SILVERS Circus will start its next tour at Mornington with the Sesame Street Circus Spectacular, from Wednesday 6 January. This 90-minute show features Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Bert and Ernie, Super Grover and Big Bird as they find their place in the circus – from clowns to daredevils. The show was developed for the tour and includes the original Sesame Street voices recorded in New York. Tickets at ticketmaster.com.au/artist/837678 First published in the Mornington News – 22 December 2020
Year: 2020
By Tony Duboudin THREE members of Balnarring Men’s Probus Clubs book group came up with a novel idea to keep minds occupied during the pandemic lockdown – a short story writing competition. The original idea was the brainchild of Bernie Gittins who was then joined by Peter Gerdsen and Dan Hourigan to form an organising group to suggest to club members that might be interested in contributing to a short story competition. The contest would not only keep club members in contact but provide a diversional activity while stuck indoors. It was agreed to have two sections: One up to…
PENINSULA Aero Club has submitted a report to aviation authorities after a light aircraft suffered engine failure and crash-landed soon after take-off at Tyabb airfield, 10.30am, Wednesday 25 November. President Jack Vevers said the report found the probable cause of the forced landing of the Searey amphibious single-engine plane was a “result of fuel starvation”. He said the report “now sits with the regulators” – the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The pilot was said to be “shaken up” after he crashed from “maybe 50 feet” on the emergency east-west runway and collided with a parked…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s aim of introducing an effective recycling policy is being hampered by apathy, experts say. Some residents are unsure of what can and can’t be recycled, while others couldn’t care less what goes into their bin as long as they get rid of it. As a result, contaminated recycling rates on the peninsula are 5 per cent higher than the state average. Birte Molier, of Waste Wise Peninsula, supports the shire’s efforts to introduce a three-strike process. “If residents continue to deliberately and significantly contaminate their recycling bin, they will receive official notices or warnings and eventually get…
A GOOD a reporter is one who can, metaphorically, be parachuted into any situation and come away with a good yarn. Tim Baker fits that category and, since making his way as a newspaper reporter, has been able to utilise his skills writing articles and books that allow him to follow a lifestyle that revolves around his passion, surfing. With his latest venture, The Rip Curl Story, Baker demonstrates his reportage skills, but also adopts a narrative that is both entertaining and factual. He knows his subject. The book is basically a biography of the two founders of what has…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is seeking legal advice over moves by trucking magnate Lindsay Fox to claim yet another slice of Point King beach as his own. The contentious 2008-09 dredging of Port Phillip and widening of The Heads has being blamed for sand being washed from Portsea beach to the beach at Point King in front of the $30 million Fox family compound. Cr Hugh Fraser successfully moved at the Tuesday 8 December council meeting that shire CEO John Baker provide councillors with a detailed written report on all current planning applications, consents by the Department of Environment, Land,…
TWO new speed cameras on the Peninsula Link freeway are zooming in on north and south-bound traffic. The cameras, on the Ballarto Road bridge, are instantaneous and point-to-point fixed speed cameras. Also, in the lead up to the cameras being installed, drivers on the freeway were being monitored by specialist cameras designed to detect mobile phone use and “dangerous driving activities”. The cameras in the three-month study, which assessed 200,000 drivers and identified 4000 possible offences in their first four weeks “on the job”, were not set up to fine drivers so no infringements will be issued. Early results showed…
FORMER Continental Hotel developer Julian Gerner is believed to be facing serious drink-driving charges. The Sorrento restaurateur reportedly crashed into a pole in Sorrento on Sunday 13 December before leaving the scene. A police spokesperson said: “It’s believed the driver of a Range Rover travelling south along Hotham Road lost control at the roundabout at the intersection of Melbourne Road about 11pm. “The driver … allegedly fled the scene prior to police attendance.” The spokesperson said police later attended a Sorrento residence where the 47-year-old driver underwent a preliminary breath test. “The man accompanied officers to a nearby police station…
SPEEDING boats and jet skis being driven too close to other vessels and swimmers from Mount Martha to Sorrento have alarmed Water Police. They warn that due to an “increase in dangerous behaviour and, in some cases, serious marine incidents” they will have a “highly visible presence” on Port Phillip towards year’s end. As part of Operation Southend last weekend the Water Police as well as Mornington Peninsula police were out enforcing water safety on boat ramps and beaches, focusing on “compliance with water safety rules to reduce the number of marine incidents and collisions caused by unsafe behaviour”. Police…
A CHARITY group at Rye is on a mission to help one of its own as he slowly recovers from a vicious axe attack at Rosebud Plaza in late August. Friends and Supporters of Food For All are being urged to contribute towards the rehabilitation of long-time helper Gerry Hayes, who was nearly killed when a man struck him on the head with a tomahawk, Saturday 29 August (“Man charged over Rosebud attack” The News 30/8/20) The offender, 48, of no fixed address, was restrained by brave bystanders in the shopping centre car park after also threatening people outside. He…
A CLOSE encounter with a koala has prompted a plea for drivers to watch out for the ungainly-on-the-ground tree dwellers. Sheree Stewart contacted The News to warn that a koala had been on the road between McCrae and Mornington during the morning of Friday 12 December. “They are an endangered species and I’m not sure if he got away, but people need to be aware on the highway that this is happening and that perhaps we should look at animal-proof fencing to protect the shire’s wildlife from 100 kilometre and hour speeding vehicles. “Western Australia uses animal-proof fencing and wildlife…
WHILE social distancing will go down in history as one of life’s necessities in 2020, the principle is now being extended into the sea to protect dolphins. “After 30 years, we are trying to get smarter with an evidence-based approach to behaviour change. We call it dolphin distancing,” the Dolphin Research Institute’s executive director Jeff Weir said. Boaters are being urged to place a “Dolphin Distancing” sticker on their vessels to “create a new norm” in Port Phillip and Western Port waters. “Dolphin Distancing is not just a quirky twist on COVID,” Mr Weir said. “We saw some appalling harassment…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has reversed plans to use 50 car parking spaces in the busy Rye shopping strip for outdoor dining. The plans to “help local businesses bounce back from lockdown” also involved removing one lane on Point Nepean Road between Weir and Dundas streets heading towards Sorrento for a bike lane and reducing the speed limit from 50kph to 40kph. The proposed moves – slammed by traders – were reversed over the weekend after deputy mayor Cr Sarah Race gauged the views of traders, residents and visitors. “Yes, all the barriers are coming down today,” Cr Race said…
MORNINGTON Peninsula musicians are emerging from an COVID-enforced break from performing before live audiences. They were not always quiet during this year’s lockdowns, but most agree that streaming live over the internet is not the same as receiving feedback from an audience. One of the live music venues set to go with a series of concerts is the Pig and Whistle Tavern at main Ridge. Music was again being played late last month when the tavern hosted a private entertainment industry networking event ahead of a series of live shows leading into Christmas and for the following 12 months. The…
THE economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic is being felt at all levels of Australian government, with Mornington Peninsula Shire factoring in revenue losses of $9.4 million. In his introduction to the shire’s 2019-20 annual report CEO John Baker refers to “operational savings” of $3m, $1.4m saved by not filling staff vacancies and cuts of $1.7m to materials and services. “The shire itself has not been immune from the financial impacts of COVID. Modelling suggests non-rate income could be reduced by around $6 million,” Mr Baker states. Without providing actual figures, Mr Baker says that both he and the then…
PHOTOGRAPHS at the entrance to the new Yawa Aquatic Centre, Rosebud will reflect its connection to the waters surrounding the Mornington Peninsula. Hastings photographer Matt Burgess was chosen for the job after an expressions of interest process in November. His works will be at the Rosebud pool from March for 12 months. “Yawa means‘to swim’ in the local Indigenous language and the new aquatic centre draws inspiration from the waterways surrounding the peninsula,” the mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said. Growing up on the mid-north coast of NSW, Burgess started surfing at a young age, joined the Australian Army at 17…
THE Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has ruled against Ryman Health Care’s plans for a retirement village and aged care home on Bentons Road, Mount Martha. The proposal was for a residential aged care and retirement village in a three-storey building with basement, as well as a bowling green, swimming pool and cafe. It was to include 70 apartments, 37 assisted living suites and 116 aged care rooms. The knockback is seen as significant as the New Zealand-owned company is also battling residents at VCAT over its plans to build a much larger aged care centre in Kunyung Road, Mount…
MORNINGTON Secondary College student Taleah Cameron did her school proud in the Victorian Interschool State Championships, Saturday and Sunday 5-6 December. The year 11 student representing Mornington Secondary College won both elementary tests on her mount Black Jack which resulted in her being named Overall Interschool Elementary State Dressage Champion. She then competed in the medium level, again on Black Jack, and finished sixth overall. On her second mount, Impeccable, which she has only partnered with for a short time, she finished second in the preliminary section. “This is a huge achievement, and she represented the college for an outstanding…
GRANDMOTHERS were out in force in Mornington on Human Rights Day to bring attention to the plight of refugees being held in detention by the federal government. Grandmothers for Refugees and Friends of Grandmothers walked along Main Street on Wednesday 9 December in support of the Time for a Home Campaign aimed at freeing refugees held in Australia and overseas. “After seven long years of cruel politics it is time the government frees these men, women and children and quickly resettles them into our community, so they can be safe and have a place to call home,” Ann Renkin, of…
PENINSULA TWO centuries were scored on an entertaining afternoon of cricket at BA Cairns Reserve on Saturday. Flinders hosted Heatherhill and chose to bat first. Opener Kane Hawkins put on an unbelievable performance, smashing 17 boundaries on his way to a mammoth score of 120 off 83 balls. Number four batsman Matthew Gale also joined in on the party, scoring 98 runs before being unfortunately dismissed just short of his century. Flinders’ innings expired with the side at 5/288. Heatherhill would have to climb a huge mountain to get a result. Heatherhill’s run chase got off to a dream start,…
SOCCER MONTEREY Reserve will be the venue for the ninth staging of the Wallace Cup on Saturday 6 February. Somerville Eagles and Mount Eliza make their tournament debuts and will be placed in two groups of five. The other contestants are Langwarrin, Mornington, Peninsula Strikers, Frankston Pines, Skye United, Baxter, Seaford United and Rosebud. The annual charity event kicks off at 12 noon with the top two teams after the round-robin stage qualifying for the semi-finals. The four semi-finalists will be drawn from a hat to determine the matches for the tournament’s penultimate stage and the kick-off for the final…
HORSE RACING MORNINGTON-based trainer Matt Laurie had a week to remember after saddling up four winners and a second placing from five runners last week. Laurie kicked off the week with a winner at Mornington on Tuesday 15 December as American Saint broke through to win her maiden at start number five. He then followed up the success with a winning double at Yarra Valley on Friday as Yulong Island and Jenni Express also removed their maiden tags in comfortable fashion. Heading to The Valley on Friday night, the resuming Malicorne brought up the stables fourth straight winner with a…
EDWARD Dess, Draper, of Frankston, proceeded against W. Connal on a charge of using insulting words near a public place on the 3d December. Mr. Smart appeared, for the complainant, and, Mr. L. L. Rostron for defendant, who pleaded not guilty. Complainant said that on the day in question he was behind his counter transacting business when defendant rushed into the shop, and shaking his fists in complainant’s face said, “Dess, you German; you are nothing but a – German. You have no right to be in Frankston among patriotic people.” Complainant said that defendant repeated the words and similar…
A HASTINGS police sergeant drew her gun and prepared to fire at a man who aimed what was later found to be an imitation firearm at her colleague. The dramatic confrontation, at Hastings, occurred during an alleged family violence incident which quickly escalated, 8pm, Sunday 13 December. Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Henry, of Somerville CIU, said seven police and detectives rushed to the Simon Street property after receiving triple zero calls from neighbours. He said they were met by an “aggressive” man who allegedly pointed what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle at them. Police will allege the man pulled…
IN a jubilant moment last week organisers of the fundraising exhibition Art is in Our Nature met with members of the Save Westernport committee to hand over $87,000 raised from their campaign in October. The handover took place at Woolley’s Beach at Crib Point, the site of AGL’s proposed gas import terminal. The online exhibition was hosted by Silver Leaf Art Box and Merricks General Wine Store. “It’s been our great privilege to bring this project together and support the important work of the Save Westernport committee and the Western Port community,” exhibition curator Penelope Gebhardt said. “The exceptional calibre…
HASTINGS celebrated being named Sustainable Community – Tidy Town 2020 at a special awards presentation, Friday 4 December. Dr Jacqueline Salter joined the festivities and received the trophy for Dame Phyllis Frost Award Winner 2020. On the day, certificates were presented to all Hastings entries who assisted in the township’s success. AT the award ceremony are former Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Kate Roper, Cr Antonella Celi, Young Legend Award winner Harrison Hansen, Tricia Folvig, Michelle McCready, Dame Phyllis Frost Award Winner Dr Jacqueline Salter, and Cr Lisa Dixon. Second row: James Bryan, Sabina Wills CEO Keep Victoria Beautiful, David Maddocks,…
CRICKET PENINSULA A BIG score from Damien Lawrence got Pines over the line in their clash against Long Island. Long Island chose to bat first and got off to a horror start, losing both openers for a combined total of just one run. Losing star batsman Nick Jewell for one proved a huge blow. Jewell’s output this season has been down compared to his usual lofty standards. Long Island ended up all out for 144. Pines’ run chase was a little shaky to start off with, as they fell to 2/11. Opener Damien Lawrence held his ground though, and ended…
SOCCER FIFTEEN years after his last game for Frankston Pines veteran midfielder Scott Webster has returned to Monterey Reserve. He last played in Pines’ 3-3 home draw with Fawkner-Whittlesea in the final round of the 2005 league season. Webster’s impressive CV also includes stints at Eastern Pride, Oakleigh Cannons, Dandenong Thunder, Morwell Pegasus, Casey Comets, Mornington, Doveton and Seaford United. His sole appearance for Seaford came in an FFA Cup tie against Brunswick Zebras last March which saw Seaford win 7-6 on penalties. The 38-year-old adds much needed experience to the Pines’ midfield and looks certain to sit in front…
HORSE RACING MORNINGTON-based trainers David and Coral Feek have continued their successful raid on Sydney racing with their gutsy gelding I Am Vinnie. Bringing up his third victory at Randwick and remaining unbeaten in New South Wales, I Am Vinnie proved too good for his opposition to win the $125,000 Fujitsu General Handicap (1400m) by a length on Saturday 12 December. Despite being pocketed with 300m to run, jockey Jake Noonan navigated a clear passage aboard the gelding to overhaul his rivals and skip away to score a one length victory over the Kris Lees-trained Juventus. Co-trainer David Feek said…
THE public meeting held at Frankston last Tuesday night for the purpose of considering the matter of forming a bowling club, established the fact that a good deal of enthusiasm underlies the movement. The shire president (Cr W. P. Mason) explained that he had convened the meeting by request, and it gave him considerable pleasure in so doing. A bowling green would, he was sure, prove a great asset to the town, and attract visitors from all parts of the State. It was unanimously resolved on the motion of Mr Milner Macmaster, seconded by Mr E. J. Parker, that a…