Month: October 2018

BUSHFIRES classed as “catastrophic in consequence and of extreme risk” are “almost certain” at some stage on the Mornington Peninsula – possibly this summer. Areas threatened by this nightmare scenario described in a fire management plan adopted by Mornington Peninsula Shire are the Arthurs Seat lookout and maze, parts of Blairgowrie near Pt Nepean Road and along the Stony Point and Frankston-Flinders roads to Stony Point. Other areas “almost certain” to burn with “major” consequences are the Joseph Harris Scout Camp in Hearn Road, Mt Martha, the high voltage transmission lines at Dromana and the Arthurs Seat communications towers. The…

Flinders MP and Health Minister Greg Hunt has reiterated the federal government’s position that asylum seekers on Nauru are “free to leave and return home if they so choose”. “If they choose to stay, Australia provides significant welfare support to refugee families. This support includes funding for upgrades at the Republic of Nauru hospital, worth approximately $36 million.” Mr Hunt’s comments were in response to a call from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) for the government to act “on their duty of care and immediately transfer all refugee and asylum seeker children and their families from Nauru to…

Eleven projects from Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula are among 237 Pick My Project ideas sharing $30 million of taxpayers’ money. Ranging from charity works to recreational pursuits, the successful projects were chosen on the number of online votes they attracted. The amount of money available to particular communities was based on an equal split between “regional partnership areas” in metro and regional Victoria and then on population numbers within those areas. The peninsula had the second highest number of successful projects (eight) in the Southern Metro area but attracted the most money. Improved lighting at Alexandra Park, Mornington attracted…

A MAN died when his car hit a tree leaving White Hill Road, Red Hill, on the weekend. The incident occurred about 150 metres from Arthurs Seat Road, 10.50pm, Saturday 29 September. The driver, a 20-year-old Mornington man, died at the scene. He appears to have been the sole occupant of the car. CFA, police and ambulance crews attended. Senior Constable Stuart Anderson, of Somerville Highway Patrol, said White Hill Road was closed between Arthurs Seat Road and Sheehans Road for several hours after the crash and again on Sunday, to allow police to take photographs and measure skid marks…

THE running of the inaugural Hastings Gift with $8000 for the winners of the 120-metre men’s and women’s events will be the highlight of a sporting extravaganza to be held at the Thomas Barclay oval, Hastings, on Saturday 17 November. The main events are sponsored by AGL and other races in the 14-event program include the John Coleman Mile (1600m) Hastings open handicap at $1500 and several races offering $1000 in prize money: the Tucketts Tyrepower 120m Hastings masters handicap; Hastings 120m backmarkers invitational/mixed handicap; Hastings 300m open handicap; Malvolio 300m Hastings masters/women’s handicap; Hastings 800m open handicap, and Hastings…

TASTY eucalyptus leaves, lots of naps, cuddles from mum – welcome to the world of Banjo, the first koala joey born at Moonlit Sanctuary, Pearcedale. Banjo arrived after months of suspense for sanctuary staff. Now, energised by his mother’s nourishing pap, Banjo is ready to ride on her back and see the world through the leaves of the gum trees. In his first days, Banjo spent a long time in his mother’s pouch attached to her teat. As he grew bigger he would appear from time to time, occasionally poking out a leg, then an arm, or his head. Some…

The gas import terminal proposed at Crib Point is part of power company AGL’s $2 billion “electricity generation projects aimed at modernising and improving energy supply”. AGL chairman Graeme Hunt last Wednesday (26 September) named Crib Point as being one of these projects, along with wind farms at Coopers Gap and Silverton, gas-fired power stations at Barker Inlet and Newcastle and a coal-fired power station at Bayswater. A protest, pictured, against the Crib Point floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) was held outside while Mr Hunt was speaking to shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting in the Melbourne Recital Centre.…

FIRE which damaged the Somerville Salvos store in Eramosa Road last week is believed to have started in bundles of donated goods piled up outside. The items were in a lane between the Salvos shop and a tobacconist. Somerville CFA members put out the blaze which was hot enough to cause two windows at the rear of the shop to blow out. The shop also suffered water damage. CFA crews worked hard to prevent the fire spreading to other shops. Police described the cause of the blaze as suspicious. Investigations are continuing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime…

DIVISION TWO Dromana THIS season’s dominant side were worthy and deserving premiers. Led by playing coach Rikki Johnston, the Tigers were the best side throughout the entirety of the home and away season, and only suffered one loss before the start of their finals campaign. They struggled at times when playing Red Hill throughout the season, but got things right against the Hillmen when it counted in the Grand Final. Even without gun forward Ethan Johnstone for a large period in the Grand Final, Dromana still found the scoreboard and had enough in them to secure the win, That grit…

SOCCER FRANKSTON Pines’ future hangs in the balance after last week’s AGM left the club without a president. “Boz” Osmancevic, interim president since August, was the only candidate for the position and after accepting the nomination he outlined how he wanted to run the club which sparked argument and the ensuing turmoil left Pines in limbo. As reported last week the only member of the “old guard” that Osmancevic wanted on his committee was Tommy Mitchell. However, long-serving administrator Steve Spencer was the only nomination for vice-president and his acceptance presented Osmancevic with a problem. It was resolved in farcical…

FRANKSTON Dolphins Football Club have announced that former senior assistant Danny Ryan will take on the role of Senior Coach for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Ryan will take over the position from Adam Skrobolak, who recently departed the club to join the coaching ranks at St Kilda full time. Ryan has an impressive resume of work under his belt, bringing coaching experience from the TAC Cup and the AFL into the role. Ryan was the senior assistant of the Dolphins in 2018, looking after the midfield group. In 2017, Ryan was the senior assistant coach at Casey Demons in…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Hockey Club’s under-16 Girls’ Green pennant team completed a near perfect season as they took out a nail-biting grand final victory over Doncaster on Friday 7 September. It wasn’t until the final five minutes that Mornington were able to break through Doncaster’s defence to score the decisive goal that secured them the victory at the Dandenong Hockey Centre. The grand final game was even throughout, but Mornington managed to hold off Doncaster until the final whistle and claimed the victory 1-0. Mornington Peninsula Hockey Club secretary Cheryle Bishop said, “It was an amazing display of courage, determination and…

MORNINGTON-based apprentice jockey, Jack Martin, has landed the biggest win of his career when claiming the Listed $100,000 Tokyo City Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Saturday 22 September. The gun apprentice continued his outstanding partnership with the Gelagotis-trained Moss ‘n’ Dale to score a convincing 1.9-length victory and bring up his fifth victory from seven rides aboard the son of Castledale. Martin, 23, said it was a massive thrill to win his first stakes race. “It’s what every jockey aims to achieve and to do that so early in my career I’m pretty proud and privileged to do so,” he…

A PROPOSAL is on foot to inaugurate a weekly picture show at Frankston. The details are being worked out by the Frankston Progress Association and Major Conder, O.C. Langwarrin camp, and the proceeds are to be equally divided between the camp and the progress association. *** MRS Reynolds has been appointed agent, for the Royal Insurance Co. for Frankston district. *** OWING to the Rev E Tonkin taking the church anniversary services at Cheltenham on. Sunday next, the Rev C. Bridgborne will conduct both services in the Frankston Methodist Church. He will also preach at Somerville in the afternoon. ***…

A 34-YEAR-OLD Somerville woman who tested positive to methamphetamines while driving her three young children to school on Tuesday morning 18 September had to leave the car and walk her children to school. Suspecting that the message “might not have sunk in”, Somerville Highway Patrol police sat off the same spot before school the next day (Wednesday) and saw someone come out of the house twice to look up and down the street. Police believe they may have been spotted because, a short time later, a taxi arrived to collect the children. To check that the Don’t-Drug-Drive message had sunk…

A LITTLE girl ran into her mother’s bedroom at their home in Seaford and told her a man was in the house who “shouldn’t be there”, 4.15am, Wednesday 26 September. The woman told police she confronted the man who turned and calmly walked off along Seaford Road. Police arrived with the Dog Squad who arrested a Mt Martha man, 46, nearby. He was allegedly found with items from the house, including a handbag and keys. He may have entered through an unlocked internal door from the garage. Detective Senior Constable Peter Morris, of Frankston CIU, said the man was facing…

By Barry Morris Illustrator and children’s author Terry Denton stepped out as the new patron of environment group BERG Mt Martha last week to teach youngsters aspects of the art of drawing. On a crisp, autumn day, in a marquee at the old campground at Balcombe Estuary, the illustrator of the Treehouse series of books had the children thinking about the estuary’s birds and animals before committing them to paper. The old master conducted two 45-minute workshops – one in the morning and one in the afternoon – for children aged seven to 14. Before and after each workshop, Denton signed…

A NEW feature at The Briars property, Mt Martha, is designed as a place “to bring our human and wild communities together in a more connected way, with a ‘hands-off approach”. Opening next month (Saturday 3 November) The Nature Nook is a place of contemplation at the intersection of two boardwalks. “We’d like to educate children and adults about how humans and wildlife mutually benefit and how we can interact,” Eve Kelly, secretary of the Australian Wildlife Protection Council, said of the Nook. The Nook is being developed with a community placement grant from the owner of The Briars, Mornington…

A DIVER surveyed and repaired the well-worn slipway at Mornington Yacht Club last week to ensure it was capable of carrying heavy yachts. A relieved Commodore Bret Levenspiel said Thursday 27 September that the diver “did a hell of a lot of work” on the ageing timbers and supports before giving the slipway the ‘all clear’. Members were told earlier this month that the slipway pilings had deteriorated due to naval shipworm and that the crossheads and rails were “compromised”. Some of the clamps were loose and that acrow props used to secure the slipway during the last slipping day…

Water birds, calm on top and paddling madly underneath, appear happy and healthy in the clear water of two small lakes at Civic Reserve, Mornington. Bobbing around in small wind-driven waves, the birds pass two fountains installed by Mornington Peninsula Shire to aerate the water. Eighteen months ago the lake presented a different picture. Hundreds of birds died in and around the lake from bacteria-produced toxins. The four aerators appear to have done the trick, with Australian Wildlife Protection Council members reporting on the hatching and survival of many birds at the lakes. On Thursday last a variety of water…

SILVIE Paladino and David Hobson are seen together when they appear on Carols by Candlelight each year but are seldom seen performing in their own show together. They will perform classical hits from musicals theatre and their stellar careers at Frankston Arts Centre on Saturday 13 October, 2pm and 7.30pm. Silvie has performed throughout Australia, Asia and London’s West End. Her first theatrical role was Eponine in the Australasian tour of Les Misérables. She was then invited to perform the same role in the London production. Her other performances include lead roles inCats, Miss Saigon, Mamma Mia!, The King &…

POISONOUS fumes from an LPG heater are being blamed for the deaths of a man and his pets asleep in a campervan at Rye last week. The man, 57, was living in the van behind a friend’s house in Sydney Street with his kelpie dog and pet bird. The friend told police he had spoken to the man about the need for proper ventilation if he was using the heater in the days leading up to his death. However, all were found dead when he checked on them, 10.30am, Monday 24 September. Leading Senior Constable Brendan Richardson, of Dromana police,…

THE bid for votes at the 24 November state election is proving fruitful for train commuters with the Labor government offering 50 more spaces at Frankston station than the Liberal opposition. In mid-September the opposition pledged to build a $30 million 450-space multi-deck car park and last week this was topped by Labor coming with a 500-space car park plan. Labor’s promise will depend on the state government regaining office and the federal Labor toppling the government now led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison. While neither the government or opposition has indicated where they plan to build the car park,…

By Barry Morris Emerging artists at Chisholm Institute, Frankston are showing off their talents and their works by mounting an exhibition at Frankston Arts Centre. The exhibition, called Drawing on Nature, features the work of eight artists who are completing their Advanced Diploma in Visual Arts – Fine Art at the institute. It includes painting, sculpture, photography and crafted work with more than 60 exhibits of eight artists on display. The students organised the exhibition themselves, with support from the arts centre. Exhibits will be on display in the Upper Curved Wall space from 11 October until 5 January. Entry…

The Labor Party has finally announced its candidate for the seat of Nepean being vacated by retiring MP, Martin Dixon. The choice of Chris Brayne, above, comes months after the Liberals’ Russell Joseph hit the campaign trail and some weeks after the Greens Paul Saunders said he too would be wooing voters in Nepean. Mr Bayne said if Labor was returned to office and also won Nepean it would ensure the seat became marginal and “have the attention of everyone including myself as the local MP, the Premier [presumably Daniel Andrews] and the government itself”. “Imagine the opportunity our electorate…

Plans for a microbrewery in green wedge-zoned land at Moorooduc include car parking for 28 vehicles, an additional dwelling as well as growing hops for the beer that would be brewed and sold on site. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s planning services committee last week deferred making a decision on a permit for the brewery despite officers recommending that a permit be refused. Council officers recommended the permit be refused but Cr David Gill said councillors decided a deferral would allow “interested parties to engage in a discussion to see if all aspects and ramifications of the permit application had been fleshed…

IT may have taken 50 years, but Rye grandmother Wendy Burgis has finally achieved her most treasured birthday wish: to jump out of a light plane. “It was great,” she said, recalling the daredevil jump onto the St Kilda foreshore recently. “I’ve wanted to do it for a long time and when my daughter Kate asked me what I wanted for my 80th birthday I told them.” Ms Burgis said her extended family watched from far below as she and a skydiving instructor leapt clear of the light plane at 15,000 feet and floated gently down. “Never could I say…

DIESEL generators have been brought onto the Mornington Peninsula to avoid power outages over summer. Outages can be expected up to five times each summer, usually when thousands of holiday-makers turn on their air-conditioners at around the same time. Network provider United Energy says the extra demand can lead to “more than double a normal day’s power use”. The 11 generators on private properties at Dromana, Boneo and Rye will back-up peninsula’s grid during peak demand. The generators will be on site for five years but are expected to be replaced with other “demand-management” options, such as batteries and solar…

HUNDREDS of police, residents and well-wishers attended the police Remembrance Day ceremony at Rosebud RSL, Eastbourne Road, Rosebud, Thursday 27 September. Leading Senior Constable Ian Huxtable, below, was among the many uniformed police at the commemoration. The event held for the Southern Metro Region Division 4 Southern Peninsula/Frankston commemorated the 2Oth anniversary of the murders of Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rod Miller in 1998. Pictures: Yanni First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 2 October 2018