Stand together and help the homeless
I experienced homelessness as a young woman (Women’s group targets housing crisis, The News 6/6/24). Unless you have that lived experience, you cannot know how debilitating it is to not have a space of one’s own. Each day was a fight for survival, simply maintaining hygiene, enough food and a relatively safe place to sleep. Add the social, economic and personal impacts and it is very difficult to maintain motivation and any sense of self.
I was appalled to read that homelessness especially among older women is such a big a problem on the Mornington Peninsula and urge the community to stand together to ensure that there is adequate housing for those among us who are suffering from homelessness.
Lynn Carpenter, Rosebud
Everyone needs a home
It’s deeply troubling how society often dismisses those experiencing homelessness as a problem for governments to handle. Money from local, state, or federal governments can never fully address the issue.
We face a crisis that demands immediate attention: tents on foreshores, people living in cars, couch surfing, or sleeping on park benches is not just a troubling sight—it’s a heart-wrenching reality for those who endure it (Women’s group targets housing crisis, The News 4/6/24). The urgency of this crisis cannot be overstated.
While services like mobile showers, hairdressing, food services, and clothes washing offer some relief, they only reach a fraction of those in need. Addressing homelessness is undoubtedly challenging, but we must face it with determination. These qualities are not just important—they are essential. Regardless of their circumstances, everyone deserves a place to call home.
Anne Kruger, Rye
Family approach
I immigrated from India in 1970 and have made Australia my home. I am also 86 years old, so hope I have the wisdom of age. I have seen this country change over the years with a widening economic divide. The most visual evidence has been an increasing number of homeless; living on footpaths, side alleys and public places that may offer some means of shelter. What we see on the streets is supported by vast media and academic attention. It is complex social issue and one that requires sensitivity and agility. It also requires much thought to identify and address the root causes and how programs of early intervention can be put in place.
Members of the public are generally sympathetic. Many like me will turn their heads and express sadness at what they see. Wishing for solutions but feeling helpless. Academics research the topics and politicians look at opportunities to address social issues, arguably within the context of securing votes.
Many causes are identified, all pointing the finger at each other, but no one prepared to own and point the finger towards themselves as accountable for action. Yes, there are many issues that take up our minds pace, and the nature of our social media communication means that these are fast moving in terms of priority of the day.
In thinking of homelessness, I think about what circumstances lead up to that moment of leaving housing. How did that turning point occur? One area of focus that I find missing is that of building a strong family unit. Family units have the uniting factor of offering care, support, and guidance. Often policies focus on the individual, and the language of family becomes redundant. How can we bring back this focus within our community and advocate for stronger support?
Hemant Gokhale, Seaford
Council take charge
Many thanks to those letter writers and to Cr Anthony Marsh for keeping this issue of the Harry Potter matter under review (Coming soon: Potter’s pre-election review; Potter review needed to restore faith in shire; Community misled (Letters), The News 4/6/24).
This Harry Potter thing is merely the large tip of an even larger iceberg, being the extent of dominance that Mornington Peninsula Shire Council officers have over council itself. Council has become a mere rubber stamp to whatever is bowled up be officers. The weasel words about a thorough investigation and planned review of council processes are nothing more than a sop to shut the protesters up.
What is needed urgently is for all councillors to take their job by the scruff of the neck and assert their combined authority over all staff, including what I regard as the overpaid CEO. This should start with a drastic review of titles and salary packages. The upper echelon of staff is over paid by a large margin. In former days, the top staffer was called the town clerk. He [or she] was not badged as somebody thought to rub shoulders with captains of industry. They are not of that ilk and, in my opinion, there is not a job in municipal administration that warrants a salary over $300,000.
Make a start by putting some of these prima donnas down from their perches and get back to the basics of roads, rubbish and reserves.
Barry James Rumpf, McCrae
Golf is good
Well, well, well. So, the people who play at Mount Martha golf course (and it’s not only the members of the golf club) are benefitting from the “largesse” of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. Yes we are (Questions over golf ‘shire subsidy’ claim, The News 14/5/24).
Unlike those at private clubs, I have played with every lady member of our club, as well as many of the men. And after our competition we all get together in our kitchen and make lunch and coffee and chat and laugh for a few hours while our wonderful committee work out the results. (Council won’t extend NBN to our room).
We are healthy, don’t rely on aged care providers to help us sit at home and watch the telly, and save our council and government lots of money. It’s a wonderful, friendly club, and we’d love to get more members. The cost of keeping healthy if you join Mount Martha Golf Club is a fraction of the cost of a private club, so why not give us a try?
Wendy Doyle, Mornington
Colliding with kangaroos
With regards to the plight of the kangaroos at Cape Schanck, I have had the occasion to travel between Flinders and Cape Schanck around dawn in recent times. During these travels, on three occasions I have had an altercation with the resident kangaroos (‘Nightmare’ road to cape, The News 4/6/24).
Twice, while stationary, I had kangaroos slam into my vehicle – I suspect the animals were in a state of panic.
The third time, aware of the dangers and travelling slowly, a rather large ‘roo shot out from the vegetation and dead-heated the front of my vehicle, putting a rather large dent in the bonnet. We locked eyes for a brief moment as it gradually hopped away.
The problem is that the vegetation has been allowed to grow right to the edge of the bitumen, leaving little pockets of grassed areas between the bushes. The kangaroos feed in these small patches and when surprised by a vehicle they dart out onto the road. It is absolutely lunacy to let the road be so overgrown [and] that is why so many kangaroo’s meet their end on this stretch of road.
Everywhere else in the state where kangaroos are plentiful, there is a substantial divide between the road and the vegetation. There is no doubt there is going to be a major accident, even a fatality, when a surprised motorist swerves to miss a kangaroo. Recently I saw a young driver with the best part of his commodore destroyed even when travelling at 60kph, it was fatal for the kangaroo.
So, if you care and want to save the Cape Schanck kangaroos petition Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to do something about the overhanging vegetation and give the motorist and the kangaroos a chance.
Max Bryant, Hastings
Tree plan applause
One of the simplest and cheapest tactics to reduce carbon dioxide in the air is to plant trees. It is therefore pleasing that Mornington Peninsula Shire is endeavouring to stop further tree loss on the Peninsula and, in fact, trying to increase the tree coverage (Bid to avoid tree ‘recession’, The News 4/6/24).
Australia has a deplorable record of deforestation so any attempt by bodies such as our shire to address this issue needs to be encouraged and supported.
Ross Hudson, Mount Martha
Power games
The role of councillor requires many skills, but the majority showed a lack of skill when Frankston Council finalised its 2024/25 budget. After weeks of collective work and receiving public input, councillors schedule finalising the budget for 3 June. The day before a four-page amendment was emailed proposing major changes to the previously agreed position. Change is part of decision making and the will of the majority must be respected.
However, the way in which change is achieved impacts organisation culture, reflects the skill and values, or lack of, from the individuals involved and, when mishandled, has the potential to stimulate responsive actions. Effective governance bodies usually have “no surprises” as an important operating value.
By proposing significant late changes and only advising some other councillors by email on Sunday 2 June, an effective “ambush” was established. Why not phone them, explain the intentions and show respect? It was apparent the numbers clearly favoured the proponents of the changes, but by taking a power approach a needless “we win/you lose” scenario was created. Any notion of trust and respect would have been destroyed. For what purpose?
The community is aware Frankston Council has had its issues in the past. A municipal monitor was appointed during the term of the last council.
All communities need a council which understands good governance, is respectful, and works effectively.
Needlessly playing power games can lead to like responses, and a return to the destructive environment seen in Frankston in the past. It was sad to see and made me question my previous thinking.
I thought the current mayor and all of the councillors were better than this. Maybe in some cases I was wrong.
Hopefully, with constructive leadership major change can be managed better in the future.
Ian Robins, Frankston
Reduce excise
An electric sign outside Frankston railway station states that Frankston Council will commence prosecuting users of vapes and cigarette smokers. This is a positive policy by the council to stop vaping and cigarette smoking, which is prevalent in Frankston, especially among young people. Vape smoking can be seen openly around Frankston station and even on buses.
Illegal cigarettes (chop chop) are being sold in shops in Young Street which are supplying young people with cheap cigarettes at a time when the government is losing revenue because of these cheap under the counter cigarette sales.
This is a positive step by the Frankston Council as is the Albanese [federal] government’s proposed ban on vapes and calls for a permit system to be introduced in Victoria to regulate the cigarette industry to stop the cheap tobacco trade which organised crime is controlling, which is causing the shop fires in other suburbs.
What really needs to happen to stop smokers using cheap cigarettes and stop organised crime from the cigarette selling industry is to cut the excise on cigarettes.
Russell Morse, Karingal
Look North for help
I write to your newspaper on behalf of the not-for-profit Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA) with a very specific request. Anyone impacted in any way by mental illness issues should reach out and seek help. We know that there are 154,000 people with a severe and complex mental illness who are – in essence – missing out on support.
We have a very strong view at MIFA that it is time to do better. Without doubt, Australia’s current mental health system is fragmented and, sadly, utterly dysfunctional. People with mental illness issues, which includes schizophrenia, have been woefully neglected by governments. It has been going on for literally decades Too many people with mental illness are falling through the gaps and are not getting the right support when they actually need it.
It is estimated that half the people living in the community with schizophrenia get no community support whatsoever. It is just not good enough. As part of our awareness initiative, we want to highlight that the vast majority of violence that happens in the community – around 96 per cent – is carried out by people who do not experience a complex mental health situation. We would like to emphasise it is critical that if you are affected by a mental illness issue, you reach out and get the support you need.
The Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia has a key not-for-profit network called Finding North. It has become a growing community on the internet, to link people with mental health issues with others in a similar situation, so they can share their experiences.
To get more information, just go to findingnorth.org.au
Tony Stevenson, national CEO
Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia.
