By Stephen Taylor and Keith Platt POLICE intend to shut down the Rosebud camping ground being used by homeless people. Evictions began last week, with Mornington Peninsula Shire sending a truck and bobcat to clear rubbish from campsites. While the arrival of homeless people at the camping ground is an annual occurrence, the COVID-19 pandemic is being blamed for the number of campers being higher than normal. The mayor, Cr Sam Hearn says although the shire is trying to find alternative accommodation for the campers, it was a state government issue. He said the government was able to avoid responsibility…
Year: 2020
A MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council investigations officer is compiling evidence to present to the police over a savage dog attack at Rye last week. Environment protection manager John Rankine said police could decide to issue a summons to the owner of the attacking dog and “determine which charges will be put to them”. “A decision regarding the future of the attacking dog will be made once the outcome of the prosecution is known,” Mr Rankine said. The move follows the savage attack on a boxer by what was described as an “American staffie” near the Rye pier, 10am, Sunday 31…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Sam Hearn said seven homeless people were given permission last month to use the camping ground at Rosebud. The shire had been “trying to find places for them to stay” when a second group of four to six people arrived. Cr Hearn said the allotted area did not have the capacity to accommodate such large numbers and if allowed to continue could lead to a shanty town. Cr Hearn said homeless people had “year after year” used camping ground over summer with several always “staying on” after the end of the camping season. “It gets…
IT can be viewed as a sad commentary on humanity that children happily play where lives were brutally lost. Or perhaps the apparent incongruity of such a scene is testament to the human spirit of survival. Artist William Kelly describes Guernica in northern Spain as “a lovely city with children playing in parks”. But looming large in Kelly’s mindset is also the horror and brutality depicted in Pablo Picasso’s 1937 oil painting, Guernica. An optimist, Kelly’s own art is designed to create dialogue, peace talk, if you like. Kelly, who lives in Cheltenham, is known for his sweeping statement “art…
PENINSULA virtual pub has teamed up with the Mornington Peninsula music network to present the Soda virtual festival, a Facebook live stream event, Sunday 14 June. Peninsula virtual pub has been running Friday night live music since April to raise awareness and money for the peninsula’s live music community. Publican Garry Gosling said the industry needed “more help than ever as it continued to face hardship and struggles due to limited event capacities surrounding COVID-19”. He said Soda – to stream from 2pm – aimed to support live music and those whose livelihoods depended on the industry. It will present…
A WOMAN who trained as a nurse and a school teacher is the new minister at Mornington Uniting Church. The Reverend Joy Blamires arrived in early May after 15 months of the interim ministry of the Rev Chris Cohen. The St Marks posting is her first ministry. Ordained only two months ago she is the first woman to lead the church in Barkly Street which was established as a Presbyterian church in 1867. The Rev Blamires began her theological studies in 2014 while teaching English as a second language. She took up full time university study in 2018, adding that…
MCCRAE Lighthouse will receive $1 million for urgent conservation works under the state government’s Living Heritage Program. The landmark, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register, needs repairs as a result of its age and the harsh conditions it has endured over the past 137 years. The works will repair or replace the lighthouse’s gutters, windows, balcony and copper dome and will also include sandblasting and repainting of the riveted iron structure. Reportedly the state’s tallest at 31 metres and an essential Port Phillip navigation aid, McCrae Lighthouse was built in Birmingham in 1874 and shipped to McCrae in 1883.…
STAFF and doctors at The Bays Hospital in Mornington wore their crazy socks “loudly and proudly” on Friday 5 June. The aim of the colourful display was to bring attention to the challenges faced by doctors and the disproportionately high suicide rates in the medical profession. Cardiologist Dr Geoffrey Toogood, a long-time advocate for mental health, came up with the idea of Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day to raise awareness of mental health problems among health professionals. Dr Mark Savage, of the hospital’s intensive care unit, said: “As members of a caring profession, healthcare professionals strive to provide the very…
SOCCER FOOTBALL Victoria has put a million dollar proposal on the table to slash fees and entice clubs to participate in the 2020 season. FV’s fee relief package was announced in stages last week starting with NPL1 then NPL2 and NPL3 followed by an offer to State League clubs. The official announcement stated, in part: “The packages are aimed at supporting the safe return of football at all levels and ensuring the viability of our 355 clubs and the game in Victoria more broadly.” As an NPL2 club Langwarrin received confirmation that promotion was still in play but relegation had…
THE 2020 MPNFL season hangs in the balance, with its future set to be evaluated later this month. AFL South East head Richard Black, AFL South East CEO Shaun Connell, and officials from each of the 22 MPNFL clubs all met on 3 June to discuss the 2020 season. It was decided that a further evaluation would be held after an update from Premier Daniel Andrews, expected on 21 June. Senior leagues across Victoria have begun cancelling their seasons in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The Northern Football Netball League and Southern Football Netball League will both not proceed…
HORSE RACING MORNINGTON-based apprentice jockey Campbell Rawiller landed his first metropolitan winner at Sandown on Wednesday 3 June. Rawiller partnered the Matthew Williams-trained Brilliant Concept to take out the seventh race on the card and made it back-to-back victories for the combination. Having scored a dominant benchmark 64 victory at Ballarat at their prior start, Rawiller took the four-year-old gelding to the rear of the field before slowly creeping forward in the run. By the top of the straight Rawiller had Brilliant Concept within two lengths of the leader and pounced in the straight to land a half-of-a-length victory in…
MR and Mrs Adderly of Langwarrin suffered a sad bereavement in the loss of their daughter, Erica, aged 12 years, whose death took place on the 21st May in Melbourne, where she had been taking the day previously for expert treatment. Death was due to Bright’s disease. The funeral, which took place on Monday, at the Frankston cemetery, was attended by her late schoolmates from Langwarrin State school. Much sympathy is felt for the parents and family in this, their great loss. *** Football. Frankston V. Balnarring The Frankston-Balnarring match played at Frankston was, except for the opening term, very…
A BRUTAL dog attack at Rye on the weekend has left a family’s boxer pet with severe leg wounds, her owner traumatised and needing tetanus shots for bites to her hand, the offending dog’s owner also with lacerations to his hands – and a vet’s bill nearing $3000. Matt Hollard and wife Yvette Nicole Williams were still in shock yesterday (Monday) over the incident near Rye pier, 10am, Sunday 31 May, when one of two American Staffies passing by “broke free and bolted full steam at me and our dog, locking onto the upper part of her back leg”. Mr…
WESTERN Port Secondary College students embraced the brave new world of remote flexible learning during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Years 11 and 12 VCE and VCAL students, who returned to school last week, had direct instruction with subject teachers as a class to ensure a continuity of learning over the past seven weeks. “We tried to keep the structure of the timetable similar for students while working in an achievable and sustainable way during remote learning,” principal Chris Quinn said. Lessons were held on the Microsoft Teams platform with students logging in for lesson plans at 9am each day with their…
THE state opposition has waded into the debate over the time being given for the public to comment on an environmental effects statement prepared by AGL for a gas import terminal at Crib Point. “The potential consequences of a decision to locate this toxic industry at Crib Point, are too great to allow such an important part of the process to proceed at a time when our community is in the middle of dealing with a world wide virus pandemic,” Hastings MP Neale Burgess said. AGL’s environmental effects statement (EES) for its proposed floating gas terminal and a 56 kilometre pipeline…
SOCCER FOOTBALL Victoria last week gave clubs the opportunity to decide their short-term future without penalty. The state body announced that there would be promotion this year throughout the leagues but no relegation. FV’s “Guiding principles for the resumption of football in Victoria” was generally well-received and for the most part took an even-handed approach when weighing up the federation’s responsibilities as the game’s watchdog against the responsibilities of member clubs. However, while announcing that clubs choosing not to compete would not face sanctions the principles mandated that all clubs were “subject to the payment of their full, respective 2020…
HORSE RACING THE Anthony Freedman stable continued their successful run with two-year-old’s as Agreeable stormed home to victory to notch up their fourth individual juvenile winner for the month of May. Coming off two encouraging jumpouts at Mornington, the daughter of Sebring reeled in her opposition to score a winning debut at Geelong on Friday 29 May. Agreeable settled at the rear of the field under jockey Jamie Kah before sweeping past her rivals in the straight and was eased down with her ears pricked in the final 50 metres. The Piencliff Racing-owned filly ended up holding a two-length margin…
A CONCERT in aid of School Funds was given by the pupils of the Somerville State School on Monday night, May 24th. The programme was a lengthy one and reflects great credit on the teachers and scholars. The organising of a school concert entails a vast amount of work and unlimited patience, and the teachers, Mr. Uren and Mrs. Cole, deserve all the laudatory remarks heard concerning them. Everything went through without a hitch, and judging by the beaming smiles on the faces of the audience, each item was thoroughly enjoyed. Over £17 was realised at the door, so the…
IN May two residents who live at Village Glen were widely celebrated as they enjoyed their centurion birthdays. What an amazing achievement, even COVID19 couldn’t dampen the social distancing celebrations that were had! Col turned 100 on the 8th of May and has a wonderful story to tell alongside his beautiful wife Joy. Col fought for Australia in the Navy in the Second World War and on his return, he started his life with Joy. He has had many and varied passions over the years including working as a motor mechanic for his father, a chicken farmer, building his family…
TEN five-person teams are out disinfecting “communal touch points” throughout the Mornington Peninsula to lessen the spread of COVID-19. The teams are being paid for by the state government through Citywide, a “physical services company” and work in conjunction with the shire’s Clean Team. The teams are cleaning public seating, bike hoops, playground equipment, bins, pedestrian signal buttons, handrails, street furniture and bus shelters. “This was a quick turnaround initiative of the government to support our community in feeling safe and secure in public and provide some additional support to council and business as restrictions are eased,” the mayor Cr…
A MOTORIST who copped an $85 fine for parking in a space reserved for boat trailers at Safety Beach may have to pay up. Warren Renton said he had been unaware that the area near the Safety Beach boat ramp was off limits for vehicles not towing a trailer. He said the trailers-only car park at the boat ramp was more often than not empty during the week while parking spaces outside the shops opposite were in short supply (“Fine time not had by all” The News 26/5/20). The nearest side street has limited parking. Mr Renton, who lives at…
IT seemed as though the Mornington Peninsula became active again last Tuesday with the state government further easing COVID-19 restrictions. Playgrounds, skate parks, outdoor gym equipment and park equipment, such as furniture and barbecues, were reopened for up to 10 people, with the number expanding to 20 from 11.59pm on Sunday. Libraries, youth centres and other community facilities were given the go ahead to open with 20 people in a single area that complies with social distancing rules; men’s sheds and arts and crafts classes can resume; entertainment and cultural venues, such as galleries, museums, drive-in cinemas and historic sites…
NEW regulations proposed for beach boxes will eventually see their ownership restricted to Mornington Peninsula residents or ratepayers. At present, licence renewals for 56 per cent of the 820 beach boxes managed by Mornington Peninsula Shire are sent to addresses outside of the municipality. New regulations proposed by the shire aim to bring beach box ownership back to the peninsula and also limit the number of licences to one a person. Cr David Gill said owning property on the peninsula was a requirement for beach box licences “until recent decades”, making the change “a renewal of a lapsed policy”. He…
A MAN allegedly stole two bottles of alcohol from a Hastings bottle shop, 9.30pm, Friday 15 May. Police said he walked out of the bottle shop on Church Street without making any attempt to pay for them. The man is described as being in his late 20s, of medium height and weight, with short, dark hair and wearing a tan hoodie, black skinny jeans, white shoes and carrying a black bag. Anyone with information is urged to contact Hastings police 5970 7800 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Southern…
POLICE found more than expected when they searched a car during a routine intercept in a Mornington street, 3.40am, Tuesday 26 May. They allegedly found a sawn-off double barrel shotgun and quantities of the drug methyl-amphetamine, or ice. Two Mornington men aged 32 and 24 were arrested and charged with possessing a modified firearm and possessing a drug of dependence. They appeared at Frankston Magistrates’ Court where one was further remanded and the other bailed to reappear at a later date. Senior Sergeant Paul Edwards said the arrests were the result of “vigilant police work”. First published in the Southern…
MORNINGTON Senior Sergeant Paul Edwards said the relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions was “not the time to think everything’s back to normal”. “People still need to be aware of the numbers allowed at gatherings and events and to make sure they keep to 1.5 metre distancing,” he said. In a sign that many people think the danger has passed, parents have begun registering their children’s upcoming parties with the station. “People will still need to use commonsense and to check the Department of Human Services’ guidelines to ensure they know what is and isn’t allowed.” Senior Sergeant Edwards said police were…
ON National Sorry Day, Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors rejected adopting an Aboriginal name for the $50 million aquatic centre being built at Rosebud. Another public consultation process “targeted” at peninsula residents will now be undertaken with five suggested names, including three Aboriginal words. However, the final decision will be made by councillors with the delay costing ratepayers an estimated $200,000. The names on the list 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 to swim. Cr David Gill said council’s reluctance to vote…
DANCING schools say authorities determining rules for their reopening on Monday 22 June are out of step with the industry. More than 170 dance schools are lobbying the Premier Daniel Andrews to let them have a say in regulations being drafted by the Department of Health and Human Services which they say is based on recommendations from the Australian Institute of Sport. Australian Academy of Dance director Mike Harrison-Lamond said dance studio owners said the AIS was “not our governing body, nor do they have an understanding of our industry”. He said requiring four square metres a person, 20 people…
BORDER Watch officers have asked Mornington Yacht Club members to “look out for anything suspicious when [they are] out on the bay”. Club office manager Sarah Grant said the Border Watch officers appeared to be focusing on public boat ramps. “They were not after anything specific and they were in and out [of here] very quickly,” she said. The club regarded the advice as “general information for members”. The visit was part of a general sweep of the bay’s boat ramps. Officers handed out leaflets headed “Small craft border crime – Know the Flags” which said criminals “may attempt to…
THE state government has given $5 million towards the $22 million redevelopment of the ferry precinct at Sorrento. Nepean MP Chris Brayne said finance for the redevelopment – part of a $40 million upgrade to the Queenscliff to Sorrento ferry service – includes $16 million from Searoad Ferries and $1 million from Mornington Peninsula Shire. Half of the state government’s $5 million will go to Searoad Ferries for works in and around the terminal, including improved public amenities and access for visitors, and half to the shire for pedestrian and roadworks connecting it to Point Nepean Road. Work will start…