Briefs

Budget faces scrutiny

Residents can have their say on Wyndham’s draft 2014-15 budget tonight (June 25). A special meeting will be held at the civic centre from 7pm. The council received 13 submissions on the proposed budget, which was released last month.

Beating the bullies

Wyndham schools are being encouraged to apply for the latest round of state government Bully Stoppers grants. Schools can share in $450,000 to develop programs to raise awareness about bullying. Applications close on July 18. Details: www.education.vic.gov.au

Soccer star at the plaza

World Cup fever will hit Werribee Plaza on July 12 and 13, with former Manchester United and Danish star Jesper Olsen running skills sessions. Olsen will speak at 10am and 2pm each day about his experiences playing at a World Cup and for Manchester United. Details: www.werribeeplaza.com

Little River honour for nurses

Little River Historical Society has received $52,965 to help commemorate the Anzac centenary. The society will use the grant to build a memorial in the town to honour Australian nurses who served in the First World War, including local nurse Kit McNaughton.

Werribee station parking woes

Parking shortages around Werribee train station will be raised in Parliament this week, after vacant land on Cherry Street that was being used as a car park was locked up. Western Metropolitan Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury will raise the issue after discovering bollards and a locked gate on the land. He said it was unfair commuters were being prevented from accessing the land when the area “was begging” for more parking. Mr Elsbury cut the lock off the gate to allow commuters access to the land.

Aboriginal art connection

Award-winning indigenous artist Gayle Maddigan will bring her latest exhibition to Wyndham next month. The Passage Through Ceremony exhibition will be on display at Wyndham Art Gallery from July 1 to August 24. The exhibition explores the connections Aboriginal people have with the country. Details: www.wyncc.com.au

Point Cook speedster off the road

A Point Cook man has had his licence suspended after being caught speeding on Geelong Road, Brooklyn. Police caught the man, 23, driving at 98km/h in an 80km/h zone on June 15 at about 7am. He was fined and had his licence suspended for six months.

Wyndham fears on bigotry

Wyndham council will write to federal Attorney-General George Brandis to raise concerns about proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act. The council believes changes to the act could encouraging race-based bigotry and could exacerbate social tensions in the community.