Month: April 2019

Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr David Gill wore his gold chain to go shopping at Mornington’s Wednesday street market. But it wasn’t just the gold adornment that made Cr Gill stand out among the crowd, it was also the small party of fellow shoppers he was leading, followed all the time by a film crew. The mayor’s shopper “reward” came later when the market’s fresh produce was used by a three-star Michelin chef to make Chinese meals for a dinner at Barmah Park Restaurant and Cellar Door, Moorooduc. The shopping expedition, making and eating of the meal was all part…

CHARACTERISTIC resourcefulness has helped environmental campaigner Josie Jones clean up a mess alongside a Rye charity bin. The bin, pictured, was full to overflowing with clothes scattered all around it. But, after doing some research and making a few calls, Ms Jones got some action. “Often, as a community member, things are not always as they seem and helping out is often the best way forward,” she said. “I managed to find the guy in charge of these bins and learned a few things along the journey.” Ms Jones was told that management changes and an audit meant the bin’s…

A FORMER soldier who is devoted to promoting world peace says our real enemies are not guns or wars – but the physical and emotional harm we do to others simply because we have not been taught to eradicate it from our nature in childhood. Ninety-three-year-old Baxter man James Hearn says the research he conducted for his book World Peace identified the “harmful side of human nature” as mankind’s “one and only foe”. “I believe getting rid of the harm we do to others is our only solution to world peace,” he said. “It is the only enemy which mankind…

EPA investigations into the source of fuel spills at Dromana are “ongoing” with booms remaining in place to prevent diesel reaching the sea. The issue flared when a Safety Beach resident complained of diesel fumes after bathing opposite Marine Drive, Dromana (“Diesel fumes taint sand, water”, The News 17/4/2019). Rob Debernardi said the drain – opposite a long-established BP service station – was flowing strongly after heavy rain. “I scooped up a handful of wet sand and smelled it and there was no mistaking [the diesel smell],” he said. “I could also see the sheen [of diesel] floating on the…

THE man often called the Father of Sorrento will be the subject of an exhibition at The Sorrento Museum, 827 Melbourne Road, Sorrento, later this month and in May. Opening times are 1.30-4.30pm on the weekends of 27-28 April, 4-5 May, 11-12 May, and 18-19 May. Visitors will learn more about George Coppin, a 19th century actor, entrepreneur, visionary, politician and cricket enthusiast who was born into an English theatrical family in 1819 and, throughout his life, was involved in acting. Sailing into Port Phillip he saw the site of what was to become Sorrento and began planning its development…

CANDIDATES for the federal seat of Flinders will again have their chance to explain their views on power company AGL’s plans to import natural gas through a floating terminal at Crib Point at a public meeting on 1 May. They were grilled on their views about importing the gas and the building of a pipeline to Pakenham at a public meeting in Dromana last Wednesday (17 April), although the May meeting is being held by Save Westernport, which was formed specifically to fight the AGL proposal. Save Westernport spokesperson Julia Stockigt said most of the candidates for Flinders had accepted…

FIVE candidates contesting the seat of Flinders in next month’s federal election faced a crowd of about 100 at a meeting last Wednesday (17 April) in Dromana. Organiser Robyn Coughlin said the top five areas of interest in questions to candidates submitted by those at the meeting were the national disability insurance scheme (NDIS); housing affordability; wages growth; income support payments; and the environment. The main issue for the candidates had been “representatives’ connection to their electorate”. Candidates at the event were Greg Hunt (Liberal), Joshua Sinclair (Labor), Julia Banks (independent), Nathan Lesslie (Australian Greens) and Susie Beveridge (independent)., Ms…

HIGHWAY patrol police are pleading for greater awareness on the roads this Easter and Anzac Day holiday time following three deaths on Frankston and Mornington Peninsula roads. The deaths of an 86-year-old woman hit by a car while walking across Nepean Highway, Frankston; a McCrae youth, 17, who was a passenger in a speeding car which hit a tree in Field Street, Tootgarook; and a 38-year-old man whose car ran off the road into a tree on Browns Road, Rye, has police reeling and families in mourning. Circumstances surrounding each of these fatalities are still being investigated. Up until…

RATEPAYERS have until Friday (26 April) to comment on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s proposed 2019/20 budget. The mayor Cr David Gill said he had already received “a lot of feedback” from beach box owners facing a rise from a flat $445 a year licence fee to up to $1200 (“Cashing in on beach boxes” The News 9/4/19). Cr Gill last week said licence fees for bathing boxes had been $50 a year in 1980 but since then their holders had been able to sell them for “hundreds of thousands of dollars”. “If they’re complaining about the cost, why not put…

A ‘THINK tank’ discussion to help guide the direction of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s waste review will be held tomorrow night (Wednesday 24 April) at the Rosebud council chambers. It comes as the state government drags its feet on waste recovery and recycling processes following the ban on collections from China. The think tank is part of a push by the council to hear community ideas while developing a waste strategy that reflects industry changes as well as supporting the community, shire operations and the environment. The forward planning committee meeting will guide the direction of the council’s waste review. …

ANZAC Day services and marches will be held at 12 Mornington Peninsula towns on Anzac Day, Thursday 25 April. Services will be held at different times and locations throughout the day to ensure everyone has an opportunity to attend and pay tribute to those who served and died in war. Traditional dawn services are planned, as well as marches and additional remembrance services later in the day. This year’s Anzac Day marks the 104th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing in 1915. The spirit of Anzac continues to play a role in the community through the qualities of courage, mateship and…

A man has died after falling from the rear of a utility in Frankston early this morning. Police have been told that the 19-year-old Frankston man was sitting in the rear tray along with two other people. The man fell from the utility as it was travelling along Heatherhill Road just after 2.30am. He was conveyed to hospital but has since passed away. The driver and other passengers were not injured and are assisting police with their enquiries. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Police are investigating after an incident in Frankston early this morning that has left a man with critical injuries. It is alleged a 19-year-old Frankston man was sitting in the tray of a ute along with two other people. The man fell from the ute as it was travelling along Heatherhill Road just after 2.30am. He sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital for treatment. The driver and other passengers were not injured and are assisting police with their enquiries. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined at this stage. Anyone with information is urged…

KANE Watts defeated Jayden “Plugger” Joseph to take out the WBA Oceania cruiserweight title at the Melbourne Pavilion on March 1, in a bout that lasted the whole ten rounds. The six foot one, 200 pound boxer whose fighting name is “Sugar Kane” is a peninsula icon, having grown up in the area and playing for the Hastings and Mornington football clubs in his early days. “I started out as a kid when dad used to take me to taekwondo, and then moved onto kick boxing at the Somerville Martial Arts when I was 14,” says Watts, who came back…

Emergency services are currently at the scene of a fatal crash at Rye. It is believed a vehicle was travelling along Browns Road about 4.30pm when the driver lost control and collided with a tree. The male driver and sole occupant, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene. The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be established and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

POLICE divers recovered the body of a Hastings man who drowned off Somers, Sunday 14 April. The man, 38, and a friend were kayaking when he fell out and disappeared about 11am. His mate, who by this time had paddled to shore, borrowed a phone from a passer-by and called 000 for help. Volunteer Marine Rescue and Coast Guard Western Port based at Hastings were on the scene within 12 minutes and, with the Police Air Wing high above, began a four hour search. The VMR crew found the kayak nose up but sunk in four metres of water about…

AN apprentice based at the Long Island Point plant, Hastings, is the fourth generation of his family to work at Esso’s Western Port and Gippsland operations. Thomas Mutimer, 18, follows his father Paul, an operations supervisor, grandfather, Ron, who worked at the Barry Beach Marine Terminal, and his great-grandfather, who worked on the Glomar III drillship, to work for Esso, either at Long Island Point or in Gippsland. Thomas was part of an intake of apprentices from Federation Training and WPC Group, who says he was always interested in “all things electrical”, and describes himself as a “hands-on learner”. “I…

DIVISION ONE SORRENTO have edged out Mt Eliza in a thriller at David Macfarlane Reserve to back up their impressive victory over the Stonecats last week. The Sharks were once again made to fight back from behind, after a five goal to zero second term had the Redlegs 29 points up at the main break. After not making much progress chipping away the deficit in the third term, Sorrento required a massive final quarter to win. A six goals to zip surge in the last quarter saw the Sharks drag themselves over the line in a hard fought 11.13 (79)…

DIVISION TWO TYABB brought out the big guns on Saturday with AFL premiership winning forward Travis Cloke running out for a one-off appearance, but their Somerville opponents were out to spoil the party. For the Yabbies it was a day of wasted chances, as they struggled to hit the scoreboard and convert their opportunities into goals. Somerville flexed their own forward line muscles away from home, with Paul Fermanis and Ryan Gillis both booting four. Despite the help from their former Collingwood star, Tyabb fell to defeat 11.16 (82) to 14.18 (102). Cloke kicked two for the day. Karingal’s superstar…

SOCCER SOMERVILLE Eagles have secured significant grants from Mornington Peninsula Shire council. The promotion-chasing State 5 club understands that the council will spend $500,000 on clubrooms at Tyabb Central Reserve while also allocating $50,000 for a feasibility study which it hopes will identify a permanent home for the Eagles. “It’s not official yet but we understand that we’ve been granted the money which is great news for our club,” president Luke Mulder said. The Tyabb Cricket Club shares the reserve and will also benefit from a clubroom upgrade. The feasibility study will centre on Clarendon Reserve in Somerville and will…

MORNINGTON-based jockey Clayton Douglas landed his maiden victory at Caulfield on Saturday 13 April. Having had previously ridden at the track four times, the prominent jumps and flat jockey steered the Anthony Freedman-trained hot-pot Super Seth to a last-to-first victory in the opening race. After a six-length debut win, Super Seth overcame a muddling a tempo and an awkward position before ultimately pulling away for a comfortable one-length victory over the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained Stand To Attention. Jockey, Clayton Douglas, said he rode the two-year-old son of Dundeel as if he was the best horse in the field. “From…

ONE of Australia’s favourite performers, Jonathan Biggins, is Paul Keating – visionary, reformer and rabble-rouser – in a highly anticipated new comedy, The Gospel According to Paul. Full of intelligence and wit, The Gospel According to Paul is a funny, insightful and occasionally poignant portrait of Paul Keating, the man that – as he tells it – single-handedly shaped contemporary Australia. Jonathan Biggins’ performance as Paul Keating is well known from the long-running Sydney Theatre Company success story, The Wharf Revue. Beyond the canny impersonation, Jonathan, like so many Australians, has long been fascinated by Keating and what Keating means…

AT the last meeting of the committee of the Ragged Boys’ Home it was reported that 40 boys were in residence at the Frankston Home, and it was agreed that a new wing be added to the home. Mr. J. Menzies, M.L.A. the chairman, announced that a donation of £100 had been promised for this work. Mr. William Brown was elected a member of the committee, and Mr Rushberry was appointed assistant secretary. *** THE date of the next meeting of the Frankston Progress Association has been moved forward a week to avoid the Easter holidays. *** FRANKSTON Repatriation Committee.…

THE new owners of the former Mt Eliza hospital site in Jacksons Road last week described it as a “blank canvas offering unique opportunities”. Melbourne-based property developer Hengyi Pacific bought the 3.4 hectare site for just over $17 million earlier this year and is “currently working closely with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to determine the … best use for the site that respects the surrounding street character”. General Manager Simon Manley said he was “very excited with our latest acquisition and are looking forward to transforming the unused parcel into something special”. The developer is “working with council to determine…

A SMALL holiday house perched on a cliff above Ranelagh Beach at Mt Eliza will be open to the public later this month for the first time in its 82-year history. Small it may be, but Ramsay House, built in 1937, is big in architecture, heritage and history circles. It is considered to be an influential example of the work of famous Melbourne architect Roy Grounds (later Sir Roy), who designed the house for Betty Ramsay, wife of Thomas Ramsay (later Sir Thomas), chairman of the famous Australian company Kiwi Boot Polish. The house has been restored over several years…

The fence along the Esplanade at Mt Martha designed to cut off access to The Pillars cliff-jumping site will be pulled down after Easter. Although not entirely effective, the fence did lead to a large drop in numbers of people gathering on the cliffs, but it also saw police refusing to cross it in pursuit of anyone drinking alcohol in breach of the shire’s local laws. Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors will decide whether the fence is reinstalled in time for next summer after receiving a report from council officers. The 400-metre long fence effectively blocked a walking track along the…

Mornington Peninsula and Frankston councils want to meet with the Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan to discuss extending the electric train service to Hastings. The two councils have written to the state government “clarifying their combined support for the electrification of the existing rail line from the Frankston city centre to Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula”, according to a news release from the municipalities. Frankston mayor Cr Michael O’Reilly said the councils would support “Frankston-Langwarrin as stage one and Langwarrin-Hastings as stage two”. While acknowledging “the complex consideration for the future metropolitan…

Parks Victoria is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) to operate the hop on hop off visitor shuttle service within the 560 hectare Point Nepean National Park. The shuttle is part of the state government’s master plan for the park and the latest chance for a private operator to run the shuttle comes 16 years after the John Howard-led federal government first announced plans for 90 hectares of the former Defence land to be subdivided and sold for housing. The announcement that the prime coastal land near Portsea could pass from public to private hands sparked a wave of protests that…

CAMPAIGNING for the Saturday 18 May federal election has begun in Flinders with a backward look at still unresolved issues. Despite the drip-feed of “good news” from the incumbent, Liberal Greg Hunt, whose health portfolio provides a seemingly endless supply, it’s his time as environment minister that is being targeted by his opponents. The federal government’s approval last week of the massive Adani coal mine in Queensland revived memories, and criticism, of Mr Hunt’s role the first time the Indian company received the all-clear from the government. Mr Hunt approved Adani’s plans for its Carmichael mine one month after he…

A 21-year-old Rye man has been charged with one count of culpable driving causing death and two counts of negligently causing serious injury after a fatal crash in Tootgarook early Friday 12 April. Seventeen-year-old Timothy Hocking died and four others were injured when a Mazda CX3 with five young people on board struck a tree near the intersection of Marshall and Field streets about 1.15am. Timothy Hocking, a student at Rosebud Secondary College and resident of McCrae, died at the scene, while another 17-year-old from Capel Sound was taken to hospital in a critical condition. A 17-year-old from McCrae was…