Author: Cameron McCullough

AT about 3.30 on Thursday afternoon two military De Haviland aeroplanes whilst returning to their base as Point Cook, were forced to land in Finch’s paddock, Seaford owing to one of them developing engine trouble. Aeroplanes are always a novel sight and excite the admiration of all, and there was a thrill of excitement when it was noticed that one plane’s engines had suddenly stopped, and almost immediately Verey lights were fired. These were replied to by its companion which swooped round and circled over his crippled partner and eventually made a safe landing in very wet and rough ground,…

EXCITEMENT ran high at Frankston yesterday when Cr. Oates, the retiring councillor for the Frankston Riding, was opposed by Mr. W. Crawford Young. The contest was the keenest seen in Frankston for many years. Both sides were well organised, with the result that a high percentage of ratepayers recorded their votes. Out of 793 votes on the roll 338 were accounted for. Mr. Young who was contesting the seat on the High School question, on the grounds that Cr. Oates had not taken sufficient interest in the matter, polled exceptionally well considering the strength of his opponent’s support in the…

MR W. Crawford Young, who is a candidate for the seat in the Frankston Riding of the Shire Council, in opposition to Cr. W. J. Oates, the retiring representative, addressed a large meeting of ratepayers in the Mechanics’ Hall on Friday night last. Mr. T. J.. McMurtrie presided, and seated with him on the platform were Messrs. H. Gamble, A. Bailey, F. Bartlet and L. J. Ward. Mr. Young, who was well received, explained that he was new to platform speaking. As a citizen he claimed that he had a perfect right to offer his services to the ratepayers. Perhaps…

THE ketch, Cicada, 80 tons, belonging to the Tootgarook Estate, and trading between Melbourne, Rye and Sorrento,went ashore on Wednesday night off Dromana, as the result of a strong westerly blow. The crew of three got safely ashore. The vessel is embedded in the sand, but the sea is moderating and it is believed she can be re-floated. The Cicada has a cargo of timber and general merchandise. *** EXTENSIVE alterations are in progress to Mornington racecourse. Important meetings held during the year justify any alteration by the club committee in bringing the course up to metropolitan standard. Contracts are…

IT was his love of all things Tesla that inspired Sorrento resident Ryan Cowan to begin making Tesla content for social media. Over the past year he has created videos about his own Tesla, and all aspects of owning the famed electric vehicles. His following has increased exponentially, and he has now more than 20,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel. But it was a simple 18-second video that boosted his efforts into the stratosphere. The video shows Cowan, hands on his head, walking towards a Tesla Model X and the car’s doors automatically opening. The door to the car then…

MR Barklie’s reply to statements made by me in a previous issue of your paper serves merely to emphasize and confirm those statements which he denies and otherwise to give me an opportunity to traverse his statements and to expose in degree the fallacies under which he shelters. First his opening sentences savour of misapprehension and misrepresentation for he says “Frankston has been offered a wonderful asset in the form of a High School” while in the same issue of your paper Cr Oates is reported to have stated that he with Cr Wells, Mr Utber and the Hon. A.…

ON Tuesday the Minister for Lands received the following deputation in support of the Shire Council’s proposal that the old cricket reserve, consisting of about 10 acres, be transferred to the Education Department for High School purposes: Crs Mason, Wells, May and Messrs Gamble, Ward, Crawford Young, Lind, Cunningham, McMurtrie, Bailey, Bartlett, Mesdames Rogerson and Lewis. Hon. A Downward, M.L.A., introduced the deputation. Cr. Mason said the Minister already had in hand a petition signed by 314 residents in favor of the proposal is now handed in an additional 562, making a total of 876 names in favor. He further…

FRANKSTON and district residents have risen in revolt against the action of the irresponsible person who guided by his own narrow outlook has placed in jeopardy the gaining of a High school for Frankston. Mr Joseph McComb apparently on his own initiative and in opposition to the will of 14 out of 15 members of the Shire Council succeeded in securing 276 names to a petition objecting to the old cricket reserve being transferred to the Education Department for High School purposes. This, in spite of the fact, that if the Department failed to secure the land, the High School…

AT the annual meeting of the Balnarring Progress Association, it was decided to endeavour to have a branch of the Commonwealth Bank opened in this district. The association also resolved to keep under notice of the Minister of Mines the fact that this district shows indications of the existence of good coal deposits. The Association has been approaching the Ministers for some years with the view of having a boring plant here to make tests. The officers elected are: President, Mr. Warnecke; vice-president, Mr. Broughton; treasures, Mr. Buckley; secretary, Mr. L Perrow. Mr. J. Jack addressed the Progress Association regarding…

THE Frankston Football Club has a big asset in the enthusiasm and energy of its lady supporters. About a fortnight ago the club committee invited the ladies to meet and discuss the best means for raising money for the club funds. As the outcome of that meeting a jumble fair was held on Friday and Saturday nights last in the Masonic Hall, in Young street, under the direction of Miss D. Gregory, president of the bazaar committee and Mr. J. Daly, who undertook to carry out the secretarial duties. The result was wonderfully successful, no less a sum than. £73…

THE Railway Commissioners’ Messrs Clapp, Miscamble and Shannon, paid their periodical visit of inspection to the stations on the Frankston–Stony Point and Mornington lines yesterday. They were met at Frankston by Crs Oates Mason, Wells, May, Mr J. E. Jones, shire secretary, Colonel Lazarus, shire engineer, Messrs Jas. Lambie and Young, (Progress Association.) In reply to a request that a certain area near the entrance to the sub–way should be reserved as a cab stand, Mr Clapp replied that provision had been made by the department in the direction indicated. He declined emphatically, to render financial assistance to the council…

A FINE programme is being prepared for the charity concert to be held in the large drill hall at Flinders Naval Depot on Thursday evening next 29th June, 1922. The sad ending to the career of one, who was so recently a member of the ship’s company at the Depot, has deeply touched all ranks and ratings and every efforts being made to make this concert the financial success the distressful bereavement of the widow warrants. The surrounding districts of Hastings Bittern, Balnarring and Crib Point, as well as the civil population of the Depot itself will undoubtedly rally to…

ON Saturday morning last Mr. Miscamble, one of the Railway Commissioners, accompanied by his secretary, Mr Hearle, visited Frankston. He was met at the railway station by Crs. Oates and Wells, Lieut.-Col. Lazarus (engineer), and Mr. J. E. Jones who conducted him to the site of the new subway, where over 100 residents had assembled. Cr. Wells introduced Mr. Miscamble to the gathering, and explained that the people had assembled to urge the department to continue the sub-way to connect with Cranbourne Road. Cr. Oates explained the importance of providing a sub-way for the convenience of residents on the east…

AT last week’s meeting of the Shire Council a communication was read from the Education Department relating to the land at Frankston, proposed to be used as a site for a High School. The Department stated that it had ascertained that the old cricket reserve was only a temporary reservation, and the whole of the area could be vested in the Education Department, if the council and the cricket club concurred. Cr. Mason said the eastern portion of the park could easily be cleared and made available as a cricket ground. Cr. May asked if the Department had expressed any…

JUST before entering Hastings there is a very nasty right angled bend in the main Melbourne road – the road at that spot being very little wider than a motor car. This bend was, according to Dr. Cole, (City Coroner) who conducted the inquest, responsible indirectly for the death of Albert Norman Charles Thompson, aged 34, and the injury to five sailors from the Naval Base. Evidence, given at the inquest by six different witnesses, was entirely in accord. Thomson owner and driver of a 1 ton Ford charabanc, met 10 navy men in Melbourne at 9am on Monday, and…

IT is stated that the Railway Department has revised its plans in connection with the long promised subway which was designed to connect Wells Street with Cranbourne Road. At a meeting of the Frankston Progress Association, held on Tuesday night, Mr Wells stated that the present design was merely to connect the “island” pattern with the subway, the completion of the work, linking up Cranbourne Road, to come later. Members agreed with Cr Wells that a strong protest should be made by residents against the proposal. Messrs Oliver, Lawrey, A. Bailey, Hague, Young and the president Mr J. D. Jennings,…

THE Coolart Estate is looking well under the care of the new owner, Mr Robertson. A large area is under crop, such as oats, rapeseed, and barley, all of which have made rapid headway since the rain came. Oats have been sown more extensively in this district this year, and, should the season be favorable, a good quantity of hay should be available for chaff at the end of the season. The Western Park Estate has changed hands. Mr Hope Campbell, of Melbourne having purchased it from Mr J. Buick, of Mentone. Mr Buick had reserved 200 acres of the…

THE journalistic world in general, and the Victorian Press in particular has suffered a distinct loss in the death or Milner Macmaster, who was the victim of a sad drowning accident at Wangaratta last week. News of the tragic event reached Mrs Macmaster, at Frankston, last Sunday night, and she with her daughters immediately departed for the northern town, arriving there at midday on Monday. The coronial enquiry disclosed the fact that on the day of the fatality, Mr Macmaster left his apartments to keep an appointment to dine with Mr John Bowser, M.L.A., the editor of the “Wangaratta Chronicle”.…

The ex-mayor, Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor, and now independent candidate for the seat of Flinders, Despi O’Connor, has suspended her campaign for the 21 May election. A statement, released by O’Connor today, states she has been made aware she may be in breach of section 44(iv) of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act that states: “Any person who holds any office of profit under the Crown, or any pension payable during the pleasure of the Crown out of any of the revenues of the Commonwealth shall be incapable of being chosen or of sitting as a senator or a member…

AN interesting scene is enacted about once a month in a small weatherboard room within a few yards of the south eastern home of French Island, in Westernport Bay. On what is known as “board day” at the McLeod Prison Settlement members of the Indeterminate Sentence Board, Messrs. S. Manner (chairman), W. R. Anderson, P. M., and C. A. Topp, supervise the work of the prisoners, who number between 40 and 50, and consider requests of a widely varying nature from the men, who are working out their own salvation on the island. While awaiting their interview with the board…

THE Frankston Seconds Football Club had a night out on Wednesday evening last. They organised a “surprise party” and descended on the home of Mrs C. Wood, in Bay Street with all the vigor and enthusiasm that has characterised their performances on the football field since the first day of their inception. The Frankston Seconds Club came into existence as a wee lone organisation a couple of years ago, and like most new organisations, was badly in need of friends. It has now struck more prosperous days, but it has not forgotten its old friends, and it numbers Mrs Wood…

ALL over the civilised world certain “days” are being observed as either national or world-wide occasions. The best known are such religious festivals as Christmas and Easter, observed by all Christian peoples. As religion is of prime importance in the life of man, so it is fitting that his most important holidays (or holy days) should commemorate portions of the life of Christ. Man’s first duty is to God, next he owes obedience to his nation, and it is to keep this in view that certain “national holidays” are kept. Thus we have Empire Day and King’s Birthday as representing…

FLINDERS Naval Depot was under a new command on Tuesday evening, 4th April, and it was a command which was eagerly obeyed. It was still the call of service, and in the service of charity. The response of the Depot was unanimous. With a view to helping the fund to provide a motor ambulance for the Mornington Peninsula – a worthy object originated in Bittern – Mrs. Miller, wife of Captain Miller, Officer-Commanding Flinders Naval Depot, organised a novelty night on the above date. Those attending on the night of the celebrations and looking upon the scene brilliantly set would…

THE calm serenity of Tyabb received a rude shock on Tuesday morning when it became known that Mr. W. Noble, an old and well-known resident, had met with his death in a most tragic manner. For some days a man named Livingstone had been picking fruit for Mr. Noble, and had been living in a two roomed hut at the back of the dwelling and outhouses. During the night a boisterous wind blew continuously, blowing from his hut towards Mr. Noble’s, so that it was impossible for him to hear anything unusual. About 6.30, knowing it was Mr. Noble’s intention…

While most were aware of the hardships experienced by the hospitality and retail industries during Covid, there was one hard-hit group that has been largely ignored by society. Now, the low-profile organisation representing property developers has made an unprecedented move and released their ‘master plan’ for recovery. The Builders And Developers Action Society’s president, Mr Yuri McFladden said in a statement today “nobody thinks of the difficulties property developers go through. How are we supposed to buy Versace and Lamborghinis when there is no more land to develop?” In their sights is the Mornington Peninsula “Green Wedge” and they have…

A VERY important meeting of delegates to the Peninsula Football Association was held at Somerville last night. All clubs were represented, except Naval Base. Mr H. J. McCulloch (Frankston) replaced Mr P. McArthur as President on the motion of Messrs Evans (Dromana) and Floyd (Hastings). Messrs Morphett (Hastings) and Clylesdale (Dromana) secured Carrum’s disqualification from the Association by moving that the boundaries be those existing previous to Carrum’s entry. The voting was equal, and on the casting vote of President McCulloch, Carrum were ousted. It was a lively meeting, yet friendly, and the report in next issue will make interesting…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has formally resolved to ask the state government to create a new ‘Peri-Regional’ status for the Mornington Peninsula. They believe the new status would “unlock the funding streams and benefits of a regional classification, while preserving access to metropolitan funding programs and safeguarding our cherished Green Wedge planning protections.” Council has joined forces with Yarra Ranges Shire to argue for the new ‘Peri-Regional’ status in recognition of the unique rural and urban character of each Shire. The Green Wedge is currently protected under the Planning and Environment (Metropolitan Green Wedge Protection) Act 2003 (‘MGWPA’). Removal from…

MR. J. Jack, organiser in connection with the Peninsula Motor Ambulance Brigade, completed his campaign on Friday evening last, after spending a fortnight travelling the proposed area, between Aspendale and Portsea. He feels confident that the brigade will soon be an accomplished fact. In every place visited the people proved to be almost unanimously in favour of the proposal, and seed was sown which should produce a good harvest in the near future. The final meeting held at Mornington on Friday evening proved very successful. On 15th March the Bittern Progress Asosciation held the first of a series of concerts…

A VERY nasty accident, which might have ended much more seriously, took place on Friday afternoon of last week. Mr. H. Phillips, who has a young orchard on the “Run,” Hastings, was driving home about 4 o’clock. He had picked up three children going home from school, and was himself sitting in front of the spring-cart. Going down the incline where the Cemetery Road leaves the Melbourne Road, it is surmised, the backband or tugs broke, and the cart ran on to the horse’s heels. Mr. Philips was promptly kicked off the cart, and the horse bolted. Two of the…

TO mark their appreciation of the services rendered by the fire brigades of Frankston, Carrum and Chelsea in subduing recent fires about the foreshore, the residents of Seaford entertained representatives of the brigades above named at a smoke social in the Seaford Hall, on Saturday evening, February 25th. There was a very large attendance, about 100 visitors sitting down to tables bountifully supplied with every good thing known to the culinary art. The Borough of Carrum was represented by Cr. Stephens, and the Shire of Frankston and Hastings sent a strong contingent in Crs. Armstrong, Howell and Latham. Mr. C.…