BASKETBALL THE Western Port Steelers will take on top-ranked side, Chelsea Gulls, in the semi-final series of the division one Big V competition on Saturday 11 August. Both of the Mornington Peninsula sides come into the best-of-three series in hot form, with the Gulls winning their past 14 matches and the Steelers having won 10 of their last 11 games. While the Gulls enjoyed a bye through the opening round of the finals, the Steelers faced, and convincingly defeated the Warrnambool Seahawks (97-71) by 26 points at home. The Steelers look to continue their winning momentum into their next home…
Year: 2018
NETBALL HOPE OF finals isn’t completely lost for the Peninsula Waves under-19s side despite losing their fourth place on the ladder to fifth ranked City West Falcons on Wednesday 8 August. In their second last round of the normal season, the Waves lost to the Falcons (49-56) by seven goals as they tried to keep their finals dreams alive. While the Falcons gained the crucial points needed to jump into fourth place, they’ll still need to score a victory over second-placed DC North East Blaze in round 18 to ensure that the Waves can’t reclaim their top four position. The…
Compiled by Boronica King CAPTAIN Geoffrey Grice, son of Mr James Grice, of Frankston, who was recently awarded the Military Cross, has since been appointed a member of the Order of the British Empire. Captain Grice, who received the distinction for gallantry, is a member of the British Forces. *** MEMBERS of the local branch of the National Federation are reminded of meeting to be held in Mechanics’ on Wednesday evening next. A full attendance is particularly requested. *** MR Robt. Cairns, of Rosebud, topped the market at Dandenong this week for springers with a pen of seven very nice…
MT ELIZA athletes Tilly Watts and Liam Hemingway are training for a cause close to their hearts. The pair – who live, went to school and work in Mt Eliza – plan to run in the Melbourne half and full marathons in October and are already on their way to raising their target amount of $10,000 for mental health support, awareness and acceptance. So far they have collected is $4400. They are “determined to provide mental health organisation beyondblue with funds to combat mental illness in Australia”. Watts says since re-meeting during their gap year and working for an educational…
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a silver Commodore, possibly a VY model, was driven through the front fence of a property on Boormani Drive, Mornington, 6.30pm, Friday 3 August (pictured). The car lost its bumper bar in the incident near Benton’s Square shopping centre. The driver reversed and sped off without notifying the property owner. Anyone knowing the driver is asked to call Leading Senior Constable Ryan Fraser, of Mornington police, 5970 4900. First published in the Mornington News – 14 August 2018
A MT MARTHA man made a series of bad and likely to be expensive decisions on Saturday night 4 August. At about 10pm, the 23-year-old was directed to pull into the testing line at a booze bus on Nepean Highway, Frankston. Instead, he drove off into the Frankston CBD where he was pulled over by a Somerville Highway Patrol unit that was working with the booze bus. After blowing 0.136 per cent the driver had his licence suspended and his car impounded for a month – with a $1038 release fee. He will be summonsed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’…
A DRIVER pulled over by police in Mornington early Thursday morning last week for having false plates “smelt like a brewery”, police said. He later admitted to losing his licence for drink-driving in 2011 and his car was unregistered. The 44-year-old Mornington man allegedly blew 0.176 per cent when breath-tested. He also tested positive for the drugs ecstasy and ice. Before the man’s blue Honda Civic was impounded and towed away he allegedly kicked dents into every side panel. He was collected by his “none too happy” wife and will appear in court at a later date. Two other drug-drivers…
AFTER being born five weeks premature, Dakota Lampard is now thriving after spending time in a“baby warmer” at Frankston Hospital’s special care nursery. Nurse unit manager Alison Conroy-Joyce said the warmer was bought last year with money raised from the annual Kids’ Fun Run with K163. Mt Eliza Rotary Club and Peninsula Health hold the annual event where children race the historic steam train K163 at Moorooduc Railway Station on 18 November. Last year the run raised $15,000, which was used to buy the CosyTherm baby warmer as well as a phototherapy light to treat jaundice in infants, six cots…
A MT MARTHA pet owner whose dog managed to avoid being poisoned is warning her neighbours to watch out. Maria (who asked that her surname be withheld), of Cornwell Crescent, was minding her parents’ West Highland terrier pup Bella when it came inside with a piece of meat in its mouth just after 8am on Monday 6 August. The nine-month-old dropped the meat, which was about the size of a tennis ball, revealing six mysterious blue pellets embedded inside. “I had no idea what it was, it was bizarre,” Maria said. “It looked like a child’s meatball with vitamins and…
A STATE government-appointed advisory committee will decide whether a second German-based supermarket chain can open a store in Mornington. Planning Minister Richard Wynne has told Mornington Peninsula Shire that he will appoint a committee to “provide advice and recommendations” on plans by Kaufland to open six supermarkets around Melbourne. Mr Wynne’s move to help Kaufland progress through the planning process has angered Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Bryan Payne. Cr Payne said the advisory panel was “another example of Mr Wynne impinging on the responsibility of local government”. He said it ranked alongside three-storey building heights that were imposed on…
ROSEBUD police are urging school leavers to celebrate safely and responsibly this Schoolies Week, which kicks off later this year. “The majority of school leavers had a good time without any trouble last year, but, unfortunately, there were a small number who took celebrations too far,” Mornington Peninsula inspector Janene Denton said. “We know that Rosebud is a popular destination for schoolies and, every year, police will be out and about to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time. “We’ll be boosting our patrols during schoolies this year to keep partygoers safe. We will target disruptive parties, alcohol-fuelled…
STATISTICS surrounding Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Meals on Wheels service tell a worthwhile tale: it has been operating for 40 years and delivers 1500 meals per week – up from the original 25 meals per week. That’s a staggering 75,000 meals per year. Its 170 volunteers drive 125,000 kilometres all over the peninsula each year to feed more than 450 grateful residents five days a week. The volunteers’ ages range from 21-89, with the longest serving volunteer delivering for 39 years. At a recent annual food safety audit the Meals on Wheels team again achieved excellent results, with 100 per cent…
A RYE man and former sailor who served in waters off Vietnam feels honoured to have been allowed to perform his own memorial service at the site of a deadly “friendly-fire” attack on HMAS Hobart. The mysterious Sparrow-type, three-missile attack, made in error during the Vietnam war by US Phantom jets on 17 June 1968, left two Australian seamen dead and seven injured and the guided missile destroyer badly damaged. A US Navy board of inquiry investigating the Hobart “incident” for the Australian government later found shortcomings with the F4 Phantom jet’s radar system were partly to blame. Wayne Bastow,…
THE high-profile sand sculpting exhibition that lured millions of visitors to Frankston is moving back to the Mornington Peninsula. The annual sand sculpting exhibition, hosted at the Frankston waterfront for the past decade, will not return next summer. Failed negotiations between commercial event organiser Sandstorm Events and Frankston Council about making the sculptures exhibition an all-year round event are believed to be partly behind the decision for the event to leave Frankston. Sandstorm Events did not return calls from The News before publication but council did confirm the sand sculpting exhibition’s exit. “The end of the major event contract with…
A DECISION on whether or not to perform a patriotic English song at the Mornington Peninsula Chorale’s Proms Concert in Frankston next week has ruffled a few feathers. The issue was sparked when choir convenor Judi McKee asked choristers if playing Pomp & Circumstance – by British composer Sir Edward Elgar – would offend non-British members of the audience at the Proms concert at Frankston Arts Centre, Sunday 19 August. The song, written at the height of the British Empire in 1901 and said to be a favourite of Queen Victoria, highlights issues of imperialism and nationalism that could offend…
DEFENCE Road in Point Nepean National Park has been reopened after being closed for nine-weeks. Parks Victoria says the road repairs which caused the closure were part of the state government’s “commitment towards activating the Point Nepean Master Plan”. “The road foundations have been upgraded and strengthened to help future-proof the park and improve overall access for its growing visitation,” district manager south east Melbourne Libby Jude said. Defence Road is the main access road into the park and connects the Quarantine Station and Fort Nepean for vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and the shuttle bus. The roadworks included reconstructing 3.6 kilometres…
THE main speaker might be there to talk about waste, but the threats of climate change and erosion of beaches are also certain to feature in next month’s “community coastal forum”. Orgainsed by Mornington Peninsula Shire, the forum is open to those “with a passion for the protection, future development and enhancement of our coastal areas”. Guest speakers include ABC TV’s documentary War On Waste host Craig Reucassel looking at future challenges for councils in dealing with waste mitigation and reduction. With more than 190 kilometres of coastline, including along Port Phillip and Western Port bays, the shire sees itself…
WILDLIFE shelters, carers and vets are gearing up for an influx of displaced, injured and distressed animals in the second stage of centre median vegetation lopping along the Mornington Peninsula Freeway. Works were expected to begin yesterday (Monday 13 August) between Moorooduc Highway and Nepean Highway, Dromana following a VicRoads decision to install wire rope barriers along the freeway’s centre median strip for 18 kilometres from Mt Martha to Rosebud. The first stage of the centre median clearing in September – from Bruce Road, Mt Martha, to Nepean Highway, Safety Beach – resulted in the disturbance of animals “at a…
STATE politicians and some business leaders were given a tasteful look at the Mornington Peninsula last week by the mayor Cr Bryan Payne, councillors and farmers. The team from the peninsula arrived at Parliament House bearing gifts of the types of produce available on the peninsula. Named A Taste of Mornington Peninsula, the shire-sponsored promotion is based on tourism and farming being the “key … that underpins the employment of thousands of Victorians”. Along for the ride with councillors were vegetable growers, wine and cheese makers, brewers, tourism operators and apprentice chefs. The peninsula’s key food producing industries are vegetables,…
NATIONAL recruitment firm McArthur has been hired to find suitable candidates for the CEO’s job at Mornington Peninsula Shire. The nearly $400,000 a year position has been held by Carl Cowie for the past four years. When council decided in June to advertise the CEO’s position Mr Cowie said he had “been strongly encouraged to reapply and I have advised that I will be doing that” (“Market test for CEO’s job” The News 19/6/18). Mr Cowie’s predecessor, Michael Kennedy, held the position for nearly 16 years, but did not make the short list of applicants when the job was advertised…
Emergency services are currently on the scene of a large house fire on Nepean Highway in Mornington. The house is situated near McDonalds and directly across the road from the Mornington fire station. The house was fully ablaze and has been completely destroyed. Units were called from Mount Martha, Moorooduc and Frankston to assist. Breathing apparatus equipment has been requested from Frankston and a request for units from Hallam has been made. It is believed these may be hazmat units. Ambulance services are in attendance and appear to be treating a couple of men on the scene. It is not…
A DROMANA Secondary College student was seriously injured after falling through the roof of a shed at Dromana reservoir, 2pm, Friday 10 August. The 14-year-old was playing with mates on the roof of the South East Water pumping station when he fell through a skylight, police said. He was airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital in a serious condition. Police described the incident as “misadventure”.
OBITUARY John Houston Buzaglo OAM 11 July 1924 – 4 August 2018 Naval officer, advertising manager, boat-builder, international yachtsman, sailing instructor JOHN “Buz” Buzaglo was perhaps destined to co-create a radical racing yacht in the 1970s because as a child in the 1930s he built his own glider and model boats and later a land yacht that he crashed on a busy road in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Buzaglo, who has died at age 94, was co-founder of the syndicate that designed, built and raced the world’s first viable “wingsail” racing yacht – a C class catamaran that appeared to have…
IN a bizarre incident in Tyabb up to 18 police were involved in arresting a man who allegedly drilled holes in a gas main underneath a neighbour’s house, filling the house with gas. Police, the Dog Squad, ambulance and Tyabb CFA crews, were called to Central Avenue by the neighbour, Tuesday 31 July. When they arrived they found the man hiding in a manhole underneath his own house and refusing to come out. Negotiations with him continued for several hours. Police were unwilling to send down the dog to flush him out because of fears the man may have been…
A FRANKSTON North man will face court this week charged over an aggravated carjacking in company with another man in Somerville, 5pm, Sunday 17 June. Detectives from Mornington Peninsula CIU arrested the 40-year-old, Friday 3 August. He has been remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, Friday 10 August, charged with aggravated carjacking. The other man, 47, of Somerville, is already in custody over the incident. He will reappear at a later date for a committal hearing. Police will allege the two men, one armed with a knife, threatened the woman, 36, in a supermarket car park before…
A NEW control system has reduced energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from ExxonMobil’s fractionation plant at Long Island Point, Hastings, according to engineer James Curry. Mr Curry says efficiency and productivity improvements at the plant were achieved by upgrading the dynamic matrix control system (DMC). “We have upgraded and optimised the DMC system and conducted a comprehensive review of the model settings to ensure we are maximising the value of the molecules that pass through our plant,” he said. “As a result we have reduced our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions per litre of product.” Mr Curry said…
THE electrification of the extension of the Frankston line to Baxter now has bipartisan support from both the Liberal and Labor parties. Federal Labor shadow transport spokesman Anthony Albanese visited Langwarrin’s McClelland Gallery last Tuesday (31 July) for a Committee for Greater Frankston “roundtable lunch” and used the occasion to announce a Shorten government will “move quickly to deliver the much-needed Frankston to Baxter rail upgrade”. The federal opposition’s pledge to back the rail duplication and electrification from Frankston to Baxter comes two weeks after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the Liberal National Coalition federal government’s promise to provide $225…
DIVISION ONE PINES have continued their impressive run of form with a dominant victory over Frankston YCW on Saturday. The Stonecats travelled to Pines’ Eric Bell Reserve in fifth place, having corrected the course of their season with two consecutive wins. Pines entered the contest on a three match winning streak, with a victory last week over Sorrento being the most impressive among them. Although the game had all the makings of classic contest, Pines killed their opponents off quickly, racing away to a 33 point lead at the quarter time break. In blustery conditions, YCW struggled badly against a…
DIVISION TWO LANGWARRIN have remarkably snuck into the top five with just one round left to play after beating Somerville to claim their third consecutive win. Both sides started slowly in a scrappy first term, but a stunning eight goals to one second quarter saw Langwarrin claim complete control. Somerville could do little to work their way back into the contest, and ultimately fell short as the Kangaroos claimed a vital 15.7 (97) to 10.15 (75) win. Sitting a couple of games behind Hastings a few weeks ago, Langwarrin’s finals chances looked slim at best. They now sit clear inside…
SOCCER GUS Macleod has come through the toughest test of his coaching career by steering Langwarrin to NPL2 safety. The veteran gaffer is in his 20th season at Lawton Park and has enjoyed league titles and multiple promotions highlighted by the 2017 State 1 South-East title which was Langy’s ticket to the NPL. “I’ve felt the weight of the club’s expectations on my shoulders and it would have been a disaster for us if we’d have been relegated in our first season in the NPL,” Macleod said. “This has been the hardest season of my coaching career and I’ll sit…