By Barry Morris SCOTLAND’S Loch Ness has its monster and Balcombe Estuary at Mt Martha has its . . . rakali. The elusive rakali is the Australian equivalent of an otter or water rat. While argument still rages about the existence of Nessie, there is no doubt about the rakali which weighs up to 1.3 kilograms, has a distinctive white-tipped tail and lives in burrows or hollow logs on creek banks. Sue Brabander, the former information ranger at The Briars historic property at Mt Martha, is aware of four sightings since 2015 in Balcombe Creek and estuary. “A young family…
Year: 2018
EVEN at 90, Hans Bruner is not the type of guy to sit down and take it easy. A member of Mornington Table Tennis Club for the past 30 years, Mr Bruner tests his skills at the tables twice a week and enjoys socialising with members afterwards. “Playing table tennis has been extremely good for me and was instrumental in overcoming a stroke I suffered 18 months ago,” he said. “It’s helped me come back to having an even better life afterwards. “I love meeting the people there and having great fun. I tell them I enjoy hopping around like…
By Barry Irving RYE Junior fire brigade members and 1st Tootgarook Cub Scouts enjoy getting together each year to promote friendship and learn new skills. Recently, the cubs played host to the Sorrento Sea Scout Cub Pack whose members worked towards their Boomerang badges while researching and training with the Rye junior fire brigade. The cubs, aged 7-11, benefited from the leadership and mentoring of the junior firefighters, aged 11-16. The activities highlighted the strengths of the three groups. Afterwards there was fun free time to chat and make new friends. For more information on the scouts call 0438 338…
WITH a state election due in November, the Mornington Peninsula Greens and its supporters are out and about in the environment. A field excursion on Saturday 28 April saw a group tour of the Tootgarook wetlands under the direction of Save Tootgarook Swamp’s Cameron Brown. Paul Saunders, the Greens candidate for Nepean, said the group was “particularly impressed with range and diversity of animals, birds and plants supported by the wetlands, including many endangered species”. “Concerns were raised in areas of the wetlands where VicRoads owns parcels of land that permit a freeway extension from Rosebud to Blairgowrie,” Mr Saunders…
CLASSICAL musician, Sean Ross, echoes claims by the Spanish artist Salvador Dali that his art was influenced by memories from before he was born. Part-raised in Frankston and a one-time boarder at Peninsula Grammar, Mt Eliza, Ross credits his then-pregnant mother’s playing of Tchaikovsky on a cassette player with his “destiny” to write an opera about the Russian composer’s life. “I truly believe my opera was conceived with me, in my mother’s womb, and that it was therefore my destiny to write it. I’d even go so far as to say it was written on the very blueprint of my…
SKYE local Melanie Rees was able to spend every precious last moment with her late husband Joel in hospital before he passed away on Boxing Day last year; but only because of Frankston Hospital’s expanding Oncology service. The 55-year-old sadly lost his battle with aggressive tongue and throat cancer and spent his last weeks on Ward 5FS at Frankston Hospital. “If I didn’t have the support of Frankston Hospital I wouldn’t have been able to spend as much quality time with Joel,” says his wife Melanie. “When Joel was receiving treatment in the city there was an endless amount of…
WORK has started to restore a 150-year-old Anglican church at Moorooduc. The church, built in 1863, had been left unused for nearly two decades before builder Stephen Foster decided it was worth saving. “There would only be a few buildings older than this one on the whole of the peninsula,” he said “It was sold off and locked up about 17 years ago, before that the local comunity would come down to look after it because of how important it was to them. Since then there’s been no maintenance, and it was just about ready to fall over. “It’s a…
A WOMAN who allegedly stole a mobile phone while grocery shopping in Frankston last month is being sought by police. The owner of the phone said she placed it on the counter at a supermarket on the corner of Golf Links Road and Hastings Road, Tuesday 10 April. It is believed another woman and her children who approached the counter to pay for her items, about 5.45pm, picked up the phone and placed it in her handbag. The woman is described as mid-to-late 30s, large build, long straight brown hair tied in a ponytail, with a dark tattoo on her…
PASSING motorists alerted Somerville Highway Patrol police to a woman who they said was “blind drunk”, 4.30pm, Friday 28 April. The police were finishing up dealing with a motorcycle collision on Moorooduc Highway, Frankston South, when they were told a woman who had been driving erratically was just behind them. Police watched as the woman slowly reversed away from the scene, with the driver “clearly struggling to control the car”. When they approached she reportedly argued about undertaking a preliminary breath test before blowing “way over”. On the centre console police said was a small glass of orange juice, vodka…
A SIX-MONTH mosquito trapping program is being conducted by Mornington Peninsula Shire to help eradicate the Buruli ulcer. The measure is part the shire’s $20,000 in-kind support towards the federal government’s $1.5 million research program to help control and better understand the disease. The study is being carried out by researchers from the shire, Melbourne University, Barwon Health and the Department of Health and Human Services. They will look into how the bacterial infection is transferred from the environment to humans. The mayor Cr Bryan Payne said the shire was committed to continuing its research into the ulcer and controlling…
THE state and federal governments are being urged to upgrade old water recycling infrastructure in a move to “drought proof the Mornington Peninsula”. The plan by Mornington Peninsula Shire envisages reusing class-A recycled water from the Eastern Treatment Plant to provide water security for a range of agricultural activities, including wineries, beef production, and agriculture-based tourism. The mayor Cr Bryan Payne said the growth of Melbourne’s population meant existing sewerage pipes could no longer cope with demand. He said they should be replaced with larger capacity pipes with the water pumped to the top of Arthur’s Seat so that it…
Missing camper Sebastian Orefors has been located on a farming property in Toora North earlier this morning. Sebastian walked to the Devils Pinch Road homestead at 10.50am after being lost in the bush for four days. The 23-year-old is very dehydrated and is being assessed by paramedics. Police and Sebastian’s family would like to thank everyone involved in the search including SES, Bush Search and Rescue and Parks Victoria. Source: Victoria Police News – Tuesday, 1 May 2018
FLU vaccines are available free for children over six months and under five years through Mornington Peninsula Shire’s immunisation service. The Department of Health and Human Services says there has been a significant increase of influenza in children aged up to five, prompting the state government to offer the free flu jabs to this at-risk group. They are available at all sessions on the current timetable at mornpen.vic.gov.au/immunisation as well as these extra sessions: Hastings Community Health Centre, 185 High Street, Hastings: 9.30am-12.15pm, Wednesday 2 May; 9.30am-12.15pm and 5pm-5.45pm, Wednesday 16 May, and 9.30am-12.15pm, Wednesday 6 and 20 June. Bentons…
CROWDS flocked to Anzac Day commemorations at Mornington Peninsula towns last week. Organisers were thrilled with the huge turn-out of young people which they hope will ensure the future of the national event. Hastings RSL sub-branch president Keiren Gallagher said the day went “really well”. “The place was packed with 300-400 at the breakfast and more than 2000 at the main service,” he said. “It was hard to see how many we at the dawn service but I turned around to thank the scouts and school groups and saw a sea of young faces, which made me happy as they…
FOND memories of 47 dachshunds gleefully running amok at her swimming pool for dogs a few years back still makes Somerville woman Jo Woolley laugh. “They came to us via a Facebook group booking for a pool party and had an absolute ball in and out of the water,” she said. “They were hilarious.” That’s easy to imagine as the pool at Aquapaws Canine Rehabilitation Centre is a favourite destination for its regular four-legged visitors. Ms Woolley says she can hear her customers panting and squealing as they literally drag their owners across the car park to get there. “They…
A GROUNDSWELL of opposition is building to AGL’s floating gas terminal at Crib Point and a hydrogen gas to liquid plant at Hastings. Information about the gas terminal and the hydrogen plant – led by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and part financed with $100 million from the state and federal governments – will be aired at a public meeting at Crib Point next Tuesday (8 May). The meeting is being organised by a steering committee for a group calling itself the No AGL Gas terminus for Crib Point. Candy Spender-van Rood said guest speakers “will inform people about just what this…
APPRENTICE jockey Jessica Eaton officially transferred to Mornington-based trainer Chris Meagher two weeks ago and has quickly claimed her first Melbourne city winner. Eaton, who has been on loan to Meagher for the past six months, continued her winning relationship with the in-form mare Famelist, for Mornington trainer Gary Carson, when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday 18 April. Eaton has been aboard the seven-year-old mare at all four of her starts this preparation and has racked up three victories since storming home first-up in a benchmark 64 at Sale at $51 to win on Tuesday 27 February. Eaton was full…
MORNINGTON Peninsula boxer Adam Kaoullas is lining up for the Victorian State Welterweight Title on Saturday 19 May against a familiar boxer in Dillon Bargero at the Malvern Town Hall. The professional welterweight boxer faced Bargero in November last year where he almost had the fight won in the opening round until Bargero picked himself up off the canvas to fight it out until the end. Kaoullas took out the fight by unanimous decision after the fourth round but he is confident that he can claim the victory a lot earlier in this match-up. “He made it interesting that night…
SOCCER MORNINGTON staged a remarkable comeback to snatch a point from Casey Comets in a controversial and spiteful State 1 South-East encounter at Comets Stadium on Friday night. Comets players trudged off the pitch at game’s end with their heads down after blowing a two-goal lead and having to settle for a 3-3 draw in a riveting contest. Comets struck first thanks to a superb Connor Belger through ball and a clinical low strike from the talented Robert Prescott in the 27th minute. Sammy Orritt was left dumfounded after a point-blank tip over from Comets keeper David Thomson in the…
DIVISION TWO IT was neck-and-neck between Karingal at Hastings, until the first bounce. Then it was all downhill for the Blues. They trailed all day and never really got a sniff. Karingal were up by 27 points at the main change and took the day by 33 points at the final siren. In doing so, they’ve grabbed Hastings’ third spot on the ladder and sent the Blues one further back to fourth. Dromana has maintained its place on the top of the Division Two table after charging back for the win against Rye. Rye couldn’t have started better with ten…
DIVISION ONE MORNINGTON’S position in the doghouse of division one wasn’t helped at all with a loss to Sorrento at Alexandra Park. Winless in 2018, the Dogs really needed to get some momentum. It was always going to be a big ask. Sorrento held Mornington goalless in the first quarter and kicked on from there. Mornington was never in it and ended up going down by 62 points. The chocolates for best spectacle would have to go to the Rosebud versus Seaford clash. A match with more swings than a kids playground, there was only two points in it at…
Deborah Conway is a significant and eloquent contributor to Australian music, singing songs that chronicle the essential elements of life, love, loss, memory, the mundane and the spiritual. Restless and confounding, her powerful voice and presence has fascinated audiences for the past 30 years. A rare female agitator in a time when the music industry was male dominated; Conway continues to be a role model for young women and a mentor to emerging artists. Her first band Do Re Mi topped the charts; her first solo album, String of Pearls achieved platinum sales. Conway met Willy Zygier in 1991 and…
STARRING COOKIN’ ON 3 BURNERS with Andrew De Silva, Clairy Brown & Stella Angelico Following their SOLD OUT show and rave reviews at Melbourne’s Arts Centre in November – don’t miss this special one-off Mornington performance as we take a deep dive into one of the greatest soundtracks of all time. Now the spirits of Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and more will be channelled by some of Melbourne’s hottest musical maestros – Cookin On 3 Burners with Clairy Browne, Andrew De Silva and Stella Angelico – for a one-night only event to rekindle the fire of a soundtrack…
WORD has been received by Mr and Mrs Goodwin, of Frankston, from the Defence authorities, that their son, Private Goodwin, has succumed to wounds received in France on 8th April. The deceased soldier, who will not be 21 years old until August, enlisted in July 1915 and was previously wounded in France. He has two brothers still on active service. Great sympathy is expressed for Mr and Mrs Goodwin in their sad bereavement. A memorial service was held on Sunday evening last in the Richmond Presbyterian Church, of which Pte. Goodwin was a prominent member before he enlisted. *** IN…
NUDE bathers in undesignated areas at Moondah beach, Mt Eliza, risk being fined under the Summary Offence Act. The issue came to a head when a Mt Eliza resident contacted the council to complain about the “blatant” behaviour of some clothes-optional swimmers at Sunnyside North beach (“Cover up or clear out, parent’s call to nudists” The News 24/4/2018). He complained they were venturing onto the southern end of Moondah beach which is outside the designated area. The shire’s environment protection manager John Rankine said Sunnyside North was declared clothing optional under the Nudity (Prescribed Areas) Act 1983, allowing bathers to…
FOUR men were arrested following police investigations of an aggravated burglary in Flinders early on Monday 23 April. Detective Harry Simpson, of Somerville CIU, said two men forced entry to a house in the town where the elderly occupants woke to see torchlight. They then became aware of the men moving about and stealing electronic items which they later valued at $6000. Following information gleaned from the Find my Phone app detectives raided a house in Dromana the same day and allegedly found items matching the descriptions of those stolen. A 22-year-old man, of Dromana, was arrested and charged with…
WHILE most people know to slow down when they see an emergency vehicle ahead with red and blue lights flashing, or an alarm sounding, few know that it is actually breaking the law to pass at more than 40kph no matter which side of the road you are on (see illustration). The speed limit aims to set a standard for safe driving so that emergency workers can get on with their work without worrying about being run over by a speeding vehicle or hit by debris. Leading Senior Constable Darren Myers, of Mornington Peninsula traffic operations, said motorists must slow…
TWO men with their faces covered threatened staff at the Hungry Jacks restaurant in Nepean Highway, Mornington, last week before stealing cash from the till and safe. Detective Sergeant Peter Drake, of Somerville CIU, said one of the men jumped the counter and used a screwdriver to intimidate staff, 6.30am Friday 27 April. The men, described as Caucasian and in their 20s, ran from the store and drove off in a stolen silver Holden Commodore with registration number 1EP3FT. There were no injuries. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Mornington…
MORNINGTON MP David Morris says Ryman Healthcare’s plans for a multi-million dollar retirement village and nursing home at Moondah Estate, Mt Eliza, would be a “gross overdevelopment of the site, even if it was reduced by 50 per cent”. The $5 billion New Zealand-based public company has earmarked 60-70 Kunyung Road for the fourth of five villages it plans to build in Melbourne by 2020. Others are at Mt Martha, Wheelers Hill, Burwood East, Coburg and Geelong. Development manager Andrew Mitchell said it was a “great site” which fitted well with Ryman’s expansion plans in Victoria. Earlier this month the…
AN exhibition giving an insight into the powers of harnessing wartime public perception through advertising, graphics and information – whether true or false – is at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery until early July. Propaganda: A selection of posters from the Australian War Memorial, displays many of the key posters designed to inflame public opinion and fashion public thinking during the war and, in some cases, generate a wave of recruits. The artworks have come from the Australian War Memorial which has one of the world’s largest collections of historic propaganda posters. The exhibition also includes commissions from three contemporary…