Month: May 2019

THE 21,000-tonne gas rig Ocean Monarch is anchored for maintenance between Cowes and Observation Point, Phillip Island. The 107-metre-long rig was towed into Western Port last Tuesday (21 May) afternoon by two 4000 tonne, 87 metre offshore tug and supply vessels, the Far Saracen and Far Senator. Michael Harvey, chief executive officer of the Victorian Regional Channels Authority, said the Ocean Monarch needed “sheltered waters” so divers could work on “some issues” that had been found with its lower hull trim tanks. The rig is likely to stay in Western Port for three to four weeks before being towed back…

BURGLARS cut locks to gain entry to sheds before stealing equipment valued at $10,500 from a Somerville vegetable grower over the weekend. Pivato Vegetables, of Tyabb-Tooradin Road, Somerville, lost a HP laptop valued at $2000, unregistered trailer ($500), generator ($1000), Spitwater pressure cleaner ($7000) and Unimig welder ($1800) in the overnight raid, Friday 24 May. Detective Senior Sergeant Miro Majstorovic said the offenders reportedly spent some time inside the sheds before driving away. First published in the Western Port Times – 29 May 2019

RESIDENTS are being invited to have their say on planning for the Mornington Peninsula’s future. The Neighbourhood Character Study, which will affect the whole shire, and the Western Port Coastal Villages Strategy, which will only affect Western Port towns, are both in their draft stages. The shire says the Neighbourhood Character Study is designed to retain the “unique values” of residential areas, capturing the key characteristics of each area. The Western Port Coastal Villages Strategy will provide policy and guidelines to manage development on public and private land to retain and enhance township character and address climate change impacts relating…

A “LOUD and clear” message from the recent waste forum has prompted Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to demand that the state government “introduce a container deposit scheme as soon as practical”. Speaking after the Tuesday 15 May council meeting, the mayor Cr David Gill said: “We heard loud and clear from passionate community groups that we need to take action in ensuring plastics and glass are recycled. “We fully support a container deposit scheme as part of the Municipal Association of Victoria’s rescue our recycling action plan. It is an important measure and will help bolster community education.” The shire…

MATTHEW Precht, 18, is dancing for joy after being awarded a year-long tuition scholarship in classical ballet at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. The boy from Bittern has also been invited to attend Joffrey’s summer school. But while Matthew hopes to fly out on Sunday 9 June, he still has to raise $63,000 for housing, visa applications, food, commuting fares and daily living expenses. The former Padua student was awarded the scholarship at the Victorian Dance Festival in April where he qualified out of 140 applicants. His mother Annette Precht said they had received an invoice for the…

PENINSULA Aero Club is blaming “a small noisy anti-airport lobby group” for making it observe a “holy hour” ban on flying. The 9.30am-10.30am restriction on Sunday take-offs and landings from the Tyabb airfield has been ignored for more than 40 years. The All Saints Church, which the flying ban was supposed to protect from noise, ended its Sunday services in the 1970s. But an unholy row lit up last week when the aero club suddenly withdrew its request for Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to delete the restriction from its permit. Aero club president Jack Vevers said  planes were now “forced…

Two people have died and a third has been injured following a collision in Mount Eliza late last night. Investigators believe a vehicle was travelling north on the Nepean Highway when it collided with an oncoming vehicle about 11.15pm. The driver and passenger of the north bound vehicle died at the scene. The two are yet to be formally identified. The male driver of the other vehicle sustained non-life threatening injuries and has been transported to hospital for treatment. Investigators are appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash or with dash cam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333…

DIVISION ONE THE undefeated streak of Pines has come to a shock conclusion this weekend, as last year’s second division premiers Dromana secured an upset win. Playing in front of their home crowd, the Tigers got things started by kicking five goals straight in the first term. The Pythons chipped the lead back in the second term, with the lead standing at 11 points at half time. Dromana were able to kick a couple of quick goals at the start of the second half to keep Pines out of reach, and held onto that lead for the remainder of the…

DIVISION TWO A NINE goal haul from star recruit Marc Holt has helped Karingal continue their hot streak in the MPNFL. Taking on Pearcedale away from home, the Bulls worked hard from the get go and led by nearly 50 points at half time. Pearcedale never got close after the Bulls got going, and a seven goals to one final term sealed their fate. Pearcedale were put out of their misery when the final siren sounded. The final score was Pearcedale 5.8 (38) to Karingal 18.15 (123). Holt has now kicked 42 goals from seven games this season, making him…

SOCCER LOCAL derbies take centre stage this week as Frankston Pines, Skye United, Baxter and Seaford United prepare for battle. The first of two huge derby showdowns takes place on Friday night under the Monterey Reserve lights when Frankston Pines hosts neighbouring Skye United. These State 3 opponents still harbour hopes of mounting a promotion push especially fourth-placed Skye which goes into this clash on the back of a five-match winning streak. Skye prides itself on its fitness and organisation and once it wins possession it can go forward quickly with pace on both flanks. The set piece skills of…

MORNINGTON-trained racehorse Steel Prince has gained guaranteed entry into this year’s $7.3 million Melbourne Cup. The Anthony Freedman-trained gelding made the most of the newly reinvigorated Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) on Saturday 25 May at Flemington with an incredibly narrow victory over Surprise Baby. The tough and tenacious win provides the five-year-old stayer with an automatic start in the race that stops the nation. Trainer Anthony Freedman said the former Irish galloper just has a great will to win. “He’s just incredibly tough and he’s incredibly genuine,” Freedman said. “I don’t think I’ve had a tougher or more genuine horse…

MELBOURNE folk-pop duo Pierce Brothers have released their latest single Back End Roads, the first taste of new music that will be featured on their full-length debut album, Atlas Shoulders. Featuring drums reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams and a chorus embedded in the Australian folk realm, Back End Roads is destined to be an instant live set fan favourite. Talking about the single the brothers reminisced, “We wrote it about our favorite place on earth, Wilson’s Prom, and how it was when we grew up there. It’s a summer vibe tune plain and simple. About getting away from the grind…

EMPIRE Day was celebrated locally on Friday when the children were given a right royal time. For weeks they had been looking forward to this day as their elders each year make it an occasion for merry making and also a time to instill patriotic sentiments into the young minds. The Baxter school children joined with Somerville and together they marched to the Mechanics’ Hall where Empire Day speeches were delivered by Messrs C. Murray W. Carroll, G. Shepherd and S. Uren and patriotic songs were sung by the children. At the conclusion of the program the Union Jack was…

MORNINGTON Peninsula detectives are investigating another theft from a bottle shop in Hastings. This follows a similar incident in which a man also stole alcohol from a liquor store (“Bottle shop theft” The News 22/5/19). In the latest incident a man entered the shop twice – Saturday 4 and Thursday 9 May. After distracting the attendant on both occasions, he selected several bottles of alcohol, hid them in his clothing, and left the store without paying. He was wearing a black hoodie with white writing on the sleeves, front and back. Anyone with information is asked to contact Senior Constable…

THREE aggravated burglaries in Mt Eliza on Saturday 18 May have detectives on the hunt for multiple offenders – or possibly the same one. Three sets of keys were stolen from a house in Attunga Way while family members were asleep, between midnight and 7am. Police were told the house’s front door had been left open. The offenders appeared to have searched through several cars for valuables before running off. A resident confronted a man who broke into his Jacksons Road home at 4.40am. The burglar entered the property through the backyard. Once inside, he stole two remote controls, a…

TWO brothers injured in an early-morning fracas in a Mornington car park earlier this month were arrested and interviewed by detectives last week. A 20-year-old Mt Martha man is expected to be charged on summons with a weapons offence while a 17-year-old from Mornington is expected to be charged on summons with criminal damage, assault and using a false document. A Lyndhurst man, 28, allegedly involved in the incident in the Centro car park on Saturday 4 May handed himself in to police next day and was interviewed and released. The two Mornington men were walking through the car park…

A MAN infected by measles twice attended family events at Mornington earlier this month. He visited the Mornington Hotel with family and friends, on the corner of Tanti Avenue, up until 2pm, Saturday 4 May, and again the next day around 10am, and many other places during his stay. The man, in his 30s, had previously arrived from Vietnam and was in Melbourne for almost two weeks on a sightseeing tour. It is believed he may have infected six people, including a baby. After flying out of Tullamarine he was put in isolation in a hospital in Vietnam. Symptoms of…

TAILS were wagging and tongues lolling at a special fundraiser in Mornington last week. Social dog walking group Colliewobbles Rescue and Rehoming Australia held a sausage sizzle outside sponsor Best Friends at Peninsula Homemaker Centre, Saturday 18 May. And, for a bit of fun on polling day, they put their preferred candidate forward for election. The social walking group, which began in 2014, aims to socialise and rehabilitate neglected and abused dogs rescued from non-compliant breeding kennels. The breed-specific group focuses on rough collies, smooth collies and Shetland sheepdogs. Founder Philip Cassap said the club’s 400 members – from the…

KEEPING warm over winter is a challenge for those less fortunate on the Mornington Peninsula so, to help them, leading Mt Eliza Primary School’s environmental team to collect 100 jackets and jumpers in its winter jacket drive. Each morning before school team members waited at the school gates to collect practical items during school drop-off. Students – with the help of the school’s parents and teachers’ association –promoted, collected and sorted items for the not-for-profit Mums Supporting Families in Need. “The school community rallied to make this cause a huge success and we thank our amazing families for their support,”…

A QUICK fix solution is being offered to property owners annoyed by straying cats. Mornington Peninsula Shire has a new four-step system to reduce the number of cats prowling outside their owners’ properties. The cat traps supplied by the shire can also be used to get rid of unwanted stray cats. The “start-to-end service cat trapping program” is designed to remove cats “safely and humanely”. The four steps start with asking the shire for a cat trap. If approved, a cage will be delivered “at a time suitable for the resident” (stage 2). If successfully deployed, the cage containing a…

THE temporary concrete and wire fence erected at The Pillars cliff jumping site at Mt Martha in December has gone. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council contracted out its removal early last week. Infrastructure services manager Jessica Wingad said the council will “seek feedback on the community’s experiences over the summer period”. “Council will be considering [its] options over coming months to determine long-term management of the site,” she said. The fence, on the Esplanade, cost $140,000 which covered its hire, construction, traffic management and daily maintenance of damage and graffiti. The fence is credited with cutting down the number of people…

BOATERS, fishers and other recreational water users can look forward to safer and easier access at Rye Pier. Nepean MP Chris Brayne said the state government would spend $500,000 to restore the low-landing, build a ramp to improve access, install more casual public berths and upgrade berthing facilities for larger commercial fishing charter operators. “The new low landing will make it easier for all recreational water users to enjoy the rich marine life and calm waters off Rye pier,” he said. “The recently upgraded boat ramp, kids’ playground and numerous shops and eateries make Rye a popular destination for visitors.…

ELDERLY residents in particular are being urged to avoid dealing with a company or staff representing M&M Greenworks Tree Services. A spate of government warnings about the company stemming from 2007 up to the present relate to what are described as “illegal” business practices. Staff members are reportedly intimidating and often demand payment upfront and then fail to carry out the work. Police said they target vulnerable members of the community – mainly the elderly. The M&M Greenworks Tree Services vehicle picture was taken on Thursday 16 May. Anyone seeing it, or company representatives, is asked to call police at…

FORMER Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors Tim Rodgers and Graham Pittock have been taking lessons in how to repair and fit spectacles. Rather than looking for a new career, the pair are part of a team heading off for 10 days in July to improve the sight of people in Lospalos, Timor Leste. The team will be led by optometrist Colleen Hammond, of Rosebud Specsavers, who will carry out eye examinations and measure and fit spectacles. Mr Rodgers and Mr Pittock will act as Ms Hammond’s assistants. The project team will pay its own way, although an appeal has been started…

PENINSULA Health wants to hear from the public about the proposed rebuilding of Rosebud Hospital. This comes as chief executive Felicity Topp investigates the suitability of the current site “in meeting the health needs of the Mornington Peninsula community over the next 15 years”. The hospital’s new masterplan was presented to about 150 residents, business owners, GPs and community representatives at two public forums on the Rosebud foreshore last month. As part of the masterplan a feasibility study is investigating rebuilding the hospital on the existing site. “It is vital we continue to offer health services for the local community…

DROPS in property prices and the number being sold on the Mornington Peninsula are being blamed on changes to lending rules in the wake of the banking royal commission. Real estate agents see the price falls as the result of tightening of housing loan credit as banks impose greater scrutiny on loan applicants’ financial situations and spending patterns, as well as gauging their ability to repay loans based on a 7.25 per cent interest rate – not the average advertised rate of 3.8-4.5 per cent. Last week it was suggested this rate could drop to 5.5-6.5 per cent if two…

THE role and contribution of volunteers was celebrated at a morning tea held at Sorrento Community Centre, Thursday 23 May. Aimed to coincide with National Volunteering Week, the event was part of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea campaign. Last week, $305 has been raised for the Cancer Council. Sorrento Community Centre says it could not function without its volunteers. “We salute these generous people and acknowledge their contribution,” chairman Shane McMahon said. “Each week they come to share their time and talents so that we can … develop a healthy, connected and vibrant local community of all ages. “Thank you all…

WOMEN taking part in the Coastrek walks on the Mornington Peninsula on Friday 24 May had a clear “vision” – to raise money to tackle blindness. Demonstrating fitness and endurance, hundreds trekked 30 or 60 kilometres to raise money for the Fred Hollows Foundation. The route from Cape Schanck to Point Nepean, or around Point Nepean, took in scenic coastlines, rugged clifftops, rough bush trails and thigh burning soft sand. Participants knew that their efforts were making a difference to those less fortunate. The Fred Hollows Foundation estimates women make up 55 per cent of the world’s blind – and…

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing 34-year old Crib Point man Cody Graham. Cody was last seen at his address in Milne Street about 9.30pm on Tuesday 21 May. He made phone contact with family about 9.30am on 22 May but has not been heard from since. Police and family hold concerns for Cody as his disappearance is out of character. Police have released an image of him in the hope that someone may have information on his current whereabouts. Anyone who sees Cody or who has information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Hastings…

Detectives from Mornington Crime Investigation Unit have arrested two people following an assault that occurred in Mornington earlier this month. A 20-year-old Mount Martha man was interviewed and released. He is expected to be charged on summons with a weapons offence. A 17-year-old teenage boy from Mornington was also interviewed and released. He is expected to be charged on summons with criminal damage, assault and using a false document. The men were walking through the car park on Railway Grove after leaving a nearby hotel. They became involved in an altercation with a group of men about 3am. Both were…