Author: Stephen Taylor

ON hot days, police and Mornington Peninsula Shire rangers are busy booking motorists parked in No Standing areas or banked up opposite double lines near Mt Martha’s now famous swim spot, The Pillars. Their owners don’t seem to care: they are too busy jumping from the rocky outcrops or taking selfies with their friends on the cliffs or in the water. Hundreds are flocking flock to the go to summer bathing spot on the Esplanade between Marguerita Av and Deakin Drive every hot summer’s day. The spot even has its own Facebook page. Despite warnings from medical experts, the cliffs…

THE Frankston to Mornington Bloody Big Swim – all 11.2 kilometres of it – was a real endurance test for Cape Schanck’s Jackson Coote, but one that he passed with flying colours. The 26-year-old electrician swam the choppy course from Frankston Life Saving Club to Mornington Life Savings Club at Mills beach in two hours, 50 minutes and 49 seconds on Saturday last week. He was in the 18-29 age category. That’s a pace of 15:15 minutes a kilometre for the swimmer who trains at the indoor Peninsula Swimming and Aquatic Centre, Rosebud. “I have swum a few of the…

A GUARD of honour was the focus of hundreds of mourners for businessman Murray Gomm at Somerville Football Oval, Monday. The cortege did a lap of the oval – with the 40-strong guard popping cans of beer to toast the man whose family built the Somerville hotel and ran it for many years. Ted Bull, of Ted Bull Funerals, said Mr Gomm oversaw the hotel’s smorgasbord which was “the best meal in town with queues out the door”. Mr Gomm, 60, had been in good health until being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in December 2014. Wife of 30 years, Leanne,…

HYDROGEN sulphide gas levels in Merricks Creek are being monitored daily to avoid danger to campers and beachgoers. Melbourne Water gave the monitoring equipment to the camping ground to measure the gas levels – which cause a strong odour – but, so far, the results are “well below levels that would trigger a response”. The move comes as Balnarring Beach Community Association president David Gill warns that “dangerous hydrogen sulphide and methane gases from Merricks Creek are being monitored daily and closure of our camping reserves is a possibility. “However authorities have not, to our knowledge, warned local residents of…

“DROMANA Pier has exceeded its expected lifetime and, despite recent repairs, will need to be demolished in the next eight-10 years, perhaps even less.” That’s the view of Save Dromana Pier Committee chairman Ray Barnard-Brown and the unpleasant prospect faced by the group’s members who are determined that a new pier replace the existing structure when it is demolished. Members of the Association for Building Community in Dromana believe that the new pier should be designed to strengthen its public appeal. They believe that a sound, improved pier is vital to the future of Dromana and is conducting a survey…

DETECTIVES are searching for a firebug after Monday afternoon’s Crib Point fire storm and have spoken to two men, although no charges have been laid. The alarm for the first fire was sounded about 1.30pm – nearly the same time and place of a fire one week earlier. Embers from that fire on The Esplanade have been blamed for starting the more devastating fire which destroyed one house and six outbuildings. “Police are investigating the Crib Point fire as an arson attack,” Mornington Peninsula Southern Metro Region Inspector Karen Nyholm said Friday afternoon. “This is an insidious crime that has…

THE launching of the Volunteer Marine Rescue’s latest vessel, Darbyshire III, at Mornington on Sunday last week, is a boost to water safety and a tragic reminder of how the service came about. The Noosa Cat 3000, a nine-metre, state-of-the-art vessel, was officially launched by Sue Darbyshire, the widow of the man who gave the boat its name. Paul Darbyshire drowned within sight of the shore in 1980, prompting a public push for better safety measures for bay users. So moved and upset were Mornington police – two were among those watching the drama from the clifftop – that they…

COFFEE has become such an integral part of our lives that many people can’t do without it. But the influx of cafes has put a lot of pressure on specialty coffee roasters, as an increasing number of consumers insist on specialty products. “The biggest issue has been finding highly trained roasters or baristas capable of meeting expectations,” Sam Keck, who runs Commonfolk Coffee Company, a wholesale coffee roaster and cafe in Mornington said. “Bizarrely, there is still no roasting or barista apprenticeship.” The absence of any formal training in the coffee arts was brought home hard to Leigh Williams who,…

A WOMAN stuck on a cliff at the former Moorooduc quarry, Mt Eliza Regional Park, Tuesday morning (19 January), may be lucky to escape a fine for breaching “No dogs allowed” signs. A sign clearly displayed near the fall site states: “Environmentally sensitive area: No dogs, no bikes – penalties apply”. The woman and her German short-haired pointer, Mailey, had to be winched to safety after slipping 15 metres down the quarry face about 10am Tuesday. They were on a ledge for about 90 minutes. A friend alerted rescue crews who assembled up top and prepared to bring her back…

SURF rescue helicopters are patrolling peninsula beaches daily to keep a look out for sharks, rips and people in distress in the water this summer. Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett said the helicopter rescue service, run by Life Saving Victoria, had already completed 50 patrols along Victoria’s coastline this summer. “Rips are dangerous and unpredictable. Have a plan, check for warning signs and know what you’re going to do if you or your kids get caught in a rip,” Ms Garrett said. Life Saving Victoria says it is almost certain at least one person will drown on peninsula beaches this…

ALTHOUGH he didn’t win the Magic Millions 2-year-old Classic on the Gold Coast, the nine local owners couldn’t be happier with Mornington horse Claro El Banco. In only his fourth race – and third since winning the Magic Millions Clockwise Classic over 1000 metres at Ballarat in November – the gelding came eighth in a field of 16, earning $10,000 prizemoney. “He ran well considering the barrier draw – number 17 – and didn’t lose ground,” said part-owner Peter Seaman, of Somerville, who attended the $2.5 million race Saturday last week. “We are all very proud of him and loved…

A MERRICKS property previously known as The Old Chocolate Factory – and now redesigned as an up-market B&B – is being auctioned 3pm, Sunday 17 January, with price expectations of more than $1.5 million. Such was the reputation and demand for the handmade chocolates that the chocolatier outgrew the premises attached to the home and moved to Flinders in 2009. Now, the property, at 3494 Frankston Flinders Rd, is being sold by Kay & Burton agent Andrew Hines after the vendors, Paul and Julie Honore, recently sold the HR business Manpower. Set on 7061 square metres (one and three-quarter acres) it has…

UNITED Energy is increasing inspections to find faulty power lines in a bid to reduce the risk of fires. Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio announced the increase when responding to calls to “urgently replace” faulty aerial bundled cabling (ABC) at Main Ridge and Red Hill. The cabling has already been blamed for a number of fires in the area. Nepean MP Martin Dixon in state parliament in December urged the minister and cable supplier United Energy to install new cables “before this fire season”. On Friday Ms D’Ambrosio said the government “takes the risk of power lines causing fire…

GRATEFUL families and many smiling young faces brought Hastings hall to life last week as part of the Western Port Christmas Giving Program. Four hundred food hampers – weighing in at seven tonnes – as well as 1000 toys and other gifts for children made their Christmas one to savour. Western Port Community Support coordinator Mike O’Grady said the hampers and toys were collected with assistance of the Salvation Army, churches, service organisations, businesses, schools and individuals from around the Mornington Peninsula. But the real heroes are its volunteers, who run the program and manage the donations. It receives no…

RYE traders are counting their losses in the wake of a siege on Saturday 5 December when a man held two women hostage for almost eight hours. Police closed Point Nepean Rd between Weeroona and Weir streets and evacuated shops, including those at the Safeway shopping complex, when a 69-year-old man armed with low-calibre weapons was seen entering the Little Beach Cafe, Point Nepean Rd, at 7.45am. While no one was injured, the same can’t be said for traders’ cash registers: Not only did they lose a day’s takings, ruined stock and wasted staff wages, but many are finding they…

SAFETY Beach-Dromana men’s shed members can be “reasonably hopeful” their dreams of a new headquarters will be fulfilled. Although no formal approval of a grant from the Mornington Peninsula Shire has been given, the shed’s application for $40,000 funding has been favourably received and is being assessed. Members’ hopes now rest on inclusion in the shire’s mid-term budget review, which will be announced in the New Year. The men’s shed has around 30 members who meet at least three times a week to engage in community activities, socialise over coffee, and do some “pretty impressive trades work”, president Rick Plummer…

THE owner of Sorrento restaurant Acquolina Brett Johnson admits to being “shell-shocked” at the defection of 13 experienced kitchen staff to rival, The Sisters Kitchen Garden Cafe. Their surprise departure last week has forced the temporary closure of his and partner Maria Grazia Baiguini’s fine dining restaurant at the busiest time of the year and caused a spat between the two popular eateries. “We simply can’t find staff at this late stage so it was better to close temporarily and reopen on Boxing Day,” Mr Johnson said. “We will re-open and do something simple, such as serving fresh lasagne, ravioli,…

CAROLS by Candlelight at Rosebud, Friday 18 December, will herald a great start to Christmas celebrations. The entertainment starts 8pm with carol singing and a live nativity play with animals. Children should come early to enjoy Rayne Hayne and Shine’s animal petting farm and to dress up for the live nativity play. Four-piece rock n’ roll outfit Lionhouse will entertain, with front woman Jade Lindsay belting out the vocals, as well as guest soloist Cindy Pritchard and the Southern Peninsula Concert Band. Santa Claus and his helper will be arriving at the end of the evening with special treats. The…

TYABB CFA officer Wayne Etcell is donating the $10,000 he received for winning the Victorian Premier’s Metropolitan Volunteer of the Year – Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award to the brigade. Mr Etcell, of Somerville, received his award from Victoria Governor Linda Dessau at a ceremony at Government House last week. It is a wonder he had time to attend as his work-load is staggering: the busy 63-year-old audits full time for the Tax Department, puts in almost another week’s voluntary work with the CFA, as a Justice of the Peace and also as a bails justice. Mr Etcell took up the…

MAIN Ridge Pony Club and Nepean Equestrian Club members were jumping for joy at the opening of their water jump complex at the Main Ridge Equestrian Ground, Baldry’s Rd, last Friday (December 11). This comes after a year of appealing for help from the community, businesses and organisations for the project which was identified by a government study as an essential component of the environmental protection at the ground. “Its achievement – only 12 months on – is very much thanks to the many partners who came on board, especially businesses and individuals who donated money, materials and/or labour, to…

RYE traders are confident strategically placed CCTV surveillance cameras will give them the upper hand over crime. The cameras are part of a deal involving Rye Beach Business Association and Mornington Peninsula Shire offering rebates to traders buying their own cameras. The shire has granted the association $48,000 over two years to pay up to $1500 – or 50 per cent of the camera costs. The minimum CCTV package is $2425, putting a trader’s out-of-pocket expense at $1212. The cameras are already paying dividends, with two women filmed allegedly stealing the morning’s bread delivery from Imola Red Cafe. The cameras…

WAR veteran John Missen takes issue with the old adage ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks’: he’s nearly 90 and he’s just written his first novel. A Mornington resident for 20 years, Missen has written 450 pages of “historical romance” set in the Wimmera district of north-western Victoria in the 1950s. ‘A One Man Band’ was officially launched at Mornington Library, Saturday. “It’s the area of Victoria I remember best as a child,” he said. The book’s jacket says: “The hero, Eric Fergusson, travels from farm to farm with his mobile engineering workshop in an old Bedford truck,…

MULTINATIONAL ride-sharing company Uber was knocked back from holding an “information session” at Mornington Secondary College last Tuesday evening. The purpose of the session included signing up new drivers. Acting principal Jim Papas confirmed the school had cancelled the booking once it became aware of the recent Melbourne Magistrates’ Court conviction and fine of an UberX driver for operating a commercial passenger vehicle illegally. “We decided not to associate with the service if it is illegal,” he said. Despite the knockback, Uber managed to move its session to The Grand Hotel. Uber spokesperson Katie Curran said: “We have hundreds of…

WE take for granted that water will flow from the tap when it’s turned on. It’s a welcome blessing in a first world country. But that luxury is unknown to impoverished villagers in Ethiopia, leading to a daily chore for women and girls who must fetch water for their families from the nearest well. The task can be dangerous and exhausting as the wells can be far from the safety of home. The time taken means girls are often forced to neglect their schooling and leading to them missing opportunities open only to those with an education. Health is also…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Graham Pittock and his council colleague Hugh Fraser have backed Australia’s stand at the Paris climate talks. Mingling with world leaders at the United Nations climate change conference (COP 21), the two councillors have “thrown their support behind” a strategy outlined to the conference by Environment Minister and Flinders MP, Greg Hunt. Cr Pittock said the National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy was “invaluable” to local government and, in particular, to the shire which has 10 per cent of Victoria’s coastline. The shire is one of 10 Australian municipalities invited to send representatives to the talks…

A ROSEBUD mother “went into panic mode” on 11 November when she feared her autistic son had been left on the school bus unattended – again. Belinda Hunt, whose son, Kaileb, 9, attends Peninsula Specialist College, Dromana and was being picked up and dropped off by a private school bus each day, says she now does the job herself. In March, he was “missed” by the driver of the Westernport Road Lines at school drop-off and spent either 50 minutes or several hours – depending on who’s asked – alone at the back of the bus parked at the depot.…

A MT MARTHA woman who came to the aid of a fellow motorcyclist seriously injured in a collision was honoured for her bravery at Parliament House last week. The rider lost his leg, but Pamela Boyle’s actions in stemming his blood loss – using her husband’s belt as a tourniquet – almost certainly saved his life. She was among 13 Victorians to receive awards out of 155 nominations. Ambulance Services minister Jill Hennessy presented them with Community Hero medals and certificates in the ceremony which was also attended by the patients  they helped in their time of need. Ms Boyle…

THE White Ribbon Day march in Hastings Wednesday showed the depth of support for the campaign to end violence against women. More than 230 people made their way along High St to show their resolve to fight the scourge which takes the life of a woman in Australia every week. Marchers assembled at the Hastings post office car park, Victoria St, before moving along High St to the library steps to hear speakers and enjoy a barbecue. Hastings Respectful Relationships secretary Wendy Gamble described the march as “fantastic”. “We were most impressed by the large turn-out,” she said. “And we…

THE row over public access to the new Somerville police complex continues, with Opposition Police Spokesman Ed O’Donohue saying original ground floor drawings for the station “clearly show a front counter and rooms for interviews”.    He says comments by Detective Senior Sergeant Nick Vallas (The News, 17/11/2015) that the Somerville station was “never designed to be staffed by uniform police” are incorrect. Ground floor drawings of the station “clearly show the front counter and rooms for interviews”, Mr O’Donohue said. A letter from then Chief Commissioner Ken Lay to former Police Minister Kim Wells, in October 2014, says the…

A MULTI-GOLD medal winner at competitions run by the International Natural Bodybuilding Association since 2007 became interested in fitness only in her late 20s. At 56, she is “as driven as ever”. Monika Greich, of Hastings, says she only started “strength” type gym training at 39 to “tone up” her upper body. “What began with nine years of walking eventually turned into running, martial arts, strength training and barefoot running,” she said. “I was quite lean from running, so didn’t have the issue of wanting to lose weight which is the reason most people join gyms. “Little did I know…