A DIFFERENT time; a different ethos; still Australia and still “The Lucky Country” – but only for some. Unfortunately, it wasn’t so for 93-year-old Seaford man George Waters who, when aged only four, was taken from his mother along with his brother and “institutionalised” in a Parkville orphanage from 1927-1939, making him what we term now a “Forgotten Australian”. Mr Waters was one of up to 500,000 children and child migrants taken into institutions or out-of-home settings in the first half of last century. This came about mainly through poverty or family breakdown – perhaps a parent was in prison,…
Author: Stephen Taylor
COUNSELLING and practical advice, negotiation and advocacy on behalf of those struggling to make ends meet, and referrals to experts on drugs, alcohol and gambling, are just some of the services provided by Chelsea Community Support Services. “We are here to help those in need,” manager Ann Catanese said. The service’s 15 volunteers provide much-needed help to clients of limited means, including pensioners, single parents, chronically ill – and even former prisoners – so they can get back on their feet and into a job. This month – tax time – ATO-trained volunteers will provide on-line help for low-income earners…
A MAN speeding along Frankston-Dandenong Rd at 30kph over the limit crashed into the rear of a car driven by an elderly man, sending both vehicles careering into power poles, Frankston police say. Luckily, no one was killed in the collision at 9.40am, Friday, in which the pole hit by the young driver, in a Commodore, was knocked out of the ground. Immediately after the collision, the 20-year-old – said by police to be doing 110kph in an 80kph zone – allegedly fled the scene assisted by two friends who arrived minutes afterwards. His car was written off and left…
A FRANKSTON primary school teacher says it is a privilege spending her holidays helping build schools in developing countries – something she has done regularly over the past decade. So committed is Ivey Panicker that she has created a not-for-profit organisation called Heart for Mission to further her work. The Christian mission fund helps and supports individuals and communities around the world to “overcome poverty and inspire hope for the future”. “Our vision is to connect and engage people across cultures to collaborate in building a just, caring, sustainable and peaceful world,” said the teacher from Karingal Montessori School. “We…
THE theft of dozens of brass plaques from gravestones at Frankston cemetery last week has shocked RSL president Kevin Hillier. “It is very disappointing for the community in this year of the centenary of Anzac,” he said. “We had such a good turnout for the commemorations and now I feel so sorry for their families.” Detective Senior Constable Mark Garrett, of Frankston Crime Investigation Unit, said 48 plaques were removed overnight on Tuesday 12 May from the north-east corner of the Cranbourne Rd cemetery. The damage bill to the graves is estimated at $24,000 yet the plaques would only return…