Month: July 2019

DIVISION ONE PINES have come from behind to secure a thrilling win against Frankston Bombers.The Bombers raced out of the blocks with a brilliant first quarter, putting four goals on the board and holding the Pythons scoreless. Pines scraped their way back in the second quarter, but couldn’t snatch the lead. They were wasteful in front of goal and kicked 2.7 in the second term. The Pythons continued to fight in the second half, and managed to just sneak into a one point lead by the time the three-quarter time break rolled around. They held onto that one point lead…

AN official ground breaking ceremony was conducted at Hastings on Friday (19 July) to mark the start of building a plant to liquefy hydrogen gas for export to Japan. The plant in Bayview Road is an integral part of the supply chain for hydrogen made from brown coal in the Latrobe Valley to be exported to Japan. The state and federal governments have each given $50 million towards the $400 million trial that Kawasaki predicts “will create a new innovative technical foundation for the development of an exciting hydrogen export industry for Australia”. Protesters from eight environment and community groups…

POLICE want public help to identify a man, pictured, who put $60 worth of petrol into a dark coloured flat tray ute at a Safety Beach/Dromana service station and drove off without paying, 6.50pm, Monday 8 July. The ute was displaying false number plates. Anyone recognising the man or the ute should call Constable Robinson at Rosebud police station 5986 0444 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 23 July 2019

OFFENDERS broke into the Rosebud Soccer Club last week but only got away with cheap electrical appliances. Detective Senior Sergeant Jason Hocking, of Somerville CIU, said they dented roller doors in a bid to gain entry then used a jemmy to remove a security grill on the roof, overnight Sunday 14 July. Once inside they forced open cupboards and drawers and stole kitchen items, including cookware, frypan and sandwich maker, valued at $100. A battery charger was later found dumped near the gate into Besgrove Street. Nepean MP Chris Brayne said he was “saddened to hear the clubrooms had been…

A MOTORCYCLIST rammed a police divisional van at Rosebud last week and then rode off at high speed. Police were called to reports of the road bike being driven erratically on Pt Nepean Road, Rye, 4am, Thursday 18 July. After initially losing sight of the bike they spotted it at the Rye BP service station and tried to intercept it, but the rider rammed the side of the van and rode off along Weir Street at high speed. Police have CCTV footage of the incident. The rider is described as Caucasian and in his 20s. Anyone with information is urged…

ONE of the latest online scams involves a fraudulent Facebook messenger account using the name of Flinders MP Greg Hunt. Online fraudsters tell the victim they are in line for a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services. They say the grant is a financial aid program aiming to eradicate poverty and stabilise the economy. The grant promises them “quite sizeable” sums of money on the proviso the victim clicks a link and agrees to pay processing fees, including a fund file fee, tax and clearance fee and a delivery fee. All fees are in US dollars totalling…

THE iconic Mini Minor still radiates an intoxicating air of engineering elan and “swinging 60s” fashion flair in the eyes of British car enthusiast, Graeme Urch. The Mt Martha resident owns a rare and internationally significant BMC Works Mini that was brought to Australia to race in the late 1960s. Now, fully restored with genuine original parts and an eye for detail, the 1967 Austin Cooper has its own story to tell on the 60th anniversary of the first Mini being sketched on a tablecloth by designer Alec Issigonis. His brief was to design a fuel-efficient car in response to…

OPTUS says a public consultation process will take place before any site is selected for a proposed 4G base station at Capel Sound. The company’s corporate affairs advisor Rob Sharpe said the consultation phase was “us consulting on any planned sites”. “No decision has been made [on a site] and Optus is now assessing alternative locations raised by the community,” he said. “A public consultation will be undertaken for any site selected and we look forward to working with council and the community to deliver improved coverage and capacity for residents, business and visitors to Capel Sound area and surrounds.”…

A NATIONAL centre for Healthy ageing will be established at Monash University’s Peninsula campus following a financial agreement between the federal government, Peninsula Health and the university. An existing building at the campus in Frankston will be extended to “accommodate staff and cutting-edge simulation environments/transformation facilities for research and education for community-based care”. Flinders MP and Health Minister, Greg Hunt, last week said the first “milestone payment” of the government’s $32 million contribution had been made. “The national centre, the first of its kind in Australia, will deliver new research and treatment programs for older people and those with addiction…

ARTISTS are being invited to apply to stay at Point Nepean where others have already been inspired by the area’s relative isolation and the coastal environment. The offer by Mornington Peninsula Shire is for emerging and established artists, writers, musicians and “creatives” to apply for a two to six-week residency in the Gatekeepers Cottage at the shire’s Police Point park from January 2020 to December 2022. Residences can be supported and fee-paying residencies. This year the shire awarded 34 residencies at the cottage, with more than half going to peninsula-based artists. “The Police Point residency provided numerous opportunities for exploration…

UP to 50 irrigators across Tyabb and Somerville will be assessed as part of a study into them using class A recycled water which is now piped into the sea near Boags Rocks, Gunnamatta. The study, being run by South East Water, Mornington Peninsula Shire and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, will make waste water from the Carrum Downs treatment plant available for agriculture and possibly also for fighting bushfires. Primary producers and growers have long suffered as their dams run dry resulting in reduced food production and workers being laid off. One farming couple, Baxter farmers…

MEMBERS of the Australian Ballet were at Rosebud last Thursday showing how dance can help students learn about science, technology, engineering and maths. The ballet’s Steamdance program is based around the STEM subjects to bring dance experiences to school students. The specialist educators and professional dancers were at Our Lady of Fatima School to work with teachers during a series of workshops and performances to foster critical and creative thinking, literacy, numeracy, individual and cooperative learning and problem solving. The Australian Ballet also offers professional development training for teachers through Eduhub web resources which include interviews with creatives, downloadable resources…

FEES, restrictions, permits and zoned areas are all under review as part of an investigation into parking across the Mornington Peninsula. Results of a study into “a range of [parking] issues” will be handed to Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors before year’s end. However, the problems caused by parking may not end there as infrastructure strategy and climate change executive manager Davey Smith sees “potential to further investigate parking management in more detail as a second stage”. News that the study is underway is too late and misdirected, according to Joe Lenzo. “They have done nothing for 10 years and now…

THE death of a mate in a car crash in April was the catalyst for a road safety instruction night at Rye Football and Netball Club. 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, Tootgarook, early on Friday 12 April. (“Driver charged after fatal crash in suburban street” The News 15/4/19). Club vice-president Mark Egan said some of the players had known Timothy Hocking and his death had hit them hard. “We let things settle down a bit,…

A CONTROVERSIAL study into the causes and prevention of the devastating Buruli ulcer could lead to parts of Rye, Sorrento, Blairgowrie and Tootgarook being sprayed with chemicals in coming months. Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor, Cr David Gill has called on the state government to stop the study until a “full environmental impact assessment” has been made. He says the program being run by the Department of Health and Human Services is being carried out with “little regard for the environment or [its] effect on people”. The “cluster randomised control trial” would involve dousing nature strips with a synthetic pyrethroid pesticide…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Cr David Gill wants the state government to order a “full environmental impact assessment” before launching the contentious Buruli study program. Cr Gill says the program being run by the Department of Health and Human Services – in which large areas of the Mornington Peninsula could be chemically sprayed to combat mosquitoes – has “little regard for the environment or [its] effect on people”. “They should consult, provide information to the community and then listen hard to what has been said before taking any further action.” The mayor described the program as a “third world approach…

WESTERN Port Secondary College and Richmond Football Club on the surface seem unlikely to share many similarities. However, they both offer innovative pathways and programs to students and share similar educational values that impact on those who study there. The college students visited the football club recently to see how their program worked and watch the players train. They saw how the Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership (RISL) offers its students a dual diploma that not only develops athletic and leadership capabilities, but also has a strong focus on their character, resilience and confidence. Similarly, the college offers a variety…

THE “full legal review” into planning permits involving Tyabb airfield and businesses operating there will not be released to the public. Mornington Peninsula Shire has decided to extend the deadline for the review by a Queen’s Counsel beyond 30 June and at some stage release “a document consolidating the conditions of all current planning permits that currently apply to the Tyabb airfield”. The motion agreeing to the deadline change and to keeping the review secret appears to conflict with council’s decision on 26 March for “the outcome of the legal review … be brought back to council by the end…

YARINGA boat harbour developer Stefan Borzecki has sold his 200-hectare French Island property to a Chinese company that may be able to realise his dream of establishing a wind farm capable of powering the entire Mornington Peninsula. He says the company has built similar projects in the Philippines and China. The buyer – reportedly with links to the second largest power company in China – paid $3.5 million for the land on three titles, including a house, at the north-western corner of the island. The sale includes a feasibility study into a wind farm as well as weather monitoring equipment.…

SOCCER RECORD-breaking Somerville Eagles player-coach David Greening reached a remarkable landmark last weekend when he passed the 1000-goal career milestone. His first goal in senior competition was for Isle of Wight club Brading Town as a 15-year-old in September 1996 and he’s been scoring for fun ever since. He arrived in Melbourne in February 2010 and has been the main man up front for Latrobe University, Seaford United, Casey Comets, Rosebud Heart and now Somerville and his scoring feats in senior Victorian ranks are legendary. He returned from suspension on Saturday and started on the bench in Somerville’s 4-1 home…

DIVISION TWO THE top of the table clash between Red Hill and Karingal has ended triumphantly for the Bulls, as the Hillmen were held goalless in miserable conditions. Red Hill Recreation Reserve was pummelled by harsh conditions throughout the day, leaving players fighting through the mud all afternoon. The Bulls had their struggles too, and only managed two goals of their own in the first half. Karingal led by ten points at half time. Red Hill had only managed to register two behinds by the main break. After half time the scrappy contest continued, as Karingal extended their lead with…

DIVISION ONE DROMANA have picked up an impressive win over Sorrento in front of their home crowd on Saturday. Dromana have looked right at home in division one this season, but faced a tough test in Sorrento. Last year’s grand finalists came to Dromana Recreation Reserve looking to prove that they are a good chance of doing one better and winning the flag in 2019. Dromana at home has proved to be a tough test for all sides who visit this year, but Sorrento looked well and truly comfortable in the first quarter. A stunning six goals to zero start…

CUBE 37, Frankston Arts Centre’s versatile events and exhibition space, will be hosting a number of independent theatre pieces that will leave you in awe this August. Featuring the finest performers and a variety of shows to choose from – comedy, drama or dance – step out of your comfort zone for an out-of-the-box theatre experience at Cube 37. There’s no need to travel to the inner city to get your fill of thought-provoking and entertaining new shows. It’s right here in Frankston! First up will be The Travelling Sisters – Lucy Fox, Laura Trenerry and Ell Sachs – who…

THE stage was arranged at Seaford last Saturday night for a wordy warfare between Councillors Oates and Hoare. The subject of dispute was the pipe culvert in Station Street, across the much-abused Kananook Creek. Hostilities opened some weeks ago, when. Cr. Hoare took Cr. Oates to task through the columns of the “Standard.” Cr. Oates’ reply was a challenge to Cr. Hoare to meet him on the public platform at Seaford to debate the matter. Cr. Oates duly appeared at Seaford on the date arranged, and in the absence of Cr. Hoare, who had not advised him of his inability…

VISION Australia’s seeing eye dogs are expected to have more than 40 puppies by the end of August which may one day become a partner to someone that is blind or has low vision. Once the pups are about 15 months old they will begin formal training at Kensington but, before that, their training begins all over Victoria. Puppy development trainer Claire Crewe says the Mornington Peninsula is a good place for the puppies to begin their training. “The peninsula is a great area to be a puppy carer because it offers an array of different environments to train and…

TOURISM is being suggested as a way for Mornington Peninsula Shire to pay for the $56 million Rosebud aquatic centre. There seems no end to the peninsula’s popularity with tourists and visitors and, for one former council aspirant, charging for parking their vehicles is a cash cow waiting to be milked. Joe Lenzo wants to “make the whole of the shire a parking permit zone”, with free parking for residents and discounts for businesses. He says the shire would have “money to burn” if visitors paid parking fees and were relentlessly pursued and fined if they did not have a…

A PROBLEM for women in first world countries is what to do with old bras, while many women in third world countries can only dream of getting one. That’s part of the rationale behind the Uplift Project which donates used bras, including mastectomy and nursing bras, to underprivileged women in the South Pacific and Asia as well as rural Australia. The penny dropped for celebrant and Red Hill Lions Club member Kerry Holgate when she saw the story on the TV news. “I thought it was such a good idea as everyone has a drawer full of old bras which…

LIBERAL MP for Mornington David Morris has accused the state Labor government of having a plan that will see beach boxes “ripped off our beaches”. While last week’s run of strong winds and waves appeared to be trying their best to undermine beach boxes at Mt Martha North, Mr Morris issued a news release saying the Draft Marine and Coast Policy report released by Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, stated that bathing boxes were “to be removed/relocated as the opportunity arises”. “This is a dramatic departure from the former Liberal Nationals government’s plans to retain bathing boxes,” Mr Morris said. “Not…

CONCERNED Capel Sound residents are fighting a proposed Optus mobile phone tower on the northern side of Pt Nepean Road, opposite Violet Street. The residents prefer the tower to be 250 metres south on the foreshore reserve opposite 1781-1795 Pt Nepean Road. This would take it away from a bus stop used by school children, residential areas, and the Bay Trail – and mean less vegetation has to be removed in construction. Their main concern is the negative health impacts they fear low level radiation emissions have on human health. Phone towers can emit radiation up to 500 metres, with…

A “SIGNIFICANT” increase in alcohol-related serious injuries and fatal collisions in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula over the past 12 months has triggered a police crackdown on drink drivers. Highway patrol and general police will saturate these areas as part of Operation Armada in an effort to detect and deter impaired drivers. Operation Armada starts on Friday 19 July. Southern Metro Region Superintendent Adrian White said police would set up booze buses in strategic locations with officers conducting alcohol and drug tests “at every opportunity”. “Our intelligence is telling us that the types of people we predominantly detect for…