If you’re like me and are lucky enough to have a dog, you’ll know what a special part of your family they are.
They’re not only great companions, they also help keep us active and get us meeting and interacting with people when we’re at the local park, café, beach or just down the street.
Our blue heeler puppy named Bluey, has been in the wars a bit lately after breaking her leg, so I can’t wait to see her back healthy and happy again as summer arrives.
Having our pups well trained is not only good for their safety and ours, it also just makes life so much easier.
I am pleased that Hobsons Bay council are coordinating some free group dog training sessions over summer to help equip local dog owners with skills to safely manage their pups in public.
Sessions are on December 2, January 13, and February 24 at the back of the Civic Centre in Altona.
In addition to training, they’ll be serving up coffee, a sausage sizzle, showcasing local businesses and offering giveaways.
Bookings are essential so please check out Dogs in the Park, on the council’s website for details.
If you’re hanging out locally over the summer period there are lots of fun, free, family-friendly events to look forward to.
The first big one is the Always Live music festival in Williamstown on Saturday, December 9, with many more events to follow.
Don’t miss our Christmas Carols, Movies by the Bay in Altona, Seabrook and Williamstown, and the return of the Summer Sounds program kicking off in late January.
Please jump online or contact council customer service to find out the details of these free events.
Finally, I want to mention the issue of parking permits for our lifesavers at Altona and Williamstown.
Our lifeguard volunteers provide a vital service, and I fully support their request for parking permits while they’re volunteering to patrol our beaches. At the November meeting I raised the matter in ‘urgent
business’ to resolve that council officers prepare a policy that considers the parking needs of our lifesaving clubs to be brought back to the December meeting where hopefully a positive outcome can be
reached.
I am looking forward to being able to give our lifesaving clubs a permanent solution to address their parking needs. As the summer Christmas holidays approach, beach safety is paramount.
