AN accelerant – possibly petrol – was used to start a fire at Wittingslow’s Rosebud Carnival last week. Detective Senior Sergeant Miro Majstorovic, of Somerville CIU, said an “explosion” caused at least $500,000 damage to the dodgem cars, 1.05am, Friday 24 January. He said CCTV showed a group of youths near the site in Point Nepean Road. “The entire ride was destroyed,” he said. The blaze was especially cruel coming in the lead up to the carnival’s busiest time – the Australia Day long weekend. Tyrone, son of proprietors Cindy and Bruce Miller, said his family was “devastated” by the…
Year: 2020
BURGLARS who stole a large quantity of alcohol from Mornington Golf Course last week also made off with a tin containing members’ bushfire donations. Detective Senior Sergeant Miro Majstorovic, of Somerville CIU, said the two men “did lots of damage” smashing a window to gain entry to the club on Tallis Drive after walking from the car park, 1.38am, Tuesday 21 January. They also smashed a window to the pro-shop. Staff on Tuesday were tallying details of stock lost in the raid which included spirits and pre-mixed drinks. The donations tin contained about $400. CCTV showed one of the men…
WILDLIFE is being threatened by the artificial opening of the entrance to the Balcombe Estuary at Mt Martha. Estuary wildlife has adapted to a natural cycle of flooding as the sandy barrier at the entrance to the bay opens or closes depending on the weather and tides. However, this cycle is disrupted when a channel is cut through the sandy barrier – or berm – to create waves for body boarding or surfing. “This is probably great fun, but we need to understand that artificial human intervention in the flooding and emptying cycle poses a serious risk to the health…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire officers can now get tough on jet ski hoons but, instead of issuing fines for bad behaviour, will still only be “speaking to and educating the public, surveillance and gathering evidence”. Instead of issuing infringement notices, officers will use cameras to gather evidence and act as witnesses to inform Marine Safety Victoria of dangerous and unlawful behaviour by jet ski riders. Acting manager environment protection Katie McKenzie said officers would enforce compliance within the five-knot zone – usually within 200-metres of shore – or 500-metres from shore along the coastline from Safety Beach to Portsea. These are…
SOCCER THERE is increasing doubt about goalscoring legend David Greening remaining at Somerville Eagles. The veteran marksman was due to arrive back in Melbourne from an overseas holiday as we went to press and has declared his unhappiness with what he claims are mixed messages emanating from his club. Two weeks ago new senior coach Billy Rae said that he would like Greening to be a playing assistant coach but that role has also been offered to fellow striker Mark Pagliarulo. “The mixed messages I’ve heard coming out of the club are a worry with different guys being offered the…
PENINSULA HEATHERHILL had to work for it, but eventually defeated Moorooduc in a hard fought one day match on Saturday. Moorooduc chose to bat first on their home deck and did well, scoring 170 before being sent packing. Each of Heatherhill’s five bowlers managed to grab a wicket, with Jake Theobald and Aidan Lenehan taking three apiece. Heatherhill’s run chase started well, and they were flying at 1/112. Steven O’Donnell and Kristian Miller both passed their half century for Heatherhill, helping them secure the win with four wickets in hand and eight balls to spare. Somerville and Long Island also…
HORSE RACING ANTHONY Freedman and Luke Currie have again struck juvenile success with the Godolphin blue as Hanseatic stormed home for a dominant win in the $140,000 Listed Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for colts and geldings on Saturday 25 January. The combination joined forces to claim the $1.5 million Group One Blue Diamond Stakes with Lyre last year and look well positioned to try and emulate those heroics once again as the son of Street Boss shot to $3.40 favouritism following his emphatic victory. Despite settling wide without cover after drawing the outside barrier, the classy colt still managed to…
THE death of Lynella Jane Nichol – the six-year-old daughter of Mrs. L. Nichol, of Royal Parade, Royal Park – who was knocked and down and killed by a motor car at Frankston on 22nd November, 1919, was the subject of an inquiry by the City Coroner (Dr R. H. Cole) at the Morgue. Thos. Edwin Barnett, importer, of High Street, Kew in the course of his evidence, stated that on 22nd November he drove his wife, his brother, and several friends to the Fernery at Frankston, arriving there about 4.30 pm, and driving slowly all the time. Sounding the…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire wants to protect the peninsula’s “unique landscape” by having the power to decide how much land is set aside for and commercial and industrial purposes. The shire says projections for industrial and commercial land that will be needed on the peninsula are wrong in a plan prepared for the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). In a submission to DELWP, the council says the amount of commercial floor space that needed on the peninsula by 2031 is overestimated in the draft Melbourne Industrial and Commercial Land Use Plan. The shire’s submission criticises parts of the…
IF you had tried to plan it, it never would of happened. Rated by Rolling Stone Magazine as the best group of all time, The Traveling Wilburys unexpectedly carved their way to success in the late 1980s. Superstars Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty made their mark on music history as part of The Traveling Wilburys, with timeless hits including End Of The Line, Last Night, Handle With Care, She’s My Baby and many more. Their debut album “Volume 1” won the 1990 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance although the band never performed live.…
NOT ones for sitting around doing nothing in an emergency, the musical group Good Old Boys entertained shoppers at the IGA supermarket, Dromana, and raised $500 for the bushfire appeal, Saturday 4 January. Musicians Jack Kirby, of Balnarring, Bruce Mitchell and Jim Rogers – all in their 80s – performed Bluegrass and “other old songs” at their morning gig. “We’ve been playing a long time,” Mr Kirby said. “We are very pleased shoppers responded to the call. The money was handed over to the Bendigo Bank for distribution to the fire fight.” Mr Kirby said the group was motivated to…
FRENCH Island fire crews were in “clean-up-and-review mode” Monday 20 January after the weekend’s out-of-control blaze that destroyed 87 hectares of bushland and threatened parts of the island’s koala population. French Island CFA brigade first lieutenant Linda Bowden said cooler weather and rain on Sunday afternoon had brought the situation back to normal after Saturday’s drama in which residents were told to leave their homes and campers evacuated from walking trails on the 170 hectare island. Dry lightning is being blamed for the blaze which was thought to have started on the previous Wednesday and smouldered for three days before…
PENINSULA A HAT trick from Pines bowler Jackson Mockett was not enough to get his side over the line against Somerville on Saturday. Pines had a lot of work to do at Eric Bell Reserve, having only made 94 runs the week prior on day one of their clash. Mockett’s haul of 6/41 was impressive, but Somerville still managed to grab the win. They finished all out for 169 runs. Pines’ second innings finished at 7/90. At Ballam Park East, Red Hill did enough to grab a win over Long Island. Chasing 112 to win, Red Hill started things off…
SOCCER VETERAN Somerville Eagles striker Mark Pagliarulo and goalkeeper Robbie Acs have clubs clamouring for their services. “Pags” met with Somerville president Luke Mulder, vice president Craig Bozelle and director of football Zach Peddersen on Sunday having previously spoken with new senior coach Billy Rae. It’s understood that the club is keen for him to take on a role as a playing assistant coach. His strike partner David Greening is on an overseas holiday but it’s believed that he too has attracted the attention of other clubs. “Pags” will be a busy man as he was due to meet with…
HORSE RACING AEECEE Diamond topped off a state double for Mornington-based trainer Anthony Freedman on Thursday 16 January. Following on from Western Wingo’s maiden victory at Ararat earlier in the day, Aeecee Diamond relished the wet conditions and scored a tough victory to break his maiden at the Pakenham night meeting. Bringing up the stables 16th winner from their past 50 runners, the three-year-old gelding by Fighting Sun was forced to do it the hard way by racing three-wide the entire trip after drawing a wide barrier. Freedman’s racing manager Brad Taylor said he was pleased to see the track…
THERE are some truly beautiful entertainment bromances. Bert and Ernie, Lenny and Carl, Tyrion and Varys, Howard and Raj and then there is Brian and Russell. The lifelong friendship of Brian Cadd and Russell Morris should have its own name … Brussell. Brussell’s history has heritage. Both Brian Cadd and Russell Morris had their first hits in the ‘60s. Both Brian Cadd and Russell Morris endured through the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and into the 21 century. Both Brian Cadd and Russell Morris are still delivering relevant new music in the ‘10s and now both Brian Cadd and Russell Morris are…
YESTERDAY witnessed the revival of the Frankston Show, and the public showed its appreciation by turning out in its hundreds. The “gate” proved a record, the takings at the turnstiles amounting to £60/10/-. This exceeds the results attained in previous years. In addition, a very large number of members’ tickets were sold, so that it is difficult to arrive at a correct estimate of the attendance. Competent judges incline to the belief that the number of people on the ground yesterday was far its excess of that of former shows. The weather, contrary to the promise of early forenoon, was…
WHILE most Mornington Secondary College students are packing their bags and preparing to head back to school, one of them will be noticeably absent. Fifteen-year-old Mia Pollock, right, will be in Bali. But, far from being in holiday mode, she will be competing in the 2020 Australian Supermodel of the Year competition. “I have been modelling seriously for about a year and a half,” Mia said before heading off. “The organisers of the competition reached out to me through Instagram and encouraged me to apply. After going through the heats, I have made it into the finals.” The supermodel of…
ARTHURS Seat could have been engulfed last week when vandals fired a flare setting fire to long grass, 2.50am, Friday 17 January. Detective Senior Sergeant Eddie Logonder, of Somerville CIU, said the flare damaged the sign at Chapmans Point Lookout, Arthurs Seat Road, and then burnt 30 square metres of grass. “The act was reckless,” he said. “The damage could have been far greater. Luckily no trees caught alight.” Three crime units attended the scene: two from Rosebud as well as detectives from Somerville. Police are waiting on CCTV footage to identify the culprits. Anyone with information is urged to…
LAST Thursday’s Mornington Art Show opening has been hailed “a resounding success” by one of its organisers. Mornington Rotary Club member John Renowden said more than 400 people attended the opening at Mornington Community Theatre, with “record sales” being made of artwork and items in a silent auction. “The silent auction alone raised more than $8000 for bushfire relief,” Mr Renowden said. The money follows $10,000 already pledged by the club for bushfire relief. Individual artists have also made donations. “The art show has continued to achieve high numbers attending in its first weekend,” Mr Renowden said. The exhibition of…
VANDALS are smashing glass bus shelters up and down Nepean Highway with regularity and seeming impunity. Commuter Lindy Clarke, who regularly drives up from Blairgowrie, said she has counted 10 smashed glass shelters from Tootgarook to Mt Martha along the 788 bus route from Portsea to Frankston since New Year’s Day. “All the glass was scattered over the ground – it was alarming and dangerous,” she said. “I can’t understand why the shelters are not made of steel mesh. At least then they couldn’t be damaged as easily.” Her complaint follows other instances on vandalism late last year. “I saw…
FLINDERS MP Greg Hunt years ago added his voice to those fighting to stop Melbourne Water discharging partially treated sewage into the sea near Gunnamatta. The protesters, led by the Clean Ocean Foundation, successfully forced Melbourne Water to lift its wastewater treatment to Class A, although hundreds of thousands of litres of water are still pumped daily through the ocean outfall. However, more uses are being found for the recycled water and Mr Hunt was pleased to visit Mornington Golf Club this month where $300,000 from the federal government is being used to bring water to storage dams. Recycled water…
SHOTGUN blasts and Molotov cocktails shattered the overnight calm in Dromana, early Saturday 11 January. Detective Senior Sergeant Miro Majstorovic, of Somerville CIU, said the occupants of a “white vehicle” fired two shotgun rounds at a house in Palmerston Crescent about 2.20am. They also threw Molotov cocktails onto the road out front. Pellets from the shotgun reportedly damaged two cars in the driveway. Three people were at home at the time: a 59-year-old female and two men, aged 51 and 32. No one was injured. Police “can’t rule out” that the parties knew each other, Detective Majstorovic said. First published…
A MAN who stole a bottle of spirits from a Mornington liquor store threatened staff who tried to intervene. He returned the next day but left empty handed when again confronted by staff. The man, pictured, is described as being in his late teens to early 20s, Caucasian, stocky build, about 177cm wearing a baseball cap, camo pants and blue jacket, stole a bottle of Wild Turkey valued at $46 from a bottle shop in McLaren Place, 10.30pm, January 6. He returned at about midday the next day. Police said he was wearing the same pants with a black jacket,…
MORNINGTON Senior Constable Dave Burton and Constable Dylan Beaumont spotted a Mitsubishi Triton ute and trailer parked on the side of the road at Somerville, Wednesday 15 January. Doing a spot check they found the number plates on the car, and the trailer, had both been reported stolen days earlier. Selecting a vantage point they sat and waited until a man walked up and opened the car’s door. When approached the man claimed he had “nothing to do” with the vehicle and had opened the door because he was curious about why it was parked there. The police searched a…
SWAMPS and low-lying areas were once seen as a blot on the landscape, fit only to be drained. But the ecological importance of wetlands is well documented and has been recognised for decades, so much so that there is an annual World Wetlands Day. The day has been held since 1977 and marks the date of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971. Activities based around the importance of wetlands are being held on Sunday 2 February at Boneo Park, on the Mornington Peninsula and the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands. The activities at Boneo (312 Boneo Road)…
TWO groups operating on the Mornington Peninsula are part of a global movement seeking government action to counter climate change. XR Westernport and XR Mornington are part of the British-based Extinction Rebellion movement that has a “core strategy” of “mass disruption of city centres through nonviolent civil disobedience”. Along with XR Frankston, the two peninsula-based branches are among 66 similar groups throughout Australia. Murray Lindsell Turner said people who joined XR Westernport at a meeting in Balnarring Hall on Tuesday 14 January were “willing to be arrested” at future demonstrations. He said the inaugural meeting included school teachers, former politicians,…
SOMERS resident Rowan Brookes decided against taking it easy over the Christmas holidays. Instead, she pushed her body to its limits to raise awareness of the effects of environmental change. Dr Brookes ran 250km over five days along the Great South West Walk in western Victoria, an area of national significance with a long history of indigenous settlement and rich biodiversity. The route through three national parks includes hardwood forests, the Glenelg River, Nelson, Aboriginal heritage sites, the Southern Ocean and its vast dunes, sandy bays and beaches, cliffs and freshwater lakes. Animals that live or pass along the coast…
CFA brigades on the Mornington Peninsula have been inundated by volunteers wanting to join up to fight the state’s unprecedented bushfires. However, while their interest is welcomed, the sheer volume of applicants is causing problems. Peninsula Fire Brigades Group officer Timothy Desmond said all brigades welcomed interest from volunteers, but 18 applicants in just the past week was too many to handle. “The Country Fire Authority is one of the most respected fire services in the world [and] we sincerely appreciate people wanting to step up and help their community,” he said. High fire activity across the state meant that…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors are being told that it is “prudent, diligent and in the public interest” to make sure the shire has not made corrupt planning decisions similar to ones alleged at the City of Casey. The advice is contained in a report seeking council’s support for a review announced by shire CEO John Baker last December of decisions made on planning requests from developer John Woodman and his Mornington-based company Watsons Pty Ltd as well as associated companies Wolfdene Built Pty Ltd and Schutz Consulting Pty Ltd. Several employees of two of these companies have previously worked for…