KEEPING Mornington’s hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants compliant with the latest rules and regulations governing gaming and liquor sales is the aim of a visit by regulators next week. Staff from the state’s liquor regulator – the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation – will target the town’s licensed premises on Monday 24 June. Their aim will not be to check for breaches and issue fines but to educate licensees and help them to remain compliant. VCGLR manager education programs Veronica Goluza said the VCGLR’s Street Talk program aimed to keep licensees and their staff up to date with…
Month: June 2019
THE impact of road trauma – on yourself and others, will be one of the topics covered at road trauma presentations to thousands of students at Peninsula Community Theatre in two sessions: 24 and 25 June and 22 and 23 July. Other topics at the talks put on by Teenagers Road Accident Group (TRAG) include the aspects of life that can be affected by road trauma; safe driving practices and decision making, and a focus on making good choices with the message Drive4Life. About 3000 secondary school students from around the Mornington Peninsula will attend the presentations, in Wilsons Road,…
A VIOLENT explosion rocked the night calm in Mornington demolishing a backyard bungalow and injuring a female visitor, midnight, Saturday 8 June. The blast blew out the walls and brought down the ceiling of the pre-fab behind a house in Bungower Road, leaving the young woman with an eye injury, burns and deafness. One wall fell against the side of the house shattering a window near where a four-year-old boy was sleeping. A drawn blind may have prevented him being showered with glass. The occupants of the house helped the young woman out of the ruins and she was later…
FISHERMEN on the rocks at Mt Martha who “saw something odd” out at sea sent their drone to hover over a man in distress and pinpoint his position to rescuers. The fishermen called 000 and the Police Air Wing was able to spot the man about one kilometre off Hearn Road, 4.30pm, Friday 7 June. Volunteer Marine Rescue skipper Tim Warner said they received a call from the chopper to rescue the man, 49, who had been thrown out of his 14-foot tinny after “hitting an object” in the water. The incident was made more dangerous because the tinny with…
AN uneasy truce was in place over the Tyabb Airfield dispute last week in the lead-up to a meeting between the Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker and Peninsula Aero Club president Jack Vevers. The meeting, scheduled for yesterday (Monday 17 June), comes after the warring parties sought common ground in their row over missing or non-existent permits and contentious flying hours. The mayor Cr David Gill said on Friday that there could be issues such as workers’ compensation insurance if businesses were operating at the airfield without permits. The aero club was stunned when the council issued a stop-work…
A FINE issued to a boatie parked at Rye boat ramp was a mistake, Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr David Gill has conceded. “The error was made by a local laws officer and it will be quickly sorted out,” Cr Gill said. The $81 fine for supposedly “failing to pay a fee and obey instructions on a sign” drew scorn from Futurefish Foundation director David Kramer. (“Fine adds to boat ramp confusion” The News 21/5/19). It followed a statement by Cr Gill that the shire had stopped processing boat ramp fees. Mr Kramer said “the left hand doesn’t know what…
A HOON driver allegedly doing late-night burnouts in Rye last week later blew over the legal blood alcohol limit and had his car impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1010. Rosebud police saw the man’s white Holden ute as they turned the corner into Johnson Avenue, 11.50pm, Saturday 8 June. They said the driver parked and started walking away before being stopped for the breath test: he blew 0.171 per cent. Leading Senior Constable Natalie Dean said the man’s P1 licence was suspended and he will be charged on summons with drink driving and traffic-related offences. First published…
A YOUNG speedster nabbed at 160kph in a 100kph zone at Dromana has had his car impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1280. The 18-year-old Capel Sound P1 licence-holder is also expected to be charged on summons with driving at a dangerous speed and exceeding the speed limit. A major collision investigation unit officer on his way home intercepted the man’s white Mazda ute on Mornington Peninsula Freeway, 8.20pm, Sunday 9 June. Leading Senior Constable Natalie Dean said impounding the car was part of Operation Regal, a four-day high visibility road policing operation over the Queen’s birthday long…
THREE men who allegedly bashed an older man walking near Bittern railway tracks are being sought by Hastings police. Senior Constable Lauren Coster said the men were skylarking on the tracks in a white Nissan Patrol when it became stuck near Moreton Crescent, midday, Thursday 30 May. As they tried to winch the vehicle free the older man approached and commented and an argument started. One of the younger men allegedly punched him to the head, knocking him down and causing pain, lacerations and swelling to his face. The alleged attacker is described as having fair skin, 183cm tall, stocky…
SORRENTO Sea Scouts leader Lynette Hipwell awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in last week’s Queen’s Birthday Honours says she was “just having lots of fun”. Sorrento Sea Scouts Group Leader David Burgess said the award paid tribute to Ms Hipwell’s “services to youth through scouts”. “It is a fitting recognition of Lynette’s commitment to the youth of the Mornington Peninsula and the scouting movement throughout Victoria,” he said. “She has been a leader at Sorrento Sea Scouts for over 35 years, a member of the Scout 4×4 team and the Scout sailing team. “Her tireless commitment to the…
TINY homes – or small, functional houses – are being assessed to provide affordable housing for the thousands of homeless and rough sleepers on the Mornington Peninsula. The homes, which could be set in small villages, are seen as ideal crisis accommodation, particularly for the 135 Capel Caravan Park residents soon to be seeking a roof over their heads after their planned eviction later this year. The tiny homes could be trucked onto small parcels of land in semi-rural locations or unused public land, such as disused road reserves. So great is their capacity to offer a practical solution to…
A HASTINGS man has been charged in relation to the theft of five cars from a Marine Parade, Hastings, car yard, Monday 3 June. He appeared at Frankston Magistrates’ Court last week charged with burglary, theft of motor vehicles, shop theft, handling stolen goods and possessing the proceeds of crime and was remanded in custody to appear at the same court at a later date. The man, 31, was arrested at a Spring Street house along with two others: a woman, 25, and a man, 30, who were charged and bailed in relation to outstanding warrants unrelated to the car…
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council sees the release of 400 hectares of land near Hastings for light industry as the key to creating jobs and “increasing economic output”. The land has been virtually “frozen” for decades because of the expectation of its development alongside the Port of Hastings. However, plans for a major container port have been shelved due to lack of international demand and expansion of the Port of Melbourne. The shire says the land – part of 3500 hectares set aside for port related purposes – may be freed up for light industry under the latest strategy released by…
DIVISION ONE ROSEBUD came within a whisker of succeeding in a brilliant comeback effort against Sorrento on Saturday. The contest, played on Sorrento’s home turf, see sawed throughout the first half. Rosebud went into the second half down by just three, and looked to be a good chance of getting a win. The third quarter was a Sorrento blitz, as they kicked six goals and established a 31 buffer heading into the final term. The five goal gap looked to have all but sealed their victory. The Buds were determined to not take the loss lying down though, and stormed…
DIVISION TWO CRIB Point have finally got off the mark for 2019, recording a big win over Pearcedale in front of their home crowd. Supporters at Crib Point Recreation Reserve were treated to a brilliant first half display from their side, as the Magpies piled on 11 goals to two. Pearcedale performed better in the second half but the damage was done, and the Magpies finally got their first victory for the year on the board. A stunning performance from Thomas Panich helped the Magpies win. He kicked nine goals. The final score read 18.16 (124) to 11.7 (73). At…
SOCCER SOMERVILLE Eagles took a firm grip of second place in State 5 South after Saturday’s 4-2 away win over local rival Rosebud. The result leaves Somerville five points clear of third-placed Tullamarine but this definitely wasn’t one for the purists as both sides seemed hellbent on giving the ball away as often as possible. However some comical Somerville defending and the aerial frailty of Rosebud keeper James Cinar brought some uncertainty to the outcome and Rosebud deserves credit for its competitiveness against its much vaunted opponent. Rosebud coach Pat Sabatino had a simple and effective plan of attacking the…
TOP-RANKED Mornington-based racehorse trainer David Brideoake will await a hearing scheduled for Monday 17 June over two serious race-day treatment charges put forward by Racing NSW stewards. Racing NSW stewards issued the charges against Brideoake on Wednesday 5 June in relation to the late withdrawal of the Brideoake-trained Princess Jenni from the Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick on Saturday 6 April. Princess Jenni, who was unplaced in the Group One Queensland Oaks on Saturday 1 June after a tough win in the Group One Schweppes Oakes a month earlier, was withdrawn from the Adrian Knox Stakes after stewards noted an…
WE regret to record the death of Mr Michael Patrick Flanagan, which sad event took place in the Chelsea Hospital on Wednesday last. The cause of death was influenza and heart failure. Great sympathy is felt for the widow and six children who are left to mourn their loss. Deceased was 42 years of age, and had resided in Frankston for about eight years. The remains were interred in the Frankston cemetery on Thursday, the Rev. Father Norris performing the last sad rites. The mortuary arrangements were carried out by Mr Gamble. *** THE Wattle club held a dance in…
THE Australian Electoral Commission officially named Peta Murphy as the new member for Dunkley on 4 June. Ms Murphy was officially declared a member of the Australian Parliament at midday, ending the single term of outgoing MP Chris Crewther. Ms Murphy thanked the AEC and her supporters on social media. “Thank you to the AEC, who make sure that the best system of democracy in the world works smoothly. The final result was 52.6 per cent to 47.4 per cent, with a margin of just over 5000 votes. This means we achieved a swing to Labor well in excess of…
IT was as if the first day of winter was arranged by central casting. Right on cue, humpback whales appeared in Port Phillip and along the Phillip Island coast. A pod of killer whales was reported at Port Phillip Heads. In the know whale watchers have been awaiting the annual arrival of the marine mammals as they move from the wild Southern Ocean into warmer waters along Australia’s coastlines. For many years, Victoria mostly missed out on seeing these whales, however over the past decade, whale numbers have grown and the migration of humpback whales regularly spills into the coastal…
TAKING a close look at the history of a cement works at Mornington can easily turn into probing ancient geological formations and life forms. Fossil Beach, which lies at the end of a short path off the Esplanade just north Bentons Road, has long interested historians and geologists, but an insight into its history is now revealed to the public with new interpretive signs. The four signs tell the story of Aboriginal use of the area, the value of clay deposits for making cement, which were discovered in the mid-1800s, and the fossils embedded in the clay dating back eight…
UP to 15 small businesses may be owed as much as $70,000 in the wake of this year’s Western Port Festival, held at Hastings in February. The largest creditor, Simon Sokolich, of Red Hill Water Carriers, says he is $20,000 out of pocket after erecting and filling 1.5 kilometres of water barriers the night before the festival held over the 22-24 February weekend. He says he provided a similar, but smaller, service to the festival the previous year and was paid. Mr Sokolich said he had been assured before this year’s festival that he “would be paid upon completion of…
THE future operation of the Tyabb airfield is up in the air following a stop work order issued by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. The shock directive, sent on Monday 3 June, came after the shire was unable to find permits subsequent to 1965 when the 50-year-old club was given the right to operate. Tyabb Aero Club president Jack Vevers said on Friday the shire’s director of planning [David Bergin] “has obviously made a horrible mistake that has put well over 100 jobs at immediate risk”. “We look forward to the council’s CEO [John Baker] resolving this matter as soon as…
POLICE are treating as suspicious a fire which destroyed a two-storey house at Safety Beach, early Monday 3 June. The Balmoral Avenue house, above, was engulfed by fire when CFA crews from Dromana, Rosebud and Mt Martha arrived, 1.15am. Minor fire damage was caused to neighbouring houses. The house was supposedly unoccupied leading police to suspect that squatters may have been responsible. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 11 June 2019
TRAIN commuters misusing pedestrian crossings, and cyclists riding on pedestrian walkways at level crossings, face fines during a joint two-week Victoria Police and Public Transport Victoria campaign targeting pedestrians engaging in unsafe behaviour at level crossings. Statistics show more than 200 near misses a year occur when train drivers are forced to brake unexpectedly or take other actions to avoid trespassers on the lines. Police have urged members of the public to ensure they stay safe around train stations and level crossings, and don’t engage in dangerous behaviour. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 11 June 2019
RAW sewage escaping into the foyer forced Mornington Police Station to close last week. Passers-by said toilet paper and excrement were flowing out from under the doors and the odour from unsanitary water on the footpath was “very strong”, 4.30pm, Monday 3 June. Workers in the side street near the old cells pumped out blocked pipes and even a Frankston SES crew turned up to lend a hand. Officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Paul Edwards said the problem was caused by heavy rain and a blocked pipe – for the second time in a decade. He said sewage flowing downhill in pipes…
NEW boundaries have been adopted for the Tootgarook Wetlands, along with protective buffer zones and an environmental significance overlay. The wetland – home to 160 species of permanent and migratory birds and 248 plant species – is the largest shallow freshwater marsh in the Port Phillip and western Port region. The latest defined wetland area sits between Truemans Road in the west, Boneo Road to the east, and extends north from a narrow point near Maxwell and Limestone roads in the south to Gannett Avenue and The Village Glen on the outskirts of Capel Sound. More than 5000 years ago…
AFTER 60 years of service – and donating more than $4 million – members of the Southern Peninsula Community Fund (SPCF) have good reason to celebrate. Volunteer David Wills said Rosebud Rotary Club established the fund in 1959 to support families, elderly and cancer patients. In 1971 the fund expanded its operations to become the first meals on wheels service on the Mornington Peninsula. In 1975 it bought a shop and launched the Rye Opportunity Shop at 2141 Point Nepean Road, which has been a mainstay of financial support for those needing help in the community. In 1997, when the…
By Fred Wild EWART Melbourne Brindle saw his first Rolls Royce Silver Ghost on Dromana Esplanade on a summer afternoon in 1912 — a sighting that led the eight-year-old to a career that would make him America’s most celebrated illustrator of the famous cars. On May 17 the Twenty Silver Ghosts gallery in the Rolls Royce Foundation’s museum in Mechanicsburg, Philadelphia, US had its official opening. The purpose built gallery features 26 of Brindle’s original paintings the basis for the 1971 book, “Twenty Silver Ghosts”. The paintings detail some of the most famous pre-World War I cars. The gallery houses…
ARTIFICIAL reefs could be placed in the bay off the Quarantine Station at Point Nepean and off Rye or Blairgowrie under a strategy to boost fishing stocks. The Point Nepean reef would be ideal for yellowtail kingfish and the Rye or Blairgowrie reef would suit anglers targeting species such as slimy mackerel and yellow tail scad – the perfect live bait for yellow tail kingfish. Nepean MP Chris Brayne joined forces with Futurefish Foundation director David Kramer last week to workshop ideas for the reefs to enhance recreational fishing. Their plans include working alongside marine scientists and bay managers in…