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4 - 17 OCTOBER, 2024
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Blessing your pets The Blessing of the Animals and All Wildlife is back this Sunday at Queenscliff Uniting Church to celebrate all creatures, great and small. The annual event will be held on the lawn outside of the church on October 6, featuring songs and prayers for the region’s pets and wildlife. Uniting Queenscliff minister Reverend Greg Crowe said everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs, was welcome to attend the blessing and celebrate all animals. “We’re acknowledging the importance of animals, particularly our pets as companions, and how important they are in times of joy and sadness,” he said. “It’s not about being Christian or religious, it’s a deeper spirituality about the connection of all things...and the human experience that we want to celebrate.”
Reverend Greg Crowe with his dog Anouk at the Queenscliff Uniting Church. (Ivan Kemp) 434986_02
Check out page 7 for the full story.
Whale carcass removed By Justin Flynn The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action began removing a washed up whale carcass from Thirteenth Beach yesterday (Thursday October 3). The 14 metre long, 16 tonne fin whale was found at the beach on September 12 and DEECA said last week that it intended to let the mammal decompose naturally, a process it said could take months. But DEECA said on Wednesday that the situation had changed. “The remains have shifted west along the beach to a more accessible location and the
carcass has decomposed to a point we can now safely remove it,” it said ahead of the operation on Wednesday afternoon. “Specialised biohazard equipment will be used to manage the remains. Areas impacted will be cleaned up including scraping a top layer of sand. “Precautions will be taken to ensure machinery and vehicles do not impact hooded plovers which may be present on the beach, including barriers, spotters and Conservation Regulator staff on site. “DEECA will work with SLSV and VFA to determine when it is appropriate to remove the water safety advice message on Vic Emergency.
This will include SLSV drone flights after the carcass is removed.” Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant said it had been a “complex” issue. Increased shark activity was reported in the area prompting authorities to issue a no-go warning for surfers and swimmers. “I have strongly advocated for the views of the community to the relevant authorities, with the primary concern being the safety of our beaches and the ongoing risks associated with the whale decomposing for an extended period of time,” she said. “Our beaches are much loved by locals and tourists, and as we come into our busiest season for the Bellarine, I understand
the community, and small businesses, need every chance to thrive.” A petition, started by Sarah Quincey, urging authorities to remove the carcass had attracted more than 2400 signatures. “What an effort, thank you to everyone one of you who supported this, and wrote letters - it was absolutely a group effort,” she said. “I’d like to pay my respects to the poor deceased whale - what was once a magical, beautiful whale that is to be respected and protected. Hopefully, strategies/actions can be put into place so DEECA can act quickly on these occurrences if they happen in the future for the safety of the community.”
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