Still a Star performer after 72 years

It’s not easy to survive as a small business in today’s tough competitive market, particularly with large department stores expanding their businesses to supply a wider variety of products. But one small Frankston business has withstood the test of time for almost 75 years — Peninsula Star Cycles.

“I think it comes down to good old-fashioned customer service, quality products and workmanship, and having staff who are passionate about our industry,” said store manager John Billing.

Recently John and his staff were thrilled to get a visit from a foundation customer, Don Freak. Originally from Adelaide, Don shared his memories of having not long returned from serving in the Navy during World War II and meeting a Melbourne girl before moving to Frankston to settle down with her. Don’s passion for cycling led him to Peninsula Star Cycles, where he soon found himself on the store’s pro team in the late ‘40s. He explained. “Our track back then was from the cemetery to where the RSL is today. Of course, it was all dirt roads back then. Abe (who founded the store in 1946) would also hire a truck for the team and we'd put a bench seat in the back so we could go with our bikes to compete on the old timber velodrome near the city.”

Since opening in 1946, the store has seen three owners, sold numerous brands and added two floors. “As Frankston and the Peninsula have grown and cycling’s evolved, we too have also had to grow and change to suit,” John said. “Seventy-two years ago, things like electric bikes and LED rechargeable lighting were non-existent. But we haven’t forgotten where we came from and why we have survived all this time, and that is why we are so committed to our customers’ needs.”

PENINSULA STAR CYCLES

A: 48 Playne St, Frankston

T: 9783 2266


Summertime at Guildford’s by Kate Sears

You’ll discover Guildan Ozbek’s restaurant café two doors down from her flourishing other venture, Florist at Seaford. Guildford’s Restaurant Café encompasses Guildan’s passion for flowers and her rich Turkish background, which have combined to invent the perfect summer backdrop to your long-overdue catch-ups with friends and family over the summer holidays. 

After setting foot in the cafe, you’re transfixed as your embrace the Moroccan lamps, authentic evil eyes, Turkish patterns, bountiful flowers and relaxed sunny courtyard. Pull up a chair in the courtyard and share an antipasto platter with your nearest and dearest as you gossip over wines and cocktails on those balmy summer nights. 

Guildan and her partner Jon never tire of hearing that their customers have fallen in love with the décor and vibrant atmosphere at their 120-seat café. Guildford’s Restaurant Café has been labelled a ‘special place’ by their adoring customers, who insist that the area has simply needed something like this for years — and the couple delivered. 

Wander over from the Seaford beach after a day in the sun to enjoy a feast of dishes set to ignite your senses. It transpired that in having a Turkish background the couple have in turn given the dishes a striking balance of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Turkish cuisine. 

GUILDFORD’S RESTAURANT CAFÉ

A: 132 Nepean Highway, Seaford

T: 8774 6044

FB: Guildfords3198

INSTA: guildfords_restaurant_cafe


Enrol now for your child’s future By Kate Sears

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Frankston House Sanctuary of Early Learning is accepting enrolments now. Frankston House has opened its doors so it’s the perfect time to book your tour and secure your child’s place in the four-year-old government-funded kindergarten program, which includes bush kinder, a limit of 78 places, and a commitment to providing a home-like environment where each individual child can thrive.  

Frankston House is a family-owned and operated long day care provider and currently runs Mt Eliza House Sanctuary of Early Learning at 41 Baden Powell Place, Mount Eliza. It believes that all children have the right to grow and learn in their own way and at their own pace, allowing them to gently unfold to reach their full potential.

On your tour, you’ll discover natural outdoor play spaces and four inviting rooms. Here the children will spend their days exploring the world, creating positive friendships and developing empathy and respect. The curriculum reinforces connections with nature and encourages self-reliance, problem-solving and creativity.

The environments at Frankston House are especially designed to encourage young ones to become curious, confident, and caring decision-makers. Frankston House highly values family input and works collaboratively within its team and the community to provide best practice and continual improvement.  

To book your tour or enrol, please visit frankstonhouse.com.au, and for further information, contact [email protected]

FRANKSTON HOUSE SANCTUARY OF EARLY LEARNING

A: 1-3 Vera St, Frankston South

T: 9783 1117

W: frankstonhouse.com.au


Frankly Speaking With Yazmine Lomax By Kate Sears

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Two years ago, a wee Irish lass wandered into our office to ask about writing positions. Since then, Yazmine Lomax’s interviews with fascinating Peninsula residents have featured in Mornington Peninsula Magazine’s In Conversation and Frankly Frankston Magazine’s Frankly Speaking. We tracked her down for one last interview before she left to travel overseas. This time, however, we’re the ones asking the questions. 

When did your love of writing begin?

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing. I loved making ‘books’ from sheets of folded A4 paper when I was very little and thankfully was always encouraged to write throughout primary and high school at Padua College. I remember being especially inspired to write after reading the Harry Potter series for the first time when I was about nine years old. 

What’s your favourite style of writing or subject to write about?

I love interviewing interesting people. It’s so exciting to learn more about people I admire and find the questions that will give the best information. I’m excited to try out different styles and subjects in the future; I’m a huge music fan so would love to get more into music journalism, and I’d be super-interested in trying my hand at crime writing. 

Where else has your writing taken you?

I spent a semester in my final year of university studying in Boston, which is my favourite place in the world. The college I studied at there had so many clubs and publications and I loved getting involved with those. After that I interned at a magazine group in Dublin, which was also fantastic. The great thing about writing is that you can tie it in with your existing travel plans. 

  


Relax, rewind and renew on a journey of discovery By Kirsty Thomas-Thoeun

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Just like many of us, I found myself stressed and always meeting deadlines or others’ expectations.  I realised I had lost a sense of me and where I wanted to be. Hence through my own exploration of this I have designed some wonderful Small Group Journeys for ladies.

Travel can be a wonderful way to rediscover what you want, especially when instead of merely relaxing on a beach you decide to travel with a group of like-minded ladies on a truly immersive journey. Take in the sights, relax with wellness or yoga, and enjoy the sounds and shopping while giving back to local communities through volunteering opportunities at temples and NGOs. 

I believe to truly experience a destination requires you to immerse yourself in the culture and people of the country you are visiting. Join Journeys Rediscovered on our Sensory Sri Lanka trip in October 2019 or March 2020 to do just that. Indulge in Ayurveda, meditate with monks, learn to cook Sri Lankan curries, enjoy specially curated wellness packages. Visit rustic villages interacting with local communities. Enjoy five-star boutique accommodation throughout.

Or join our Heart & Soul journey to India and Nepal. Discover Delhi, India’s spiritual heart Varanasi and Rajasthan before continuing to Nepal. Contact Journeys Rediscovered to book or to find out about our other ladies’ tours to Cambodia or Myanmar. What are you waiting for?

JOURNEYS REDISCOVERED

T: 0477 002 235 

W: journeysrediscovered.com.au

E: [email protected]

FB: journeysrediscovered

INSTA: journeysrediscovered


Families first on Chris’s wish list

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Frankly Frankston Magazine speaks to Dunkley federal Liberal MP Chris Crewther about the arrival of his second child and the areas he’s focusing on in Parliament to support families.

We hear that you and your wife, Grace, just had your second child in early December. What do you hope the future will be like for your little ones in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula?

Yes, we’ve just brought into the world a little brother for our three-year-old daughter Yasmin. She’s very excited, and increasingly aware that she’ll no longer be able to solely rule the roost! I’m really positive about the future in our area, as it’s a great place to raise a family. We have the best of the city, country and coast. Our community is friendly and inclusive and there is so much for kids to do. That’s why so many families are moving into our area. It will only get better for families due to our strong community bonds and willingness to give things a go.

What have you put in motion for Frankston and Peninsula families?

I’ve fought to ensure that local families are better connected and supported. I’ve secured budgeted federal funding to extend metro rail from Frankston to the hospital/university, Langwarrin and Baxter, meaning families will spend less time commuting and more time together; locked in record funding for Community Support Frankston; helped bring back the City Life/Breakfast Club meals service for those in need; obtained funding for 123Read2Me, who give free books to those who need them; achieved funding for new and upgraded facilities at our sporting and community clubs; helped secure increased funding for aged care; and more.

What’s one area you’ve focused on in Parliament to support families?

I’ve focused on supporting young children’s crucial development between ages 0-5. In this space, for example, we’ve increased the rebate for childcare to up to 85 per cent for families on low incomes, removed the childcare rebate cap altogether for families earning under $185,000, and increased the rebate cap to $10,000 for families above that. 


Back to school with Bata By Liz Rogers

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It’s time to get your kids back to school, so do it in style and comfort with Bata Shoes. This exceptional footwear company has been providing school shoes to generations of inquisitive minds for more than 35 years so you know the staff understand the growing foot and what it needs to keep moving forward.

Service is key at Bata Shoes. All staff are experienced and take the time to find and fit the shoe that’s right for your children’s precious feet. Offering both boys’ and girls’ ranges in premium leather, Bata Shoes provides a wide selection of supportive and stylish varieties to choose from, including t-buckle, lace-up and Mary Jane styles for girls and premium and action leather selections for boys. The prices are very competitive too, starting at $25 a pair, with sizes beginning from 9 for preps to 13 for adults. Bata Shoes prides itself on delivering excellent quality at a price that doesn’t break the bank.

There’s something for all tastes at Bata Shoes. The Cala, Cassie, Guide, Trail and Trace girls’ ranges offer comfort, choice and quality, while the boys’ Thor, Trooper, Jive and Astro lace-ups look good and play hard too. There’s also an incredible new summer ladies’ leather collection in-store, which means Mum gets to pick up a pair of great-looking shoes as well.

Summertime back to school shoe-shopping sorted.  

BATA SHOES

A: 1158 Nepean Highway, Mornington

T: 5970 8527

W: bata.net.au

FB: Bata Mornington Australia

INSTA: batashoes


Magic on the water

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Each December the canals of Patterson Lakes are transformed, showcasing extravagant Christmas decorations adorning canal-fronting properties. I call it ‘magic on the water’.

The reflection of flashing lights on the water can be enjoyed by boat or kayak once you have launched from Patterson River. Heading through the main floodgates, you’ll be met by flashing reindeer, synchronised lights and inflatable Santas as you meander your way along the canal system. Travelling east back along Patterson River, you can stop off at the town centre at the newly constructed moorings and dine in or grab a takeaway dinner. 

Oh, but let’s not forget two important events that are quickly becoming Christmas traditions. From ballet on the water to creating some spectacular airborne magic, the Southern Waters Ski Show Team’s Christmas show will be enjoyed by many on December 14 from 6pm at the National Water Sports Centre. It even includes a special visit from the ‘man in red’!

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In impressive fashion on December 15 at 5pm, the annual SUP Christmas Social Paddle, hosted by Sunny King, will see almost 100 stand-up paddle boards take to Patterson River. “It's a great family event that we do every year and it's one of the biggest events in Victoria participation-wise,” says founder Nick King.

So that’s a wrap! Thanks to everyone for their support this year and enjoy the summer break. 

CAMERON HOWE

camhowe.com

 

New train line an alternative to ‘Mum’s taxi’ By Mike Hast

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The proposed Frankston to Baxter rail extension is big news across the region, but which governments are supporting it, where will the stations be built, and how will the new train line benefit the wider community?

With strong backing from the Federal Government and Opposition and the State Opposition, the $450 million-plus project has three of the four promises needed for it to go ahead. Rail supporters want the State Government to join the party, but there has been no word yet from Premier Daniel Andrews.

Three new stations have been proposed on the 8km extension. Frankston East would service Frankston Hospital and Monash University’s Peninsula campus and see up to 5000 “boardings” each weekday, making it among the top 25 busiest suburban stations. With the State Government backing the hospital’s rebuilding project to the tune of $562 million, this station is essential to fulfil the grand vision of creating a world-leading teaching hospital alongside its normal functions. The station would relieve pressure on scarce hospital and health precinct parking.

The second station, as yet unnamed, would service 13,500 residents of Karingal, Frankston Heights and Lakeside. The third station, Langwarrin, would service 23,800 residents, and a 1000-plus commuter carpark has been proposed. An upgraded Baxter station also would have a new carpark and would be used by people living farther afield.

A reliable train service every 10-15 minutes would transform Karingal, Frankston Heights, Frankston South and beyond. It would enable workers to get out of their cars and off congested roads, getting to and from work faster and home to their families sooner. Better transport would improve access to higher paying jobs and boost local incomes, a welcome relief as the cost of living rises.

‘Mum’s taxi’ would get a break — frequent, safe and reliable trains would enable young people to be more independent of their parents for transport. How good would it be if teenagers could get to their jobs, the beach or sports matches without having to ask Mum or Dad to drive them?

Committee for Greater Frankston is among organisations backing the rail extension; others include Frankston Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Frankston Hospital, Peninsula Health, Monash University, Karingal Hub, and Frankston traders. Committee CEO Ginevra Hosking has prepared a compelling case for the extension.

“It will radically transform public transport in our region, drive creation of new jobs and improve overall prosperity, reduce congestion on roads, free up crowded carparks, and make better use of public and private assets like Frankston Hospital and Monash’s Peninsula campus,” Ginevra said.

More information about the rail project is on the committee’s website at c4gf.com.au

Mike Hast is a freelance writer for the Committee for Greater Frankston and a former editor of Peninsula newspapers.


Remember the name Kitty Reeves By Liz Rogers

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Lorraine Reeves does fashion. At 50 years old, this dedicated student of embellishment, embroidery, detail and texture has come a long way from the young girl sewing outfits for her Barbie in a small South Gippsland town.

Things were different then when she began dressmaking at eight or nine years old. All the other girls wanted to get a job and get married after they finished school, but not Lorraine. She dreamt of becoming an interior designer, and then of making and creating couture, although she didn’t know it was called that then. Chanel. Dior. Balenciaga. Valentino. Ah! These were things worth dreaming about! High school happened and her interest in fashion developed, but support and like-minded fashion enthusiasts were hard to find. Time moved quickly and yes, she did get married, worked in retail — ladies’, men’s and kids’ fashion — and continued to make outfits for herself and friends and family. She also did a TAFE course in pattern-making when she was 26. She explains. 

“People would ring me up when they wanted a wedding dress or something special. That’s what it was like in a small town. Everyone knew I could sew. I went back to school as a mature-age student to get more knowledge of the design process. It was also super-stimulating to be surrounded by other creatives who were interested in fashion. I’d never had that before.”

Lorraine has just completed her Advanced Fashion Design - Bachelor of Fashion Technology course at the Melbourne School of Fashion. Getting up at 6am, driving to Seaford from Mount Martha and arriving home about 8pm. “I only had to do the fashion component of the course because I had so much previous experience, but the workload was big. It’s a three-year degree. I couldn’t have completed it without my husband, Andrew. He’s been fantastic. I was the oldest in the class but found my life experience gave me more focus. I really wanted to be there. I stopped working part-time in my final year so I could really concentrate.” 

Which was a smart move because she got selected to show a student capsule collection last September at Fashion Week. She continues. “My collection was called Rendition and was inspired by the classics. I love working on one-off garments. They were timeless pieces that were heavily embellished. Tassels separated and sewn together, reworked. I love morphing fabric into something else. It showed on the student runway. My label is called Kitty Reeves.”

Entering the world of fashion at any age can be challenging, but that doesn’t seem to bother this Mornington Peninsula designer. When we spoke she was getting set to be part of Fashions on the Field at Flemington Racecourse after supplying a look book and being chosen as one of the 10 finalists. “All the fashion institutes were invited and I got chosen. We have to design the complete look. Choose accessories, shoes. Unconventional racewear. That’s what I’d call mine. A model named Gabby Kellie will wear my outfit. It has to be ready by November 6. I’d better get to it.” 

Yes, you’d better, Lorraine. Life takes twists and turns but one thing’s for sure — it’s never too late to do what you love. Is it?