Day: November 14, 2016

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors collectively spent about $480,000 on expenses over three years during part of the previous 2012-2016 council term. The figures, marked “confidential” in documents seen by The News, show the shire’s councillors are bigger spenders than their colleagues in either Frankston or Kingston. The documents, given to all councillors in March, show parking/travel as the largest expense for 11 councillors, at about $244,400. Another $27,000 was separately spent on council alcohol supplies in the previous four-year council term. Councillors in August voted to stop filling up council liquor cabinets at ratepayers’ expense. The March figures were compiled…

NAIRM Marr Djambana – Frankston Aboriginal Association, will be officially opened on Saturday 19 November, and the association are swinging open their doors to all-comers for the occasion. On the day, there will be indigenous dancing, a smoking ceremony, presentation of council members and politicians, and heaps of things for kids to do, including bouncing castles, petting zoos, bumper cars, and performances on the stage. There will be a market stall there where people can buy Christmas presents and gifts. There will be plenty of handmade gifts and indigenous artworks available for viewing and purchase. There will also be stalls…

DUNKLEY federal MP Chris Crewther has revealed he has Tourette syndrome, a neurological disorder featuring involuntary vocal and movement tics. The Liberal MP helped launch the Parliamentary Friendship Group of Tourette Syndrome in Canberra last week and said he personally had suffered from Tourettes before its diagnosis. “I have Tourette’s. This is the first time I have raised this publicly, or in any job, or beyond close friends and family,” he said in Parliament last Wednesday (9 November). “Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder. It consists of vocal and motor tics, that is, rapid, repetitive and involuntary muscle movements. “For…

CLAY target enthusiasts from all over the country converged on Frankston last weekend for the Universal Trench Commonwealth Titles, a qualification event for the 2017 Australian team selection. The prestigious event on Saturday 5-Sunday 6 November was keenly contested with about 90 competitors in 15 squads, coming hot on the heels of the 2016 team’s incredible success at the world championships in Morocco two months ago. That team – made up of shooters from all over the country, returned with world championship titles in three of the four categories – open, junior and ladies, and the Australian junior team and…

THE Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network has been given $300,000 to be spent over four years linking native habitat and controlling weeds and pest animals. The Linking the Mornington Peninsula Landscape – From Planning to Action project will involve several biolink plans which include improving waterways and wetlands. “This is a fantastic opportunity for the Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network to begin the implementation of local biolinks plans and provide a practical demonstration of community-based catchment management,” PPWCMA CEO David Buntine said on Saturday 5 November when announcing the funding at an event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Landcare at Boneo…

VICROADS has defended pedestrian lights being installed near the Tower Rd- Nepean Highway intersection at Mt Eliza rather than at Kunyung Rd, which is closer to schools, service centres, post office, milk bar and a bus stop. A summary of complaints to The News over the past six months show most claimed the lights were of little benefit to cars turning into and out of Tower Rd, while fewer pedestrians needed to cross the busy road there. In contrast, the Kunyung Rd intersection was described as a “very dangerous six-lane, 80kph crossing point on the crest of a hill”. The…

A MODEL boat valued at $4000 was among antiques stolen from a Tyabb house early on Sunday 6 November. The display boat, pictured, was among jewellery and other items also valued at “many thousands of dollars”, Mornington Peninsula CIU’s Senior Sergeant Alan Paxton said. The model is 170cm long and named Riva Aqua Marina. No one was at the Mornington-Tyabb Rd house when the thieves struck. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Mornington News – 15 November 2016

A NEW rabbit virus will be trialled next year at four sites on the Mornington Peninsula. The peninsula sites are at Balnarring, Mt Martha, and Main Ridge. The virus will also be released at Cranbourne South and on French and Phillip islands. “Rabbit populations are on the rise and a coordinated effort is needed from all levels of government working with researchers, industry and local communities to address this pest problem,” Flinders MP Greg Hunt said. “The release of the RHDV1 K5 virus in areas where rabbits wreak havoc on native flora and fauna is part of the federal government’s…

THE Mornington University of the Third Age annual concert is a time when members get into the spirit of the festive season. The program of song will range from Schubert and Bach to Andrew Lloyd-Webber, The Seekers and Christmas carols at the concert at 2pm, Thursday 24 November, at the Peninsula Community Theatre, Mornington. “Visitors will be impressed by the choir’s joyful singing and be moved by the passionate performance under the new musical director Heather Bird,” choir president Jan Hale said. They have previously performed at charities and other events under the direction of the late Warwick Taylor. “After…

SPEED limits on several Mornington Peninsula roads will be lowered to “improve safety, and make the speed zones clearer and easier to comply with”, according to VicRoads. The roads have been identified as having inconsistencies with varying speed limits, which the authority admitted “causes confusion”. The affected roads are: Mornington-Tyabb Rd, east of Peninsula Link. The 3.5km stretch of Mornington-Tyabb Rd, east of Peninsula Link, to be cut to 80kph to match the existing speed limit on either side of this stretch. VicRoads estimates the journey along Mornington-Tyabb Rd will take an extra 21 seconds. Arthurs Seat Rd, William Rd…

MORNINGTON Peninsula residents are invited to be part of the solution to violence against women by attending a range of community discussions on White Ribbon Day, Friday 25 November. Commentator and former independent MP Phil Cleary will head a 7–9pm  discussion at the Commonfolk Coffee Company, 16 Progress St, Mornington. Register at eventbrite.com.au. Cleary has been at the forefront of the campaign to stop violence against women since his sister was murdered by her ex-partner in 1987. On the night, attendees will also hear from Acting Inspector Dean Clinton on how family violence is affecting the Mornington Peninsula. The event…

PROVINCIAL MT ELIZA is in the box seat for victory after scoring 285 against Moorooduc on a difficult day to play cricket across the peninsula on Saturday. The Mounties scored at a quick rate in its 62 overs with skipper Justin Grant scoring 59, Tim Strickland 56 and keeping opener Tim Clarke getting 54. Ben Marsh was outstanding for the Ducs with 5/96 off 20 overs, giving him his biggest wicket haul for the season. Greg Pullen was also lively for the Ducs with 3/67 from 16 overs. In reply, Moorooduc is 1/32 after Brett Wilson was sent packing without…

SUB-DISTRICT MPCA star Matthew Whelan was at his very best again on Saturday, scoring 128 as Tootgarook racked up 7/307 against Carrum. The century takes Whelan to more than 200 runs for the season and maintains his status as the most dynamic and devastating player in MPCA Sub District cricket. The Frogs got away to a sensational start though, which allowed Whelan to attack the game. Travis French scored 57 and Corey DeBruyn 50 in an opening stand of 104 while Jake Millar hit 23 of the next 74 runs batting with Whelan. Cory Foster was the best of the…

DISTRICT MAIN Ridge is staring down the barrel of an outright victory against Rye after dominating the first day’s play. Rye was sent in to bat after Main Ridge scored 5/294 in the opening 60 overs of the match. In the final 20 overs of the day, Rye slumped to 7/26. There is no hope of the Demons avoiding yet another outright loss. Ed Aarons scored 84 and Gareth Wyatt 76 for the Ridge while Michael Holmes opened with a half century and Shaun Foster hit 36. Rye’s Tom Baron was the pick of the bowlers with 4/88 from 26…

TENDERS will be received up to noon on Wednesday next by Cr W. J. Oates for the lease of “Linga Longa” Tea Rooms for a period of three years. The Council are prepared to re-roof and paint the building and erect a verandah in front. The furniture and fittings of the out going tenant can be taken at a valuation. The rooms are in a good position, being just in front of the Frankston Pier, and should command a good summer trade. *** MORNINGTON Shire Council report is unavoidably held over till our next issue. *** THE many friends of…

INCREASINGLY busy roads and congested traffic are making it hard for families to get to beaches from McRae to Sorrento – let alone have a swim. The opening of Eastlink, allowing easier access to hordes of visitors, particularly during the peak summer season November-April, has swelled the number of day-trippers and road users. This, coupled with few designated road crossings, has made it “virtually impossible to cross the road safely”, mother-of-four Tiffany Wills, who regularly visits her mother-in-law at Kevin St, Tootgarook, said. “We live 50 metres walking distance from the beach. But to cross Point Nepean Rd safely with…

CAPEL Sound foreshore management has denied that inefficient maintenance practices at Tootgarook are causing unnecessary sand movement and sand stacking. Foreshore manager Caro Baring said a boat user’s claims that not enough was being done to stop sand blowing back onto the ramp after removal were incorrect. She said the maintenance program catered for about 4000 boat owners who used the ramp every year. “Our maintenance of the foreshore involves moving the sand from the boat ramp away to the east side, so it’s not that sand that ends [back] up on the ramp,” Ms Baring said. “The natural movement…

FORMER Dromana State School student and art prodigy Ewart Melbourne Brindle went on to become one of the most recognised artists and illustrators of World War II, but his early days in Dromana are not forgotten. Dromana and District Historical Society will hold a one-day exhibition next month, showcasing Brindle’s art and some of the memorabilia he took to the United States when his family moved there after World War I. The Australian-American (1904-1995) is known for his posters for war bonds, as well as wartime magazine illustrations and covers, and US postage stamps. A keen motor enthusiast, much of…