The Bicycle Repair Man

A good friend of ours has just started a business in Phillip Island repairing bicycle and called himself the "bicycle repair man". Its a bit of a pun on the monty python routine...

You can contact the bicycle repair man here

The Redistribution of Bass, maybe some movement on issues...

Certainly were I live Phillip Island there seems to be two main issues.

• The lack of a 24 hour medical facility
• A secondary college

I've the following letter to both federal and state members of parliament::

 

Dear Mr .....

I'm writing to you to voice my concern with the growth of Phillip Island and the lack of infrastructure to accommodate it. A 24 hour medical facility and a secondary school are the most obvious.

The need for a secondary school. At present we have one daughter at Cowes primary who is in prep, she is one of five classes for that age for this School. There are also prep classes in Newhaven and San Remo. It would appear to me that there is more than enough pupils for a secondary School, possibly more than Wonthaggi.

Secondly a hospital. This was brought to my attention in the local Phillip Island Advertiser this week, with a group letter to the editor by prominent locals to the island. Pointing out the inadequacies and inequality of the health provision in the island. I was shocked to see how many much smaller communities have there own hospitals.

I believe that that this will become a real state election issue for residents on the island. At present pointing at Wonthaggi is a cop out. A one road to Wonthaggi which takes up to 45 minutes for some residents on the island is not the answer.

At this stage Mr Greg Hunt our federal representative, got back to me within an hour! He was encouraging to the causes with suggestions on how to get things going.

Yet Mr Ken Smith, no reply...

On his Summer Community Update 2012, lot of photos of Ken... None addressing the most important issues on the island.

I noticed on Anthony Greens blog that Bass electorate is due for an urgent redistribution . 27.5% over quota. Buy goodness I hope Ken starts addresses local issues, retires or gets booted out. I thought the time when the liberal party assumed a "born to rule" mentality was over. Thank goodness Greg Hunt kicks this trend, Im not so sure about Ken Smith though...

 

Ken Smith, No coal seam exploration

Ken Smith it seems is a man of contradictions. I was sure he would be clapping his hands with glee at more development in his Bass electorate with the announcement of more coal and seam exploration. But he said no!; Strange considering::

• -He is a climate change 'Agnostic'
  
• -Supported the building and re-zoning development in Ventnor against community and council wishes.
  
• There is coal in the Bass electorate. Wonthaggi was built on it.
  

My conclusion: some alarm bell maybe ringing for him, he has had a bit of bad publicity locally lately.

(Ken is also said 'no' to a hospital in Phillip Island, a population 10-12 thousands during winter 70 thousand during peak tourist times.)

 

 

Alaska, Sue Saliba

Alaska, Sue Saliba

There were three reason that I picked up this book:

1. Alaska, one of the last of the great wildernesses.
2. A continuation of my reading theme of young adult literature
3. Sue Saliba, a local to Phillip Island, who I've meet a couple of times

At first I struggled with the book, I couldn't get my head around no CAPITALS. It actually made reading difficult. I knew there was some literary reason but it wasn't until I reflected that there was some turmoil for the reader (At least myself) having not capitals; much like the main character, Mia.

Like a good movie a book which keeps you thinking about it after it has finished, is good. There were many themes which got me thinking; the idea of trying to escape a bad situation only to find that there is no escape, even thousands of miles away; compromises and what is worth fighting for and what isn't. It brought up questions in my own life, asking the same questions about what is important and how much I'd fight and how much I'd let pass by.

There where also some great quotes in the book:

"you can't have beauty without danger..."you can't have life and absolute safety"

Its very reminiscent to the quote but Whilliam Shed "A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for. "

Its a good book, like I've written; it had me thinking afterwards. It has that feel of a book where the author was deliberate with every word; a precious commodity in todays literature. Even if at time it seemed a bit flowery.

4/5

 

Ken Smith vs Greg Hunt

I often read, and I'm amazed at the difference of opinion between Ken Smith State government representative currently in power and the speaker of the house and Greg Hunt Federal representative in opposition; in matters regarding Bass. Amazed because they are both in the liberal party!

The environment::

Ken Smith:: Climate change "agnostic"

Greg Smtih:: "Convinced" of the science.

Development Ventnor::

Ken Smith:: Happy for it to go ahead (ignoring locals)

Greg Hunt:: Actively lobbied against it.

24 Medical clinic::

Ken Smith:: From this weeks Phillip Island advertiser didn't think Phillip island needed it.

Greg Hunt:: From this weeks Phillip Island advertiser, actively meeting with locals and is fighting for a 24hr medical clinic.

It is confusing to say the least. All I can hope for is Ken Smith to retire; It would probably be best for the Liberal Party. Then maybe we can get a representative who "represents" people on Phillip Island.

Clean up Australia day, and Thin places.

Today we all went off to Clean up Australia day. It was pretty wet, all up there was seven of us including us four in our family. Our area to clean up was from the entrance of the Koala park on Phillip Island Road and Harbinson Road along the bike path.

There was quite a lot of Rubbish, we collected two bags full. Lots of odds and ends, a car headlight, hubcaps, lots of golf balls, from the mini-golf at a-maze-n-thing over the road. As expected plenty of Mc Donald's rubbish even though we are 30km away from bass the nearest store. Plenty of hyper caffeinated drink cans, 'Mother', yet no Coke! What I didn't expect to find was Bakers delight bags, there was plenty.

I had one of those 'Thin Places' experience. Just walking along in the drizzle picking up rubbish thinking to myself that even on this miserable day there is a beauty. Pondering how God made the earth and it was 'good'. That He would be happy at my very very small contribution today, my act of Worship. Caring for what God made.

Even though we had previously done this type of thing at our old Church quite, we were often the ones who were leading or instigating. This time it was just us as a family, no agendas. Strangely it did feel different. I could almost meditate/pray while I was picking up the rubbish.

One of the ironic aspects of the whole day was a little thank you from McDonalds. Maybe they felt guitly? A few people gave me some dirty looks when I accepted the card; but like the Gherkin.

 

 

Goodbye Egg and Spoon

 

Dropping off Jemima to school I headed over with Jo to one of our favorite places for a coffee, the Egg and Spoon. Only to discover that it was shut, for good. Due to 'Family Illness'.

The coffee was good; Brian got my piccolo just to my liking. The food was pretty much all made in the kitchen by Amanda. A rarity these day!

Goodbye, you will be missed!

 

Ventnor planning and the liberals

 The controversies of the backflip of the State liberal planning minister Mr Guy appears to have taken another twist with the developer claiming political interference in the decision. The interference coming from the Federal liberal opposition Mr Hunt who opposed the decision with the majority of the population on Phillip Island. I applause his decision, from the Sydney Morning Herald ::

My job as the local member is to stand up fearlessly for the local community and the local environment."

What I find more interesting is the quietness of Mr Ken Smith who is the liberal state member for Phillip Island. I havn't read anything with his opinion, support of otherwise for the Ventnor development: Maybe I've missed it....

 

'Party House'

I've found that where ever you live there are certain terms which are distinct to the area. 

One of the words that I've picked up on Phillip Island is the 'Party House'. I discovered there is one in our estate :: 2 Currawong Close; though this may have ceased it looks like it has now sold. What defines a party house is ::

• It is a short term rental, usually over the weekend.
•  Advertise that they sleep 6 or more, 
• there is usually more than 2 cars crammed around it. 
• Music that gets played till all hours, 
• Voices, chatting, yelling disbursed with bad language.
• Occasionally tents spring up in the backyard.
• a distinct possibility at some stage the police will be called around. 
  

Reading the Phillip Island Advertiser this week there was an article where a 'Party house's' sewer line was blocked up with cement. It appears that neighbors had taken matters into there own hands, after repeated attempts by them to contact the owner about the problems had failed.

I suppose for me if you move to the beach you expect this a few weeks of the year. But if it was constant, it would drive me insane.

Re-zoning, Mily Cyrus and infrastructure....

Phillip island was surprisingly in the international news with Milly Cyrus tweeting her sadness at the liberal planning minister Mathew Guy pushing through re-zoning without community or council consultation. Some of the concerns that I noted from the community and council were that services were already stretched and that there are already multiple new housing estates in production.

It interests me that commercially business know that Phillip Island is a growing area. Dimmy's has opened a shop, Safeway is opening, Target is opening. Yet local, state and federal governments don't seem to see this.

Public infustruture is a real problem. Phillip island is growing faster than the rest of the region yet looses out consistantly to other towns get the projects.

Phillip Island has no public swiming pool: Wonthaggi has a pool and looks like getting a new heated one!
Phillip Island: medical services are horrid; no bulk billing clinics, no 24 hour medical service, no hospital: Wonthaggi has all of these.

Population

Wonthaggi 6529 people in 2006
Phillip Island 7071 people in 2001
 

Yep something is wrong, and I think that it will bite the Liberal party on the bum. So watch out Ken Smith or who ever replaces you when you retire!

The Ugliest house in Phillip Island

I often go past this house, the ultimate in 'low matinence'. Oh the earth must cry....

Victoiran Election:: Bass a political backwater

I've never lived in an area where services and infrastructure are so poor. I've written about the health issues on Phillip Island before::

It would be the largest town in the state without a proper medial coverage.
(Phillip Island has a population 7000,  in 2001, Wanthaggi has a hospital 6500 in 2001, Koorumbura a population 4500 has a hospital. In summer the population can be 50000 with all the tourists).

It makes me wonder why this is the case and one of the answers that seems to come up is that we live in a liberal strong hold. The liberals are the only one who make any promises of any infrastructure because labour has given up on these sort of seats.  I don't blame labour either. Why would you set aside any money for a region if you don't get any return.
When I lived in Bendigo,  a swinging seat, there where always new things on the go. A new police station, a new hospital. Money was promised everywhere from both sides of politics.

The other odd thing about Phillip Island is that the population estimates are 40,000 to 60,000 in Summer. Been conservative the council rates would be for 30,000 people. Yet the infrastructure is on barely for 10,000 people.

So In many ways I see the only way to get out of the rut that the electorates of Bass and Flinders is in is to get an independent or at least for the Labour vote to get to a whisker of winning.

Here is my short list of infurstucture which needs to take place::

Better medical system::
Hospital with at least a medical/surgical emergency ward
A bulk billing GP clinic that is opened at least 5 days a week
Secondary College
Gass on the island
Swimming pool. (We have the Ocean but no where to teach kids to swim)

Related articles

• Vic opposition outbids govt on hospital (news.theage.com.au)

Phillip Island and food

After living in Phillip Island for nearly over a year now. The Age Good Food Guide 2009 has confirmed my worst fear. I am living in a culinary waste land. It appears that the Island caterers for food peasant that come to see motor racing and live off fish and chips and pizzas.
Cowes 
Fish and Chips = 7 shops
Pizza = 5 shops

Oh dear...

At least their are a few restaurants mentioned in Inverloch. Tomo the Japanese sounds very promising!

Related articles

• Penguin Island on BBC1 (audleyblog.com)
• Stoner tops practice at Phillip Island (news.theage.com.au)
• Stoner on pole at Phillip Island (news.bbc.co.uk)

Saturday, MotoGP Cowes

Just got back from a stroll down Cowes main street. Certainly a good feeling in the air...

Not a car!

The closest I got to Casey Stoner, only watched for a tick.

Election 2010 :: electionleaflet

Great tip for the upcoming election from Antony Green on the ABC::

Electionleaflets.org.au

Leaflets from electorates are uploaded so you can get a bit of a glimps at what the candidates and parties are up to, as well for a historical record.

For my electorate of Flinders ::

Greg Hunt is the only person with any material

"Working hard for our coasts"
and
"Greg Hunt MP"

Good to see local issues are addressed :: Hospital at Phillip Island, aquatic center at Phillip Island, and the Car Ferry at Cowes front beach.

Now where are the Greens or Labor's local policies???

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• Garrett should go over LNG delays: Hunt (news.theage.com.au)

Egg and Spoon

Good news for coffee lovers. Phillip Island has at last a place that makes coffee which I can recomend.
The "Egg and Spoon", Settlement Rd opposite Mitre Ten. They get their coffee from a small little roaster in Trafalgar Called "Southern Addictions" which we have sourced when we are over in that part of Gippsland.

Ahh two grinders, one especially for decaf. Try finding that in any other place for coffee in Phillip Island!

Christian Brethern and Discrimination, update :: 2

Its been fairly quiet regarding the vcat hearing on the Brethern's and their refusal to let the homosexual organization 'Way Out" to use their facitlities.

I have recently read an exellent article on Jesus and ant-discrimination talking directly on the above issue.

Associate Professor Andrew McGowan is Warden of Trinity College, The University of Melbourne and uses the story of the 'Good Samaritan' to illustrate his point, the full article is from the web site 'Eureka street'

It is remarkable then that Jesus takes the clear risk of using an unrepentant Samaritan as the embodied answer to the question 'who is my neighbour'.
Of course this does not mean that Jesus agreed with the Samaritans. It suggests he might have cared less about the risk he might 'promote' Samaritanism than about the need to promote an ethic of unconditional acceptance. It suggests Christians and others in the community might be called to take risks for the marginalised, rather than religiously to carry our orthodoxies with us down the other side of the road, ignoring those in need, lest we 'promote' something we disagree with.
Gay and lesbian youth are at greater risk from suicide and mental illness than from their own sexuality. They are at greater risk from religious and other forms of exclusion than from their own sexuality. It would be good for religious people to stop seeking refuge behind exemptions, and show that their contributions to such young people could be rather more than the law requires, instead of much less.

Christian Brethren and discrimination

Spotted this one on the local ABC news.

A Victorian gay youth group is taking legal action against the Christian Brethren Church alleging discrimination. The suicide prevention group, WayOut, says it was barred from hiring the church's camp grounds on Phillip Island in 2007. The group believes the church refused to do business because of its stance on homosexuality. Under the Equal Opportunity Act, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is against the law, but some exemptions exist for religious organisations. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) will hear the discrimination complaint today. Associate Professor Anne Mitchell from the Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health and Society says the camps are used to give children a break from homophobia. "Its somewhat ironic that in the process they experienced what we say is further discrimination." she said.

 I'm following this for a few reason. Its just down the road. I've stayed at there camp sites a number of time, they are excellent.
How a strong evangelical organisation is to navigate this will be revealing. It is interesting that the government is to enforce 'non discrimination.' I would think that Jesus would be non discriminatory. Must be something deeper...

Moving on from Ranges

Well most people who know us, know that Christina myself and the girls have left the mountain. That we have moved on from Ranges Church which we have lead for 6 or so years.
It was always going to be a difficult move, leaving friends and a church which in many ways feels like a child which you have fathered. It is why I've avoided this post, yet I feel has to be written.

There are a number of reasons for the move.
:: I've always wanted to live in a regional. (Christina didn't but was willing to comprise if it was near the sea. Thus Phillip Island.)
:: We wanted to do this prior to the girls starting kinda and school.
:: The ways things at Ranges church was going, was positve. It was a healthy time to move on.
:: I also felt that until the girls both started School we would have had limited time to do anything new and innovative. While maintaining what we already have Again this was a good time for others to step up, and u to move on.

The future, with ministry...

:: At this stage we just want to hang for a year or so at Phillip Island. See what the Holy Spirit is up to. In the church, with the community, and with ourselves.
:: We are still on the board of Vineyard Cataylst Network and will probably head over to Nerium South and help with John and Chris V with their house type church, in the short term.
:: When the time is right we will probably plant again. This time a lot differn't. So stay tuned!