THE new emergency department at the revamped Frankston hospital will be three times the size of the old one with three new wards. It was of special interest to Health Minister David Davis who last week inspected the four-storey hospital redevelopment due to be completed next year. The $80.9 million works are said to be ‘’on time and on budget’’. Standing on top of the building Mr Davis said: “The Frankston Hospital Emergency Department is one of the busiest in the state with close to 60,000 attendees each year, and this expansion will help meet that demand.” The department will…
Day: May 26, 2014
WINNING the Best Picnic Racing Club in Victoria award for the third year in a row – and the fifth in six years – proves Balnarring is doing something right. Club president Peter Spyker accepted the accolade at the annual Picnic Racing Awards at Amstel Golf Club, Cranbourne, on May 17. He praised the ‘’hard work by the committee and generous support from members, sponsors, owners, trainers and jockeys who race at Balnarring and the public who attend our meetings’’- and singled out the Weymouth family for their involvement. He also acknowledged support from Country Racing Victoria. Club secretary Neil Heathcote…
THE thrust of Plan Melbourne – released last week by the state government – is to coordinate population and housing growth with employment and transport planning on a state-wide basis. And the strategy is ‘’very positive’’ for the Mornington Peninsula, according to mayor Antonella Celi. Its local focus is on commitment to a permanent urban growth boundary, development of the Port of Hastings, support for protection of high-quality agricultural land and ensuring the environmental qualities of Western Port and Port Phillip are protected. “Our residents love the Peninsula as it is, they support appropriate development and new opportunities, particularly for…
A COUNCILLOR walkout forced the abandonment of the Special Purposes Committee meeting held on 19 May when two confidential items came up for debate. Veteran council watchers could not recall any previous councillor walkout at Mornington Peninsula Shire. It was a dramatic and pivotal moment in shire events. The meeting had reached agenda item 3, “Confidential Items”. The minutes record that “Cr Fraser and Cr Rodgers left the meeting before consideration of this item and did not return”. Hugh Fraser and Tim Rodgers represent Nepean ward. The meeting was then adjourned at 5.50pm. The minutes state that “Cr. Colomb left…
IMAGES of musician Paul Kelly will help make the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery an even more interesting place to visit until 20 July. An exhibition of portraits of the songster will take over the gallery walls and intrigue fans and art lovers alike. Paul Kelly and the Portraits National Portrait Gallery Touring exhibition showcases his performance persona and the more elusive aspects of his character. The exhibition presents a multifaceted portrait of the artist over his career. Known as ‘the people’s poet’, Kelly’s portraits are by artists and leading music photographers. Kelly’s ‘bread and butter’ is performing publicly. His songs…
COMMENT CR Frank Martin has quit his Red Hill ward at a most interesting moment in Mornington Peninsula Shire history. He has been a crucial vote at a time when important matters have been, and are being, decided. Mr Martin, an affable and personable man who had skill and experience to offer his ratepayers, has resigned because of illness. It opens up possibilities, after the byelection the vacancy triggers, for substantial changes in the way the shire goes about its business. First, continuance of the long dominance of the David Gibb-Anne Shaw councillor group of six is teetering. Mr Martin…
A FRANKSTON South retiree has been left homeless and heartbroken after being swindled out of her life savings in a sophisticated online love scam. Carole Ross, 64, lost more than $200,000, including all of her superannuation savings, after being duped by a “love interest” she met through an online dating website. “This has destroyed me,” Ms Ross said. “I’m emotionally distraught and financially ruined; I’ve lost my home, all my retirement savings, and my car is about to be repossessed. My life is ruined.” While well aware of the dangers of online dating and romance scams, Ms Ross never thought…
NEPEAN INTERLEAGUE By Toe Punt DESPITE an under strength Nepean League team going into battle at Rosebud’s Olympic Park on Saturday, it proved far too strong for Central Murray FL on Saturday. Nepean League dominated in the opening and last quarters to run out comfortable 16.12.108 to 9.15.69 winners. Central Murray FL got with two goals on a couple of occasions late in the second quarter and got within five points in the third, but they were no match for the locals when the game was there to be won. It was no surprise that Nepean league won the match,…
PENINSULA INTERLEAGUE By Toe Punt PENINSULA league coach Stevey Ryan believes that unless the league’s governing body, PCN Sports Alliance, gets behind representative football, the competition will go backwards. Ryan made the claim in the wake of the Peninsula League’s 85-point belting at the hands of Geelong Football League at Simmons Stadium on Saturday. Whilst the 21 players who represented the league did their very best, they were no match for the Geelong FL, who dominated from start to finish to win 18.18.126 to 6.5.41. Peninsula League was held scoreless in the final quarter and booted just two goals in…