Month: September 2019

HORSE RACING THE small, yet brave, Balnarring-trained racehorse Rox The Castle has once again defeated a runner that many pegged as a “horse that couldn’t be beaten” at Sandown on Wednesday 4 September. The Kerry Edwards-trained galloper jumped as the second favourite behind the promising Phillip Stokes-trained Jumbo Ozaki who many expected to come out on top before heading towards bigger targets in the Spring. But, the little pocket rocket, Rox The Castle, didn’t lay down without a challenge and led from start to finish with the top weight of 59.5kg to score his first win for the preparation. Third-up…

THE aeroplane used to advertise the Peace Loan arrived in Frankston on Monday afternoon shortly after 3 o’clock. It was advertised to make its appearance in the forenoon, and a good deal of disappointment and inconvenience was occasioned the public, who had assembled at the Old Racecourse paddock at 11 a.m. in anticipation of its arrival at that hour. Nothing was known of the altered arrangements till Crs Oates and Mason motored to the rendezvous and announced that a message had just come through to the effect that the programme had been altered. Probably a reasonable explanation could be given…

A COLLECTION of David Hockney prints drawn from the National Gallery of Australia’s collection will go on display at Mornington Peninsula Gallery, October-1 December. Hockney is considered one of the most influential British artists of the 20th Century and an essential contributor to the pop art movement of the 1960s. So popular is the artist’s work that his 1972 Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) sold at Christie’s auction house in New York City in November 2018 for $90 million, becoming the most expensive work by a living artist sold at auction*. The exhibition showcases his talents as…

THE benefits of walking in a group are well documented, but the “hidden” benefits – such as creating friendships, having someone to talk to, sharing a coffee, finding out about other activities and getting involved in volunteering opportunities – are equally valuable to participants. That’s what makes the Mornington Central Mall Walking Group so special to its members after a decade of exercise. The group began with a handful of members as Centro Mornington Walks in February 2009. They had the backing of Mornington Peninsula Shire and Peninsula Health. Word spread and by 2012, about 25 walkers were on the…

BITTERN residents opposed to plans to link their close with a large subdivision are concerned increased traffic will diminish the family-friendly character of their area. Hector Close resident Rhys Matulis, who has collected signatures from 14 of the street’s 24 properties who are opposed to plans to link Hector close with Henderson Road, says the proposal will endanger children playing in the street. “[Linking the two roads] is not in keeping with the character of existing subdivisions in Bittern in which streets are deliberately not joined to reduce through traffic and enhance their family-friendly character,” Mr Matulis said. “We are…

ROSEBUD Girl Guide Sarah Wallace is getting a name for herself as a quiet achiever. This comes after she completed a range of challenging guiding activities over many months, including outdoors, service, world guiding, The Guide Promise and Guide Law, Guiding Traditions, and the system where girls learn to be leaders – The Patrol System. Last week plans were underway to reward her with guiding’s highest honour – the BP Award – at a special ceremony at Rosebud Guide Hall, Saturday 31 August. “From the time she began as a youngster at Rosebud she has quietly set herself many new…

A MAN allegedly riding a monkey bike without a helmet was later found to be unlicensed, and, when drug tested, proved positive to methyl-amphetamine. Police say they saw the bike on Graydens Road, Hastings, 8.35pm, Tuesday 3 September. The 32-year-old rider, of Mornington, will be summonsed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court in relation to drug driving, unlicensed driving, riding an unregistered motor vehicle and not wearing a helmet. His monkey bike was impounded for 30 days for a cost of $1075. “Police receive constant complaints from the public about unregistered monkey or trail bikes due to them being ridden…

A TOYOTA Land Cruiser was stolen from the car park at the end of Dundas Street, St Andrews, while its owner was walking along the beach, Thursday 5 September. The owner is offering a reward for the return of the $20,000 car with registration AGC422. Anyone with information on any of these incidents is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 10 September 2019

A YOUNG driver showed the steps required to get pulled over by the police on the Mornington Peninsula last week: Exceed the speed limit, have the car lowered so it has less than 100mm ground clearance, and have a bumper sticker saying “Cops don’t like this” on the back. The 24-year-old driver, of Mildura, was intercepted by Somerville Highway Patrol travelling at 115kph in a 100kph zone on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway at Dromana, Sunday 1 September. The driver said he was on his way to a car show. A bright yellow vehicle defect notice was stuck on the windscreen…

A MASERATI was nabbed on mobile radar travelling at 189kph in a 100kph zone along Mornington-Flinders Road, Flinders, Saturday 31 August. Asked by Somerville Highway Patrol police why he was speeding, the 29-year-old, of South Yarra, said he was running late to visit his sister. Like all drivers intercepted for any reason he was drug-and-alcohol tested with both tests proving negative. “Some people seem to think they can drive at these crazy speeds because they have a good car and they think they’re good drivers,” Acting Sergeant Anthony Deason said. “How someone can think 189kph on Mornington-Flinders Road is OK…

STUDENTS at St Joseph’s Primary, Sorrento, celebrated The United Nations International Year of Indigenous Language by researching and designing their own indigenous sensory, edible and medicinal garden using the indigenous plants of the Mornington Peninsula. The colourful gardens, as well as looking spectacular, encourage birds, native bees and insects to visit their school grounds. The students’ efforts have led the school to being a finalist in this year’s Tidy Town Awards. Sustainability teacher Jane Byrne said the project began following a visit by nine years five and six students to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne. On their return the…

ON a cue of “Let’s clog Shirl,” Judy Phillips, stroke survivor, and Shirley Cheah, Peninsula Health physiotherapist, performed a type of folk dance called clogging before a large group of Allied Health staff at Peninsula Health’s Golf Links Road Rehabilitation Centre. Comfortable in the limelight after a career as a children’s television presenter, Ms Phillips said she had one clear goal after her stroke last June – “I really wanted to get back to clogging.” The toe-tapping show and lunch on Wednesday 4 September was organised as part of Stroke Week and most of Peninsula Health’s Stroke Detours team members…

A $10,000 FINE and an order to pay $10,000 in costs to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council was an expensive lesson in planning protocols for Portsea resident Lindsay Fox last week. This came after one of the trucking magnate’s private companies pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to comply with the council’s planning scheme at Dromana Magistrates’ Court. Photographs of a 4600 square metre area of foreshore outside the Fox property show it had been levelled and irrigated turf laid without shire approval and that protected native plants and grasses had been removed. The area is covered by overlays requiring…

CONCERNS about the plight of women – and especially girls – in less developed countries has prompted Sorrento resident Bruce Grey to once again get out of his comfort zone and challenge his physical capabilities. At 70 years old, the retired air force chaplain is leading a team in next month’s Tough Mudder Challenge – an event in which Mr Grey competed in each of the past two years when he was a spritely 68 and 69 years old. The famed endurance event being held at Lardner Park in Gippsland 19-20 October is contested by teams which raise money for…

ROSEBUD Secondary College students took a peek into the fascinating world of biomedical sciences at the fifth annual Biomedical Sciences Day in Parkville last week. They were among 60 years 10 and 11 students from regional and rural Victoria to attend the event which gave them a rare opportunity to experience life as a biomedical scientist. The event was presented by the School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, and the Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC). Professor Matthew Watt, head of the university’s Department of Physiology, encouraged the students to think about the science behind what creates, sustains and threatens…

A “LOCAL private developer” has bought Sorrento’s heritage-listed Continental Hotel after a two-month sales campaign by Colliers International. Vendor Julian Gerner on Friday would not disclose the buyer’s name or the price, which is tipped to be about $22 million. The sale of the four-storey limestone building at 1-21 Ocean Beach Road includes an adjoining former public car park at 23 Constitution Hill Road. Colliers International’s Guy Wells said the sale was a “significant win for both the much-loved hotel and the wider community, as the purchaser has committed capital and the ability to bring this iconic asset back to…

TWO dogs seized over the mauling and killing of two pet alpacas at Fingal last week will have their fate decided by a magistrates’ court. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s environment protection manager John Rankine said investigations were continuing into the incident Sunday 1 September when a “pit bull terrier or bull terrier dog” was seen mauling the alpacas at a Harmony Road property. “Officers are busy with the investigation collating evidence for prosecution in court,” Mr Rankine said. “The decision about euthanasia is pending on this evidence and the court decision. Until such time the dogs will remain impounded.” Two shire…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has written to planning minister Richard Wynne to personally thank him for “rejecting plans for an inappropriately-sited Kaufland supermarket proposal” at the gateway to Mornington. This follows Mr Wynne’s rejection of the company’s bid for a 4000 square metre retail mega-hub at the corner of Oakbank Road and Nepean Highway, Mornington – the Bata Shoes site. The minister had said he made the decision after “community consultation raised concerns about the nature of the development and the site’s proximity to the green wedge”. “We’ve listened to the community and ensured the gateway to Mornington is properly…

Peninsula residents have been called on for assistance to help locate missing woman Glyberia Skalistis after her car was located in Mornington. The 70-year-old Mount Waverley woman was last seen in Stocks Road, Mount Waverley about 11am on Thursday 29 August. Police and family are concerned for her welfare due to her age and the length of time she has been missing. Glyberia’s car, a gold Mercedes ML280 wagon, was located at the Schnapper Point car park, Mornington. Investigators are appealing for anyone who may have seen Glyberia as she travelled from Mount Waverley to Mornington, or in the Mornington…

Homicide Squad detectives have charged a man following the death of a child in Langwarrin on 2 September. Emergency services were called to an address in Potts Road about 4.10pm after reports that a child was injured. Crews worked on a 2-year-old boy but he could not be revived. A 32-year-old Langwarrin man has been charged with one count of murder. The man will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ court today (4 September). A 34-year-old woman arrested at the scene has been released without charge and is not believed to have been involved in the incident.

A $530,000 redevelopment project at Tyabb Central Recreation Reserve pavilion will create more inclusive, functional and accessible amenities for players of both genders. The pavilion will include two new change rooms with “female-friendly” amenities, accessible toilet, new path to the pavilion and new ramp. The upgrade, paid for through council’s capital works budget, aims to address a gap in local amenities and remove barriers to female sports participation. The mayor Cr David Gill said the council was “thrilled to be improving facilities at sporting grounds across the peninsula, especially by providing female-friendly and accessible amenities”. “To see more of the…

FOUR cows found wandering loose on Frankston-Flinders Road, Bittern, overnight last week were herded into the nearest fenced area – which turned out to be Bittern Pre-School. Mornington Peninsula Shire rangers responding to a call of stock at large found the cows at 11.45pm, Tuesday 27 August. They chose the pre-school garden area as the nearest and safest place to house them until their owner could be notified. The cows had been moved over to the Bittern hall play area when pre-school teacher Jill Oborn arrived early next morning, but reminders of their visit were plain to see. “There was…

A FINGAL family suffered a devastating blow over the weekend when a dog mauled and killed their two pet alpacas. Sharon Richardson, who runs Harmony B&B in Placadena Road with her husband Jeremy, said she heard knocking at her kitchen door on Sunday afternoon 1 September and opened it to find her distraught neighbour coming to report the shocking news. “I’m still a wreck,” she said yesterday (Monday). “My neighbour heard squealing and raced over the see a large Staffie [Staffordshire bull terrier] attacking our alpacas. “He gathered stones from our pond to ward off the dog but it left…

Police have arrested a man and a woman following the death of a child in Langwarrin this afternoon. Emergency services were called to an address in Potts Road about 4.10pm after reports that a child was injured. Crews worked on an 18-month-old boy but he could not be revived. Police arrested the pair at the scene and they are currently assisting with inquires. Homicide Squad detectives have been notified and are en route. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

DIVISION TWO ANOTHER huge performance from star forward Marc Holt has put Karingal in the Grand Final with a win over Langwarrin. Somerville Recreation Reserve played host to the clash on Saturday. It was a rematch of the qualifying final from two weeks ago, in which Langwarrin were able to get the win. Karingal came rushing out of the gates with a four goals to zero first term, before the Kangaroos bounced back to close the lead to 12 by half time. The Bulls stretched their lead back out to five goals by three-quarter time, and held on to claim…

DIVISION ONE PINES have gone crashing out of the MPNFL in straight sets after a shock 62 point loss to Bonbeach. The reigning premiers came into finals in patchy form, and weren’t able to correct course. Pines started well and went into the first break with the lead, but looked a completely different side after quarter time. Bonbeach got the upper hand with a seven goals to one second term, and never let it slip from there. The Sharks were able to keep the Pythons at an arm’s length in the third term, and finished the job with a stunning…

SOCCER SOMERVILLE Eagles are the toast of local soccer after clinching the State 5 South championship last Saturday. And the side jointly led by coach Scott Morrison and player-coach Dave Greening did it in style with a gutsy away win against Bunyip District Strikers. Somerville was forced to play most of the contest with 10 men after Matt Swanson reacted to a bad challenge by throwing the ball at his opponent and being sent off in the 22nd minute. The champion elect had taken the lead in the 9th minute when a Luke Hodge flick-on was clinically finished by Greening.…

SOCCER FOOTBALL Victoria dealt local women’s soccer a bodyblow by revoking Southern United’s senior NPLW licence last week. Southern told FV of its plans for 2020 as player-coach Melissa Maizels had been negotiating with a number of players with a view to strengthening the senior squad but FV wouldn’t budge. The findings of a six-month review of the women’s game in Victoria were delivered to the FV board some months ago and many believe that the federation waited till near season’s end before swinging the axe. FV also dumped Geelong Galaxy United and with the two clubs that boast the…

HORSE RACING THE John and Chris Meagher-trained mare, Pippie, landed the biggest win of her six-start career with an emphatic victory in the Group Three Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday 31 August. Under the guidance of jockey Ben Melham, Pippie took up the lead and controlled the race before being asked for her ultimate effort to kick away from her rivals and claim the $160,000 Group Three by one-and-a-half lengths. The victory was Pippie’s third straight win this preparation having previously won at Doomben and Caulfield, and her fourth win in her short career. The Mornington-trained mare has…

MOUNT MARTHA SOCCER CLUB By Alex Levy MOUNT Martha Soccer Club has just completed their 5th season of soccer and are going from strength to strength with over 400 members playing across 35 teams from U6’s to U18’s and an All Abilities side, all of which cater for both boys and girls. As a community club, we are extremely proud of where we sit today, having just moved onto 2 out of 4 of the brand new pitches at Civic Reserve. Our achievements and general culture and values are strong and testament to the fabulous volunteers and members who live…