FRANKSTON became the focal point of state politics again last week but this time it wasn’t independent Geoff Shaw who was in the spotlight. Labor candidate for Frankston Helen Constas withdrew from the race for the marginal seat at November’s state election after it was revealed a ‘bullying’ case against her was settled “confidentially out of court” when she was CEO at the Peninsula Community Legal Centre. It was reported an ex-personal assistant had accused Ms Constas of workplace bullying in 2010. Supreme Court documents revealed the employee “broke down and resigned” after “one particular incident” in which the PA…
Author: Neil Walker
FEDERAL government funding cuts to the CSIRO are already being felt in Kingston. Marine and atmospheric research laboratories’ staff at Aspendale have been told eight research jobs will be axed. The jobs losses come after the Abbott government slashed about $115 million from the scientific research organisation’s budget in its controversial cost-cutting April budget, putting pressure on the viability of the Aspendale facility (‘Abbott goes cold on science centre’, The News, 4/6/14). Federal Labor member for Isaacs Mark Dreyfus and shadow minister for research Kim Carr visited the Aspendale laboratories last Friday and described Coalition government cuts to science research…
A DEDICATED band of sisters is hitting the streets of Frankston to do their bit to raise as much money as possible to fund the proposed new war memorial at Beauty Park. Jane Taylor, the wife of mayor Darrel Taylor, has gathered together a group of hardy souls to get out and about to shake collection tins to raise money for the memorial cause. Mrs Taylor said she worked “part time” in the aviation industry and “full time” as a mother and was keen to contribute in any way she could since her uncle was a Vietnam veteran and her…
SPECTATORS lined Frankston’s foreshore last Monday hoping their lucky ducky would be the one to win them some big bucks. It was a race meet with a difference trying to make a difference. The inaugural Rubber Duck Derby in Frankston was a fundraiser for the Cancer Support for Families Foundation. Entrants ‘bought’ rubber ducks which competed to be first across the finish line in Kananook Creek. Race organiser Brett O’Farrell couldn’t have been happier with the outcome on the day. “It was a great result – we raised about $20,000 from the race,” he said. Mr O’Farrell previously worked at…
AN independent observer will be hired by Kingston Council to observe councillors’ behaviour and advise whether action is needed. Councillors backed Cr David Eden’s suggestion at a council meeting this month to bring in an outsider to monitor and provide feedback to council about the standard of debate at council meetings. Several contentious issues over the past few months – including potential rezoning of parts of Kingston’s Green Wedge and the reformation of the village committees consultation process – has often seen councillors narrowly split on key decisions. Cr Eden said he was “concerned about the way a council officer…