the official newsletter of the city of port phillip | issn 1328-0309 | issue 60 dec/jan 2012

Full foreshore events guide inside

Short story winnerFirst justice charter

Warm up for summer fun

portphillip.vic.gov.au�

Council pays its respects to the people and elders, past and present, of Yalukit

Willam and the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge and uphold their

relationship to this land.

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Welcome to the summer edition of Divercity. This summer will be the second of our No Butts, No Cuts policy on Port Phillip beaches. The number of butts collected by the EcoCentre butt safari team shows how important this quest is. They collected an astounding 23,721 butts. It is estimated that half of the litter collected over summer from our beaches is cigarette butts.

So we need your help to make our beaches cleaner and safer. Please avoid smoking or using glass drink containers on the sandy areas of our beaches.

Summer is also the season for community activities along our foreshore. Starting with the Sussan Women’s Fun Run on 4 December, our foreshore is host to many premier public events. There’s also the annual Pride March and St Kilda Festival in early February; both events showcasing the diversity of our city.

But between the big events, there are lots of ways to enjoy summer in the city, including the outdoor cinema at Gasworks, a new multicultural arts festival on Station Pier, a new eco market at Alma Park, volleyball and tennis on the beach, twilight cricket or swimming at our patrolled beaches.

Summer can also bring extreme weather, so we invite more people to join our Linking Neighbours program that connects people with local seniors to ‘stay in touch’ during heat waves (see page 13). Last summer we also experienced intense rainfall that caused flooding in many streets. Council staff members have worked hard to clear the drains and we are on alert for intense rain events this summer. You can help by reporting any blocked drains to ASSIST on 9209 6777.

This has been a big year for Council and our community. We wish to thank everyone who has participated in Council and community activities, and we look forward to a positive and prosperous 2012. Greetings of the season from myself and all of the councillors.

Mayor Cr Rachel Powning, City of Port Phillip

Cover: Participants warm up for the annual Sussan Women’s Fun Run. The fun starts at 7 am on 4 December in the beautiful Catani Gardens. Photo thanks to supersprint.com.au

First charter for justice

Port Phillip ASSIST

Friday 23 Dec: Port Melbourne and South Melbourne Town Hall service desks close at 1 pm; St Kilda service desk and call centre closes at 3 pm.

Monday 26 Dec: Closed for public holiday.

Tuesday 27 Dec: Closed for public holiday.

Wednesday 28 Dec, Thursday 29 Dec: Normal services at St Kilda Town Hall service desk and call centre. South Melbourne and Port Melbourne service desks are closed.

Friday 30 Dec: St Kilda service desk and call centre closes at 3 pm. South Melbourne and Port Melbourne service desks are closed.

Monday 2 Jan: Closed for public holiday.

Garbage and recycling collection: No change to your garbage and recycling collections.

Resource Recovery Centre: Closed on 25, 26 and 27 Dec and 2 Jan.

message…mayor’s

Council’s first social justice charter will be launched on International Human Rights Day in O’Donnell Gardens on Saturday 10 December and you are invited.

The charter will guide Council decision making and partnerships with the community to achieve social justice.

The charter is based on six principles: • participation in decision making and Council processes • partnership with our Indigenous community • access — equality of access to information, facilities and services • respect — valuing diversity • addressing the rising cost of living — reducing disadvantage• and enjoying the City — being connected.

Read the charter at portphillip.vic.gov.au/social-justice.htm

The social justice charter launch in O’Donnell Gardens will have something for everyone, including stalls and information. Saturday 10 December, 11 am - 3 pm.

Holiday service information

80th AnniversaryAlbert Jacka Memorial Service 2012, Sunday 15 January 2012, 2 pm – 3 pm. St Kilda Cemetery, Dandenong Road, St Kilda.

Followed by afternoon tea and refreshments at the St Kilda Town Hall. RSVP essential to ASSIST on 9209 6777 or email rsvp@portphillip.vic.gov.au

portphillip.vic.gov.au �

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A unique survey of local cigarette litter is documenting the filthy flow of butts onto our beaches and into the bay.

The Port Phillip Baykeeper is working with local volunteers, Melbourne University Ormond College students and Port Phillip’s Community Pulse program to collect and record the location of cigarette butts found in a 500 metre section of Blessington Street in St Kilda and a 200 metre section of St Kilda South beach. There were 23,721 butts found in six surveys conducted between 6 August and 18 October. The impact of rainfall was dramatically demonstrated on AFL Grand Final day when 8,283 butts were found on the beach after several days of rain. In the four previous surveys, when there had been little rain, a total of 1,004 butts were collected from the beach.

The surveys show that while some shops in footpath trading areas regularly have the highest counts, serious numbers of butts have also been found in residential areas. The Baykeeper is inviting residents, traders and smokers with positive ideas to improve storm water quality and reduce this ongoing source of pollution to the bay. Anyone interested in forming a local Butt Safari survey team can contact the Port Phillip EcoCentre on 9534 0670 or bay-keeper.com

Bearded Neil Blake with Butt Safari volunteers. A total of 23,721 butts were found in six surveys conducted between 6 August and 18 October.

Celebrate with our volunteers The Port Phillip Civic Awards highlights the outstanding contribution of volunteers and organisations in our community. You are invited to join us to say thank you to the many dedicated members of our community.

The celebration will include the presentation of the 2011 Awards, including Citizen of the Year, Young People’s Award, Seniors’ Award and Civic Project of the Year.

6 pm – 8 pm, Thursday 1 December, Auditorium, St Kilda Town Hall

RSVP is essential to ASSIST on 9209 6777 or email rsvp@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Butt safari tracks flood of butts

It’s not cool to bring ciggies or stubbies onto the sandCigarettes and glass litter our beaches. They can harm people, marine wildlife and our environment.

This summer, Council is continuing the ‘No Cuts, No Butts’ campaign, with the message that smoking and glass are not allowed on the sand at Port Phillip beaches, from Sandridge through to Elwood.

Council wants your help to improve the safety of our beaches. From November to April, beaches are manually cleaned daily and mechanically cleaned weekly. Council beach cleaners already pick up over 100 cubic metres of beach litter every week. This includes thousands of cigarette butts and a large amount of broken glass.

Surveys conducted during last year’s ‘No Cuts, No Butts’ campaign show that beach users want beaches free from cigarette butts and glass. Over 90 per cent of beach users surveyed thought the banning of cigarettes and glass on the beach was a positive idea.

Council beach rangers will be spreading the ‘No Cuts, No Butts’ message by speaking to beach users throughout the summer.

Alcohol is not permitted on the beach on New Year’s Eve

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Information, requests, questions and feedbackYou can visit your local ASSIST at:St Kilda Town Hall — Corner Brighton Road and Carlisle Street, St KildaSouth Melbourne Town Hall — 208-220 Bank Street, South MelbournePort Melbourne Town Hall — 333 Bay Street, Port MelbourneTelephone 9209 6777 Fax 9536 2722TTY users call National Relay Service on 133 677Speech impairment users call National Relay Service on 1300 555 727 Or go to www.relayservice.com.auSMS for the hearing impaired 0432 005 405Email assist@portphillip.vic.gov.au Internet portphillip.vic.gov.au

TranslationsFor a translation of the information contained in this edition of Divercity please call the Council’s interpreter service:Chinese 9679 9810 Greek 9679 9811 Russian 9679 9813 Polish 9679 9812 Other languages 9679 9814

Audio recordingsAudio recordings of Divercity are available on the Council’s website and on CD from a Port Phillip library. CDs are delivered to 200 vision-impaired residents every issue.

Information included in this magazine is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.

Editor: Greg Day gday@edunity.com.auNext deadline:

(February/March) 16 December 2011Writers: Joanne Ashley, Reece Marks,

Kathryn McGrath and Greg DayPhotography: Greg Day and Reece Marks or as credited

Design and Production: Mediation Communications

Feedback: divercity@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Divercity is printed on recycled paper

December 2011/January 2012

60divercity

assist…contact Never say never

Port Melbourne engineering consultant Lis Fenwick loves a challenge. So when people said it would be too hard to get her commercial office body corporate to agree to allow rooftop solar panels, she grew even more determined to make it happen.

Lis called for a ballot of the 150 body corporate members and achieved more than the 75 per cent vote in favour that was required.

‘Ultimately we leased the roof space for the panels from the owners’ corporation. Now we have 3 kW of solar panels powering our office with the unused power feeding into the grid’, she said.

Even though solar panels on commercial properties don’t attract government subsidies, she anticipated that the panels will have paid for themselves in 5 to 7 years.

‘We initially purchased Green Power to minimise our carbon footprint, but that increases outgoing costs every year. The panels will ultimately pay for the investment.’

The addition of charity bins for recycling clothes has been a surprise hit at The Princeton apartment complex in St Kilda Road.

After getting involved in Council’s SOCS & Blocks program in 2009, the residents at The Princeton have been trying new ways to save energy, reduce water usage and boost recycling.

Resident Andrew Foulkes says that small changes to lighting in common areas are likely to save up to $22,000 over five years. ‘We did our research and found low watt LED replacements for 80 halogen downlights. Not only do we save on power and reduce carbon emissions, we save on maintenance by not having to replace globes as often.’

A better rubbish and recycling area has also been very successful. They have bins for rubbish, paper and cardboard, general recycling, corks, batteries, print cartridges, mobile phones, cards and charity bins. According to Andrew, the charity bins have been the most

The solar panels are part of a long term energy saving strategy. Lis’s company, Current Consulting, has introduced a wide range of energy-saving initiatives, including putting in showers to encourage bike riding, reviewing office lighting and changing globes, adjusting thermostats and smart segregation of waste to boost recycling.

successful. ‘The amount of clothing that got thrown in the rubbish was amazing, now it is going to charity,’ he reported.

The Princeton’s two charity bins come from the Storehouse Charity storehouse.com.au

‘If you haven’t got charity bins, that would be a good place to start. We fill two charity bins every week,’ says Andrew Foulkes from The Princeton on St Kilda Road.

Want to reduce your apartment block’s energy, water and waste? Join the growing number of sustainable owners corporations and apartment blocks in Port Phillip in Council’s free SOCs & Blocks program.

There are 25 places available (for 25 blocks) and the registration deadline is 9 December 2011. For more information, contact the sustainable programs team on 9209 6161 or visit enviroehub.com.au/socs-and-blocks

Charity bins a recycling hit

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Solving cold cases of St KildaJoin other participants to form a detective team to roam St Kilda after dark to resolve unexplained crimes, phenomena and mysteries from settlement to today. Saturday 28 January, 6 pm - 8 pm. Bookings at walking@portphillip.vic.gov.au or call 9209 6522. Look for details of the new 12 month program of walks for 2012 at portphillip.vic.gov.au/walks

Surf’s up at MSACThere’s no need to travel to the coast for some board riding action. MSAC now has FlowRider, an endless wave that’s fun to ride, surf, boogie board or slide. The first of its kind in Victoria, the FlowRider lets riders slide down and ride up the wave surface and carve turns, just like surfing. The FlowRider is located in the outdoor area near the pool at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Aughtie Drive, Albert Park. Visit msac.com.au/flowrider for more details.

Taking to the streetsIt’s street party time in Port Phillip. From Elwood to Port Melbourne, street parties are popular events during the summer months — there were 31 street parties registered through the Port Phillip Community Group last year. Street parties supported by Council benefit from liability insurance, formal road closures, safety and support from our local laws and police and tips and ideas for your party. There’s a $50 charge for the street party road closure set-up that requires registration, but once you’ve had a party, you won’t need to re-apply the following year. Call Port Phillip Community Group on 9525 8746 to find out how you can liven up your street.

Dig, set, spike!Beach volleyball is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, meet people and get fit. There are free public courts and nets at South Melbourne Beach — you just need a ball. There is coaching available for beginners and intermediates on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings at South Melbourne, plus a social mixed four-a-side competition every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night at Republica at the St Kilda Sea Baths. Head to vicbeach.com.au for more details.

Anyone for tennis?Coinciding with the Australian Open, the sixth Australian Beach Tennis Championships are being held at Station Pier Beach on 27 – 29 January 2012. The event caters for ages 9 and up, with sections for recreation and fun, masters (over 35s) and elite.

Twilight rock up and play sessions operate from 6 pm until dusk on Wednesday nights until April at Station Pier Beach, Port Melbourne. Saturday sessions from 3 pm – 5 pm. Leave time for fish’n’chips afterwards. For more information visit beachtennis.com.au

Stick the boot inEver thought of doing a fitness bootcamp or personal training by the beach? There are many personal trainers with permits to conduct group training sessions on the foreshore. Visit portphillip.vic.gov.au/personal_training.htm for a full list with contact details.

Gasworks backyard cinemaRide your bike to Gasworks on Friday evenings in summer for a backyard cinema experience. Dogs welcome. Films start at dusk. Discounts for concession, cyclists and groups of four or more.

13 January – 17 February 2012. Book tickets and view the full film program at gasworks.org.au or call 9699 3253.

Read six of the best this summerThe National Year of Reading is 2012. Celebrate by reading the Our Story book list and voting for your favourite. The list includes six titles, all with a Victorian flavour. Port Phillip libraries hold multiple copies of each title. Voting closes 6 January. slv.vic.gov.au

Day at the racesFancy a road trip? While Melbourne has the traditional Boxing Day test, Hindmarsh (our friendship city in North-West Victoria) has the Nhill races. What better way to continue the holiday fun than at a country race meeting. The description ‘family day’ has never been more fitting than at the Boxing Day Races at Nhill. The racecourse surrounds are in excellent condition with vast green lawns and bright shade sails. There are limited package options available. Contact the Nhill Racing Club on 5358 5288 for more details.

enjoysummerin the city

You don’t need to get away to have a great time this summer. Here are some things to try right here in Port Phillip.

Hands up who likes beach

tennis at Port Melbourne.

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portphillip.vic.gov.au

drive for

beachsafety

Sandridge Life Saving Club in Port Melbourne is the proud owner of a new All Terrain Vehicle (ATV). The ATV, which has already hit the beaches, enables volunteers to have greater manoeuvrability around their patrol area. It will also help cart equipment, tow boats and act as a good communication point for anyone looking to speak with the lifesavers. Volunteers from the club will be patrolling the area of beach just outside the clubhouse with occasional roving patrols. Drop by and say hello to your local lifesavers!

Port Phillip is lucky to have a number of life saving clubs in its area that are all staffed by trained volunteer lifesavers. New members are always welcome to join: training courses in life saving and other similar disciplines are offered. Volunteers can also assist in support duties such as radio communications and administration. To get involved visit lifesavingvictoria.com.au or contact the clubs directly.

All clubs patrol on Saturdays, Sundays and most public holidays between November and 9 April 2012.

Sandridge Life Saving Club

240 The Boulevard, Port Melbourne, 9820 6363, sandridge.org.au

Port Melbourne Life Saving Club

38 Beaconsfield Parade, Port Melbourne, 9646 8773, portmelblsc.com.au

South Melbourne Life Saving Club

William Crawford Pavilion, Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park, 9699 9802, southmelbournelsc.com.au

St Kilda Life Saving Club

43 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda, 9534 4465, stkildalifesavingclub.com.au

Elwood Life Saving Club

John R Conabere OBE Pavilion, 11 Elwood Foreshore, Elwood, 9531 5755, www.elwoodlsc.com

Remember to always swim between the red and yellow flags, and speak to a life saver for advice regarding beach safety.

Beach app for your iPhoneSurf Life Saving Australia has produced a great app called Beachsafe which can keep you up to date with the latest beach safety information, including patrols, weather and water conditions and hazards, as well as general beach information and safety tips. The app can also be customised to show the beaches in your local area. Download it for free from the iTunes store.

Books on the beachKeep a look out for the wheelbarrow library again this summer. Local library staff will visit beaches from St Kilda to Port Melbourne and hand out books that have been retired from their shelves.

Beach safety tipsLife Saving Victoria urges that people never swim alone and to always Play It Safe by the water at any time of the year.

• Learn swimming and water survival skills

• Always swim with others

• Obey all safety signs and warning flags

• Never go in the water after drinking alcohol

• Swim in areas where there are lifeguards

• Know the weather and water conditions before getting in the water

• Always enter shallow and unknown water feet first.

If you need help — stay calm and wave your arm in the air to attract attention. Help conserve your energy by floating on your back until assistance arrives.

Visit beachsafe.org.au for more information.

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Bikes without the fussFor a $50 annual subscription fee you get 24/7 access to Melbourne Bike Share at locations across the CBD and at bike docks in South Melbourne, Middle Park and Port Melbourne. All trips up to 30 minutes are free for subscribers. Daily ($2.50) and weekly ($8) subscriptions are also available. See melbournebikeshare.com.au for details, or download the smartphone app Spotcycle.

Melbourne Bike Share Stations in Port Phillip• Beach Street and Stokes Street,

Port Melbourne

• Beaconsfield Parade and Kerferd Road, Albert Park

• Bridport Street and Montague Street, Albert Park

• Coventry Street and Clarendon Street, South Melbourne

• Coventry Streetand St Kilda Road, South Melbourne

• Kings Way and St Kilda Road

• Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Aughtie Drive

• Park Street and St Kilda Road, South Melbourne

• Pickles Street and Ingles Street

• Queens Road and Bowen Crescent

• York Street and Cecil Street, South Melbourne

Adopt a street treeAll trees, especially young trees, can benefit from your help during sustained hot weather. Here are some helpful tips:

• For established trees, water around the drip line (the edge of the tree canopy).

• New trees can be watered near their trunks.

• Grey water from baths, showers and washing machines (when you have used biodegradable detergents) is ideal.

• Mulch at the base of a tree will help to retain moisture — free mulch is available at the South Melbourne Resource Recovery Centre.

Pets in the heatAnimals are vulnerable to heat. Here are some summer pet hints from the RSPCA.

• All pets must have cool, shady areas to retreat to during the day

• Make sure pets have plenty of cool water available

• Never leave pets in the car

• Small animals, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, kittens and puppies, cope best if brought indoors

• Walk your pets in the early morning or in the evening

• Local birds and other beasties may. appreciate a tray of water in a shady spot.

Eco-craft, play and learnApples and Jam eco-friendly playspace has a ‘dirty dozen’ garden club for preschoolers, creative mornings every Thursday until Christmas, plus Christmas craft workshops using recycled materials. Apples and Jam also host birthday parties and playgroups. For more information go to applesandjam.com.au or call 9682 6367. South Melbourne Commons, 217-239 Montague Street, South Melbourne

Step into Port PhillipOne of the best things about going for a walk around your neighbourhood is the interesting sights you can see. Victoria Walks has a website showing user-generated walking routes. Suggestions in Port Phillip include From Coal to Solar, which takes walkers on the path where decades ago coal was transported from Town Pier to Gasworks to be made into town gas. Also try the Delights of Albert Park route, where kids and adults will be delighted with Jock’s Ice-Cream Shop and a visit to the Fairy Tree on Barrett Street, which is covered in fairy lights during Christmas. View these routes and more at walkingmaps.com.au you can also submit your own ideas there for great walks in Port Phillip.

make it asustainable

summer

Three low or no cost gift ideas for the holiday seasonHomemade jamPick your own fruit, ask a neighbour for the produce from their fruit trees, or stock up at the farmers’ market and cook your own jams, pickles or chutneys. Op shops are a great source of glass jars to pack your preserves into.

Mowing/gardening vouchersCreate gift vouchers to hand out to friends and family for all those little tasks they have trouble with or don’t enjoy. If you love the outdoors you could assist with gardening, sweeping, mowing, painting or even cleaning.

Give plants or seedsYou may have plants in your garden that can easily be grown from a cutting, or divided into smaller plants. Pot them up and give as gifts. If you’ve got a prodigious coriander plant, chilli or tomato, save and dry the seeds, and pack them into decorative envelopes.

december 2011Sunday � Decembersussan women’s fun run 7.00 am - 11.30 am catani Gardens

Road closure: Beach Road from Glenhuntly Road to Kerferd Road

supersprint.com.au

Sunday 11 DecemberGatorade Triathlon series race 2 7 am - 11 am elwood Park

Road closure: Ormond Esplanade and Beach Road from St Kilda Street to Kerferd Road

supersprint.com.au

Saturday 1� DecemberslaM Volleyball 10 am - 9 pm st Kilda Beach

popcornevents.com.au

january 2012Saturday �1 Januarysummer KicK 10 am - 9 pm st Kilda Beach

popcornevents.com.au

Sunday �� JanuaryXOsiZe Tri series 7.00 am - 11.30 am elwood Park

Road closure: Ormond Esplanade and Beach Road from St Kilda Street to Kerferd Road

starttofinish.com.au

Some of the best sporting and cultural events in the state take place right here in Port Phillip, along our scenic foreshore and in our beautiful parks and gardens.

There is so much on offer this summer for people of all ages, interests and abilities, including the Sussan Women’s Fun Run, the Weet-Bix Kids TRY-athlon and the St Kilda Festival.

Get together with your family and friends and come along, you never know who you might meet! Everyone is welcome.

Keep this calendar on hand as a reminder of when events are scheduled, and to find out about any associated road closures in your area.

For more information about these events and many other activities in the city over summer, visit portphillip.vic.gov.au or call ASSIST on 9209 6777.

Ready, set, go: foreshore events guide

february 2012Sunday � FebruaryPride March 2 pm - 11 pm albert Park to st Kilda Beach and catani Gardens

Road closure: Fitzroy Street and Upper Esplanade

pridemarch.com.au

Sunday 1� Februaryst Kilda festival 5 am - midnight central st Kilda

Road closure: Fitzroy Street, Acland Street, Upper Esplanade and Jacka Boulevard

portphillip.vic.gov.au

Sunday 19 FebruaryGatorade Triathlon race 5 7.00 am - 11.30 am elwood Park

Road closure: Ormond Esplanade and Beach Road from St Kilda Street to Kerferd Road

supersprint.com.au

march 2012Sunday � MarchNissan/Brw corporate Triathlon National series 7.00 am - 11.30 am head street reserve, elwood

Road closure: Ormond Esplanade and Beach Road from St Kilda Street to Kerferd Road

supersprint.com.au

Sunday 11 March sanitarium weet-Bix Kids Try-athlon 9 am – 1 pm catani Gardens, Beaconsfield Parade, st Kilda

Road closure: Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda

weetbix.com.au

Sunday �� Marchironman asia Pacific championship 12 noon - 11.30 pm south Beach reserve

Road closure: Pier Road

ironmanaustralia.com

april 2012Sunday 1 AprilGatorade Triathlon race 7 7.30 am - 11.30 am catani Gardens

Road closure: Ormond Esplanade and Beach Road from St Kilda Street to Kerferd Road

supersprint.com.au

Saturday � Aprilaustralian National Marching championships 9 am - 1 pm Upper esplanade, st Kilda

Road closure: Upper Esplanade

vbl.org.au

Ready, set, go: foreshore events guide

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focus…neighbourhoodcouncillors…

Cr Rachel Powning, MayorCARLISLEBH: 9209 6431AH: 9527 1896M: 0418 389 346F: 9536 2711E: mayor@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Cr Janet Bolitho SANDRIDGEBH: 9209 6705M: 0411 096 400F: 9536 2766E: jbolitho@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Cr Judith KlepnerALBERT PARKBH: 9209 6705AH: 9682 7314M: 0409 968 850F: 9536 2768E: jklepner@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Cr John MiddletonJUNCTIONBH: 9209 6705AH: 9645 9346M: 0432 324 133F: 9536 2719E: jmiddleton@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Cr Frank O’ConnorEMERALD HILLBH: 9209 6705AH: 9690 1080M: 0432 289 012F: 9536 2708E: foconnor@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Cr Serge ThomannCATANIBH: 9209 6705AH: 9534 6297M: 0432 299 372F: 9536 2767E: sthomann@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Cr Jane TouzeauPOINT ORMONDBH: 9209 6705AH: 9531 8753M: 0432 287 634F: 9536 2769E: jtouzeau@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Direct all enquiries during office hours to the Mayor and Councillors’ OfficeMayor Tel: 9209 6431 (Barbara Wilson,

Mayoral Exec. Assistant) Fax: 9536 2711 Email: mayor@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Councillors: Tel: 9209 6705 (Mary Baensch, Councillors’ Support Officer)

Fax: 9536 2708 Email: see individual email addresses

All councillors, email: councillors@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Postal address: City of Port Phillip, Private Bag No. 3, PO St Kilda Vic 3182

Festival village ELWOOD: Elwood Village Festival will feature African drumming workshops, bouncing castles, Santa, face painting, live music, a Mad Hatter themed tea party for kids, roving performers as well as food and wine tastings and other culinary offerings from local restaurants and cafés. Sunday 4 December, 12 noon - 5 pm, Ormond Road, Elwood Village.

A wonderland: kids can have fun with colouring-in activities at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

People come togetherPORT MELBOURNE: Garden City Reserve will play host to a community celebration festival on Sunday 11 December from 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm. Organised by Port People Inc., it will feature activities such as Zumba, dog competitions (including the dog that looks most like its owner), a Dog Safe workshop, choir, garden walk with a local expert, sports clinics and a sausage sizzle. Visitors are invited to bring along picnic baskets and their four-legged friends (on leads). Visit portpeople.org.au

Celebrating South MelbourneSOUTH MELBOURNE: The first ever South Melbourne Festival will be launched on Sunday 19 February. The event will be centred around Coventry Street; however, there will be walking tours, performances, food outlets and special events from local businesses, including The Butterfly Club, Coventry Bookstore, House of Snowball and Beggar Man Thief that will cover the area from Moray to Ferrars Streets and showcase what the trading precinct has to offer. All South Melbourne businesses and organisations are invited to participate. Visit flyingcoloursevents.com.au/smba

Pier at thisPORT MELBOURNE: Historic Princes Pier is to re-open to the public in December after a four year restoration that saw 196 metres of deck replaced, over 1000 timber piles restored and refurbishment of the 1935 heritage gatehouse. The pier will have moorings for both small and tall ships as well as seating, decking, lighting, plants and signage that will remind passers-by of the pier’s heritage. The state government invested $34 million in the project. To see a time lapse video of the restoration, visit mpv.vic.gov.au Share your comments on Twitter# princespier

Going to great lengths: The remaining piles at the

seaward end of the pier have been preserved as a

heritage and sculptural centrepiece.

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The undefeated Borough

PORT MELBOURNE: Congratulations to Port Melbourne Football Club who won this year’s VFL Grand Final. The Borough won every match in the season. Congratulations also to Sam Pleming who won the Port Melbourne FC 2011 Best & Fairest. For those who want to revel in the winning spirit, the club has a range of limited edition posters, jumpers and DVDs.

Market in your diarySOUTH MELBOURNE: The South Melbourne Market stalls will be trading right up to Christmas Eve this festive season, with an extra trading day on Thursday 22 December. Kids can go on the Market Treasure Hunt during the holidays with a $2 treasure hunt bag from the Market Office that includes a map and clues to help find hidden goodies. There will also be special summer gourmet market tours for just $10 per person. To book call 9209 6295 or visit southmelbournemarket.com.au

Life begins at 40ST KILDA: More local streets are set to have 40 kph speed limits, bringing them into line with limits in adjacent local activity centres. Already a number of roads through local activity centres have 40 kph variable speed limits, including Barkly and Fitzroy Streets in St Kilda, and Carlisle Street in East St Kilda. Over time, Council hopes to have 40 kph limits in all activity centres and extend the 40 kph areas to include all local roads that intersect with the 40 kph zones. The next areas to be declared 40 kph are local roads adjacent to Barkly and Fitzroy Streets in St Kilda. These areas will be signposted in December.

Bike lane project in motionST KILDA: A new bike lane has been installed along the east side of Acland Street, enabling easier travel in both directions between Carlisle and Fitzroy Streets. The project forms part of Council’s Bike Plan, which next year will see installation of the first stage of a bike lane along Carlisle Street up to Brighton Road.

Emerald Hill masterplan underwaySOUTH MELBOURNE: In response to community feedback on designs, Council is to prepare a draft masterplan for the Emerald Hill precinct. The plan will take into account issues raised in previous designs regarding soft landscaping, car parking, public use of the Town Hall, incorporation of art and the contemporary nature of the design. Further community consultation on the draft masterplan will be held at a future public meeting. The plan forms part of the Council-adopted Emerald Hill Vision. Visit portphillip.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay to learn more.

Something in the waters at Station PierPORT MELBOURNE: Join in the annual Blessing of the Waters, a Greek Orthodox ceremony at Station Pier, in which young men swim to recover a wooden cross from the waters and claim its blessings. The ceremony runs from 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm on Sunday 8 January. Music, food and dancing afterwards until 5 pm.

Triangle vision has many sidesST KILDA: In August and September a six week community conversation was held on the future of the St Kilda Triangle. Over 900 people registered, and many more saw and read the draft Vision document. Council provided many ways for people to join the conversation, including speakout events, an online forum, questionnaires, focus groups, interviews and updates on Facebook and Twitter. The feedback received has been summarised in a report by Capire Consultants, available at stkildatriangle.com The community feedback will be incorporated into the next (third) version of the Vision. The community will have a further opportunity to provide feedback on a final Vision document in mid 2012.

Festival celebrates immigrationPORT MELBOURNE: Station Pier will be the venue for a multicultural festival on Saturday 28 January. Organised by Multicultural Arts Victoria, this free event will feature a diverse range of music and dance plus other activities exploring the contribution of immigration to our community. More information is available from multiculturalarts.com.au

New market in ElwoodELWOOD: The new Little Village Market Elwood is running over the summer months in the heart of Elwood Village. On offer will be fresh flowers, home-made preserves, antiques, vintage clothing, jewellery, plants, home wares, crafts and books. There will also be live acoustic music as well as coffee and tea. Saturdays 17 December and 21 January, 9 am – 1 pm. Elwood Scout Hall, 85 Ormond Road. Visit littlevillagemarket.blogspot.com for more information.

Get the word out!PORT MELBOURNE: A new writers’ group has been established at the Port Melbourne Library. WordOut is an opportunity for writers to get together with like-minded people to discuss ideas and workshop their work. The group meets at the library on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month from 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm. Tea and coffee provided. To book, call the library on 9209 6644 or email wordout@iinet.net.au

Launch of community commonsSOUTH MELBOURNE: Join the official opening celebrations of the South Melbourne Commons on Saturday 10 December from 10 am. Entry is free. There will be market stalls selling local produce, craft, food, sustainable toys, seedlings and other goodies. The Commons, formerly the old Galilee Primary School, is the newest sustainability community hub in Port Phillip. It features an organic fair trade community café, food cooperative, children’s playgroups, community food gardens, function-ready community hall and meeting spaces for community groups. The Commons is located on the corner of Bank and Montague Streets.

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in brief

Summer tips for dog ownersDogs are restricted on Port Phillip beaches until 31 March. There are five beaches where dogs can be exercised off-leash all year, and two beaches where dogs may be off-leash in the early morning. For details visit portphillip.vic.gov.au/dog_parks_reserves.htm

Officers patrol beaches and parks regularly, including weekends. Fines may be issued for dogs being off-leash in a leash control area, for dogs not being under effective control or if your dog is unregistered.

If you have any concerns about aggressive dogs, or need to report an attack, please contact ASSIST on 9209 6777.

Free internet training for over 50sU3A Port Phillip is still offering free personalised training in the use of the internet for people over 50, under the recently-extended Commonwealth/NEC Broadband for Seniors program. Registrants will receive two free hours of training and time to practise what they learn. Additional tuition can be provided if necessary.

To take part, call U3A Port Phillip on 9696 3495 between 10 am and 12 noon, Monday to Friday.

Middle Park Community Centre 254 - 256 Richardson Street, Middle Park

Roll up to Circus Oz

Whether you fancy the thrill of the trapeze or want to give hula hooping a whirl, Circus Oz has summer classes for kids, teens and adults. Classes range from beginner to advanced so it doesn’t matter if you’re experienced or just starting out. For further information visit circusoz.com/classes

Summer classes run from 9 – 27 January 2012.

Community beach cricket for all abilitiesMeet and play with Melbourne’s newest cricket team, the Melbourne Stars, at Ford Beach Cricket. Classic catches, longest throw, fastest bowl, beach sprints and a cricket sand castle competition. People with disabilities, their families and friends are particularly encouraged to join this free event. For further information, please contact Cricket Victoria on 9653 1186 or email communitycricket@cricketvictoria.com.au

Sunday 11 December, 12 noon – 4 pm

Sandridge Beach, Sandridge Life Saving Club, 240 The Boulevard, Port Melbourne Beach Cricket events are subject to tide and weather.

Try rowing

Come and try crew rowing. Just turn up and have fun getting some basic tuition in Olympic-type shells (boats). You don’t need to bring your own crew as there are always lots of eager beginners ready to make up a crew. Bookings not necessary unless you have a group of six or more. Open to people aged 13 to 80. Pre-booked classes are also available at other times. Call 9592 2157 or visit ozonline.com.au/ywca-rowing

Sundays 8 January, 5 February at 10am, cost $10.

Y Rowing Centre 34 Lakeside Drive, Albert Park Lake

French is hot this summerAlliance Française offers French courses and activities for children, teenagers and adults.

• French Christmas market: 10 – 11 December 2011

• Christmas intensive French courses: 12 – 16 December 2011

• French immersion day for adults: 17 December 2011

• French summer courses: 5 – 25 January 2012

• First term of French: 30 January – 31 March 2012.

For more information, call 9525 3463 or visit afmelbourne.com.au

Alliance Française de Melbourne 51 Grey Street, St Kilda

Greenhouse PlanCouncil is set to adopt its draft Greenhouse Plan. During 2011, local residents, businesses and other stakeholders were consulted on their vision and strategy for becoming a low carbon city. The Plan provides evidence and approaches for achieving a 50 per cent reduction in municipal-wide carbon emissions by 2020. But, as one key local resident said, it’s about what we do as a community that will determine whether we achieve this. To view the Plan and to start taking action, visit enviroehub.com.au

Putting sports on the mapCouncil has added a set of nifty satellite image maps of 14 local sports grounds to its website. The maps show the facilities at each sporting ground, including BBQs, public toilets, parking, picnic tables and sportground lighting. Many of these facilities are available for casual hire (for company cricket matches or fundraisers). See portphillip.vic.gov.au/sports_facilities_pools.htm for full details.

Community Climate Resilience KitCouncil is working with key stakeholders including VIC SES (State Emergency Services) to develop a kit for residents and businesses on what actions to take during extreme weather, such as heatwaves or flooding. Council and VIC SES also intend to run community information sessions later in 2012. The kit will be available in early 2012 at enviroehub.com.au or call ASSIST on 9209 6777.

Cooking school at South Melbourne MarketArabian Pastry Affair with Amal Malouf Thursday 1 December, 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm

Emma’s Summer Italian Kitchen with Emma Mackay Wednesday 7 December, 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm

Something Fishy for Christmas with Tony Chiodo Wednesday 14 December, 6.30 pm – 9 pm

Plus festive baking and poultry classes. Visit southmelbournemarket.com.au to view the full list of sessions.

Night time traders seek five starsEighty traders got together for an Alcohol Accord forum in October to learn more about how they can run a better venue. The state government recently released a five star safety rating system for venues, giving traders more ways to ensure that patrons and the wider community are safer. Training programs, such as the conflict resolution, safer bars and responsible service of alcohol, have been well received and will continue in 2012. For more information on Council’s work on alcohol policy, or for traders wanting to join the accord, contact ASSIST on 9209 6777.

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Green your office

Do you turn off your computer at work over the summer holidays?

As an office tenant there are many simple no and low cost ways you can improve your greenhouse performance and reduce your energy bills. The CitySwitch Green Office program works with office tenants committed to improving energy efficiency to make a positive impact on climate change. To find out more contact CitySwitch program officer, Jeff Elliott via jelliott@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Local Festivals FundThe City of Port Phillip’s Local Festivals Fund (formerly the Community Celebrations Fund) supports neighbourhood festivals and events in Port Phillip. It will be soon opening in four rounds per year.

Closing date For events14 February 2012 April – June 201214 May 2012 July – September 2012 14 August 2012 October – December 201214 November 2012 January – March 2013

An information session will be held at 5.30 pm on 2 February 2012. To register for the information session or to find out more about applying for a Local Festivals Fund grant, please contact the Arts Administrator, Amanda Swinton, on 9209 6217 or aswinton@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Seniors register can help in heatwavesEach summer we hear stories of people in our neighbourhood who are overcome with heat exhaustion during the hot summer months. In response, Linking Neighbours is gearing up to help neighbours who might be vulnerable on the very hot days. Last year, a small group of volunteers rang people on hot days to check that they were coping. This program was very well received and will continue again during the summer.

Please contact Michael Wood or Karen Watson on 9209 6777 if you wish to be added to the Seniors Register or if you know of someone who would appreciate being contacted during a heatwave.

Pop in for a postcard

Connor Sinclair, Major Tom 2011, Linden Postcard Show, oil on canvas

One thousand small format contemporary artworks by artists from all over Australia will feature in the Linden Postcard Show 2012. The small format means the majority of the works are reasonably priced.

Opening Saturday 4 February, 1 pm – 5 pm. There will be a bar and live music by Martin Martini. Awards announced at 1.30 pm. Everyone welcome.

Exhibition runs 4 February – 17 March

Your rates at workThe City of Port Phillip 2010/11 Annual Report is now available. This year Council has also produced a small annual report summary which provides a snapshot of activities for the financial year. The summary is available at any town hall or library, online at portphillip.vic.gov.au/annualreport or you can request a copy from ASSIST on 9209 6777.

The garden theme inspires poetsThe second annual Elwood Poetry Prize attracted the talents of local poets of all ages, drawing over twice as many entries as the inaugural year, including entries from over 200 students. The EcoCentre organises this popular competition with judges including Elwood poet Hugh Tolhurst and local artist Pam O’Neil. The winning words can be seen on the EcoCentre’s noticeboard. To share the flavour, here are the two best limericks.

Feeling Prickly, by Brenda RichardsThe possums have eaten the lemonsAnd the snails slithered over the strawbsBut I’ll fix the lotCos the new plants I’ve gotAre cacti and spiky euphorbs

Dancing Tree, by Tom Mann (Elwood Primary)There was once a treewho liked to play with a frozen pea.Neither could movebut they had a good groove.

What’s on in our Friendship City?

‘Live @ the Lake’ is on 27 – 29 January 2012 at Lake Hindmarsh to thank the volunteers who assisted during the 2011 flood and to celebrate the return of water to the lake. There will be loads of activities for everyone to enjoy. For more information: portphillip.vic.gov.au/port_phillip_and_hindmarsh.htm

Get funded in 2012Some great programs, productions and activities were funded through Council’s 2011 Community Grants Program and Cultural Development Fund. Funding opportunities will be open again in February 2012. This is your chance to start planning some ideas! Stay tuned for the February edition of Divercity, when the funding program dates will be published. Find out more at portphillip.vic. gov.au/council_funding_opps.htm

Film fest entries close 31 JanuarySt Kilda Film Festival screens Australian short films in all genres, including drama, comedy, documentary, animation and digital media. The competition offers over $40,000 worth of awards, including a $10,000 prize for Best Short Film. The festival also features the SoundKILDA Australian music video competition. For more information and to enter, visit stkildafilmfestival.com.au

St Kilda Festival highlightsYalukit Willam Ngargee: People Place Gathering Saturday 4 February 2012

An outdoor Indigenous festival featuring music, dance and children’s activities. O’Donnell Gardens, St Kilda

Live N Local Sunday 5 – Saturday 11 February 2012

St Kilda venues throw open their doors to host over 90 bands, visual art, theatre, poetry, musicians forums, kiteboarding and outdoor cinema.

Festival Sunday Sunday 12 February 2012

More than 60 bands performing, plus extreme sports, dance and children’s entertainment. For more details visit stkildafestival.com.au

Remembering RaoulThe annual commemoration Raoul Wallenberg will be held at the St Kilda Town Hall in January. Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat in Budapest during World War 2. He is credited with helping many Hungarian Jews escape the holocaust.

Sunday 15 January 2012 11 am – 12 noon

Contact B’nai B’rith for more details 9527 8249

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The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘hope’ as a combination of expectation and desire. But hope is more than an

abstract feeling. It is also a tangible part of our ability as human beings to create.

‘Hope means believing in spite of the evidence, then watching the evidence change’, says Jim Wallis.

Some people are able to sustain super-human effort to attain their dream through never losing sight of hope. Nelson Mandela is a wonderful example of this. The thousands of Jewish people who took part in the exodus from Egypt must have sustained extraordinary hope to survive exile in the wilderness away from their homeland.

‘Hope is like a road in the country’, says Lin Yutang, ‘There never was a road. But when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence.’

It is comforting to read the words of these wise people but sometimes stress, lack of support, failure and rejection in day-to-day life can squash feelings of hope. Sometimes it all seems easier said than done.

We regard people like Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa and others who have lived their lives based on hope and faith as saints, believing we could never emulate them. Yet all of us know of someone, a family member, friend, neighbour, work colleague, who has survived the impossible through sustaining hope and trust and basic bloody-mindedness.

I know about such a woman. This woman, Ellen was her name, came out to Australia from England in the late 1800s. She met a fellow countryman on the ship. They married, settled in Fitzroy, Melbourne, and had four boys. When the youngest boy was two years old, Ellen’s husband died from a spider bite and she was left to rear four sons under the age of eight alone.

Penniless and unqualified in any form of trade or profession, she tried to exist in one room of a boarding house but without money and five mouths to feed it was an impossible task and she took drastic action. What she did implies ‘giving up hope’ and abandoning her children. But Ellen had a plan, fuelled by a combined motivation of hope and faith.

Read all about local writersA compilation of entries from the Port Phillip Writes competition is available from ASSIST 9209 6777 for $5. The competition drew entries from 25 local writers as part of the Seniors Festival 2011.

She placed her three oldest boys in the Melbourne Orphan Asylum and the two year old into a Church of England Babies’ Home in Brighton. She then travelled north by train to Echuca, seeking employment as a cook on a paddle steamer that towed barges laden with timber along the Murray River. I can’t even imagine what it must have been like for that woman, living on the other side of the world from her homeland and family, leaving her children to work in a world of rough and ready lumberjacks.

The railway line to Echuca was built in 1864 and as a result, the town’s port had become the largest inland port in Australia. Two hundred paddle steamers traversed the river and the port was renowned for being a raucous township. Although the population was only 4,000, Echuca boasted approximately 80 pubs and breweries. Brothels boomed, horse races were held in the main road and bare-knuckle fights lasted for hours on the river banks. This was where Ellen based herself while she worked long hours on the paddle steamers as chief cook and bottle-washer, saving every penny and gaining the experience and confidence to eventually take on paid employment back in one of Melbourne’s many cafés. She never gave up hope that she would achieve this and reclaim her four children.

When she returned to Melbourne two years later, she successfully retrieved her three older children from the orphanage. However, when she went to collect her youngest from the babies’ home, she discovered he had been adopted. The laws governing adoption must have been slack at the turn of the twentieth century because on hearing this, Ellen promptly hired a hansom cab and stormed the leafy country mansion in Hawthorn, successfully reclaiming her youngest son. It must have been heartbreaking for her as the child cried all the way back to Melbourne, screaming for his mother.

‘I am your mother’, repeated Ellen, sitting beside him in the cab, clinging desperately to hope.

Once she found a cottage to rent in Fitzroy, Ellen went to work as a cook at a city restaurant. Fitzroy in those days was a slum area. Their cottage was infested with rats, the roof leaked, the walls were damp. The cold water gully-trap in the yard was used to wash bodies, dishes and laundry alike. Food was cooked in a pot hanging over the open fire. The four brothers slept sardine-style along the length of a double bed while their mother

slept on the couch. She didn’t indulge in luxuries for herself. Instead of buying lipstick, she would wet her finger, rub it against the crimson wallpaper in the passage and carefully apply the red dye to her lips. The children took on paper runs after school and with their combined meagre incomes they resided together as a loving, close-knit family until the boys left home. Diaries and letters are evidence of the positive outcome achieved from a situation that appeared doomed to fail.

When she was 75, Ellen was nursed throughout a terminal illness by her devoted youngest son, the one who was two when he was placed in the babies’ home. He organised her funeral and was 38 when she died. The yellowed death certificate dated May 10 1937 and a note of thanks to the manager of the funeral parlour, rustle in my hands like dead leaves. The note is in my father’s handwriting. Ellen was my grandmother.

As Alexander Pope once said, ‘Hope rises eternal in the human breast.’ When feelings of hopelessness dominate, it’s important to remember that we are still capable of choosing hope and, in doing so, we create a new reality. ●

Hope Rises EternalThis short story by Jo Buchanan was the major award winner in the 2011 Port Phillip Writes competition for local senior writers.

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In 2000 Port Phillip began a friendship with Suai, a coastal community in East Timor with about 23,000 residents. Last year, Port Phillip agreed to continue the friendship for another 10 years to 2020. In August, Mayor Cr Rachel Powning travelled to Suai to meet members of the community. Here are her reflections on the visit.

In August this year I had the great privilege of visiting East Timor as mayor. It is a beautiful country — as part of

Melanesia a lovely blend of the Pacific and Asian landscape and cultures. It’s easy to be impressed by the seemingly intact nature of the traditions in the forms of traditional village housing, food, dance and music.

In Suai, the welcome at the community centre was extremely warm and enthusiastic with official speeches, dancing and music. There could be no better way to display the rich culture of the people, it’s place in the lives of the community and the importance they place on ensuring that their culture is retained.

After the most impressive formal welcome, we then spent time with the staff of the Suai Community Centre, which is much like a neighbourhood house here in Australia. We met with the group of school teachers who are currently being trained by our two volunteer English language teachers. The local teachers spoke to us about the challenges they face, their hopes for their students and their needs as future English teachers.

I had the opportunity to meet with President Ramos Horta, and several ministers from the national government of

East Timor. We discussed the importance of the Friendship Agreement for both Port Phillip and Suai-Covalima. The respect shown for the Council and community of Port Phillip was very strong. Despite being fully aware of the challenges ahead, I was struck by the strong spirit of independence evident in the attitudes of the ministers, and their optimism for the future of their country.

Visiting East Timor showed support to the East Timorese, not only at the local Suai level, but also to the national government. The people of Port Phillip remember our friends in East Timor, and we will continue to learn from one another in the future. ●

Suai – visit to the friendship city

The welcoming committee: A group of young children danced the Mayor

into their village of Fohorem high in the mountains of Covalima district.

The culture is very strong with adults and children in East Timor.

Lest we forget: Boys at the Suai church service for the 12th commemoration of the Suai massacre. The young boys do not remember the tragedy, in which 200 people were killed in the church following the vote for independence. With the rest of their community, the boys will take flowers to the monument in the centre of Suai.

Sustainable livelihoods project: Friends of Suai are working with 100 rural women who have set up a system of savings and loans for materials such as seeds and thread.

Kindergarten capers: Mayor Cr Powning admires a children’s display made from local corn husks and polystyrene with splashes of coloured paper in a rural kindergarten. Early childhood development is a luxury in East Timor because there is only a handful of trained kindergarten teachers.

Volunteer friends: Lynn and Dermot Clancy are Friends of Suai volunteers who teach English to teachers. English is a compulsory language in secondary school and the Timorese teachers are keen to learn. Both retired teachers, Lynn and Dermot will be in Suai for six months.