THE Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula has announced that Phil Hayes-Brown and Ross Kilborn are the recipients of the committee’s first Annual Leadership Award. The awards were presented on 3 December at the committee’s Annual General Meeting. The head of disability support organisation Wallara, CEO Phil Hayes-Brown’s, recognition came during an important week for the disability community, coinciding with the International Day of People with Disability, which promotes awareness, understanding and acceptance. “I’m honoured by this recognition, but it belongs to the Wallara team and our partners across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula,” Hayes-Brown said. “It’s proof that inclusive…
Author: BaysideNews
THE $2.1 million redeveloped Frankston Arts Centre forecourt was officially opened last week. The forecourt now features upgraded pathways and ramps, separate areas for cars and pedestrians with marked drop-off and pick-up zones, enhanced lighting, additional seating, a new water feature, and larger street-facing signage. Alongside the new forecourt, the mezzanine gallery of the dress circle was also renamed the “Gale Dudeck Lounge” last month. Gail Dudeck was among the leading voices in the campaign to build the Frankston Arts Centre – her granddaughter Amy Dudeck said “seeing the forecourt transformed alongside the dedication of the Gail Dudeck Lounge is…
A SWATHE of accessibility measures were installed at Frankston Beach last week. Last Friday, 5 December, 70 metres of beach matting extending to the water’s edge was put into place. Complimentary beach wheelchairs and equipment, daybeds, and cabanas were also installed. Trained staff and volunteers have also been placed onsite for the summer. The pilot program, which is set to cost around $200,000, has been supported by multiple local donors. Accessible Beaches Australia has spearheaded the project – the proposal was inspired by a similar accessible beach in Nice, France. Accessible Beaches Australia founder Shane Hryhorec said if successful, the…
A GROUP of businesses and community groups has banded together to contribute nearly $200,000 to an accessibility pilot program at Frankston Beach. Last month, Accessible Beaches Australia unveiled its plans to make Frankston Beach the most accessible in the country by installing matting, beach wheelchairs, bookable day beds, and designated drop-off zones. The funding boost for the pilot will allow it to proceed next month – the money is set to be spent on equipment and the provision of support staff and trained volunteers. Frankston mayor Kris Bolam was part of the fundraising campaign – he said he was “amazed…
SOLAR power pools and battery storage projects in the Dunkley electorate are set to receive $1.425 million in funding from the federal government. The money – which comes from the federal government’s “Community Energy Upgrades Fund” – is expected to be used for community batteries at sporting fields storing excess solar power, expanded electric vehicle charging, and upgrades at the Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston Library, and and the Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre. At PARC, the money is expected to be used to replace the gas-fuelled pool heating system with electric heat pumps. Dunkley MP Jodie Belyea said that across FAC and…