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Wednesday 3 May 2023
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Memories at dawn ABOUT 600 people attended the Anzac Day dawn service at Tyabb. Coordinator Peter Davis said this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the formal ending of the Vietnam War, although some Australian troops remained there for a further two years. Former helicopter pilot John Sonneveld, of Tyabb, spoke about his experiences in Vietnam, including the sadness of the war and the operation that earned him a Distinguished Flying Cross. Sonneveld also mentioned the poor treatment of returning Vietnam veterans. The service was hosted by former Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor police Sergeant Julie Morris, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Students and children from the Tyabb primary schools, colleges and the Tyabb Village Children’s Centre read poems and placed crosses and wreaths around the cenotaph. Picture: Supplied
Data reveals towns of disadvantage Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au AN economic analysis of data from the 2021 census highlights the stark socioeconomic differences between towns across the Mornington Peninsula. The socio-economic rankings from one - most disadvantaged - to 10 - most advantaged - are based on income, occupation, employment status and education. Australian Bureau of Statistics rankings based on the latest SocioEconomic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) released last week show towns across
the peninsula vary from being most advantaged to most disadvantaged. Towns categorised as being most disadvantaged, or those having the lowest scores, are Hastings (1) and Capel Sound (1). Towns with a score of two, the second lowest, are Rosebud, Tootgarook and Crib Point. At the other end of the scale, with a 10-point ranking, are Mount Eliza, Mount Martha, Red Hill, Somers, HMAS Cerberus, Balnarring, Flinders and Sorrento. Climbing back up the “advantaged” ladder are Dromana (4), Bittern (5), Mornington, Safety Beach, Somerville
and Tyabb (6) and McCrae (7). Neighbouring Frankston has one suburb in the most disadvantaged category, Frankston North. The ABS says that the SEIFA statistics are used by governments, industry and researchers to identify areas that need funding or services, business opportunities, the relationship between socio-economic disadvantage and health or educational outcomes. The release of the latest data coincides with Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors being asked to urge the federal government to declare a housing crisis, putting “a spotlight on the unaffordability of housing across
Australia”. Cr David Gill says it is “more expensive to live on the peninsula than in Melbourne”, with increasing numbers being added to waiting lists for social housing (2934 on the Port Phillip side of the peninsula and 970 households on the Western Port side). Gill told council’s Tuesday (2 May) meeting that low income residents were being forced to leave the peninsula while tourism and hospitality businesses were struggling to find staff because of a lack of affordable accommodation. Houses can be bought in Hastings and Crib Point for prices being asked
for beach boxes at Portsea and several other beaches. The advantaged and most disadvantaged areas would not be apparent to visitors who flock to the peninsula to enjoy its beaches, restaurants, wineries and golf courses. But what the ABS figures do not reveal is the number of people on the peninsula experiencing homelessness and the number who regularly need assistance with food and clothing. An estimated 1000 people search for somewhere safe to sleep on the peninsula each night (“Peninsula ‘needs more crisis support’” The News 3/4/23).
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