VICTORIAN politicians are again playing political football with infrastructure – not the abandoned East West Link but the state’s future port needs and the fate of Port Phillip. And the Liberal and Labor “players” in their nice new shiny jumpers with no actual mud on them have been joined by a ring-in from another team – federal environment minister Greg Hunt, who is no doubt wearing his Team Australia jumper and knows the field of play quite well being a Victorian and living on the peninsula near Melbourne’s vast waterway. The past few weeks have seen claim and counter-claim about…
Month: July 2015
THE AFL South East Commission official took over the MPNFL in a caretaker role last week after the clubs voted at a Special General Meeting. Following a notice of “no-confidence” and the subsequent resignation of the entire MPNFL Board last week, member clubs approved a motion put forward to install the AFL South East Commission as the league’s caretaker governing body until the next Annual General Meeting. Member clubs also approved motions directing the commission to undertake immediate reviews into the governance, administration, finances and rules of the MPNFL. The respective reviews, due for completion by early October 2015, will…
PENINSULA LEAGUE LANGWARRIN’S season came to an end in MPNFL Peninsula Division football on Saturday when it was beaten by Edithvale-Aspendale in a thriller. The Kangas (sixth) are now two games behind the Eagles (fifth) and need to produce a miracle in the final seven games of the year to make finals. The reality is that the Kangaroos don’t deserve to play finals. The opportunity was there before them on Saturday and they blew it. Despite having 10 more clearances and eight more inside 50m entries, the home side trailed for the majority of the afternoon. Langwarrin led by seven…
MESSRS Brody and Mason will hold an extensive clearing sale of farm implements, machinery, live stock, vehicles, and household furniture, on Wednesday, July 28th, on account of Mr G. W. Booth, (who has leased his farm), of Cricklewood, Frankston. Full particulars are advertised in this issue. *** CAPTAIN Sherlock has received word by the last mail, from his son Robert, that he has joined the 226th Company of Royal Engineers, Chatham, and is by this time at the front. *** ON Wednesday, 24th Messrs Brody and Mason will sell, at their rooms, Bay street Frankston, live stock &c in the…
STORIES of refugee courage and perseverance are often downplayed in the current political climate. Too often refugees and asylum seekers are dubbed as “queue jumpers” or brazen economic refugees simply looking for the best place to stash their cash. But cases of real hardship and persecution are not hard to find. Abdi Aden’s world fell apart when, at 13, Somalia’s vicious civil war hit Mogadishu. Separated from his family and effectively an orphan, he survived daily violence, death squads and starvation. Bravely, he set off in a group for Kenya but, of the 300 who left with him, only five…
A HOBBY farm at Moorooduc topped Melbourne’s auction sales on Saturday 4 July when it was knocked down for $3.352 million. The single level 40 square home on 28 hectares at 675 Moorooduc Hwy was sold by Mornington and Mt Eliza agents McEwing Partners. It was described as “providing the most sublime rural lifestyle close to suburbia. A much-loved, impeccably-maintained property, the perfect opportunity to begin a new tree-change lifestyle within minutes of the skate park, football club, Peninsula Link, Mt Eliza village and prestigious schools”. The property was among 864 auctions reported to the REIV for that weekend. Online…
CORMORANTS are reported to have died in agony after baited fish hooks were purposely left on a small fishing jetty at Devilbend reserve. The hooks had apparently been tied to the jetty, ripping out the birds’ throats when they attempted to fly off. Rangers at the 1005 hectare natural features reserve have investigated the report and are closely monitoring the situation to make sure it does not happen again. At least one incident of cormorant baiting at the Devilbend has been reported to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). “Parks Victoria rangers have confirmed they visited the…
LIFE should return to normal in Mt Martha after the shire confirmed in writing that it would remove a wall blocking access to a road reserve by today (Tuesday). The 1.7 metre structure blocks pedestrian access between Potts Lane and Grandview Terrace. It was erected in December by an adjoining property owner without council permission and has caused angst between neighbours. John and Carole Van Der Helm, of Potts Lane, organised a petition opposing the wall with 50 signatures and presented it to the shire earlier this month. They were frustrated with the length of time the shire was taking…
THE shire saving almost $700,000 on its insurance for this financial year occurred due to a number of factors including a more competitive insurance sector. The News reported on 30 June that the savings came from putting its insurance out to tender rather than staying with MAV Insurance. The windfall was revealed when councillors approved the budget in late July and added 10 items totalling $600,000 after saving $690,230 on the estimated cost of insurance. The items included sealing a car park in Mornington, a contribution for an access road near Tyabb airfield, money for cliff stability at Safety Beach…
By Ian Munro* AS he pedals out of Dimboola with three days’ cycling from Melbourne behind him, Stan Proctor will be just beginning to enjoy himself, which is just as well because his destination will be Darwin. His experience of long distance riding tells him that by the fourth day he will be riding for the pleasure of it. “It’s pretty tough for the first three days regardless of the preparation you do,” says Proctor, who has previously ridden from Melbourne to Sydney, and on 27 September will set out to ride to Darwin. “For the first three days your…
FRANKSTON Council says its call for a container port at Hastings is based on economic benefits and concern for the environment. The mayor Cr Sandra Mayer said on Friday that the state government’s “commendable” plan to remove rail level crossings “should not come at the expense of the south east and in particular Frankston City”. Before the November 2014 state election Frankston was touting itself as the logical commercial hub for an expanded port at Hastings. But those dreams have faded with the Labor government planning to lease the Port of Melbourne along with a promise of no new competitive…
THE Thirsty Camel liquor outlet in Nepean Highway, Mornington, was raided by an armed man on Friday afternoon. Frankston Embona Armed Robbery Task Force detectives said “some cash” was stolen and that “a weapon was involved”. It is believed a female attendant was confronted by the man at 1.40pm. He is described as aged 40-50, Caucasian, medium height and build, wearing a dark hoodie, black jeans, beanie, sunglasses and “a five-day growth”. Anyone with information is urged to contact Frankston Embona Taskforce on 9784 5590 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au First…
VOTERS could be forgiven for thinking the state election campaign between the major parties has not ended eight months after the Andrews Labor government defeated the previous Napthine Coalition government to win power. Labor and Liberal politicians were out in force last week along the Frankston line pushing opposing messages about the separation of level crossings from roadways. Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke joined Acting Premier James Merlino at the Overton Rd, Frankston crossing last Friday morning to blast the Liberals and Greens “who opposed getting rid of these level crossings once and for all”. A crowd of partisan protesters,…
UPDATE: Nina has been located by the police helicopter – very wet and cold but uninjured. Taken to hospital for a check up. Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing 90-year-old Frankston South woman Nina Bolaczo. Nina was last seen at her Robinsons Road address around 8.30am this morning and has not been seen since. Police and family hold concerns for her welfare as she suffers from a medical condition. Nina is perceived to be Caucasion in appearance, 160cm tall with a solid build and straight grey hair. She was last seen wearing a maroon and green striped…
HASTINGS FNC – By Phil Stone, club president THIS week saw the Hastings FNC travel down to Sorrento for a massive test through all grades, but unfortunately all sides were unable to get the job done. We now have to prepare ourselves for a massive challenge in a fortnight’s time, as a club we need to stay focused on the challenges that lie ahead. We are a resilient club and cannot wait for our next contest in a fortnight’s time against Pearcedale FNC at home, so we are expecting a good turn up from all our supporters. SENIORS We came up…
TYABB horse breeder Peter Moran spends much of each week flying around the country picking up patients and taking them to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide hospitals. He’s part of Angel Flight, which offers flight services to the sick and injured living in regional areas. He and his team provide a fast, free and safe service to those requiring medical treatment. Under the scheme, pilots donate their time and aircraft to transport outlying patients into the city for care, saving them long road trips that would be beyond their physical capabilities, especially if recovering from the effects of chemo and radiation…
NEW speed limits have been introduced on Eramosa Rd East, Somerville. They are: A permanent 40kph limit on Eramosa Rd East from east of Woodside Cl to Frankston-Flinders Rd. It was previously 60kph with a 40kph school speed zone; 50kph on Eramosa Rd East from east of Woodside Cl to east of Almond Bush St (previously 60kph); and, 80kph on Eramosa Rd East from east of Drovers Lane to 300 metres east of Lower Somerville Rd (previously 100kph). Cr Lynn Bowden said Eramosa Rd East had a shopping area, housing, primary school and pre-school. “These land uses contribute to frequent…
ROGER Stanley has played many roles in life but always wanted to be a writer. In recent years he set about this dream methodically, undertaking a graduate diploma in professional writing and editing at Chisholm Frankston, entering short stories and plays in writing awards, several of which he won, also taking advantage of mentorship from established Mornington Peninsula authors. Then it was time for his novel. The first, published by Xlibris, is Spring Fever, a fast-paced detective thriller set on the peninsula. The story follows Vicki Walker, the youngest detective chief inspector in the state, who considers transfer to the…
A DOZEN or so Mornington Peninsula Shire projects are complete, under way or about to start in the Western Port area. Infrastructure director Alison Leighton told the council meeting held at Hastings Hub on 22 June that the works include major upgrades to Hastings and important environmental and sporting works. In Hastings itself, the High St streetscape design is anticipated to go on public exhibition in August after being reviewed by the shire’s design advisory panel and Western Port Chamber of Commerce in April. The aim is to enhance the township’s identity and assert High St as its “spine and…
AUSTRALIAN of the Year Rosie Batty has urged governments to rethink their priorities and spend more to help prevent domestic violence and help victims. A poll by Essential Research released yesterday (Monday 6 July) found 74 per cent of 1000 people surveyed across Australia believe domestic violence is as much of or more than a threat than terrorism. Just 18 per cent believed it is less of a threat. “We’re spending hundreds of millions extra on the war on terrorism, but women who fear for their safety are still being turned away from services because of a lack of funds,”…
THE state government has ended plans for a multi-million plan for a commercial development at Point Nepean National Park based around a luxury hotel and thermal springs. Although it may cost up to $1 million to break the 49-year lease signed off by the previous Liberal/National coalition six weeks before the November 2014 election, the government says its decision will prevent “inappropriate development” at the park. The focus on what to do with the park will now swing back to a master plan developed five years ago but dropped when Labor lost power. Ending the lease entered into with the…
A “GHOST” bike has been erected in memory of cyclist Joel Hawkins, 17, who died last week after being knocked down by a car in Dromana on 17 June. The white bike is at the site of the accident on the corner of Nepean Hwy and Ponderosa Place, Dromana. The keen Mt Martha cyclist was flown to the Alfred Hospital where he remained on life support until early last week. Friends placed the white-painted bike at the crash site in memory of the Dromana College student. In an online tribute Mornington Cycling Club offered “its deepest condolences to the family…
AUTHOR and illustrator Michael Leeworthy wants to help people find work. He believes everyone has skills and with a bit of soul searching and encouragement can market their natural abilities. Hired “to motivate people” by agencies running Work for the Dole projects, Leeworthy says the experience has shown him that “everyone has skills and they need to sit down and make a list of what they area”. No stranger to trying to find work himself, Leeworthy describes himself as “a dropout at 16” but says he never collected unemployment benefits. He had a willingness to try his hand at any…
POST work life can surprisingly be a time to begin a new career and that’s exactly what Rosebud resident Elsie Bradley has decided to do. The self-professed keen reader had turned her hand to writing and has penned her debut novel We All Have Secrets. Ms Bradley has drawn on her varied working life as an insurance agent, bookkeeper and bus conductor among many jobs and her own experiences to tell the story of a reading group of “vintage women who write a book based on their experience of growing older and enjoying the freedom it gives them to live…
UPDATE 13/7/15: JAZZ pianist Allan Zavod has been replaced by Joe Chindamo for the masterclass and concert program at Monash University’s peninsula campus on Sunday 13 September. Chindamo has been described as a musical polyglot in the tradition of Bernstein and Previn, and one of the best jazz pianists in the world. He has composed concertos, chamber music and film music; and recorded 23 CDs; collaborated with artists such as James Morrison, Ray Brown (of Oscar Peterson fame) and the Brecker Brothers. For more information and tickets, call 9568 7190. A RENOWNED concert pianist and an internationally recognised jazz keyboardist –…
PENINSULA LEAGUE IT’S not very often that any individual is bigger than the game of AFL football. And rarely do we see it where the player is viewed so highly that he is placed before the club. However, every now and again, it’s important to stop and recognise the contributions and impact that individuals have made on your football club. On Saturday, the footy public stopped for arguably the best centre half back of the past 20-plus years in Luke Van Raay. The Karingal Football Club star ran out onto the ground for his beloved red and white for the…
THE MPNFL board collectively resigned late last week after 19 of 22 MPNFL Peninsula and Nepean clubs expressed a vote of no confidence. AFL South East immediately took over as caretaker of the league, providing the function of the board under MPNFL Rules until the finalisation of a review into the appropriate governance and administrative model for the league for the future. At this stage, the current administration will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the competition. AFL South East General Manager Jeremy Bourke said it was “highly unlikely” that there would be any changes to the structure of…
NEPEAN LEAGUE RYE cannot win this season’s Nepean League premiership playing the brand of football that it is currently. That became obvious on Saturday when it was humiliated by one of the best sides in the competition in Somerville. The Eagles led by as much as almost 70-odd points midway through the last quarter before Rye booted the final four goals of the game to add some respectability to the final score line, 19.17 (131) to 13.6 (84). Truth of the matter is that Rye is a one-way running side. Unless you have enormous talent across all 22 players and…
A PUBLIC public meeting will be held at Mornington Junction hall site to elect a Committee and consider the advisability of building a hall and also deal with any other business that might be brought forward. *** ON July 16th a social will be held in Somerville in the Fruitgrowers hall, in aid of wounded soldiers. A number of local young men are on the committee and Mrs W.Hutchison is the hon.sec. Admission is fixed at gents 2s,ladies 1s. *** THE Progress Association of Mornington Junction are again bestirring themselves in matters relating to the…
POLICE last week invited religious leaders to a dinner marking the end of the month-long Ramadan fast. Police said 200 hundred people attended the dinner, including more than 60 young Muslims and 50 police officers and employees. Mr Ashton said he was proud the Iftar dinner was his first official function as Chief Commissioner. “The Victoria Police Iftar dinner gives police a chance to show respect to the Islamic community whilst breaking fast and reflecting together,” he said. “Ramadan is also an opportunity for all of us, regardless of faith or background, to reflect and acknowledge the important contribution the…