By TONY MURRELL NEWLY elected Menzies Caring for Kids president Kevin Johnson wants to improve opportunities for children and young adults living in care. He knows how they feel and how Menzies can help because he was one of them. The retired head of a multi-national company was nine when he and his 11-year-old brother, Brian, arrived at Menzies Homes for Boys in the summer of 1956. Their British migrant parents had split and could no longer care for them. For the next eight years Frankston’s “Home on the Hill” was the place the Johnson brothers called home. When Johnson…
Author: Bayside News
SENIOR Frankston police are tight-lipped over claims of possible illicit drug use by officers at the station. It has been revealed that three police have been suspended on full pay after reportedly being under the influence of the drugs. Last week Channel 7 News reported the state’s anti-corruption watchdog, IBAC, had been called in by Victoria Police in September to investigate “evidence of widespread drug use” at the Fletcher Rd headquarters. Senior police on Thursday would not comment on the claims, nor which area of the station was being investigated by the Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission. A spokesman said knowledge…
COAST Guard vessels gathered at Frankston pier last weekend (Sunday 15 November) for the annual blessing of the fleet ahead of the summer boating season. Australian Volunteer Coast Guard boats lined up alongside Victoria Water Police, SES, Surf Life Saving Victoria and Mornington Volunteer Marine Rescue vessels to be blessed by Ambulance Victoria chaplain Reverend David Thompson. The blessing of the fleet began with a service at St Pauls Anglican Church at 10am before the blessing at Frankston Pier. “Naturally, summer sees more people out enjoying the water. With the increased presence comes an increased demand for all of our…
FRANKSTON is beautiful, no matter what others may say after being named Australia’s most ‘Sustainable City of the Year’ by Keep Australia Beautiful last week. Judges at the not-for-profit environmental organisation decided Frankston was “a worthy overall national winner” at an awards ceremony hosted by last year’s title holders Brisbane Council. “The leadership, innovation and passion provided the council, and its collaborations with local community groups, schools and businesses, demonstrates a positive ‘can do’ attitude, and translates into a shared sense of purpose, tangible civic pride and a commitment to a sustainable future,” Australian sustainable cities judge Sean Rooney said.…
WORK has finally begun on the construction of a new Frankston War Memorial at Beauty Park. The project has been mired in a funding controversy over the past year but councillors finally gave approval last month for a scaled back $480,000 memorial instead of a $1.4 million memorial and avenue of honour originally proposed. Councillors disagreed about the scope of the construction project but agreed to the latest design which has the potential to have further stages added, including an avenue of honour, if funding is available. New mayor Cr James Dooley attended a sod turning ceremony last Monday (16 November)…