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Community Newspaper Issue 50, May 2012
Citation preview
Letterboxed to homes in Altona and Seaholme, with new distribution points in Altona North, Altona Meadows and Williamstown
member of
Continued page 3
Don’t I Know You?
ISSUE 50
Page 1
Did you know Suzanne from Unit 7 is a dancer? Or that lady who is always in her garden at the end of the street - did you know she was an artist? Didn’t I see you handing out flyers this morning? And now you’re in the parade.
Altona Beach Festival made for a perfect Autumn weekend with a choice of almost every activity you can imagine, and if you just fancied a bite to eat and some good local music - that was taken care of as well.
It is, afterall, what the people of Altona are so good at - opening up the community and its resources in a welcoming, ‘hands on’ way. Unlike many community festivals these days, Altona Beach Festival has kept a strong connection with the local community groups and businesses of its area. For many who have loved the festival since its days as Occupation Recreation in the 70s, it has remained an essentially non- commercial event, involving residents and visitors alike with activity of low or no cost.
As Anthony Ang, of altonabeauty.blogspot.com.au (a great read for those online) said, the festival is a great local alternative to Moomba, with less crowds and queues so that you “get to enjoy the activities more.”
Many of us were involved in the festival either directly by serving sausages for the local
Issue 50Page 2
While in the waiting room at Werribee Hospital recently I had rather a pleasant surprise.
Sitting opposite to me were a mature couple, the lady, texting, going hammer and tongs on a mobile phone, and the gentleman, flat out on an IPad.
Now if they were kids this would not have surprised me – what grabbed me was that mature people had adapted this modern means of communication and were highly proficient!
Unable to restrain my curiosity I sat down next to them and explained my interest.
The gentleman was appreciative of my interest and began a demonstration of some of the programs on his ‘computer’, of which there were many. It transpired that he was a computer Tutor of disabled people and was a very skilled operator.
My favourite was a program he had evolved to train his CAT!
He had a goldfish swimming on the screen and he had trained his cat to stamp a paw on the fish when it swam around – when the cat struck the fish with
its paw, the fish would disappear and reappear in another spot and so the cat would strike again#
This was fine and after a few minutes TWO fish would appear and the cat would use two paws to strike fascinating – I was most impressed.
As I’m attempting a start up of a ‘Virtual Mens Shed’ (there is an invitation in this issue) I have invited him to join as I hope you do.
Rambling with the Editor
Puddling with the Publisher
This month was extra busy for our family as we undertook number 32 on the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale and moved house - it might well be number 37 as their is a mortgage involved or does that count as two on the scale? The move itself was essentially a smoothly organised process. Where the stress came in was in the details (a true devil in the detail) with what to pack and what to keep, who to contact, what to connect, disconnect and cancel. Garage sales, trips to the tip and donations to op shop.
When it came down to sentimental items, there had to be a choice of just how much emotion was tied up into some objects. for me, it was difficult to revisit some of my late parents belongings - something I wasn’t very keen to do during an already stressful time.
All that said, it’s a good time for an overall refresh of how we do things and there’s exciting new territory to explore.
With all moved, and boxes all around, the Around Altona comes to you a little later than usual but we hope you enjoy Issue 50.
Until next month,
Petronella BoonenEditor
Bill
McP
hers
on
Issue 50 Page 3
from page 1
TO ADVERTISE IN AROUND ALTONA
COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Contact
WillM: 0449 834 359
E: will@aroundaltona.com.au
football club, providing club information to newcomers or participating in a production. You might have been one of the many volunteers behind the scenes, making sure the day went smoothly. Most of us have recognised our neighbours, friends and family are somehow tied in the fabric of the event making it all the more special. Children again had fantastic options with story telling at the Homestead, biscuit decorating, arts and crafts and drama workshops all loads of fun and free. Local talent of all ages kept the music and entertainment quota well represented.
The Classic Car Show held by the Menshed was again a huge success and no one wanted to miss the traditional parade and fireworks topping off a great day.
If you want to get involved in one of the groups you saw on the day, don’t wait until the next festival - check out the Council’s online community directory: w w w . h o b s o n s b a y. v i c . g o v. a u /Community/Community_directory or visit some of our fantastic community centres, which hold a wealth of activities you can get stuck into. You never know - we might be visiting you at next year’s festival!
- Petronella Boonen
Issue 50Page 4
CLASSIC CAR SHOWA CLASSIC SUCCESS!
For the second time, on Saturday March 10, the Hobsons Bay Mens Shed held their annual Classic Car and Bike Show at Apex Park as part of the Altona Beach Festival 2012.
With almost 150 entries, all competing for a bucket load of trophies, the turnout was spectacular with almost every model represented from a ‘Roller’ to a Ford Prefect making the job difficult for the team of judges.
Once again organised by Graham Weightman and his group of experienced volunteers (he claims they did it all) the show went like clockwork with all details running according to the plan worked out in 2011/12 in conjunction with his team and the gorgeous Hazel, the event organiser from HBC Council.
The Sun obliged and the rain waited for another day – the exhibits were really great, my favourite being the ‘Rolls Royce’, a classic vintage model, in perfect condition, looking as new as ever, standing silently, just drippimg the wealth it represented.
Member Will Stjepovik was active with his camera (thanks for the pictures Will). There is a video of the event taken by George Said and can be seen on U tube.
A job well done by the members of the Hobsons Bay Mens Shed.
Graham Weightman "the man in charge"
Issue 50 Page 5
EFFECTIVE MOBILE MARKETING TOOLSThere are many mobile marketing tools that can be used to grow your business. These are the most effective ones.1. Location based services like facebook places and foursquare are social media applications. They allow businesses to offer promotions on their products and services and this will in turn help them get more loyal customers. Through location based services, customers can check-in to your business and also notify their friends of their present location.
2. Email marketing has been a very effective marketing tool for a long time. Now it can be used for mobile marketing considering the fact that the number of people using their phones to read their emails is on the rise.3. Text messaging or SMS marketing makes it possible to send discounts and promotional messages to customers on their cell phones. One of the main advantages of using SMS is the fact that the read rate is high and most people read their messages immediately they are received.
4. Mobile websites: There are two ways you can approach this. You can either create a mobile website which is usually a lighter version of your website or make your website easier to view and navigate on mobile devices. Mobile websites are better because customers will quickly find the information they want.Mobile marketing is a good marketing platform to grow your business, your customer base, and your profits. Before you start a campaign, you have to do some research and learn certain strategies. Software tools can also make things easier.For a complimentary consultation on how mobile can help your business simply contact Local Marketing Magnet on 8678-0657Cheers,Fred Gillen0403 865 677
http://NittyGrittyBusiness.com
http://www.Page1ofGoogle.com
http://www.LocalMarketingMagnet.com
Issue 50Page 6
MORE GROUPS BENEFIT FROM LIFESAVING UNITS
Altona, 13 March 2012: Altona, Laverton/Altona Meadows and Point Cook Community Bank® branches and Bendigo Bank Williamstown branch, today announced of an additional 40 automatic defibrillators units will be
donated to sites across the community.
The announcement at the Altona Life Saving Club of more units follows the purchase of 15 defibrillators for local community clubs in January as part of the first phase of the Defib Your Club for Life program. Funds for this project are provided by the three Community Bank® branches.
At the event, program founder and MICA paramedic, Andrew White, said the additional defibrillators may potentially save even more lives of those who suffer cardiac arrest.
“A defibrillator is the most important life saving piece of equipment any club or group can have,” Mr White said.
“There are great benefits for any community that has access to automatic defibrillators for emergency situations.
“Research tells us that the MCG that has a cardiac arrest survival rate of 85 per cent, as automatic defibrillators are readily available. This is compared to a 7-10 per cent chance elsewhere
Issue 50 Page 7
in Australia where the life saving equipment is not as accessible.”
Mr White formed Defib Your Club for Life in memory of 19-year-old Stephen Buckman, a young Rupertswood footballer who collapsed and died during training in May 2010.
Director, Altona, Laverton/Altona Meadows and Point Cook Community Bank® branches, Michael Boyd, said local Community Bank® branches were committed to the health and safety of Hobsons Bay and Wyndham locals.
“This is an important project for us to support, that will provide 88 defibrillator units, which have been strategically located to ensure accessibility to any member of our community in a timely manner.
The Defib locations as announced at today’s launch are attached.
“Thanks to local shareholders and customers, our Community Bank® branches can support important programs like Defib Your Club for Life for the benefit of our whole community.’’
“The more business that’s done, the more funds can be raised for major community projects,’’ he said.
For further information on the Defib Your Club for Life program go to: www.defibforlife.org.au
COMMUNITY
INFORMATION
CENTRE
INFORMATION ADVICE AND
REFERRAL SERVICE
MONDAY TO FRIDAY 10AM – 3PM
LEGAL SERVICE THURSDAY
FORTNIGHTLY
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
PHONE NO: 9398 5207
Issue 50Page 8
A Word from our Mayor
Hobsons Bay enjoyed a wonderful summer of activities and events but the fun will continue into autumn.
Art in Public Places is now taking place across the city with more than 50 artists exhibiting in 40 businesses and unexpected places. There are also 20 events as part of the program and I would urge everyone to get out and marvel at the creativity of our local artists and also support the venues.
For locations and event details, visit www.artinpublicplaces.com.au
On the works front, Council officers have been busy with the first stage of the Cherry Lake car park and picnic area upgrade, which is expected to be completed this month.
The Council has spent $470,000 on re-defining the car park; line-marking and installing garden bed areas; removing large areas of the current car park to discourage truck parking; creating five accessible car spaces; new fencing; and re-grading the car park area and creating planted swales to capture and filter stormwater run-off.
Stage Two works will include improvements to the picnic area. These works are yet to be scheduled.
The Council will also rehabilitate Altona Road from the Ford to the Pines Scout Camp in May and conduct works on the Altona Boat Ramp car park in mid-2012.
I would also like to note that the new public toilet in Frazer Reserve, Altona is now open for public use. I am particularly pleased that this much needed asset for visitors and residents near the Esplanade has been constructed.
In other news, the Council is continuing its work on a detailed feasibility study on the current and future needs for multi-purpose facilities within the Altona Central Sports Precinct.
Current users of the Altona Youth Centre and the Altona Football/Cricket Pavilion will all be consulted about their needs during the study. The study will investigate the opportunity to replace existing facilities with a new multi-purpose hall and function venue. However, no decision will be made on the future of the Altona Youth Hall until the feasibility study is complete.
Works in the Altona Central Sports Precinct Plan that can go ahead in 2012 include the Cherry Lake car park upgrade, improving access roads, particularly at Bluegum Drive, and improving training lights to fully light pitch 1 and 2 at Kim Reserve.
For more details on the Altona Central Sports Precinct Plan, visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
Finally, young people are also invited to show off their creative flare with the annual Pixel8 photography competition.
Issue 50 Page 9
Pixel8 is open to young people aged between 12 and 18 and was initiated by local Victoria Police Inspector Bill Mathers.
The project brings together several local organisations, including the Council, Victoria Police, Altona Lions Club, Newport Islamic Society and Star Newspaper Group, to work together to encourage creative expression and harmony for local young people.
The competition is not only an opportunity to showcase the talent of our young people but also our community as viewed through the eyes of our youth, particularly the local environment, obscure and unusual places and our cultural diversity.
There are also some wonderful prizes up for grabs.
Entries close on Friday, 4th May. For details, visit www.pixel8photocomp.com.au
Please send an email to tbriffa@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au if you wish to receive local community updates via email. I am also available on facebook and twitter. To raise any local issues, please call the Council on 9932 1000 or email tbriffa@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
Cr Tony Briffa JP
Mayor of Hobsons Bay
Issue 50Page 10
APRIL poem by Jack Nystrom
A pretty girl’s name is April,But it has gone out of fashion:Since its sound is so musical,What, one wonders, is the reason?
It is the fourth month of the year,As prescribed by Pope Gregory;Up in the northern hemisphere,It’s a time of rebirth and glee.
The derivation is Latin,A word to do with opening,A time for new life to begin:In Europe, in April it’s Spring.
England, Scotland, Ireland and WalesWill have sunshine mixed with showers;Gone Winter’s snow and icy gales;Now fun and games will fill the hours.
But down here in the Antipodes,Everything’s the other way round:Evergreen are our native trees;Autumn leaves don’t fall to the ground.
Alas for cricket, time is up;The footy is now in full swing;Rugby’s glory, Bledesloe Cup;Joy for some September will bring.
I recall, the first April day,As a kid at primary school,Some funny tricks we used to playOn a gullible April Fool.
In April we have Anzac Day,Marked by parades and contemplationOf those who with their lives did payFor the freedom of this nation.
Though in Australia it’s Autumn,With Winter now three months away,There is no reason to be glum,But plenty of cause to be gay.
Issue 50 Page 11
Can’t Get to the Doctor?Or had to wait 2 or 3 days for someone to visit and take you to the Hospital?
Maybe you needed to get to the Doctor’s for a simple visit but had to wait until it became an emergency?
The permanent or partial loss of mobility, for whatever reason, can creep up on us so slowly that it becomes acceptable and we get used to relying on others for our daily chores and outings.
But this should not be acceptable!
Being mobile to the best of our ability for as long as possible is a great goal to aim for.
Margaret Bateman of Mobility Online says: “To see the smile on a client’s face once they have trialled their new mobility Scooter and realise that they can now get out and about under their own steam gives them a renewed way of life and is so fulfilling for me as a business owner.
It makes me proud to be in this Industry and supplying such a needed product.”
When a Customer of ours in Lalor, purchased his new Shoprider Explorer, one of his first trips was to the shops to see an old friend that he had not seen for weeks. Now he can go every day and do the shopping too!
Mobility Online is a dedicated Shoprider Scooter Dealer and we specialise in personal demonstrations in your own home, Retirement Villages / Nursing Homes, or anywhere that a Scooter is required, throughout Melbourne central and the surrounding Western suburbs out to Geelong.
Trialling the machine where you live is so important as this ensures that the correct Scooter is matched to the user, it will fit your parking space and you are comfortable driving it in the area that it is to be used the most.
See videos on our Scooters at www.mobilityonline.com.au or just give us a call for a Scooter Information pack.
Margaret Bateman
– Mobility Online
Ph 9742 6254
Issue 50Page 12
Kids jokesQ.What side of the bear has the most fur?A: the outside!
Q.What asks no question, but demands an answer?A. A phone.
Q. What did the mayonnaise say when someone opened the refrigerator door?A. Close the door, I’m dressing
* * *
Q. What did the triangle say to the circle?A. You’re pointless.
* * *
Q. How can you tell when a bee is on the phone?A. You get a busy signal.
* * *
Q: How does a lion greet the other animals in the field?A: ‘Pleased to eat you!’
* * *
Q: How do you start a teddy bear race?A: Ready, teddy, go!
* * *
Q: What stays in the corner and travels all over the world?A: A stamp.
Issue 50 Page 13
Nutrition
Exercise
Fresh air
Laughter
Joy
Emotion
Giving
Volunteering
Participation
Community
Conversation
Connectedness
Family
Friendship
Safety
Security
Health
Routine
Creativity
Expression
Religion
Faith
Love
Hope
Created with WWW.ATOZTEACHERSTUFF.COM
Word Search Well Being
Issue 50
How many Superannuation Funds do you have? One? Two? Not sure? Lots?
Throughout our working lives it is unlikely that we will remain with the one employer until retirement. Each time you change jobs most employers should offer you a “default” fund to have your contributions paid into with in most cases a “Standard Choice Form” to nominate your own fund if that is your preferred option.
Having a number of superannuation funds can result in: additional fees; difficulty keeping track of your funds; and maintaining a suitable investment strategy. In many cases, combining super accounts could be in your best interests.
However is it automatically the best option to accept your Employer’s fund and rollover your other funds into that one?
Is it automatically the best option to only have one Fund?
No, not always.
What is combining super accounts?
Consolidation (aggregation) is the combining of two or more superannuation funds into one fund.
Are there any disadvantages of consolidating super funds?
Before you consolidate your various superannuation funds, check first whether there are any fees for closing a super account, known as a withdrawal, transfer, exit or termination fee. For some older types of super funds, these fees can be very high. In addition you should confirm if there are any benefits you may lose such as insurance cover. You also need to consider Estate Planning Issues in relation to the insurance and taxation components held in each fund before consolidating.
Case Study 1Tim* came to see me last year. He wanted to consolidate his three super funds in order to commence a Transition to Retirement Pension at Age 55. He was 54. Upon checking his existing funds, it turned out that one of his old products with a balance of approximately $90,000 had an
exit penalty of over $30,000. This exit penalty was removed at Age 55. Although he wasn’t very happy keeping the fund, by holding it for one extra year, he saved $30,000 in exit fees.
Case Study 2Robert* came to see me two years ago. He wanted to ensure his Estate Planning was correctly structured to be able to successfully leave funds to his current wife, ex-wife and two adult children if he passed away. His ex-wife is considered to be a tax dependant, but not a superannuation dependent. His current wife is a tax and superannuation dependent, and his adult children are superannuation dependents, but not tax dependents.
By checking his existing funds, the tax components and insurance policies, we determined that it would be best to leave one of his existing super funds to his ex-wife via his Estate as it held mostly “tax-free” component. A different fund was left via a Binding Nomination to his current wife with mostly “taxable” component and Life Insurance attached. We then arranged a Life Insurance policy to be held outside of superannuation with his adult children as beneficiaries. This structure meant that minimal tax would be paid by any beneficiary.
If he were to consolidate his super funds, and hold all of his life insurance under superannuation then his taxable and tax-free components would be mixed together and his ex-wife and adult children may lose a portion of their benefit in tax (assuming they are classified as non-dependents).
Page 14
IS IT ALWAYS BEST TO COMBINE YOUR SUPER FUNDS INTO ONE?
Issue 50
If received by his adult children, any Life Insurance component of the benefit could have tax payable of up to 31.5% (including Medicare levy). By holding the Life Insurance to benefit his adult children outside of the Superannuation environment there is no tax liability upon the proceeds if he dies.
As his current wife is classed as a “dependent”, she pays no tax on the funds she receives from superannuation either from a taxable component or from Life Insurance.
Case Study 3Susan* came to see me this year. She had rolled all of her superannuation funds into one and then applied to increase her Life and Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD) Insurance that was held under her new fund.
Susan plays Netball, and had undergone a knee reconstruction three years prior, so the Insurer declined to cover her for any activities that related to her injured knee under the increased TPD Insurance cover.
Although she had existing TPD Insurance cover under one of her old funds, she had already closed the account and cancelled the insurance, so we were unable to regain the old Insurance policy that did not have a “knee exclusion” applied.
Conclusion
In many cases having one Superannuation fund is the best option. In some cases it is not. It is important to check all details of existing funds and options in new funds prior to combining any accounts. Superannuation can be confusing, and the information you need to make the best decisions is not always shown on your fund statements. Consulting a Financial Adviser can assist you to:
Establish what you need;Establish in detail what you already have;Check your current fees, investment options
and insurance options;Consolidate where appropriate;Minimise financial risks and maximise finan-
cial opportunities.
* Clients names have been changed to protect their privacy.
Please contact Melinda Houghton at the office of Houghton Strategic Solutions in Point Cook on 9394 6344 to check your superannuation options. With constant changes to legislation, financial markets,
world events, and your own personal situation it is essential to refer to a financial specialist who is experienced and up-to-date.
Melinda Houghton Authorised Representative of Aon Hewitt Financial Advice LimitedAuthorised Representative No. 290343
Aon Hewitt Financial Advice Limited ABN 13 091 225 642 AFSL No. 239183
This information may be regarded as general advice. That is, your personal objectives, needs or financial situations were not taken into account when preparing this information. Accordingly, you should consider the appropriateness of any general advice we have given you, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs before acting on it. Where the information relates to a particular financial product, you should obtain and consider the relevant product disclosure statement before making any decision to purchase that financial product.
Page 15
Issue 50Page 16
Issue 50 Page 17
More Reasons to Get Out and Around...
LIONS WETLANDS WALK – DATE HAS CHANGED
to Sunday 6th May
Couldn’t make it for April 1st? – You’re in luck
the date has changed to Sunday 6th May.
If you haven’t registered yet – fill out a
registration form on the day.
For more details see the Wetland’s Walk ad in
this issue.
LASTING IMPRESSIONS 2012
When: FRIDAY 4th May to SUNDAY 13th MAY ,
Where: JOEL GALLERY, 5 SARGOOD ST.
ALTONA, ALTONA Mel. ref.54 G11
Exhibition Times: Mon - Frid. 10am - 4pm.
Sat. & Sun. 11am - 4pm.
LAUNCH: SUNDAY 6th MAY AT 2PM.
In 2008, a very eclectic group of artists decided to join forces
and have an exhibition together. This proved to be a great
sucess with 70 to 80 paintings on display and was followed
by exhibitions in 2009 & 2010, attracting art connoisseurs
from all over Melbourne and beyond.
After a short break
SHIRLEY FISHER, IVANA PINAFFO, KAREN ZELLER GWEN
TEMBY & DENISE SPITERI
ARE BACK with LASTING IMPRESSIONS 2012
An exciting variety of artworks from their studios, outdoor
painting trips & travels . Landscapes, seascapes, flowers,
figures etc., painted in oils acrylic, pastel, watercolour, and
rendered in their own unique styles, from traditional to
contemporary.
What a fabulous way to spend Sunday 6th May – Rise to the
challenge at the Lions Wetlands Walk, perhaps some lunch
on Pier Street and then delight in a veritable visual feast at
the Joel Gallery, guaranteed to give you lasting impressions.
SEWingly SWEET AFTERNOON TEACome and join us for an afternoon tea at the Louis Joel Community Centre to help raise money for the Ugandan Sewing Project.Enjoy a fun afternoon with great food and company.There will be lucky door prizes and a spinning wheel. So bring your spare coins as there are great prizes to be won.
WHERE: Louis Joel Arts And Community Centre, Sargood Street, Altona.WHEN: Wednesday, May The 9thTIME: 1pm to 3pm
COST: $5. The cost includes afternoon tea and tea and coffee.All profits from the will go towards THE UGANDA SEWING PROJECT.DRESS: To add some atmosphere to the afternoon, come along in African colours. The interpretation of this is up to you.
NEW PATCHWORK CLASS
Learn a variety of patchwork techniques, such as hand piecing,
appliqué, simple embroidery, Victorian crazy patchwork, plus
much more...
The class is flexible to suit the patchworking desires and needs of
each student.
Don’t be put off with the thought of making a whole quilt by hand,
you can also make the blocks you learn in class into small projects
such as place mats, pin cushions and cushions etc.
This is a class for beginners and people with some patchworking
experience.
Venue: Louis Joel Centre, 5 Sargood Street, Altona
Dates: Wednesday 18th April, runs for 7 weeks
Times: 10am - 12pm and 7pm - 9pm
Cost: $70
To book, phone Julie on 0413606706. A materials list will be
provided when booking.
Teacher is Julie Naughtin, a local patchworker with over 20 years
experience in patchworking, quilting, sewing, crafts, both teaching
and personally. Julie has her own long arm quilting machine, but
also enjoys quilting by hand.
Issue 50Page 18
HO
W YO
U CA
N H
ELP U
S KEE
P UP T
HE G
OO
D W
ORK
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How will this help you, our readers?
If our advertisers get some business from advertising in Around Altona, they will continue to support the paper and you can continue to receive the Around Altona free.
Simply mention you saw their ad in the Around Altona!
What else can you do?
Send us your email address and on the first of each month, we’ll automatically email a copy of the paper before it hits the streets.
Free of price and paper free as well!
FREE REPORT
How to Increase your customer base
An effective customer email list is critical to your marketing success. This report will show you how to get it done.
Each chapter is a step in the process. At the end of the chapter you will find action steps related to the information provided. Take these steps and you’ll have your client list strategy completed and up and running smoothly on your website.
To obtain your free report, courtesy of Nitty Gritty business and Around Altona simply email Fred@fredgillen,com.au and put in the subject line FREE REPORT PLEASE and it’s yours.
Issue 50 Page 19
2012STATE BUDGET
A word from Jill Hennessy
In the lead up to the May State Budget, I have been strongly campaigning for urgent investment in roads and public transport infrastructure across the Altona electorate, for additional education and health funding, and in a plan to support local jobs.
Given the previous State Budget failed to deliver a cent for roads projects or a single new bus service in the Altona electorate despite slugging passengers decade-high fare increases, the need to invest is great.
So too is the need to invest in education, given the government’s record - $481 million cut to from education and its cruel cuts to the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning program.
We need investment in health services, not the prospect of privatisation.
And with more than 1000 full time jobs being lost in Victoria each week since the Coalition came to government, a jobs plan is a must to protect existing jobs and to create new ones.
INNOVA SOIL REMEDIATION FACILITY
Hobsons Bay City Council has rejected Innova’s application to build a soil remediation facility in Altona at its recent meeting.
Many residents would be aware of Innova’s plan to build the facility on the
Dow Chemicals site on Kororoit Creek Road.
This is an issue that I have been engaged in and has been raised with me by many residents over a long period of time.
My paramount concern has always been the health and wellbeing of local residents and the environment, and I have previously written to the Environment Protection Agency to voice these concerns.
I have also made the point that a number of pollution issues still require ongoing work locally by the EPA and I join with locals who are concerned to ensure there is no increase in risk to public health and the environment.
The council rejected Innova’s application on the basis that the facility would pose too great an environmental risk, would adversely affect the amenity of the local neighbourhood and would lead to traffic problems on
Kororoit Creek Road.
The company has indicated that it will launch an appeal against Council’s decision at VCAT, so the matter is far from resolved.
Like local residents, I will continue to follow the issue closely.
Office of Jill Hennessy MP
Member for Altona District
Shadow Minister for Corrections | Shadow Minister for Crime Prevention | Shadow Minister for the Anti Corruption Commission
Issue 50Page 20
Altona Gardens
IRISFor this essay, I have chosen to feature Iris, plants that are unapologetically pretty - soft, delicate, feminine and, therefore, immensely appealing to gardeners and artists. The genus Iris, which consists of close to 300 species, is widely distributed throughout temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. In the wild, Iris spp. are found in a range of habitats from cold mountains to grassy slopes, meadowlands and riverbanks in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and North America. The name, Iris, is from the Greek word for rainbow, referring to the wide variety of colours found among the many species.Irises are perennial herbs that grow from a creeping rhizome or a bulb. Species from drier climates are normally bulbous while those from cooler areas are rhizomatous. All Iris spp. have erect flowering stems which may be simple or branched, solid or hollow, and flattened or have a circular cross section. The European Iris germanica is a rhizomatous species that produces several basal sword-shaped leaves and may grow into dense clumps;
Iris sibirica, the Siberian Iris native to northern Asia and eastern and central Europe, is a herbaceous perennial plant that flowers in late spring or early summer; and Dutch Iris (Iris X hollandica) have become popular because they are so easy to grow. Dutch Iris is the type of Iris most often offered, as a bunch of cut flowers, at florist shops.While walking around Altona I am always interested to see what people have planted in their gardens. Iris never fail to make me stop in my tracks and admire. Over the years, I have painted a few different types of Iris. However I have opted to illustrate this essay with my watercolour rendition of Iris siberica, one of a series of 14 watercolours featuring popular garden plants that I called Memories of my Grandmothers’ Gardens.
Helene WildResident Artist Habitat Trust
helene.wild@optusnet.com.au
Issue 50 Page 21
Tides
Issue 50Page 22
Favourite Quotes
Learn from the mistakes of others. You can never live long enough to make them all
yourself.- Groucho MARX
* * *
Youth is a blunder; Manhood a struggle; old age a regret.
- Benjamin DISRAELI, 1804 –1881, British Prime Minister.
* * *
There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.
- Benjamin DISRAELI (Attributed to him by Mark TWAIN)
* * *
Courage is rightly esteemed as the first of human qualities because it is the quality
which guarantees all others.- Winston CHURCHILL
In diplomacy, words are bullets.Bill HAYDEN, Former Foreign Minister and
Australian Governor General.
* * *
Cogito ergo sum (I think, therefore I am.)- René DESCARTES, (1596 – 1650)
French writer and philosopher (Le Discours de la méthode, I)
* * *
Truth is rarely pure, and never simple.Oscar WILDE (The Importance of Being
Earnest)
AROUND ALTONA ONLINE
www.aroundaltona.com.au
Issue 50 Page 23
altona west engineering
CNC Milling, Precision Turning,Custom Designed & Machined
Components,General Engineering
17C Slough Road AltonaPh: Gary Humphrey 0413587318
XanGo DistributorMangosteen Juice
Annie JesaulenkoTel: (03) 9315 9118
or Mobile: 0418 142 116
ALTONA BEACH PHOTOGRAPHY
Mobile Xpress Mechanics• On site vehicle maintenance• Free quotesAll makes and modelsCall George on 0434 000 313
Social Media Monster
For all your SME Social Media Management needs, contact:
nicole@socialmediamonster.com.au www.socialmediamonster.com.au or
give her a call on 0402 738 328
Volunteer walkers needed - can you cover a street or two? Contact us at editor@aroundaltona.com.au
Services at Your Doorstep
Stressed about your health?NATUROPATHy & HOMEOPATHyCall Mark on 0409 350 289
Weekdays at Altona Fridays at Port Melbourne
your stories and photos are what
keep the Around Altona conversation
going. Local club news is also welcome.
Send your stories, articles and let-
ters to editor@aroundaltona.com.au
or drop them off at West Side Books
at Harrington Square or the Louis
Joel Arts and Community Centre in
Sargood Street.
Initial 5 Day OH&S Course First Aid Level 1 & 2 & CPR
Self Esteem, Self Confidence & Stress Management
McHatton Training & Consultants P/L
RTO 21557 Newport/Laverton
Phone 9391 9005 or 0411 325 050
BELLYDANCING CLASSES Fun fitness class combining latin, Egyptian Bellydance and yoga stretches...Beginners welcome, for all ages and fitness levels. 6.30-7.30pm School term Wednesdays Senior Citizens Centre 2 Sargood Street, Altona $12 per class ($10 conc) Phone Martine (Cert III Fitness) 0411727930
Issue 50
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