HMAS Sirius has sailed, but her presence off Mt Martha last week attracted many curious onlookers. The Western Australia-based supply vessel proved a drawcard for sailors from naval training base HMAS Cerberus’s engineering faculty who motored out from Rosebud pier on familiarisation tours. The auxiliary oiler was built as a double-hulled commercial product tanker, then named MV Delos, and bought by the federal government in 2004. Renamed Sirius, she underwent modifications, including the addition of a flight deck for helicopter operations. The ship can carry over 34,806 cubic metres of fuel, including 5486 cubic metres of aviation fuel for helicopters.…
Year: 2016
FOUR teenagers were threatened with a machete in a failed robbery in Naples St, Mornington, on Monday night last week. The group was walking along Nunns Rd at about 10.15pm after buying take away when they noticed they were being followed. Two youths approached in Naples St and demanded their mobiles and wallets – one raising a machete to his victim’s face, causing a scratch. The victims refused to hand over any property and the offenders fled. Anyone with information should call Detective Senior Constable Andrew Hodgson, of Somerville police complex, 5978 1300 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First…
“I’M SORRY”, an anti-bullying event at Mt Eliza Secondary College on 17 March, coincided with the sixth National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. More than 250 students, parents and teachers were joined by members of the Live Out Loud organisation at the day and night sessions. They aimed to equip students, parents, teachers and residents with a range of bully-prevention strategies, as well as the ability to stand up and eradicate bullying for good. Helping lead the event was Mornington’s 2016 Youth Citizen of the Year, 17-year-old Tia McLean. Last year, Ms McLean organised a youth summit at…
THE fire danger season on the Mornington Peninsula has officially ended, with fire crews thankful it’s been a rather quiet affair. Despite two short but intense blazes at Crib Point and one at Somerville, there were no long, drawn out fire battles over the summer period. Sadly, the Crib Point fires, which started at the same time a week apart and destroyed a home, cars and sheds, were deemed to be deliberately lit, although no one has been charged. Mornington fire station officer-in-charge Troy Thornton said the weather had played a role in quelling fires. “We did not have…
NEPEAN LEAGUE AS the old adage goes, a week is a long time in football. Two weeks is like an eternity. On Good Friday a fortnight ago, traditional rivals Rosebud and Rye played in a game where many would have been asking for their money back at the end of the two hours. Wind the clock forward 15 days and both clubs have their season well and truly back on track. Some of us can be absolute suckers for writing off teams too early. Frankston Bombers coach Beau Muston said on the RPP Footy Show on Saturday morning that players…
PENINSULA LEAGUE NEW Mt Eliza coach Troy Shannon had no idea what to expect from his team in the opening round of the season against Pines in Peninsula Division on Saturday. The Edithvale–Aspendale premiership and 2015 Vic Country coach had taken over a club that, from the outside looking in, was in some strife. There was a big clean out throughout the off–season and Shannon was going into the first game without key forwards Scott Lockwood (Sorrento) and Justin Van Unen. He was also going into the match without between four and six of what he believes could be in…
By Craig MacKenzie MORNINGTON, Strikers and Baxter have won their opening two games of the 2016 soccer season. But Mornington’s 3-1 win at home to Manningham United on Saturday masks the problems Adam Jamieson’s men had in the first half of their State 1 South-East clash. “Manningham missed a penalty early on and they really should have been 2-0 up. They’re a decent side,” said Jamieson. Mornington regained its composure and went in at the break with a 1-0 lead after a sweeping move involving Northern Irish import Sammy Stewart, ex-Manningham midfielder Chris Reid and Shane Tagliaferro with Wayne Gordon…
THE Frankston police have patrolled the beach at Carrum daily in the hope of finding the bodies of John Montgomery Robinson and Andrew McNeil, the two lads who are believed to have been drowned while fishing off the foreshore on 1st April, but so far the search has been without success. Anyone finding pieces of clothing or any thing in the locality that might help to determine the fate of the boys is requested to communicate with the Frankston police. *** IN accordance with our usual custom our next issue will be published on Thursday evening instead of Friday evening,…
A POLICE raid in Skye Rd, Frankston, yesterday, resulted in the seizure of 200 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $700,000-$1 million. Car loads of police descended on the property, between Dalpura Court and Onkara St, on Friday morning. Four Vietnamese nationals – one woman and three men aged 22-38 – were arrested and charged with cultivating and trafficking marijuana and theft of electricity. Sergeant Sam Booth, of Frankston police, said another 20 kilograms of marijuana was “cut up and ready to go”. “Community suspicions” alerted police to the presence of the crop, he said. A bypass switch…
PENINSULA LEAGUE MANY believe there will be daylight between Frankston YCW and the rest of the competition in MPNFL Peninsula Division this season. Such talk would obviously upset opposition players and clubs, however, it really could be justified if you opted to mount an argument. YCW are a team that had 33 to 11 scoring shots in the 2015 Grand Final against the second best team and won the flag by 13-points shy of 100. This is a club that won 15 of 18 games in 2015, scored an average of 125 points per game and conceded just 48 points.…
NEPEAN LEAGUE THE 2016 MPNFL Nepean Division season gets into full swing this Saturday and already there are a couple of teams under pressure. One of them is Rye. The Demons were nothing short of ordinary in their Good Friday clash with Rosebud, a match played out in a draw. This Saturday, Rye tackles the side many believe will go one better in season 2016, Somerville. The Eagles were potent against Tyabb on Easter Saturday with Tommy Shaw booting nine and Luke Rowe seven, while a further nine players hit the scoreboard. Rye’s defensive pressure hasn’t been good for a…
WE are pleased to note that two members of families residing in Frankston, have, by passing the Senior Public examinations and matriculating, become undergraduates of the Melbourne University. They are Miss Elsie Young, daughter of the proprietor of this paper, and Sydney Plowman, son of Dr Plowman. *** MESSRS Brody and Mason will hold their monthly sale at Somerville. on Wednesday next, when they will have a good yarding of stock, including a number of pigs. *** MESSRS Alex Scott and Co will hold a clearing sale at Shoreham, under instructions from Mr Geo. Baynton, on Wednesday next, commencing at…
PENINSULA Health’s clinical director of emergency medicine Dr Shyaman Menon knows timing is everything when it comes to medical emergencies. Many elderly Mornington Peninsula residents use a personal pendant alarm and emergency button to call for immediate care if they are in medical trouble. Until now, the personal alarm pendant has been limited to use at home, operating through an extra socket to an existing phone line. But this is set to change with a new alarm pendant designed to work anywhere – in the supermarket, at the park, even on the golf course. “This is an outstanding technological development…
THE court appearance last Tuesday (29 March) of a Pearcedale man with 54 counts of burglary and theft brings Pearcedale property owners Maree and David Brann closer to ending a frustrating chapter in their lives. Their Middle Rd house was robbed three times just before Easter with Mornington Peninsula detectives later recovering “a significant amount of property”. Detective Senior Constable John Melhuish, of Somerville police complex, said the man, 34, was apprehended on Good Friday and charged with 16 burglaries on peninsula properties from 29 January-24 March. He was remanded in custody last week and will appear at Frankston Magistrates’…
PARENTS are demanding a meeting with Red Hill Consolidated School principal Leanne Marshall over the serious gastro outbreak among pupils and staff just before the Easter holidays. More than 100 pupils and six staff were affected and the school was closed a day earlier than the scheduled break. Balnarring primary school, a few kilometres from Red Hill Consolidated, has also had problems with contaminated water recently. A parent said junior students were directed to drink only from tanks supplying the grade 5-6 area. The problem was resolved only after a five-month battle with the Education Department, the parent said. Red…
STANDING in the open doorway of a pitching helicopter, spraying machine gun bullets while ducking enemy fire, was once a day at the office for Vietnam war air gunner Ian “Slug” Wilson, of Mornington. He was one of 40 Royal Australian Navy and nine Australian Army personnel to fly combat missions as door gunners on helicopter troop carriers with the 135th US Army Assault Helicopter Company 1967-1971. It was dangerous work for the crews and, while the conflict finished a long time ago, this veteran is still coming to grips with the emotional scars that have changed his life. First…
A LOVE of stamps was nurtured in Jon Fladeby when he was a young boy in his native Norway. The seven year old was encouraged by his grandfather to appreciate his country’s stamps and to develop and maintain a worthwhile collection. It became an absorbing hobby and the basis of a lifelong interest. As a teenager and then getting married, meant there was a lack of time and opportunity. Mr Fladeby’s love of stamps remained “on the shelf” while he and his family established themselves in Australia in the early 1970s and moved to Mt Martha when he retired in…
DETAILS of each councillor’s spending on allowances will not be released until Mornington Peninsula Shire’s annual report, possibly as late as October. Elections to determine who will fill the 11 places on the shire’s council will be held Saturday 22 October. Attempts to verify the delay in obtaining details about councillor spending with the shire’s communications manager, Mark Kestigian, were unsuccessful late on Friday. A message left on voicemail drew no response by deadline. No statement appeared on the shire website. But, if usual annual report practice is followed, the figures to be released will not be more than a…
CHRISTMAS should be a time of giving, but for Nicole Hill and her family, this year the reverse was true. The Baxter family lost a car, boat and all their holiday gear in a brazen robbery at their Frankston-Flinders Rd home on Christmas night, just hours before they were to drive to the Murray River for a caravan holiday. The thieves entered their kitchen and stole the keys to their fully loaded F250 utility before crashing through electric gates and driving off. The utility was later recovered at Cranbourne with $17,000 in damages. An $80,000 speed boat and $18,000 in…
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing Langwarrin boy Tekaha Waenga. The 14-year-old was last seen leaving his home address from Bryson Court in Langwarrin at about 10.30pm on 3 March 2016. Police have concerns for the boy due to his age. Tekaha is perceived to be of Maori appearance, he is described as being six foot tall with collar length black hair. He was last seen wearing a long sleeve black top and a black baseball cap with grey peak. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Triple Zero (000) of Frankston Police on 97845555.
THREE Commonfolk Studio artists drew inspiration from the Mornington Peninsula’s natural beauty for their first group exhibition, Safe Keeping. The exhibition combines the work of glass artist Sarah Dingwall, silversmith Kate Macindoe and artist Emma Morgan to explore the concept of preservation as well as their desire to protect an object or moment. “Though we each make our artworks through different mediums, we noticed we all had similar themes to do with nature and preservation,” Morgan said. Inspired by the natural world, the artists’ work reflects their connection with places, memories, ideas and objects through their respective mediums. “We’re really…
POLICE were called in to clear 15 grandmothers before allowing them into pre-arranged meeting at the Hastings office of Flinders MP Greg Hunt. The members of Southern Peninsula Group of Grandmothers Against the Detention of Children presented a 400-signature petition to Mr Hunt which calls on the federal government to improve its treatment of refugees. Ann Renkin said 15 members of the group were “checked out by two local and two federal police” before meeting Mr Hunt who “appeared unmoved by the arguments presented”. She said the high number of signatures collected over a four-week period “reflects the consternation of…
PLANS have been unveiled to complete a major piece of the Martha Cove marina and residential jigsaw puzzle-like development at Safety Beach. Known as the Martha Cove Village Centre, the 6.4 hectare site includes a “marina hub” with a cafe and support facilities and services for the marina, one 1000 square metre shop, several small shops and a 200-seat restaurant. But by far the largest part of the site is devoted to housing: 215 apartments and 100 “townhomes”. A public space – Anchorage Park – is separated from the marina itself by a block of three-storey apartments and lies between…
Police have arrested a man after two people were allegedly stabbed in Dromana early this morning. Mornington Peninsula detectives arrested the 30-year-old Dromana man around 11.20am in a car in Frankston. The incident occurred just before 3am at a residence in Monaco Parade. A 29-year-old Dromana man was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition and a 38-year-old Dromana woman sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries. All three parties were known to each other. Investigations continue.
Police are on scene and investigating following a shooting that left a man in hospital overnight in Mornington. The incident occurred about 12.30am in Cooba Court where, following a verbal argument, one man is believed to have shot another. The offender fled on a motorbike however police understand the parties are known to one another. A crime scene has been established and detectives along with crime scene services and ballistics experts will process the scene throughout the morning. The victim, aged in his late 20’s remains in hospital with non-life threatening injuries and Armed Crime Squad are taking the lead.…
In a major coup for the peninsula, a government spokesperson has today announced the Stony Point train line will be overhauled. The bold plan is believed to be an expansion of the ‘sky rail’ project beyond Frankston; level crossings along the Stony Point line will be removed through the use of an elevated track and the so-called ‘missing link’ constructed. Project spokesman Herman Melville claims it’s the first piece of major rail infrastructure on the peninsula in over thirty years. “It will provide a major boost to the economy,” he said. “People will love it.” But when asked whether this is part…
RYE Bowls Club has had another successful Pennant season with five of its six sides making the finals series of Saturday Pennant and the sixth one just missing out by finishing fifth. The fours and the fives went down in the semi and elimination finals leaving the ones, twos and threes to bring home the bacon in the grand final. So on Saturday 12 March, the third division defeated West Rosebud with a margin of 10 shots, at Rosebud Country Club Bowls Club and the second division was too good for Village Glen Bowls Club at West Rosebud by a…
FORMER Australian of the Year Rosie Batty will lead a new Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council as part of a state government plan to implement all recommendations of a Royal Commission into Family Violence due to hand down its recommendations this week. Premier Daniel Andrews said the advisory council will have a say on how the Labor state government ensures the Royal Commission’s findings are used to reform the family violence system across Victoria. Ms Batty’s son Luke was murdered by his father Greg Anderson, who had a history of mental illness and violence against Ms Batty, at the Tyabb football…
FOR eight decades the neon Skipping Girl Vinegar sign has delighted children and adults as it lights up the streets of inner city Melbourne, at Abbotsford. The girl known as Little Audrey – the original Skipping Girl – lives at Sorrento. Irene Barron, 94, was the model for what became Australia’s first animated neon sign while working as a young artist for Neon Electric Signs. “I was nearly 14 when I started there after winning a drawing competition. The prize was you got to work there,” Mrs Barron said. “I was the smallest there and so they wanted someone to…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s Red Hill ward may encompass more than half the municipality, if proposals put forward by the Victorian Electoral Commission are adopted. The VEC’s review of ward boundaries based on the number of voters, not size, is likely to mean that just one councillor will represent as much property as that of the other 10 councillors combined. Red Hill ward is currently represented by Cr Tim Wood, elected in a by-election in August 2014 following the resignation of Frank Martin. The VEC review of boundary changes – to ensure the number of voters represented by each councillor is…