Month: January 2017

WHEN quietly-spoken Hastings builder Garry Moncrieff found out he was one 12 Victorian emergency service workers to make the 2017 Australia Day Honours List, his immediate feelings were of being “embarrassed” and humbled. Embarrassed, because anyone who knows Mr Moncrieff, also knows that he volunteers for the Hastings and Mornington Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) out of a sense of commitment to the community, and humbled because he is not one to blow his own trumpet. Few would argue that 36 years of unwavering commitment to the rescue service is worthy of recognition. Mr Moncrieff was a founding member of the…

TWO recent jet-ski collisions have prompted a plea from police for riders to be extra careful. Last week, a 16-year-old girl received serious injuries and was taken to hospital after a collision at Rye, at about 3pm on Thursday 26 January, while a teenage boy was arrested after a jet ski incident at Portarlington on Thursday 12 January. Water Police Acting Sergeant Mark Helyer said police were keen to see jet ski riders enjoy their craft without incident. “Everyone loves to have fun on the water but the number one consideration needs to be safety,” he said. “Make sure your…

POLICE are appealing for help in finding missing Somerville man Mark Anderson. Mr Anderson, 38, was last seen leaving a house in Bernard St, Somerville, about 12.10pm Thursday. He was driving his Holden twin-cab utility, registration number UUS 420. Leading Senior Constable Lee Thomson said police and family are concerned for his welfare as he suffers from a medical condition. Mr Anderson has a shaved head, no facial hair and is of medium build. He is a regular visitor to the Toolangi state forest and other bush camping areas. Anyone with information is urged to call Hastings police on 5970…

THIEVES stole a car parked outside a house in Leon Av, Rosebud, overnight on Thursday 26 January. The 2002 Ford sedan, registration TSE 278, was on the nature strip. A 2008 Hyundai was stolen from the driveway of a house in Tootgarook, overnight on Wednesday 25 January. The red car, registration YYL858, was in the driveway of the house in McAlpine St with its window open. Anyone with information should call 1800 333 000. First published in the Western Port News – 31 January 2017

WHILE politicians and environmentalists are on a collision course over plans to build a coal gasification plant at Hastings, Kawasaki Heavy Industries is already building a test vessel to carry liquefied hydrogen. The ship now being developed by the Japanese company is designed to carry 2500 cubic metres of the gas which will be produced with brown coal from the Latrobe Valley. Because of hydrogen’s high evaporation rate the ship will have a double shell to provide vacuum insulation. Kawasaki says it will have the Liquefied hydrogen transportation pioneering test vessel ready by 2020, the same year the state government…

By Ben Triandafillou THE Western Port Steelers have some promising young talent going through their club with junior basketballers, Beau Greenbury, Tyrone Wilk and Marley Thompson. With 13 Grand Final victories and six Most Valuable Player Award’s between them, the boys have clustered together an impressive cabinet of awards. The juniors, who will be playing in the under-16 Boys division, are incredibly dedicated, training four to five times a week in hopes to eventually make it into the Big V Youth League. Tyrone and Beau moved to the Western Port Steelers not long ago, playing their first season for the…

MORNINGTON Peninsula residents have received an illustration of the danger of leaving kids, pets – and even eggs – in their cars on hot days. Rye Fire Brigade received a photo from a visiting Queenslander who left a dozen eggs on the backseat of her Holden SVZ for an hour. Temperatures soared to more than 30 degrees and, when the woman returned to her car, she found the eggs cooking away on the backseat. The brigade’s Kelly Stoner said it was amazing how quickly the eggs had cooked in the car, which had tinted windows. “The temperature inside would need…

MOST respondents to a Peninsula Speaks online survey believe that man-made climate change is real and that it will affect life on the Mornington Peninsula. “Although Mornington Peninsula Shire is to be congratulated on its recently announced roof top solar initiative on shire owned and operated buildings, 64 per cent of people believe that the shire should be placing more emphasis on climate change,” organiser Peter Avery said. “While support for renewable wind initiatives appears to be marginal at 58 per cent, renewable wave technology is supported by 71 per cent and an overwhelming 93 per cent would support solar…

A RYE boxer who had success as an amateur in the middleweight ranks and then let his weight balloon to 130kg before returning to the ring as a professional and rising to be among the top 20 fighters in the world has completed a remarkable turnaround. Jayde Mitchell, 31, will defend his professional WBC-OPBF super middleweight title in Melbourne in March and looks forward to a possible world-title shot next year. As confirmation of his success he has been nominated for 2016 Australian Boxer of the Year after a stellar year in which he won six fights in Australia and…

ONE of the Mornington Peninsula’s busiest volunteers and community contributors has been recognised with the inaugural ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ in the shire’s Australia Day awards. Barry Irving, right  received the honour after more than 50 years of volunteer work. He has worked with the Salvation Army Boys Legion as a leader, helped with the Inaugural Nippers project at Gunnamatta Life Saving Club, been a crewman for Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad, elected president three times for the Rye Rotary Club, cooks for the police on New Year’s Eve, and has dressed as Santa to raise money for Cotton Wool Babies, as…

BLAIRGOWRIE resident Denis Baguley, above, will be a familiar name to many in Greater Melbourne for his contributions to the revival of the Shrine of Remembrance. The former Melburnian, who moved to the Mornington Peninsula after retiring a couple of years ago, received an AM in the Australia Day Awards for his service to public administration in Victoria through infrastructure project management, and to veterans and their families. As chief executive officer of the Shrine 2000-2015, and project manager, 2000-2003, Mr Baguley was instrumental in many of the changes in policy, programs and public access that saw the number of…

ROSEBUD resident Heath Davidson was awarded an OAM for service to sport as a gold medallist at the 2016 Paralympic Games at Rio. Davidson, 29, contracted the virus transverse myelitis at five months, but it wasn’t long before he showed what a fighting spirit and a love of sport could do for someone in a wheelchair. In 2001, at the Australian Disabled Games in Queensland, won a bronze medal in wheelchair tennis and two silver medals for table tennis. In 2016, after a brief break from the sport, he returned to wheelchair tennis and teamed with Dylan Alcott to win…

THE Mornington Peninsula was well represented in this year’s Australia Day Honours List, which recognised almost 200 Victorians among 958 people from various industries and communities around the country. Among the recipients from the peninsula were Denis Baguley, AM; Heath Davidson, OAM; Garry Moncrieff, Emergency Services Medal; Brendan Woodsell (formerly of HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point), OAM; Andrew Niven Creek, OAM; and Carmel O’Brien, OAM.       Mornington Peninsula Shire announced its 2017 Australia Day Award winners at Rosebud Memorial Hall on Thursday, with Rye mother Bianca Appleford named as Citizen of the Year for her work in the area…

MORNINGTON Peninsula’s Citizen of the Year Bianca Appleford established the Light Up Autism Foundation on the southern peninsula, providing opportunities for children with autism spectrum disorder to access intensive therapy at school for no cost to the families. The program is overseen by a psychologist and applied behaviour analysis (ABA) therapist, and run by skilled integration staff. After discovering the importance of early intervention when her own son was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, Ms Appleford established the foundation to provide support for other families. She said she hoped the award would help raise awareness of the importance of…

PROVINCIAL MORNINGTON Peninsula Cricket Association star Chris Brittain single-handedly defeated Moorooduc in Provincial cricket on Saturday after smashing an incredible 232 for Baxter. The master all-rounder hit 18 fours and 14 sixes in Baxter’s massive total of 7/416 after chasing Moorooduc’s 168. Coming into the Round 8 match, Brittain had already hit two massive back-to-back hundreds against Mornington and Crib Point. Those knocks prompted former Victorian wicketkeeper and South Australia coach Darren ‘Chuck’ Berry to say on Melbourne radio that Brittain was the best country batsman he had seen. As well as having knocks of 155 and 181 coming into…

DISTRICT RYE avoided a reverse outright attempt by Seaford to win its first game of the season in MPCA District cricket. Resuming at 5/111 on day two of the match and chasing Seaford’s first innings total of 74, Rye was eventually bowled out for 150, giving them a 76-run first innings lead. Seaford was always going to go for a reverse outright and scored 7/214 in 38 overs before sending Rye back into bat. Faisal Payenda smashed 92 and Chris Cleef hit 63 in Seaford’s second innings. Just needing to bat out the remainder of the day, Rye was able…

SUB-DISTRICT TYABB continued its big move on Saturday with a commanding win against second placed Ballam Park in MPCA Sub District cricket. The Yabbies have charged into the top four on the back of a couple of impressive victories. On Saturday, Tyabb belted Ballam Park. After scoring 9/270 with Jarrod White (72), Michael Edwards (50) and Nick Taranto (54) all dominating, the Yabbies set about defending the total. When Tyabb’s Jai Gleeson picked up Stuart Plunkett for a duck, the Knights were in all sorts of trouble. Gleeson finished with the impressive figures of 4/37 from 18 overs, including eight…

SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie SKYE United gaffer Billy Armour has his sights set on more new signings as he prepares for the upcoming State 3 South-East campaign. Armour already has enticed Johnny Andrinopoulos and Jason Nowakowski to join last year’s State 4 South champion and has a number of triallists under the microscope. Andrinopoulos last played with Kingston City in 2015 and can play in central defence or as a defensive midfielder. “Johnny’s locked in which is good. His fitness levels are getting there and as soon as he gets his touch back he’ll be a really good signing for…

TOURIST hotspot the Pillars at Mt Martha will be fenced off for two years in a bid to stop further deterioration of the registered Aboriginal heritage site and appease residents appalled by young thrill-seekers trashing their neighbourhood. As well as erecting a $200,000 180-metre fence, the shire will meet with Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to “reinforce and protect” the cultural heritage values of the site in accordance with the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act. It will also write to DELWP to seek its “direction and advice” on putting in place legal processes to…

THE many friends of Mrs George Shepherd, of Somerville, will be pleased to learn that she is again at home and slowly recovering from the painful operation which she recently underwent. *** MESSRS Brody and Mason will sell on Thursday next 8th last at “Sunnyside” Mornington Road, contents of 10 roomed villa, on account of Mrs A. S. Panter. Owing to this property having been sold, everything will be unreserved. *** A GRAND cencert in aid of the funds of the Frankston Methodist Church will be held in the Mechanics’ Hall on Wednesday evening next. We understand that a good…

BEACHGOERS and swimmers are still being urged to check water quality updates before going for a dip off bayside beaches this summer amid risks of illness from bacteria and faecal matter swept into Port Phillip Bay during stormy weather. Water quality is being monitored daily by the Environment Protection Authority until March. Earlier this month EPA applied sciences group manager Dr Anthony Boxshall said there is a higher risk of illnesses such as gastro to swimmers from higher bacterial levels after flash flooding. “Heavy rain and storms can create a risk to the public as they can flood stormwater systems…

A POWER struggle has developed between one of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s newly-elected councillors and its CEO Carl Cowie. Although Mornington Peninsula Shire’s CEO is the only officer directly hired by councillors, Cr David Gill says he is being denied access by Mr Cowie to the contract under which he operates. Cr Gill says he asked Mr Cowie – who is paid more than $380,000 a year – for a copy of his work contract “because Carl has made it clear that the shire councillors employ him and he employs the rest of our shire staff”. “However, the answer to me…

GROWING concern over ice-related domestic violence and child abuse in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula has led to calls for more support for families struggling with the consequences of drug abuse. Police and counsellors report that ice use is devastating families and is now the leading cause of crime and domestic violence in both areas. Detective Sergeant Detective Sergeant Paul Busuttil of Frankston CIU said ice was destroying communities, with police making weekly referrals to the Department of Human Services about children in “ice families”, and directing parents or partners to services to help them deal with the destructive behaviour…

A MORNINGTON man drowned in chest-deep water on Wednesday 25 January. The 39-year-old was found by another swimmer at Mills Beach and unsuccessfully treated with CPR in the car park. Police, Mornington CFA crews and ambulance officers attended the scene and comforted the man’s wife. Mornington Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Stock said a health issue may have contributed to the man’s death. He was unsure whether alcohol was a factor. First published in the Mornington News – 31 January 2017

THE Miss Western Port Community Pageant is based on confidence, team building, making friends, and “getting out there in the community”. Contestants are encouraged to speak up for the causes they are passionate about. Miss Western Port director Hannah Swinnerton, 22, is a passionate anti-bullying campaigner. She is mentoring “eight beautiful ladies that have hearts of gold and are passionate about their community and keen to work for local charities”. The Miss Western Port preliminaries begin on Saturday 28 January 2017 at Hastings hall. Doors open at 6pm and the preliminary finals start at 7pm. Tickets are $15 online. Contact…

A YOUNG woman was bleeding out internally when she was rushed to Rosebud Hospital and into the care of Emergency Department Nurse Sue Simpson. “The lady was suffering an ectopic pregnancy – which is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside the womb, usually in the fallopian tubes. This can cause the fallopian tube to split open which can cause life-threatening internal bleeding, which is what had happened to this patient,” recalled Sue. “Her blood pressure was dropping and we were pumping blood into her. We had to work so quickly, under pressure, to try and stabilise her for theatre.”…

MEMBERS of Maladiction Longboarders are organising a surfing contest to raise money for the Disabled Surfers Association Mornington Peninsula branch. The teams’ event will be on Saturday 1 April – April Fools’ Day – at The Pines beach (pictured above) Shoreham. Entry is $200 for each four-person team and surfers will ride the “soft” surfboards used at the annual events run by the DSAMP. As well as surfing ability, points will be awarded for surfers’ costumes. Prizes for the DSA Champs Surf Competition include $2000 in Jetstar travel vouchers; a Trigger Brothers surf pack; and dinner for four at Stillwater,…

A JOGGER found a man in a Warrandyte Rd, Langwarrin, bus stop bleeding from a stab wound to the lower back, 9pm, Sunday 22 January. An ambulance took the 45-year-old victim, of Frankston North, to The Alfred Hospital for treatment. Police said he was unwilling to assist with their inquiries. The incident occurred between Tyrone St and Bayport Drive. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Western Port News – 24 January 2017

A PILOT project to produce hydrogen from brown coal will require the gas to be liquefied near Hastings before being shipped to Japan. Kawasaki Heavy Industries says it will release more details of the project “in the first quarter of 2017 for consideration and consultation”. The company says it has been “exploring the opportunity” to create a hydrogen energy supply chain from Australia to Japan for more than six years. During that time discussions had been held with state and federal governments, industry and research organisations. “The initiative is well known,” general manager of Kawasaki’s hydrogen development centre, Dr Eiichi…

PROVINCIAL PENINSULA Old Boys have once again bucked the MPCA Provincial trend in round eight and posted a strong score against Sorrento. On a day where the bowlers were on top in Provincial cricket on Saturday, POB posted a more than solid total of 8/277 to give Sorrento plenty to chase on day two of the match this weekend. The next highest score of the round was from Pines against Somerville. The Piners were bowled out for 186. The Old Boys once again had contributors throughout their card, starting with Wade Pelzer at the top of the order with 87,…