Month: July 2020

The Mornington Peninsula has had four new cases of Coronavirus in the last 24 hours. The peninsula has had a total of 76 cases, and eleven are still active. The four new cases come after two days of no new cases on the peninsula. The City of Frankston had an increase of one case in the last 24 hours and currently has 12 active cases. The City of Casey has seen a jump of 27 cases in the last 24 hours bringing their total to 240 cases with 103 still active. The Mornington Peninsula currently ranks as the 24th worst…

By Danielle Collis MORNINGTON Peninsula real estate agents say an increasing number of Melbourne residents want to move to the Mornington Peninsula. Danckert Real Estate director Sam Danckert said the peninsula was no longer seen as “just a holiday home destination”, with 83 percent of buyer inquiries coming from people now residing within 20 kilometres of Melbourne. “It’s been occurring over the past few years, but it’s happening at a greater rate than I’ve ever seen in over 15 years of working in real estate,” Mr Danckert said. He said the influx of residents was due to several key drivers.…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has joined the chorus of calls for the state government to stop the exhibition of AGL’s plans for a floating gas import terminal at Crib Point until after the lifting of the stage three COVID-9 restrictions. It says that if Planning Minister Richard Wynne does not agree to postponing the exhibition of the environmental effects (EES) prepared by AGL for its gas plan he should “at the very least” extend the submission time by four weeks. Mr Wynne has already added 10 days to the scheduled exhibition of the EES relating to AGL gas terminal and a…

FORMER Petty Officer Douglas Alfred Symes enjoyed a tour of the Victorian Maritime Centre’s museum on the Esplanade, Crib Point, before the coronavirus lockdown. “Dougie”, as he is known around the Crib Point RSL, spent time viewing the exhibition and has vowed to return. During a lunch in his honour the 94-year-old entertained the centre’s volunteers by relaying highlights of his 48 years’ service in the Royal Australian Navy after entering HMAS Cerberus as a recruit in 1943. A quote from a citation presented to Mr Symes by the Commanding Officer of HMAS Cerberus at the time stated: “Your dedication,…

Mornington Peninsula Total cases: 72 – Active cases: 7 – New cases today: 0 No new cases today on the Mornington Peninsula. Overport Primary School in Frankston closes for cleaning and further investigation after coronavirus case. Long queues at local haberdashery stores as people rush for material and elastic. $120 of elastic stolen from Dromana haberdashery store. Mornington Secondary College VCAL students have turned their hands to making face masks. Key facts from today’s Victorian COVID-19 update: Victoria has recorded 275 new cases of coronavirus since yesterday, with the total number of cases now at 5942. The overall total has increased by 246, after…

The Mornington Peninsula has had no confirmed new cases of Coronavirus in the last 48 hours. The peninsula has had a total of 72 cases, and seven are still active. The City of Frankston had an increase of seven cases in the last three days its total to 54 cases with 12 active cases. It came as news broke of a positive test at Overport Primary School. The City of Casey has seen a jump of 40 cases in the last three days bringing their total to 213 cases. Seventy-eight of these are still active cases. The Mornington Peninsula currently…

EVERY cloud has a silver lining – just ask Lincraft Mornington assistant store manager Dianne Ansell. Demand for material to make face masks in the fight against COVID-19 is so strong that customers have flocked to the store at the Peninsula Home lifestyle centre all day. “We’ve been flat out with people buying 100 per cent cotton and a polyester mix to make the masks and the elastic to tie them on,” she said. “There’s a long queue winding its way down the aisles almost to the back of the store. “We haven’t seen sales like this since we opened…

SOCCER FOOTBALL Victoria early last week placed a full stop next to the 2020 season for senior teams in the metropolitan region. However the state body clings to the hope that junior competition at both NPL and community club levels can resume in September pending state government approval. The anticipated end to the 2020 season was first announced in an email to clubs and followed up the next day with an official media release whose main points were: Senior metropolitan competitions (NPL and community) will not proceed or resume as fixtured Junior NPL and community club competitions are planned to…

HORSE RACING IN form apprentice jockey Campbell Rawiller was crowned this season’s RMBL Investments Rising Stars Series champion at Flemington on Saturday 18 July. The Mornington-based apprentice jockey had an unassailable lead heading into the final event of the Series, but still managed to claim second aboard the Grahame Begg-trained Beauty Bolt and collect a further six points to add to his total. Rawiller, who has ridden 73 winners since debuting in September, finished 10 points clear of Teo Nugent and a further 19 points ahead of Lewis German who claimed third. The 19-year-olds victory emulated the success of his…

‘THE show must go on’ is a phrase many in the performing arts industry have long adhered to, until COVID-19. Whilst some states are beginning to open up their venues, theatres in Victoria still sit dark and empty as performers, stage crew, staff and audiences wait at home for their time to shine again. Like so many arts workers, Nick Rees has been affected by the temporary dimming of the lights in Australian theatre. With the aim of supporting artists and local theatre groups, Rees was inspired to produce Raise the Curtain featuring an incredible cast of names from the…

MR. Murphy, dairyman, had made certain complaints to the Frankston branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association to the effect that Cr Oates was interfering in his business which has since been purchased by Mr Barber. The branch invited Mr Barber to make a written complaint, but he did not do so, and made a verbal statement, which was taken down in writing. It was decided to acquaint Cr Oates with the nature of the complaints made, and Mr Barber was informed that he must substantiate his charges at this meeting. Cr Oates was supplied with a copy of the complaint…

MORNINGTON police station has stepped in to provide a much-needed service after Frankston police station’s counter service was shut down last week when an officer tested positive for coronavirus. Police say local area service delivery will “not be impacted” by the change of locations. Sergeant Jeremy Mishau, of Mornington police, said: “We are all clear; there are no cases here.” He said only two people would be allowed into the station at any one time. Those waiting outside will be asked to line up and take their turn. Contact tracing is under way at Frankston to establish how many officers…

POLICE say it is a myth that thieves are only interested in stealing luxury cars. They say modern, “mainstream” cars are frequently targeted. Keep your car’s keys out of sight and make sure you lock all doors and windows – especially at night – because seven out of every 10 cars are stolen using their own keys. Police and the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council have compiled information to show motorists how to prevent car thefts. Visit https://bit.ly/3h1JueU First published in the Mornington News – 21 July 2020

PROTECTIVE face masks are now compulsory and students in the Mornington Secondary College VCAL class are being credited with making an astute business decision. They are making face masks to tackle COVID-19 under the name: STS – or Stop the Spread – as well as learning about running a business. Teacher Anne-Marie Burnet said the year 11 students had set themselves up in a “factory” divided into various departments, such as marketing, sales and production to make the washable cloth masks, and business is booming. Part of their marketing philosophy is showing younger teens that it’s cool to wear masks,…

THE season return of Australian Ninja Warrior has a Mornington Peninsula flavour. The competitors include fan favourite Ashlin Herbert, of Mornington, alongside his mates Troy Cullen and Zak Stolz, of Rye, and last year’s winner Charlie Robbins, also of Rye. Joining the Channel 9 show is Herbert’s girlfriend Sarah Blackmore, also of Rye, who, after training with the boys for the past three years, decided to give the course a go. Fans believe there’s a good chance one of the peninsula’s team will take out the title of Australia’s first Ninja Warrior. The show is being contested by 140 “everyday…

A MORNINGTON woman described by her daughter as “four foot 10 inches of positivity and happiness” toasted her centenary on Friday 3 July. But, due to coronavirus concerns, Elaine Hedgcock’s birthday was a trifle muted. “Unfortunately we couldn’t all be there, however, her four children, three of her 14 grandchildren, and four or her 27 great-grandchildren came separately during the day in rosters,” daughter Robyn Davies said. She also has two great-great grandchildren. “There were lots of phone calls and three overseas FaceTimes from grandchildren – Tim from Perth, Lara from San Francisco and Peter from Dubai.  They were very…

FOOTY fans are rallying to fly the flag even as the Victorian AFL teams and their families head north to hopefully complete the season. Carlton supporter Dianne Baxter, of Bittern, says her dog Georgia is also a great fan of the Blues. Although she is probably more of a mascot than active club member, Ms Baxter credits Georgia with having a fine Carlton pedigree. “Her ‘grandfather’ played in three winning Grand Finals, was the club’s leading goal kicker six times and was inducted into the Carlton Hall of Fame. Georgia is definitely a true Blue,” she said. Ms Baxter’s father…

By Bree Masters ATHLETES training for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics are being confronted by an unforeseen obstacle: the six-week lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19. With their training options suddenly curtailed Mornington Peninsula Athletics Club sprinters Sophia Fighera and Matthew Rizzo have teamed up to help each other stay fit for Tokyo. Matthew Rizzo, 2017 Stawell Gift winner, said news of sporting facilities and gyms closing and outdoor exercise being restricted to two people, means his Olympic dream is at stake. “With gyms closing, it will mean that we will not be able to complete our gym sessions…

A SIX-MONTH extension of the JobKeeper subsidy is “absolutely imperative for the survival of coach tour companies – a vital part of the Mornington Peninsula’s tourism industry”. Chris O’Shannessy, of O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours, based at Rye, said the tourism industry was “not alone in bearing the brunt of the economic crisis this pandemic has caused. But I would say without a doubt it is, along with the hospitality industry, one of the hardest hit. “Our two industries work hand in glove in support of each other.” Mr O’Shannessy said coach touring brought visitors to small, out-of-the-way towns, provided revenue for…

COMPENSATION for tourism accommodation operators who have suffered cancellations due to the lockdown of metropolitan COVID hotspots has been welcomed. A $5 million fund for regional businesses such as motels, caravan parks and holiday home operators from the state government will help cover lost revenue as a result of cancelled bookings. The mayor Cr Sam Hearn said: “I want to thank the Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula for ensuring Mornington Peninsula tourism businesses are included in the regional accommodation support fund. “We know our tourism businesses are struggling at the moment and we appreciate all the support…

NEIGHBOURS complaining about rowdy guests allegedly breaking COVID-19 restrictions at a Rye holiday rental house over the 11 and 12 July weekend said police told them they “couldn’t do anything” about it. Joanne Heath said she called Rosebud police twice when “up to 20 people” arrived at the Glen Drive property after stage three restrictions were imposed who were “definitely not from the same family”. The restrictions came into force from 11.59pm, Wednesday 8 July. “We reported it as a COVID-19 breach on the Friday night and I was told it would be looked into, but nothing was done,” Ms…

A WOMAN described as a “legend” in the Mornington Peninsula basketball community has been awarded The Jack Carter Memorial Award – Sports Administrator of the Year, for Basketball Victoria. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Mornington District Basketball Association general manager Samantha Browne had to accept the state-wide award in constrained circumstances. Instead of basking in the limelight at a glamorous event at Crown before 2000-plus attendees from hundreds of basketball associations, she had to settle for a Zoom video call presentation by association president Antony Hirst joined by committee members in their own homes. “Our association in the past few years…

WORK has started on a feasibility study into connecting the Mornington Peninsula’s hinterland to a permanent source of water from the Eastern Treatment Plant. The Bangholme plant discharges around 350 million litres of treated waste water a day into Bass Strait at Boags Rocks, near Gunnamatta. The scheme – long promoted by Mornington Peninsula Shire and peninsula MPs – would allow landowners to access the recycled water as it makes its way down the length of the peninsula to the South Eastern Outfall. This renewable supply of treated water would ease pressures imposed on primary producers by climate change, boost…

SAND has become a precious and fought over commodity, and no more so than near some of Australia’s most expensive and exclusive real estate: Portsea. At one end of the town, near the iconic pier, sand has disappeared several times over the past decade, starting in 2009 when dredging of the South Channel changed its shape, causing a new, damaging swell to erode a part of the beach near the Portsea Hotel. With sand trucked in at great expense to taxpayers, the beach was restored, but not to its former glory, or permanently. A couple of years later the imported…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors want the state government to rein in the power of municipal chief executive officers to prevent bonuses being secretly given to staff. Under the current rules CEOs can grant bonuses to staff without telling councillors, residents or ratepayers. Council CEOs are the only council officers appointed and controlled by councillors. All other council staff are under the jurisdiction of the CEO. Cr David Gill told The News that the shire’s current CEO, John Baker, had not awarded any bonuses to staff. However, a previous CEO who he declined to name, had provided bonuses to individual officers…

Detectives from Frankston Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Unit are investigating a sexual assault that occurred in Frankston last month. Investigators have been told a 17-year-old girl was sitting on a bench seat on Young Street opposite the Frankston Railway station about 11.40am on Monday, 29 June. A man approached the girl before sitting next to her and sexually assaulting her. The man walked away on foot towards Beach Street but not before the quick-thinking victim managed to take a photograph of the man. Detectives have released an image and CCTV footage of the man in the hope someone will…

Mornington Peninsula Total cases: 72 – Active cases: 8 – New cases today: 0 One new case yesterday, no new cases today on the Mornington Peninsula. A Somers health expert has added her voice to calls the Mornington Peninsula should be excluded from the Greater Melbourne lockdown area to help beat COVID-19. On the day compulsory mask wearing is announced, we take a light-hearted look at Victoria’s rich heritage of mask wearing. Key facts from today’s Victorian COVID-19 update: Victoria has recorded 363 new cases of coronavirus since yesterday, with the total number of cases now at 5696. The overall total has increased by 343, after…

A SOMERS health expert has added her voice to calls the Mornington Peninsula should be excluded from the Greater Melbourne lockdown area to help beat COVID-19. “We need a checkpoint as they have at the border between Victoria and New South Wales to keep people out and stop the virus spreading,” virologist Sue King said. “The state government needs to put a stop to it.” Ms King is backing the mayor Cr Sam Hearn’s demand that the peninsula be designated a regional area so visitors simply cannot flock in from other suburbs and potentially bring infections with them (“Outsiders stay…

The news of mandatory mask wearing has taken me completely by surprise. Knowing that I’ll be fined $200 for not wearing a mask after Wednesday has made me regret continuing to panic buy toilet paper when everybody else was probably panic buying face masks. How could I have got panic buying so wrong? Now masks are going to be compulsory, the chances of getting one of those official-looking blue ones that Anthony Edwards used to wear on ‘ER’ are slim to none. Which means I’ll need to make my own. Luckily, I am incredibly practical by nature and willing to…

The Mornington Peninsula has had no confirmed new cases of Coronavirus in the last 24 hours as the state’s numbers soared by an all-time high number of 428 cases. The peninsula has had a total of 71 cases, and seven are still active. In his daily press conference, Premier Daniel Andrews singled out a group from Coburg that had travelled a 200 kilometre round trip to visit Rye. He made the point the group set a “poor example” during restrictions. The City of Frankston had an increase of one case in the last 24 hours, bringing its total to 47…