A MAN alleged to have fleeced more than a dozen small business owners from Mt Eliza to Rosebud over the past six months was arrested by Rosebud police last week. The 49-year-old, from the Latrobe Valley, appeared at Frankston Magistrates’ Court last week and was further remanded to Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court next month. He faces multiple charges of deception, theft, breach of an intervention order, reckless conduct endangering injury and unlawful assault, with some of the charges arising from incidents unrelated to the alleged cons. Leading Senior Constable Ian Huxtable, of Rosebud Police, said up to 13 traders had…
Author: MP News Group
Trevor Douglas Martyn General Division OAM A PORTSEA resident who spent 50 years in the trucking industry has been awarded a medal in the general division OAM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Trevor Douglas Martyn said he was “amazed and proud to be considered” for the award for service to the road transport industry and to the community. “Trevor has made an enormous and selfless contribution to the Australian transport industry over a highly-decorated career spanning more than 50 years,” Victorian Transport Association CEO Peter Anderson said. “He served on the executive council of the VTA 1998-2005, including four years…
ELDER abuse was the theme of a stall at Rosebud Plaza last week by members of Peninsula Advisory Committee for Elders (PACE). The group spoke to shoppers and handed out ribbons and literature on elder abuse, which included advice of who to contact for assistance if they become a victim, or know anyone who is a victim. The visit coincided with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Friday 15 June. Organiser Jeanette Lane said elder abuse “can take many forms”. “Often more than one type of abuse can be used,” she said. Emotional (or psychological) abuse can include neglect, such as…
A DROMANA family which moved into the area more than 100 years ago has been remembered by having a bridge over Dunns Creek named after it. Littlejohn Bridge on Point Nepean Road is named after William Littlejohn who arrived in 1917 with his family of nine children and settled on land along Dunns Creek. In 1927 Mr Littlejohn successfully tendered to build a reinforced concrete bridge to replace an old timber bridge at the entrance to his property. “The Littlejohn family has, over many years, made a significant contribution to the Dromana district and wider peninsula community,” the mayor Cr…
WESTERNPORT Angling Club members are calling on public support to save their club building and public toilets from the bulldozer. Signatures are being collected on a petition to be presented to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council says there is no reason for the club to be on the foreshore. The shire’s latest plan for the Hastings boat ramp and parking area shows road and landscaping works in the site now occupied by the club’s building. Club members say no other building in Hastings would meet the criteria for weighing and cleaning fish, boat trailer parking, fishing competition presentations, use of the…
ROSEBUD Boomerang Bags landed their “first strike” at the Rosebud Plaza, Saturday 2 June, with more than 200 bags distributed and $372 in donations received. “We had to be quick on our feet in that fast paced environment where few shoppers had time for a chat – unlike the markets and fairs we’ve been to so far,” organiser Gwen Giudici said. “But our passionate team converted people, changed over plastic bags for cloth and opened their eyes in regards to our global plastic problem. “We also met fellow state and interstate Boomers and made new connections for future collaborations.” Ms…
RED Hill artist and gallery owner Michael Leeworthy’s latest mural – and probably the one most special to him – will be officially launched on Friday. Painted on a wall behind the Red Hill Trading Company, at the entrance to the Merricks-Red Hill shared trails, it features many favourite elements of his long-time home territory. Some “very talented” students from Dromana Secondary College helped paint the 20 metre long mural over three weeks. Its nine panels highlight the area’s Aboriginal heritage, indigenous fauna and flora, early settlers, rail line, food and farm gates, walkers, and bike and horse riders that…
A cyclist has died following a collision with a garbage truck in Moorooduc, Monday 11 June. It’s believed the cyclist and the truck were involved in a collision on Moorooduc Highway near Bungower Road about 10.40am. The male cyclist, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene. The male truck driver stopped at the scene and is assisting police with enquiries. Anyone who witnessed the collision is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au Source: Victoria Police News, Monday, 11 June 2018
IT’S easy to understand why the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen and Garden Foundation asked to hold one of its professional development days at Osborne Primary School, Mt Martha. The school has hosted the program for the past 10 years with coordinators Cate Hamill and Liz Hubbert putting in long hours to ensure the kitchen and garden program runs smoothly. The activities provide children in grades 3 and 4 with the opportunity to delve into the wonders of the garden and collaboratively cook delicious meals in the kitchen once a fortnight. “Children speak highly of the program and always spend kitchen garden…
WHEN Somers local Linda Wilson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer six years ago, she made a decision to live life to the fullest. She has been able to do just that while staying in her local community, thanks to the oncology team at Frankston Hospital. “The five-year survival rate for people with pancreatic cancer is 7%,” explains the 61-year-old mother of three. “Being a nurse and knowing what pancreatic cancer is like I decided from the day I was diagnosed that I wasn’t going to waste a minute of it being miserable.” “I was told my cancer was incurable so…
WILLUM Warrain Aboriginal Association held its second Mornington Peninsula Reconciliation Walk on Sunday – Mabo Day 3 June – with the theme: “Don’t keep history a mystery”. A crowd of about 750, including members of the Aboriginal community, friends and supporters of Willum Warrain, and the broader peninsula community, strolled from Pelican Park along the Hastings foreshore to the Aboriginal Gathering Place at 10 Pound Road. On arrival there was an acknowledgement of country and introduction by board members Jeanette Kaindel and Debbie Clifford. This was followed by speeches from the mayor Cr Bryan Payne and Willum Warrain president Peter…
PAST Peninsula Surfriders Club champions Calum Nicholson and Mikey Barber set the performance bars high at the Peninsula Surfriders second aggregate competition on Saturday 26 May. A breaching Southern Wright whale signified the start of the competition which returned to Gunnamatta’s first carpark, as Cal Nicolson took a narrow lead over his competitors early in the senior men’s division. His competitors weren’t able to reel him in, but the back-to-back heats took their toll on Nicholson in the Open final as he settled for fourth. An energised Mikey Barber took out first place, while Sean McDevitt and Lachy McDonald filled…
THIS weekend will see the sixth year of the Mornington Winter Music Festival, held both in venues and outdoors along sections of Main Street. Treat yourself to some of the ticketed or free awesome events from Friday 8th to Monday 10th June. Main Street Mornington is renowned for it’s great choice of dinning venues and during the festival, National and local bands will descend on Mornington to deliver superb entertainment which goes hand in hand with delicious food and wine! With 15 venues and over 35 acts there is something for everyone, and that doesn’t include the weekend lineup of…
EIGHT fire trucks and 20 firefighters fought a fire at a house under construction in Mt Martha, 1.30pm, Thursday 31 May. The two- storey timber house in Park Road was well alight when crews from Mt Martha, Mornington, Dromana, Moorooduc and Bayswater brigades arrived. It took firefighters half an hour to bring the fire under control but some remained on the scene until about 6pm to ensure spot fires did not flare up again. Mornington Senior Station Officer Simon Mildren said the fire extended from ground level up into the roof. He said the cause was being investigated. First published…
MORNINGTON Peninsula fungi-foragers are being advised to watch out for poisonous mushrooms springing up after recent rains. Lisa Gray, of Somerville, said she found “loads” of deadly death cap mushrooms in her backyard last week – not long after her pet dog died of a heart attack. “It may be related,” she said on social media. Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Charles Guest said foragers risked picking up poisonous varieties which may appear similar to edible varieties. The warning comes as winter rains encourage the growth of fungi in the still-warm earth. Two of the most dangerous varieties are death…
POLICE have warned residents about scammers pretending to be from a government agency, including police. They said the scammers’ aim was to scare victims into parting with their money or personal information, threatening them with fines, taking them to court – even deportation. Those contacted unexpectedly and threatened by someone who says they’re from a government agency or trusted business, should always consider the possibility that it may be a scam – then stop and check if it’s for real, the police said. For more tips and information about these scams, where to get help or to report a scam,…
THE Hastings-based Dolphin Research Institute has a grand plan to improve and maintain the health of Port Phillip and Western Port bays. This week the DRI launches its “i sea, i care communities” project which, according to the institute’s executive director Jeff Weir “invites the five million of us living around the bays to commit to simple actions that will help to protect our marine treasures”. “If we can get only a fraction of us always picking up after our dog, reducing what we allow to drip, drop or blow into streets which is then flushed into the bay, then…
A FORUM held at Rosebud last week to discuss traffic noise and its effect on residents living near the Mornington Peninsula Freeway “went very well”. Organiser Wayne Ashley said there was a “full house” at the Rosebud Country Club, Wednesday 30 May. “We had a very good question time and a lot of ideas and issues to pursue,” Mr Ashley said. “Letters have been sent to the state health minister identifying the ongoing health issues emanating from increased traffic, pollution and noise causing health issues, anxiety, depression and dementia.” Mr Ashley said residents of Dromana, Rosebud, McCrae and Safety Beach…
Frankston & Mornington Peninsula Divisional Response Unit officers, assisted by the Critical Incident Response Team and Clandestine Laboratory Squad arrested three men and allegedly located drugs, weapons and a firearm yesterday (Tues 29 May). The three men were arrested in a Rosebud car park, on Point Nepean Road about 10.15am. Shortly afterwards a search warrant was executed at the Dromana home of one of the men. During the search of the house police allegedly located quantities of ice, cocaine and prescription medications, a loaded shotgun, ammunition, daggers, machetes and a taser. A 45-year-old Dromana man has been remanded to appear…
A CAR was set alight in Flinders and destroyed, Saturday night 26 May. Detective Senior Sergeant Alan Paxton, of Mornington Peninsula CIU, said the 2004 Mercedes coupe was driven into a barrier near the car park at the southern end of King Street, 10.50pm. A man was seen lighting the fire using some sort of accelerant and then calmly walking away. The car was totally destroyed. No description of the man is available and it had not been established yesterday (Monday 28 May) if the car was stolen as the owners are believed to be away. Anyone with information is…
A GIRL’S 18th birthday party at Hastings Community Hall, Saturday night 26 May, was ruined by a wild brawl among guests. Police used capsicum spray to disperse the brawlers after a fight broke out in the toilets and spread into the main hall where 150 guests were assembled. It then spilled outside, 10.30pm. Detective Senior Sergeant Alan Paxton, of Mornington Peninsula CIU, said the front door and some windows in the hall, in High Street, were damaged in the brawl involving “numerous youths” swinging punches and wrestling on the floor. Later reports said police car windows were smashed and the…
BASKETBALL DIVISION One was full of nail-biters in week nine of the Big V, with every game from the Bayside clubs resulting in one-point victories. Chelsea Gulls notched up two of those wins as they clutched one-point victories over Geelong Supercats (88-87) and Whittlesea Pacers (96-97). The Gulls survived an overtime scare at home to pip the Supercats, with Corey Standerfer’s (15pts, 11rbs, 11ast) free throw proving pivotal in the side’s success. Matt Brasser (22pts) and Mitch Riggs (22pts) also delivered for the Gulls, while the visitors managed 16 points out of Lewis Varley. The Gulls backed it up on…
THE Queen’s Birthday weekend will see the sixth year of the Mornington Winter Music Festival, held both in venues and outdoors along sections of Main Street. Treat yourself to some of the ticketed or free awesome events from Friday 8th to Monday 10th June. Main Street Mornington is renowned for it’s great choice of dinning venues and during the festival, National and local bands will descend on Mornington to deliver superb entertainment which goes hand in hand with delicious food and wine! Saturday June 9th, Main Street will come alive with 6 FREE street Music Zones from DOC Mornington up…
A SURVEY of baby snapper in Port Phillip has recorded the highest count in 26 years, surpassing previous peaks in 2001 and 2004. Victorian Fisheries Authority boss Travis Dowling said the baby snapper boom would herald an “unprecedented influx” of small snapper in 2022 and bigger snapper – over 40cm – in 2025. “Our fisheries scientists have never seen baby snapper numbers as good as this in all the years they have been conducting the surveys,” Mr Dowling said. “Port Phillip is the most important spawning area for snapper in central and western Victoria so this is very good news…
A BAG of jewellery found at the bus stop outside Balcombe Grammar, Mt Martha, in February, has Rosebud police baffled. The jewellery includes rings, a watch, a pair of earrings and a gold coloured wedding band inscribed with a message of love, a name and date. No one has come forward to claim it. Property officer Tony Paterson said the items may have been inadvertently left behind at the bus stop by an elderly person, or may have been stolen in small lots and dropped there by mistake. He said anyone who had lost jewellery or had some stolen around…
OPERATION Nemesis, run by Somerville Highway Patrol members at various Mornington Peninsula hot spots on Friday and Saturday nights, uses several patrol cars to detect drug-affected drivers. Police focus on specific locations and times which they believe provides the best chance of success. On the weekend of 18-21 May police breath tested 61drivers and found one driver over the limit and one who refused to be breath-tested. Of the 22 drivers given preliminary oral fluid tests for drugs, nine were positive and one refused to be tested. Three drivers were found to be unlicensed, suspended or disqualified from driving and…
MT MARTHA artist Eric Shepherd has been commissioned to do a painting of a WWI battlefield for an “exhibition of premium art by the best Victorian artists”. His oil on canvas work Battle of the Somme will feature in the Holt Armistice 100 year art exhibition at Narre Warren Mechanics Institute Hall in October. The exhibition will be attended by ambassadors or representatives of the embassies of the countries involved in the conflict. Afterwards the artists’ works will travel around the major cities in Australia. Mr Shepherd, 83, said he put a lot of effort into researching details behind his…
A SECTION of Defence Road in Point Nepean National Park will be closed for the next nine weeks. Parks Victoria says the roadworks are part of the state government’s $3.7 million “commitment towards activating the Point Nepean master plan”. However, the announcement by Parks Victoria has not gone unnoticed by Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Hugh Fraser who says the money being used to pay for the road is not “new money”. “The $3.7 million announced by the minister at the quarantine station Point Nepean on 21 January this year with a great fanfare as if it were new state government…
THE $1.5 million 270 metre long Dorothy Houghton Walk was officially opened earlier this month. The path, above, was paid for by Mornington Peninsula Shire and provides access between Camerons Bight Beach and Sullivan Bay. In 1980, as Flinders shire president, Dorothy Houghton was instrumental in the state government buying land along the Sorrento foreshore, including Sullivan Bay, the Eastern and Western Sisters and part of Camerons Bight. “Mrs Houghton worked hard to protect public land along the Sorrento foreshore,” Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Bryan Payne said. “This [path] is a welcoming tribute to her legacy and will be…
A NEW solar and battery system at Sorrento Community Centre will lower electricity bills, act as a renewable energy education centre for visitors and redirect power back to the grid during days of peak demand. The system, supplied through the Community Grid Project and the state government’s New Energy Jobs Fund, features 7kW solar panels on the roof coupled with a 6kW Fronius solar inverter and 14kWhr Tesla Powerwall 2 battery. The project is the result of a partnership between United Energy, Mornington Peninsula Shire and GreenSync to will deliver a safe and reliable power supply to the southern peninsula…