A MAN, above, who spent counterfeit money at a Baxter motel on 31 January is being sought by police. Detectives from Mornington Peninsula CIU said the offender approached the gaming counter in the Baxter-Tooradin Rd business and exchanged a counterfeit $50 note for two $20 notes and one $10 note. The attendant realised the note was not a standard note. The offender is described as being of medium height and build, red hair, unshaven and was wearing a black shirt with multi coloured board shorts. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a…
Author: MP News Group
UP to 16 CFA trucks, police and the EPA attended a crane truck fire at Tyabb, 1pm, Wednesday 18 March. The blaze began when diesel from a faulty hose ignited and began burning the cab and spreading throughout the truck at the corner of Frankston-Flinders Road and Western Port Highway. EPA crews set up a hazmat site to prevent fuel leaking into water courses. Four semi-trailers and another larger crane truck arrived to hoist the blackened wreck onto a low loader. The driver was not injured. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit…
A CAR rolled twice and ended up on its side after running into the rear of a car waiting to turn into The Briars, Nepean Highway, Mt Martha, last week. A 44-year-old Mornington woman driving a Toyota Kluger was trapped for an hour after colliding with a Holden Commodore driven by a 74-year-old Dromana woman, 3.40pm, Tuesday 17 March. CFA crews from Mount Martha, Mornington and Dromana attended. CFA Commander Brandon Crowder said the Jaws-of-Life was used to free the woman by cutting off the roof of her car to gain safe access and maintain spinal stability. She was flown…
FRAYED tempers in public and barbs on social media have so upset a Mornington Peninsula Shire Councillor that she is calling on her critics to “back off”. Cr Julie Morris said she has endured “12 months of snide comments” from Tyabb Airfield supporters voicing a “whirlwind of abuse” towards her and her family, both online and in public. “I’m almost at the point where I don’t know if I can send my daughter to the local school anymore,” Cr Morris, a senior constable with Victoria Police, said. “I feel I am at the point where we will have to move.…
RED Hill Mountain Bike Club will host the 2020-21 Gravity Enduro National Championships. Races will be held 24-25 October this year and 23-24 October 2021 in what’s being described as “exciting news” for the club. It’s the first time the Arthurs Seat venue has hosted a national championships event. “We will be crowning champions in each category and also issuing a personalised jersey to the first-placed rider in each category,” Red Hill Riders Mountain Bike Club’s Mark Jessup said. “The top riders across the country will be travelling to our wonderful Mornington Peninsula to battle it out. I’m aware of…
MORNINGTON Railway Preservation Society has trucked its steam train K163 to Newport for repairs where it became a drawcard during the Steamrail Victoria Open Day, 7-9 March. The arrival of K163 was a homecoming of sorts as it was built at Newport in 1941 at workshops which were built in 1882. The K class locomotive was a mainstay of the Victorian railway network from the 1920s up to the end of the steam era in the 1960s. Renowned for their dependability, the locomotives ran mostly on branch lines and several have been preserved and are operating around Victoria. The Mornington…
Following advice from health authorities and the risks associated with the rapidly evolving situation, the Shire will be closing the campgrounds managed by the Shire along the McCrae, Rosebud, Rye and Sorrento foreshores from 5pm 22 March 2020. This includes all amenity blocks. Campers are able to remove their camping equipment over a period of two weeks ending on 5 April 2020. Campers will be entitled to a full or pro-rate refund for the unused portion of their stay. The Shire will also not be processing any new camping bookings for the remainder of the camping season (due to end…
A man has died after his motorcycle collided with a van in Hastings earlier this morning. It is believed the rider was travelling west on Hodgins Road when he collided with a food-delivery van just after 4am. The van was turning onto Hodgins Road from Michelle Drive when the collision occurred. The 21-year-old male driver of the van was arrested at the scene and is assisting police with their enquiries. Anyone who witnessed the collision is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au Victoria Police News – Tuesday, 17 March 2020
A MOTORBIKE rider allegedly caught travelling at 142kph in a 60kph zone in Carrum Downs was later found to be disqualified from riding and then tested positive to drugs. To cap it off the bike was unregistered and had a false plate attached when pulled over in Colemans Road, Sunday 8 March. His bike was impounded and the rider will be summonsed to appear at court at a later date. Somerville Highway Patrol crews then detected a “very expensive red sports car” on Nepean Highway, Mt Martha, allegedly driving at 173kph in an 80kph zone. The car was impounded and…
FEARS of the spread of COVID-19 saw the cancellation of last Saturday’s (14 March) beach day being held at Point Leo by the Disabled Surfers Association Mornington Peninsula branch. Branch president John Bowers said proceeding with the event which was expected to draw several hundred disabled surfers and hundreds of volunteers “may have compromised too many people”. “It was a really hard decision to make,” Mr Bowers said. “There are a lot of people who like to attend, and we enjoy doing it, but it was in the best interest of all to cancel it in case anyone was immunocompromised.…
A TOOTGAROOK man turning left out of Boneo Road, Rosebud onto the freeway extension last week drove his Ford up onto the wire rope barrier in the middle of the road. The 65-year-old told police the sun was in his eyes, 9.55pm, Tuesday 10 March. A preliminary breath test at the scene indicated alcohol on his breath. He was taken to Frankston Hospital with minor injuries. A blood test was expected to be taken for analysis. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 17 March 2020
A MAN was left on the side of the road with serious neck, head and spinal injuries after being run down by a car in Palmerston Avenue, Dromana, 8.50pm, Saturday 7 March. The car did not stop after the collision. The 18-year-old was airlifted to The Alfred hospital where he was in a serious condition late last week. Somerville Highway Patrol is urging anyone who may have any information to call 5978 1300 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 17 March 2020
A ROSEBUD man was charged with 15 counts of burglary, theft and obtaining property by deception after being arrested Thursday 12 March. The 25-year-old appeared at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Friday where he was remanded to appear at a later date. The charges relate to the alleged theft of a backpack at Rye Yacht Club, overnight 4 May. It contained a laptop computer and credit cards. Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Steve Reidy, of Somerville CIU, said the laptop was later recovered on the foreshore and returned to its owner. The cards had been used in multiple deceptions at southern peninsula…
MORNINGTON Peninsula mayor Cr Sam Hearn launched the White Bike Foundation Ride for Joel 2020 last week, cycling from Mount Martha House to Mount Martha Primary School with students and police on Bicycle Network National Ride2School Day. Chris Savage, co-founder of road safety charity, The White Bike Foundation, led the way with Mornington Police Senior Sergeants Paul Edwards and Kirby Tonkin ensuring the safety of the group, Friday 13 March. Mr Savage is set to carry The White Bike Foundation’s #think2 message on a 1700km cycle from Dromana to Wentworth NSW over the next 10 days, visiting six schools in…
A RESHUFFLE of the state opposition has seen Mornington MP David Morris lose the high-profile position of spokesperson for environment and climate change. Mr Morris is now the opposition’s spokesperson for finance, ageing, bay protection and fishing and boating. In the reshuffle announced by opposition leader Michael O’Brien, first-term MP for Evelyn, Bridget Vallence, was promoted to be spokesperson for environment, climate change and youth affairs. The reshuffle follows the departure from Parliament of Upper House MP Mary Wooldridge, the opposition’s health spokesperson. Mr Morris, a former Shire of Mornington councillor and shire president, was elected as the Liberal MP…
TI-TREE Lodge resident Dorothy Stahel celebrated her centenary with friends and staff members, Tuesday 10 March. But that wasn’t the end of it: On Saturday 14 March she did it all again at a large family gathering at Shoreham. Ms Stahel and husband Jeff moved to Flinders in 1968 and built a home described by locals as a five-iron from the Flinders hotel. “As members of the Flinders Golf Club from 1963-2005 they made many friends when Flinders was still a small community and everyone knew each other,” daughter-in-law Lyn Stahel said. “Dot was women’s president 1976-79 and also Ladies…
THREE men are being sought by police for stealing a “large quantity” of vodka from a Somerville Centro liquor store last month. The men in their early 20s took the vodka and ran from the store, 2.50pm, Thursday 6 February. They were then seen “coming and going from the Raymond Street Reserve”. Anyone recognising the trio or who has further information is urged to contact Leading Senior Constable O’Donnell, at Hastings police, 5970 7800 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at https://bddy.me/2VJn1vy First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 10 March 2020
THE line from the Mel Gibson movie Mad Max was used by members of Somerville highway Patrol last week when they farewelled their last Holden V8. After countless patrol hours on peninsula roads, 1LY7GG was taken back to VicPol’s transport branch at Brunswick to be decommissioned. Its replacement is a police-only model of the Mercedes Benz E400D wagon, which police say has almost twice as much power as the showroom version. The police-pack Mercedes has the same acceleration as the Holden Commodore V8, but uses only about one-third of the fuel because of its hi-tech diesel engine. An advanced all-wheel-drive…
POLICE are seeking help from the public to recover an electric bike stolen from outside a Hastings fast food restaurant earlier last month. A woman, above, described as about 30, solid build, wearing a white hoodie top, green shorts, thongs and sunglasses on top of her head reportedly took the white Budtrol bike belonging to a 15-year-old girl, 8.47pm, Wednesday 5 February. Anyone with information is urged to call Leading Senior Constable O’Donnell at Hastings police 5970 7800 or report it to Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 10 March 2020
AN Audi A6 valued at $80,000 was stolen from a Mornington house while its owner was in bed, Monday 2 March. Detective Senior Sergeant Miro Majstorovic, of Somerville CIU, said possibly one burglar entered the King Street house through an unlocked back door. The owner awoke to hear the garage door opening about 5am and saw the gold-coloured car being driven off. Forensic police were examining clues at the scene. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 10…
CAMPAIGNERS against family violence Rosie Batty and Natasha Stott Despoja have helped launch Mornington Peninsula Shire’s first gender equality strategy. Last week’s launch – part of an International Women’s Day celebration at Mornington Racecourse, Monday 2 March – came 10 days after the passing of the state government’s Gender Equality Act. Ms Stott Despoja and Ms Batty spoke about their roles and explained how improving gender equality would reduce violence against women and their children. Ms Batty – whose advocacy has contributed to significant policy reform state-wide and, ultimately, the development of the strategy – said it was an “incredibly…
ALICE McKinnon, above, got a buzz showing off a robotic bee made from recycled materials at Our Lady of Fatima, Rosebud, last week. Her creation was made to form part of a mechanical garden sculpture display at the Red Hill Show over the Labour Day long weekend which reflected the students’ concerns about a world with only robotic bees and mechanical flowers. At the base of the sculpture a black spray can symbolised the reason for the declining bee populations: pesticide sprays. Visual arts teacher Amanda Heggen said the model bee helped teach the children about the decline of bees…
Officers from Mornington are investigating a serious assault which occurred in Mornington earlier this year. Investigators have been told a 19-year-old Mount Martha man was walking along Albert Street with friends when he was assaulted about 8.30pm on 19 January. An altercation had earlier occurred with a male at a nearby takeaway store and the situation escalated when the 19-year-old was assaulted by a second male. The offender then got into a dark grey Volkswagen Amarok ute and was driven from the scene by a third man. The offender is perceived to be Caucasian, in his 20s, medium build and…
REGISTRATIONS for children eligible to attend Mornington Peninsula kindergartens next year are open now. The on-time registration period closes 11.59pm, Sunday 28 June. Late registrations will be accepted from 9am Monday 29 June. Kindergarten, or preschool, for children aged 3-6 years will be delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher. Mornington Peninsula Shire uses the Kindergarten Central Registration system, which it says is a “streamlined and transparent application and allocation process that is fair and equitable for all families”. The shire says kindergarten is an important step for young children with research showing that early education helps set children up…
A VOLUNTEER group focused on suicide prevention in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula has been named as the major beneficiary of this month’s Tyabb Air Show. A national suicide prevention day walk run by Chasing Change last September attracted about 1000 people to a morning of reflection, conversation, and mourning. This led to its inaugural Chasing Change Blue Christmas event which brought people together during the often-trying festive period in which loved ones are often missed the most. The air show, held every second year, donates money raised to charities and not-for-profit groups. The air show is on Sunday…
SOUTHERN Buoy Studios is holding a solo exhibition by artist Morano, pictured, until Tuesday 10 March. Originally from Barcelona, Morano now lives on the Mornington Peninsula and this is his first exhibition in Australia. Morano says the works come “from memories of my childhood in the suburbs of Barcelona, from the images that I keep in my head painting murals over the train rails”. These memories from “a childhood looking to overcome the lack of opportunities” include factory workers, street culture and buildings surrounded by industrial estates. Morano sees his paintings as “a reflection of me comprehending that part of…
SORRENTO has been chosen as the next location in the rollout of plastic beach matting as part of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Disability Action Plan. The matting would make it easy for large mobility chairs to get across the sand and into the water. “Access for all of us to enjoy the stunning beaches and locations on the peninsula is important,” the shire’s community development manager Chris Munro said. “Installation of beach matting on our beaches is part of a range of measures we are undertaking to expand access for all.” Shire officers Virginia Richardson and Zach Grimes met at The…
THE Portsea Kings won the annual Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron 2020 team challenge last week. Members Andrew Nash, Peter Bolton, Drew McLennan and Nick Bowden came home in one hour, four minutes and 18 seconds. Challenge committee member Andrea Devereux said the event, in its fifth year, raises funds and awareness for vocation assistance and job opportunities for youth on the southern peninsula. She said all proceeds from the event will go to the new Headspace satellite at Rosebud. “Given the recent weather, it was a relief to have a glorious day for the event which saw 19 teams competing and…
DETECTIVES are investigating four commercial burglaries on the Mornington Peninsula in which thieves raided two post offices, a hairdresser and a Reject shop over three nights. Detective Sergeant Jason Hocking, of Somerville CIU, said two men used a sledgehammer to break into Dromana Post Office and steal 15 mobile phones valued at $7000, 2.50am, Wednesday 19 February. The same offenders are believed to have stolen 34 mobile phones valued at $8000 from the Rosebud Post Office, 1.30am, Saturday 22 February. The phones at both post offices range in price from $99 to $350. Soon after the second post office raid…
CHARGES of negligence against a Rye carnival proprietor were dropped in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last week. Worksafe had charged Wittingslow Amusements with failing to ensure people were not exposed to risks to their health or safety following the death of a boy on Easter Monday 2017. The six-year-old was flung out of the Cha Ch ride when he slipped under a guard rail. He died in the Royal Children’s Hospital four days later. The ride, built in 1961, was checked by engineers in December 2016 and no defects found. The ride was closed for two days after the fatality and…