Month: July 2015

Hastings was a welcome port of call last night for a skipper of a stricken yacht, plucked to safety by water police. The drama  began to unfold at about 3pm yesterday an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) was activated on an 8 metre yacht which was having difficulty in 5 metre swells. The Latrobe Valley Air Ambulance (HEMS2) and a fixed wing aircraft were dispatched to locate the stricken vessel and found it approximately 29 nautical miles off Wonthaggi. They were unable to winch the skipper, a man in his 60s from Geelong, from the yacht and called in…

Three men allegedly took 80 abalone and a rock lobster during a prolonged fishing venture at Sorrento back beach this week. The daily recreational limit for abalone is five per person, when the season is open. However the recreational abalone season is closed at present. A call from a concerned member of the public to the 13FISH reporting line alerted Mornington Fisheries Officers who watched for several hours as two of the men allegedly dived in a bay for abalone and used a kayak to transport the fish to a third man on the beach. Fisheries Officers later intercepted a…

ROTARY clubs on the Mornington Peninsula are among 1100 across Australia urging families to “have the chat” about organ and tissue donation with their loved ones and register their donation decisions during DonateLife Week. Rotary’s participation in the week was prompted by the story of Jack Wilson, grandson of one of the 21 Rotary District Governors in Australia. He was born with nephrotic syndrome, a congenital kidney disease causing lengthy hospital stays. Jack had to return to hospital initially five days each week for four-hour sessions of protein infusion, then 10 hours home dialysis every night. From three days after…

A PENINSULA-based email “clearing house” that distributed environmental and planning information to about 200 members is set to fold. Peninsula Exchange Inc – Pen-X for short – was started in 2006 by residents concerned about proposals for five new helicopter landing pads on the peninsula, the Chateau Elan conference centre next to Greens Bush in Mornington Peninsula National Park, and a big tourism complex at McLears Hill in Dromana. (The chopper pads and Chateau Elan did not go ahead, although McLears Hill remains a live planning permit.) There was also disillusionment with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council with claims made at…

ROSEBUD West has again figured prominently in the Dropping off the Edge 2015 report on disadvantaged suburbs around Melbourne. The report – by Catholic Social Services Australia and Jesuit Social Services released last week – showed it held a “most disadvantaged” ranking – again. It was among the 27 state postcodes – or 4 per cent of the total – which account for 28.2 per cent of the highest ranking positions across 22 indicators of disadvantage. It is said to experience a “complex web of persistent and hard-to-shift disadvantage”. The disadvantaged suburbs – nicknamed “struggle towns” – have high rates…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Greens have donated money to Flinders MP Greg Hunt’s Walk for Autism. The $100 donation was handed to Mr Hunt, the federal environment minister, during his lunch break at Rye last Thursday along with a letter asking him to “fight harder for additional support for people with autism”. “We know you will receive this letter in the friendly spirit of community engagement and cross party support for which it was meant. We look forward to find more common ground in the future.” The MP is again walking 500km around his electorate for charity, this time to raise funds…

THE Labor state government and Arthurs Seat Skylift have signed a 50-year lease for the gondola chairlift, Environment Minister Lisa Neville announced on Monday last week. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council approved the gondola in June 2014 by one vote and in December the state planning tribunal VCAT rejected a challenge to the council’s decision by citizen lobby group Save Our Seat (SOS). There are just two more hurdles to vault before construction can start – shire council approval of a second batch of conditions in the planning permit, expected to be dealt with next month, and a new VCAT challenge…

THE terms champion, superstar and legend are thrown around way too flippantly in footy circles. A player does a couple of special things and he is a ‘superstar’. Kicks a bag of goals a couple of weeks in a row and he’s a ‘champion’. Champion, superstar and legend are powerful terms in our great game – to be fair, there’s not a hell of a lot of them. However, there’s at least one MPNFL player who sits very comfortably across all three categories – Guy Stringer. On the weekend against Tyabb, Guy Stringer became the first player to reach the…

PENINSULA LEAGUE PINES has dropped to fifth place on the ladder after losing a high quality game against Mornington at Eric Bell Reserve on Saturday. In a thrilling contest, the match was played in two halves. Pines booted 16 of its 18 goals in the first and third quarters while Mornington booted 18 of its 20 goals in the second and final terms. Suffice to say that it was the wind that won on the day. In the end though, despite playing away from home, the Doggies proved too strong, winning 20.11 (131) to 18.8 (116). Mornington were 43 points…

NEPEAN LEAGUE GUY Stringer celebrated his 400th game against on Saturday with five goals and a best on ground performance against Tyabb. Stringer, suffering from a torn bicep which he carried into the milestone game, booted his first of five goals at the nine minute mark of the first quarter. He dominated at centre half forward while fellow forwards Myles Pitt and Leigh Poholke booted 10 and seven goals respectively. Tyrren Head continued his sensational season while Leigh Treeby absolutely ensured that he was at his best for Stringer’s big game. Stringer will now miss the rest of the season…

MESSRS Alex Scott and Co will hold their usual monthly sale at Tanti on Monday next, *** AS a donation to the Red Cross Fund (Lord Mayor’s List) we notice that Messrs Jas Paterson and Coy (of which Mr Hy Masterton of Frankston is Principal) has donated £100. *** FOR the month of June, the proceeds of the sale of Belgian Buttons, in the Shire of Frankston and Hastings, amounted to £38 16s. This amount includes £6 8s for buttons sold by Miss Broomhead. *** MADAME Melba’s concert, in the Melbourne Town Hall, on Thursday evening, in aid of Lady…

THE state government is offering money for a new round of litter prevention projects in an attempt to clean up waterways, canals, drains, rivers and creeks feeding Port Phillip. Environment Minister Lisa Neville announced the third round of Litter Hotspots funding last Thursday. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s waste group (Mornington Peninsula Regional Waste Management Group) won a $7000 grant in the first round in 2013-14 and used it to run events encouraging people to reduce litter at three hotspots at Dromana and Mornington (Mothers Beach and Mills Beach). Ms Neville said the third round would “support local government, businesses and community…

MORNINGTON Yacht Club has delved into the past to begin celebrations for its 70th anniversary in February.  In the search for historical information, it was fortunate in being able to locate several old salts who were sailing at the club from its inception in 1946 and well into the 1950s. The four enjoyed a lunch at the club last week – the first time they had got together in 50 years. It was described as an intriguing time for the sailors who were obviously excited at meeting old sailing friends, having a chat, a laugh, and recollecting many old sailing…

A MORNINGTON man has been charged with five counts of arson and one count of conduct endangering life after a house fire and fires in three lots of rubbish bins. The man, 38, is alleged to have set fire to a house in Moorina Court, Mornington, as well as bins outside the Currawong Community Centre, in Gilga St, Mornington and at Officeworks at the Peninsula Homemaker Centre. A man and a woman managed to escape from the house fire and their children were staying overnight elsewhere. However, one of the family’s two pet dogs died in the blaze. The man…

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Tyson Wilson. The 22 year-old Hastings man was scheduled to face the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Contravening a Community Corrections Order on 26 June 2015 but failed to appear on bail. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. Wilson is known to frequent the Hastings area. Investigators have released a photo of Wilson in the hope that someone may have information on his current whereabouts. He is described as Caucasian in appearance, with brown hair. Anyone who sees Wilson is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or…

THE organisational shake-up of Mornington Peninsula Shire continues with nine staff being made redundant just days before CEO Carl Cowie unveiled more “new arrangements”. Mr Cowie says the changes to staffing levels and the organisational structure will “deliver enhanced service to the community”. In a statement issued on Thursday Mr Cowie said he had identified a number of changes “to better align shire operations and deliver efficiencies and savings”. The mayor, Cr Bev Colomb, said councillors were “supportive of Mr Cowie’s work on identifying efficiencies, streamlining processes and most importantly, all aspects of customer service”. Mr Cowie took over the…

PENINSULA Skin Cancer Centre’s Dr Sally Shaw is worked up about what she calls “the misrepresentation of melanoma in the news”, especially regarding the recent return to football of Hawthorn forward Jarryd Roughead. “Melanoma is not a cancer scare, it’s a cancer reality, and Roughead continues to be at high risk of advanced melanoma,” she said. “The term cancer scare should be reserved for when a mole is thought to be melanoma but comes back benign. “Having prominent sportsmen as Roughead, Jack Riewoldt, Tom Hafey and Jim Stynes all diagnosed with melanoma, yet having their conditions reported in the media…

DESPITE the appointment of receivers, police investigations into alleged sexual assaults and back room negotiations to avoid action under civil law, devotees are again attending Saturday night assemblies at the former headquarters of the Shiva School of Meditation and Yoga at Mt Eliza. The Tower Rd property was not listed as being part of the organisation’s assets when liquidators Worrells Solvency & Forensic Accountants were appointed in April. As well as facing the possible sale of three residential properties in streets near to the Tower Rd ashram, Shiva Yoga Inc is also the subject of possible action by lawyer Angela…

AUSTRALIAN of the Year Rosie Batty was guest speaker at the opening of the Clothes4U boutique in Nepean Highway, Rosebud, Tuesday 21 July. The campaigner against domestic violence towards women and children described the service as a perfect add-on between those needing help and welfare agencies. She said she wished it had been around when she was struggling with a young family and limited resources. Now she planned to bring in her own unused clothes to donate to the needy. The not-for profit boutique is run by women volunteers who provide clothing to those in need to give them confidence…

FUNDING cuts to emergency relief services have hit the Mornington Peninsula region hard. Managers of community support and information centres say they are struggling to provide for the increasing food, clothing and welfare demands across the peninsula. Rosebud, Hastings and Mornington support and information centres are usually the first point of contact for those in dire need in the local community. They provide food vouchers, food parcels, assist with payments, provide advocacy and budgeting assistance and, generally, work in the best interests of those struggling. But the welfare services are reeling from Department of Social Services funding cuts which stripped…

MORNINGTON pier’s new outer section will open on Saturday week, Ports Minister Luke Donnellan announced last Thursday when he visited the town’s iconic structure with members of the Parks Victoria board. Parks Victoria will hold a “community celebration” at 10am on Saturday 8 August that will include a free sausage sizzle and other activities. The opening will end a multi-stage construction project that started in 2010 under the Brumby Labor government, continued under the Liberal-Nationals Coalition government and is being opened by the Andrews Labor government. The outer section has cost $15.3 million and the middle part $3.6 million for…

A SURVEY of peninsula horse owners has found that 100, picked at random, own 320 horses between them. They told the Mornington Peninsula Horse Owners Association that they collectively spent about $12,800 a week on their horses – or a staggering $665,000 a year. “Multiply that number of owners by 10 – which would probably well understate the correct number of peninsula horse owners – and suddenly there are 3200 horses and expenditure becomes a very meaningful $6.65 million going into the local economy annually,” peninsula horse enthusiast Geraldine Chapman said. She thinks the real figure may be higher. Ms…

Police have charged a woman after a quantity of cannabis and amphetamine was located during a routine intercept at a booze bus site in Mount Eliza on Thursday night. Police intercepted the vehicle on Nepean Highway at about 9.30pm and discovered the drugs and an amount of cash. The driver also returned a positive oral fluid test at the scene, which will be subject to forensic testing. A 43-year-old Bonbeach woman was charged with trafficking and possessing cannabis, possessing proceeds of crime and criminal damage. Kerry Barnhoorn faced Frankston Magistrate’s Court this morning and was further remanded until 27 July.

A MAN was lucky to avoid serious injury when his car veered of Mornington Peninsula Freeway, flipped, and ploughed into trees late Friday night. His Toyota Aurion 2006 (pictured) left the road as it was being driven south towards Dromana. A wheel was torn off and the car was extensively damaged when it crashed upside down in dense roadside vegetation. Police believe the 26-year-old driver from Dandenong may have fallen asleep before the accident, near the Bittern-Dromana Rd turn-off. Sorrento SES officer David Lammers said his crew were called to the scene at 8am Saturday “to remove some trees blocking…

A MAN ran off after snatching $1000 in notes from the register at Woolworth’s Somerville store 4.30pm Friday. Senior Constable Julia Starkey, of Hastings police, said the offender (pictured), aged in his 30s, asked the cashier to change some coins and then appeared to deliberately drop them while the cash register was open. When the cashier bent down to pick them up he allegedly reached over and grabbed a handful of notes and ran from the store. The offender was filmed on CCTV entering the store, in Eramosa Rd, several times before the heist. “He’s gone in and looked around…

FLINDERS MP Greg Hunt had an early start on Monday as he set off from the summit of Arthurs Seat for a 19-walk to raise awareness and money for autism. “It was terrific to see so many supporters turn out early in the morning to send me on my way, including children with autism and their parents,” Mr Hunt stated in a news release. He is hoping to raise $25,000 for the Abacus Learning Centre in Hastings and Amaze (Autism Victoria). Mr Hunt says he wants people in the community talk “about what they can do to support people with…

MORE than two years after the brutal murder of Hastings jeweller Dermot O’Toole, the appeal has been heard against the leniency of the 20-year murder sentence handed down to killer Gavin Perry. The hearing, on Monday 20 July, was heard in front of three justices at the Court of Appeal. The majority of the hearing involved often complex legal arguments revolving around the categorisation of the murder as a statutory one rather than a common law murder. Gavin Perry’s legal counsel also argued over the five year sentences for the two other armed robberies he had committed prior to the…

THE shooting death of a prized retired racehorse in Myers Rd, Balnarring, early Saturday morning has “devastated” its owners and sent shockwaves through Mornington Peninsula’s racing community. Police and the mare’s owner are puzzled by the killing, but have not ruled out it being “industry based” or a case of mistaken identity. Stud farm owner Tony Biddle said the 14-year-old brood mare Arriere was “shot between the eyes” by a high powered rifle from about six metres away early Saturday morning. Mr Biddle said on Monday he heard the shot at about 1.30am but did not realise its significance. He…

THE signing of a 50-year lease has cleared the way for the proposed $16 million Skylift gondola service at Arthurs Seat. Environment, Climate Change and Water Minister Lisa Neville yesterday (Monday) predicted the Skylift will “become a world-class tourism attraction for the Mornington Peninsula”. Parks Victoria will spend $1.5 million on car parks and “visitor facilities” to “compliment” the project. Ms Neville said construction of the gondola project was expected to start soon, “after all approvals have been received, with a proposed opening date in late 2016”. “An elevated cable ride has operated at Arthurs Seat since the early 1960s,…

GOOD news for the endangered hooded plover and other species last week with environment minister and Flinders MP Greg Hunt announcing a five-year threatened species strategy that will see $6.6 million spent on killing two million feral cats and creating new safe havens for native animals. It is an attempt to save 20 mammal, 20 bird and 30 plant species at risk of extinction. On the bird list is the hooded plover, which breeds in South Australia and Victoria, including on Mornington Peninsula beaches and foreshores where just four birds out of 150 eggs survived to flying stage during the…