SOCCER FOOTBALL Victoria announced a July start to the 2020 season late last week for all senior and junior competitions. The announcement came a day before the state government withdrew from lifting some pandemic restrictions but as we went to press there was no indication of any change to FV’s restart dates. NPL junior boys are scheduled to return to competition on the weekend of 4/5 July, NPL junior girls, community club juniors and MiniRoos on the weekend of 11/12 July with senior competitions back in action on the weekend of 25/26 July. However doubts over the NPL1 season continue…
Year: 2020
HORSE RACING DAVID and Coral Feek’s talented filly, Ocean Miss, made a winning return to racing on Thursday 18 June by scoring a decisive win at Seymour. The fourth placegetter in last year’s Group Three Ethereal Stakes, showed her class to win over 1300m with 60kg in what was a tight drive to the line. Coming from off midfield, the three-year-old daughter of Ocean Park got to the outside and hit her straps in the straight to hold off the fast-finishing challenge from the Busuttin/Young-trained The Executioner. Despite failing to fire in the Group One Kennedy Oaks in the Spring,…
By Molly Haines IT’S A Blaze has just done a great thing. Well a brilliant thing, broken Cranbourne’s 520 metre track record in his second career start. Previously held by Pop The Cork, the track record now stands at 29.541sec. Amazingly, this wasn’t the first time It’s A Blaze has broken the track record. He first did so unofficially in May during a clearance trial to use blinkers, stopping the clock in a time of 29.578sec. “It wasn’t a surprise he broke the track record because he can run, but you never expect a track record,” trainer Kel Greenough said…
AT Frankston last Monday night the initial meeting took place of the sub-committee appointed to give effect to the resolutions passed at the public meeting held at Seaford last month to secure the improvement of the Kananook Creek. The following representatives were present: Crs W. P. Mason and J. B. Howell (Shire Council): Messrs Hunter and Cotton (Seaford Progress Association) : Messrs McCullloch and Jennings (Public nominees); Messrs P. Wheeler and W. Crawford Young (Frankston Progress Association). Cr Mason was voted to the chair, and, by request, Mr W. Klauer consented to act as secretary to the committee. The question…
FIRE brigades from Mornington, Mount Eliza and Mount Martha and specialist Hazmat crews from Hallam battled to bring an industrial fire at Mornington under control this morning. Commander Paul Summons, who is based at Dandenong, said the fire at a scrap metal yard near the corner of Watt and Yuilles roads tore through piles of scrap metal three metres high, 20 metres long and five metres wide, from 9am, Friday 19 June. The blaze also damaged a seven-tonne excavator and generated so much dense, toxic black smoke that an advice warning was sent out to the community not to breathe…
CAMERAS are now providing live coverage of boat ramps at Stony Point and Corinella. The ramp cam images are refreshed every five minutes on Maritime Safety Victoria’s Boating Vic trip preparation website and app. The website also includes weather details and safety advice. “We know that many Victorian boaters love to check boat ramp cameras before heading out – now users of Stony Point and Corinella boat ramps can access these images at the same time as local weather details, for a clearer picture of what to expect,” maritime safety director Cameron Toy said. “With all this information at their…
A NEW, larger shed being built for Western Port Men’s Shed in Sudholz Street, Bittern, will allow members more scope to help schools, charity groups and residents with projects and repairs. The kitchen and social area will allow members to learn cooking skills – especially important for those living alone – as well as being able to mix in a social atmosphere. Members are keen to pass on their skills and help new members with their projects or with community projects. Women’s weekly woodworking classes are held through Crib Point Community House. President and treasurer Colin Prowd said the shed…
A “notorious bottleneck” on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway is closer to being removed with $3.5 million from the federal government. The money, part of a 2019 election commitment, will go to the state government for the planning and development of a business case for the upgrades, to include grade separation and duplication of the freeway to Boneo Road, pedestrian upgrades and a flyover at Jetty Road, Rosebud, and sound barriers between Rosebud and Dromana. Flinders MP Greg Hunt said residents of Rosebud and the southern Peninsula had waited for years for improved traffic flow at the intersection of Jetty Road…
SEARCHERS scouring dense bush in central Victoria for a missing autistic boy last week were supported by rescue dog Obi. The black Labrador – owned and trained by Andrew and Julie Cowan, of Somerville-based Search and Rescue Dogs Australia – used his exceptional air scenting skills to home-in on the area where Will Callaghan was found. His owners say Obi’s barking may have alerted human rescuer Ben Gibbs, who was close by, to push through “horrendous” vegetation and up the bank where he says he found the 14-year-old looking “angelic”. Will, who loves dogs, was standing up “trying to look…
Story and picture by Barry Irving RYE resident Barney Cain celebrated his 100th birthday with family and friends, Saturday 6 June. Mr Cain, third from left at right, was born in 1920 at the home built by his grandfather Michael Cain as the first of seven children for Owen and Ethel Cain (nee Hill). He is the great-grandson of Owen Cain, one of the early settlers of Rye. After attending Boneo and Rye and then St Joseph’s (Sorrento) primary schools he moved up to St Joseph’s Christian Brothers at South Melbourne until 1935. He says he enjoyed his time…
A CHARITY set up as a social enterprise wants to open a trauma recovery and mental wellbeing centre on the Mornington Peninsula. The site could be a former hospital or a donated section of a large property. Enveco Health founder Moniquea Spiteri said the organisation had unsuccessfully “approached numerous foundations, applied for grants [which is] the usual process that not-for-profits do…”. “Seed funding and seed capital is the hardest to get [because] when it comes to backing innovation everyone is focused on technology start-ups or others doing the same thing,” she said. Generous philanthropists were hard to find. “We’ve been…
AUTISM crusader Bianca Jane Appleford has received an Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for “service to people living with autism”. The Rye resident, who has an autistic son, was previously honoured by being named Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Citizen of the Year in 2017 and Queen’s Baton-bearer for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. Ms Appleford founded Light-Up Autism Foundation in 2012 to introduce improved teaching aids into southern peninsula schools so students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and those with other learning difficulties, could more easily stay happy, and focused, in the mainstream system. The…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire denies it is using aerial drones to find private swimming pools in the lead-up to compulsory registration in November. The shire says drones may be used for vegetation inspections. A reference to the use of drones in the council’s 12 May Quarterly Report said drones were being used “to assist conducting formal inspections of land, which has reduced the risk to officers in navigating hazardous sites and eliminated the need to contract external providers … for aerial imaging”. Glenn Murphy told The News that he suspected drones were being used to find pools when his mother-in-law, who…
FISHERIES Victoria has no plans to ban catching spider crabs despite Rye pier having to be closed on the Sunday night 7 June because so many fishers were targeting the crabs and ignoring social distancing rules. Victorian Fisheries Authority director Dallas D’Silva said six fisheries officers inspected 200 catches over the long weekend and rated compliance rates as “high”. Environmentalists acknowledge bag limits of 30 crabs a person are legal, but say “esky loads” are being stored in cars with the same fisher returning to catch a “new” bag limit. They fear widespread “plundering” of the moulting crabs in their…
THE Mornington Peninsula is among the top six Victorian municipalities when it comes to the number of homeless people being forced to “sleep rough”. However, Mornington Peninsula Shire has reiterated that it is a problem the state government – not the council – should be fixing. The situation came to head last week when police and council staff used a bobcat to clear Rosebud camping ground of tents being used by the homeless. (“Homeless on a merry-go-round” The News 9/6/20). The mayor Cr Sam Hearn said the shire had been trying to find alternative places for the campers to stay…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors are again appealing for the public to help them decide on a name for the $50 million aquatic centre being built at Rosebud. The councillors deferred voting on a short list of names when they met on 26 May, and instead decided to again ask the community. The short list of five names is now being publicised and public comment sought, but the final decision will be made by councillors. In a widely circulated email Cr David Gill stated “the last minute change by council is now also an opportunity to firmly state that we…
By Danielle Collis A MT MARTHA restaurant has prepared more than 1000 meals for Mornington Community Information and Support Centre to deliver to people and families in need. Volpino owner David Weill said a customer who donated $1000 had wanted to help keep the restaurant in business during the coronavirus emergency while also helping the broader community. Mr Weill contacted the Mornington Peninsula Foundation about the customer’s plan and was put in touch with the Mornington Community Information and Support Centre. The centre’s general manager Stuart Davis-Meehan said due to coronavirus restrictions the centre had replaced its face-to-face meal program…
SHIRE officers have been given a rocket over the condition of the coastal path from Royal Beach and continuing behind Mornington Bowling Club to the Barkly Street roundabout. Cr Bev Colomb told the council’s 26 May meeting that the scenic and historic coastal path should be “brought back to a standard that allows access and safety for community use”. She successfully moved that this be done before the end of June. Adding to the blast, Cr Colomb insisted the officers report back before the end of July on the process they use to “make decisions that involve public community coastal…
SOCCER LANGWARRIN and Seaford United will participate in the 2020 league season. The last two local clubs to decide their response to the disrupted season have informed Football Victoria of their decision. Langwarrin president Tanya Wallace addressed the senior squad last week before making the decision to play this year. “All of our players returned and have agreed to play so I’m really grateful for the commitment they’ve shown and for wanting to stick by the club in challenging and difficult times,” she said. “I’m really proud of the way everyone throughout the club has reacted to what needed to…
HORSE RACING MORNINGTON-based trainer John McArdle has hit a purple patch of form with three of his up-and-coming two-year-old’s breaking their maidens on debut in the past fortnight. Sure Am Invincible, Twain’s Express and So Let’s Toast all came through the same jumpout (Heat 4) at Mornington on Wednesday 27 May before going on to score victories at their respective debuts. In the 1000m jumpout, it was Sure Am Invincible who showed the early toe to lead the heat before her stablemates So Let’s Toast (first) and Twain’s Express (second) swept past the field to runaway with the clear fastest…
WHILE driving along the Tyabb road with their father in a buggy on November 15, 1919, Frederick Lewis Davis and Benjamin Shersby Davis, orchardists, of Hastings, heard the report of a shot gun from the bush on the north side about two miles from Tyabb, and felt the sting of pellets. Both sons were shot in the eye, and received wounds in other parts of the body. Subsequently a man came out-of the bush carrying a shot gun and a dead rabbit. In the County Court last Tuesday the brothers proceeded against Hecter Henry Swann, carpenter, of Mornington, each claiming…
A man had to be restrained by police and has been taken to hospital after he flipped his car in a fast food drive-thru in Somerville this morning. Emergency services were initially called to the Eramosa Road store following reports the car had crashed into a bollard and flipped on its side in the drive-thru about 12.40am. Further calls were then received by police stating the driver was acting in an aggressive manner and had assaulted other attending emergency services. Police have been told the 23-year-old driver was able to free himself from the vehicle before he pushed a male…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council will extend its financial hardship policy until 31 August to help ratepayers hit hard by the coronavirus. This will apply to all rateable properties – not just primary residences – and is for debtors seeking relief. No interest will be charged on any outstanding balances until after that date. The council does not propose writing off any debts owing outside of requests for the waiving of interest. Debt will still be due and payable, but with greater flexibility offered on repayments. The council adopted the revised hardship policy moved by Cr Antonella Celi and seconded by…
IT was just like old times at Dromana Drive-In last week, with cars lining up at the gate and the movies ready to roll. The outdoor screens were back in business after emerging from the 10-week COVID-19 shutdown. Owner Paul Whitaker said six movies were scheduled on the three screens over the two sessions of the Thursday 4 June opening night. “It’s a really good feeling to be opening again,” he said after being closed since the last weekend in March. “We will open Thursday to Sunday as normal but, if demand is high, we could go to seven days…
THIRTEEN drivers were each fined $289 for driving past a police vehicle with flashing lights at more than 40kph, Thursday 28 May. Somerville Highway Patrol officers conducted Operation Safe-Mate as a result of being “thoroughly fed up with motorists whizzing past at speed while [we are] standing on the side of the road”. They say the issue was highlighted by the quadruple police fatality on the Eastern Freeway in April. Officers patrolled the Mornington Peninsula Freeway between Moorooduc and Rosebud, targeting speeding and general traffic offences while enforcing the passing emergency vehicle at 40kph rule which was introduced in July…
A MAN who allegedly drove at a police officer in Mornington was later pepper sprayed and arrested in dramatic fashion at Mount Martha. Police said they saw a car driving on the wrong side of the road and through the roundabout at the intersection of Main and Barkly streets, Monday night, 1 June. They pulled the driver over but when they approached his car he “took off again with one officer only just avoiding being struck”. The 50-year-old was intercepted by another police unit at Mount Martha but he allegedly refused to turn off his car’s engine. Police said they…
THE Planning Minister Richard Wynne says the exhibition of power company AGL’s environmental effects statement on its proposed gas import terminal at Crib Point will last 40 days, 10 days longer than usual. He says the extra time will ensure the exhibition and inquiry is conducted fairly during the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Wynne’s directive was dated 1 June. After the exhibition, a public inquiry will be held to consider the project and its environmental effects. If required, the inquiry’s proceedings may take place by videoconference. Community group Save Westernport said Mr Wynne’s decision was “inconsistent with state government extensions of…
PRIVATE pool and spa owners on the Mornington Peninsula now have until 1 November to register them with council. The five-month extension from the original 1 June deadline has been granted because of the impacts of coronavirus on families and council staff workloads. The safety measures are being introduced to reduce the number of drownings of children under five. Over the past 20 years 27 youngsters have drowned in private pools and spas in Victoria. The coroner reportedly found that, in at least 20 of these cases, a non-compliant safety barrier was likely to have played a role in their…
By Barry Morris THE leader of the Willum Warrain Aboriginal Gathering Place in Hastings has spoken out against Aboriginal deaths in custody following the death of African American man George Floyd in Minneapolis, US. “Black lives matter here too,” Willum Warrain’s executive officer Peter Aldenhoven said. The shocking vision of George Floyd’s death that precipitated race riots across America paralleled that of the Aboriginal teenager slammed face first by a policeman into a Sydney footpath last Tuesday, Mr Aldenhoven said. Aboriginal people did not need reminding that 432 Indigenous Australians had died in custody since the Royal Commission into Deaths…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire services will gradually reopen during June with further easing of coronavirus restrictions. The shire is following state government guidance by taking a staged approach with “necessary modifications … to keep our community safe and the pandemic curve flat”. Services will operate with shorter opening hours and limits on numbers and time spent at the service. The shire says its priority is to keep the community safe, and only services that can maintain physical distancing guidelines and numbers limits will open “at this stage”. Updates about further changes to shire services will follow the state government’s announcement of…