NEWS DESK
High Sreet shops The great outdoors is on the program urged to ‘go green for Dermot’ SHOPS in High St, Hastings, are being urged to use a green theme in their windows to mark the murder three years ago of Dermot O’Toole. A candle vigil will also be held on 12 July. Mr O’Toole was stabbed during a robbery of his High St jewellery shop by Gavin Perry, who was convicted and sentenced to 27 years’ jail. An appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions over the leniency of the sentence were dismissed by the Court of Appeal last week. The family wanted his sentence lengthened while Perry was seeking a reduction. Perry, who was on parole for previous armed robberies at the time of the 5 July 2013 attempted robbery of the Jewel Shed, also stabbed Mr O’Toole’s wife, Bridget. Mornington Peninsula Shire last week asked shops to decorate their windows in a green or Irish theme from Sunday 10 July to Sunday 17 July. Members of Mr O'Toole’s family will attend a candle vigil starting at 5pm Tuesday 12 July to quietly remember the events that ended with his death. The vigil will be held at O'Toole Walk, named in his memory, at 52 High St. Attendees are also being
DERMOT O’Toole encouraged to wear something green. The memorial activities are being organised by Western Port Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mornington Peninsula Shire. Anger over lost appeal, Page 5
CHILDREN from Red Hill Memorial Pre-School enjoyed a visit from Seaweed Sally. “Seaweed Sally, as well as Roaming Reptiles and a Responsible Pet Program, give the children the opportunity to touch and learn about animals living in their local area,” four-yearold teacher Jodie Denman said. “They teach the children how to be safe around them and how our actions can impact on the survival of these animals in their natural habitats.” A nature-inspired program allows the children to spend time outdoors connecting with nature at the 60-yearold school, she said. “Looking after the chickens, feeding the native birds, such as rosellas and lorikeets, watching kookaburras and magpies, and planting and harvesting fruits and vegetables from the gardens, all occur on a daily basis. “Natural furniture, materials and equipment are used indoors, giving the preschool a lovely warm and welcoming feeling as soon as you walk in the door.” Pre-school groups are named after an indigenous animal: Bunjil (eagle), Babbajin (kookaburra) and Mindi (snake). Children learn and use local language, songs and stories and also participate in sessions with Aboriginal Elder, Murrundindi. Many children from Red Hill, Main Ridge, Arthurs Seat, Shoreham, Point Leo, Merricks, Safety Beach, Dromana and surrounding areas have attended the pre-school’s three and four-year-old programs in the two years before they start school. Major refurbishments indoors and
Nature’s way: Paige Lafleur, of the Red Hill Memorial Pre-School’s four-year-old Bunjil group, works at her display of marine animals and artefacts from Seaweed Sally.
out over the past couple of years have rejuvenated the outdoor space, with the addition of a learning area, fixed play equipment, bamboo forest and some chickens. Having an attached Maternal Health Centre allows the staff to be regularly
in contact with nurses and with new families to the area, and close links to Red Hill Consolidated School give the children an easy transition program. The pre-school also has connections with the Red Hill Fire Brigade, Lions club and Tennis club.
Western Port News 5 July 2016
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