PROOF of the success of Hands-on-Learning as a worthwhile career path for youngsters came with the launching of a students’ pizza oven at Western Port Secondary College last week. Former Frankston High School H-o-L student Liam Sweeney, now the purchasing manager at high-end peninsula hotel Jackalope, worked with the Western Port H-o-L students at the launch of their pizza oven to feed a large group of staff, students, parents and community and local business people, Friday 25 October. Liam, who has worked on several projects with the students, arrived with Jackalope head chef Andy Bryant, carrying all the food, including…
Year: 2019
Unpalatable: Proprietors Pam Eddy and Barton Smith say the council’s latest renewal costs are “crunching” small food businesses. Pictures: Gary Sissons A HASTINGS café proprietor said business registration renewal fees demanded by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council had jumped 22 per cent to $650 this year – up from $511 last year and $480 in 2017. Pam Eddy, who runs Mooz Café, in Victoria Street, Hastings, said the fees’ hike meant small hospitality businesses were being gouged by the council. “We won’t get any benefit so where is all the extra money going?” she asked. “I rang the council and the…
HORSE RACING UP-AND-COMING Mornington-based apprentice jockey, Campbell Rawiller, scored the biggest win of his early career by taking out the St Arnauds Cup on Saturday 26 October. It was fitting that Rawiller took out his first country cup at the same track he won his first trial at earlier in the year. The now three kilo claiming apprentice made the most of his final meeting with his four kilo claim to lead all the way aboard the Kevin Corstens-trained Surreal Image. A late surge from the O’Sullivan-trained Patch Adams made it an interesting finish but the gutsy Surreal Image managed…
SOCCER ANDY Stubley, Keegan Guy and Matt Harrington are wanted men and Mornington is leading the chase to sign them. Stubley and Guy meet with Mornington boss Adam Jamieson this week and are part of an ambitious plan which the progressive State 1 club hopes will take it into the NPL. “Andy is a flying machine who works really hard at both ends of the ground and can go past players like they’re not there so I think he’ll complement us in the way I want us to set up but obviously I need to sign him first,” Jamieson said.…
PENINSULA SOMERVILLE have chased down Red Hill to claim an impressive win in their first two day outing for the season. With a target of 194 to meet, Somerville started poorly when they lost an opener for a duck. Their other opener Jayde Herrick did better, scoring 35 runs to give his team a little bit of momentum. A strong middle order performance sealed the victory for Somerville, with each of their batsmen from number three to number seven contributing with scores of over 25. Somerville ended up securing victory with five wickets and five overs to spare. At Ditterich…
A DEPUTATION, introduced by the Hon. A. Downward, waited on the Minister of Education on Wednesday last. The school committee was represented by Cr. Armstrong and Messrs Klauer, Moffatt and H. J. McCulloch, while Messrs Hunter, Martin and Laing attended from the Progress Association. Cr Armstrong followed Mr Downward in making out a strong case for definite and prompt action, and all the other speakers ably supported. In reply the Minister said that instructions had been given to purchase Muntz’s site, and the school would be erected immediately negotiations were concluded. The deputationists warmly thanked the Minister for his decision…
IT was a random find, but one has sparked the interest of Neil Jansen. The hollow, yellow surfboard stood out at the recycling centre adjoining the Mornington waste transfer station and Mr Jansen decided it could be useful. However, before trying out or even given it a new paint job he decided to try and track down its history. “The only other boards I’ve seen constructed like this were 18 foot craft from my lifesaver days in South Africa in the 1960s,” he said. Hollow plywood surfboards were made and ridden in the 1930s, with American Tom Blake acknowledged as…
PARISHIONERS of St Macartans in Mornington are said to be reeling after the resignation of Fr Minh Tran in mid-October. The shock departure caught many by surprise with a notice in the parish bulletin saying an email was being sent to the Archdiocese “requesting an explanation as to the reasons for Father’s resignation”. The bulletin also said the resignation had “caused many of us to feel a range of emotions”. A letter to parishioners from Vicar General Joe Caddy on 17 October stated that “while Fr Minh is supported by many people in the parish there have also been a…
BILL Philip realised every golfers’ dream of a hole-in-one earlier this month but admits he took a long time to achieve the honour – 91 years. “It was my first hole-in-one … and the last,” quipped the Mornington resident who has a 36 handicap and has been playing 70 years. Mr Philip and regular partner Brian Randall had teed off on the Peninsula Golf Club’s south course par-3 third hole of 145 metres when he achieved the “ace”. Sadly, he didn’t see the ball actually drop in. “We walked up but I couldn’t find the ball and was looking for…
AT the first sign of last week’s hot weather daredevil cliff jumpers were back at The Pillars. The fence erected by Mornington Peninsula Shire last year to stop public access to Mt Martha’s famous natural attraction was dismantled months ago, but cold water and cloudy skies provided their own disincentive. But now, even with tougher parking regulations and the ongoing alcohol ban, The Pillars is back in vogue. On Wednesday night there were seven jet skis parked near the base of the cliff and plenty of jumpers scrambling in and out of the clear waters. On Thursday, even as shire…
A BABY girl from Mt Martha is suffering from a one in a million genetic condition affecting her lungs and heart which means she must breathe through a tube. Since birth, four-and-a-half-month-old Eve has been unable to breathe without her oxygen bottle. First-time parents Georgie and Shaun Doherty spent the first two months of Eve’s life in the newborn intensive care unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital while doctors scrambled to find out what was wrong. Eve was eventually diagnosed with interstitial lung disease (chILD) and severe pulmonary hypertension (PHA). The condition chILD in newborns is said to be extremely…
A MORNING tea to honour Mornington Peninsula Shire’s previous Australia Day Awards Citizens of the Year was held at the Rosebud offices on Friday 25 October. The mayor Cr David Gill hosted the event to “recognise and celebrate the recipients’ significant contributions to the enrichment, improvement and advancement of the Mornington Peninsula community”. Special guest was the shire’s Citizen of the Year Josie Jones, who was last week awarded the 2020 Victoria Local Hero award at a ceremony at Government House. She was among about 20 previous winners representing all award categories at the event. A staunch environmental and litter…
SENIOR Liberals are reportedly seeking to overturn a decision by their own federal seats committee that would require sitting MPs to face preselection. If the committee’s decision remains on the party’s books, Flinders MP Greg Hunt, a Cabinet minister, could face a challenge early next year from within his own party’s ranks. The committee recommended nominations for all Liberal-held seats open on 15 January next year, with party members voting in February or March and candidates selected by October. However, neither the chairman of that committee, Russell Joseph – who last November failed to win the former Liberal state seat…
SOMERVILLE Highway Patrol intercepted a 38-year-old Rye man driving without headlights or taillights along Frankston-Dandenong Road, Seaford, 2am, Saturday 19 October. The man was driving the same blue Commodore sedan issued with a defect notice in August still with the same wiring extending from the battery up through the bonnet and in through the window to provide a charging port for his phone. The man returned a positive drug test and his car was found to have suspended registration due to his not complying with the previous defect notice. He allegedly told police he was driving to Seymour to drop…
A MAN who answered an advertisement to buy a mobile phone from a Facebook Marketplace page snatched it from the seller, ran to a waiting car and drove off, Sunday 22 September. Rosebud police are looking for the man, pictured, who took the new Apple iPhone 11 valued at $1720 which was still in its box, and drove off in a white Toyota Camry. The victim could not make out the registration number. The man is described a Caucasian, dark hair, dark eyes, and wearing a distinctive top. Anyone with information is asked to call Senior Constable Leanne Marshall at…
IT’S 25 years since council amalgamations throughout Victoria, which led to formation of a “super shire” on the Mornington Peninsula. The amalgamation of 1994 saw the peninsula run by three state government-appointed commissioners instead of elected councillors, who were effectively sacked by the Kennett Liberal government. The commissioners’ job was to create one council where there had been three: Flinders, Mornington and Hastings. In the lead-up to amalgamation, individual councils fought turf wars, staking their claim (through submissions to the government) to land outside their municipal boundaries. But the government stood firm on wanting one municipality for the peninsula. Surrounded…
TIME hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of Mornington war veteran Alan Moore. He’s just been honoured with the Victorian Senior Achiever Award at the ripe old age of 98. Mr Moore, of Benetas Corowa Court Aged Care, was presented with his award at Government House last week for his outstanding community contribution over 40 years of voluntary service to the care provider. Four generations of family joined Mr Moore for the occasion, including his two daughters and several grandchildren. “It’s a great privilege to receive this prestigious award by the Victorian Governor-General and I think I may just be the most…
A SOMERVILLE woman honoured at last week’s Victorian Senior of the Year awards says state governments and large corporations must learn to wean themselves off relying on gambling revenues. Anna Bardsley received the Healthy and Active Living Award from the Governor Linda Dessau for her work in helping others beat their own gambling addictions since winning her own self-destructive battle several years ago. The awards are part of the month-long Victorian Seniors Festival and aim to celebrate older Victorians who support and inspire others through their volunteer work and efforts in their communities. After rising above her own troubles Ms…
FEE hikes of 70 per cent for annual food registrations are being described as outrageous by a Peninsula Link fast food restaurateur. Barton Smith, who runs two Oporto outlets at the BP service stations on Peninsula Link, Baxter, said Mornington Peninsula Shire Council had demanded $650 for each of his food outlets, up from $388 each last year. “How does the council explain such a large increase?” Mr Smith, who wants an Ombudsman’s inquiry, said. “This is a rise of 69.71 per cent and must be a mistake or clearly there are grounds for this massive rise. “I have received…
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal collision which occurred in Rye Sunday evening. Emergency services were called to Nepean Highway about 10pm after reports a pedestrian had been hit by a car. On attendance police found a man, believed to be in his 20s, with critical injuries. First aid was provided but the man died. The driver of the car stopped at the scene and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the collision or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Provisional Lives Lost: 2019: 226 2018: 170 Victoria Police News -…
Officers from Southern Metro Region arrested two people, including a Mornington man, and seized drugs and a handgun in Seaford last night as part of Operation Night Eagle. Police were patrolling when they spotted a vehicle of interest at a car wash near the intersection of Klauer Street and Frankston-Dandenong Road about 11pm. Investigators searched the vehicle and located a high-powered handgun, large quantity of cash and a commercial quantity of drugs. The pair were both arrested and taken back to a police station where they were interviewed. A 30-year-old man from Mornington and a 33-year-old woman from Sandhurst have…
Two people were arrested as part of Operation Night Eagle in Rosebud last night after they failed to stop at the request of patrolling officers. Officers from Southern Metro Region were patrolling when they observed a vehicle being driven erratically on Leon Avenue, Rosebud about 5.30pm. The two occupants of the vehicle attempted to hide in a nearby property however were quickly arrested by police. Further checks revealed the man and woman were wanted by police for a number of outstanding matters. They were taken back to a nearby police station where they interviewed by investigators. A 23-year-old man from…
By Doreen Jeremiah JOHN Jeremiah, together with his wife, Joanna and large family, took up land in Old Tyabb in 1894. Consequently there have been Jeremiahs in the Western Port area for over 120 years and I welcome this opportunity to tell a little of our family history. The tricky bit is that so many of my ancestors were called “John” but I will do my best to avoid any confusion. *** Welsh Beginnings The first ancestor I have been able to find was John Morgan who was born in Brecon, South Wales. John was a shoemaker and,…
THE Country Fire Authority recognises the contribution of its volunteers by making awards for length of service, starting with the 12-year service badge. These awards are made at regular intervals and occasionally a volunteer might be the recipient of a 50-year long service medal. To receive a 55-year medal would be unusual; the 60-year long service medal would be almost unique. At the Hastings Fire Brigade Awards Night held on 12 October John Watson received a medal for 60 years of service to the CFA. The award was presented by CFA Commander Paul Carrigg and the evening was attended by…
DECADES of conservation work have culminated in the release of around 50 eastern barred bandicoots on French Island. The bandicoots came from captive breeding programs as well as from Churchill and Phillip islands and Hamilton in western Victoria to begin their new life in Western Port. Threatened species biologists and other members of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery Team have been working with French Island residents for more than a decade to prepare for the moment. “It’s been a long road to get to this stage, but to see the bandicoots racing into their new home [on Friday 11 October]…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is hoping to have a “consolidated and enforceable permit” in place for Peninsula Aero Club to operate at Tyabb Airfield by early next year. In a statement last Wednesday (16 October) the shire said the permit would “update and modernise” three existing planning permits “to make the existing club permits clearer and easier for all of the community to understand”. Two days later, club president Jack Vevers accused the shire of trying to “hoodwink the community into believing they are resolving the issues between the airport and the council”. “PAC say this feels like another poor attempt…
THE Elvis Beach Party starts on Friday evening on The Village Green where for four and a half hours patrons can indulge in all things Elvis. It’s all part of Rosebud’s four-day Foreshore Rockfest and kicks off with the fabulous 14-piece Elvis Big band. Their two-hour show will see them perform all three decades of The King’s music including hits from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. This high energy show, complete with hula girls, is fronted by Logan Jeffs who performs Elvis vocals to a tee and is backed by top musicians from bands including The Melbourne Ska Orchestra, The…
WHILE successfully straddling the line between commercial success and managing to keep their Alternative Music roots secure, over their career, Eskimo Joe have racked up a long list of impressive stats. With 6 studio albums under their belts and sales in excess of 750,000, in Australia alone, the band has seen 3 of those albums debut at number 1 on the ARIA charts, with juggernaut ‘Black Fingernails, Red Wine’ shining for a monster 62 weeks in the Top 50 and “Foreign Land”, from their fourth album ‘Inshalla’, bringing home 2 APRA Awards, for Most Played Rock Song on Australian radio…
PENINSULA MAIN Ridge had a good day in their first two day outing of the season, bowling out Pearcedale without much trouble. Pearcedale were sent in to bat first at Ditterich Reserve, and struggled badly. After not finding much luck with the bat early, a complete tail order collapse saw Pearcedale bowled out for 87. Each of Pearcedale’s bottom three batsmen were dismissed for a duck. Main Ridge were able to bat 18 overs before stumps for the day, and ended up at 1/59. Michael Holmes impressed for Main Ridge, and ended up at 40 not out. Red Hill played…
SOCCER MORNINGTON has joined the chase to sign gun forward Dejan Radojicic from Casey Comets. He has been targeted by Mornington head coach Adam Jamieson who sees Radojicic as the man who could become part of the most lethal strike force in State 1 next season. Radojicic was Comets’ leading scorer last season and rumours of turmoil at Comets Stadium are circulating freely along with suggestions of a high player turnover. English striker Josh Hine recently agreed terms for a second season at Dallas Brooks Park while Scottish striker Liam Baxter agreed terms last week despite being linked with newly…