PREMIER Daniel Andrews visited Frankston Hospital last Thursday morning (18 February) to officially open a new eight-bed Rapid Assessment Chest Pain Unit expected to treat up to 2000 patients per year. The new eight-bed unit means specialist cardiologists can assess people with chest pain earlier and faster, to ease pressure on the emergency department. The extra beds at Frankston Hospital mark 92 out of 101 beds and points of care opened as a result of the Labor state government’s $200 million Hospital Beds Rescue Fund. “In less than a year, we will deliver 101 new beds and points of care…
Month: February 2016
THE senseless shooting of a tawny frogmouth has upset and angered Rye Beach Veterinary Hospital staff. The wounded juvenile was found on Old Melbourne Rd near the Rye football oval with a badly fractured and infected shoulder could not be helped and had to be euthanised. X-rays revealed a lead pellet – probably fired from an air rifle. “I was very upset to receive it as it was a lovely little bird,” said veterinarian Stacey Lethlean, who has treated injured native animals for the past 30 years. The nocturnal raptor, which eats moths and small animals, is a well camouflaged…
IT seems a long way from Red Hill to Hollywood; even further when it comes to having a water bottle handed out to Tinseltown’s A-listers by a couple of men who gained inspiration from plastic polluting Mornington Peninsula beaches. But next week that unlikely scenario gets played out at the glittering Oscars awards when a flat, re-useable water bottle designed and produced by Jesse Leeworthy and Jonathan Byrt is included in the gift bag handed out to each nominee at the 28 February ceremony. “Getting the memobottle in the hands of actors like Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio is exciting…
THE case against a Victorian motorcyclist fined for having cameras attached to his helmet has been thrown out by a County Court judge on appeal. Max Lichtenbaum was fined $289 and lost three demerit points after being pulled over by police in Frankston in March 2014 for wearing a helmet with cameras affixed. Mr Lichtenbaum was found guilty in the Frankston Magistrates Court last year of not wearing an approved motorcycle helmet. Lawyers Maurice Blackburn appealed the magistrate’s decision, arguing successfully that the Australian Standard governing motorcycle helmets was not made freely accessible to the public by VicRoads, therefore, riders…
IT would be a rare day when George Paterson could walk along the streets of Rye or pull up at the back beach for a surf check without being recognised. A long time businessman in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula Patterson is an easy to talk to type who always has an adventure on the go or an anecdote to tell. But lately he’s discovered a way to become almost invisible. The secret is one he shares with others who wear tight fitting, colourful outdoor clothing – in short, they’re cyclists. Paterson has had so many near misses with…
NEIGHBOURS of the former Carrington Park Club, Rosebud, met last week to consider their objections to development plans for the site. They believe a proposed subdivision, of greater scale than originally planned, will have a serious impact on the character of their area. Deb and Howard Vorwerk said 29 neighbours met to discuss their concerns before the shire’s deadline for objections expires on 4 March. The 3.27 hectare site in Elizabeth Drive includes the former 75-year-old clubhouse – the once-private residence of the Moran family of Moran and Cato grocery store fame – bought by developer Storemaker Pty Ltd in…
SHIRE officers are examining a Supreme Court decision that effectively excluded a third of properties from a footpath special charge scheme in Jan Juc because they would not get the required special benefit from the proposed path network. The case could be relevant if the controversial Somers path scheme – which proposes charging properties up to two kilometres from the proposed $1.5 million concrete path – is taken to VCAT, as some Somers residents have threatened. VCAT’s decision-making history could mean the Somers appellants could face a huge legal bill whether they won or lost at the tribunal. They could…
JUMPING off The Pillars is a tempting challenge for the brave and foolhardy … and there’s no denying the increasing popularity of the Mt Martha clifftop. On warm weekends, hundreds of young people make the trip by car, boat and bus with fun and frolicking on their minds. But the danger doesn’t start there for those making their way on foot along The Esplanade. They first have to duck and weave around overhanging roadside vegetation, exposing themselves to vehicles on the narrow, winding stretch which doesn’t have a proper footpath. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s infrastructure services manager Niall McDonagh said the…
PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s Closing the Gap report, released Wednesday, shows an increase in Indigenous cancer mortality rates and a huge disparity in patient breast screening compared to non-Indigenous residents. This reflects a “concerningly low” rate of presentation by Mornington Peninsula Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women compared to other groups in the same age cohort. Presentations by ATSI women at BreastScreen Victoria clinics at Frankston and Rosebud are well below the state average. The Frankston’s presentation rate is just 19 per cent of the target age group (50-74), while Rosebud’s is slightly better at 26 per cent. Yet, for…
A number of boats were destroyed and a man in his 70’s injured after fire broke out at the Blairgowrie Marina this afternoon. The blaze started on a boat, believed to be as a result of a barbeque igniting, and quickly spread. A thick plume of smoke brought onlookers and media to the scene. It is believed the injured man suffered burns to his face and is in Frankston Hospital in a stable condition. Investigations are continuing into the fire, and the large clean up effort has begun.
AN athletes’ training centre at Tuerong has been attracting a host of sporting groups to the Mornington Peninsula, including Super Rugby team Melbourne Rebels, Monash University Storm Netball Club and the AFL Umpires’ Association. The Compound, in Hunts Rd, specialises in outdoor training to suit all fitness levels, and focuses on using the correct techniques and building overall fitness and strength. Most training runs are done in a day, or even a few hours. Trainers encourage the athletes to step outside their comfort zones with training typically found on a military field, or obstacle course, rather than on a pitch…
WESTERN Port residents can have a say on proposed municipal ward boundary changes. The Victorian Electoral Commission is proposing reshaping the boundaries of several Mornington Peninsula shire wards, including Cerberus and Red Hill. The changes aim to ensure that the number of voters represented by each councillor is within 10 per cent of the shire’s average. If adopted, the rural northern part of Balnarring would be transferred from Cerberus Ward (Cr David Garnock) to Red Hill Ward (Cr Tim Wood), meaning 4765 voters (3.11 per cent of the total) would move to another ward. Red Hill Ward’s current enrolment is…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has adopted a five-year plan to become “carbon neutral”. Adoption of the plan last week follows the decision to close the Rye tip by the middle of next year. Waste will be exported from the municipality, effectively reducing the shire’s greenhouse gases and making it easier to gain carbon neutrality accreditation through the federal government-administered National Carbon Offset Standard. Councillors opposed to closing the tip say ratepayers will pay up to $60 a year extra for waste to be taken off the peninsula; those in favour put the figure at closer to $30. Emphasis on the shire’s…
A 69-year-old Sorrento man has died in hospital after he was involved in a cycling incident in Portsea last week. Investigators have been told that the 69-year-old was cycling along Wattle Grove with a 67-year-old Portsea man about 8.15am on Tuesday 9 February. The two riders have collided with each other at the intersection of Royal Avenue and both have been thrown from their bikes. The Sorrento man suffered severe head injuries and was air lifted to hospital. Police have been told the man died today. The 67-year-old suffered minor injuries.
FRANKSTON police are calling for help in finding a stolen motorcycle that has “significant sentimental value” for the owner. The deaf and mute man bought it following the death of his father. It was stolen from Tyrone St, Seaford, on 15 December. Detective Acting Sergeant Ryan Collins, of Frankston CIU, is appealing for witnesses or anyone with information about the motorcycle to call him on 9784 5590 or Crimestoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 16 February 2016
ROSEBUD’S own Ron Vincent bears an uncanny resemblance to singer Cat Stevens. But it doesn’t stop there. Ron has been a life-long fan of Stevens and his tribute show has been applauded both here and overseas. Next week Sorrento will enjoy the entertainment of Ron Vincent at the Spiegeltent on February 26 and 27. Ron’s Cat Stevens tribute show is a trip down memory lane exploring Stevens’ remarkable musical career. His folk-influenced, melodic tunes strike a chord with audiences today and Ron’s heartfelt performance sets the scene for an intimate musical journey. A very talented singer, songwriter and musician Vincent…
LIFE Saving Victoria is warning the public about the dangers of rip currents following three fatal drownings and a number of hospitalisations following non-fatal drownings this year. A 27-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman died after getting caught in a knee-deep rip current at Cape Woolamai on Sunday 10 January, while a 27-year-old man lost his life at Gunnamatta on Sunday 24 January. There have been 23 reported drowning deaths in Victoria this financial year, 13 of those were in coastal waters which is five more than the previous five year average of eight. Since July, 78 per cent of…
CONSTRUCTION companies, landscapers, tradespeople and suppliers are welcome to attend a free ‘Meet the Builder’ event on Thursday 25 February, to register for any opportunities that may arise from Frankston Private Hospital’s $45 million expansion project. According to Frankston mayor Cr James Dooley, the Frankston Private Expansion project, delivered by Watpac on behalf of Healthscope and Generation Healthcare REIT, will include opportunities for local suppliers to bid for work packages on the project. “This opportunity has been arranged through Frankston City’s ‘Buy Local’ program, which has brought about some amazing partnerships through major construction projects in the last few years,”…
GRAVESITE commemorations at Dromana and Crib Point cemeteries, Sunday 21 February, will honour two Mornington Peninsula servicemen who died 50 years ago at the Battle of Long Tan, during the Vietnam War. They are among a series of simultaneous vigils across the state at the gravesites of Vietnam veterans. The Dromana ceremony will honour fallen veteran Mick Poole, and Crib Point’s will honour Colin Whiston. Mornington Peninsula Vietnam Veterans’ Association treasurer Robin Date said Mr Poole’s extended family and Mr Whiston’s sister Michelle and her family would attend the services. The two are the only Vietnam veterans buried on the…
THE flight of a small bird on a quiet southern Mornington Peninsula surf beach saw people jumping for joy. A young hooded plover that stretched its wings before gaining altitude from Fowlers beach is the first recorded successful take-off by a fledged hooded plover chick this season. However, a note of caution underlies the applause and relief experienced by the small band of people dedicated to the hooded plover’s survival on the peninsula. If the small birds are to remain in viable numbers, that chick needs to be joined in the air by at least another nine before the breeding…
SOIL samples from HMAS Cerberus are being sent for chemical testing over fears that sailors could suffer long term ill-effects after having been exposed to a now-banned firefighting foam. The tests come after concerns were raised nationally about the possible dangers posed by aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which was used for decades at the Crib Point training base to practise extinguishing liquid fuel fires. The base’s commander, Captain Stephen Bowater, last week confirmed that the foams were used from the 1970s in fire-fighting drills on ships and inside the base, but phased out 2003-08 and replaced with safer materials. He…
RATEPAYERS on the Mornington Peninsula could be required to contribute to special charge schemes for footpaths in their area but never get one built past their house. This could occur if the Somers model – charging almost an entire community for a single footpath to be built – became a template for other areas, shire chief operating officer Alison Leighton told council’s 8 February meeting. The Somers path is two kilometres away from some properties being asked to pay. “It’s not something that I can unambiguously rule out,” Ms Leighton said in answer to a question from David Gill, a…
SUB-DISTRICT FRANKSTON YCW has geared itself up for a massive swoop on the top bracket after the completion of day one in MPCA Sub District cricket. Coming into the second last round of the home and away season, YCW is in fifth place on the ladder, equal with Rosebud and six points behind third-place Carrum Downs (66). An outright victory against Skye in Round 10 would put the Stonecats in a superb position heading into the final game of the year against Balnarring. Skye batted first on Saturday at Peninsula Reserve and lasted just 25 overs for 48 runs. Frankston…
DISTRICT WITH its 2015-16 season hinging on a win, Heatherhill is in a sensational position against the top of the table and seemingly untouchable Red Hill. With MPCA District games all over the peninsula having a massive bearing in the second last game of the season, the Hills v Hillmen was one of the games to keep an eye on. Heatherhill batted first on Saturday after winning the toss and made 197. The visitors were in some trouble at 5/66 and 6/85, before Nathan Martin (89) and Brett Maxwell (37) were brought together at the crease. The pair were able…
PROVINCIAL MORNINGTON Peninsula Cricket Association Provincial star Chris Brittain hit his second century in as many innings as he helped Baxter to victory on the first day of its clash against Moorooduc. Brittain’s last four knocks have amassed more than 400 runs with scores of 79 against Somerville, 90 against Mornington, 122 against Long Island and 118 against the Ducs on Saturday. What was even more impressive is that Brittain was able to score the runs so quickly. Joe Rule lost his wicket before scoring, bringing Brittain to the crease with the Baxter score on 0. Together with Todd Quinn…
By BILLY DIXON “IN the first few years we were playing, getting to play a show at the Oxford Art Factory in Sydney was a dream… when you actually get to a milestone like that, you’re pinching each other and giving high fives!” It’s a sentiment that many newer bands can relate to, as they hop from bar to pub to club, trawling the suburbs of their home state for fans. For RÜFÜS, it’s a reality that constantly surprises with generous bounties of love and recognition for the indie dance trio, consisting of Tyrone Lindqvist, Jon George and James Hunt.…
THE Presbyterian services throughout the district will be conducted on Sunday next by Mr A. M’Allan as here advertised. Mr McDonald, who was called away from his examination to attend the funeral of a brother who died with tragic suddenness, hopes to resume his work on the following Sunday. *** THE anniversary of the Langwarrin Methodist Church was held on Wednesday evening in the church, when there was a crowded attendance. Rev R. Jackson occupied the chair, and a good programme of songs, recitations etc was gone through. Light refreshments were handed round during the evening, and the proceeds terminated…
ANY species that can beat the cane toad and feral cat to the title of “Worst Pest in Australia” for their deleterious impact on native species deserves to be taken seriously. Indian mynas appear to wear that tag with pride. The aggressive, territorial pests are a serious threat to native birds and other small animals. Also called common mynas, they are rated by the World Conservation Union as one of the world’s 100 most invasive species. Southwest Mornington Peninsula Landcare Group members are inviting residents to a free Indian myna workshop on Saturday 20 February. Fauna ecologist Malcolm Legg will…
THE first thing the alert observer noticed at the Monday 8 February meeting of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council was the changed seating arrangements for councillors. David Gibb was not sitting beside Hugh Fraser. He had broken away from the ward-by-ward seating arrangement, leaving Antonella Celi sitting alone at the far left end of the councillor half-circle. Cr Gibb had moved to the seat usually occupied by Red Hill Ward councillor Tim Wood, beside Cerberus ward’s representative, Cr David Garnock. Cr Wood was ensconced beside fellow lawyer Cr Fraser, in Cr Gibb’s previous seat. Since it is not like Cr Gibb…
MT ELIZA girl Lily Ford’s garage sale raised $275 for an orphanage in Nepal last week. Out went games, books, clothes, toys and furniture – and all sorts of knick-knacks that bargain hunters find so irresistible. But the sale had more significance for Lily than just raising money for a worthy cause. The charity it supported was the special interest of Frankie Davison, her teacher at Toorak College, who tragically died with her husband Liam when the ill-fated Malaysian Airlines flight MH-17 was shot down over The Ukraine in July 2014. Lily and the whole school simply loved Frankie: her…