hall. Picture: Supplied
SOMERVILLE Primary School pupils have been busily knitting for a very special project. They, along with family members and staff, are making squares to be sewn together to make blankets to be donated to The Salvation Army. “The children love being involved, and it has been wonderful to see them developing their skills, making new friends and developing a sense of pride in contributing to a project that is helping others,” Chaplain Kylie Nicholas said. Chaplain Nicholas, who started the Thursday Lunchtime Knitting Club this year, said she had been “blown away by the incredible level of support the project has received”. Somerville Salvos Store, along with many family and community members, have donated wool and knitting needles, while many others have spent their Thursday lunch break teaching the children to knit ... as well as many dedicating time at home to knitting squares and sewing them together. The school is lucky to have the support of The Salvos Stores chief operations officer Neil Lund and Chaplain Graeme Hallett, Chaplain Nicholas said. The school will present Mr Lund and Mr Hallett with the completed blankets in Term 4 for use in the Salvation Army’s local programs. “I’d like to say a big thank you to all who have donated wool, to those who have dedicated time to knitting squares at home, to Judy Bray for sewing them all together, to the staff, parents and grandparent helpers and other volunteers who have assisted the children during Thursday lunchtimes,” Chaplain Nicholas said. “So far, 10 special blankets have been completed and are ready to donate to those in need.”
Hastings RSL
26 King Street, Hastings PH 5979 1753 Fax: 5979 2836 Email: hastrsl@tpg.com.au HOURS: NOW OPEN EVERYDAY FROM 3PM
UPCOMING EVENTS Bingo - Every Wednesday Eyes Down - 12.30pm
RSL FUNCTIONS The RSL club is available for HIRE for that SPECIAL FUNCTION
1066 Club – every Thursday 10.00am – 3.00pm
(Except for 1st Thursday of the month)
Thursday 6.30 Service Parma, Chips & Salad $15.00 - One Free Beer, Wine or Softdrink Children $8.00 with a Free Softdrink
Friday Night Raffles/Meals 2 course meals $12.00 per person. Raffles drawn at 7:30pm Western Port News
4 September 2018
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