Month: June 2020

SORRENTO Portsea RSL sub-branch’s bushfire dinner and auction in February raised $28,500 as the final event in a fundraising campaign beginning when the fires started in early January. But rather than donate the money to one of the many larger funds operating at the time, Sorrento Portsea RSL president John Prentice said the committee decided on a different tack. “We wanted to select a community cause that was badly affected by the fires and where a financial contribution would make a real difference,” he said. Four months later the committee agreed to share the money equally among six small East…

AS the time for voting on a name for the $50 million aquatic centre draws to a close Aboriginals and their supporters are making it clear that Yawa is their preferred title. Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors last month rejected a recommendation that the aquatic centre be called Gunawarra and instead shortlisted five names for a public vote. However, the councillors gave no guarantee that the most popular name would be adopted. The five shortlisted names are: Gunawarra Aquatic Centre; Rosebud Aquatic Centre; Barbawar Aquatic Centre; Yawa Aquatic Centre; and Tides Aquatic Centre. Gunawarra means black swan, barbawar stingray and yawa…

DESPITE their admitted lack of the required scientific expertise, Mornington Peninsula Shire officers have been ordered to investigate alleged health issues surrounding the 5G telecommunications network. The councillors’ decision to investigate what is essentially a federal government responsibility was made in response to 700-signature petition expressing concerns that the introduction of the 5G technology could endanger health. Fears of health risks from 5G have sparked street protests in Australia, including Melbourne, where marches have often been combined with those opposing vaccines. Overseas, demonstrators have set fire to 5G telecommunications towers. The petition was received in January and at that stage…

OPPONENTS of the harvesting of moulting crabs at Rye say Victorian Fisheries Authority regulations are “out of step” and “urgently require review”. They say thousands of crabs congregating under piers in late autumn-early winter are being plundered at their most vulnerable moment. Rye pier was so crowded on Queens Birthday Weekend 7 June that it was closed by police over fears crab fishers were breaching COVID-19 restrictions. Since then, divers have found up to 80 chicken carcasses used as bait littering the sea floor and attracting sharks which are endangering snorkelers, and causing environment pollution. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council on…

Mornington Peninsula Shire has unveiled a plan for a 192-hectare industrial area on the outskirts of Hastings. The plan to provide enough industrial land for the next 15 years follows the steady loss of unoccupied industrial land across the peninsula. The Draft Mornington Peninsula Industrial Areas Land Use and Infrastructure Assessment and Rezoning Strategy will be on exhibition for comment for six weeks. The shire’s strategic projects manager Allan Cowley says that allowing a shortage of industrial land would lead to a “constrained” market, with high prices impeding the development of new businesses. Due to changes in uses allowed in…

BOTH state and federal governments are being asked to launch a life raft to ease economic and social hardship on the Mornington Peninsula in the wake of the coronavirus emergency. The shire’s $320 million recovery wish list ranges from housing for the homeless to a technology park. Estimated costs are just as variable, with the homeless “package” put at $2.5 million, a plan to use recycled water coming in at $27.3m and road safety $130m. In its approach to both governments the shire says the Mornington Peninsula has “suffered one of the heaviest hits to employment in the state”, with…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire libraries at Mornington, Rosebud, Somerville and Hastings are open but with controls on numbers allowed inside after COVID-19 restrictions were eased on Monday (22 June). Libraries will continue to run at reduced hours until 4 July when hours are expected to return to normal. All public programs, including Storytime, will continue online “for the time being”. Safety measures are in place with a concierge at the door to track numbers and to record visitors’ details. Hand sanitiser will be available and extra cleaning of all high-touch surfaces, computers and self-serve checkouts, will be done. The Mobile Library…

POLITICAL differences have been put aside and municipal transport priorities tempered in the quest to extend the railway beyond Frankston. A regional advisory committee will report to Infrastructure Australia that the key to solving inadequate public transport connectivity in the region hinges on building a double-track rail extension to Langwarrin at least, or potentially Baxter, with trains running every 15 minutes. Earlier this year, Infrastructure Australia (IA) listed “Frankston Public Transport Connectivity” as one of its six key “near-term” nation-building projects in Victoria. The national infrastructure body then tasked a local advisory committee to explore 23 ideas that would significantly…

By Danielle Collis AS experts are calling for federal government action plan to strengthen Australia’s weak environment laws, Mornington Peninsula residents Lorinda Hartley and Theresa Jenson have formed a new climate action group. Mornington Peninsula Australian Conservation Foundation founder Theresa Jenson said the condition of the environment is concerning for the peninsula community. “A lot of governments are trying very hard to deal with the environment, it’s just about trying to get our voice across too,” Ms Jenson said. The group is part of the Australian Conservation Foundation, a nationwide network which aims to protect Australia’s environment. Co-founder Lorina Hartley…

KEEN cricketers are being invited to pursue their passion with others at Mornington Peninsula Veterans’ Cricket Club. In the lead up to the season practice sessions for the over 60s team are held at Saxon Sports, Frankston, on days and times to be advised. New member Neville Smith is also keen to recruit players aged 50 and over to start up an over 50s team this summer. He said he was “welcomed with open arms” at the club and is keen to extend the courtesy to other new members. “Training has been exhilarating in the outdoors doing something we love,”…

SOCCER FOOTBALL Victoria announced a July start to the 2020 season late last week for all senior and junior competitions. The announcement came a day before the state government withdrew from lifting some pandemic restrictions but as we went to press there was no indication of any change to FV’s restart dates. NPL junior boys are scheduled to return to competition on the weekend of 4/5 July, NPL junior girls, community club juniors and MiniRoos on the weekend of 11/12 July with senior competitions back in action on the weekend of 25/26 July. However doubts over the NPL1 season continue…

HORSE RACING DAVID and Coral Feek’s talented filly, Ocean Miss, made a winning return to racing on Thursday 18 June by scoring a decisive win at Seymour. The fourth placegetter in last year’s Group Three Ethereal Stakes, showed her class to win over 1300m with 60kg in what was a tight drive to the line. Coming from off midfield, the three-year-old daughter of Ocean Park got to the outside and hit her straps in the straight to hold off the fast-finishing challenge from the Busuttin/Young-trained The Executioner. Despite failing to fire in the Group One Kennedy Oaks in the Spring,…

By Molly Haines IT’S A Blaze has just done a great thing. Well a brilliant thing, broken Cranbourne’s 520 metre track record in his second career start. Previously held by Pop The Cork, the track record now stands at 29.541sec. Amazingly, this wasn’t the first time It’s A Blaze has broken the track record. He first did so unofficially in May during a clearance trial to use blinkers, stopping the clock in a time of 29.578sec. “It wasn’t a surprise he broke the track record because he can run, but you never expect a track record,” trainer Kel Greenough said…

AT Frankston last Monday night the initial meeting took place of the sub-committee appointed to give effect to the resolutions passed at the public meeting held at Seaford last month to secure the improvement of the Kananook Creek. The following representatives were present: Crs W. P. Mason and J. B. Howell (Shire Council): Messrs Hunter and Cotton (Seaford Progress Association) : Messrs McCullloch and Jennings (Public nominees); Messrs P. Wheeler and W. Crawford Young (Frankston Progress Association). Cr Mason was voted to the chair, and, by request, Mr W. Klauer consented to act as secretary to the committee. The question…

FIRE brigades from Mornington, Mount Eliza and Mount Martha and specialist Hazmat crews from Hallam battled to bring an industrial fire at Mornington under control this morning. Commander Paul Summons, who is based at Dandenong, said the fire at a scrap metal yard near the corner of Watt and Yuilles roads tore through piles of scrap metal three metres high, 20 metres long and five metres wide, from 9am, Friday 19 June. The blaze also damaged a seven-tonne excavator and generated so much dense, toxic black smoke that an advice warning was sent out to the community not to breathe…

CAMERAS are now providing live coverage of boat ramps at Stony Point and Corinella. The ramp cam images are refreshed every five minutes on Maritime Safety Victoria’s Boating Vic trip preparation website and app. The website also includes weather details and safety advice. “We know that many Victorian boaters love to check boat ramp cameras before heading out – now users of Stony Point and Corinella boat ramps can access these images at the same time as local weather details, for a clearer picture of what to expect,” maritime safety director Cameron Toy said. “With all this information at their…

A NEW, larger shed being built for Western Port Men’s Shed in Sudholz Street, Bittern, will allow members more scope to help schools, charity groups and residents with projects and repairs. The kitchen and social area will allow members to learn cooking skills – especially important for those living alone – as well as being able to mix in a social atmosphere. Members are keen to pass on their skills and help new members with their projects or with community projects. Women’s weekly woodworking classes are held through Crib Point Community House. President and treasurer Colin Prowd said the shed…

A “notorious bottleneck” on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway is closer to being removed with $3.5 million from the federal government. The money, part of a 2019 election commitment, will go to the state government for the planning and development of a business case for the upgrades, to include grade separation and duplication of the freeway to Boneo Road, pedestrian upgrades and a flyover at Jetty Road, Rosebud, and sound barriers between Rosebud and Dromana. Flinders MP Greg Hunt said residents of Rosebud and the southern Peninsula had waited for years for improved traffic flow at the intersection of Jetty Road…

SEARCHERS scouring dense bush in central Victoria for a missing autistic boy last week were supported by rescue dog Obi. The black Labrador – owned and trained by Andrew and Julie Cowan, of Somerville-based Search and Rescue Dogs Australia – used his exceptional air scenting skills to home-in on the area where Will Callaghan was found. His owners say Obi’s barking may have alerted human rescuer Ben Gibbs, who was close by, to push through “horrendous” vegetation and up the bank where he says he found the 14-year-old looking “angelic”. Will, who loves dogs, was standing up “trying to look…

Story and picture by Barry Irving RYE resident Barney Cain celebrated his 100th birthday with family and friends, Saturday 6 June. Mr Cain, third from left at right, was born in 1920 at the home built by his grandfather Michael Cain as the first of seven children for Owen and Ethel Cain (nee Hill). He is the great-grandson of Owen Cain, one of the early settlers of Rye. After attending Boneo and Rye and then St Joseph’s (Sorrento) primary schools he moved up to St Joseph’s Christian Brothers at South Melbourne until 1935. He says he enjoyed his time…

A CHARITY set up as a social enterprise wants to open a trauma recovery and mental wellbeing centre on the Mornington Peninsula. The site could be a former hospital or a donated section of a large property. Enveco Health founder Moniquea Spiteri said the organisation had unsuccessfully “approached numerous foundations, applied for grants [which is] the usual process that not-for-profits do…”. “Seed funding and seed capital is the hardest to get [because] when it comes to backing innovation everyone is focused on technology start-ups or others doing the same thing,” she said. Generous philanthropists were hard to find. “We’ve been…

AUTISM crusader Bianca Jane Appleford has received an Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for “service to people living with autism”. The Rye resident, who has an autistic son, was previously honoured by being named Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Citizen of the Year in 2017 and Queen’s Baton-bearer for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. Ms Appleford founded Light-Up Autism Foundation in 2012 to introduce improved teaching aids into southern peninsula schools so students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and those with other learning difficulties, could more easily stay happy, and focused, in the mainstream system. The…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire denies it is using aerial drones to find private swimming pools in the lead-up to compulsory registration in November. The shire says drones may be used for vegetation inspections. A reference to the use of drones in the council’s 12 May Quarterly Report said drones were being used “to assist conducting formal inspections of land, which has reduced the risk to officers in navigating hazardous sites and eliminated the need to contract external providers … for aerial imaging”. Glenn Murphy told The News that he suspected drones were being used to find pools when his mother-in-law, who…

FISHERIES Victoria has no plans to ban catching spider crabs despite Rye pier having to be closed on the Sunday night 7 June because so many fishers were targeting the crabs and ignoring social distancing rules. Victorian Fisheries Authority director Dallas D’Silva said six fisheries officers inspected 200 catches over the long weekend and rated compliance rates as “high”. Environmentalists acknowledge bag limits of 30 crabs a person are legal, but say “esky loads” are being stored in cars with the same fisher returning to catch a “new” bag limit. They fear widespread “plundering” of the moulting crabs in their…

THE Mornington Peninsula is among the top six Victorian municipalities when it comes to the number of homeless people being forced to “sleep rough”. However, Mornington Peninsula Shire has reiterated that it is a problem the state government – not the council – should be fixing. The situation came to head last week when police and council staff used a bobcat to clear Rosebud camping ground of tents being used by the homeless. (“Homeless on a merry-go-round” The News 9/6/20). The mayor Cr Sam Hearn said the shire had been trying to find alternative places for the campers to stay…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors are again appealing for the public to help them decide on a name for the $50 million aquatic centre being built at Rosebud. The councillors deferred voting on a short list of names when they met on 26 May, and instead decided to again ask the community. The short list of five names is now being publicised and public comment sought, but the final decision will be made by councillors. In a widely circulated email Cr David Gill stated “the last minute change by council is now also an opportunity to firmly state that we…

By Danielle Collis A MT MARTHA restaurant has prepared more than 1000 meals for Mornington Community Information and Support Centre to deliver to people and families in need. Volpino owner David Weill said a customer who donated $1000 had wanted to help keep the restaurant in business during the coronavirus emergency while also helping the broader community. Mr Weill contacted the Mornington Peninsula Foundation about the customer’s plan and was put in touch with the Mornington Community Information and Support Centre. The centre’s general manager Stuart Davis-Meehan said due to coronavirus restrictions the centre had replaced its face-to-face meal program…

SHIRE officers have been given a rocket over the condition of the coastal path from Royal Beach and continuing behind Mornington Bowling Club to the Barkly Street roundabout. Cr Bev Colomb told the council’s 26 May meeting that the scenic and historic coastal path should be “brought back to a standard that allows access and safety for community use”. She successfully moved that this be done before the end of June. Adding to the blast, Cr Colomb insisted the officers report back before the end of July on the process they use to “make decisions that involve public community coastal…

SOCCER LANGWARRIN and Seaford United will participate in the 2020 league season. The last two local clubs to decide their response to the disrupted season have informed Football Victoria of their decision. Langwarrin president Tanya Wallace addressed the senior squad last week before making the decision to play this year. “All of our players returned and have agreed to play so I’m really grateful for the commitment they’ve shown and for wanting to stick by the club in challenging and difficult times,” she said. “I’m really proud of the way everyone throughout the club has reacted to what needed to…

HORSE RACING MORNINGTON-based trainer John McArdle has hit a purple patch of form with three of his up-and-coming two-year-old’s breaking their maidens on debut in the past fortnight. Sure Am Invincible, Twain’s Express and So Let’s Toast all came through the same jumpout (Heat 4) at Mornington on Wednesday 27 May before going on to score victories at their respective debuts. In the 1000m jumpout, it was Sure Am Invincible who showed the early toe to lead the heat before her stablemates So Let’s Toast (first) and Twain’s Express (second) swept past the field to runaway with the clear fastest…