Month: March 2016

A $15,000 fine imposed on a bush block owner for illegally clearing land could be a warning to property owners that Mornington Peninsula Shire intends to take a tougher line with law breakers. The shire has not been noted for such prosecutions since in one notable case it won a conviction but never collected the $1145 fine when the property owner challenged it. In more recent high-profile cases land owners were successfully prosecuted, one for illegal land clearing, the other for illegally dumping sand on a property. The shire hailed the cases as a victory but declined to reveal whether…

A STUDY will be held to identify sites for new boat ramps on the Mornington Peninsula. The Mornington Peninsula Marine Alliance says a steering committee will hire consultants to undertake the $40,000 feasibility study. The state government-financed study will also investigate improving existing boat ramps. Head of the marine alliance Stefan Borzeki, who operates Yaringa boat harbour near Somerville, said 60 per cent of the state’s recreational boating took place on Western Port and Port Phillip. He said there had been “little renewal or replacement of marine infrastructure in the past 25 years … This under investment is a grave…

A MOTORCYCLIST pulled up at an Operation Wasp roadblock at Peninsula Link Bungower Rd exit at 11.30pm Friday 11 March ran off while being questioned by police. The 28-year-old Frankston North man was caught after a short pursuit and remanded in custody to appear at Frankston Magistrates Court Monday 14 March. Police said the man outstanding warrants and was wanted for several burglaries. Sergeant Steve Duffee of Mornington police said all Peninsula Link off ramps were blocked during Operation Wasp. “It is a road police operation where we set up off the exits on Friday at the start of the…

CRIME on the Mornington Peninsula has bucked the rising statewide trend according to the latest figures released by the Crime Statistics Agency. While reported offences across Victoria in 2015 jumped by 8.1 per cent compared to 2014, crime on the peninsula remained “stable”, in the CSA’s opinion, with a 5.4 per cent rise between 2014 and 2015. Crimes against the person, including assault, fell on the peninsula from 1579 in 2014 to 1410 last year. There were eight homicides last year and seven in 2014. There were 10,997 reported crimes across the peninsula last year compared to 10,303 in 2014.…

LIFESAVING Victoria has issued a list of safety measures for rock fishing which it sees as one of the most dangerous aquatic sports in Australia. The rocky shorelines of Mornington Peninsula facing Bass Strait are as much a lure to anglers as their baits are to fish, and just as deadly. On 10 January a 67-year-old man died after being swept from rocks while fishing at Sorrento. One week later a 26-year-old fisherman was washed off the rocks at Bridgewater Bay in Portland. The two deaths sparked an appeal from Life Saving Victoria for anglers to take more precautions. Top…

Police and emergency services are currently on scene after a car crashed into a tree at Red Hill South this morning. Investigators have been told a utility was travelling west along Stanleys Road, between Tonkins Road and Red Hill Road, sometime before 6.50am. It’s believed the vehicle failed to negotiate a right hand bend leaving the road to the left and hitting a tree on the south side of the road. The driver of the vehicle died at the scene and is yet to be formally identified. Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800…

Police are appealing for witnesses after a Porsche Cayenne was stolen from a Mornington car yard a week ago. The white 4×4 Porsche, bearing registration plates ABF 179, was stolen between 7.30pm on March 9 and 7.30am the next day. Over the past two nights patrolling police have seen the vehicle a number of times in the Frankston and Seaford area. Due to the erratic behaviour of the driver, driving at high speeds, disobeying traffic control signals and travelling with no headlights on, police have not been able to intercept the vehicle. The Porsche has been seen on the Dandenong-Frankston…

HARNESSING energy is the key to a successful day of surfing at Point Leo: people power and wave power. Saturday 5 March was overcast all morning; there was a small swell and southerly winds. Not the best forecast for good surf or a day on the beach. But from just after dawn cars and vans began arriving at Point Leo. Trestle tables were set up, barbecues fired up and tents erected. A small fleet of wheelchairs was lined up just outside the lifesaving clubhouse. The wheelchairs are the clue to the day’s event, a day of surfing for a group…

DEMAND for berths has been so great that organisers have arranged another cruise. There’s no captain’s table or, indeed, individual berths, let alone showers, bars and swimming pools. But at $10 a head last Tuesday’s (8 March) trip around Western Port organised by the Western Port Catchment Committee is obviously seen as a bargain. The committee is an affiliate of the Western Port Biosphere Foundation. The trip provides a chance for experts – professional and amateur – to share their thoughts and knowledge with other like-minded souls who are interested in the ecology of the bay. Even using the word…

OVER the next 12 months Tyabb reservoir will be turned into two independently operating water basins. The works will allow workers from Melbourne Water to install two linings and covers while the old cover and lining is removed. The covers and linings are designed to protect the quality of the drinking water piped from Cardinia Reservoir or Tarago treatment plant. Melbourne Water has warned there will be extensive truck movements 7am-6pm, Monday to Friday. Approval is being sought for the trucks to operate 7am-1pm on Saturdays. Bulk earthworks during what’s described as “an intensive period of 60-100 truck movements each…

A “GROWING sense of outrage” is being felt by residents opposed to escalating clay mining operations at the Bayport Industries quarry, Somerville. Tyabb Ratepayers’ Group members last week met Mornington Peninsula Shire managers overseeing economic development, planning, and compliance to discuss their concerns over works in Pottery Rd. They will meet with the Department of Economic Development, shire officers and local MPs later this month. Bayport has signalled its intention to attend, although this could not be confirmed as when contacted by The News the company offered a firm: “No comment.” Residents are angry that clay mining on 60 acres…

THEY may be noisy and, technically, outdated and slow, but there’s no doubting the fascination of old warplanes. Thousands of spectators flocked to Tyabb airfield on Sunday to watch a collection of “Winged Warriors” take to the sky in a display that’s part showmanship (stunt planes blowing smoke) and part aeronautical genius. However, while many of the planes at the Peninsula Aero Club’s biennial event are privately owned, the RAAF sent down a modern C-17A Globemaster III which put on a dramatic display of low flying and a final flypast at 300 knots. But it wasn’t all eyes skyward all…

FORMER students of Dromana College are planning a variety of celebrations for the college’s 50th anniversary this time next year. Parent liaison officer Theresa Stelling and past teacher Doug Smith are heading up the steering committee for the event on Sunday 12 March 2017. It will have a carnival atmosphere with rides, bands, stalls and myriad attractions. A highlight for the pair has been getting in touch with the first technical school student in the roll book – Trevor Birch. The school has an interesting history. It began when former Flinders Shire Councillor George Bishop, a policeman stationed at Dromana,…

RYE pier is well known among locals, divers and underwater photographers for its role in the annual migration of spider crabs that come in, on mass, from Bass Strait.  The phenomenon is a popular YouTube topic. Some years thousands wander under, and around, the pier forming what looks like a giant rugby scrum. No one is sure why the crabs do this, but it has been suggested it is to moult while the scrum protects them. The crabs are a bit thin for eating, and look like small crabs on stilts. The phenomenon made spider crabs an obvious choice for the…

DROMANA sailor Mark Bulka, above right, had a busy time on the water last week… He was a member of the winning crew at the Australian SB20 championships sailed off Blairgowrie. Alongside him were boat owner Robert Jefferies, above middle, and helmsman Glenn Bourke, above left. Their boat, Red, sailed a consistent and competitive regatta over the four days taking the title from Tasmanians Nick Rogers, Col Dabner and Simon Burrows on Karabos, second, and Michael Cooper, David Chapman and Matt Johnston, on Export Roo, third. Presentations were held at the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron to finish off an excellent week…

FOUR Rosebud Secondary College students proved that they are willing to give the hair on their heads in to support those suffering from blood cancers like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Abbey Jordan, Stella Tomasello, Lachlan Huxtable and Hannah Clayton had their locks chopped as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s annual World’s Greatest Shave which sees participants being sponsored to shave, wax or colour their hair. “I knew because my hair was so long that people would be surprised I was willing to have it cut off, and that was a good way to raise awareness,” Hannah said. “She was born…

SUB-DISTRICT ONE the MPCA’s greats, Jason Mathers, gave Rosebud a red hot shot at the title in the Sub District grand final. Mathers scored 73 in the Buds’ total of 215, while Jason Nagel and Brad Glen made contributions at the end. Opponent Frankston YCW was 6/66 at stumps on the second day with the Buds Billy Quigley snaring two wickets early to set the scene. The Buds are in total control and owned the first hour of play in the grand final. The Buds were looking solid with almost 20 runs without loss, however, they lost two quick wickets…

DISTRICT PEARCEDALE will head into the third day of the MPCA District grand final with their noses well and truly in front after coach Chris Dew scored an unbeaten 159 against Flinders. After more than 140 overs in the opening two days, Pearcedale is in the box seat after bowling 40 overs to Flinders on the second day and having them 2/37 overnight. Not only did Dew score 159, when he gave only two small chances, he was almost the man to take Flinders’ first two wickets. Dew and Shane Maggs put Pearcedale into a wonderful position for victory after…

PROVINCIAL PENINSULA Old Boys were crowned the best team in the MPCA on Sunday at 4.50pm when they crushed Crib Point in the Provincial Grand Final. Chasing 204 for victory, Peninsula Old Boys achieved the target with 90 overs left in the game. With Dylan O’Malley scoring 101, the Old Boys’ skipper Matt Hyden whipped a boundary in the 45th over to hand his side victory. At just 2/207, Crib Point conceded victory immediately. Brandon Lawler, who was selected ahead of Adam Galitis as an additional batsmen, was not out on 25 while Hyden was unbeaten on 36. Peninsula Old…

“I don’t know if anyone really thinks five years ahead in any tangible way… I’ve taken a long term approach to being a musician and my career with this band.” It’s a solid answer to a seemingly innocuous question asking what Rai Thistlethwayte has been doing with his life over the last half-decade or so. Far from laying low, hiding from the spotlight in some small outback town, Rai’s been immersing himself in the musical culture and cultural music of Los Angeles. “Like any lengthy project, you’ve gotta do a little reinvention, a bit of maintenance along the way, and…

A farewell and presentation concert takes place at the Recreation Hall, on Saturday evening, March 18th, to Driver Alf Clarke, Gunner H. G. Upton, and Lance Corporal F.Knox, all of whom are in active training. As all these lads are popular, a bumper house is expected. *** MESSRS Brody and Mason will hold their initial sale at Tanti yards on Monday next, commencing at 12.30 o’clock. *** WORD has been received by Mr Patterson, of Frankston, that his son George is at present suffering from illness, and is in the Heliopolis Hospital. *** THE Rev D. Gilchrist of St Andrew’s…

SHIRE staff have given councillors revised details of their spending on seminars and conferences during the current council term that began in late 2012, as directed at a meeting last month. The new information will not be made public until about 24 March, after councillors have met and discussed the figures. The News believes the revised information will require at least one councillor to repay a substantial sum above the $4000 a year each councillor can spend over their four-year term. The amount of the overspend is not known. Two councillors, David Gibb and Antonella Celi, were attributed with overspending…

A MORNINGTON man is “appalled” by what he says is the savage and unnecessary lopping of small nature strip trees along Beleura Hill Rd, and the wholesale clearing of trees and shrubs in the street behind. He has written to the deputy mayor, Cr Bev Colomb, to “express my utmost dismay at the tree-clearing in Craigrossi Rd, which has denuded our once beautiful ‘country lane’ of much of its vegetation”. “I am appalled,” Mr Rob Debernardi said. “If such desecration had been undertaken by a private individual it would amount to tree vandalism.” He said the Craigrossie Rd was 250…

The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV) have supported a review of the current structure of marine safety activities in Victoria to strengthen the organisation and sustainability of the volunteer marine rescue services. In a meeting with the Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett and Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley, both the BIAV and the Volunteer Coast Guard raised the importance of having a coordinated approach with all marine rescue services and the development of an efficient interface between volunteer services and government agencies. “The meeting with Minister Garrett and Craig Lapsley, responsible for…

AN outstanding presentation has helped Mt Eliza Secondary College captain Ikeylia Cowan win the regional Lions Youth of the Year quest, held at Mt Martha. Ikeylia, sponsored by Mt Eliza Lions Club, was one of six secondary school students to represent Lions clubs from Dromana, Frankston, Mornington, Mt Martha, and Rye. She now advances to the district competition on Sunday 20 March at Trafalgar. The judges assessed each student’s leadership abilities, along with community and school activities and academic performance. Each presented a five-minute speech and answered two impromptu questions. Mt Eliza Club president Neil Wingrave said Ikeylia’s presentation demonstrated…

UBUNTU is a group of singers, musicians and dancers from the former renowned African Children’s Choir. Touring the world as small children they performed at Carnegie Hall and the London Palladium, for US presidents and Nobel Prize winners, alongside celebrities such as Will Smith, Bob Geldorf, Alicia Keys and Annie Lennox. Now, having graduated from high school through African Children’s Choir sponsorships, the talented 18-20 year olds are hoping to fulfill their promise of making a difference in their own villages. They will share their stories with Australian audiences on a tour starting on the Mornington Peninsula and travelling through…

THE possibility of a commercial airport at Hastings is still up in the air and many peninsula residents who contacted The News after this month’s previous article (‘Airport plan takes flight’, The News 1/3/16) believe the plan will not fly but Frankston Council is serious about its suggestion for a south east airport in the Mornington Peninsula suburb. Frankston mayor Cr James Dooley has written to Premier Daniel Andrews asking the Labor state government to consult independent authority Infrastructure Victoria about the feasibility of an airport in Hastings. In the letter dated 1 March Mr Dooley says land between Hastings and…

PENINSULA Community Legal Centre commemorated International Women’s Day last Tuesday (8 March) by signing a statement of its intention to commit to creating a community that is safe and accessible for women and their children. Donned in white, purple and green, the centre’s staff took a break from their day to meet in the boardroom to witness the centre’s signing of The Peninsula Model’s ‘Creating Safety, Equality and Respect in our Community: a Catchment Wide Strategy to Prevent Violence against Women and their Children’.  Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Primary Care Partnership prevention and community engagement coordinator John Baker said The…

GET ready Mornington, the Easter Bunny is about to hit town and he’s bringing with him a whole stash of Cadbury Easter eggs which he will hide so you can go seek. Harcourts Mornington and Mornington Chamber of Commerce are delighted to bring you the very first and biggest ever Easter egg hunt to hit the Mornington Peninsula. Festivities will take place in Mornington Park on Sunday 20 March 2016 from 10am – 2pm. Yes that’s right, a week before the Easter long weekend to make sure we can treat as many families as possible to a fun filled day…

THE past five years have been a challenge for Kerrie Knight and her family. As a mother of four teenagers she was always going to feel stressed, but these natural feelings paled into insignificance when the realisation dawned that her daughter, Indya, was an ice addict. Although Indya’s future is anything but certain, she has worked through two stints of extensive drug rehabilitation, and is now making a new life for herself in the Northern Territory. Mrs Knight first spoke publicly at a forum held by Peninsula Voice and Mornington Peninsula Shire attended by 450 guests. The forum generated huge…