COLLINGWOOD legend Jock McHale, who coached the Magpies for 38 years and eight VFL premierships, shares a link with a potential Flinders match-winner – an eye-catching cliff-top property at 90 King Street. The McHale family owned the acreage property with a substantial home overlooking the rugged Big Left surf break for many years before it was sold, and several adjoining blocks of varying sizes were hived off in 2015. Developer Brooke Starbuck saw the potential to take the property into a new price league and bought a choice vacant site beside the house and began a five-year design and build.…
Author: Stephen Taylor
A PARACHUTE flare set off by New Year’s Eve revellers is being blamed for a potentially devastating scrub fire in Mornington Peninsula National Park on New Year’s Day. Reports suggest young people had congregated at Dimmicks Bushland reserve, Blairgowrie, in the lead-up to midnight. Sorrento CFA Captain Mike Versteegan said the flare was launched just before midnight over dense bush off Mungala Crescent. CFA crews from Sorrento and Rye searched for the smouldering flare in vain – fearful that it would begin a blaze and rage overnight. “We couldn’t find it,” Captain Versteegan said. “Then next day at about 11.30am…
AN urban planning graduate and public transport advocate is working hard on his “life’s goal” of reshaping the Mornington Peninsula’s public transport network. Robert Whitehill’s Peninsula Rail Link project, which began in 2012 as a “potential” train line connecting Frankston to Rosebud, has since evolved into planning for improved rail and bus transport services across the peninsula – including upgrading the Stony Point line. Over time, the two-stage project would connect the peninsula to the Melbourne CBD using the Frankston and Cranbourne rail links. “Although the project started as an investigation to see if it was possible for rail to…
PENINSULA Aero Club has submitted a report to aviation authorities after a light aircraft suffered engine failure and crash-landed soon after take-off at Tyabb airfield, 10.30am, Wednesday 25 November. President Jack Vevers said the report found the probable cause of the forced landing of the Searey amphibious single-engine plane was a “result of fuel starvation”. He said the report “now sits with the regulators” – the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The pilot was said to be “shaken up” after he crashed from “maybe 50 feet” on the emergency east-west runway and collided with a parked…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is seeking legal advice over moves by trucking magnate Lindsay Fox to claim yet another slice of Point King beach as his own. The contentious 2008-09 dredging of Port Phillip and widening of The Heads has being blamed for sand being washed from Portsea beach to the beach at Point King in front of the $30 million Fox family compound. Cr Hugh Fraser successfully moved at the Tuesday 8 December council meeting that shire CEO John Baker provide councillors with a detailed written report on all current planning applications, consents by the Department of Environment, Land,…
A CHARITY group at Rye is on a mission to help one of its own as he slowly recovers from a vicious axe attack at Rosebud Plaza in late August. Friends and Supporters of Food For All are being urged to contribute towards the rehabilitation of long-time helper Gerry Hayes, who was nearly killed when a man struck him on the head with a tomahawk, Saturday 29 August (“Man charged over Rosebud attack” The News 30/8/20) The offender, 48, of no fixed address, was restrained by brave bystanders in the shopping centre car park after also threatening people outside. He…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has reversed plans to use 50 car parking spaces in the busy Rye shopping strip for outdoor dining. The plans to “help local businesses bounce back from lockdown” also involved removing one lane on Point Nepean Road between Weir and Dundas streets heading towards Sorrento for a bike lane and reducing the speed limit from 50kph to 40kph. The proposed moves – slammed by traders – were reversed over the weekend after deputy mayor Cr Sarah Race gauged the views of traders, residents and visitors. “Yes, all the barriers are coming down today,” Cr Race said…
THE Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has ruled against Ryman Health Care’s plans for a retirement village and aged care home on Bentons Road, Mount Martha. The proposal was for a residential aged care and retirement village in a three-storey building with basement, as well as a bowling green, swimming pool and cafe. It was to include 70 apartments, 37 assisted living suites and 116 aged care rooms. The knockback is seen as significant as the New Zealand-owned company is also battling residents at VCAT over its plans to build a much larger aged care centre in Kunyung Road, Mount…
A HASTINGS police sergeant drew her gun and prepared to fire at a man who aimed what was later found to be an imitation firearm at her colleague. The dramatic confrontation, at Hastings, occurred during an alleged family violence incident which quickly escalated, 8pm, Sunday 13 December. Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Henry, of Somerville CIU, said seven police and detectives rushed to the Simon Street property after receiving triple zero calls from neighbours. He said they were met by an “aggressive” man who allegedly pointed what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle at them. Police will allege the man pulled…
“FLYING fish” sounds like a misnomer because fish aren’t supposed to fly. But some fish do, after a fashion, so the name can be applicable. This rationale also helps explain how Rosebud business Flying Fish Exhibitions – which is doing work in the field of international touring exhibitions – got its name. Founder Jay Brown said a friend came up with Flying Fish after realising the team was capable of doing things that they really shouldn’t be able to do. But, like flying fish, they can. Seven years down the track, after starting inside a basement at Mount Martha, and…
THE fire danger period on the Mornington Peninsula began yesterday (Monday 14 December) and will extend until Saturday 1 May, unless extended or shortened by fire authorities in the meantime. The CFA declares the Fire Danger Period at the onset of warmer weather to help prevent fires from starting at a time when dry vegetation and hot weather increase the incidence of fires accidentally starting and spreading. Every effort is being made to prevent an occurrence of last year’s catastrophic fires which blanketed the state and led to fire victims from as far away as Mallacoota being evacuated to HMAS…
ASPECTS of the proposed Rye Foreshore Plan are so detrimental to divers that would likely go elsewhere, a dive shop owner says. More than 1000 objectors have signed the Rye pier Access-Under-Immediate-Threat petition indicating their dislike of proposed changes by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, especially towards removing car parking near the pier. Lloyd Borrett, who owns the Scuba Doctor Dive Shop, said even enthusiastic participants would be reluctant to dive at Rye pier were the proposed changes to go ahead. “This would be a real shame given the resources Parks Victoria has invested in providing a world-class diver entry-and-exit point…
THE Nepean Ratepayers Association is up in arms over an application by the developers of the Hotel Continental to build a 120 seat “outdoor dining room” on the front footpath. Ratepayers’ president Colin Watson described the bid for the 225 square metre Sorrento site as a “blatant land grab which only benefits the developer.” The “outdoor room” would be an audacious addition to the Conti’s revamp alongside three new buildings, including 106 hotel rooms, restaurants, spa centre, outdoor pool, two retail spaces and underground car parking. The Hotel Continental Development Consortium wants Mornington Peninsula Shire to approve the room and…
THE tragic death of former AFL player, coach and commentator Danny Frawley brought home to many the need to educate the community on successful concussion management. The St Kilda star – who was last month honoured with the naming of a $16 million community wellbeing hub at the club’s Moorabbin headquarters – suffered from a brain condition that may have been linked to repeat concussions. He was diagnosed with CTE, a degenerative condition thought to be linked to concussions and brain trauma, which resulted in fatal consequences. It’s thought an understanding of this condition, especially among sportspeople, may help reduce…
THE state government has allocated $13.85 million in the Budget to improve timetables and the frequency of bus services on Mornington Peninsula. Services on Route 788 from Frankston to Portsea will soon run every 30 minutes on weekdays and every 40 minutes on weekends – instead of the previous 40-50 minute frequencies – to tackle overcrowding and give passengers more choice about when they travel. Mount Martha bus users will have better bus access with an extension of the Route 781 service to Dromana, while Route 887 – between Rosebud and Frankston – will be redirected along the Mornington Peninsula…
WOMEN wearing orange marched along Mornington Peninsula streets in support of victims and survivors of family violence and to amplify the message that all forms of violence against women, is unacceptable. The 12th annual Walk Against Family Violence along Main Street, Mornington, was on Wednesday 25 November – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Members of Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN) arranged two group walks through the town and encouraged others to walk closer to home in smaller groups. About 20 women, including at least one with “personal experience of family violence”, walked about 42 kilometres.…
POLICE will be keeping a sharp eye on rowdy end-of-school celebrations on the Mornington Peninsula this year. They will be increasing patrols in such popular party locations as Rye, Sorrento, Dromana, Rosebud and Mount Martha, and will “not tolerate any behaviour that negatively impacts the community”. This includes underage drinking and anti-social and drunken behaviour on the beaches and around licensed venues and accommodation houses. Senior Sergeant Natalie Dollard, of Rosebud police, said anyone breaching the private gathering rules could cop a $1652 fine. Under eased restrictions up to 15 people are allowed to visit a home, but the host,…
A PILOT was “shaken up” after his light aircraft suffered engine failure and was forced to crash land soon after take-off at Tyabb airfield. The Searey amphibious single-engine plane was reported to have landed on the emergency east-west runway where it collided with a parked twin-engine Cessna 414, 10.30am, Wednesday 25 November. Peninsula Aero Club president Jack Vevers said the plane was in the air for about eight seconds after reaching a height of “maybe 50 feet”. The pilot was taken to Frankston Hospital with a sore back and for a general assessment. An Australian Transport Safety Bureau spokesman said…
UP to $60,000 in this year’s Mornington Peninsula Shire Council budget will go towards developing a mountain bike and BMX strategy on shire-owned land. The strategy will aim to ensure that new and upgraded trails and jumps are in suitable locations and designed with community needs in mind. The shire manages four bike sports areas on the peninsula: Dromana Pump Track, Hillview Reserve, Boundary Road, Red Hill Mountain Bike Skills Park, Red Hill Station Grounds, Harold Reid Reserve BMX track, Baxter, and Westpark Reserve BMX track, Hastings. The shire is also deciding if any of the unauthorised – and illegal…
DETECTIVES on Friday charged a fourth person over the alleged stabbing death of a Langwarrin man at Seaford last week. Frankston man Liam Casley, 18, was arrested at a house at Carrum Downs, 4.30pm, and charged with affray, assault and committing an offence while on bail. His arrest ends the hunt for offenders wanted in relation to the death of Cam Smith, 26, in Station Street, 6.55pm, Wednesday 25 November. The carpenter died after a fight with up to four men. He was reportedly defending girlfriend Natasha Stroumos who was being verbally abused by a group, which included females, as…
FORESHORE camping at Rye, Rosebud and Sorrento will resume on 2 January. This is one month earlier than was anticipated when Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker emailed campers that sites would be closed until February. It is estimated that the camp grounds will operate at about 80 per cent capacity to support social distancing and to ensure adequate space between sites. There will be no casual booking offered at this stage. Mr Baker said the postponement was the “right decision with [COVID-19] restrictions still in place for the foreseeable future” (“Foreshore campers locked out” The News 9/11/20). “We concluded…
BALNARRING conservationist Belinda Eden received some “lovely news” over the weekend. “On Saturday [we had our] first report of a koala joey,” she said. “We haven’t seen one since we’ve been here so it’s really encouraging.” Ms Eden said the joey would not have been long out of its mother’s pouch and was probably about six-seven months old. “Once conceived, it is about 35 days until the birth of the joey,” she said. “The joey then makes its way unaided from the birth canal to the pouch where it stays for the next six-seven months. “If mum doesn’t reproduce, the…
THE first stage the $1.6 million Hastings boat ramp upgrade has been completed despite teething problems which included the collapse of the watertight four-metre-high “coffer dam” in September. The steel wall, erected to create a dry area for workers building the ramp’s outer base, collapsed under the weight of higher-than-expect tides causing delays in completing the four-lane ramp which is potentially the busiest on Western Port (“Wall collapse leaves fishers high and dry” The News 22/9/20). Construction crews then had to work overtime to get the ramp ready to open last week – midway through the snapper season. Fishing and…
ARMY veteran Alan Moore and his friends at Corowa Court, Mornington, are gearing up to celebrate his centenary on Friday 20 November. It’s an occasion to be cherished by this genial contributor who notched up a solid record of service during WWII, as a long-term Frankston Rotarian, as 2019 Victorian senior of the year as well as receiving awards for 40 years of volunteer service at the Anglicare Mount Eliza Op Shop. Born and raised in Camberwell, Mr Moore was in his final year at school when war was declared in 1939. After working at odd jobs, he enlisted and…
MOUNT Martha beach has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour with 300-400 youths reportedly running amok on Melbourne Cup Eve, Monday 2 November. Detective Senior Sergeant Alex Montgomery, of Somerville CIU, said the youths lit bonfires, damaged bathing boxes and “generally caused trouble”. Three nights earlier three men, 19 and 20, were bashed with a timber paling and had their jackets stolen while sitting on the beach near Mount Martha lifesaving club. Police believe the crowds are being drawn to Mount Martha through social media. “They are posting the gatherings – or gaths – on social media and it seems…
DESPI O’Connor won a seat on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council at last month’s local government elections and last week was elected mayor. The Briars Ward councillor is among eight newcomers on the 11-member council: Steve Holland and Anthony Marsh (also Briars Ward), Sarah Race (Nepean), Lisa Dixon (Cerberus), Kerri McCafferty and Debra Mar (Seawinds) and Paul Mercurio (Watson). They join re-elected councillors Hugh Fraser (Nepean), David Gill (Red Hill) and Antonella Celi (Seawinds). Cr Race was elected deputy mayor. Eight former councillors from the 2016-20 cohort: Simon Brooks, Rosie Clark, Bev Colomb, Sam Hearn, Frank Martin, Julie Morris, Bryan Payne…
GRADE 6 student leaders from three Hastings primary schools met online recently to share their concerns about the upcoming transition to secondary school without any of the usual rites of passage because of the coronavirus. The forum, part of the Family Life: Map Your World Program, discussed their hopes and fears and also came up with some solutions. The students decided that artwork, and a large digital forum, would create a sense of occasion and celebrate their transition to senior school. The idea was developed and then carried to fruition by adults in a corresponding Family Life program: Creating Capable…
BOAT owners upset at being shut out of Fisherman’s jetty in Mornington harbour met as a group on Sunday (15 November) to discuss their future mooring arrangements. The boaters – members of the Mornington Harbour Association and Mornington Jetty Group – were dumbfounded when told by Parks earlier this month they had only days to move their boats “for safety reasons” despite paying $1000-$1500 annual mooring fees. The Mornington Harbour Association’s Facebook page said Parks Victoria was being “most unreasonable” and described the eviction notice which came into effect on Wednesday 4 November as a “bombshell”. Association representative Robbie Warden…
ANTIQUES and collectibles have been a feature of Susanna Sandler-Mead’s life for so long that it took a while for her to remember when they first took her fancy. The recollection of buying a Shelley vase at a church fete at Kew as an eight-year-old takes her back to the wellspring of her career. “It was yellow and black – my first piece of china and I still remember it well,” Sandler-Mead says. “I was from an artistic family and was always interested in art and antiques and was intrigued by the beauty of artistic things. “I have been collecting…
SOUTHERN Peninsula Basketball Association players gleefully broke out of lockdown and hit the outdoor courts last week. About 250 players aged 6-17 enjoyed free sessions throughout the day at Rosebud Primary School in their first session back since mid-March. “The players were spread out throughout the day to comply with restrictions and included 30 families who have never been part of basketball before,” the association’s new general manager Ben White said. He said the association was realigning its focus with an emphasis on providing basketball for everyone. “We have a number of projects on the way, including the expansion of…