By Barry Irving and John Wilson* AUSTRALIA responded to a request from South Vietnam and the United States for support in 1962 by sending 30 military advisors. By 1965 it was clear that more support was needed. As the US increased its troops in Vietnam, Australia sent a battalion of soldiers that increased to a task force in 1966. The Australian men and women who served in Vietnam made many sacrifices. More than 60,000 served in the war, with 523 being killed and 3000 soldiers wounded. There were more than 15,000 national servicemen that eventually went to Vietnam, with 200…
Author: MP News Group
Shire’s unacceptable ‘dictatorial attitude’ I am surprised and alarmed by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s move to introduce and begin monitored and paid parking for our coastal locations. First as a pilot program at Schnapper Point, Sunnyside Beach and Flinders jetty, but we all know that will be simply a forerunner to the rest of the peninsula having the same controlled parking (“Flinders keeps its spot in paid parking trial” The News 15/8/23). This is being done by our council without public debate and traditional due process. This dictatorial attitude is not acceptable. There are already intrusive and unwelcome surveillance cameras…
YEAR 12 students on the Mornington Peninsula are being shown the confronting and horrific consequences of road trauma – and it could be saving their lives. As part of a program supported by emergency services, Teenagers Road Accident Group (TRAG) has been running presentations on road safety that show students the reality of careless driving, speed or simply making poor choices when it comes to getting into vehicles. Project manager Jonelle Colabufalo, whose brother Jared Dunscombe – a former Mornington Peninsula student – was killed on the road in 2013, said the program increases the awareness of young people to…
THE Australian Men’s Shed Association is celebrating 30 years of men’s sheds in Australia, and the Safety Beach Dromana Men’s Shed is hosting “the shedder’s big breakfast” on Wednesday 23 August from 8am to midday. The men’s shed hosted successful pre-COVID big breakfasts in 2018 and 2019. Secretary Denis McKeegan said it had been “quite a task” to organise and coordinate trade and general interest displays, musical entertainment, with a side-serving of health information. He said those attending the breakfast should take gold coins to exchange for an egg and bacon roll and barista coffee with a barbecue to follow.…
A HOUSE on High Street Hastings was damaged after a vehicle ploughed through the front fence and hit the building on Saturday 12 August. Two Hastings CFA units responded to the incident, which happened about 4.30pm. Ambulance Victoria and police were called to the scene where the driver was treated for minor injuries. First published in the Western Port News – 16 August 2023
A man who rammed police and civilian cars overnight and the front garage of a home, has been arrested by police in Hastings. The man first came to police attention following reports he was asleep at the wheel of a parked car in Beilby Court about 10.50pm. Officers checked the car and confirmed the Holden Statesman was unregistered and the registration plates stolen. Police were initially unable to wake the man, so they moved in and placed tyre deflation devices in the vicinity of the car. Once awake the man ignored several and repeated requests by police to get out…
THIEVES smashed their way into eight businesses in Mount Eliza Village early last Thursday morning, walking out with cash registers in full view of passersby. Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the burglaries, which occurred around 5.30am in Mount Eliza Way and at the strip of shops behind Safeway in Canadian Bay Road. Witnesses said the two male offenders seemed confident and cocky, with one exiting a Mount Eliza Way shop with a cash register in his arms, allegedly nodding to and greeting a stunned passerby. Business owner Sam Grove, whose Mount Eliza Way barber shop was targeted,…
CONFUSION over the approval process for removing pine trees has prompted Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to clarify the rules. Rapid urbanisation of the peninsula and the age of pine trees that were planted decades ago as wind breaks means many of them are being removed. The mayor Cr Steve Holland said radiata pines, – the most prolific pines on the peninsula – are native to the United States but are well adapted to the peninsula and can spread and colonise areas of native bush and roadsides. They are classified as an environmental weed on the peninsula. As much of the…
MPs should vote for what Indigenous people want Both Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie and Mornington MP Chris Crewther have suggested the Voice referendum should be on the question of recognition alone. However, there is a simple reason not to do this: it is not what Indigenous people have asked for. Indigenous people have told us that symbolic recognition in the constitution is not enough. To ignore their request for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament would be insisting – once again – that white Australia knows best. I hope both MPs reconsider their position on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament with…
A MOTORCYCLIST died after being hit by two vehicles in Mornington at about 9pm on Friday 11 August. Police are investigating the incident, which occurred when the motorcyclist and a car collided on Wilsons Road, at the intersection of Orchid Avenue. It is believed another vehicle then crashed into the rider who was lying on the road with critical injuries. Emergency services worked on the male rider, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The female driver of the first car and the male driver of the second car both stopped. Police are working to establish the circumstances of…
FIREFIGHTERS at Mount Eliza and Frankston CFAs have welcomed some new volunteers, but still need more to be ready for the coming fire season. Over the past three months the volunteers have completed the nationally recognised CFA firefighter training, which is split into 30 hours of practical and 20 hours of theory. It also lays the foundation for firefighters to undertake further specialised training required to respond to structural fires or other complex emergencies. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer, as either an operational or non-operational member, can register their interest at: cfa.vic.gov.au/volunteers-careers/volunteer-with-cfa First published in the Mornington News –…
MORNINGTON Football Netball Club is celebrating an unprecedented milestone this year, with all six of its girls’ junior and women’s seniors teams making the finals. The achievement comes eight years after the club first fielded a women’s team in seniors football and five years since Mornington Junior Football Club fielded its first girls’ side. In junior girls football, the club is represented in under-12s, under-14s and under-16s and has 61 registered players. In senior football, the women are represented in divisions one, two and three and have 94 registered players. “We’re incredibly proud of what the girls and women have…
THE theft of a Chicago Bulls bomber jacket from a Rosebud opportunity shop has led to a heart-warming and generous act of kindness from a stranger as well as some rewarding publicity. Volunteers at the Boneo Lions op shop in Ninth Avenue were horrified when a shopper stole the donated jacket right from under their noses last Saturday (29 July), managing to grab it and leave the store before anybody noticed. Volunteer Sonya McCormack said they were just as shocked when a customer came in last week and, on hearing about the jacket, donated $100. “We just wanted to say…
A HASTINGS laundromat has been temporarily shut down after a fire last Thursday (3 August) destroyed machinery and stock. The fire broke out at the Westside Laundrette in Victoria Street overnight and was responded to by Hastings and Bittern fire brigades as well as Fire Rescue Victoria. Firefighters were on the scene in minutes and crews donned breathing apparatus so they could begin working to contain the fire. It was a multi-service response, with Somers Fire Brigade turning out breathing apparatus support vehicle before Fire Rescue Victoria was called in for support and a ladder platform from Dandenong arrived to…
POLICE are investigating a shop burglary in Balnarring on Wednesday 12 July. It is believed alleged offenders, pictured, went to the Frankston-Flinders Road business about 5am and stole the till containing about $600 in cash. Two unknown Caucasian males remained outside the store on lookout while one male entered through the front door. Investigators have released the above image of a man who may be able to help with inquiries. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Western Port News – 9 August…
BILLS from South East Water are expected to increase this financial year. South East Water has announced changes to its billing system, which are expected to increase the average cost of a household bill by nearly three per cent. South East Water is removing its fixed sewage disposal charge and incorporating its sewage disposal into a new water usage tariff from 1 July. South East Water managing director Lara Olsen said the change would make billing “simpler” for customers, “making it easier for them to budget, and continuing our digital metering rollout across the south-east”. “Our digital metering rollout is…
HUNDREDS of trees are likely to be removed from a heavily treed 2.73 hectare-block in the Woodlands area of Mount Eliza to make way for eight houses. An application is currently before council Mornington Peninsula Shire Council for the subdivision and proposed vegetation removal at 273 Canadian Bay Road, including 444 trees. The council’s manager of development services David Simon said the council had received an application to subdivide the land into eight lots, which involved removing most of non-native trees on the site as well as some native trees. He said the application was still under consideration and had…
Utes and SUVs leave little space for parking cars The time has come to have a good look at car parks. Most were designed when people drove cars, and a Ford or Holden station wagon was considered a big car. Nowadays they look like babies compared to the massive utes and SUVs which are filling our streets. Vehicles such as the Dodge Ram and the soon to be introduced Ford F150 leave no room for others to get into or out of their vehicle if they are unlucky enough to have one of these park next to them. I drive…
Missing Persons Squad detectives have located what appear to be human remains as part of their ongoing investigation into the suspicious disappearance of Maryam Hamka. Investigators re-commenced a search in the Cape Schanck area this morning. The yet to be formally identified remains were found about 10.30am in bushland off Rogers Road, near Patterson Road. The coroner has been advised and a post mortem will occur in due course. Police previously conducted searches of the Cape Schanck area last month. Maryam was reported missing by her family on 15 April, 2021. She was last seen leaving a Woolworths store in…
A LETTER from the new King and Queen of England was a highlight for John Rees’s 100th birthday last week, which he celebrated at Corowa Court residential aged care in Mornington. Ress, pictured with his wife Gail, daughters Megan Saunders, Jenni-Lee Rees and son David, is a popular resident at the centre and enjoyed celebrating his special day with family, friends and staff members. First published in the Mornington News – 8 August 2023
TWO people have been arrested and charged following a spate of alleged home burglaries on the Mornington Peninsula over the past month. Crime investigation officers received reports of six holiday homes being targeted in the Rye area between 3 and 29 July. Most of the properties were accessed using house keys left for future renters. The homes were then allegedly ransacked, with large quantities of white goods, appliances and furniture stolen. No resident or renter was inside at the time. Following inquires, police arrested a 34-year-old man and 36-year-old woman in Rye on Friday 4 August. Both were charged with…
POLICE have arrested and charged seven youths following a spate of alleged offences on the Mornington Peninsula and across Melbourne’s southern metropolitan region between Monday 5 June and Sunday 23 July. The incidents include alleged home invasions and the theft of motor vehicles and petrol, as well as criminal damage, robbery, burglaries, and affrays in the Rosebud, Cheltenham and Parkdale areas. Police will allege some of the charges relate to the alleged serious assault of a 15-year-old girl at a shopping centre in Cheltenham at the weekend. The six boys and one girl – all from Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs and…
THE Westernport Regional Band became the first big band to perform inside the Victorian Artists Centre’s historic East Melbourne Hammond Gallery on Saturday 22 July. The band played against the backdrop of the 2023 VAS Winter Select Exhibition. The all ages Westernport Regional Band is a community big band with woodwind, brass and rhythm instruments. Its repertoire encompasses a variety of musical styles, from jazz, swing, Latin to modern compositions. Rehearsals under the direction of Ian Oldstein and Alistair Neil are held 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Thursdays at Mt Erin Secondary College Music Centre, Robinsons Road Frankston (Melway 102 J10).…
THE state government is spending $110,000 on Mornington peninsula tourism events, including this year’s Devilbend Trail Run, Peninsula VineHop Festival, Taste of Sorrento and The Big Knit. Eastern Victoria MP Tom McIntosh said the events would go ahead thanks to the government’s small and medium events program. Taste of Sorrento returned after a seven-year hiatus, reimagined into a month-long festival. It aims to celebrate and promote all that Sorrento and the peninsula have to offer in gourmet produce, wine, bespoke spirits, craft beers and cider. The event is aimed at promoting off peak winter visitors to Sorrento, as well as…
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance to identify a male following an attempted armed robbery in Rosebud last week. Police have been told a male offender approached the 16-year-old victim near Olympic Park Reserve between Ashenden Square and Besgrove Street about 3.30pm on Friday 28 July. It is understood the offender produced a brown handled bladed knife and made demands for the victim’s mobile phone. The victim attempted to kick the knife from the offender’s hands and to defend himself punched the offender to his left eye/cheekbone and running to get help. The victim was…
THE Mornington Tourist Railway is back in business after undergoing minor repairs in April, giving passengers the experience of train travel from a bygone era. On Sundays, the volunteer-run heritage train takes passengers on a return trip from Moorooduc to Mornington, travelling through scenic parts of the area. On Sunday 13 August the railway will be the setting for a rock-n-roll afternoon. A fun day out for all ages, there will be Elvis sandwiches of toasted peanut butter and bacon. There will also be face painting, a coffee van, and the chance to win one of 100 first edition Elvis…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is reminding dog owners of the need to obtain a permit to keep more than one dog on a property of less than 499 square metres. The local law is not new, with the 2022 Council’s Community Amenity Local Law mirroring previous restrictions and local laws in most other Victorian municipalities. The number of animals allowed to be kept under the local law is based on property size in an effort to minimise the potential nuisance caused by animals, as well as protect the welfare of the animal. On larger blocks of up to 2499 square…
Frankston Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team are investigating after a man exposed himself in Rosebud. Police have been told a 13-year-old girl was waiting for a bus on Point Nepean Highway about 6.30pm on 28 April. A man approached the stop and exposed himself to the girl. Both parties then caught the bus to Tootgarook where the girl disclosed the incident to a fellow passenger. The man got off the bus before police were notified. The offender is perceived to be Caucasian, about 20-years-old and with a thin build. At the time of the offence, he was wearing…
THERE’S lots of good learning at Hastings Primary School, but fun is also on the agenda. On Friday (28 July) the school held a maths Olympics to get students engaged and help them see the fun side of improving their numeracy skills. School council president Hannah Mendelson said the Olympic event ran all day and was one example of the education-focussed fun events being run at the school. “We are doing many exciting things this term, and we love to share some of the great things about our school with the wider community,” she said. First published in the Western…
A GIFT from an anonymous donor to Ambulance Victoria has seen an extra 20 automated external defibrillators installed across the Mornington Peninsula over the past two years. The AEDs are located at sporting clubs, community group venues and individual properties. Ambulance Victoria acting area manager Metro 10, Jo Wilton, said the donation was a significant health boost for the peninsula. “Every day, around 20 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest and only one in 10 survive,” she said. “Minutes matter in cardiac arrests and when a patient receives CPR and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, the person’s chance…