Year: 2020

THE Southern Peninsula Basketball Association is in damage control following revelations that some Sharks players trained at Dromana Secondary College stadium for several weeks in breach of COVID-19 restrictions. The players could be ruled out of bounds and fined by Basketball Victoria for the unsanctioned training while the school was closed. Despite the allegations being aired on social media, including warnings that COVID-19 restrictions banned indoor training, officials are reluctant to provide details about the alleged breaches. Some parents are said to feel “betrayed” by the association because they thought the small-group training had been given the official all clear.…

THE owners of beach boxes on Crown land managed by Mornington Peninsula Shire have succeeded in preventing their annual licence fees being increased to $1200. The shire has agreed to charge $990, with a further discount to $700 if the beach box is less than five square metres. In a submission to the council Mornington Peninsula Beach Box Association vice-president Mark A Davis said the proposed $1200 licence fee plus other shire-based fees meant that “in most cases” beach boxes were “higher than those applied to a resident’s residential property”. He said providing a weekly waste service to beach boxes…

ROCKS placed in the water while a sandbag seawall was being rebuilt at Portsea front beach may be used as part of a what could be a $20 million attempt to permanently restore the famous beach. The rocks will be used to build a 60-metre groyne at the eastern (Point Franklin) end of the beach. Coupled with dredging offshore, the groyne is designed to deflect waves away from the beach. Extra sand will be added to the beach when the dredging is complete. Cr Bryan Payne said the dredging would be examined as part of a year-long environmental impact study,…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has reversed its decision for a rural living rate on small properties living inside the green wedge. Councillors last week (Tuesday 23 June) voted to abandon the new category which added about $900 to the rate bills of 724 properties up to two hectares. The contentious rate was introduced mid-last year and supported unanimously by councillors but opposed by ratepayers. About 40 residents attended a stormy community meeting at Red Hill Mechanics Hall in October 2019 and made their opposition known to the then mayor Cr David Gill and CEO John Baker (“Green wedge rate row…

THE Enchanted Adventure Garden, at Arthurs Seat, has re-opened after closing for a refit for the first time in 25 years. The break gave staff the opportunity to focus on improving the gardens, painting the buildings, and, of course, finishing work on the new Sky Scramble. “This huge wooden structure, with its rope bridges, cargo and scramble nets, obstacles, tight rope, fisherman’s trap, Tibetan bridge, slides and a cubby house, guarantee fun for all age groups,” owner Michael Savage said. “Built on timber platforms 10 metres high, the aerial playground won’t disappoint. It’s just what we all need after three…

A MERCEDES sedan allegedly travelling at 165kph along the Western Port Highway at Somerville was later impounded for 30 days with an $895 release fee. Police said they saw the AMG sedan accelerating past a line of north-bound traffic in a 100kph zone, Sunday 28 June. The driver, 49, from Doncaster, is expected to receive a summons to appear at a magistrates’ court at a later date. The impound forms part of Operation Artemis over the school holidays targeting speeding, drink and drug driving, and driver distraction, police said. First published in the Mornington News – 30 June 2020

A WOMAN died when a Ford station wagon collided head-on with a Nissan Pathfinder on Baxter-Tooradin Road, Pearcedale, 5.30pm, Saturday 27 June. The woman was a passenger in the station wagon which was being driven by an 81-year-old Frankston man who was later airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The 39-year-old Rye man driving the Pathfinder was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives said the station wagon may have been speeding and that it was seen veering onto the wrong side of the road prior to the collision. They ask witnesses or anyone with dash-cam…

MAN of many facets – secondary school teacher, sports psychologist, author, artist, and these days, “muso” – Robert Klaas Kalma says he will use all his skills as a busker at Mornington’s Wednesday market. Kalma, 80, who lives with his wife Sue at Mount Martha, has in recent years overcome prostate cancer and a major heart attack. However, he is not deterred by these setbacks and sees music as an “opportunity towards making a full recovery”. After joining the ProBuskers and playing for audiences around the Mornington Peninsula, Mr Kalma saw a bigger picture: “I wanted to do more after…

A FIVE-YEAR strategy to eliminate road deaths on the Mornington Peninsula involves having safer roads, safer vehicles, safer speeds and safer drivers. The shire’s Road Safety Strategy 2020-25 – developed after community consultation and road safety experts – aims to reduce the “unacceptably high levels of road trauma” on peninsula roads. A report to council’s Tuesday 23 June meeting noted that 69 people had been killed and more than 1500 seriously injured over the past decade. The peninsula recorded the highest number of deaths in Victoria’s 79 local government areas in 2010 and in 2019. The mayor Cr Sam Hearn…

SOCCER WHILE other sports announce a season shutdown soccer looks set for a season reboot this weekend. Three local clubs– Langwarrin, Mornington and Peninsula Strikers – will host junior NPL matches during a bumper double header involving under-13, under-14, under-15 and under-16 teams playing on Saturday and Sunday. In an interview on Football Out West Show last week FV’s Football Operations Manager Will Hastie gave every indication that the state governing body remained committed to a return to competition. He confirmed FV’s preference for a 16-game senior season and the expectation that “largely the competition structures will stay intact” meaning…

HORSE RACING TRAINER Dean Binaisse has topped off a remarkable comeback with a three-year-old filly that was twice recommended to be put down following an unsuccessful knee operation last year. Following a breakthrough victory at Caulfield on Saturday 28 June, Binaisse explained the long journey taken to get Felicia back to not only full health but to be competitive in city class races after the ownership group were told to expect the worst. The former Matthew Seyers-trained Felicia was unbeaten as a two-year-old in Adelaide winning twice by a combined margin of more than eight lengths before suffering a bone…

LAST Monday night the Frankston Mechanics’ Hall was crowded with friends and well-wishers who assembled to say farewell to Mr and Mrs A. G. Wilcox. The popularity of the guests was testified to by the large and representative attendance, accounted for by the fact that during a long residence in Frankston both Mr and Mrs Wilcox have proved admirable citizens in every way. The hall was beautifully decorated. Friends from the country had supplied an abundance of wattle blossom, and with palms and other pot plants loaned by Mr A. Bailey of the Frankston Nurseries, a very fine effect was…

A MAN who somehow found himself inside a 240-litre green bin at Rye can thank an alert garbage truck driver for possibly saving his life, Monday 29 June. The truck was emptying curb-side bins when the driver, watching his CCTV monitor, saw what he realised was a man falling out of the bin into the garbage compactor in Tarawill Street, 8am. Rye CFA incident controller Eddie Matt said the 21-year-old appeared to be OK after the fall although he had injured his leg and could not stand. “Sorrento SES crews got him out of the back of the garbage truck…

HASTINGS police are seeking help in identifying a man, above, who allegedly stole liquor from a Church Street bottle shop. The man was seen taking a $110 bottle of scotch and hiding it under his jumper, 3.50pm, Friday 12 June. When challenged, the man denied the theft and left the store. However, a review of the store’s CCTV confirmed staff suspicions. The man is described as Caucasian, late teens, 170cm tall with a slim build. Anyone who recognises the man or has any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at…

IT’S doubtful if anyone’s centenary has been more grandly celebrated – or its recognition more justly deserved – than that given to Capel Sound resident William Lumley AM, who turned 100 last week. By any account Mr Lumley has led a life of outstanding service to the community. He was the first president of the National Pharmacy Students Association of Australia, Chelsea councillor and mayor, Justice of the Peace, inspection pharmacist for the Commonwealth Department of Health, board member and president of the Chelsea Bush Nursing Hospital for 31 years, as well as being on school, lifesaving and community boards…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Regional Gallery is set to reopen to celebrate its 50th anniversary with an exhibition that follows the development and growth of its collection, 1 July-22 November. The upcoming FIFTY exhibition features about 100 artworks of significance. They include eX de Medici’s Red (Colony) 2000, Arthur Boyd’s iconic Mt Martha from Rosebud Beach 1938, Lisa Roet’s giant primate finger Orang-utan Index 2001-03 and Locust Jones’ epic Geronimo 2011. Founded in 1969 by Alan McCulloch, the-then Mornington Peninsula Arts Centre acquired its first artwork in 1970. Its collection has grown to include more than 1800 paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures.…

SOUTHERN Peninsula Rescue Squad former president and current committee member Eileen Murray was awarded an Emergency Services Medal (ESM) in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours. Ms Murray was honoured for her service and commitment to Marine Search and Rescue Victoria, and to the safety of her community, over the past 18 years. Ms Murray was president of the Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad for 14 years up to 2019 and “led it through a range of improvements which has resulted in it being one of the leading marine rescue operations in Australia”. Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad secretary Denis Baguley AM said…

SILHOUETTES along the Western Port shoreline on Saturday marked the shortest day the of year and underlined opposition to AGL’s plans for a gas import terminal at Crib Point. Save Westernport members saw the winter solstice as symbolic of the outcomes they fear from the gas plan. Socially distanced, many of those on beaches from Flinders to Hastings and on French and Phillip islands held lighted candles “in a show of appreciation for Western Port’s unique ecology and solidarity against AGL”, Julia Stockigt of Save Western Port said. Ms Stockigt said the beach vigil “symbolise their determination to stand by…

THE theft of two sets of expensive timber gates from properties at Mount Martha and Main Ridge has prompted Red Hill Country Gates proprietor Gabby Goodon to warn customers to be on the lookout for the thieves. She said a set of $6000 timber gates was stolen from the entry to a Forrest Drive property 1am, 25 May, and a $2500 set was stolen from a Main Creek Road property, about the same time, 10 June. “I’ve emailed people to warn them,” Ms Goodon said. “I want to get it out there. I want people to keep an eye out.”…

POLICE would like to hear from anyone who saw a white Nissan Patrol four-wheel-drive tradie’s ute overtake other cars outside Dromana Primary School, 8.50am, Wednesday 9 June, at the intersection of McCulloch and Ligar streets. Police in an unmarked black Volkswagen station wagon activated their lights and siren and intercepted the ute just past the McCulloch Street crossing which they say may have caught people’s attention. The intersection was said to have been busy at the time. Anyone who saw anything is asked to contact Leading Senior Constable Rob Dukes (VP34284) at Somerville Highway Patrol, call 59781368, or email your…

SORRENTO Portsea RSL sub-branch’s bushfire dinner and auction in February raised $28,500 as the final event in a fundraising campaign beginning when the fires started in early January. But rather than donate the money to one of the many larger funds operating at the time, Sorrento Portsea RSL president John Prentice said the committee decided on a different tack. “We wanted to select a community cause that was badly affected by the fires and where a financial contribution would make a real difference,” he said. Four months later the committee agreed to share the money equally among six small East…

AS the time for voting on a name for the $50 million aquatic centre draws to a close Aboriginals and their supporters are making it clear that Yawa is their preferred title. Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors last month rejected a recommendation that the aquatic centre be called Gunawarra and instead shortlisted five names for a public vote. However, the councillors gave no guarantee that the most popular name would be adopted. The five shortlisted names are: Gunawarra Aquatic Centre; Rosebud Aquatic Centre; Barbawar Aquatic Centre; Yawa Aquatic Centre; and Tides Aquatic Centre. Gunawarra means black swan, barbawar stingray and yawa…

DESPITE their admitted lack of the required scientific expertise, Mornington Peninsula Shire officers have been ordered to investigate alleged health issues surrounding the 5G telecommunications network. The councillors’ decision to investigate what is essentially a federal government responsibility was made in response to 700-signature petition expressing concerns that the introduction of the 5G technology could endanger health. Fears of health risks from 5G have sparked street protests in Australia, including Melbourne, where marches have often been combined with those opposing vaccines. Overseas, demonstrators have set fire to 5G telecommunications towers. The petition was received in January and at that stage…

OPPONENTS of the harvesting of moulting crabs at Rye say Victorian Fisheries Authority regulations are “out of step” and “urgently require review”. They say thousands of crabs congregating under piers in late autumn-early winter are being plundered at their most vulnerable moment. Rye pier was so crowded on Queens Birthday Weekend 7 June that it was closed by police over fears crab fishers were breaching COVID-19 restrictions. Since then, divers have found up to 80 chicken carcasses used as bait littering the sea floor and attracting sharks which are endangering snorkelers, and causing environment pollution. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council on…

Mornington Peninsula Shire has unveiled a plan for a 192-hectare industrial area on the outskirts of Hastings. The plan to provide enough industrial land for the next 15 years follows the steady loss of unoccupied industrial land across the peninsula. The Draft Mornington Peninsula Industrial Areas Land Use and Infrastructure Assessment and Rezoning Strategy will be on exhibition for comment for six weeks. The shire’s strategic projects manager Allan Cowley says that allowing a shortage of industrial land would lead to a “constrained” market, with high prices impeding the development of new businesses. Due to changes in uses allowed in…

BOTH state and federal governments are being asked to launch a life raft to ease economic and social hardship on the Mornington Peninsula in the wake of the coronavirus emergency. The shire’s $320 million recovery wish list ranges from housing for the homeless to a technology park. Estimated costs are just as variable, with the homeless “package” put at $2.5 million, a plan to use recycled water coming in at $27.3m and road safety $130m. In its approach to both governments the shire says the Mornington Peninsula has “suffered one of the heaviest hits to employment in the state”, with…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire libraries at Mornington, Rosebud, Somerville and Hastings are open but with controls on numbers allowed inside after COVID-19 restrictions were eased on Monday (22 June). Libraries will continue to run at reduced hours until 4 July when hours are expected to return to normal. All public programs, including Storytime, will continue online “for the time being”. Safety measures are in place with a concierge at the door to track numbers and to record visitors’ details. Hand sanitiser will be available and extra cleaning of all high-touch surfaces, computers and self-serve checkouts, will be done. The Mobile Library…

POLITICAL differences have been put aside and municipal transport priorities tempered in the quest to extend the railway beyond Frankston. A regional advisory committee will report to Infrastructure Australia that the key to solving inadequate public transport connectivity in the region hinges on building a double-track rail extension to Langwarrin at least, or potentially Baxter, with trains running every 15 minutes. Earlier this year, Infrastructure Australia (IA) listed “Frankston Public Transport Connectivity” as one of its six key “near-term” nation-building projects in Victoria. The national infrastructure body then tasked a local advisory committee to explore 23 ideas that would significantly…

By Danielle Collis AS experts are calling for federal government action plan to strengthen Australia’s weak environment laws, Mornington Peninsula residents Lorinda Hartley and Theresa Jenson have formed a new climate action group. Mornington Peninsula Australian Conservation Foundation founder Theresa Jenson said the condition of the environment is concerning for the peninsula community. “A lot of governments are trying very hard to deal with the environment, it’s just about trying to get our voice across too,” Ms Jenson said. The group is part of the Australian Conservation Foundation, a nationwide network which aims to protect Australia’s environment. Co-founder Lorina Hartley…

KEEN cricketers are being invited to pursue their passion with others at Mornington Peninsula Veterans’ Cricket Club. In the lead up to the season practice sessions for the over 60s team are held at Saxon Sports, Frankston, on days and times to be advised. New member Neville Smith is also keen to recruit players aged 50 and over to start up an over 50s team this summer. He said he was “welcomed with open arms” at the club and is keen to extend the courtesy to other new members. “Training has been exhilarating in the outdoors doing something we love,”…