NEWS DESK
Devilbend run’s a family affair RUNNERS from across the peninsula are in training for the Devilbend Fun Run, Sunday 9 August – such as the Haugen family, of Moorooduc, pictured. They have been making the run an annual event for the past four years. Peder, Linley and their three children (pictured) take every opportunity to train in the Devil Bend Natural Features Reserve area, near where they live. A continuing aim of the Mornington Peninsula Athletic Club, which organises the run, is to build community involvement, family participation and encouragement of all runners – not just those at the front of the field. “The Devil Bend Run is now in its 41st year, and once again we are supporting local groups, such as the Balnarring Lions Club and Frankston Men’s Shed,” race organiser Richard Does said. “Local businesses and volunteers are on board, and returning runners and families,
like the Haugens, continue to make our run a popular local event every year.” Last year 500 local runners participated. Each Sunday morning the Haugens take a break from their schedule of work, school and team sports to devote time to run together – And enjoy a family breakfast afterwards. Their advice to first timers or families considering running, is: “Enjoy every moment. We love the family atmosphere and enjoy running together in the various events.” Medallions are presented to all finishers, as well as medals/prizes for category placegetters. The Under 10s enjoy sack races. There will be a new Teams’ category this year. Festivities and warm-ups start 8.30am, with the runs kicking off from 9am. To enter visit devilbend.com or call Richard Does 0414 341 387.
Properties on market to pay yoga debts Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au CREDITORS have so far lodged claims of $2.334 million against Shiva Yoga Inc, which went into voluntary liquidation in April. The organisation’s main assets are three houses in Mt Eliza, two in Petrel Av and one in Clendon Close. The properties are near the Shiva School of Meditation and Yoga, headquartered on a much larger property in Tower Rd. However, the residential ashram in Tower Rd surrounded by carefully tended gardens around an ornamental lake is owned by Shiva Yoga’s former spiritual leader, Russell Kruckman, also known as Swamiji and Swami Shankarananda. Paul Burness, of liquidators Worrells Solvency & Forensic Accountants, said on Thursday that the two Petrel Av houses were being marketed by real estate agents ConleyLUFF, with one priced at $525,000-$575,000 and the other at $500,000-$550,000. Its mortgagee, the Bendigo Bank, is handling the sale of the more valuable Clendon Close property. Mr Burness said Shiva Yoga “has very little cash” and the net funds from the sale of the three properties would go towards clearing up outstanding debts and claims. He said the Clendon Close property had a mortgage of $800,000. Mr Burness said Shiva Yoga Inc had paid for extensions to the Tower Rd ashram – owned by Mr Kruckman
For sale: One of the two properties being offered for sale by ConleyLUFF real estate as a result of the volutary liquidation of the Shiva School of Meditation and Yoga, Mt Eliza.
– “for which in due course we’ll seek repayment”. Financial records seen by The News show that show $1.38m has been spent improving the ashram building and lists Swami Shankarananda as having loaned the organisation $373,508. “Retained earnings” of $2.9m were shown
for the year ended 30 June 2014. Mr Kruckman is one of the creditors who have lodged a claim against Shiva Yoga. However a caveat loidged by him on two of the three Shiva Yoga-owned properties two days before the appointment of the liquidators have now
MORNINGTON PENINSULA SHIRE COMMUNITY GRANTS 2015/2016 COMMUNITY SUPPORT GRANTS CREATIVE COMMUNITIES GRANTS The Shire is offering a range of grants to support our communities. The Mornington Peninsula Shire invites applications from non-pro¿t community organisations for grants to assist with projects that will bene¿t our local community. Grants open on Monday 3 August and close 5pm on Monday 21 September. Round 1 grants available: Community Support Grants This general program aims to assist groups by providing funding for a wide range of projects that support community outcomes. Creative Communities Grants Community groups interested in initiating arts and cultural activities and programs with public outcomes are invited to apply for funding. Flexi Grants Aimed to help local community organisations get started, purchase small equipment, host a small activity, support volunteers or enhance an exhibiting project. A Community Grant Information Session will be held on Wednesday 19 August at the Shire’s Rosebud of¿ce, Besgrove St, Rosebud, 6.30-8.30pm. RSVP by Tuesday 18 August to Andrea Ebsworth on 5950 1716 To apply now or get more information and guidelines, visit www.mornpen.vic.gov.au
been lifted, according to Mr Burness. St Kilda lawyer Angela Sdrinis is also preparing a claim on behalf of a number of women who claim to have been victims of sexual misconduct by Mr Kruckman while attending the ashram. Mr Burness said he has communicated with Ms Sdrinis but as yet has not received any claims on behalf of her clients. When announcing its appointment in April, Worrells issued a news release that quoted Mr Burness as stating “I am cognisant of the allegations against the ashram and would be dealing with all potential claims as part of the liquidation process”. Ms Sdrinis has previously told The News she wants to settle the claims out of court. However, the allegations of sexual assault by Mr Kruckman continue to be investigated by the Seaford-based SOCIT (Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Teams). While confining her claims to women making allegations of sexual impropriety against Mr Kruckman, Ms Sdrinis said she had spoken with other men and women formally associated with the ashram in regards to unpaid wages; taxation; whether “people were volunteers or employees”; donations; and donated works. Mr Burness remains hopeful that tax concessions granted to Shiva Yoga Inc will not be withdrawn by the Australian Tax Office. “At this stage they [the ATO] seem satisfied and the organisation is still on
the [exemption] register,” he said. If the tax exemptions were withdrawn the amount of money available to pay out Shiva Yoga’s creditors could be diluted further by it having to pay capital gains tax. A spokesperson for the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), which advises the ATO on the suitability of an organisation to receive tax exemptions, said that if revoked tax liabilities could be backdated to 2012. This was confirmed last week by an ATO spokesman: “Due to secrecy provisions in the taxation legislation, we are unable to provide specific information on individual cases. If an entity’s tax concession status is revoked and that revocation is backdated, the ATO is able to seek payment of taxes due from the date of that revocation. The taxes likely to be affected are income tax, including refund of franking credits, and fringe benefits tax.” Shiva Yoga has been seen as a notfor-profit and has been granted a tax concession by the ATO, GST concession, FBT rebate and income tax exemption. Mr Burness said he had specialist tax advice to effect that the tax exemptions should stay. He is now awaiting delivery of “last year’s audited financials”. Relations remain strained between those still aligned with the ashram and many who have left disillusioned after revelations in December 2014 of sexual improprietry between their guru and many of his women devotees.
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