Month: August 2018

FLINDERS Christian College students Lucy Steer and Liv Zuidema rose to the challenge to win the National Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge, Saturday 11 August. The two-day event was run by the Australian Culinary Federation at Holmesglen Institute, Glen Waverley. The Year 12 food studies students delighted the judges with their twice cooked Asian-inspired chicken. It consisted of a poached chicken, Asian-style sauce, egg noodles, ginger carrot puree, crispy chicken skin, stir fried pak choy, pickled pak choy, turned mushrooms and  kafir lime dust. Teams came from Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales. First published in the Western Port News…

PORTS Minister Luke Donnellan has given the strongest indication yet that the state government is likely to approve AGL’s plan for a floating gas terminal at Crib Point. “I support the proposal to bring gas in through the port of Hastings,” Mr Donnellan told state parliament on Wednesday 8 August. Mr Donnellan said AGL’s proposal to import gas would “shake out the marketplace in Victoria”. “As people know, there have been incredible increases in prices for gas across the board in this state, so we are very supportive of the AGL proposal. We are also very supportive of the employment…

DIVISION TWO RED HILL have battled through rain, hail, and shine to claim an emphatic win over Karingal in a difficult qualifying final. Both sides travelled to Somerville Recreation Reserve coming off wins in the last round of the home and away season, and a win would book either side a spot in the semi final against Dromana. Both sides endured a difficult start as strong winds made it difficult to hit the scoreboard. The first quarter saw just two goals scored, one for each side, as both team struggled to adapt to the conditions. Red Hill were the better…

DIVISION ONE EDITHVALE ASPENDALE will be forced to play in an elimination final this weekend, after their loss to Sorrento in the final round of the season saw them drop down to fourth place. Both sides traded blows in a tight first half, with just four points separating the two sides at the main break. Things remained close in the third term, and with scores level going into the final quarter the game looked set to go down to the wire. In tough conditions, the Sharks kicked ahead and held on to claim a hard fought victory at Regents Park,…

SOCCER JUST before 5pm on Saturday 8 September Gus Macleod will walk off the pitch for the last time as head coach of Langwarrin. That moment will mark the end of a journey that started in pre-season training for the 1999 season and took 20 years to complete. In all Macleod will have been at the helm for 447 league games, a feat that seems destined to stand the test of time. He’s won multiple promotions and league championships with Langwarrin, Dockerty Cups with Fawkner and Green Gully and a State League Cup and Division One title with Springvale City.…

PETER Hollowood Martial Arts, in Mornington, had an astounding 21 athletes represent Victoria at the Australian National Karate Championships over the weekend of Friday 3 August. The representatives had trained all year for the national championships in Caloundra, QLD and their hard-work was duly repaid with five of them claiming individual gold medals in Kumite, a form of point sparring. On top of their individual performances, the Mornington dojo athletes claimed a further five team gold medals and a silver team medal across the competition. Sensei Peter Hollowood, who is also a state coach, said the “fantastic results” came as…

PENINSULA Boxer Jason Whateley is set to make his professional debut, after racking up 98 amateur fights, on Friday 7 September at the Melbourne Pavilion. Having most recently claimed a silver medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April, his coach Marcos Amado, believes Whateley is more than ready to take the next step. “He’s reached the highest possible level in the amateur ranks and he’s now ready to do the same in the pros,” he said. “The longer amount of rounds will make a massive difference for him.” It’s been a long wait for Whateley to find an…

THERE was hardly a spare seat in the house as renowned adolescent and child psychologist, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg came to St Macartan’s Primary School to talk on the art of parenting. One of Australia’s highest profile experts in the field, he is the author of 12 books, sits on the board of the Family Peace Foundation and the National Centre Against Bullying. He is a contributor to numerous print publications, and is a regular on television and radio where he is often consulted about parenting and the raising of children. The initiative, organised by the school’s parents association, was open…

OBITUARY Nick Columb, 1946-2018 Journalist, racehorse owner, football club president By Peter McCullough SPORTING identity Nick Columb died on Friday 10 August while holidaying in Spain. He was 72. For many Mornington residents he will be remembered as the former owner of Morning Star Farm (originally ‘Sunnyside’) just off Nepean Highway between Mornington and Mt Eliza. Built for the Gillett family in 1867, the property lay vacant for some years after the departure of the Franciscans who had converted it into a “training farm for boys”. On 4 November, 1986 The Age reported the change of ownership: “Nick Columb, 41,…

MORNINGTON racecourse is about to get a $2.75 million all weather synthetic training track. The synthetic track, to be completed by September, will replace the existing 12-year-old sand track and allow training all year on a more consistent training surface. The existing track base and drainage will support the new synthetic track, which will be the same dimensions as the old sand track – 1730 metres in length and eight metres wide. The club estimates it will save $15,000 a year on water. The Melbourne Racing Club holds 18 race meetings and 40 jump outs each year at Mornington, with…

FOR the past two years team members at Fusion Mornington Peninsula has dreamed of a social enterprise thrift shop and cafe to assist their work among young people on the Mornington Peninsula. The Christian youth and community organisation, based in the former army barracks at Mt Martha, has been providing housing, youth programs and community support since the 1960s. Programs seek to connect young people aged 15-21 to networks in the community and engage them with a wider sense of belonging and achievement. By providing early interventions to youths within its program, it seeks to address the many issues that…

CFA high-angle rescue specialists joined police and SES crews to rescue a woman who had slipped down the cliff at The Pillars, Mt Martha, last week. Police were called to the incident by the brother of the Mornington woman who reported her missing at the site, 9.30pm, Tuesday 14 August. Sergeant Dennis Ramsay, of Mornington police, said officers rushed to the scene and spotted the woman’s car parked on the Esplanade. They were forced to slide half-way down the rocky cliff face to find the woman, 37, before “making her safe and secure”. CFA crews from Mt Martha CFA were…

TICKETS and invitations for council officers and councillors to attend sporting events are a “perfect example” of the type of “gift” that can benefit Mornington Peninsula Shire, according to the mayor Cr Bryan Payne. “It’s amazing who you meet in these super boxes,” he said. Cr Payne said sporting events “in particular … break down all barriers” and help forge beneficial networks”. He had no problems with the shire’s CEO Carl Cowie accepting two $300 tickets from recruitment firm McArthur to a corporate box at an AFL game in May. The shire’s gifts, benefits and hospitality register shows Mr Cowie…

EIGHT years after the need for a skatepark was “identified” at Mt Martha, residents are again being asked to suggest a site. Mornington Peninsula Shire in 2012 announced plans to spend $850,000 on a skatepark on the parade ground at the corner of Kilburn Grove and the Esplanade, next to Mt Martha Tennis Club. That decision came four years after the need for a skatepark at Mt Martha was identified in the shire’s Skate and BMX Strategy 2008. But the club proved the shire was skating on thin ice when it finally admitted the land earmarked for the skatepark was…

THE Grand Hotel, Mornington, has joined hundreds of hotels, clubs and restaurants across Australia in backing the Parma for a Farmer campaign. The campaign aims to help drought-stricken farmers by putting $1 from every parma sold towards buying a bale of hay to feed hungry sheep and cattle. Grand Hotel manager Cameron Price said the campaign would run throughout August. “It’s going really well as we hope to raise $4000,” he said. Those wanting to donate online can visit the Buy a Bale website. Daniel Failla First published in the Mornington News – 21 August 2018

A FOOTBALL match between Frankston and Hastings was played at Hastings on Saturday. Frankston, as is usual when they have to travel, could only muster a very poor team and were defeated easily, the final scores being Hastings 12 goals 20 bhds, Frankston 4 bhds. Mr Sposito umpired impartially. At half time the Hastings ladies provided a splendid afternoon tea which was greatly appreciated. Today Frankston will try conclusions with a team from the Langwarrin camp, at Frankston. MESSRS Brody and Mason will conduct a clearing sale of household furnishings at “Elmavere”, Melbourne Road Frankston on Saturday next, August 31,…

SKILLFULLY depicting a full-throttle mash-up of extreme physical risk-taking, graceful movement and slow-mo fight sequences, Cockfight is a darkly humorous and surprisingly tender piece of dance theatre by newly formed Gold Coast/Berlin company The Farm that sees long-time creative collaborators Joshua Thomson and Gavin Webber reassess who is in charge. A cross between The Office and a cage fight, Cockfight is a game of comical one-upmanship that builds to moments of emotive impact, where generational truths are exposed and unpacked. A flash of bared teeth, territorial pissing contests, the desperation of needing to prove yourself versus the need to hold…

KITTY Wood almost didn’t make it home to Somers last week after a large pine tree came crashing down just metres from her car’s front bumper. The alert woman, in her 80s, thanks her lucky stars that she saw the mature tree moving ominously in strong winds in Coolart Road, south of Hodgins Road, and braked hard while watching it fall heavily across the road. “It was beginning to come down when I saw it,” Ms Wood said, recounting the shock she felt when it landed a mere car’s length in front of her – and possible injury or worse.…

OUR Lady of Fatima pupils Lily, Ruby and Lara might be young, but they’re already winning plaudits for their artwork. The youngsters’ works were highly commended in a Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery art competition for primary and secondary pupils based on the theme of sport. Visual art teacher Amanda Heggen said the school was “delighted and excited” with the pupils’ success in being awarded Packing Room prizes by the organising committee. Their work will be displayed at Antipodes Bookshop, Sorrento, until Sunday 26 August. They will receive their certificates at an award ceremony at the gallery, Monday 24 September. Winners…

BLAIRGOWRIE Community Garden Group members are excited at being given the opportunity to develop an extensive vegetable garden at Stringer Road Reserve. The group – aligned with the Sorrento Community Centre – was last week granted a five-year lease on a section of the reserve by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. The group had been in discussions with the shire over the past year to secure the site, in Melbourne Road. The council believes the area is underutilised and development of a community garden, on two unused tennis courts, will improve the area’s amenity, as well as offer recreational benefits to…

A FORMER policeman was last week presented with the Victoria Police Star at the Police Academy. The award recognises police killed or seriously injured in the line of duty. Senior Constable Peter Steele, of Rye, was on patrol with Sergeant Brian Stooke in Centre-Dandenong Road, Cheltenham, when they were shot by notorious gunman Pavel “Mad Max” Marinof, 12.15am, 9 June 1985. Stooke was hit four times, with the bullets severing his spinal cord and leaving him a paraplegic; Steele was hit in the shoulder with the bullet passing through his armpit. The shot caused him to drop his gun and…

PROVIDING crisis accommodation to young people unable to live at home in Rosebud and Frankston has been identified as a priority by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. A campaign launched last week calls on the state government to provide two new crisis accommodation homes on the southern peninsula. The shire recently brought together industry experts in its campaign to advocate for safer access to emergency housing “where it’s needed most”. The resulting Youth2 campaign, in which the shire works with young people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness, has come about through a partnership with community organisations and service providers across…

MUSICIANS are playing for a cause this Saturday at Rye’s Baha restaurant, raising money for families struggling on the earthquake-hit Indonesian island of Lombok. More than 430 people died in the 6.9-magnitude earthquake on 5 August. It followed one week after another earthquake left 17 dead on the island. While thousands of tourists were able to leave Lombok more than 350,000 residents remain displaced. The economic cost has been estimated at $342 million, with thousands of buildings collapsed and infrastructure badly damaged. The Live for Lombok event at Baha has been organised by expatriate Indonesians and other members of the…

OPEN Gardens Victoria will launch its spring season at Rick Eckersley’s Musk Cottage garden at Flinders. “The four-hectare property has been a pet project of Rick Eckersley and the Eckersley Garden Architecture design team for the past 10 years,” the head of Open Gardens Victoria Liz Fazio said. “The result is a garden that ignores the latest fashion trends, is tough and sustainable and feels uniquely Australian.” Musk Cottage will be open over the weekend 1 and 2 September. “It may be one of the last opportunities to see the garden as there are plans to sell the property,” Ms…

MELBOURNE’S rapid population growth and the popularity of the Mornington Peninsula as its “playground” is putting obvious and unwelcome pressure on its road network – particularly the southern peninsula freeway which daily struggles to cope with traffic. A report to last week’s Mornington Peninsula Shire Council meeting on alternative traffic plans – Southern Peninsula Freeway Reserve, sought leave to investigate other transport options and manage ways of implementing them. The shire’s traffic and road safety strategist Doug Bradbrook said the investigation to ease congestion on the southern peninsula “ranks as one of the most important transport challenges the … shire…

AUSTRAL is a name synonymous with presenting musical theatre in Rosebud. Now in its 35th year, the production company is bringing a classic favourite to the stage. Oliver, directed by Emma Webster and starring a cast of amateur talent from near and far, is a story of musical delight for young and old. Ms Webster, a regular at many theatre companies doing choreography and theatrical makeup, has long dreamed of directing a musical and has loved her directorial debut with Astral. “I’ve been involved in a lot of shows over the years, and this is by far my favourite to…

A LEARNING partnership between schools, parents, Rotary and a Hastings book store has benefitted pupils at three Western Port primary schools. The children, at St Mary’s, Hastings and Wallaroo primary schools, are learning to read more quickly – and having fun at the same time. The foundation of the program is a Get Ready for School pack which aims to support children and their families when starting school. Natalie Petersen, owner of Petersen’s Book Store in Hastings and a member of the Linking Schools and Early Years network (LSEY), came up with the idea of the pack and got together…

A SOMERVILLE woman, 34, was taken to Frankston Hospital for psychiatric assessment after the house she lived in with her 12-year-old son caught fire yesterday, Monday 13 August. The Deanswood Drive house was “partially alight” when police and Somerville CFA units arrived at 9am, Sergeant John Coburn, of Somerville CIU, said. The boy was also taken to hospital as a precaution but did not appear injured. No charges have been laid and an arson chemist has been called in to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire. First published in the Western Port News – 14 August 2018

MEMBERS of the community group fighting plans for a floating gas terminal at Crib Point on Sunday joined forces with international environment group 4Ocean to clean up the Hastings foreshore. Rob Knowles of the Save Westernport NO AGL group said that in doing so its members “showed that they not only say what they think they act what they think”. The group will take its concerns to the state government on Friday when it delivers a petition calling on Planning Minister Richard Wynne to block AGL’s gas import plan. AGL is yet to lodge its submission with Mr Wynne who…

A DECISION by the Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League to play its finals on Saturdays is forcing some players to choose between playing basketball or football. Clubs in the MPJFL usually play on Sundays, allowing many team members to play other sports on a Saturday without fear of a scheduling conflict. “Many children play basketball on a Saturday, so now we’re in a position where the finals fixtures clash with us because they’re played on a Saturday too,” Mornington District Basketball Association general manager Samantha Browne said. “When the children signed up to play football they were of the understanding…