LINEMEN are scrambling to replace up to 30 kilometres of faulty power lines on the Mornington Peninsula amid fears they could cause bushfires. This follows claims that sparks from faulty lines have this year caused three or four fires in Main Ridge and Red Hill. Nepean MP Martin Dixon fears the power lines will not be replaced before they cause more fires. “Stringing it out is not good enough,” he said. “Under the current plan they will not be replaced for years.” The official fire ban season started yesterday, Monday, and it is understood United Energy’s power line replacement plan…
Author: Stephen Taylor
MORNINGTON racehorse Claro El Banco is living up to his name for nine owners whose relatively small outlay in buying him could result in a big payday in January. Spanish for “Clear the Bank”, the name sums up the fortunes of the two year old which is part-owned by Roy and Liz Farrell, of Dromana, track ambulance driver Peter Seaman, of Somerville, Bobby Nissen, of Mornington, and six others whose involvement has added colour to the gelding’s rags to riches story. Bought for $80,000 at the Magic Millions 2015 Gold Coast yearling sale in January by trainer Jason Petch, Claro…
THE lost campaign to continue commercial fish netting in Port Phillip has had a devastating impact on established participants. One Rye fisherman of long standing was too upset to talk last week with his livelihood – and way of life – coming to an end. Seafood Industry Victoria CEO Johnathon Davey said many bay fishermen, after fighting the impending ban for five or even 10 years, had “developed mental health issues which have not been thought through” by decision-makers. The Fisheries Amendment Bill 2015 passed in state parliament last week specifies that net fishing will be phased out by 2022,…
A LANGWARRIN man and his teenage son pulled four people to safety in surging seas off Frankston, Wednesday afternoon, but could not find a fifth man whose body was spotted later by ambulance helicopter. Peter Edwards and son Trent, 17, were sitting on the sand after kayaking near the pier when a young man of Pacific Islander appearance ran over for help. “He said someone was drowning,” Mr Edwards said. “It’s all a bit vague now but I remember dragging our kayaks under the pier and seeing four heads bobbing about in the water and we got out there…
ROTTEN egg gas – or sulphur dioxide – is described as being the by-product of an “environmental tragedy” occurring along Western Port beaches, especially at Balnarring and Somers’. Merricks Creek and Estuary Working Group members have discussed solutions to the stink and agreed to the estuary being temporarily closed. The group was formed to provide community input into an independent study to investigate whether there is a practicable option to controlling the pong. Melbourne Water’s Georgina Downey has told the group that the objective is to find a permanent solution to the problem. “While the construction of a sand groyne…
HASTINGS’ Jessica Martini is Miss Australia International 2016. The finals of the competition which recognises gifted women from across the continent were held in Sydney earlier this month. Ms Martini is now setting her sights on the international stage of the quest, to be held in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, in July. “I will compete against women from all over the world for the title of Miss International,” the 27-year-old said last week. “Unlike pageants that focus mainly on beauty, this contest emphasises the talents, accomplishments, personalities, and societal contributions of its participants. “Contestants are committed to a worthwhile cause…
A MOBILE phone app providing information about recycling has been nominated for a smart technology award. The Sustain Me app, developed by Mornington Peninsula residents Eleanor Meyer and Stephen Halpin, was put up for a Banksia award on Sunday. They hope that every item that can be disposed of is eventually categorised and listed in the Sustain Me application, with instructions on how to discard it. The app can help local councils reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. Mornington Peninsula Shire is one of four councils partnering the initiative and tailoring its information to residents. It contributed $5000…
A COMMON fish tank water quality test kit is tackling stormwater pollution at Mornington beach. The innovative test has been recognised at this year’s Stormwater Victoria Awards. Staff from the Environment Protection Authority worked with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Melbourne Water and Melbourne University’s Centre for Aquatic Pollution Investigation and Management on the project to improve water quality there. The EPA’s recreational water quality program co-ordinator Darren Cottam said the test was part of the project Hitting the Hot Spots, which he described as a strategic approach to point source pollution management on the peninsula. It received two high commendations…
RESIDENTS of Davies Rd, Bittern, are fed up with speeding motorists putting their families at risk – and want the top brass at HMAS Cerberus to rein them in. Neighbours on 0.8 hectare properties abutting the narrow bitumen strip – which links the base’s main entrance to Coolart and Frankston-Flinders roads – say the 90kph limit is “way too fast”, and want it reduced to 70kph. The one-lane-each-way road has no footpaths or shoulders, allowing little space for residents, especially children, to walk. They say lower speed limits are in force on roads capable of faster driving, and that it…
JACK Russell-cross Barney is still right at home with his master, Alex Downs, even though they are living in aged care. And that companionship is doing both of them the world of good. They live at Peninsula Grange Aged Care, Mornington, with Barney’s upkeep paid for by a Pets in Aged Care grant from Animal Welfare League Australia. The money goes towards behaviour training for one-eyed Barney – the only resident-owned pet – who needs to be taught to eat on his own, rather than accompanying Mr Downs to the dining area. “He’s a quirky little fellow loved by all…
A VILLAGE Glen resident farewelled at Rosebud Funerals recently was the 13th Victorian police woman and one of the first five to be permitted to take part in police mobile patrols. Joyce McCallum, 97, who died at Rosebud West last month, was born on 12 February 1918. She left a lasting legacy – one that’s influencing police women today. Mrs McCallum – nee Johnson – joined the force in 1946 at a time when policing was a man’s job and women were allocated administrative and driver duties, keeping them out of harm’s way. “She was proud of her time there…
A CARAVAN parked on the Rosebud foreshore and later found to be stolen was a holding pen for property stolen from residential and holiday homes from Carrum Downs to Rosebud. Inside the caravan and in a stolen Ford Econovan police found an Aladdin’s Cave of missing items valued at thousands of dollars. The light-fingered “owner” of the vehicles, of Frankston North, was last week charged with 13 counts of burglary, theft, car and caravan stealing, and obtaining property by deception. He was remanded at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Friday 23 October to reappear at a date to be fixed. Detective…
CUTS to funding by the federal government have encouraged Mornington Community Information and Support Centre to “get creative”. “We were challenged to find another source of income to support our most vulnerable residents,” manager Lisa Elliott said. “The funding cuts have come at a time when many people are suffering even more financially due to the high costs of living.” So, the centre, based in Main St at the corner of Elizabeth St, is opening its own op-shop at 1/10 Main St on Friday 13 November. Beach End Op-shop is a women’s boutique style second hand shop which will stock…
A WOMAN reportedly received two broken legs when she stepped in front of a passing car in Racecourse Rd, between Wensleydale Dr and Serenity Way, Mornington, 10.30am, Tuesday. She had been waiting for a bus. The 25-year-old was described as “conscious and breathing with non-life threatening injuries” by Mornington police who comforted her as she lay on the road after the accident. Sergeant Dennis Ramsay said the driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene and no charges were laid. Paramedics assessed the woman for spinal and leg injuries before the air ambulance took her to The Alfred hospital from…
GUNNAMATTA Surf Life Saving Club members celebrate 50 years of “saving lives and serving the community” this summer. The long stretch of beach they patrol at the southern end of Truemans Rd, Rosebud, faces Bass Strait between Portsea and Cape Schanck. Before the club was established in 1966 many battles were fought between the former Shire of Flinders and the community about whether this area of the coast should even be open to the public as it was regarded as too dangerous for swimming. There were calls for the council to “close 30 kilometres of coast to avoid drownings” –…
THE Crichton family reunion being held at Boneo Cricket Ground, Sunday 1 November, will bring together the six children of pioneer landowner David Maynard Crichton who moved to the area after World War I. And, with them, will come dozens of their children, their sons and daughters, aunts and uncles and other relatives and family friends of a man who carved out a big slice of life for himself on the southern peninsula. Mr Crichton was known and active in community affairs as a shire councillor, shire president and foundation president of the Rosebud RSL. As a soldier he served…
THE razing of popular Sorrento restaurant and function venue The Baths has devastated wedding couples. But steps have been taken to minimise their loss with a list of alternative peninsula venues posted on social media. “The Melbourne wedding industry prides itself on being incredibly supportive in times of need, so if there is anything we can do to assist brides and grooms at this time, please do not hesitate to contact us,” the post by owner-managers James and Helene Gibson says. That positivity helped them relocate the three weddings booked for last weekend to the Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club,…
CRIME investigators have been hampered in their gathering of evidence by the lack of CCTV cameras in Main St, Mornington. The absence of publicly-owned cameras operating in the street was only revealed last week during investigations into two vicious assaults against teenagers waiting for buses. Although installed and on public display, the cameras have gradually fallen into disrepair. Almost exactly a year ago an 18-year-old girl managed to avoid being abducted from a bus stop in the same Barkly St bus stop by slumping on the ground. Her abductor was unable to drag the plucky girl into a white van…
ONLINE shaming of shoplifters is the way to go for small retailers upset by frequent stock losses. That’s the message gleaned by Zen Living proprietor Annie Zaicz who, fed up with almost-weekly shoplifts, installed CCTV cameras in her Main St, Mornington, store and watched and waited for results. They were not long in coming: a woman in her mid-30s pushing a child in a pram was filmed rummaging among the stock and stuffing a $200 dress and a $199 handbag inside the pram’s luggage rack. A furious Ms Zaicz was determined to track the culprit down. She posted the footage…
ROSEBUD audiologist Fallon Arnold is about to head off on a two-week volunteer placement for All Ears Cambodia, based in the capital, Phnom Penh. The organisation offers a range of hearing health services to those afflicted with hearing loss or ear-health problems, such as infections. “It has been something I have always wanted to do,” Ms Arnold said. She received input from an audiologist working in Queensland “who was fortunate enough to do several placements there”. “We have a fantastic health care system in Australia and I wanted to give back to a country where access to vital hearing health…
THREE teenagers were treated for stab wounds and a woman knocked unconscious early Sunday morning during a confrontation over a noisy party in Cool Store Rd, Hastings. The woman was treated at the scene by ambulance officers while a 19-year-old man from Bittern and two 16 and 17 year old youths from Hastings took themselves to Frankston hospital. Police have been told that up to 20 people gathered in nearby Gold Court late Saturday night as a resident was seeing his wife off to her night shift job. He told them off about loud noise from the party, saying his…
UP to 16 trucks were brought in to fight a grass fire last week at BlueScope Steel’s recreation reserve in Denham Rd, Tyabb. The fire started at 6.30am on Tuesday and burnt out five hectares before being stopped after an hour about 300 metres from the BlueScope steelworks. The fire was fanned by a strong northerly wind on an unusually hot October day which saw fires burn out of control across the state. Mornington Fire Brigade officer-in-charge Arthur Haynes said 27 District Eight appliances initially responded to the fire call in the hot and sticky conditions. “We turned them back…
TWO Mornington bodybuilders will take part in the Natural Olympia competition in Las Vegas next month. Ultimate Fitness owner Nicky Jacobson, who is team coach of the Ultimate Angel Warriors bodybuilding and fitness model team, along with colleague Alicia Jukes, have qualified to represent Australia in the Natural Olympia in Las Vegas, in November. Club member Andrew Barnes said this was the biggest natural bodybuilding competition on the 2015 world calendar. Jacobson has made a big impact in her eight-year bodybuilding career. As the Victorian Over 40 fitness champion she qualified for last week’s Australian titles in Canberra, where, she…
ROSEBUD myotherapist and Pilates teacher Claire Stidston could be forgiven for not knowing what to do when she discovered a swarm of bees had attached itself to her car. Unsure who to call or how to remove the swarm without harming herself – or her little hitchhikers – Ms Stidston drove home to Main Ridge with 50 bees in hot pursuit. “I felt terrible but I couldn’t think what to do about them,” she said. “Long story short, overnight, they were run over and the whole hive got killed. “Bees are so important to us and I don’t think enough…
AT last, the building phase of the avenue of honour rotunda in Mornington has been completed. Heritage Support Committee chair of Mornington RSL Colin Fisher said landscaping would be carried out “in coming days” in preparation for next month’s dedication of the avenue. Bronze plaques giving information about avenues of honour, and particularly Mornington and district’s, will be installed. “This project has been driven by Mornington RSL as a joint RSL, Mornington Peninsula Shire and Rotary project,” Mr Fisher said. “It was financed by contributions from the Briars Ward councillors’ discretionary spending allowances, Rotary, and from money raised by the…
THREE Mornington Secondary College students have been assaulted at bus stops near the corner of Barkly and Main streets, Mornington. Police are investigating the two unprovoked attacks last Tuesday afternoon and the school has warned students to be careful. The vicious attacks have revealed gaping holes in the town’s security surveillance system. CCTV cameras in Main St have been turned off for the past six months due to lack of funding. New cameras are set to be in action along with safety lights in laneways by the end of the month. The first attack happened about 4pm when one of…
“BOATERS, please heed safety warnings.” That’s the plea from the woman who helped rescue a near-drowned man in Western Port Bay. “And especially make sure you are wearing life jackets.” Lyda Ryal, of Officer, was asleep in a cabin cruiser in Western Port Bay, Saturday night 26 September, when her friend, Howard Fisher, heard cries for help in the dark. Rushing on deck they peered into the black waters and, after several frantic minutes, saw two men – exhausted by their predicament – slowly drifting past them with the falling tide. After a desperate struggle to haul in the anchor,…
LETTERS will be sent to Frankston residents to reiterate monkey bikes are banned from public roads and parks in the wake of the Carrum Downs fatality in which mother-of-two Andrea Lehane was killed. The letter will outline the fatal collision on Wednesday 23 September and warn of serious consequences for those caught riding monkey bikes on public roads or footpaths. Penalties to be imposed on riders – including the possibility of their bikes being confiscated and crushed for scrap metal – will be listed in the correspondence from council. Ms Lehane was severely injured while walking on a pedestrian crossing…
CONCERNS over a proposed private helipad near the back beach at Sorrento have generated a huge online backlash. By Wednesday 165 objections had been posted against proposals for a helipad in Ivanhoe St, citing loss of character, safety and amenity, as well as fire and chemical spillage risks. Objectors claim the helipad would breach Mornington Peninsula Planning Scheme Clause 52.15-2 which relates to the helicopter’s landing distance from neighbouring properties. Mornington Peninsula Shire manager statutory planning Niall Sheehy on Wednesday said no permit application for a helipad had been received. The owner of the block at 31 Ivanhoe St, Simon…
WHAT’S claimed to be a Victorian record blue fin tuna was caught just outside the Heads by a Mornington angler Wednesday. Abalone diver and keen fisherman Aaron Crocombe hooked his 163.65kg catch using a Pakula Mouse lure 9.30am and had it in the boat 20 minutes later. The regular big gamer – a member of Snapper Point Angling Club – was with mates on a Pro-line Charters boat out of Sorrento when the fish struck. “I knew it was a big one but it’s hard to know how big until you get it in the boat,” he said. “We put…