SCAMMERS falsely claiming to be NBN Co representatives have been asking for personal information and financial details under the pretence of switching internet services to the national broadband network. NBN Co says scammers have been taking advantage of customers, including retirement village residents. “It is important to be aware that NBN Co will never make unsolicited calls or door knock to sell broadband services,” NBN Co chief security officer Darren Kane said. “NBN Co may make calls to individuals registered on our medical alarm or fire and lift registers but will never request payment or bank account details during these…
Year: 2018
A DOCTOR could be forgiven for prescribing patients a dose of jazz music to help them get back in the swing and beat the winter blues. During a consultation, she could break into scat singing to show them how to breathe properly or check their vocal cords, not to be confused with chords. Or she could sing a gentle bossa nova to transport them from chilly Victoria to a sun-drenched beach in Latin America. “It will never happen,” laughs Dr Lizzy Gascoigne, a popular doctor at Mt Martha Village Medical Centre, who’s also an accomplished jazz singer. In the surgery,…
POLICE are advising mainly elderly residents that they should be wary of mobile phone apps claiming to be “duress alarms” which charge them money to call 000 on their behalf. They say some “duress alarm” apps claim to link clients to a 24/7 call centre with a “live” connection to police and emergency services. However, no app has a direct – or “live” – connection to Victoria Police or emergency services, police say. The monitoring of duress alarms requires a security licence, the use of a certified monitoring centre and the approval of Victoria Police. “In an emergency always call…
POLICE are looking for a man who allegedly took a bottle of scotch off the shelf at a Hastings liquor store and hid it under his jumper. Police said the man walked into the drive-through bottle shop in Frankston-Flinders Road, 7.50pm, Tuesday 19 June, and spoke with security staff. After talking further with staff he left the store without paying for the bottle. The man is described as being Caucasian, average build, pot belly, with light-coloured curly hair. He was wearing a black, grey and white striped hoody. Sergeant Cameron Scott, of police media, urges anyone who recognises the man…
IT took less than one week for more than 1000 signatures to be added to a petition protesting at the reopening of a quarry in Boundary Road, Dromana. Hillview Quarries wants to reopen and expand the old Pioneer quarry to produce about 70 million tonnes of granite products over 70 years. The proposal has reignited the public opposition which forced Hillview in 2013 to abandon its plans to use the old quarry pit as a waste tip. This time around, Hillview has applied to expand the existing 8.25 hectare pit to 38 hectares with a depth of 190 metres. Mornington…
BUILDERS, real estate agents and vendors are bracing themselves for the effects of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s proposed Housing Settlement Strategy even before it is implemented. The broad aim of the strategy now awaiting planning minister Richard Wynne’s decision, is to increase the minimum size of lots for subdivision up to 900 square metres. This has meant that builders and developers, who previously would have been potential buyers of average sized 720-750 square metre blocks in Mornington, and particularly in the Dava Drive area, are now not interested because the blocks can’t be subdivided. Real estate agents say this has removed…
A ROSEBUD resident says the shire’s supposedly tougher “party house” rules are not solving the problem because “no one answers my complaint calls after hours”. Ken Sapwell says he is being “driven to distraction” by a neighbour’s rowdy guests late into the night, with cars often parked across his driveway and guests even parking on his lawn. He says another elderly person living across the road is too frightened to step out of her house when party guests arrive. “Last weekend there were 11 cars and only eight could fit on the block, so we had three on my lawn…
DIVISION ONE WITH five games left to play in MPNFL Division One the finals landscape has started to take shape but things are far from over. With just two wins separating third-placed Mt Eliza from seventh-placed Bonbeach, it’s all still to play for in the final month of the home and away football. Here’s who each team will have to get through in order to book their spot in the finals. CURRENT LADDER SORRENTO – 40 PTS, 124.68 per cent NEXT FIVE – Mornington (Home), Pines (H), Seaford (Away), Bombers (H), Edithvale-Aspendale (A) Sitting on top of the ladder with…
NEARLY $4 million is being spent on making Hastings commercial centre “a more vibrant, attractive and usable space for pedestrians and traders”. The project include streetscape works along High Street between Queen Street and Marine Parade, five laneway upgrades, as well replacing a toilet and constructing a car park in King Street. The state government is providing $1.9 million through its growing suburbs fund and $1.9 million is coming from Mornington Peninsula Shire. The mayor Cr Bryan Payne said the project was the most significant infrastructure investment in Hastings over the past 10 years. “This is a major revitalisation of…
THE Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society is bringing its digital images of the universe to the walls of the historic Coolart Homestead, Somers. The display of members’ photos will feature a selection of all aspects of astrophotography including wide field shots of the Milky Way, eclipses, comets, views of the sun through solar filters, shots of the moon and planets, nebulae and galaxies seen through telescopes and auroras. Also on display will be various items of astronomical paraphernalia. Science in the Park will be held on Sunday 12 August as part of Science Week and astronomical society members will be on…
FLINDERS MP Greg Hunt has signalled his opposition to power company AGL’s plans for a floating gas terminal at Crib Point. Mr Hunt on Monday said he had “long argued that South Port [sic] is not the place for industrial development and my view hasn’t changed in a decade. This includes the AGL proposal for a floating storage regasification unit at Crib Point.” Mr Hunt joins Hastings MP Neale Burgess – his Liberal state colleague – in blaming the Labor state government for encouraging AGL’s project. Mr Hunt’s statement yesterday (Monday 9 July), came just one day short of four…
The annual rose pruning event is the most important event on the Mornington Botanical Rose Gardens calendar. Not only is it necessary for the on-going care of the rose bushes, it is a social event for the many volunteers who give their time and energy to the garden. This year the event is planned for Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th July from 8.30am to 4.30pm each day. The Victorian Rose Society supports this event and provides FREE rose pruning demonstrations for the public. These will be scheduled for 11am and 2pm Saturday and 11am on Sunday. The demonstrations proved to…
SOCCER PENINSULA Strikers gave themselves a lifeline by winning Saturday’s State 2 South-East derby 2-0 against Frankston Pines at Monterey Reserve. It was only the club’s second win in a season of turmoil but it gives Strikers hope that they can climb off the foot of the league ladder. Referee James Milloy took centre stage before the match with opinions varied as to whether or not he should allow the contest to take place given the drenching the pitch had taken with little respite in sight. And eight minutes into the contest the home team was wishing that Milloy hadn’t…
DIVISION TWO HASTINGS have established a six-point gap between themselves and sixth place with a big win over Tyabb to put themselves in pole position for a finals spot. Hastings showed their intent early with a stunning five goals to zero first quarter in tough conditions, which set the tone for the remainder of the afternoon. Tyabb fought back to get within reach, but ultimately ran out of time and fell short by 16 points, going down to Hastings 10.7 (67) to 8.3 (51). Shaun Foster booted four goals in a best on ground performance for Hastings, while Jake Anderson…
DIVISION ONE LADDER leaders Sorrento Sharks succumbed to Bonbeach in a shock loss at home this Saturday in wet and windy weather. Bonbeach, who have struggled with inconsistency all through the season, had to endure a fast starting Sorrento in a first quarter that saw Bonbeach only register two scoring shots to their opponent’s 12. Sorrento were wasteful in front of goal however, and could only register two goals and 10 behinds to keep Bonbeach in touch. Bonbeach capitalised on Sorrento’s wasteful form in front of goal in the second quarter, as they established a nine-point lead going into the…
OBITUARY John Aylmer Leaver AO RFD ED 1930-2018 School chaplain THE Reverend John Aylmer Leaver AO RFD ED died on 15 May at the age of 87. It was estimated that more than 900 attended the memorial service which was held at The Ansett Hall, Peninsula Grammar, on 24 May. Best known as the chaplain at Peninsula Grammar, a position he held for 24 years, the Rev Leaver also played a key role in the setting up of a number of Christian schools and he was a long-time chaplain in the Army Reserve. In 2000 he was awarded the AO…
THE news of Mrs George Gomm’s death, which took place at her residence last Sunday, was received with deep regret by a large circle of friends. Mrs Gomm was an old resident of Somerville and had been in failing health for some time. She was a valued worker of the local branch of the Lady Mayoress’ Patriotic League. She leaves a husband and two daughters to mourn her loss and our sympathy is extended to the bereaved family. The funeral took place at the Mornington Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon. Rev Rymer conducted the burial service. *** THE concert held in…
CHANGING schools can have a detrimental effect on a student’s mental health and academic performance. Exploring the effects of “school transition on student wellbeing” formed the basis of a talk given by Toorak College, Mt Eliza principal, Kristy Kendall, to 750 educators from 22 countries in the United States. Mrs Kendall said it had been an honour to be one of the few Australians invited to speak at the Global Forum on Girls’ Education in Washington DC. “I passionately believe in girls’ education and the power of building resilience, self-esteem and self-confidence in the next generation of leaders,” Mrs Kendall…
A TRUCK driver was lucky to escape injury when his tipper rolled down a slope and into a Mornington house, Thursday 5 July. Sergeant David Collins, of Somerville Highway Patrol, said the 47-year-old driver of Cranbourne, was loading a skip bin in Flame Tree Grove when the front wheels lifted and the truck slid forward, crashing into the front of the two-storey house and causing extensive damage, 1pm. The shocked owner was reportedly home at the time. No one was injured in the incident. A heavy haulage tow truck was called in to pull the truck free. A Mornington Peninsula…
LEASH-free signs were placed last month on the beach at Mt Martha Beach North. The signs on steel poles were about 50 metres north from the bottom of the beach access stairs, where identical signs were installed a couple of years ago. Those signs no longer exist at the stairs, but the movement of signs at the small beach has caused confusion over its status for dogs. Mornington Peninsula Shire rangers visited the 80 metre long strip of sand 41 times over summer. The shire has never directly responded to questions about the installation and removal of the leash-free signs…
RESIDENTS will be asked to consider the environmental effects on Balcombe Creek of their continuing opposition to having their roads sealed. Unmade roads are being blamed for the gradual silting of the creek’s estuary and Mornington Peninsula Shire has set aside $150,000 to help “save” the estuary. “The rate of sediment flowing into the estuary is the greatest threat facing the waterway. Without solving this, the estuary will be completely silted up within our grandchildren’s lifetime,” BERG MM president Graham Hubbard said. “For years we have been having talks and meetings with the shire and Melbourne Water about the sediment…
THE owner of a new home being built on a Mornington clifftop has received council permission to clear vegetation down to Mills beach for an inclinator. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s executive manager planning services David Bergin said the council had approved the permit in conjunction with the dwelling approval on the land at 1-3 Kalimna Drive. “As a part of this approval the landowner sought to construct an inclinator, to provide access to the beach,” he said. “Council have been reviewing the careful construction of the inclinator. “The owner of the land has taken great steps to ensure that there was…
AN elderly Mornington Peninsula resident was tricked into having a tree cut down by travelling conmen – and even driven to the bank to withdraw $2500 to pay them before they started work. Police said residents should beware of the conmen who knock on doors offering services, particularly to elderly residents. The tree-lopping incident was reported by the victim’s son-in-law as the victim suffers from dementia. Police said the conmen knocked on doors of homes and small businesses offering to do jobs, such as driveway resurfacing, painting, roof repairs and carpet cleaning on the cheap. Police urge residents not to…
A MAN who stole a purse containing credit and bank cards from a car parked overnight in Mt Martha, Tuesday and Wednesday 5 and 6 June, used them to buy five items at shops along Nepean Highway from Dromana to Rosebud. Anyone knowing the man or his whereabouts is asked to call Senior Constable Matt Caddy at the Southern Metro Crime Team 9767 7440, Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or Rosebud police 5986 0444. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 10 July 2018
ROSEBUD police were called to check on a kangaroo that had been hit by a car on Old Cape Schanck Road, Rosebud, Monday morning 2 July. The kangaroo had a broken leg and other injuries and could not be saved. Fortunately, Acting Sergeant Stephen Drew checked the kangaroo further and found a little joey in its pouch. It was taken back to Rosebud police station and cared for until collected by Wildlife Victoria. It is said to be doing “very well”. “It was an unfortunate accident that something good came out of,” Sergeant Drew said. “Drivers should be aware of…
TWO committee members of the Australian Red Cross Sorrento/Portsea/Rye Unit have received medals in recognition their 22 years of service. Fay Bennett died before she could be presented with a badge recognising her help with catering and as events coordinator and booking officer. She has been working in Red Cross in Dromana opp shop for 18 years and running Red Cross street cake stalls. Along with the other medal recipient, Judy Medley, Ms Bennett is seen as a member who has been of great value to the Australian Red Cross Sorrento/Portsea/Rye Unit. Member Marilyn Cunnington said “similar to many service…
A SPATE of wild parties in Melbourne suburbs has highlighted the shortcomings of short-term “party” house rentals – an issue once rampant on the Mornington Peninsula. In Carnegie last month a $1 million house was overrun and trashed by youths and, on 1 July, in another party gone-wrong, the walls and windows of a $3.5 million Hawthorn East house were smashed. These incidents followed damage estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars to so-called party houses in Footscray, North Melbourne, Malvern East, Werribee and Altona. Houses were overrun, windows and doors kicked in and neighbours left fuming. Their sense…
SOLAR panels have been installed at 19 buildings operated by Mornington Peninsula Shire, with a further 27 to go. By 2020, there will be 2440 solar panels on shire buildings. Dubbed “the rooftop solar PV rollout”, the next two months will see solar panels installed at the shire’s Rosebud offices (99.73 kW), Hastings library (50.4 kW) and Civic Reserve Recreation Centre, Mornington (99.73 kW). When completed, the program’s panels will generate 707 kW, estimated to annually shave $132,000 of the shire’s power bills and reducing its carbon footprint by three per cent. The mayor Cr Bryan Payne said the use…
AN off-duty policeman has been recommended for a bravery award after dragging a Somerville man from his burning house on the afternoon of Friday 29 June. The detective senior constable, who formerly worked at Mornington police and is now at Dandenong Sexual Offences Unit, was walking his dog in Rex Court about 3.40pm when he saw smoke coming from the roof. Running to the front door he peered inside and heard a faint call for help. The detective (who does not wish to be identified) said he “thought something was not right” when he saw smoke coming from the roof…
TOOTGAROOK Primary School parents and pupils are considering donning flippers and facemasks to negotiate “massive puddles” outside the school at drop-off and pick-up times. Parent Rebecca Coghlan said pupils and parents “not only get wet feet but some have fallen and hurt themselves getting in or out of the car”. “Some parents park on the opposite side where parking is not permitted and have received fines,” she said. “When they ring [Mornington Peninsula] shire to explain why they parked there, and try to get the fine waived, they are told no.” Staff members at the school say they have complained…