A MAN who rifled through a bag on a bike chained up outside a Rosebud liquor store allegedly stole a $700 mobile phone, Thursday 14 February. Police said man, above, put the phone in his pocket before walking into the store. Anyone with information about the theft or the identity of the man, pictured, is urged to contact Constable Ebony Treweek, at Rosebud police station, 5986 0444, or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Mornington News – 9 April 2019
Year: 2019
SCHOOLBOY Sam Walsh lives and breathes baseball to such a degree that his dream of playing the game professionally in the US when he “grows up” could well be achieved. The talented batter and catcher, who plays for the Mornington Pirates but has also played with the Bonbeach and Cheltenham baseball clubs, is already a veteran campaigner despite being only 11 years old. In his first love of baseball, Sam was named most valuable player at a state-wide competition held at Mildura and was judged the fourth best player in the state. As a batter he has averaged more than…
WILLIAM Buckley is coming back to Rosebud on the 26 and 27 April. He is coming in the form of a chamber opera, locally devised by peninsula residents Antony Ransome (pictured), retired opera performer of thirty years, and renowned local historian Richard Cotter. The opera is based on the historic events of 1803 and 1835. This will be the first opera written and performed on the Mornington Peninsula. The opera tells the story of two cultures drawn together by extraordinary circumstances after William Buckley escaped from the Collins Settlement site in Sorrento in 1803. The site was the second ever…
CHARGES against a Parkdale man have been upgraded to culpable driving after a cyclist was knocked down in an alleged hit-and-run at Chelsea, Thursday 28 March. Chelsea triathlete Michelle Ruitenbeek, 50, was riding her bike along the Nepean Highway at 5.40am when she was allegedly struck by a utility driven by the man, 28, who allegedly fled the scene. She was taken to hospital but died two days later. The man was arrested in Broadmeadows hours later while his car was found at Seaford about 8am. He was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury and failing to render assistance…
A NEW business-based lobby group being formed on the Mornington Peninsula automatically includes its $21,000 a year “platinum” members on its strategy and policy committee. The group’s $7000 “corporate gold” and $3000 “corporate” packages can nominate for membership of the key body that will steer the Committee for Mornington Peninsula. A $1000 “small business package” buys the “ability” to join one or more “round tables”, while the $500 “not for profit” membership level comes with the “ability to join one round table”. While the strategy and policy committee is described driving “hands on policy decisions” the round table discussion groups…
A BLACK Triumph motorcycle found at a Cranbourne West house is believed to be stolen. Dandenong police said a man at the house said he had recently bought the bike. Police inspecting the bike on 22 March saw that the engine number and registration plates had been filed off and removed. They said the man refused to provide details of the seller and was arrested and interviewed. Dandenong police are appealing for public help in identifying the owner of the bike. It has a distinctive purple trim and kickstand. Anyone with information is asked to call 9767 7440, or Crime…
Police have issued a top 10 list their “most wanted”. The three women and seven men are all wanted on outstanding warrants and police believe they may be living on the Mornington Peninsula. Police have issued photographs, names and last known addresses of the 10 in the hope that members of the public will be able to shed some light on their whereabouts. However, the issuing of the top 10 also comes with a warning for members of the public not to approach those on the list. Instead, they are asked to call police with information or make a confidential…
A ROSEBUD Motor Boat Squadron member became suspicious when he noticed the club’s front gate had been forced open and a car and boat trailer hidden in bushes, 6.45am, Thursday 4 April. Club commodore Mike Hibbert arrived at the foreshore clubhouse soon after and the pair watched CCTV footage of two men arriving earlier that morning in a Ford Territory towing a Quintrex boat with Mercury outboard and cutting the bolt to the club’s yard. They learned later that the boat had been stolen from outside a house in Ocean Street, Rosebud at 5.35am the same day. Mr Hibbert said…
Twenty-two student dancers from the Mornington Peninsula, flew out this week to perform in the Dance the Magic parade at Disneyland Park, Anaheim, California. The students, aged eight to 42, have been practicing for weeks in the streets of an industrial estate at Rosebud The tour will also see them performing dance routines choreographed by Peninsula School of Dance teachers at Universal Studios and on Hollywood Boulevard. The Peninsula School of Dance has a 58-year history in which it has nurtured such dancers as Jason Coleman. It also operates from two custom built studio’s and a “satellite” dance class at…
A MOTHER and daughter’s dream is about to be realised after ongoing federal government finance was approved for a mental health centre on Pt Nepean Road, Rosebud. Sarah Darling and her daughter Missy are the driving force behind Jimmy’s which will help disadvantaged young people seeking help with their mental health. It will offer drop-in services, youth and teen mental health courses, wellbeing workshops, and coaching, mentoring and support in personal situations requiring strong intervention or prevention from its purpose-built site at 827 Pt Nepean Road. The YMCA’s Southern Peninsula Youth Services will manage and deliver the services from the…
AGEING parents worn down by years of caring for their intellectually disabled adult children living at home are calling on both sides of government to provide them with independent housing that is permanent, safe and secure. This was highlighted at a meeting of Community Lifestyle Accommodation (CLA) members and Mornington Peninsula parents and carers at Mornington Community Information and Support Centre late last month. Experts from Mornington’s Hill Legal discussed what parents and carers needed to know about options to pay accommodation fees, dealing with financial and medical issues, understanding tenancy and residential agreements, and options available if a family…
Owners of those cute, colourful bathing boxes scattered around Mornington Peninsula beaches are facing massive licence fee increases. Visitors take pictures of the beach boxes that also regularly attract the eye of the metropolitan-based media because of their escalating values. Their values are compared to those of family houses elsewhere. But this year Mornington Peninsula Shire is seeing the beach boxes as a source of increasing revenue. The shire’s 2019/20 budget, now open for public comment, replaces the flat $445 a year licence fee for bathing boxes with a fee based on the structure’s size. Beach boxes measuring five to…
DOG owners are being asked to “tighten the leash” at nine Mornington Peninsula beaches. In a bid to “encourage residents to better manage dog behaviour and improve dog obedience”, Mornington Peninsula Shire and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and management committees have “developed a comprehensive compliance program to regulate the behaviour of dogs on beaches to improve the amenity of our beaches”, according to the mayor, Cr David Gill. “This partnership allows us to apply all the existing rules and regulations across our beaches in a consistent manner which is a positive outcome for our community.”…
A RED Hill orchardist caught with 19 dead rainbow lorikeets in the back of his ute was fined $15,000 at Dromana Magistrates’ Court last week for shooting the birds and verbally abusing authorised officers. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning officer Haley Mason said the conviction was a “great result highlighting to the public that killing native wildlife is a serious offence”. “DELWP received information that the man was shooting protected native birds on his property,” she said. “The man owns fruit trees and alleged the birds were destroying his crops. “At the time of shooting, the man did…
Mornington Peninsula Shire has given the all clear for its officers to sign a $120,000 two-year lease for an office in central Melbourne. Called a “satellite office”, a trial of the Collins Street premises was originally proposed to “provide a better customer service and improve efficiency for lost travel time”. That trial, according to Lisa Sturgess, the acting executive manage in the shire’s planning department, has proved so successful that she has recommended entering a new two-year lease. She says a review of the benefits of the city office since July 2017 has shown it is responsible for the planning…
ELDERLY customers of the Commonwealth Bank’s Dromana branch will be disadvantaged with its closure on Friday 3 May. Disappointed manager Jeff Cornish, who has been at the Pt Nepean Road branch for 13 years and who lives at Dromana, confirmed the shock news last week. He said staff heard about the closure two weeks ago and it was hoped most would be redeployed to the Rosebud branch. “I’m hopeful everyone will be found a place somewhere,” he said, although, after 38 years with the bank, he admits he is unsure of his own future. The branch’s customers were told…
PROMISES to redevelop the Mornington Peninsula’s busiest and most dangerous intersection have come on the eve of a federal election. The Mornington Peninsula Freeway and Jetty Road intersection – described as the peninsula’s busiest and highest-risk – attracted a staged visit by Roads Minister Jaala Pulford, Nepean Labor MP Chris Brayne and Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors early last month. Then, last week, Flinders Liberal MP Greg Hunt rode in with a budget commitment to spend $70 million on safety, noise reduction and an overpass at the intersection which carries more than 40,000 vehicles a day. The mayor Cr David Gill…
The declining numbers of a bird once frequently seen in Western Port are being used as an example to persuade political parties to do more to protect native birds. BirdLife Australia president, John Barkla says the critically endangered eastern curlew was once a drawcard for visitors to Western Port but its numbers had now dropped to “a handful”. “I’ve been visiting the Ramsar wetlands in Western Port for decades. Once it was the perfect site to see and hear the calls of flocks of hundreds of these glorious birds, but now you are lucky to see more than a handful,”…
HASTINGS dog owners are being warned to be on the lookout for rat poison baits. Police said they received the first of a dog bait being left on the street on Wednesday 27 March from a man walking his dog along Tara Drive about 4.30am. The man said he found pastry laced with what is believed to be rat poison pellets. His dog is believed to have eaten a pellet but did not appear to show any symptoms. On Sunday morning (31 March), a man walking his dog on Tara Drive between Isis Place and Lewis Street again saw pasta…
The Victorian Trades Hall Council has announced it will specifically target Flinders MP Greg Hunt in the May federal election. Phone callers and door knockers will play on Mr Hunt’s role in the overthrow last year of then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that led to Scott Morrison taking over leadership of the Liberal National government. Health Minister Mr Hunt sought to be deputy leader in the failed leadership bid by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton. The union umbrella group THC will also target Mr Hunt’s Liberal colleague, Chris Crewther in neighbouring Dunkley. The involvement of Trades Hall comes weeks after…
The Save Westernport group has succeeded in getting most candidates for Flinders in the coming federal election to align themselves against plans for a floating gas terminal at Crib Point. Independent Julia Banks – elected as a Liberal to the seat of Chisholm at the 2016 federal election – says she will table a petition next “to stop this development and to protect the Western Port (Crib Point) site”. In a news release, Ms Banks said plans by power company AGL to process liquified natural gas “will mean the discharge into the sea of vast amounts of chilled chlorinated water…
DIVISION TWO MPNFL football is underway for 2019 after Rye and Pearcedale kicked off the season with a thriller. The division two season opener saw Rye face off against Pearcedale in difficult conditions at RJ Rowley Reserve on Saturday. Rye got off to a brilliant start in front of their home crowd, skipping away to a two goal lead going into quarter time. The second quarter saw momentum swing Pearcedale’s way, but they could not capitalise. In the windy conditions they kicked 0.5 for the quarter. The Demons put just one behind on the scoreboard in the second quarter, which…
DIVISION ONE DIVISION One football will kick off on Saturday in the MPNFL, with a clash of the titans between Frankston YCW and Sorrento the headline act. The two powerhouses will do battle at John Coburn Oval, with the Stonecats looking to make amends for a 2018 season that ended in unexpected disappointment. YCW were ravaged by injuries last season, and will welcome the chance to start afresh. For Sorrento, they will be looking to bounce back after suffering the most devastating of losses against Pines in last year’s grand final. When the final sinal blew in the final game…
SOCCER LATE goals and a Mark Pagliarulo master class highlighted last weekend’s round of league games. Langwarrin had to wait until the 88th minute to break through against Box Hill United, goals in the 88th and 90th minutes salvaged a point for Frankston Pines while “Pags” scored four goals and set up one in an impressive Somerville romp. Both Langy and Box Hill had chances to break the deadlock at Lawton Park on Saturday but the decisive moment was engineered by a Damir Stoilovic corner to the near post and a Luke Burgess header. That was Langy’s fourth win of…
JUST one month after claiming the $1.5 million Group One Blue Diamond Stakes with Lyre, Pinecliff-based trainer Anthony Freedman has unveiled yet another two talented two-year-old’s. Coming off a Mornington jump out on Wednesday 13 March, the Freedman-trained youngsters Chenier and Super Seth, who respectively finished first and second in their heat, have come out and scorched the track at their debuts. Chenier, one of five Godolphin owned two-year-old’s that Freedman trains, was heavily supported on debut at Sandown the following Wednesday 20 March and duly saluted with a dominant five-and-half length win. Super Seth then reinforced their potential with…
THE sum outstanding in the Shire of Frankston and Hastings for arrears of rates totals something like £800. At last Thursday’s Council meeting it was decided to get this amount in without further loss of time. Defaulters are given 14 days in which to pay up, failing which legal proceedings will be instituted. Ratepayers, who through carelessness or oversight have neglected to pay their rates, would do well to communicate with the shire secretary immediately. *** ATTENTION is directed to the advertisement of Mr M. L. Goulding appearing in another column. Mr Goulding, who saw active service with the 58th.…
Hundreds of Mornington Peninsula schoolchildren were last week taking in the environment message as relayed by such presenters as Lionel Lauch, above right. Ivy, Lily and Jaeda, bottom left, from Osborne Primary School, showed their “bug hotels”, while Kyren, above left, had his hands full with worms. Jackson, Grace, Max, Jay, Cioper, Kaylah from Benton Junior College, Mornington, were busy discovering how big things can grow from a seedling.Pictures: Yanni ENVIRONMENT Week at The Briars historic property, Mt Martha included activities and half-day programs for students in years 1-6. Schools could choose Engaging with Nature, Indigenous Connection to Country, Homestead…
A MORNINGTON aged care worker’s role in improving dying residents’ quality of life has been recognised with an excellence in age services award. Clinical care coordinator Ryan Rodrigues’ End of Life Trajectory Planning tool has been so successful at Craig Care, Mornington that it helped him win the 2019 individual award at leading age services Australia. It now features in all seven of the aged care providers’ centres. While Mr Rodrigues’ core work duties are similar to others in his role – such as managing the aged care accreditation process and legislative requirements for clinical compliance, best practice in clinical…
Cancer patients could be treated in Mornington within two years. The federal government has allocated $10 million in this week’s budget for a cancer treatment centre to be built at The Bays Hospital. The hospital’s CEO Elena Allen on Friday was “fully optimistic” the new centre could up and running in 18 months to two years if the hospital could raise another $10 million. “I’m thrilled about members of the Mornington Peninsula being able to be treated close to home,” she said. In 2016, 17,470 people living in the Frankston and on the peninsula were treated for a cancer or…
The popularity of The Pillars, a cliff jumping spot at Mt Martha, has led to the banning of alcohol, restricted car parking, dire warnings of death or injury and “the wall” – a fence to try and stop entry. Mornington Peninsula Shire, which has used its officers to book errant motorists and drones to count the number of people on the cliffs as well as paying for the hire of the fence, has called a public meeting for Wednesday 10 April to discuss a “permanent solution” to the problematic tourist attraction. The Pillars has also become a political issue with…