Month: June 2019

Police are investigating a fatal two car collision in Flinders this afternoon. It is believed the vehicles collided on Boneo Road near Mornington-Flinders Road just before 4.30pm. The male driver and only occupant of one vehicle has died at the scene. The male and female in the other vehicle are being treated for minor injuries. The exact cause of the collision is being investigated. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Victoria Police News – Wednesday, 26 June 2019

Stephen Taylor and Keith Platt AN uneasy truce has been declared over the issues of planning and operating permits for businesses within the Tyabb Airfield precinct. Talks last week between Mornington Peninsula Shire and Peninsula Aero Club resulted in both sides agreeing to co-operate on “a reasonable set of working arrangements to be included in the airfield master plan by the end of September”. The shire will contact businesses outlining how they obtain the necessary operating permits. Details about the lack of permits are contained in a report compiled by a Queen’s Counsel appointed by the shire in May. The…

THE Bridge Bosses of Balnarring Primary School were judged the best model bridge builders in a competition at BlueScope Western Port’s Hastings plant. Their bridge took the weight of 60 tins of tuna weighing 7.5kg. About 60 students in 16 teams took part in the Rotary Club of Somerville Tyabb Inter Schools Activity Challenge, Wednesday 19 June. Their task was to build a weight-bearing bridge spanning 720mm using only a pack of playing cards, icy pole sticks, twine, thumbtacks, and sticky tape. The time limit was one hour. Teams were evaluated on their bridges’ ability to sustain increasingly heavy loads…

SOCCER SKYE United hammered Whitehorse United 5-0 away from home last weekend and leapfrogged its opponent into second spot in State 3 South-East. Skye midfielder Mark O’Connor was suspended and recent recruit Alex Rojas made his first start for the club. Skye’s bench was boosted by the returns of Jack Gallagher from overseas and Maxim Avram from injury. The visitors controlled the opening exchanges but chances went begging for Mitch Blake and Daniel Attard. This nearly proved costly but Skye had Jonathan Crook to thank as he kept the hosts at bay for the remainder of the half and on…

DIVISION TWO CHELSEA have claimed a nail biting victory over Somerville at Chelsea Reserve, coming from behind to nab a five point win. Somerville started off on the right foot, and looked comfortably the better side at the half time break. Somerville led by 15 going into the third term. In the third quarter Chelsea chipped the lead back, and only trailed by five heading into the final term. Somerville couldn’t stop their wave of momentum, and eventually the Seagulls escaped with a thrilling victory. Somerville kicked just one goal in a wasteful second half. The final score read Chelsea…

DIVISION ONE POWERHOUSE clubs Sorrento and Frankston YCW faced off in an epic clash on Saturday, with the Sharks just getting over the line for the win. Sorrento made the most of their opportunities in front of goal early on, and led by four points at quarter time. Despite being behind, the Stonecats had nearly double the amount of scoring opportunities. The Stonecats performed a little better in the second term, and by half time had wrestled back the lead. Both sides traded blows in a tight and tense affair. YCW had plenty of chances to get away to a…

THERE was a splendid attendance at the Mechanics’ Institute, on Tuesday night when members and supporters of the Frankston Football Club assembled to discuss the position in relation to the regretable motor car accident whereby several Frankston players were more or less injured. The proceedings were animated and there appeared to be a general desire to adopt the best means of affording relief to the incapacitated. Mr E. J. Parker (president of the club) presided, and he struck the right note when he opened proceedings by calling for cheers in connection with the signing of Peace. All present responded lustily…

By Barry Morris CATHOLIC parishes should make halls and other buildings available to people who are sleeping rough, a homelessness forum has suggested. The call to open up church properties is one of a series of proposals put to the forum, organised by Catholic Social Services Victoria, in Melbourne on 8 June (“Catholics call for homeless help” The News 4/6/19). More than 50 delegates from Melbourne parishes, including the Mornington Peninsula, attended the forum to discuss problems surrounding homelessness. The suggested strategy started with personal action and covered initiatives that parishes, schools, the archdiocese and governments should set in place.…

AGE is just a number to Elaine Burge who wouldn’t miss her twice weekly table tennis sessions despite tuning 90 last week. The Somerville resident has been a keen member of the Mornington Table Tennis over 40s group for the past 20 years. “Table tennis is a wonderful social activity and I’ve made lots of friends here,” she said. “We have coffee and a chat and can relax and have fun.” Ms Burgess, who fought against breast cancer in 1989, said one of the benefits of the one-on-one sport was “breaking the ice” in social situations. “It’s easy to talk…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council says it will continue to press the state government for the extra $5 million needed to install a roundabout at the dangerous Forest Drive and Nepean Highway intersection. The need for road safety improvements at the Mt Martha intersection has long been a priority of the council. Infrastructure strategy and climate change manager Davey Smith said that part of the council’s Towards Zero road safety commitment was “to actively advocate to the state government to improve safety at high risk intersections that are the responsibility of VicRoads”. He said the federal government allocated $5 million on…

ON 30 June light from the Cape Schanck lighthouse will have been shining into Bass Strait for 160 years. Now automated and using LED globes from the Sealight company in Somerville, lighthouse keepers and their families once carefully maintained the light. Burning oil lanterns produced the original light with hand wound clockwork providing the movement. This was followed by kerosene mantle burners and then electricity, with an array of globes and electric motors to turn the lens. Janice Haynes, who will be running activities to mark the lighthouse’s 160 years, says records show it has never failed to provide “that…

WINNERS and losers in Mornington Peninsula Shire’s 2019/20 budget include $25 million towards the Rosebud Aquatic centre and beach box owners being hit with increased annual fees. The state government has set a 2.5 per cent cap on rate rises, although the shire has changed its rating strategy – and raise more money – to “focus on green wedge protection” and increased the waste collection costs. The mayor Cr David Gill said the budget was “balanced and community friendly”. Money too for boat ramps had been left out of the budget in anticipation of them being taken over in spring…

A MAN refuelled a green Holden ute at a service station on Baxter-Tooradin Road, Baxter, and left without paying, Saturday 8 June. Police said the ute’s registration plates – BAM684 – had been stolen from Dromana on 25 May. Anyone with information is urged to call Hastings police 5970 7800 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or make a report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 25 June 2019

TOOLS and equipment were stolen from the Western Port Men’s Shed sometime over the weekend, 15-16 June. The haul included a MIG welder, biscuit joiners, drills, and a laptop computer. Shed president Colin Prowd was at a local hardware store valuing the stolen items for insurance purposes on Wednesday. He said the offenders used a grinder to cut bolts off a door, and cut locks off a shipping container. It’s not the first time the shed in Frankston-Flinders Road has been robbed: In a previous hit thieves took out screws and then levered up galvanised iron to get inside. Detectives…

HASTINGS police have thanked the public for help in identifying a man and a woman shown on CCTV allegedly stealing plants from an early learning centre at Crib Point, Saturday 11 May. Soon after the vision appeared on The News’ social media viewers called in to give their names. Senior Constable Lauren Coster said a man, 21, and woman, 31, of Hastings, had been charged with theft. They have been bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court in December. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 25 June 2019

SOMERVILLE Highway Patrol members say they are doing their bit to “relieve traffic congestion and improve road safety on Frankston and Mornington Peninsula roads”. “One by one we are steadily removing cars driven by hoons and unauthorised drivers,” Senior Constable Greg Wolfe said. These included a Ford ute being driven by an unlicensed 57-year-old Rosebud man, 6am, Thursday 13 June. The ute – owned by the man’s partner – was impounded. Senior Constable Wolfe said the driver had not held a licence since losing it for drink driving in 1992. He had been caught driving without a licence “on a…

THE COMPLEXITIES of parent-child relationships, family conflicts and rising living costs are some of the hidden factors behind elder abuse being uncovered by Peninsula Community Legal Centre. “Without adequate education of what constitutes this form of abuse, the perpetrator may be unaware their actions are abusive,” the centre’s legal services director Kate Ross said. PCLC says that Senior Rights Victoria’s help line data for the past two years points to the fact that 90 per cent of alleged perpetrators of elder abuse were related to the older person; often an adult son or daughter, or estranged ex-partner. “Part of the…

ROSEBUD Primary students and residents of Rosebud Retirement Village both get a lot of enjoyment out of the school’s interactive programs. The year 4 students, some of whom may not have grandparents, and the elderly residents, just enjoy getting to know each other as well as reading together and playing games. Village manager Debra Riedel said many friendships had been established. “The visits enhance the lives of the residents and give something special back to the children,” she said. “Long may they continue.” First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 25 June 2019

FLOODED footpaths and overflowing gutters after heavy rains like we had last week in Point Nepean Road, Rosebud, are bad for business. Traders on the usually busy strip have been hit hard – prompting them to urge Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to fix the drains so that the excess water can escape. Jetty Pizza and Baro Mediterranean Restaurant proprietors Amer and Bahaa Jamal Eddine have circulated a petition calling on the council to ensure a quick fix – especially at the intersection of Jetty Road and Point Nepean Road. “We business owners are urging the council to fix this drainage…

A COMMUNITY meeting at Sorrento this weekend will try to find out what’s happening at the scaffold surrounded Continental Hotel. Nepean Conservation Group president Dr Ursula de Jong will give a brief history of the hotel before discussion centres on the stalled renovations, looks at the current works progress and queries the 1875 building’s future. The venue is the Sorrento Community Centre, 11.30am-1pm, Sunday 30 June. Speakers will include Mornington Peninsula shire planning director David Bergin, the hotel’s developer Julian Gerner, Nepean MP Chris Brayne and a representative from the National Trust. There will be opportunity for questions and answers…

“STREAMLINED” planning controls look set to be adopted to create a “marine industry precinct” between Hastings and Somerville. The proposed 50-hectare site is on Bungower Road West, about four kilometres inland from the privately-owned Yaringa Boat Harbour. The marine industry is seen as a key economic growth area for the Mornington Peninsula, having over the past 10 years increased its output from 3 per cent to 13 per cent of the peninsula’s total manufacturing production. There are existing plans to extend Yaringa and Mornington-based Hart Marine is moving to the harbour’s existing marine services area (“Shipbuilder setting sail for Yaringa”…

DAY trippers using nets and buckets are reportedly over-fishing moulting spider crabs in the shallows at Blairgowrie. So many of the large crabs – particularly vulnerable when shedding their old shells – are being taken that some locals fear their numbers are bound to plummet. The plunder echoes that of pipis at Venus Bay, where day trippers flout the one-bucket-a-family rule as they scour the sand at low tide for the shellfish – alarming locals and environmentalists. Up to 100,000 spider crabs make their annual migration into Port Phillip on the first full moon of winter (Monday 17 June this…

FIRE has destroyed a section of the Hillview Stadium at Rosebud Secondary College, Eastbourne Road, Rosebud. Six CFA crews fought the blaze which gutted the stadium’s office area, 12.30pm, Thursday 20 June. The basketball courts were unharmed. Rosebud CFA station officer Paula Treacy said the cause of the blaze was “still under investigation”. She said the remainder of the Colorbond steel building was “still standing and looked to be repairable”. The CFA crews contained the fire – which is opposite the Rosebud CFA – in about 15 minutes. Fire investigators and police attended. Pictures: Yanni

THE final figures from last month’s federal election confirm what was known early on voting night: Flinders was easily retained by the Liberal Party’s candidate, Greg Hunt. The poll results officially declared last week showed Mr Hunt’s hold on the seat loosened by 1.37 per cent, but he remains well ahead of his nearest rival, Labor’s Josh Sinclair. After the allocation of preferences Mr Hunt received 53,943 votes, or 55.64 per cent (previously 57.01 per cent) compared to Mr Sinclair’s 43,009 votes (44.36%). On these figures, the Labor vote was 1.37 per cent higher than in the 2016 election. Mr…

SOCCER FRANKSTON Pines recorded its biggest win of the season when it gave Middle Park a 6-1 hiding at Monterey Reserve on Friday night. Pines had just three players over the age of 21 in the starting line-up but got off to a flyer in this State 3 South contest. Not even a minute had been played when Travis Ernsdoerfer surged clear and hammered a low shot past Middle Park keeper Fadi Qunqar. In the fourth minute teenager Meron Negassi was brought down inside the box and Ernsdoerfer converted from the spot after initially striking a post. Eight minutes into…

DIVISION TWO CHELSEA have put themselves in the box seat for a finals spot this season, after they scored an important win over Seaford away from home. Both sides have enjoyed similar fortunes for the year and came into the contest with six wins to their name. With just four points separating third place from seventh place, every win is becoming crucial for sides battling for a finals spot. Chelsea ensured they would get the win with a stunning first term. They booted eight goals to Seaford’s one, putting the contest almost beyond doubt right from the get go. At…

DIVISION ONE PINES have put Sorrento through another day of misery at Frankston Park, taking all four points in a rematch of last year’s grand final. Both teams played off in one of the most thrilling grand finals in history last year, with Pines eventually claiming the win with a point after the siren. This is the first time the two sides have met since that day. Early on it looked as if things would end up close again, with the lead changing hands at each break of play. Neither side led by more than a kick at any break.…

THE return journey from Dromana on Saturday last was fraught with disaster for members of the Frankston football team. Then about half a mile on the Dromana side of Balcombe’s Creek, the first car, driven by Mr. J. McEntee, of Seaford, was overtaken by Mr. M. Goulding’s’ car. At this spot the road takes a distinct turn, but Goulding evidently overlooked this fact, with the result that in trying to pass McEntee the cars collided. McEntee kept wonderful control of his car, and successfully brought it to a standstill in the drain, but with a suddenness that precipitated the occupants…

THE heady days of the TV show Hey Hey It’s Saturday last week had a revival of sorts, and a round of applause, in Mornington. While it may not have been the entire program, one of the most bizarre and irreverent segments of the acclaimed show was performed before an appreciative live audience. Plucka Duck made a surprise entrance and took centre stage as Chris Pyke pedalled the wheels of a bike in time with 24 spinning Plucka Duck dolls. The mini show marked the handing over to Mr Pyke on Thursday (13 June) of an exercise bike, complete with…

MORNINGTON became the music capital of Melbourne over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. The Mornington Winter Music Festival started on the Friday night (7 June) with musicians playing at nine venues, starting at 10am in the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery. When the “Dissonant Rhythms” of Ross Manning ended at 5pm, the show moved on to wine bars, pubs and restaurants. The gallery again started the show on Saturday, which had a much bigger line up musicians playing to audiences in a longer list of venues (as well as on Main Street). this time including wineries and the Mornington Yacht Club…