A CAR sped off after knocking down a 68-year-old man in Mornington, 10.42am, Wednesday 18 July. The man, who has Alzheimer’s disease, was walking along Wilsons Road when struck by the car which then sped off. Police said a witness heard the thud and then heard the car accelerate away. The injured man had crossed the Downward Street T-intersection while the car is believed to have been turning into Downward Street. The man hit his head in the incident but then got up and continued walking along Wilsons Road before collapsing in a front yard. He was taken to The…
Author: MP News Group
A TOYOTA van picked up outside Dromana Magistrates’ Court last week was sporting home-made plates: CPOAU92 (above). The 53-year-old male driver, of Cheltenham, told police he was a self-appointed “Commonwealth Public Official of Australia” who didn’t need to have a licence or pay registration fees. Unsurprisingly, police found no basis for his claims, and had his white van impounded. The man will be summonsed to appear at court at a later date for unlicensed driving, unregistered, false plates and refusing to undergo an oral fluid test for drugs. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 31 July 2018
DRIVERS must keep left, either when driving on a multi-lane road where the speed limit is more than 80kph, or where a keep-left-unless-overtaking sign is displayed. Somerville Highway Patrol police say this rule applies to Peninsula Link, Eastlink, Mornington Peninsula Freeway, Frankston Freeway and the Western Port Highway (duplicated section) and parts of Nepean Highway, such as between Mornington and Mt Eliza. Drivers on these roads are permitted to drive in the right-hand lane only when overtaking – when the speed limit still applies; are making a right turn or U-turn from the centre of the road; are avoiding an…
A PROPOSED solar farm in Capel Sound will be part of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s efforts to “address climate change and move towards a clean energy future”. The shire is seeking expressions of interest from parties wishing to lease the 10 hectare site in Truemans Road for a five megawatt solar farm. The site is in a public park recreation zone. The mayor Cr Bryan Payne said the shire was committed to demonstrating its efforts in climate change “mitigation and adaptation”. “It’s early days for this project but we’re optimistic it could be a great initiative for the peninsula and will…
A CAST and crew of more than 70 students from Rosebud Secondary College will perform the original high school musical next week, when they shine on stage in Fame the Musical. Based on the 1980 film of the same name, Fame the Musical follows a group of diverse characters through the final four years of a fictional New York City performing arts high school as they seek fame in music, dance and drama. “It’s a vibrant and edgy show that doesn’t shy away from the real-life pressures facing modern teens,” says teacher Anthea Mackenzie, who co-produced the show with dance…
FIVE people were arrested by Mornington police after allegedly stealing alcohol and other property from the Mornington Hotel, early Sunday morning. Detective Sergeant Jason Hocking, of Somerville CIU, said police will allege alcohol valued at $150 was stolen from the bar area and clothing, tonneau cover and 12-volt air compressor, valued at $550, was stolen from a utility in the hotel’s car park, 5am, Sunday 22 July. A Dingley Village man, 26, and a Skye man, 27, were remanded to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Monday) charged with burglary, theft and theft from a motor vehicle. A Narre Warren…
By Jo Cranstoun SOMERS resident Slim Cook and his brother Steve love the sense of adventure that comes from a car rally but admit they’re not in it to win it. Slim Cook says he takes part in the Road Boss Rally for fun and to raise money for the charity GIVIT. The rally raised $250,275 for GIVIT – a national online not-for-profit organisation which connects charities with those offering essential, quality items on behalf of their clients. Slim, 58 (“That’s what everyone calls me but my mum called me Russell’’) and Steve, 60, who lives in Queensland, left Brisbane…
Compiled by Boronica King WORD has been received that another Peninsula soldier, Private Len Mackie, of Frankston, has made the supreme sacrifice in the recent severe fighting in France. Private Mackie left Australia about two years ago, and, except for a short spell in hospital with trench feet, has been with his battalion continuously. A widow and one child are left to mourn their loss, and to them we extend our heartfelt sympathy. *** A FOOTBALL match between the Frankston and Hastings juniors was played at Hastings on Saturday last when the visitors were easily defeated, the scores being Hastings…
JENNIFER Ward-Lealand pays tribute to the iconic actress and singer Marlene Dietrich, in Falling in Love Again. Devised in collaboration with musical director and pianist Grant Winterburn, Falling in Love Again recreates iconic moments of performance from one of the greatest screen legends of the twentieth century. Showcasing highlights from Dietrich’s films, concerts and recordings, Jennifer will perform a program including classic songs by Cole Porter, Pete Seeger, Frederic Hollander and Edith Piaf. Beautifully lit by lighting designer Andrew Malmo and featuring an exquisite recreation of one of Dietrich’s famous gowns and fur coat, this acclaimed show vividly captures the…
FROM over 1,000 entries, 63 artists have been shortlisted for the 2018 National Works on Paper acquisition and award (total prize money $50,000). The prize, the most prestigious acquisitive prize and exhibition of its kind in Australia, showcases recent work by some of Australia’s leading artists working in the field of drawing, print-making and digital media, providing a survey of contemporary practice today. Traditional approaches to working with paper are explored along with works that use new technological mediums – displaying the ways in which these mediums are prompting new explorations of working with and on paper. Shortlisted artists include:…
ENVIRONMENT group BERG Mt Martha is pleased that the major supermarkets have stopped handing customers single-use plastic bags but says there is “still a long way to go” in “the war on waste”. BERG adopted the Clean, Green Mt Martha slogan last year when it began campaigning against the use of plastic bags. “The first step was gradually to introduce the program to the community,” project officer Liz Barraclough said. “Most traders came on board, particularly the biggest shop IGA. “But even though we can celebrate most of Mt Martha Village going single-use plastic bag free, there is still a…
BUTTS are out at beaches, says Rye environmental activist Josie Jones. Ms Jones says litter surveys counted 31,000 cigarette butts on the streets and foreshore over the past year which, “for a small coastal town of just over 12,000 residents, is 85 butts a day”. “From November each year, the surge of visitors increases by 1400 per cent and, with them, comes litter,” Ms Jones said. “With 95 per cent of beach litter coming via stormwater, getting butts in bins is so important.” The Only Butt campaign began rolling out in Rye last week. Bin posters were put up, posters…
A ST ANDREWS Beach man has been charged with aggravated burglary after allegedly breaking into a Sorrento house and stealing cash, phone, iPad and attempting to steal a car, Thursday 12 July. Residents at the Hotham Road house awoke to noises and looked outside to see a man sitting in the driver’s seat of their Holden station wagon as it rolled down the driveway. Detective Sergeant Rohan Brock said the residents confronted the man and attempted to hold him until police arrived. When he became agitated they were forced to let him go although they did manage to retrieve the…
ASPIRING politician Russell Joseph was “inadvertently caught up” in the drama which unfolded in Rosebud, Friday 13 July, when an off-duty paramedic was stabbed, shop windows smashed, cars crashed and traders huddled in fear. The Nepean Liberal candidate had left his Ninth Avenue office about 7pm and stepped into the dark street. “The street light was not working but I could see police standing around my car and heard the commotion and wondered what was going on,” he said. “Then I saw the car’s smashed windscreen, smashed side and rear windows … there was glass everywhere …” He was told…
BOATIES and bathers will be better protected on the water this summer after Safety Beach Coast Guard took delivery of a refurbished boat courtesy of Hillview Quarries. The gift has come about after flotilla sponsorship officer Bill Patterson and commander Mark Brookes approached Hillview Quarries CEO Paul Nitas. He agreed to provide $20,000 to upgrade an ageing twin-hulled vessel previously donated to the flotilla that was in need of a major refurbishment before it could be used for on-water training and rescues. The funding went on hull repairs, steering system upgrade, revamp of the navigational equipment, trailer modifications and a…
A NEW awards program will honour unsung heroes who have saved lives or helped people in time of emergency by using first aid skills. St John Ambulance Victoria is asking people to nominate family, friends, work colleagues or classmates who have helped others as first aid responders. Frankston resident Brodie Harper, Nine Network Postcards TV show presenter, says being properly trained in first aid is a vital skill to learn. “If you know somebody who has gone above and beyond the call of duty, the First Aid Champion Awards is the ideal way to honour them,” she said. “Being a mother and working…
THE Arthurs Seat Challenge is an annual 6.7 kilometre fun run and walk from Rosebud to the top of Arthurs Seat. The event, which finishes at Seawinds Gardens, is held to promote and raise money for the Fit to Drive program provided free to students in schools on the Mornington Peninsula and in Frankston. Fit to Drive focuses on personal safety, responsibility, and strategies to make young people safer on the road. The program aims to reduce road trauma by changing attitudes and behaviours of young drivers and passengers. BlueScope Western Port has supported the program since it began in…
A BUSLOAD of 18-25-year-old students from the Centre for Multicultural Youth visited Main Ridge on a brisk morning last week excited at the prospect of planting trees – and perhaps seeing their first kangaroo. The event was run by Ucan2 multicultural youth worker Sarah Williams and Mornington Peninsula Shire land care facilitator Jacqui Salter. Ucan2 supports young, newly arrived refugees and migrants. Ali escaped persecution and arrived in Australia in 2015. He saw the trip to the peninsula as “our best excursion ever … I felt like we were a family going on a trip to nature – all the…
FOR more than 60 years the peninsula group of the Uncle Bobs Club has raised money for the Royal Children’s Hospital. The group’s main event has been the 29 kilometre Good Friday wheelbarrow push from Sorrento to Safety Beach. This year a highlight was the presentation of a plaque to club stalwart Clem Kleinig who, at 84, participated in his 50th consecutive year on the barrow. This achievement was featured in a recent edition of the Uncle Bobs Club magazine. In 1956 Clem Kleinig moved from South Australia to Crib Point after marrying local girl, Val Lake whose mother was…
AN off-duty paramedic who stopped to pick up takeaway after finishing her shift was allegedly slashed across the chest with a box cutter in a random attack at Rosebud, Friday night 13 July. Detective Senior Sergeant Alan Paxton, of Mornington Peninsula CIU, said the woman, 46, was “putting the kids in the car” outside a shop in Point Nepean Road, Rosebud, when a man allegedly rode up on a bicycle, grabbed her from behind and assaulted her, 6.30pm. He then rode away. “It all happened very quickly,” Detective Paxton said. The woman was taken to Frankston Hospital where she received…
MORE than $1.5 million will be spent over the next five months on making Main Street, Mornington, safer. The state government’s safer cyclists and pedestrians fund is paying for the program which follows 29 accidents in the area between 2012 and 2016 – with 11 involving pedestrians and four involving cyclists. Ten of the crashes were regarded as serious. The Mornington activity centre and foreshore area is a hub for business, retail, tourism and education. Mornington Peninsula Shire says that along with VicRoads it will aim to improve the area to “help pedestrians move around safely and address the crash…
By Barry Morris CHILDREN are concerned about climate change and the impact it will have on their lives, says author, illustrator and artist Terry Denton. Denton, a celebrity in the world of children’s literature, lives in Mornington and has a block of land at Mt Martha backing on to Balcombe Estuary reserves. He spends much his time on talking tours and listening to children in Australia and New Zealand. The curly mop-haired artist, who works in tandem with author Andy Griffiths on the treehouse series of books as well as writing his own books, has agreed to be patron of…
SCAMMERS falsely claiming to be NBN Co representatives have been asking for personal information and financial details under the pretence of switching internet services to the national broadband network. NBN Co says scammers have been taking advantage of customers, including retirement village residents. “It is important to be aware that NBN Co will never make unsolicited calls or door knock to sell broadband services,” NBN Co chief security officer Darren Kane said. “NBN Co may make calls to individuals registered on our medical alarm or fire and lift registers but will never request payment or bank account details during these…
A DOCTOR could be forgiven for prescribing patients a dose of jazz music to help them get back in the swing and beat the winter blues. During a consultation, she could break into scat singing to show them how to breathe properly or check their vocal cords, not to be confused with chords. Or she could sing a gentle bossa nova to transport them from chilly Victoria to a sun-drenched beach in Latin America. “It will never happen,” laughs Dr Lizzy Gascoigne, a popular doctor at Mt Martha Village Medical Centre, who’s also an accomplished jazz singer. In the surgery,…
POLICE are advising mainly elderly residents that they should be wary of mobile phone apps claiming to be “duress alarms” which charge them money to call 000 on their behalf. They say some “duress alarm” apps claim to link clients to a 24/7 call centre with a “live” connection to police and emergency services. However, no app has a direct – or “live” – connection to Victoria Police or emergency services, police say. The monitoring of duress alarms requires a security licence, the use of a certified monitoring centre and the approval of Victoria Police. “In an emergency always call…
POLICE are looking for a man who allegedly took a bottle of scotch off the shelf at a Hastings liquor store and hid it under his jumper. Police said the man walked into the drive-through bottle shop in Frankston-Flinders Road, 7.50pm, Tuesday 19 June, and spoke with security staff. After talking further with staff he left the store without paying for the bottle. The man is described as being Caucasian, average build, pot belly, with light-coloured curly hair. He was wearing a black, grey and white striped hoody. Sergeant Cameron Scott, of police media, urges anyone who recognises the man…
NEARLY $4 million is being spent on making Hastings commercial centre “a more vibrant, attractive and usable space for pedestrians and traders”. The project include streetscape works along High Street between Queen Street and Marine Parade, five laneway upgrades, as well replacing a toilet and constructing a car park in King Street. The state government is providing $1.9 million through its growing suburbs fund and $1.9 million is coming from Mornington Peninsula Shire. The mayor Cr Bryan Payne said the project was the most significant infrastructure investment in Hastings over the past 10 years. “This is a major revitalisation of…
THE Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society is bringing its digital images of the universe to the walls of the historic Coolart Homestead, Somers. The display of members’ photos will feature a selection of all aspects of astrophotography including wide field shots of the Milky Way, eclipses, comets, views of the sun through solar filters, shots of the moon and planets, nebulae and galaxies seen through telescopes and auroras. Also on display will be various items of astronomical paraphernalia. Science in the Park will be held on Sunday 12 August as part of Science Week and astronomical society members will be on…
The annual rose pruning event is the most important event on the Mornington Botanical Rose Gardens calendar. Not only is it necessary for the on-going care of the rose bushes, it is a social event for the many volunteers who give their time and energy to the garden. This year the event is planned for Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th July from 8.30am to 4.30pm each day. The Victorian Rose Society supports this event and provides FREE rose pruning demonstrations for the public. These will be scheduled for 11am and 2pm Saturday and 11am on Sunday. The demonstrations proved to…
A TRUCK driver was lucky to escape injury when his tipper rolled down a slope and into a Mornington house, Thursday 5 July. Sergeant David Collins, of Somerville Highway Patrol, said the 47-year-old driver of Cranbourne, was loading a skip bin in Flame Tree Grove when the front wheels lifted and the truck slid forward, crashing into the front of the two-storey house and causing extensive damage, 1pm. The shocked owner was reportedly home at the time. No one was injured in the incident. A heavy haulage tow truck was called in to pull the truck free. A Mornington Peninsula…