Author: Stephen Taylor

A program under which children receive care and advice from paediatricians at school – rather than having to visit a hospital or clinic – is being hailed a success after 12 months. The outreach strategy is aimed at children and parents in low socio-economic areas who cannot easily access such a specialist service. In many cases the parents would not be able to pay for the service or be able to transport their child. Behavioural development issues may also work to frustrate attendance. Four areas chosen for this collaboration between Peninsula Health and schools are Hastings, Frankston North, Rosebud and…

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A “MASSIVE increase” in the theft of power tools on the southern peninsula is worrying police. They say thieves are targeting tradies’ vehicles and trailers in Mt Eliza, Mornington, Mt Martha, Somerville, Safety Beach and Dromana during the day and overnight. “After hours, tradies should keep their tools out of sight in a locked garage if possible,” Detective Acting Sergeant Robert Vine said. “If this is not an option they should park in a well-lit area and make sure their tools are locked up.” Tradies are advised to also lock their vehicles when parked outside a job as it is…

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CO-ED school Peninsula Grammar is seeking an exemption from the Equal Opportunity Act to allow it to “better manage” gender numbers in its classes. Principal Stuart Johnston told the school’s alumni that the exemption would allow it to structure waiting and enrolment lists, allocate placements, and advertise or offer scholarships to either boys or girls depending on the genders it needed to balance numbers. The Mt Eliza school, which has 41 per cent girls and 59 per cent boys after becoming fully co-educational in 1996, is seeking to extend the exemption granted by VCAT in 2013 for a further five-year…

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A MT ELIZA woman who had to leave school when she was 14 is now, aged 75, about to graduate from Deakin University with a PhD (Psychology). Ann Brown’s school in England wanted her to continue with her education but her parents could not afford it. They also believed that an education was “wasted on a female”. So, it was off to work for the bright youngster who says she enjoyed office work and went on, at 18, to become personal assistant to the editor of The Sunday Times newspaper in London. “Choosing office work stood me in good stead…

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TWO single mums who admit they would normally have trouble putting money aside for important expenses – such as their children’s education – are singing the praises of a savings plan backed by the Brotherhood of St Laurence. Small business woman Keli Wallace, of Mt Eliza, has three children and is saving for their education, and Fiona Castles, of Mt Martha, is saving for her child’s swimming lessons while she studies for a bachelor of social work. The women are among more than 1300 Mornington Peninsula and Frankston residents who have taken advantage of the Brotherhood’s Saver Plus program which…

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