Month: August 2017

NEXT Saturday, September 1st is to be a “Red Letter Day” for Frankston, and thousands of people will be given an opportunity of demonstrating their pent-up, patriotic, and loyal spirit. We know we have had a win, but we feel we are to and our hearts will not fail in the meantime. Our determination and burning patriotism will be by the boys in the trenches and will hearten and stimulate them. But no one can assist to show there is not going to be any downheartedness and every nerve will be strained for victory. The children will be specially well…

A KAYAK found washed up on Mt Martha beach last week prompted police to mount a search over the bay for its owner. The yellow and red Seak Swift kayak was spotted at the southern end of the beach on Tuesday 15 August. Police released an image in the hope someone may recognise the kayak and identify its owner. Anyone with information is urged to call the Water Police, 9399 7500. First published in the Mornington News – 22 August 2017

MORNINGTON police searched a car in Fleet St early Thursday morning and allegedly found eight grams of the drug ice, 80 ice pipes, several mobile phones and $15,000 cash. Acting Senior Sergeant Steven Duffee said the night shift van “did well” in intercepting the 30-year-old Mornington woman, 2am, Thursday 17 August. “Due to their diligent patrolling this arrest has removed a large quantity of drugs from the street,” he said. “Mornington police will continue to patrol at all hours and if you are doing wrong you will be caught.” The woman was taken to the police station for interview and…

MORNINGTON police last week executed four search warrants resulting in six arrests and the laying of 80 graffiti-related charges. Police recently joined forces with Mornington Peninsula Shire officers to identify those responsible for the graffiti that Acting Senior Sergeant Steven Duffee said was becoming prevalent in the area. “But we still need people’s help to identify some of the graffiti,” he said. “If any of these photographs seem familiar, or you know who has committed these offences, please contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or Mornington police 5970 4900,” he said. First published in the Mornington News – 22 August…

A CLASS of Mornington preschoolers was looking forward to an excursion to Mornington fire station last week – until the visit was cancelled at the last minute by firemen concerned they didn’t have the requisite Working with Children checks. Leslie Moorhead Preschool had arranged the visit for the four-year-old group to “increase their understanding and sense of community”. But the visit fell foul of laws introduced on 1 August which take a tougher line on the actual wording of the act which aims to protect children from harm. The episode highlights the added bite of the new requirements which many…

THE Oasis Pop-Up Kitchen in Bentons Rd, Mt Martha, has been forced to close over an “issue relating to the planning permit”. The kitchen – which “popped up” three months ago in its temporary home while a full-size Oasis bakery is built on 1.6 hectares on Nepean Highway, Mornington – was to close yesterday (Monday 21 August). Mornington Peninsula Shire’s executive manager planning services David Bergin said the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal had ruled on 4 August that “the use of the land must stop”. He said council was powerless to alter the decision”. Oasis manager Jess Makool said…

THE rider of a Yamaha R1 sports motorbike performed a “mono” near the Bungower Rd on-ramp on Peninsula Link, Moorooduc, by lifting the front wheel. After slowing down for the speed camera at Eramosa Rd, he accelerated to 173 kph, 9pm, Thursday 10 August. Somerville Highway Patrol police manning their radar said the motorcycle then accelerated again to more than 200 kph approaching Golf Links Rd, with the windy weather visibly blowing the bike around. The 25-year-old rider, of Skye, was intercepted and is expected to be charged on summons with driving at a dangerous speed, improper use (loss of…

MORNINGTON Peninsula is ranked seventh for animal cruelty reports and 39th on a per capita basis among Victoria’s 79 municipalities, according to a list of hotspots released last week by RSPCA Victoria. The RSPCA says it received 10,180 cruelty reports across the state in 2016-17 – or around 28 a day. Of these, 321 were concerns about the welfare of animals on the peninsula, which equates to one report for every 483 residents. The state-wide average is one report for 581 residents. Reports from the peninsula included 155 relating to animals with insufficient food, water or shelter; 100 relating to…

OVER the past few decades there has been no shortage of reports about bird species being wiped out or their numbers facing rapid decline. Most often these reports involve the northern hemisphere and birds that have to navigate several countries to satisfy their migratory instincts. But speak to Max Burrows of the Mornington Peninsula branch of BirdLife Australia and what seems a problem half a world away becomes an event in our own backyard. It’s not that long ago bird watchers were confronted by the local extinction of the grey-crowned babbler. Probably not a bird on everyone’s easily identifiable list,…

THE Peninsula Dementia Action Group is holding an information session to mark World Alzheimer’s Day on Thursday 21 September. The event in the Village Hub dining room at The Village Glen, Rosebud, is titled “Dementia in My Community”. Dementia is a broad term which describes a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain. The free event includes morning tea and a performance by the Village Singers Choir, 9.30am. Alzheimer’s Victoria will present an Understanding Dementia session and people living with dementia will share their stories while a panel of health professionals will discuss dementia and answer…

POINT Nepean is one of 11 national parks where food trucks will be allowed for a six-month trial. The summer trial in the Quarantine precinct will be followed next year by a winter trial starting in June. “The trial will provide an opportunity to test food and beverage services in appropriate parks without leaving a permanent footprint in the park,” Parks Victoria chief operating officer Simon Talbot said. “Mobile traders will need to meet certain criteria including environmental considerations, social benefits to the community and the ability to strategically align with Parks Victoria and the Victorian governments’ healthy choices guidelines.”…

NEPEAN MP Martin Dixon wants Roads and Road Safety Minister Luke Donnellan to build a noise attenuation wall at the same time wire rope barriers are installed along the Mornington Peninsula Freeway. Mr Dixon told state parliament last week he supported the wire rope barriers beside the freeway all the way to Rosebud. “The section of the freeway between Safety Beach and Rosebud has been tested over numerous years, and the whole section of freeway, which has many homes abutting it, exceeds the allowable noise limits for freeways,” he said. “We have run a long campaign to have the noise walls…

DEVELOPERS and objectors to a multi-million dollar hot springs and restaurant complex near Rye have been put on hold because of an administrative bungle by Mornington Peninsula Shire. A planning application for the complex on nearly 15 hectares in Browns Rd, Fingal, was withdrawn from last week’s planning services committee meeting because objectors were not given enough notice. The delay will enable them to be present and ask questions when the issue next comes before the committee. Planning services executive manager David Bergin said the report was pulled “due to an administrative error”. The item would be on the agenda…

ERONI’S Circus is returning to the Mornington Peninsula with an all new show for 2017! Relive the magic and wonder of traditional circuses of yesteryear, with lively original music, incredible costumes and traditional circus acts including gorgeous showgirls, magnificent palomino horses, stunning trapeze artists, hilarious clown antics, impeccable juggling performances, amazing acrobats, contortion, family favourite Jack Russell dogs, and more. Eroni’s Circus aims to bring back the atmosphere of old world, vintage circus charm for modern day audiences. This year’s edition of Eroni’s Circus is proud to present, 2016 Australia’s Got Talent finalist Jessie Daley illusionist and his lovely assistants…

A STUDY by a boating industry-backed group has recommended building four launching ramps near Tyabb and adding another at Stony Point. Mornington Peninsula Shire has “noted” the plan which seeks to ease the “critical levels” of capacity facing recreational boat owners on both sides of the peninsula. The shire’s potential backing of suggestions by the Peninsula Marine Alliance could add 300 car and trailer parking bays for public use at Yaringa and at Stony Point on the shores of Western Port. Land for the Stony Point parking bays could come through acquisition or lease of Defence Force land at HMAS…

LIFESEARCH 2017 gives citizen scientists the opportunity to discover the plants, birds, insects, and other animals in the Western Port Biosphere Reserve. Lifesearch, the biosphere’s annual citizen science event for schools, individuals, families and community groups, runs throughout September to coincide with Biodiversity Month. All Lifesearch participants can make a contribution to the understanding of life in the Western Port Biosphere, as well as to the national Atlas of Living Australia database. There are prizes for the school, individual and team or group that record the most sightings during Lifesearch. Prizes include a family pass to Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation…

THREE volunteers from Bittern Fire Brigade will compete against colleagues from Australia and overseas in the 2017 Melbourne Firefighters’ Stair Challenge at Crown Plaza, South Bank, Saturday 2 September. The race to the top will see Robin Adair, Dan Beattie and Matt Zerbe climb the building’s 28 storeys in a simulated rescue – wearing up to 20kg of protective gear and breathing apparatus. “We are training hard every day,” said Dr Adair, who is also director at the company Australis Biological. “Our team, nicknamed the Bittern Stair Slayers, is in shape and ready to go for their first stair challenge.”…

ENERGY supplier AGL confirmed last week that it wants to have a floating gas import terminal at Crib Point. The company says the Western Port site will “increase energy security and supply for customers in south eastern Australia”. If given the go ahead by the state government, AGL says it will “invest roughly $250 million” and begin construction in 2019 with a view to bringing the terminal online within the following two years. The government issued a statement on Thursday saying it “welcomed AGL’s decision … [and is] working closely with AGL to ensure approvals processes are streamlined to avoid…

PENINSULA LEAGUE MT ELIZA moved back inside the top five in MPNFL Peninsula Division on Sunday after an after-the-siren victory against Mornington at Alexandra Park. James Hammond took a wonderful pack park in the goal square with just seconds on the clock and then went back and converted after the siren to hand the Redlegs a five point win. Despite the fact that an inexperienced, more committed Mornington side appeared the better side all afternoon, Mt Eliza always seemed to have the answers at the right time. Warwick Miller was clearly the most influential and best player on the ground…

THE world-renowned Targa Florio vintage car rally will, for the first time, race outside of Italy and through the Mornington Peninsula later this year. More than 200 classic cars will travel across 1200 kilometres of Victoria and make their way from the Bellarine Peninsula to the Mornington Peninsula via ferry on Friday 1 December. The prestigious road race is scheduled to travel through Mornington’s wine region and up through Red Hill before heading towards San Remo and onto Healesville on the Saturday. The four-day event which is set to begin on Thursday 30 November will mark the 101st anniversary of…

NEPEAN LEAGUE THE battle for a place in the top five will come down to the final game of the season this Saturday in MPNFL Nepean Division football. Red Hill and Dromana are separated in fifth and sixth position by just 1.64 percent going into the final round. Red Hill faces Tyabb and Dromana plays Rye in the last game. The Hillmen went into Saturday’s round holding a .6 per cent lead over Dromana, however, with a convincing 78-point victory over Crib Point, were able to extend their margin (121.76 per cent v 120.12 per cent). Dromana too faced a…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Nepean Football League clubs may be forced to investigate alternative administration to manage their competition after their calls for a structure not involving South East Nepean Football Netball (SENFL) clubs once again fell on AFL South East deaf ears at a meeting held last Wednesday night. MPNFL club delegates met at Frankston Bombers last week and once again voted unanimously against any divisional structure that included South East Nepean Football Netball (SENFL) clubs. However, AFL South East General Manager John Anderson, who asked if he could attend the meeting, once again refused to provide his views on the…

SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie LANGWARRIN and Mornington go head-to-head on Saturday at Lawton Park in the most anticipated contest on the peninsula for years. At stake is a place in next season’s National Premier League second division and the honour of becoming the first local outfit to gain entry to Victoria’s elite club competition. Langy’s lead in the race for the State 1 South-East title was cut to five points over Mornington last weekend. While Gus Macleod’s side had to settle for a point in a controversial 0-0 draw away to Manningham United, Adam Jamieson’s men were engineering a stunning…

Following her 2015 triumphant sell-out concert performances, Scotland’s legendary singer-songwriter ISLA GRANT returns to Australia with exciting new songs from her latest album release “I’m A Survivor”  – plus her extensive repertoire of most loved music. The ever-popular singer will be touring with her equally talented husband AL GRANT and singer and multi-instrumentalist GLEN FLYNN. As an Internationally acclaimed recording artist ISLA GRANT’s distinctive voice encompasses all genres from country folk songs to easy listening compliments an evening of old favourites to new songs – this has established her as a major recording artist in the USA, Canada, U.K, Australia and…

A FATAL motor accident occurred at Mornington on Wednesday afternoon, (says the “Age”.) As Mr Albert Dawson, of Two Bay’s Nursery was crossing the street with his sister, Elsie ( Mabe) Dawson, a motor Car, driven an ordinary pace by Mr George Weigall, came round a corner, and before they could get clear it struck Miss Dawson to the ground, passing over her body. Mr Weigall who had observed them too late to prevent a collision, immediately pulled up the car. Miss Dawson, who was unconscious, and suffering from internal injuries, was conveyed to her home where she was attended…

A DECISION to push ahead with a residential subdivision in part of Langwarrin’s Cruden Farm has been delayed until later in the year. A planning application due to be discussed by Frankston councillors at August’s public council meeting on Monday 14 August was withdrawn by the trustees of the former homestead of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch. Frankston Council was set to deliberate on the contentious proposal to rezone parcels of land within the 54-hectare estate for residential development. State Labor Planning Minister Richard Wynne would have to agree to move the Urban Growth Boundary to accommodate the building of more than…

REX Australis – the giant ram’s head which has graced Peninsula Link near the Skye Rd exit for the past four years – is settling in at its new home: McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park, Langwarrin. The cast-iron sculpture by Dean Colls is 14 metres long, seven metres high and six metres deep. It will feature near another sculptured favourite: the Tree of Life, by artist Phil Price, which was replaced at the Cranbourne Rd exit by Reflective Lullaby – colloquially known as the Giant Gnome, by Gregor Kregar. Fittingly, the intersections at which the sculptures attracted motorists’ attention are…

By Bob Simpson* I SAT at last Wednesday’s Peninsula Voice event, hearing Les Twentyman’s experiences. This man “loves” disengaged young people with whom he engages. Could I genuinely “love” five homeless kids, causing trouble by sleeping in a council tip? That idea of a village raising a child constantly surfaced. MC Roberta Orton raised the ante – this is about disengaged children gaining an enduring sense of identity, meaning and purpose, connection, and belonging in our common world. My highlight was the “thanks” given by Cr Sam Hearn. He applauded Les Twentyman’s well-earned reputation; but thanked him for not coming…

MORNINGTON’S Daniel Arapakis flew his F3D aircraft to victory at the FAI F3D world championships in Sweden, 25-29 July. The Western Port Model Aero Club member – nicknamed ‘Dannmann’ – did Australia proud bringing home the gold medal and becoming junior world champion. Daniel is the first Australian junior to win a world championship in any facet of aeromodelling, his father Andrew Arapakis said. “He was race prepared with the finest aircraft, engines and propellers fastidiously engineered by Barry Murphy, which are world renowned for their reliability and performance.” Daniel flew his Minute Master racer for 14 rounds over three…

LAND near the Mornington Peninsula Shire offices in Besgrove St has surfaced as the preferred option for an aquatic centre at Rosebud. The cost of the aquatic centre is estimated at $28.4 million-$30.7 million, depending on it having a 25-metre or 50-metre inside or outside pool. The council last week voted to spend $20,000 on a business plan for the site which is expected to be completed before its December meeting. A report to council’s 8 August meeting warned that the centre was likely to lose 800,000 to $1.075m a year, although these “may potentially be reduced” by $200,000 if…