Month: July 2016

IMAGES on a Facebook page dedicated to the killing of feral cats have been called “disturbing” by federal Liberal MP for Flinders Greg Hunt. Mr Hunt, appointed as Industry, Innovation and Science Minister in a Coalition government cabinet reshuffle last week, was contacted by The News for comment on the Cat Busters page while still Environment Minister. In 2014 Mr Hunt launched a $10 million federal government program “to tackle feral cats”, as part of a Threatened Species Strategy, across Australia since the wild cats pose a threat to native animals. Despite the government’s push to eradicate feral cats, Mr…

A BALNARRING laneway designated as a road in an early 1900s subdivision, but now zoned green wedge, will be sold to a neighbouring Turner Rd land owner for $22,000. But not everyone is happy with the sale, with a submission from a Myers Rd vineyard with restaurant and cellar door complaining that the sale will remove an important “buffer” between it and a neighbouring chicken farm. The laneway, owned by Mornington Peninsula Shire, is not used for vehicle or pedestrian access, but is heavily vegetated and subject to an environmental significance overlay. The 12.7m wide, 713.7m long strip of land…

THE focus of the master plan eventually adopted by the state government for Point Nepean National Park is likely to take a broad approach, rather than focussing just on developing the Quarantine Station precinct. The plan will take account of Point Nepean’s connections to Point Lonsdale, the marine national park, its occupation and use by Aborigines as well as “appropriate” commercial and educational developments. A report being released this week on the results of public consultations earlier this year is seen as the first step towards the adoption of a master plan largely based on one favoured by the state…

FRANKSTON councillors have finally adopted a united front against any possibility of sky rail along the Frankston line after unanimously backing rail under road as Frankston Council’s official position on level crossing removals. Councillors last month deferred a decision on opposing elevated rail last month. Frankston Council’s decision to formally oppose elevated rail follows neighbouring Kingston Council’s stance against sky rail adopted in May. At last week’s council meeting Frankston councillors voted to tell the state government tthey did not support elevated rail to separate rail and road at Seaford Rd in Seaford and Skye/Overton Rd crossings in Frankston. But…

ROSEBUD resident Thelma Appleford celebrated her 100th birthday with her sons, daughter, grandsons, granddaughter and great grandchildren on Saturday 23 July. Also there to celebrate were her nephews, great-nephews, cousins and neighbours.    Congratulatory letters were received from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and the Queen Elizabeth. Born Thelma Jean Brown on 23 July 1916, Mrs Appleford grew up and married in the Coburg area. She experienced the tough times of the Great Depression when she and husband Edwin lived in Greensborough. In January 1939 she recalls standing in a grassy paddock holding her little son Don’s…

AFTER a year’s break, the Mornington Peninsula Hinterland Scarecrow Festival and Trail is about to return with Shawne Rubinstein already having someone in mind for his scarecrow. Mr Rubinstein and wife Lisa Panuccio, of Red Hill, are busy building a scarecrow of cricketer Shane Warne. “He’s Australia’s most popular cricketer, favourite larrikin and the best bowler this country has seen,” Mr Rubinstein said. The couple is hoping to do justice to Warnie with a double-sided scarecrow. They plan to inject some humour by immortalising a few infamous off-the-pitch moments – including his love of baked beans. “They say imitation is…

ROSEBUD resident and amateur historian Ray Gibb has spent years researching and documenting the history and people of the Mornington Peninsula. He believes it is important for us to appreciate the roles of pioneers in making the peninsula what it is today. A recent Mornington Peninsula Shire decision to name 70 tracks along the foreshore caused him to take a stand. The aim of the naming is to better assist emergency services when incidents occur during the peak camping season. Tracks within camping areas at Rosebud, Rye and Sorrento managed by the shire will be named after local flora, reptiles,…

FOLLOWING months of accusations and claims of accounting inaccuracies and overspending, Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors are struggling to agree on the definition of expenses. The expenses are separate to councillors’ $28,000 yearly remuneration; $85,000 for the mayor. Shire officers last Monday asked for an extra month to prepare a draft of the councillor expenses policy by 31 August. Legal advice in March cast doubt on the validity of a previous policy which limited each councillor to spending up to $4000 a year on such things as conferences, seminars and courses, giving a total $16,000 over a four-year term. Included in…

THREE of Mornington Yacht Club’s four nominations won prizes at the annual Yachting Victoria Awards held at Sandringham Yacht Club, Sunday 19 June. The awards celebrate sailing in Victoria and recognise the achievements made through various programs and regattas. Nick Sharman and James Grogan were named Youth Sailors of the Year and selected to represent Australia at December’s World Youth Championships in Auckland. Sophie Ciszek was named Yachting Victoria’s Female Sailor of the Year. This follows her success as a competitor in the 2015-16 All Women’s team in the Volvo Around-the-World Ocean Race. John Mills, Tanya Lawton and Jason Ettridge…

MORE than 1550 jobs are expected to be created in the disability sector in the Bayside and Mornington Peninsula regions over the next three years. A report by the National Disability Insurance Agency on the impact of the National Disability Insurance Scheme says the number of people working in disability care is expected to double by 2020. At that time the scheme is expected to allow people with a disability to have a greater say in their own support. Victorian NDS state manager David Moody said the jobs boom will be powered by demographics and the rollout of the NDIS…

THE lure of the Outback is calling long-standing Variety Club Big Bash contestants John Crossin, John Mackie and Geoff Adshead. The Mornington men are looking forward to another drive with their “family of 320 people from all walks of life” when they head for Darwin, Wednesday 10 August, and – hopefully – arrive at the Top End, Saturday 20 August. The drive takes in scenic country from Mildura to Wilpena Pound, Coober Pedy, Eridunda, Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, Tennant Creek and Katherine. Over the past 13 years the men’s Car 86 has raised $242,000 for special needs kids on its…

PARKS Victoria says it has “full confidence in the structural integrity and longevity of Mornington pier” despite losing nine wave screen panels, top deck planking, handrails and a seat in a storm two weeks ago. The 15 tonne concrete panels were torn from the pier during the Tuesday 12 July storm when 60 knot winds were recorded. Port Phillip and Westernport chief ranger Reece Taranto said damage was restricted to the wave panels attached to the $18 million pier – not the structure itself. He said a marine contractor made an early morning assessment the day after the storm and…

A MT ELIZA mother has taken a stand after being  “horrified” at the number of drivers disobeying road rules, ignoring 40kph school speed zones and disregarding flags at school crossings. When her daughter was nearly run over at the unmanned crossing near Mt Eliza Secondary School, Jo Kidder decided to form the Mt Eliza Community Safety Group. It was a cry from the heart which many in the community are now heeding. Ms Kidder wrote to the police, school and Mornington Peninsula Shire to get things moving. In her letter she said: “These cars are coming from the village up…

WE call special attention to an advertisement in another column announcing the holding of a Public meeting at the Mechanics’ Hall, Frankston, on Thursday, August 4th at 8 p.m., to commemorate the anniversary of the Declaration of the War by England.   The meeting will be held in response to a request from the Premier of Victoria, that meetings should be held at the Centres throughout the whole State to commemorate the event.   After two years of this ghastly war, waged by the Allies for freedom, truth, justice and the fulfilment of honorable agreements between nations, it is fitting…

PENINSULA LEAGUE LANGWARRIN proved once again on Saturday that it is not far off becoming a consistent competitive outfit after leading all afternoon to beat Pines. The Kangaroos, who again had five Under 19s playing, jumped out of the blocks and snatched an early lead, one that they didn’t give up for the entire match. Karingal assistant coach Leigh Poholke told the RPP Footy Show on Saturday morning that he thought the Kangaroos could “get the Pythons on the outside with their leg speed on the open spaces of Lloyd Park”. Poholke was absolutely right. Many say that Langwarrin should…

NEPEAN LEAGUE RYE’S season is over. The Demons are now a game and a half outside of the MPNFL Nepean Division top five, as well as a whopping 31 per cent after being humiliated by Rosebud by more than 100 points on Saturday. After a mid-season slump that saw them look right out of contention, Rye responded to public criticism and got themselves back into the finals hunt. However, a loss last week against an emotionally-charged Devon Meadows and then a 102 point belting on Saturday has ended their season. This is the second season in succession that the Demons…

Entry into all Mornington Peninsula News Group competitions published in print, online or social media is free. Entries must be submitted by the due date and time as requested in the individual competitions as follows… Entry is open to Australian residents over the age of 18 years only, excluding employees of the promoter, publisher and associated parties. Competition entry opening and closing dates as outlined in each specific printed/posted competition. Winners are selected at Random. Winners for print competitions will be notified by phone/mail/email, online competitions by email and Social Media competitions by private messaging on Facebook/Instagram and noted on the…

Police have arrested seven people following the execution of a number of search warrants in the south east suburbs earlier this month. The warrants were executed in relation to on ongoing undercover police operation in Rosebud between Thursday 14 and Friday 15 July. On Thursday 14 July police executed search warrants at Panorama Drive, Tootgarook and Weeroona Street, Rye. A 49-year-old Tootgarook woman has been charged with trafficking methamphetamine and trafficking cannabis. She has been bailed to appear at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 12 August. A 42-year-old Tootgarook woman has been charged with possessing proceeds of crime and has been…

A Somerville man had his tow truck impounded for a month after he was caught driving while disqualified in Balnarring this morning. Somerville Highway Patrol members spotted the yellow tow truck travelling along Balnarring Road with false plates fitted about 8am. Police stopped the unregistered Ford tow truck and the driver underwent a roadside oral fluid test which indicated the presence of illicit drugs. During a search of the truck police discovered rounds of live ammunition and drug paraphernalia. The 25-year-old driver was found to be a disqualified driver. His truck was impounded for 30 days and he will have…

Ft. Queenie, Katie Breheny and CJ Fortuna CJ Fortuna “Smart, energetic and surprising!” The Age With five Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows under his belt, including a Moosehead Award in 2000 for his comedy musical Rockothello, CJ has firmly entrenched himself in the Australian comedy scene. CJ made his television debut in 1997 playing a nerdy ventriloquist on Neighbours. Since then he has worked on a variety of short films, TV commercials regular guest roles on Blue Heelers and Stingers most recently writing and performing on channel seven’s Hamish and Andy. In Melbourne, his dry wit has featured on local commercial…

A FACEBOOK group dedicated to hunting down feral and stray cats has denied it encourages the killing of domestic pets. The Cat Busters page on Facebook sprang to prominence on Friday (15 July) thanks to a flyer posted in letterboxes in the Frankston area urging cat owners to keep pets indoors since Cat Busters “is in your area”. “Domestic cats kill millions of native birds, reptiles and mammals every year in Australia,” the flyer stated. “Cat Busters catches cats. In suburban areas this includes the use of cage and leg-hold traps.” The flyer warned cats “may be shot on sight”…

BITTERN Primary School celebrated its 100th anniversary last week with 100 former pupils and staff members watching as current pupils dressed up and paraded in old-fashioned clothes. Guests included former pupils Rodney Hayne, now a policeman, professional boxer Kane Watts and former principal Colin Stevens. Two other principals attended as well as some pupils from the 1940s. Some were surprised to see the old shelter shed still standing. Afterwards guests enjoyed a sausage sizzle while they walked down memory lane with a photo display showing Bittern through the decades. A former staff member brought a replica of the old school…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is advertising an application to store light aircraft in a shed on land beside Tyabb airfield – even though the shed was built without a planning permit. The decision to exhibit the planning scheme amendment follows a 2014 shire ruling that any decision on use of the site – 62 Stuart Rd, Tyabb – must wait until completion of the Tyabb Airfield Precinct Plan which is expected to begin in September. Objectors claim the move gives the applicant, Peninsula Aero Club member Ken Ingersoll, “backdoor approval for the hangar in spite of the still-valid 2004 reasons for…

FLINDERS MP Greg Hunt has been appointed Industry, Innovation and Science Minister in the ministerial reshuffle announced today by the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Mr Hunt replaces Christopher Pyne who has been given the new role of Minister for Defence Industry. Josh Frydenberg replaces Mr Hunt, taking an expanded environment and energy portfolio. All three remain members of the Cabinet. As Environment Minister Mr Hunt was the target of many protests throughout Australia and particularly outside his Hastings office. “I am delighted to have been appointed to the position of Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science,” Mr Hunt said in…

SOUTHERN Metropolitan Region Crime Team Investigators have charged an 18-year-old Langwarrin man following two aggravated burglaries and a burglary in Rosebud in which a Kia car was stolen. They occurred at houses in Eighth Av and Tarwarri Av, 8 July. Police arrested the man at 7.40am Wednesday. He was charged with numerous offences, including aggravated burglary, intentionally causing injury, assault, theft and burglary. He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on a later date. The Kia was recovered at Langwarrin Football Club the following day. Sergeant Anthoula Moutis, of the media unit, said the police has escalated their…

HEARING of children being frightened by masked youths banging on walls and peering through windows at a Rye children’s holiday camp struck a chord with Southern Metro Region police inspector Karen Nyholm. “I’ve got kids myself,” she said. “I heard the kids were frightened and I understand and appreciate the concerns of the carers. “I know I’d hate to see my kids frightened.” Worried carers at the Camp Australia program at Rye Primary School mid-month reportedly placed crying children under tables to comfort them during the incident before calling 000. Some mothers are said to have criticised police for taking…

A PLAN to sell a section of tree reserve to the owner of an adjoining property for $83,000 has been knocked back by Mornington Peninsula Shire after claims it was “under valued” by more than $200,000. The 275 square metre strip of land at 2A Langford Rd, Sorrento, was transferred to council ownership in 1978  from VicRoads (then the Country Roads Board) as part of a subdivision of the surrounding land. But recent plans to remove the tree reserve status and sell the land to its neighbour for $77,000 plus costs have failed, after councillors voted to seek a valuation…

THE final financial steps are in place for a viewing platform and beach access ramp to be built overlooking the beach at Point Leo. A project of the Disabled Surfers Association Mornington Peninsula branch, the platform will be at the end of a boardwalk running from the lifesaving club to the beach. The six metre square viewing deck will be open to the public and also provide lifesavers with uninterrupted views along the beach. Steps and a wheelchair access ramp will run from the deck to the sand, making Point Leo the first surf beach on the peninsula to have…

CAR thefts on the Mornington Peninsula shot up to 356 in the year to March – compared with 265 last year and 290 in 2014. At the same time there were 318 reports of malicious damage to cars on the peninsula – up from 260 last year and 244 in 2014. Despite this increase, claims by RACV insurance policy holders on the peninsula for stolen cars have dropped over the past year, according to acting general manager Insurance Mark Geraghty. The insurance provider said it had received 10 claims for stolen cars and 20 claims for deliberately damaged vehicles. Mr…

A PENINSULA production company, Peninsula Film Office, has won Best Short Film Screenplay at the Amsterdam Film Festival for their film – The Gift. Written and directed by Peninsula Film Office director, Steve Bastoni, The Gift is about isolation and re-connection and how a small act of kindness, like a ripple, can have far reaching and profound affects.    The Gift was made in association with Mental Health Australia and premiered at this year’s Peninsula Short Film Fest in February. Director, Steve Bastoni said he felt honoured to be recognised for the film. “It is a terrific accolade and it’s…