Lisa Neville MP

Boost for Drysdale CWA and their Volunteers

The Country Women’s Association in Drysdale has received a Brumby Labor Government $1430 funding boost to support volunteers in the latest round of Victorian Volunteer Small Grants program. The Drysdale CWA will use the funding for food handling training for those who provide catering and food sales fundraising. I want to thank all the volunteers who give their time to help others who need it and this funding will help them continue their work.

Bellarine VicSES gets Boost

Emergency Services on the Bellarine Peninsula have received a major boost with the $250,000 heavy rescue truck and refurbished boat which I handed over to Bellarine VICSES Unit in Drysdale recently which will help local VICSES volunteers as they respond to a range of emergencies both on land and sea. Bellarine VICSES Unit’s 25 volunteer members answer up to 100 storm, flood and road rescue call outs a year and do a remarkable job of protecting their fellow community members, from Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads right around the peninsula to Queenscliff, Portarlington, Drysdale and Leopold.

Bellarine Ferry Service

The results of a survey by the Victorian Government and City of Greater Geelong into potential patronage numbers for a ferry service between Portarlington and Melbourne were recently released. The survey indicated that regular commuter numbers could be relatively low with a possible 400 commuters choosing to travel by ferry to work in Melbourne on a weekday basis. The survey also reported an additional 500 non-commuter passengers may use the ferry for other activities. The ferry survey results are available on the Parks Victoria website http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/, the City of Greater Geelong and Department of Transport sites.

Guides Braving the Cold

It was with great pleasure that on the evening of 31 July I officially opened the Girl Guides Brave The Cold Sleepover at The Mill in Portarlington. The event, held on an annual basis, brings Guides from all over the region together to raise awareness of homelessness and the impact this has on families and the community. Each year the event raises money for charity and this year, the Guides supported Time For Youth.

ADRIAN MANNIX AWARD

Congratulations to Harold Waldron, the 2010 winner of the Adrian E Mannix OAM Community Service Award.

This year’s winner is a great example of someone giving generously of their time and experience to their community.

My congratulations to him for his significant and valued contribution to our community. Read more >>

$35,000 FOR MEN’S SHED IN CLIFTON SPRINGS

I am delighted to announce that the application for a Men’s Shed in Clifton Springs has been successful. It’s great that men in the local region will now have the opportunity to get together to share their skills, learn new skills and meet together in their own space. Men’s Sheds are relaxed places for men where they can make new friends, talk things over, and get involved in their local community, with great benefits for their individual health and wellbeing. Read more >>

Bunyip Festival

I was pleased to again open the annual Bunyip festival at Clifton Springs Primary School recently. It is a unique event that combines the efforts of the school communities across Clifton Springs and Drysdale primary schools, including parents, staff, students and community volunteers who pull this event together to raise funds Read more >>

Church Hall Receives Heritage Funding Boost

It was a pleasure to meet with Acting Vicar, Reverend David Lamont and members of the parish community recently to announce the St James’ Anglican Church in Drysdale has received a $50,000 heritage grant, sharing in more than $2 million worth of new grants to preserve and protect heritage across the State. Read more >>