THE RSPCA is still investigating a case of animal cruelty involving a possum caught in a steel-jawed trap at Rye. As reported by The News on 26 September the animal welfare organisation had launched an investigation into the use of the illegal trap to snare a possum at a holiday house in Rye. The animal was rescued by a wildlife volunteer but had to be euthanised after its paw was crushed in the trap. It is unknown how many days or hours the distressed animal was forced to hang by its crushed paw at the vacant holiday house before a…
Year: 2016
A BLAIRGOWRIE cricket player has given a lot back to the game he loves. But now Luke Serong is preparing to bid farewell to his charity Cricket4Kids, which has donated tonnes of second-hand cricket equipment to needy children all over the world. After living in London as a flight manager with Qantas, Mr Serong, 38, flew home via Sri Lanka almost a decade ago with wife Bree. Visiting a school which had been devastated by a tsunami, they noticed hordes of children playing cricket in hand-me-down gear of poor quality. “We cooked up the idea for the charity there,” he…
BOB Cooper could talk about the joys of sailing all day. The Rye resident, who joined the local sailing club 40 years ago, has made sailing and teaching the sport his lifelong passion. And the effort has been worthwhile. Mr Rogers was recently named Sailing Instructor of the Year by yachting’s highest body, Australian Sailing, and presented with his trophy at a gala affair at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He also received a perpetual trophy. As the sailing school principal at Rye Yacht Club, Mr Cooper coordinates the training of all levels in the juniors to adults sailing program. He…
AFTER eight years of studying their behaviours, diets, relationships as well as photographing their every visible move, Sue Mason gives the impression there are still more unknowns than knowns when it comes to a “community” of dolphins living in Port Phillip between Frankston and Dromana. “There are always questions to be answered.” Ms Mason’s interest in cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) dates back to when she and her husband John, spent three weeks each year for eight years – their Christmas holidays – as volunteer whale watchers in Hawaii for Earthwatch. Like any good carer, Ms Mason is now checking…
EMERGENCY ambulance response times have improved across the Mornington Peninsula in the past 12 months, but are still falling short of best practice targets for emergency call-outs. Data released by Ambulance Victoria shows 70.6 per cent of code one calls in 2015-16 were responded to within 15 minutes. The average response time in 2015-16 to 10,057 incidents was 13 minutes, 11 seconds. This was an improvement on an average response time of 13 minutes, 43 seconds to 9380 incidents in 2014-15. The Ambulance Victoria target for under 15 minutes response times for areas with a population greater than 7500 is…
SAND is being trucked onto the beach at Sorrento for summer. The renourishment works are expected to be completed within a month. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) coastal project officer Jacky Priestly said the works would widen the beach between the boat ramp and the Sea Road Ferries’ terminal by about 12 metres. “Erosion at many Port Phillip beaches means they do not have enough natural sand to protect foreshores and infrastructure,” she said. “We identified that this area was suffering from erosion, resulting in a narrow beach that could no longer support vegetation and was becoming…
DEPARTING Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors Andrew Dixon, David Garnock, Graham Pittock, Tim Rodgers and Tim Wood have been given a seal of recognition for their service to the community after the mayor election last Monday. All were keen to pass on words of wisdom to newly-elected councillors gleaned from their experiences as councillors. Each of the five was full of praise for council officers who support councillors behind the scenes, but one ex-councillor sounded a note of caution. Mr Rodgers had some words of advice for eight newly elected councillors, including seven first-timers: “You have been elected with an agenda…
A man has died in hospital following a crash at Safety Beach on Tuesday. The incident happened on Bruce Road when a car crossed over to the incorrect side of the road and collided with an on-coming vehicle at 7.40am. The driver, a 26-year-old Safety Beach man, was conveyed to a Melbourne hospital but has since passed away. The driver of the other car received minor injuries and was conveyed to hospital.
MORNINGTON Community Information & Support Centre staff got a smelly welcome to work on Tuesday morning. A blocked South East Water pipe had flooded their 320 Main St office with sewerage water through a pipe in the toilets. Manager Lisa Elliott said she arrived at work to “see a wave of dirty water drifting across the carpet”. “It was being pumped up through the drain in the bathroom like a fountain and swamped the centre in half an hour.” She said the sewerage water “destroyed” everything in the centre, with workman called in on Thursday to remove carpets and preparing…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s new mayor is Bev Colomb. A majority of the shire’s 11 councillors backed Cr Colomb’s nomination for mayor at a public council meeting on Monday evening (14 November) after they were formally sworn in as councillors. It is the third time in Cr Colomb’s 11 years as a councillor that she has been mayor. The Mornington resident, who represents Briars ward, was previously mayor in 2007-08 and 2014-15. Cr Colomb, a part-time teacher, will be mayor for a 12-month stint and is the first mayor of a new four-year council term after council elections on 22 October.…
A Mount Eliza man is lucky to be alive after his aircraft suffered a total engine failure today and crashed onto the bike path that runs along Peninsula Link. The accident occurred about 400 metres north of the Robinsons Road overpass in Baxter. Graham Hosking, whose father began the successful Hoskings Jewellers chain of stores, was only slightly injured in the crash, suffering an abrasion to the head and a cut on his leg. Mr Hosking’s wife received a phone call while playing bowls that her husbands plane had crashed. But was reassured that it was his voice on the…
WESTERN Port Secondary College may be the first school in Australia to have a sculpture park in its grounds, assistant principal Hannah Lewis believes. It came about after year 8 students visited McClelland Sculpture Park earlier this year to explore the park and ponder why creativity was important, as well as the role of the artist in society. “Inspired and challenged by the sculptures they came away with ideas for setting up their own sculpture park, modelled on McClelland, to complement student-created sculptures in its grounds,” Ms Lewis said. Students from the year 8 Young Entrepreneurs Stream set about curating…
FORMER Cerberus ward councillor David Garnock blames not residing in the ward and “anti-shire rhetoric” for his defeat in the October municipal elections. Mr Garnock, elected in 2012, was one of five candidates for Cerberus. The seat on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council was won by Kate Roper who had 54 per cent of votes after preferences; Mr Garnock had 24 per cent and David Cassels came third with more than 16 per cent. In an email sent after his loss to 125 “movers & shakers”, Mr Garnock said he was disappointed he would be unable to “finish-off quite a few…
INFRASTRUCTURE Victoria is holding a “community workshop” at Hastings as part of its investigations into the need for a second container port for Melbourne. Previous state governments – Liberal and Labor – have backed Hastings as a site for a new container port, but the current government changed tack and nominated Bay West in Port Phillip as its preferred location. The first report by Infrastructure Victoria into the best site for Victoria’s second container port is scheduled to go to the Victorian Special Minister of State, Gavin Jennings, in May 2017. The workshop in Hastings on Wednesday 23 November follows…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors collectively spent about $480,000 on expenses over three years during part of the previous 2012-2016 council term. The figures, marked “confidential” in documents seen by The News, show the shire’s councillors are bigger spenders than their colleagues in either Frankston or Kingston. The documents, given to all councillors in March, show parking/travel as the largest expense for 11 councillors, at about $244,400. Another $27,000 was separately spent on council alcohol supplies in the previous four-year council term. Councillors in August voted to stop filling up council liquor cabinets at ratepayers’ expense. The March figures were compiled…
NAIRM Marr Djambana – Frankston Aboriginal Association, will be officially opened on Saturday 19 November, and the association are swinging open their doors to all-comers for the occasion. On the day, there will be indigenous dancing, a smoking ceremony, presentation of council members and politicians, and heaps of things for kids to do, including bouncing castles, petting zoos, bumper cars, and performances on the stage. There will be a market stall there where people can buy Christmas presents and gifts. There will be plenty of handmade gifts and indigenous artworks available for viewing and purchase. There will also be stalls…
DUNKLEY federal MP Chris Crewther has revealed he has Tourette syndrome, a neurological disorder featuring involuntary vocal and movement tics. The Liberal MP helped launch the Parliamentary Friendship Group of Tourette Syndrome in Canberra last week and said he personally had suffered from Tourettes before its diagnosis. “I have Tourette’s. This is the first time I have raised this publicly, or in any job, or beyond close friends and family,” he said in Parliament last Wednesday (9 November). “Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder. It consists of vocal and motor tics, that is, rapid, repetitive and involuntary muscle movements. “For…
CLAY target enthusiasts from all over the country converged on Frankston last weekend for the Universal Trench Commonwealth Titles, a qualification event for the 2017 Australian team selection. The prestigious event on Saturday 5-Sunday 6 November was keenly contested with about 90 competitors in 15 squads, coming hot on the heels of the 2016 team’s incredible success at the world championships in Morocco two months ago. That team – made up of shooters from all over the country, returned with world championship titles in three of the four categories – open, junior and ladies, and the Australian junior team and…
THE Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network has been given $300,000 to be spent over four years linking native habitat and controlling weeds and pest animals. The Linking the Mornington Peninsula Landscape – From Planning to Action project will involve several biolink plans which include improving waterways and wetlands. “This is a fantastic opportunity for the Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network to begin the implementation of local biolinks plans and provide a practical demonstration of community-based catchment management,” PPWCMA CEO David Buntine said on Saturday 5 November when announcing the funding at an event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Landcare at Boneo…
VICROADS has defended pedestrian lights being installed near the Tower Rd- Nepean Highway intersection at Mt Eliza rather than at Kunyung Rd, which is closer to schools, service centres, post office, milk bar and a bus stop. A summary of complaints to The News over the past six months show most claimed the lights were of little benefit to cars turning into and out of Tower Rd, while fewer pedestrians needed to cross the busy road there. In contrast, the Kunyung Rd intersection was described as a “very dangerous six-lane, 80kph crossing point on the crest of a hill”. The…
A MODEL boat valued at $4000 was among antiques stolen from a Tyabb house early on Sunday 6 November. The display boat, pictured, was among jewellery and other items also valued at “many thousands of dollars”, Mornington Peninsula CIU’s Senior Sergeant Alan Paxton said. The model is 170cm long and named Riva Aqua Marina. No one was at the Mornington-Tyabb Rd house when the thieves struck. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Mornington News – 15 November 2016
A NEW rabbit virus will be trialled next year at four sites on the Mornington Peninsula. The peninsula sites are at Balnarring, Mt Martha, and Main Ridge. The virus will also be released at Cranbourne South and on French and Phillip islands. “Rabbit populations are on the rise and a coordinated effort is needed from all levels of government working with researchers, industry and local communities to address this pest problem,” Flinders MP Greg Hunt said. “The release of the RHDV1 K5 virus in areas where rabbits wreak havoc on native flora and fauna is part of the federal government’s…
THE Mornington University of the Third Age annual concert is a time when members get into the spirit of the festive season. The program of song will range from Schubert and Bach to Andrew Lloyd-Webber, The Seekers and Christmas carols at the concert at 2pm, Thursday 24 November, at the Peninsula Community Theatre, Mornington. “Visitors will be impressed by the choir’s joyful singing and be moved by the passionate performance under the new musical director Heather Bird,” choir president Jan Hale said. They have previously performed at charities and other events under the direction of the late Warwick Taylor. “After…
SPEED limits on several Mornington Peninsula roads will be lowered to “improve safety, and make the speed zones clearer and easier to comply with”, according to VicRoads. The roads have been identified as having inconsistencies with varying speed limits, which the authority admitted “causes confusion”. The affected roads are: Mornington-Tyabb Rd, east of Peninsula Link. The 3.5km stretch of Mornington-Tyabb Rd, east of Peninsula Link, to be cut to 80kph to match the existing speed limit on either side of this stretch. VicRoads estimates the journey along Mornington-Tyabb Rd will take an extra 21 seconds. Arthurs Seat Rd, William Rd…
MORNINGTON Peninsula residents are invited to be part of the solution to violence against women by attending a range of community discussions on White Ribbon Day, Friday 25 November. Commentator and former independent MP Phil Cleary will head a 7–9pm discussion at the Commonfolk Coffee Company, 16 Progress St, Mornington. Register at eventbrite.com.au. Cleary has been at the forefront of the campaign to stop violence against women since his sister was murdered by her ex-partner in 1987. On the night, attendees will also hear from Acting Inspector Dean Clinton on how family violence is affecting the Mornington Peninsula. The event…
PROVINCIAL MT ELIZA is in the box seat for victory after scoring 285 against Moorooduc on a difficult day to play cricket across the peninsula on Saturday. The Mounties scored at a quick rate in its 62 overs with skipper Justin Grant scoring 59, Tim Strickland 56 and keeping opener Tim Clarke getting 54. Ben Marsh was outstanding for the Ducs with 5/96 off 20 overs, giving him his biggest wicket haul for the season. Greg Pullen was also lively for the Ducs with 3/67 from 16 overs. In reply, Moorooduc is 1/32 after Brett Wilson was sent packing without…
SUB-DISTRICT MPCA star Matthew Whelan was at his very best again on Saturday, scoring 128 as Tootgarook racked up 7/307 against Carrum. The century takes Whelan to more than 200 runs for the season and maintains his status as the most dynamic and devastating player in MPCA Sub District cricket. The Frogs got away to a sensational start though, which allowed Whelan to attack the game. Travis French scored 57 and Corey DeBruyn 50 in an opening stand of 104 while Jake Millar hit 23 of the next 74 runs batting with Whelan. Cory Foster was the best of the…
DISTRICT MAIN Ridge is staring down the barrel of an outright victory against Rye after dominating the first day’s play. Rye was sent in to bat after Main Ridge scored 5/294 in the opening 60 overs of the match. In the final 20 overs of the day, Rye slumped to 7/26. There is no hope of the Demons avoiding yet another outright loss. Ed Aarons scored 84 and Gareth Wyatt 76 for the Ridge while Michael Holmes opened with a half century and Shaun Foster hit 36. Rye’s Tom Baron was the pick of the bowlers with 4/88 from 26…
TENDERS will be received up to noon on Wednesday next by Cr W. J. Oates for the lease of “Linga Longa” Tea Rooms for a period of three years. The Council are prepared to re-roof and paint the building and erect a verandah in front. The furniture and fittings of the out going tenant can be taken at a valuation. The rooms are in a good position, being just in front of the Frankston Pier, and should command a good summer trade. *** MORNINGTON Shire Council report is unavoidably held over till our next issue. *** THE many friends of…
INCREASINGLY busy roads and congested traffic are making it hard for families to get to beaches from McRae to Sorrento – let alone have a swim. The opening of Eastlink, allowing easier access to hordes of visitors, particularly during the peak summer season November-April, has swelled the number of day-trippers and road users. This, coupled with few designated road crossings, has made it “virtually impossible to cross the road safely”, mother-of-four Tiffany Wills, who regularly visits her mother-in-law at Kevin St, Tootgarook, said. “We live 50 metres walking distance from the beach. But to cross Point Nepean Rd safely with…