Month: September 2016

THE Premier Daniel Andrews was among four politicians and more than 400 guests at the annual peace symposium at the Ahmadiyya Muslim community Australia’s Bait-ul-Salam mosque in Langwarrin on Friday. The Ahmadiyya muslims, a movement which describes itself as a “fast-growing international revival movement within Islam”, has been hosting the peace symposium for the past 13 years, with the aim of promoting an understanding of Islam and other faiths. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Australia national president Imam Inam-ul-Haq Kauser said the symposium provides a “unique platform” for leaders of all faiths to sit under one roof and discuss ways to…

A FRANKSTON man was found drink-driving at allegedly four times the legal limit by Mornington police, Friday morning (16 September). The divisional van crew spotted the 41-year-old just after 2am in Hardy St, Mornington. He was intercepted and returned a positive breath test. When tested again at the Mornington police station the man allegedly blew 0.206 per cent. His car was impounded, his licence cancelled and he will be charged on summons with drink-driving offences. Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Lamb described the reading as “very high”. He was concerned a person “would even consider driving when that impaired”. “Fortunately, thanks…

A FAMILY pet day will be held at Mornington Yacht Club, 10am-2pm, Wednesday 21 September. Pets of all sorts are welcome – suitably restrained, of course – to enjoy a range of interesting activities and perhaps pick up a showbag. Demonstrations and activities will include a Wonderful World of Pets Show by Mt Martha Veterinary Clinic, a This is My Pet session, basic dog and obedience demonstrations, sausage sizzle and a pet parade with prizes for best dressed, most unusual, waggiest tail, longest tongue and best sit and drop. Pets can be microchipped, and a cat adoption program may also…

SINCE the success last year of a campaign to raise money for a wheelchair-friendly car for Mornington mother and daughter Fiona and Maygan Garland, Glenn Browne and Melissa Marshall are out to raise money to install a wheelchair lift for Maygan. “We see Fiona struggling all the time to lift Maygan into the car and then the wheelchair up makeshift ramps. Melissa and I decided that we should hold a further fundraiser to raise the funds needed,” Mr Browne said. “It’s too hard on Fiona and Maygan is missing out on outings. She also has to rely still on taxis…

STATUTORY proceedings are now being used to resolve Mornington Peninsula Shire’s embarrassing position of wanting to build an $800,000 skatepark on land it has leased to Mt Martha Tennis Club. The tennis club has refused to relinquish the land, so the shire is now taking steps to force changes to the lease which does not expire until December 2023. A report to Monday night’s meeting recommended council begin the legal proceedings to require the club to give up its hold on the land. The eventual building of a skatepark on what used to be a parade ground near Mt Martha…

TWENTY-two candidates had signed up by close of business on Friday to contest next month’s election for the 11 seats on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. The shire has six wards, with three councillors each in Briars and Seawinds wards, two in Nepean and one each in Cerberus, Red Hill and Watson. By Friday, just two of the shire’s 10 councillors – Hugh Fraser (Nepean) and Bev Colomb (Briars) – were listed as candidates by the VEC. However, Cr Antonella Celi (Seawinds) emailed The News to say she would be a contender; Cr David Garnock (Cerberus) has previously said he would…

THE good ship Enterprize sailed into Mornington harbour all shipshape and Bristol fashion on Friday – thanks to the quality seamanship of its Peninsula School crew. The eight students, with an average age of 16, had spent a “fairly wet week” out on the bay on the 1830 top-sail schooner which is a replica of the original ship which was sailed across from Launceston leading to the founding of Melbourne in 1835. The student crew sailed from Docklands to Portarlington, anchored off Blairgowrie, sailed to Geelong and then to St Leonards before berthing at Mornington. Skipper Craig Ballinger taught them…

THE Registrar of Geographic Names’ go ahead for changing Rosebud West to Capel Sound is confirmation that a community can play a role in shaping its own future. That’s the view of pro-name change advocate Terry Wright, who was instrumental in the yes campaign. “The efficiency of both our local council and the Victorian government in moving this to conclusion has been impressive,” Mr Wright says (“Capel Sound” Letters Page 11). “We are also grateful to our fellow 3940 residents for having the foresight to be prepared to accept some short-term inconvenience in order to build a better future for…

ROSEBUD and Dromana secondary colleges were finalists in this year’s Wakakirri Secondary School Challenge, with Rosebud being named joint winners with Hoppers Crossing Secondary. Rosebud had 65 students from years 7-12 involved in its seven-minute story dance piece “Hanging Rock”. The theme revolved around nature disrupting a pleasant school outing and the mysterious disappearance of five girls. A search finds one girl who is unable to recollect the details of her disappearance. This familiar 1900s tale proves that “horror truly is a warm, sunny day”. Rosebud student choreographers Molly Faulkner, Sophie Gains, Justine Topp and Holly Jordan developed the concept…

CAPE Schanck residents upset over what they say is unjustifiable construction noise at the new RACV resort believe their concerns are not being given “sufficient weight” by Mornington Peninsula Shire. They claim the council has failed to properly consider or interpret EPA Victoria guidelines in approving the builder’s request for extended working hours which allows works on any day except Sunday up until 9pm on 36 separate or consecutive occasions. “This is excessive, offensive and will be the cause of nuisance and loss of amenity to nearby residents,” objector Ian Renwick said. The mayor Cr Graham Pittock said he was…

STATISTICS give an insight into the effectiveness of Southern Food For All’s welfare operation: Since opening in October 1991 its members have distributed 54,814 weekly food parcels and 7893 Christmas hampers to those in need. That’s a lot of handouts. The Rosebud organisation provides food, emergency relief and support programs to people on the peninsula doing it tough on a daily basis. As a partner agency of Foodbank its members deliver food and interact socially with their clients, improving the lives of people experiencing hardship. Mornington Peninsula mayor Graham Pittock opened Southern Food For All’s distribution centre in Hinton St,…

PENINSULA LEAGUE FRANKSTON YCW made it three premierships in a row and six in the past seven years after beating Mt Eliza by 22 points at Frankston Park on Sunday. The Peninsula Division champs booted seven goals to one after half time, totally controlling the last hour to win the “three-peat”. After conceding the first six goals of the game in the second semi-final against YCW, it was important that Mt Eliza got off to a good start in the big one – and they did. Mt Eliza led by four points at quarter time and when Jordan Capkin snapped…

SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie A PATCHWORK Mornington put up a magnificent fight against Altona Magic only to go down 1-0 in Saturday’s State 1 final at Jack Edwards Reserve. The game brought together the champions from both regionalised State 1 leagues but Mornington went into the clash without Simon and Scott Webster, Steve Elliott, Andrew Skledar and Chris Reid either through injury or unavailability. One of the two players on the Mornington bench was teenager Charlie Parker and coach Adam Jamieson was forced to completely revamp his defence with Chris McKenna and Danny Black as central defenders and Paul McEvoy…

NEPEAN LEAGUE What a week it has been for the Hastings Football Club. After beating the Frankston Bombers in a memorable Nepean League Grand Final 11.15 (81) to 6.18 (54), as you would expect, the celebrations continued through the ensuring week and were felt by the whole community. The Hastings community has always embraced the Hastings Football Club and the township celebrated as one following their first flag since 1995. Premiership coach Brendan Dunne said the “premiership feeling” started to sink in on Monday. “It wasn’t until we got together on Monday and watched the replay of the match that…

Mornington Peninsula radio journalist, Gary Turner has had morning tea with John Travolta and Joan Collins, went on a Sydney cruise with rock demons Kiss, hung out with AC/DC and enjoyed breakfast with Elton John. His career as a radio journalist has taken across various commercial radio stations in Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, Norfolk Island, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Nauru as Director of Media. Gary has also acted in the role as MC for various rock and country festivals around Australia including Tamworth, Norfolk Island, Melbourne and NSW doing shows with many of entertainment’s big…

Enter your short film in the Peninsula Short Film Fest and you could win a share in up to $30K of cash and prizes. Get filming and enter now! 20 short listed films will be judged live on Saturday February 4, 2017 by top industry professionals with the winner taking out $5K in cash, second place $2.5K cash and third place scoring $1250 cash. There are plenty more cool prizes with awards for Best Animation, Best Documentary, Best International and the Woodleigh School Emerging Filmmaker Award (open to any Australian student under 18 years of age).  There are also awards…

THE Inspector of Nuisances (Mr W. J. Stephen) reported as follows: Gentlemen – I have the honour for your information that several complaints were made by householders that the nightman had not been emptying their closet pans regularly and in one instance the pan had not been emptied for four weeks. I interviewed the contractor (Mr Purdy) on the subject and he blamed his employee for the neglect, and dispensed with his services. Since then he has put on a new man, who appears to give more satisfaction, which it is hoped will be continued, as no end of annoyance…

A Harley Davidson motorcycle has been impounded after the rider was clocked travelling at allegedly 150km/h in a 60km/h zone late on Saturday night in Moorooduc. It was the Somerville Highway Patrol that spotted the lone rider on the Moorooduc Highway and by the time they caught up with him he was arriving at a Mornington address. The 20-year-old was spoken to and his bike seized for a period of 30 days. The Cranbourne South man will face the Frankston Magistrates’ Court at a later date with a range of traffic offences including speeding and breaching his licence restrictions.

RUOK? day events at Western Port Secondary College last week aimed to focus attention on the welfare of others. Students were reminded to regularly check in with family, friends and colleagues to see if they are OK and highlighting how a simple conversation could change a life. The whole school health promotion was initiated and coordinated by the student wellbeing team and run by the year 10 leadership team. As part of the activities students enjoyed face painting and challenged the staff to a Tuesday afternoon soccer match, winning 2:1. On the Thursday – which was national RUOK? day –…

NOMINATIONS for the 11 seats on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council open on Thursday and close midday next Tuesday (20 September). A list of candidates in ballot paper order will be available on the Victorian Electoral Commission website late Tuesday afternoon. The Saturday 22 October election will be conducted by post with candidate statements and photographs published online from Monday 26 September. The close of nominations signals the shire going into “caretaker mode” – a 32-day period which bans the current council making   “inappropriate decisions” or “those that would affect voting at an election or decisions that may unreasonably bind…

MORE THAN 260 students from schools around Mornington Peninsula had a say on solutions for global challenges during an environmental youth leadership program last week at Point Nepean National Park. The day was part of the national Kids Teaching Kids Week from 5-9 September, where more than 10,000 students explore locally relevant environmental issues. Primary and secondary students prepared for months to present to their peers on a range of issues such as protecting endangered marine and terrestrial wildlife, creative recycling, carbon impacts and climate change. Using the outdoor environment and historic buildings of the quarantine station as a base,…

By Barry Irving WINNING their final game for the season on last Saturday week ended a perfect season for Rosebud Heart. The Heart’s 18 wins from 18 games made it only the third team in football federation Victoria history to achieve a perfect season. The unblemished score was a remarkable achievement for a club whose senior side is only in its second year. The club secured promotion to state league four with five games remaining after a 6-0 win over White Star Dandenong. Its first senior league championship was secured with three games remaining with a 2-1 win over Sandown…

MORNINGTON Peninsula residents are being asked to support an aqua aerobics fundraiser for a Tyabb mother with multiple sclerosis. Twelve years ago Susan Abbey was diagnosed with the neuro-degenerative disease that has robbed her of things most people would take for granted. Sadly, her diagnosis has recently been upgraded to secondary progressive MS, which means a steady decline until permanent wheelchair dependency. Ms Abbey’s friends have rallied around her and formed Susie’s Angels, a fundraising and support group to raise money for medical aids to make life easier for the 41-year-old. Organiser Sarah McMahon said Somerville shoppers would be familiar…

PHOTOGRAPHER Daryl Gordon has an image for the future. Actually, he has many images for the future. Fascinated by the photography since he was eight, the Balnarring father of three regards all of his shots as historical records. “It’s really difficult to put a finger on why [I was attracted to photography]. I guess I love the power that a single image can carry and the archival nature of photography,” Gordon says. Although the images he shoots as a commercial photographer may or may not be seen by the client as having any historical value, there is no doubt that…

POKIES bankrupted the Frankston Football Club. The Dolphins went into voluntary administration late last month as the club struggled under large debts and the administrators called in by the club have now confirmed most of the club’s debts are related to pokies machines licences. Worrells Solvency and Forensic Accountants, administrators called in by the club, revealed at a creditors meeting last Wednesday (7 September) that the footy club owes the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation about $475,000 and $230,000 to Tabcorp. Both debts are related to 27 electronic gaming machines the Dolphins decided to remove from its new…

IT HAS been the ultimate privilege being a councillor serving the Mornington Peninsula Shire over the past four years. I’ve learned so much about public causes and communities, met some truly inspirational local leaders, worked with brilliant staff and gained a one-of-a-kind perspective on government in Australia. I also like to think I’ve achieved some fantastic outcomes for the residents of the Briars ward and the peninsula, like the footpath down Wooralla Drive, Mt Eliza, a new policy on poker machine venues, sensible economic development and a host of local road upgrades. Much of this was made possible thanks to…

POLICE are looking for a brazen thief who stole a car, cash and personal items after ransacking the bags of staff at Woolworths’ stores in Frankston, Mornington and Mornington East last week. The man, who was captured on CCTV at all stores entering the staff area and taking items, first offended during the day at Frankston on Wednesday, where it is believed he also took a Woolworths uniform. The next day about 2.30pm he entered the staff area at Mornington Woolworths, where he again went through staff personal belongings. When interrupted by a female employee, he told her he was…

A MORNINGTON Peninsula horse group is hoping to raise enough money through a training workshop to provide rescue workers with specialised knowledge and more equipment to deal with large animal rescues. In the past four years there have been at least two serious accidents involving horses on the peninsula, with one horse needing to be winched out of a swimming pool in Mt Eliza in 2012, and more recently, a horse falling down a well in Hastings. Sadly, that horse died. Alan Costello from Mornington Peninsula equine landcare group, which is sponsoring the workshop, said CFA and SES emergency workers…

AN alcohol ban being brought in to control “inappropriate behaviours” at the Pillars cliff swimming area at Mt Martha will extend several blocks inland, effectively making it illegal for anyone to have a drink outside of their own property. The ban is the first major move to ease problems at The Pillars since last summer police and Mornington Peninsula Shire rangers booked hundreds of vehicles illegally parked along the Esplanade. Mornington MP David Morris says the state government has “failed to capitalise” on “a temporary reprieve” over winter to come up with a solution. While admitting that he does not…

AFTER three meetings and sometimes bitter debate, Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors have finally adopted a new expenses policy. Basically, the policy gives councillors the right to spend up to $30,000 each over four years on such things as conferences and seminars ($16,000), education and training ($10,000) and entertainment ($4000). The aggregate is $14,000 a councillor more than the previously accepted, and disputed, amounts. The policy also introduced a ban on alcohol being supplied “before, during or after council meetings or briefings on council premises”. The shire’s communications and media manager Mark Kestigian said on Friday that about $27,000 had been…