IT might be a relatively narrow stretch of water, but Bass Strait is a major factor in the survival chances for the critically endangered yellow-bellied parrot. With the number of birds in the wild estimated at less than 50 experts say they face most dangers when flying to Victoria from their breeding grounds in Tasmania. Most of the surviving birds are banded and are easily tracked in Tasmania as they breed in a relatively concentrated area, but the bigger problems arise on the mainland where they are spread more thinly in small groups or individually. Michael Johnson’s Moonlit Sanctuary at…
Day: September 27, 2016
FISHING By Paul Pingiaro WELL it’s fair to say Melbourne’s spring weather has been very typical. Four season in one day seems to be the norm at the moment, however when the weather gods shine the fishing has been quite good and the good news is it’s only going to get much better. This time of year the majority of anglers focus on snapper. While the large schools of fish are still a few weeks away, it’s very promising to see some great early catches. Anglers fishing off the Rocks at Mt Martha, Mornington and Brighton are catching some nice…
CRIB Point is celebrating the 100th birthday of the original school building with a free Family Fun Day, 10am-2pm, Sunday 16 October. Former teachers of the Park Rd school will be returning to reminisce and catch up with each other and past students. Construction began on the first purpose-built school in Crib Point in 1915 and classes ran 1916-84 when it moved to Milne St. The building was saved from demolition in 1985 by the then Flinders Federal MP Peter Reith and then State MP Robin Cooper. It is now the home of the Crib Point Community House, and the…
THE weather’s warming up and snakes are waking up. Just as warmer, sunny days send a signal that it’s fine for outdoor recreation the same applies for snakes, who see it as time to “get some sun, look for food and a mate”, according to scientist Nick Clemann. Senior scientist from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP)’s Arthur Rylah Institute Mr Clemann said people were likely to see snakes when “walking dogs, cycling, bush walking, enjoying parks and gardening”. “Snakes are more common in areas around the urban fringe or in rural areas, but they do turn…
HMAS Cerberus will hold an open day, Sunday 23 October, to mark the end of Navy Week. Those attending can bring a picnic, buy lunch from one of the food stalls, including an army field kitchen. Activities will include military fly pasts, air force hot air balloon team, army vehicles, navy helicopters, fast roping from helicopters, federation guard precision drill displays food stalls, bands from all three services, vintage cars, and children’s activities. The base’s steam truck will also make an appearance. Teams of sailors will compete to “rescue” a shipmate from the far side of a “river”. Entry off…
PENINSULA Over 60 cricketers are padding up for the season opener next month with three new teams bringing the competition total to 22. Peninsula players come from Frankston and all over the Mornington Peninsula to the oval at Grayden’s Rd, Tuerong. They play midweek and Sunday one-day matches comprising a 40-over innings. The game is designed for players of all abilities and new players are welcome. Some have played all their lives while others may not have played for 20-40 years. The common thread is a love of cricket and being part of a team keeping fit while enjoying the…
THE driver and passenger of a van needed hospital treatment after being hit from behind by a large truck on Peninsula Link, 8.45am, Saturday. The force of the impact stove in the front of the truck with the airbag possibly saving the driver from serious injury, Leading Senior Constable Darren Myers, of Carrum Downs Highway Patrol, said. The truck driver, who may not have noticed banked-up traffic ahead, hit the back of the cleaning service van, pushing it into the back of a small, fully loaded, passenger bus, all heading south on the freeway, between Robinsons and Golf Links roads,…
TWO four-wheel-drives were used in a ram-raid attack on Peninsula Homemaker Centre, early Saturday 24 September, and a large amount of cash stolen. Possibly four men used a stolen Nissan Patrol to try to pull out a bollard from the front of the centre, 3.40am, but only managed to bend it. They then managed to position the vehicle so it could ram through a door into the centre, and used a large grinder to cut free an ATM. The second vehicle was called upon to pull free the first when it became wedged between the bollard and the wall. The…
A 47-year-old Crib Point man has been arrested and charged following an alleged aggravated burglary at a house in Verdun Court, Crib Point, Saturday 17 September. Detective Senior Sergeant Miro Majstorovic, of Mornington Peninsula CIU, said the charges also included burglary and common law assault of a woman at the property. The man faced a bail justice week and was remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, 9 December. Anyone with information is urged to call Mornington Peninsula CIU, 5978 1300. First published in the Western Port News – 27 September 2016