THE stricken submarine HMAS Otama was on the move last Saturday, with the aid of two tugs. The stricken sub’s next voyage may either end onshore or at the scrapyard. It is now lying in about one metre of water off Crib Point and its owner, Western Port Oberon Association, has been given 28 days to decide its future. Association vice-president Keith Claughton said yesterday (Monday) the association was trying to get a permit to bring it ashore from Mornington Peninsula Shire. If given the all clear, the Otama would be lifted by crane or dragged on rollers to shire-controlled…
Author: MP News Group
MORNINGTON boat builder Mal Hart last week launched a $2.8 million rough-weather boat, pictured, for the Tasmanian police. The Nautilus, of the impressive ORC-type, took 15,000 man-hours to build over eight months at Hart Marine’s Yuilles Road factory. Its twin Scania engines and Hamilton jet drives give it a top speed of 45 knots. Three similar boats are already in service in Queensland and one with Victoria Police. “It’s a great boat; world class,” Mr Hart said. “We have had interest from all over the world.” Hart Marine is in the process of moving its manufacturing business across the peninsula…
A CAR at Mornington and two others at Frankston were among dozens targeted by thieves for their catalytic converters – part of the exhaust system – which are usually on-sold for cash. Detective Senior Sergeant Eddie Logonder, of Somerville CIU, said the owner of a Nissan X-Trail arrived at a factory in Progress Street, Mornington, on Thursday 12 August to find the car jacked. Cautiously looking underneath, he was relieved to find nothing missing. This was not the norm, though. Transit police last week arrested three men over the thefts, mainly from vehicles parked outside railway stations in the southeast,…
THE driver of a car caught speeding at Tyabb last week will have to dig deep. The woman, 28, of Frankston, was travelling at 82kph in a 60kph zone, 10pm, Saturday 29 August. She later blew 0.124 per cent at Mornington police station and her licence was immediately suspended and her car impounded at a cost of $895. The woman also received an $1817 infringement for breaching curfew regulations. She will be summonsed to appear at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court at a later date. First published in the Mornington News – 7 September 2021
GETTING on in years, but still active, this male koala was recently released at Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve where he will “live out his time” in his favourite gum tree. Animalia Animal Rescue’s Michelle Thomas said the “old boy” was brought in for a check-up after being found on the ground by a walker concerned that he was staying in the one place and not moving around as much as he should be. “There was nothing wrong with him, though”, Ms Thomas said. “He was happy and healthy. “Koalas are in every reserve and they are always on the move.”…
SCARECROWS have always been associated with taking care of food crops and numbers of a much friendlier version, carecrows, are popping up across the Mornington Peninsula. A peninsula-based Carecrow Club formed during the state’s sixth COVID lockdown is urging householders to make and display a carecrow in their front yard to lift spirits and provide support for mental health. “It is hoped that the Carecrow campaign will lift our spirits, offer a sense of fun and community for all, and is not intended to be a competition,” Heather Forbes-McKeon, of McCrae, said. The carecrows can be made from anything around…
ABOUT 30 anti-COVID vaccination protesters and one dog quietly stood outside Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Mornington offices on Tuesday last week. Mornington Police Senior Sergeant Paul Edwards described the gathering as being well-behaved and resembling a “group of middle-aged residents getting out for a coffee”. Senior Sergeant Edwards said members of the group disbanded after he warned that unless they moved on, they would be issued infringements for breaching the Chief Health Officer’s regulations. “About 95 per cent were wearing masks and, if they weren’t, they were offered one by police or allowed exemptions because of underlying health issues,” Senior Sergeant…
A CAR allegedly stolen from outside a house at Dromana on the weekend was involved in a police pursuit and alleged ramming of two police cars. Police will allege a 39-year-old Cranbourne man deliberately reversed the 2002 Audi into two police cars, one in Hall Road, Carrum Downs and the other in Eramosa Road East, Somerville, before driving off towards Cranbourne. Police arrested the man on Peninsula Link after bringing the car to a halt using stop sticks, early Saturday 28 August. Senior Detective Clayton Beckhouse, of Somerville CIU, said the man was to face Frankston Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Monday…
THE 100 Meals on Wheels volunteers who deliver up to 1600 meals a week on the Mornington Peninsula were honoured on National Meals on Wheels Day, Wednesday 25 August. Mornington Peninsula Shire acknowledged the dedication, commitment, and resilience of the volunteers who over a year collectively travel 125,000 kilometres which is equivalent to a trip around Australia. “National Meals on Wheels Day acknowledges and celebrates the tremendous impact our Meals on Wheels volunteers have on our local communities,” the mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said. “I thank our local volunteers for their passion and time.” The shire acknowledges that the Meals…
CFA crews took two hours to rescue an elderly man after his car crashed over a barrier and ran down a cliff at Mount Martha last week. Units from Mount Martha, Mornington, Dromana, the city, as well as the high angle rescue team from Dandenong, rushed to the scene at the intersection of Hearn Road and the Esplanade, 5.45pm, Tuesday 24 August. Ambulance Victoria said the man in his 80s was assessed at the scene and found to be in a “stable condition”. He was taken to Frankston Hospital for further observation. Mount Martha CFA Captain Travis Hutchins said the…
POLICE have arrested and charged a Blairgowrie woman who allegedly posed online as a dog breeder and tricked potential buyers into believing they were about to take ownership of French and English bulldog pups. The 42-year-old woman, arrested Thursday 26 August, is alleged to have fleeced six unwitting buyers of a combined $46,000 over the past 15 months. Detective Senior Sergeant Eddie Lagoner, of Somerville CIU, said the woman had been charged with five counts of deception and bailed to appear at Dromana Magistrates’ Court in February. The bogus online “sale” of the pups was exacerbated by lockdown restrictions making…
EQUINE vet Adam Matthews and Mornington trainer Lisa Enright have been questioned by police as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption and illegal activity within the state’s racing industry. Detectives from the sporting integrity intelligence unit executed warrants at Keilor East, Mornington and Wallan from 8.25am on Wednesday, arresting a 38-year-old Keilor East man and a 47-year-old Mornington woman. Police said their investigation was focused on the alleged use of illegal substances in Victorian racing and corrupt betting practices, as well as the use, possession and trafficking of cocaine. Detectives from the sporting integrity intelligence unit spent Wednesday…
FOUR top jockeys who were fined last week for breaching COVID-19 restrictions have been suspended by Racing Victoria for the Spring Racing Carnival. Leading jockeys Jamie Kah and Ben Melham, who were scheduled to ride in the Group 1 Menzies Stakes at Mornington last Saturday, as well as Ethan Brown and Celine Gaudray, were nabbed after a complaint about a “noisy party” at a property in Tallis Drive, midnight Wednesday 25 August. On Saturday stewards also hit a fifth jockey, Mark Zahra, with a three-month ban for attending the party. Senior Sergeant Kirby Tonkin, of Mornington police, said six people…
COMMUNITY consultation on Mornington Peninsula Shire’s 2021 draft Domestic Animal Management Plan closes Wednesday 22 September. The plan outlines the shire’s approach to animal management services, programs and strategies across the peninsula over the next four years. Victorian councils are required to produce a Domestic Animal Management Plan every four years. The focus of the plan will be on communication around responsible pet ownership; promoting compliance and enhancing education and improving animal welfare outcomes. It will focus on supporting a consistent approach to leash-free and dog prohibited areas; increasing pet registration and opportunities for lost pets to be reunited with…
A DECISION by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has tenant advocates worried more renters will become homeless now that the moratorium on evictions has ended. At the height of the COVID-19 crisis last year, the state government introduced emergency measures to protect renters, including bans on evictions where renters were unable to pay their rent because of the pandemic. These measures proved crucial not only in ensuring renters could keep a roof over their heads but in reducing the spread of the virus by limiting the movement of people. However, the protections ended in late March leaving many renters,…
TO an outsider it may look like a group of friends getting together and sharing sandwiches on the foreshore at Rosebud. And while it’s true that there is a feeling of welcome and no shortage of kind words, these twice-weekly get togethers are full of purpose and highlight a part of what life can be on the Mornington Peninsula. People sleeping rough on the foreshore or experiencing other kinds of homelessness are participating in the southern peninsula shower and laundry program (SPLaSh) at Rosebud on Mondays and Thursdays. The program at the foreshore allows them to shower, do their laundry,…
By Joseph Misuraca MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council wants to buy a small section of private land in Shoreham that was originally part of the outdoor Cyril Young Memorial Chapel. The land at 39 Marine Parade was erroneously included in the private block when subdivided in the 1960s, according to Cr David Gill. “Nobody, I believe, went and looked and saw what was there,” he said. If the land sale negotiations are successful, a heritage overlay will be adopted to protect the reserve on which the chapel lies. “I can’t reveal sums [needed to buy the land] because that’s in negotiation,”…
COLOURED ribbons will be tied on the chain link fence on the Esplanade at Mornington Park to mark year’s World Suicide Prevention Day. The is held to raise mental health awareness as well as acknowledge those that have been lost to suicide. This year’s theme, Creating Hope Through Action, is a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and that the actions of individuals, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to someone who is struggling. Preventing suicide is often possible and community is a key player in its prevention. Organiser Rebecca Tyler said, “our community can…
POLICE are searching for men, above, who allegedly stole alcohol from the Thirsty Camel Bottle Shop on Nepean Highway, Mornington, Sunday 8 August. The men exited the shop without making any attempt to pay for a slab of Vodka Cruisers, slab of UDL cans and a bottle of Vodka with an all-up value of $220, at 8.25pm. The men are all believed to be in their late teens or early 20s. One was wearing a GANT brand grey hoodie and NAUTICA Competition brand shorts. Anyone with information or who recognises them is asked to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000,…
THREE men arrested in Hastings last week are allegedly linked to a series of crimes in Hastings and Tyabb over the past month. The men, in the mid-20s, are accused of causing affray at the Kings Creek Hotel in Frankston-Flinders Road; stealing a delivery rider’s moped when he dropped off a pizza at a Hastings house; taking tools and supplies from a Tyabb plumbing outlet and stealing items and causing damage at Hastings Junior Football Club. Detective Tony Henry, of Somerville CIU, said CCTV footage showed one of the alleged robbers wearing a Power Rangers outfit when $20,000 in tools…
Police are investigating a collision on Mornington Peninsula Freeway yesterday. A white Ford ute was reportedly driving erratically about 4.30pm when it collided with a Triton ute travelling in the same direction This has caused the Triton to crash into the safety rail, become airborne then roll along the safety rail. The driver of the Ford ute was forced to pull over due to damage and attempted to flee but was stopped by a passerby until police arrived. The 27-year-old Carrum Downs man was taken to the police station where he returned an evidentiary breath test of 0.224. He is…
IT is lockdown No.6 and one year since Hastings-based photographer Celia Furt warned against feeding junk food to birds. Furt was out with her camera again last week to show that not much has changed. “The photos tell the same story as last year: people during lockdown feeding junk food to the pelicans and seagulls,” she said. “However, the difference is that last year the signs weren’t up as the fishing pier at Hastings was in the middle of being rebuilt and was closed off to the public. “Despite the signs, people are careless, they are still feeding human food…
IN these times of lockdown and restrictions designed to prevent the spread of COVID, it is nice to know that nature continues its merry way. This echidna was out and about late last week (as was legally entitled photographer Yanni) foraging for food, and no doubt enjoying the relative quiet, at Flinders. Not adverse to taking advantage of the situation, the echidna (an egg-laying mammal) made good use of the steps down (or up) the steep cliff. It would be fair to assume that the species, estimated to have evolved 20 to 50 million years ago, has weathered some changes…
DESPITE small businesses being hit hard, membership of Peninsula Business Networking has doubled during the COVID crisis. The not-for-profit group’s events coordinator Kathy Edwards said the increase in numbers was due to “an influx of new start-ups on the Mornington Peninsula and established business owners wishing to extend their business relationships circles and open opportunities to attract more clients”. There were 36 members at the PBN lunch, at Red Gum Barbecue, Red Hill on Wednesday 4 August. “The event was part of PBN’s monthly events available for any small to medium sized business owners on the peninsula or organisations supporting…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Despi O’Connor teamed up with Frankston Council mayor Kris Bolam at the studios of radio station RPP FM to encourage everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19. “Getting vaccinated is a positive step in keeping our community protected, safe and open for business,” Cr O’Connor said. Cr Bolam said the opening of a vaccination hub in Frankston and the increase in vaccines being made available, meant it was easy for people to book an appointment and get vaccinated locally. The mayors’ message is airing across the peninsula on RPP FM. To check eligibility and book a…
POLICE established a crime scene around a house fire at Tootgarook, on Sunday 15 August. Emergency services were called to the blaze in Hillcrest Drive about 5pm. The fire was said to have “extensively damaged two houses” in the street before being extinguished by CFA units. Police said the occupants of both houses escaped uninjured. The exact circumstances of the fire are yet to be determined. Detectives from Somerville CIU were awaiting a fire investigator when contacted on Monday. Anyone who saw the fire or with who has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or make…
A 10-YEAR-OLD boy waiting for a friend was the victim of an attempted armed robbery at Mount Eliza earlier this month. The boy was standing on his own at the Bruce Cameron Reserve, Bethanga Street, when three males described as being in their late teens pulled up in a grey VW, 2pm, Friday 6 August. They approached the terrified boy, who was near the rear of the pre-school, and demanded money. While patting him down one of the teenagers produced a folding knife. When they realised the boy had nothing of value in his pockets they pushed him and drove off. Detective…
NEW speed limits at Hastings aim to make the streets safer. Parts of Marine Parade are now down to 50kph and other areas, including side streets, are down to 40kph. Acting Senior Sergeant John Wardle, of Hastings police, said the reduced speed zones were designed to protect the community from road trauma and, in particular, vulnerable members of the community who are overrepresented in trauma statistics. Those regarded as especially vulnerable are bike riders, the elderly, children and teenagers around parks, preschools, council buildings, lawn bowling clubs and schools. Also, with no international or interstate travel police say they have…
UP to 12 people a week are getting a free hot lunch and dessert at the Holy Trinity Hastings Anglican Church hall. The meal, dubbed Trinity Tucker, is served between midday and 1pm every Tuesday, with the doors opening at 11.30am. No bookings are necessary. The service has been running since the start of May, with the church paying for the meals with the help of donations from local businesses. Volunteers from the church are preparing the food for those doing it tough, in need, or just lonely and who want to meet new friends. “Church Warden Sandra Gould, the…
MORNINGTON police rolled up their sleeves to the Red Cross blood donation drive as part of the Emergency Services Blood Challenge, Tuesday 4 August. The police say they understand the importance of blood donations and are prepared to help the community any way they can. Victoria Police are hoping to retain the state title in the number of donations. The Frankston donor centre is at 20 Davey Street. Donors are asked to say they are donating on behalf of Victoria Police. First published in the Mornington News – 10 August 2021