A VISIT to the BP Service Station on Peninsula Link at Baxter did not go as planned for a Rosebud man, 8am, Wednesday 1 July. As Somerville Highway Police watched his black Ford sedan, pictured, drive away their attention was drawn to the car’s blue parking lights. Pulling him over for a check they found the 25-year-old was driving while his licence was suspended. His car’s rear tyres were found to have less than the required tread depth and he was issued a defect notice. The man will be summonsed to attend court for driving while suspended and driving an…
Author: MP News Group
CHILDREN are not safe online, says Detective Superintendent Jane Welsh. “The reality is that increased online socialising and other activities caused by the global pandemic provides a greater opportunity for online sexual offending and unwanted contact, particularly for children.” She recommends parents initiate online safety discussions early, monitor their children’s online activity, have access to their accounts so as to be able to identify risks, recognise signs of unwanted contact, and collect evidence and report suspicious behaviour. Detective Welsh said young people were also at risk of being targeted by predators online. “Inappropriate contact online can come from a range…
UP to 24 streets in Rosebud will be given 40kph speed limits as “part of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s efforts to improve road safety”. This comes after a study found residential areas of Rosebud, Hastings and Dromana had the highest number of casualty crashes in the shire and the highest risk of future crashes. Rosebud has been selected as the first township for complementary speed reductions as part of the council’s $700,000 Safer Residential Areas Project. “It aims to reduce the number of cars using these residential streets as a thoroughfare during peak season, as well as to achieve safer speeds,”…
RYE Opportunity Shop volunteers have taken the opportunity to revamp their shop during the coronavirus shutdown before an expected reopening on 13 July. The shop was suffering from a lack of space, a tired building and a leaky roof, Southern Peninsula Community Fund secretary Dorothy Mortlock said. Being closed enabled repairs, renovations and sprucing-up of the premises without interference to customers and staff. “The new, clean look will complement the need for social distancing, control of the number of customers and staff in the shop, and the cleaning, and sanitising, to ensure that everyone is protected,” Ms Mortlock said. “We’d…
THE 10-year-old Crib Point township plan has been updated and is open for public input until 14 August. The plan sets out the strategic vision and direction of the town’s development and aims to protect its character of tree-lined streets and mix of old and new houses. Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Sam Hearn said the plan ensured Crib Point would “continue to have the look, feel and function of a country town on the coast, closely connected with its natural environment”. The original plan from 2009-11 set a long-term vision and guide for the development of Crib Point. It…
CLUBROOMS at Baxter Park used by Frankston South football and Baxter cricket clubs were badly damaged in a ram raid last week. It was the second time this year the clubhouse at the corner of Sages and Baxter-Tooradin roads has been targeted. The Frankston Bombers Facebook page said the “news came through at 4.45am this morning [26 June] that a car had rammed through our club room doors”. “Unfortunately, this is the second incident of this nature since February this year where a vehicle has caused damage to the facility. “The car was stolen from Frankston before making the trip…
A CREATIVE idea that “sort of just snowballed” led to residents at Martha Cove Retirement Village knitting 351 beanies which, when sold to visitors, raised $870 for cancer research and care of the homeless. The idea came about after resident Sue Johnson and 34 other women – feeling isolated and unable to go out because of COVID-19 restrictions – decided to put their free time to good use. They knitted colourful beanies which were displayed and sold for $5 each over three days at the village. “We all really enjoyed doing it,” Ms Johnson said. “There was lots of excitement…
By Hugh Fraser* IN May, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council officers presented only one name for councillors to “rubber stamp” as the name of our fabulous new 50-metre pool and aquatic centre at Rosebud. The management process that arrived at that one name was seriously flawed. Management only allowed itself to consider those names it thought would be acceptable to the Registrar of Geographic Names. This was based on incorrect verbal advice from an unnamed Spring Street public servant at odds with the Statutory Naming Rules for Places in Victoria 2016. Because we have not carried the community with us…
SOMERVILLE Highway Patrol’s automatic number plate recognition system appears to be making it hard for those driving stolen, unregistered or other “vehicles of interest” to hide. The system is used day and night throughout Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula to scan and photograph passing vehicles. Last week it alerted the patrol’s ANPR-equipped BMW on Wedge Road, Carrum Downs, to a passing stolen vehicle. The 40-year-old driver, from Chadstone, did a quick left and right turn and parked in a front yard, possibly in an attempt to hide, but could not escape. He was arrested and taken to Frankston police station…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,”…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…