SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie LANGWARRIN and Mornington go head-to-head on Saturday at Lawton Park in the most anticipated contest on the peninsula for years. At stake is a place in next season’s National Premier League second division and the honour of becoming the first local outfit to gain entry to Victoria’s elite club competition. Langy’s lead in the race for the State 1 South-East title was cut to five points over Mornington last weekend. While Gus Macleod’s side had to settle for a point in a controversial 0-0 draw away to Manningham United, Adam Jamieson’s men were engineering a stunning…
Year: 2017
Following her 2015 triumphant sell-out concert performances, Scotland’s legendary singer-songwriter ISLA GRANT returns to Australia with exciting new songs from her latest album release “I’m A Survivor” – plus her extensive repertoire of most loved music. The ever-popular singer will be touring with her equally talented husband AL GRANT and singer and multi-instrumentalist GLEN FLYNN. As an Internationally acclaimed recording artist ISLA GRANT’s distinctive voice encompasses all genres from country folk songs to easy listening compliments an evening of old favourites to new songs – this has established her as a major recording artist in the USA, Canada, U.K, Australia and…
A FATAL motor accident occurred at Mornington on Wednesday afternoon, (says the “Age”.) As Mr Albert Dawson, of Two Bay’s Nursery was crossing the street with his sister, Elsie ( Mabe) Dawson, a motor Car, driven an ordinary pace by Mr George Weigall, came round a corner, and before they could get clear it struck Miss Dawson to the ground, passing over her body. Mr Weigall who had observed them too late to prevent a collision, immediately pulled up the car. Miss Dawson, who was unconscious, and suffering from internal injuries, was conveyed to her home where she was attended…
A DECISION to push ahead with a residential subdivision in part of Langwarrin’s Cruden Farm has been delayed until later in the year. A planning application due to be discussed by Frankston councillors at August’s public council meeting on Monday 14 August was withdrawn by the trustees of the former homestead of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch. Frankston Council was set to deliberate on the contentious proposal to rezone parcels of land within the 54-hectare estate for residential development. State Labor Planning Minister Richard Wynne would have to agree to move the Urban Growth Boundary to accommodate the building of more than…
REX Australis – the giant ram’s head which has graced Peninsula Link near the Skye Rd exit for the past four years – is settling in at its new home: McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park, Langwarrin. The cast-iron sculpture by Dean Colls is 14 metres long, seven metres high and six metres deep. It will feature near another sculptured favourite: the Tree of Life, by artist Phil Price, which was replaced at the Cranbourne Rd exit by Reflective Lullaby – colloquially known as the Giant Gnome, by Gregor Kregar. Fittingly, the intersections at which the sculptures attracted motorists’ attention are…
By Bob Simpson* I SAT at last Wednesday’s Peninsula Voice event, hearing Les Twentyman’s experiences. This man “loves” disengaged young people with whom he engages. Could I genuinely “love” five homeless kids, causing trouble by sleeping in a council tip? That idea of a village raising a child constantly surfaced. MC Roberta Orton raised the ante – this is about disengaged children gaining an enduring sense of identity, meaning and purpose, connection, and belonging in our common world. My highlight was the “thanks” given by Cr Sam Hearn. He applauded Les Twentyman’s well-earned reputation; but thanked him for not coming…
MORNINGTON’S Daniel Arapakis flew his F3D aircraft to victory at the FAI F3D world championships in Sweden, 25-29 July. The Western Port Model Aero Club member – nicknamed ‘Dannmann’ – did Australia proud bringing home the gold medal and becoming junior world champion. Daniel is the first Australian junior to win a world championship in any facet of aeromodelling, his father Andrew Arapakis said. “He was race prepared with the finest aircraft, engines and propellers fastidiously engineered by Barry Murphy, which are world renowned for their reliability and performance.” Daniel flew his Minute Master racer for 14 rounds over three…
LAND near the Mornington Peninsula Shire offices in Besgrove St has surfaced as the preferred option for an aquatic centre at Rosebud. The cost of the aquatic centre is estimated at $28.4 million-$30.7 million, depending on it having a 25-metre or 50-metre inside or outside pool. The council last week voted to spend $20,000 on a business plan for the site which is expected to be completed before its December meeting. A report to council’s 8 August meeting warned that the centre was likely to lose 800,000 to $1.075m a year, although these “may potentially be reduced” by $200,000 if…
JUST weeks after signing a new lease on his Mornington warehouse a businessman learned Mornington Peninsula Shire had approved a planning permit for an adjoining site which he says will hinder his ability to run his business. Tony Taylor says the permit for offices and storage units confirms his neighbour has sole rights over a side carriageway easement, which could mean he is prevented from unloading stock at his loading bay. He says the restrictions could jeopardise the viability of the business on the site he is now locked into for the next five years. Mr Taylor, of Direct Hospitality…
MEMBERS of St Macartan’s Catholic Church, Mornington are writing letters to members of parliament opposing the assisted dying Bill about to go before the Victorian Parliament. Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart has urged all churches in his archdiocese to campaign against the Bill. If passed, the proposed legislation would open the way for Victorians to ask for a medically assisted death. Supporters of the Bill say terminally ill Victorians are sometimes taking their own lives, “alone and in violent ways”. MPs will be allowed a conscience vote on the Bill which, if adopted, could be in place by 2019. The Bill…
THE proposed demolition of what is described as “a rare example of an early 1900s timber cottage” in Sorrento’s main street has upset members of Nepean Historical Society. Ratio Consultants has applied to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council for a permit to develop a three-storey building with 16 dwellings and two shops at 141-145 Ocean Beach Rd. If approved, the development will involve the demolition of Sandarne, which was built about 1915 as the home of Swedish immigrant seaman and fisherman Albert Backius. He is said to have designed it and named it after his home town in Sweden. Historical society…
TIGHTER design and development rules are planned for the commercial heart of Sorrento – mainly along Ocean Beach Rd. They are part of a Mornington Peninsula Shire Council push to strengthen planning controls through an overlay. The council at its planning services committee meeting on Monday 31 July moved to adopt planning scheme amendment C204. The overlay aims to protect the distinctive character of the town through building height limits and setback controls. These would ensure a third storey is setback so as not to be visually prominent from the opposite side of Ocean Beach Rd. The amendment has been…
A RECEPTION for those who received honours on either the Queen’s Birthday or Australia Day was held at the Briars Homestead recently. Orders of Australia are the nation’s highest awards for outstanding achievements and service and are given only after vigorous scrutiny of the nominees. As well as the 11 peninsula recipients announced on Australia Day, five others were announced on the Queen’s Birthday in June. These were: Raymond Douglas Morgan OAM, of Hastings: for service to the community through health and education programs; Wayne Christopher Etcell OAM, of Somerville: for service to the community through a range of roles;…
ROSEBUD’S Mark Krieger has spent three years working on his latest book: High Spain Drifter, based around cycling in Europe. In the story, the keen cyclist sets off on another of his fascinating journeys – this time around Spain and Portugal’s Iberian Peninsula with Roz and daughter Emma in tow. The former teacher taught English and History at Mornington Secondary College for 22 years from 1992, after arriving in Rosebud the year before. “Of our five children, four have followed in our footsteps. Each has taught or is currently teaching on the Mornington Peninsula,” Krieger said. “Cycling-wise, I have spent…
A LACK of regular maintenance is the “crucial safety issue” at the Rye boat ramp, according to Rye Community Group Alliance, which opposes the contentious fourth ramp. Chair Mechelle Cheers said her group was angry that Mornington Peninsula Shire had backed plans to develop a fourth ramp when it was “rarely” needed. The cost of the works is about $1.2 million, with the shire receiving $588,000 from Ports Minister Luke Donnellan, on condition a fourth boat ramp is built. No additional car parking is planned. A council report said the project would “alleviate the on-land and on-water congestion experienced at…
FIVE years ago Mornington Peninsula Shire paid $5.1 million for a block of shops in Wannaeue Place, Rosebud. Rosebud Central Shopping Centre was promoted as an alternative site to the foreshore for an aquatic centre which the shire had been struggling to build in the face of state government restrictions and technical problems. A nearby shop housing a dry cleaners was also bought for $770,000. The face-saving entry into the commercial property market was made in late September 2012, just weeks before the shire would have moved into the pre-election caretaker mode. The shire has now been told it will…
Detectives from Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit have arrested a man following an alleged robbery at Rosebud last week. It is alleged a 69-year-old man was walking his dog about 6.15am on 2 August when confronted by two offenders along the Rosebud foreshore who demanded his wallet. The offenders allegedly stole the man’s jacket, mobile phone watch, ring and scooter keys. This morning investigators executed two search warrants in Rosebud and arrested a 37-year-old Rosebud man. He is currently assisting detectives with their enquiries.
MEMBERS of the lifesaving and aquatic community from the Mornington Peninsula were awarded for their dedication to saving lives at the 14th annual Life Saving Victoria Award of Excellence on Saturday 29 July. More than 280 guests, including Victorian lifesavers, aquatic industry members and dignitaries, attended the gala event. Bonbeach Life Saving Club collected three of the four major awards with Lloyd Thomas from Bonbeach LSC being awarded the John Wishart Memorial Medal as Lifesaver of the Year for his ‘outstanding contribution to lifesaving’. Bonbeach LSC was also presented with Outstanding Achievement of the Year for their 2017 CALD Surf…
PENINSULA Boxing has made another dent in the Australian boxing scene with all three of their boxers making it to the finals of the Australian Elite Golden Gloves in Western Australia on Friday 28 July. Representatives Jack Gipp, April Franks and 2016 Rio Olympian Jason Whateley left nothing in the ring to return home with two gold championship belts. Jack Gipp, who hadn’t fought since the Youth World Championships in Russia last year, made a dominant return, beating one of the local Western Australian favorites, Keira Ruston, on the Friday night. Gipp went on to defeat another tough Western Australian…
A WOMAN received neck and hip injuries when her car ran off Stanleys Rd, Merricks North, and hit a tree, 8.50am, Monday 7 August. A passing motorist saw the woman’s car off the wet road and called emergency services. Senior Constable Liza Shields, of Somerville Highway Patrol, said the woman, 20, of Dandenong, was still in the car when police arrived. She said speed was not thought to be a factor in the accident, and that the car was a write-off. The woman was taken by ambulance to Tyabb Airport and then airlifted to The Alfred hospital for treatment. First…
A HASTINGS man was stabbed in the shoulder and repeatedly punched in the face by an unknown man who came into his Thomas Place house, 8.35pm, Monday 31 July. Police said the 44-year-old victim was sitting in his lounge room when the man entered and punched him causing him to lose several teeth. A neighbour came in to investigate the noise and the attacker fled. The victim was taken to Frankston Hospital with serious facial injuries. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in…
UP to 200 litres of diesel fuel spilled from the United Terminals’ Hastings depot into Olivers Creek last week from what is believed to be a damaged pipe flange. Earlier, it was reported that 100-1000 litres had escaped from the Barclay Crescent site before the leak was stopped about 1pm on Monday 31 July. United’s COO David Szymczak said the seepage was mostly contained in bunds – protective earth or concrete walls – designed to trap fuel overflows. “All our tanks are in bunded areas but, on this occasion, a small amount – in the 200-litre category – seeped out…
TO BORROW from book terminology, there will be a lot of “lively reads” in High St, Hastings at the end of the month. As part of the town’s second annual book day traders will dress as book characters and read stories to pre-school and prep pupils. The pupils and their teachers will also be dressed as characters from books as they visit shops and businesses between 10am and 11.30 on Tuesday 29 August. Shop fronts will be decorated in book themes and students will also read to young pupils who will be touring the street with their teachers. The book…
PENINSULA LEAGUE PINES has lost four games on the trot in MPNFL Peninsula Division and is now in danger of missing the top five all together. After sitting a game clear at the top of the table at the midway mark of the season, the Pythons have fallen in a slump, generating the obvious question, ‘is it a case of no Aaron Edwards, no Pines’? While the brainstrust at Pines will have you believe that this isn’t the case, the fact is that Pines has not been able to win a match since the best forward in the game went…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie THE depth of Langwarrin’s squad proved crucial in Saturday’s come-from-behind 3-1 win over Caulfield United at Lawton Park. Star striker Liam Baxter had to be stretchered off in the 53rd minute with a hamstring injury and classy central defender Kieron Kenny had to be helped off 11 minutes later with a knee injury. Baxter is expected to miss up to three weeks while the extent of Kenny’s injury will be assessed this week. Baxter and Kenny are among a group of visa players who have powered Langy to a seven-point lead on top of State 1…
FRANKSTON Dolphins will return to the VFL competition next season after having their licence application approved by AFL Victoria. The Dolphins were stripped of their licence in 2016 after the club fell into voluntary administration under a massive debt of more than $1 million. The club has been fighting hard since that day to bring together key people and businesses to put together a strong case to re-enter the competition. Their application was submitted last month and granted on Friday afternoon. The application was spearheaded by former Hawthorn champion and recruiter Gary Buckenara. The pitch to re-enter included 1200 memberships,…
NEPEAN LEAGUE SOMERVILLE is no longer in the race for MPNFL Nepean Division finals after being overrun by a fast finishing Dromana on Saturday. With both teams being locked together on 32 points on the ladder, along with Red Hill, it was always going to be near impossible for the loser of Saturday’s game to make it. The Eagles have now fallen a game behind Dromana and Red Hill with just two games remaining. While Somerville is out of the equation, the race is hotting up between Red Hill (fifth place) and Dromana (sixth). There is less than one percent…
LAST Wednesday a band of “tin kettlers” went down to give the new bride and bridegroom, Mr and Mrs Hanton, a rousing welcome. The band was very hospitably entertained and a very pleasant evening was spent. *** ALL soldiers will be entertained at afternoon tea in the Hall this afternoon at the conclusion of the speeches in the Park. *** IT is the intention of Councillor Oates to call the ratepayers of the North Riding together at an early date to give a general resume of council matters during his last two terms of office extending over six years. The…
KATHRYN Whatmore knows all about the pressures felt by the wives and girlfriends of professionals cricketers – especially when their partners are on tour. “There’s a lot more expected of cricketers these days as they are full time and there is so much travel involved,” the wife of former Test cricketer and now international coach Dav (Davenell) Whatmore, said on Monday from their home in Bittern. “There are many more competitions now; people don’t realise how difficult it is for wives to have their men so far from home and away from their young families.” Players are required to arrive…
SPECIALISED assets continue to attract high demand from local and offshore interests, according to business brokers Fitzroys. The agency last week sold three sites in the south-east for a combined $12.4 million following a high number of inquiries – with the property which houses Kingswim swim school centre, Mornington, selling for $5.4 million. The other two properties were another swim centre and a child care centre. The 3796 square metre site at 2 St Catherine’s Court went to an investor after the agents received 70 registered inquiries from overseas, interstate and local buyer groups. Agent David Bourke said 10 genuine…