Month: April 2019

THE first big load of beautifully knitted scarves, beanies, mittens and jumpers for older children has been delivered to Food for All for the Winter Woollies Appeal. Knitted garments and wool for those who can’t afford to buy them can be left at the Hastings branch of the Bendigo Bank for collection. Among the last load was a huge bag of knitted elephants loved by children who are not well, and also older people with dementia. Southern Peninsula Food for All collects donations which are then distributed by the Mornington Peninsula conferences of St Vincent de Paul to needy families.…

ANZAC Day in Mornington can be solemn for those that served and those who remember, but it can also be a time of wonderment for the young. For the very young, memories will most probably revolve around holding a parent’s hand and being swept along in a crowd. The pomp and ceremony will no doubt impress, as will the speeches and laying of wreaths. The real meaning and lessons of Anzac will come later, lest they forget. Pictures: by Yanni History lesson at dawn ANZAC Days have become a family event, with the younger members finding out about their country’s…

DIVISION ONE PINES have kept their unbeaten 2019 record intact with a big win over Bonbeach away from home. Playing against a very capable Bonbeach outfit, Pines faced some difficulties and were only three points up heading into the final term. Although the game threatened to go down to the wire, Pines put together an impressive final term to claim a comfortable win. Brendan Barfoot booted three goals for the Pythons, as his side secured victory 8.10 (58) to 13.7 (85). Trent Dennis-Lane worked hard for Bonbeach and booted three goals of his own, At David Macfarlane Reserve, Sorrento were…

DIVISION TWO THERE is plenty to smile about at Red Hill at the moment, as the Hillmen secured their second consecutive victory by over 100 points on Saturday. After pumping Crib Point last week, Red Hill looked as if they woudl face a bigger challenge this week against Hastings. The Blues had locked in star forward Brendan Fevola to make an appearance on the road to bolster their chances of a win. Despite their forward firepower, Hastings were completely overwhelmed from the get go. Red Hill went into quarter time with a 44 point lead, holding the Blues goalless. Red…

SOCCER MELISSA Maizels made her debut for local NPLW outfit Southern United on Saturday. The top-flight goalkeeper is the biggest signing in the club’s short history having played for Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory before recently completing her second stint with Canberra United in the 2018/19 W-League. She turns 26 next month and offers both expertise and experience to one of the youngest playing groups in the elite competition. At Canberra she played alongside Scotland captain Rachel Corsie and Matilda Ellie Carpenter. Maizels was signed from local rival Bayside United late last week and given the exodus of players from…

FRANKSTON sprinter Alexia Loizou has claimed victory at this year’s Stawell Gift, taking out the top prize in the women’s division. Ms Loizou said it was “a dream come true” to win the race. She defeated close friend Fia Fighera to win. “I am overwhelmed to win the Stawell Gift, it’s incredible, a dream come true,” she said. “Fia is so strong, I knew she would be right on my tail so I had to go as hard as I could.” Twenty-one-year-old Loizou blitzed the 120 metre sprint, which took place on Monday 22 April at Central Park. She came…

THE newly formed Amy and Ash Yargi training partnership recorded their first victory, and winning double at their home track of Mornington on Easter Sunday, 21 April. The husband and wife operation combined at the start of April and after a string of unlucky runs, it was their seventh runner that they saddled up, Danger In Devon, who broke through for their first memorable victory as a team. Channing, a five-year-old gelding by Magic Albert, was quick to back up the victory in the following race and landed the partnership with their first winning double on the same day. It…

BLAZE Of Glory is an incredibly authentic Bon Jovi tribute & experience, paying their respects to the greatest rock band ever – Bon Jovi! With their catchy hooks, good looks and irresistible pop-metal sound, it’s no wonder Bon Jovi became one of the best selling bands of all time with over 130 million albums sold world wide. Releasing hit after hit for over 25 years the band are still going strong but alas, very rarely include Australia in their world tours. Blaze of Glory is a high energy, charismatic and uncannily realistic tribute to Bon Jovi, recreating all the hits…

THE local bakers announce in another column on and after the 5th inst., the price of bread will be increased. It is stated that the increase is general throughout the Peninsula owing to the high cost of commodities. *** WE have, owing to pressure on space, been compelled to hold over report of Frankston State school Anzac Day celebrations, and Seaford items, together with a lot of general news. *** RED Cross meeting at Mrs Deane’s residence next Monday night. See advertisement. *** ON Sunday (tomorrow) the Wattle Club will entertain at dinner and tea a party of about 100…

ROSEBUD resident Dirk Jansen is organising events to highlight the plight of koalas on the Mornington Peninsula, including a koala day next month. “Many people are surprised to find out there are still koalas living on the peninsula,” he said. “There is something special about observing wild koalas in their natural habitat and residents and visitors are always delighted when a koala visits their backyard or is spotted on one of the many bush walks.” Mr Jansen said the peninsula’s small population of koalas has been declining rapidly. “Like everywhere else on the east coast of Australia, koalas face many…

WHILE apartments, top left, and a new boat storage shed, bottom right, are nearing completion at Martha Cove, Safety Beach, the marina estate’s body corporate is arranging maintenance works and new camera equipment for the Marina Drive underpass. MAINTENANCE works are scheduled later this year for the underpass that takes traffic below the entrance to the Martha Cove marina at safety Beach. Once a relatively small opening to Tassells Creek, the much deeper channel now leads to the berths and launching ramp within the marina, which is flanked by houses. CCTV cameras monitor traffic in the underpass and pedestrians using…

A MOOROODUC family business has been given access to vital water supplies to tide it over until the drought breaks. The Stumpy Gully Road apple orchard run by the Paganoni family since the 1960s, was on the verge of going under when its irrigation-fed dam dried up and recycled water proved uneconomic to buy (“Shire calls for drought aid” The News 18/3/19). The plight of Atlanta Fruit Sales prompted Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to call on state water minister Lisa Neville to declare the region “drought affected” in a strategic move aimed at giving hard-hit farms, businesses and recreational and…

RED Hill-based artist Michael Leeworthy regularly abandons his pallette and easel in favour of donning a pair of shorts and hiking boots. Instead of heading off to paint plein air, he’s seeking fresh air and the type of inspiration that only walking through the bush can provide. It’s now 40 years since he joined the Peninsula Bushwalking Club, inspired by his parents-in-law who had just walked to the Mt Everest base camp. “I did not know anyone who did stuff like that. It literally changed my life, as the only walking I had done before that was walking to the…

FRANKSTON and Mornington Peninsula police conducted 8243 preliminary breath tests and 168 preliminary drug tests and detected 16 drink drivers and nine drug drivers, as well as 246 other offences during Operation Nexus over Easter. A 19-year-old youth died after falling off the back of a ute in Heatherhill Road, Frankston, 2.40am Good Friday morning. His was the only life lost on Mornington Peninsula roads during the Easter period, although four others were killed earlier in April. Divisional Superintendent Adrian White said: “April has been a tragic month for the area so far, with four people losing their lives on…

Signs of discontent: Flinders MP, Greg Hunt, above, at the corner of Loders and Godings roads, Moorooduc, is seeking re-election while the left-wing lobby group GetUp has him in its sights, centre, and independent Julia Banks can see herself up a tree in Purves Road, Arthurs Seat. LOOK at me, look at me. Vote for me. Posters with pictures of would be members of parliament (or those already elected and wanting to keep their jobs) are popping up all over the place. They’re on fences, trees, shop windows, front yards and on trailers pulled through busy shopping centres. There’s nothing…

PORTSEA Surf Life Saving Club president Stuart Rayner said members had been “blown away” by the new multi-million dollar clubhouse. “It’s been a long seven-year journey, but the wait has absolutely been worth it,” he said. “We look forward to sharing this fabulous new facility with the broader Mornington Peninsula community once it’s fully operational next season.” Premier Daniel Andrews was a guest of Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr David Gill and Crs Hugh Fraser and Bryan Payne at a function to open the $7.65 million clubhouse, Saturday 20 April. The ageing and weather-worn clubhouse has been rebuilt and an…

A “TSUNAMI” of unfulfilled needs is about to swamp the Mornington Peninsula unless governments immediately act to provide more and better care for the disabled “children” of aged parents. That’s the warning from long-time GP Graham Cato who daily sees the heartbreak imposed on loving – but now-elderly – parents forced to house and provide for their disabled children all their lives but who now are becoming physically and emotionally beyond it. Dr Cato said cynical governments had not bothered providing viable alternative accommodation because these loving and compliant parents were providing it “for free” to support their offspring. The…

TWO sitting MPs are among the nine candidates contesting the seat of Flinders in Saturday 18 May federal election. Liberal Greg Hunt, who has held the seat for 18 years, is being opposed by former Liberal colleague now independent Julia Banks, the MP for Chisholm, as well as two other independents and five party-aligned candidates. Two candidates, Susie Beveridge and Reade Smith, are former Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors. Candidates as they appear on the ballot paper: Harry Dreger, independent; James Persson, Animal Justice Party; Greg Hunt, Liberal; Reade Smith, Sustainable Australia; Josh Sinclair, Australian Labor Party; Nathan Lesslie, The Greens;…

Mornington Police have impounded a vehicle after its driver returned an alleged evidentiary breath test in Mornington this morning (29 April). An eagle eyed Sergeant spotted the Ford sedan exiting a licensed venue on Main Street just after 2am. Police intercepted the 20-year-old Sandhurst man in nearby Murray Street where he told police he was parking his car in the dark dead end street so it would be safe. He returned an alleged breath test of .111 The P1 probationary licence holder has had his licence immediately suspended and he is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving.…

Police are hoping to locate the owner of a surf kite which was found in Safety Beach last night (26 April). It is believed the item was left at the boat ramp and was located about 1.30am. Police have released images of the surf kite in the hope someone will recognise it and contact them. Anyone with information is urged to contact Rosebud Police Station on 5986 4900.

Frankston Sexual Offence and Child Abuse Investigation Team detectives have charged a man following an investigation into alleged historical sex offences. An investigation was conducted into a series of alleged sexual offending which occurred in multiple locations across Frankston, Mornington and Mount Eliza between 1984 and 1987. A 72-year-old Edithvale man has been charged with multiple counts of gross indecency in presence of a person under 16 years while under care, supervision and authority, multiple counts of indecent assault and multiple counts of sexual penetration of a child under 16. The man has been remanded in custody and is due…

Emergency services are currently searching for a missing man in waters near the Blairgowrie back beach. It is believed the 53-year-old was crab-fishing with a female friend near Bridgewater Bay when they were swept off a rock and into the water about 8pm last night (24 April). The woman managed to make it safely back to shore and was able to contact Triple Zero. Police, together with Coast Guard volunteers, have combed surrounding beaches and water. Officers have resumed the search this morning with assistance from the Water Police, Air Wing and Search and Rescue. Anyone with information is urged…

DIVISION ONE DROMANA’S impressive start to life in the first division of the MPNFL has come to an end, after they were defeated by Frankston YCW on Saturday. The Tigers so far had an unbeaten start in 2019, but were bested by the powerhouse Stonecats at John Coburn Oval. YCW were decent to start with, but Dromana stuck in and stayed within reach. The hard fought contest saw both teams struggle to hit the scoreboard, with the Tigers behind by ten points at half time. After the main break YCW broke the game apart, getting the upper hand with a…

DIVISION TWO BRENDAN Fevola ran out for his MPNFL debut on Saturday in front of a big home crowd at Hastings. The Blues took on Devon Meadows, who were looking to spoil the occasion. Devon Meadows started well and led at quarter time, but were eventually made to pay for inaccurate kicking. Coleman medallist Fevola was getting plenty of the footy for the Blues, and ended up kicking five goals for the game. Had he been more accurate in front of goal, it would have been a lot more. Both sides struggled to convert on their chances, but eventually it…

SOCCER WHAT Jonathan Crook did to Upfield last week was night-time robbery. The big man from Matamata Swifts effected a string of remarkable saves to keep Skye’s nose in front and keep Upfield’s onslaught at bay in a pulsating FFA Cup tie. Try as it might Upfield could not find a way past Crook and Skye held on for a 1-0 win that clinched one of 32 Victorian spots remaining in the 2019 national competition. This clash had to be replayed after a floodlight failure in the 70th minute at Aston Fields in Craigieburn had forced an abandonment a week…

CHAMPION two-year-old colt and Group One winner, Written By, has been retired to Widden Stud in the Hunter Valley on Monday 15 April. Trained by Mornington-based racehorse trainer Grahame Begg and raced by Hall of Fame trainer, and Grahame’s father, Neville Begg, the speedy son of Written Tycoon has been key to Grahame’s successful return to the training ranks. The former Sydney-based trainer of 25 years spent more than three years out of the game before returning and landing his first Group One victory back with Written By in the 2018 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m). “He was the catalyst for…

MONASH University has announced a sponsorship deal with Mount Martha Junior Football Club. The two year sponsorship deal reinforces Monash’s commitment to supporting and building relationships in the community. The club’s main oval will be renamed the ‘Monash University Oval’, while the university’s logo will be emblazoned on all match day footballs, hundreds of training balls and signage on the two home ground ovals. “The community sponsorship with Mount Martha Junior Football Club enables us to become more involved with the local community in the Peninsula region,” Professor David Copolov AO, Monash University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Major Campuses and Student Engagement…

The Peninsula Motor Garage Pty. Ltd. has added a Siddeley Densey motor car to its already fine flock of motor cars at the Mornington branch of the company. At the Frankston branch of the company during Easter week quite a number of visitors were daily noticed viewing the company’s superior 35 h.p. Itala. The general opinion was that no Victorian garage has a superior car plying for hire. Business was exceptionally brisk at the local garage, during Easter week. *** THE members of the Vestry of St Paul’s Church of England, Frankston had smiling faces after the Easter offering had…

A MT ELIZA couple who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last week have strong links to one of the world’s most important medical achievements. Estelle Gold – who with husband Neil enjoyed their “golden” night at Mornington Golf Club on Friday 12 April – was nurse-in-charge of the transplant unit where famed South African cardiac surgeon Dr Christiaan Barnard performed the first heart transplant in 1967. Ms Gold, then in her 20s, vividly remembers the remarkable day at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, when Dr Barnard performed the “highly political” transplant, the first one in which the patient regained consciousness.…

EASTER trading hours at a Balnarring Chinese restaurant were thrown into disarray last week when an elderly man hit his car’s accelerator instead of the brake and rammed through the front window. The man, from the Hastings area, was not injured in the incident in which his Toyota sedan ploughed into Hoolies Inn at Balnarring Shopping Centre, 10.30am, Thursday 18 April. The restaurant, established for 28 years, was not open at the time. Owner Shirley Li said the area around the front door was hit hardest. “We hope we will be able to open Saturday evening,” she said. “This is…