MORNINGTON Peninsula community houses have tapped into the generosity of peninsula groups to collect donated goods and food items for struggling Pyalong farmers. This comes after Bentons Square Community Centre general manager Kelly Langdon and Becca Smith, of Mt Eliza Neighbourhood House, sat next to two women from Pyalong at the Neighbourhood Houses Victoria conference in May. “We introduced ourselves and congratulated Pyalong on their award for Community Resilience – Relief for Farmers,” Ms Langdon said. “This program donates goods to struggling farmers affected by drought. “Through the donations farmers and their families are empowered, despite their hardships, because they…
Author: MP News Group
SOMERVILLE Highway Patrol night shift had a busy week setting court dates for 22 people. These included a 20-year-old Frankston man who was remanded in custody and had his car impounded after allegedly driving at up to 155kph while running red lights around Langwarrin and Frankston. The police helicopter was hovering overhead. Senior Constable Greg Wolfe said other incidents included a Wantirna man, 39, whose licence had been suspended who was “so fixated on getting his hit of drugs he didn’t notice the bag of ice sitting on his lap when police spoke to him through his driver’s window”. Also,…
CONCRETE dumped alongside roads is jeopardising driver safety. Hastings police and Mornington Peninsula Shire officers are seeking help from the public to find those responsible for the dumping concrete at 67 South Boundary Road, Pearcedale West; the end of South boundary Road. Pearcedale West; 109 Tyabb-Tooradin, Somerville; Boneo Road, Cape Schanck; and on Western Port Highway near Thompsons Road.. “The impact of this on our roads is an obvious risk to road users as well as the cost to have it cleaned and removed,” senior constable Ryan Blake, of Hastings police, said. He can be contacted on 5970 7800 or…
A NISSAN Skyline travelling south on Moorooduc Highway through the Frankston-Flinders Road roundabout allegedly accelerated to 146kph in an 80kph zone, 11pm, Wednesday 14 August. Somerville Highway Patrol members intercepted the car just before a booze bus which was set up around the bend near Sages Road. The Dandenong driver, 23, gave no reason for speeding, although police thought it “may have been a case of him trying to impress his girlfriend who was with him in the car”, Senior Constable Greg Wolfe said. “We assume she wouldn’t have been impressed at having to arrange alternative transport home. But it’s…
THE weather wasn’t ideal for a day out on the bay, but that didn’t stop fishing and boating minister Jaala Pulford, Nepean MP Chris Brayne and a host of other interested parties from lining up at the Rye boat ramp on Friday. The politicians were there to announce in person that parking and launching fees at Mornington Peninsula Shire boat ramps had been scrapped. Fees at Schnapper Point and Fishermans Beach, at Mornington, and at Rye, Safety Beach, Sorrento and Hastings were the first to go, with Tootgarook boat ramp to be free from 1 September and the Anthony’s Nose…
By Lance Hodgins Part Two The final showdown And so it comes down to a simple matter: which of two undefeated teams was the greatest … 1913 or 1948? One team (1913) was at the end of a dominant ten years for Hastings. It was in the middle of a famous “three-peat”, going on to win another flag the following year. Only the Great War would put the local football competition, and the reign of Hastings, into recess. The other team (1948) was the end product of a sporting build-up after a similar break for the Second World War. This…
By Lance Hodgins Part One HASTINGS Football Club has an outstanding history. Since its founding in 1889, there have been many premierships – and some legends, such as the great John Coleman. The Blues won their first flag in organised competition in 1905; since then there have been seventeen more. This makes an average of one every six years! So … which was the greatest side of all time? Measuring “greatness” I do not propose to open that age-old argument and put yesterday’s team on the field against one of today. Today’s footballers are taller and faster, train harder, have…
A man has been caught drink driving after he crashed into a pole in Portsea Monday 12 August. Rosebud police were called to Defence Road after a man crashed his blue Holden Commodore sedan into a pole about 4.20pm. The driver returned a positive preliminary breath test and was taken back to a police station where he returned a breath test reading of 0.250. The 48-year-old man is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving offences. Victoria Police News – Monday, 12 August 2019
POLICE are investigating links between teenagers who died in a two-car collision at Cranbourne, Sunday afternoon 11 August, and thefts from cars and theft of a car at Hastings, Somerville and Safety Beach earlier in the weekend. An 18-year-old Cranbourne woman and a 16-year-old Frankston boy died and three others were injured when the cars hit on the South Gippsland Highway, near Camms Road, about 4pm. Somerville CIU’s Detective Senior Sergeant Eddie Logonder would not be drawn on details other than to say detectives were investigating whether the thefts and the crash were linked. The driver of the stolen blue…
NASA scientist Dr Darlene Lim drew a packed house at the Science in the Park event at Coolart Wetlands and Homestead, Somers on Sunday 11 August. Described as a “rock star in the science world” Dr Lim spoke to a packed audience about her adventures to extreme Earth habitats and her role in Mars exploration. The homestead’s stables had to be been converted into an auditorium to accommodate the large crowd. The event, part of National Science Week, was attended by many scientific organisations. The Environment Protection Authority’s applied science division helped the children check the wetlands’ water quality using…
THELMA Kirkman celebrated her 106th birthday sharing her love of literature with children from Goodstart Early Learning Centre, Benton’s Road, Mornington. The Benetas Corowa Court, Mornington resident, a former secretary of Tasmanian State Library, was delighted to mark the milestone with a session that promoted the importance of reading from a young age. Described as an “incredibly humble and generous” person, Ms Kirkman didn’t want to make a fuss, so Benetas staff organised the event so she could share her passion and knowledge with the youngsters who are all a century younger than she is. Farrell’s Bookshop, Mornington, discounted the…
ROSEBUD Secondary College’s $1 million Wellness Pavilion has received the final phase of its finance, meaning construction can now begin. Deputy Premier James Merlino and Nepean MP Chris Brayne visited the school in Eastbourne Road to announce the long-awaited $300,000 grant last week. The state’s contribution follows $300,000 announced in March by the federal government. “It was my hope when I announced the federal government’s $300,000 contribution in March that the Victorian government would join with the school, local families, the and local community to deliver a bipartisan approach to this project,” Flinders MP Greg Hunt said. “Their acceptance and…
MISSING person Andrew Dymott, pictured, was last seen at a family barbecue at Mt Eliza in 1999. The qualified electrician was last seen by his father in the early afternoon walking to his car which was parked on the street. He did not return and has not been seen since. Mr Dymott, 47, is 180cm tall, medium build, brown hair, green eyes and fair complexion. During National Missing Persons Week 4-10 August his family was reminded it had been 20 years since they last saw their son and remain concerned for his safety and welfare. Police are encouraging those who…
POLICE at Dromana, Hastings, Mornington, Rosebud, Rye, Somerville and Sorrento will wear body cameras from next week. They will be among more than 11,000 cameras in use by 2020. The cameras will be worn by general duties and highway patrol police of the rank of sergeant and below. They will record video and audio footage. Police will be given regular training which includes the use and functions of the body worn camera. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 13 August 2019
A MT ELIZA man who had his car impounded for speeding and drug-driving at Langwarrin early Monday morning had devised a novel way of charging his mobile phone. The 38-year-old was running a lead from the battery, through an open side window and into the phone. Senior Constable Greg Wolfe, of Somerville Highway Patrol, said: “Most of us have a charging cord of some type in our cars for charging up our mobile phone. “When you drive a car that’s a bit of a wreck inside, and doesn’t have a functioning cigarette lighter socket, it can be a challenge though.…
MORE than 1200 traffic offences were detected during the four-day Operation Reset, police said last week. Speeding topped the list of offences with 405 drivers nabbed: alarmingly, 320 were exceeding the limit by 10-25kph. Police conducted 11,758 preliminary breath tests and 499 drug tests and found 69 affected drivers during the operation which ran from Thursday 1 August-Sunday 4 August. Southern Metro Region Acting Commander Tony Silva said it was alarming to see the number of dangerous choices people continue to make when they get behind the wheel. “It’s a harsh reality … that every offence, be it speeding, drink…
CASH boxes stolen from the Coles supermarket at McCrae Plaza said to contain a “significant” amount of money were found empty at Seaford wetlands and in Robinsons Road, Frankston, last week. At least two men are believed to have forced open roller doors to the supermarket using a long-handled jemmy bar before loading three cash boxes into a stolen Holden Crewman ute, 12.30am, Thursday 8 August. Earlier, the same men wearing gloves and hoodies are believed to have unsuccessfully attempted to force their way into Sorrento Cellars. The ute was found burnt-out at Cranbourne on Friday morning. First published in…
SOUTHERN Metro Divisional Response Unit police arrested a man during a raid at Rye on Wednesday 7 August. They allegedly found two firearms, two Tasers, ammunition and a quantity of methyl-amphetamine at the Browns Road property. A 49-year-old man was charged with two counts of being a prohibited person possessing a firearm, trafficking methyl-amphetamine, possessing ammunition, and five counts of possessing a prohibited weapon without authorisation. The man was remanded in custody to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 16 August. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 13 August 2019
POLICE conducted a doorknock of surrounding streets in the wake of a shooting at Capel Sound last week. They had rushed to the scene near Woodthorpe and Point Nepean roads about 2.55am after neighbours reported gunshots, Wednesday 7 August. A man in his 20s was found in the street with wounds to his legs. He was taken to Frankston Hospital for treatment. No arrests had been made by Friday afternoon and the investigation was said to be ongoing. Rosebud Senior Sergeant Jen McKenna said the doorknock was aimed at easing residents’ concerns after the shooting. “We understand that incidents like…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has successfully prosecuted 11 rubbish dumpers in the past seven months, resulting in fines of over $11,000. The shire says it is “continuing its zero-tolerance approach to illegally dumped rubbish” with 10 cases of aggravated littering and one local law breach being heard at Dromana Magistrates’ Court. Two tree loppers and five peninsula businesses were among those prosecuted in the cases which resulted in $11,459 in fines and $2313 in costs being recovered to help pay for clean-ups and offset statutory costs. The shire’s environment protection unit is getting tough on rubbish dumpers by boosting patrols at…
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding an alleged firearms incident which occurred in Capel Sound this morning. Emergency services were called to the vicinity of Woodthorpe Road and Point Nepean Road about 2.55am after reports of gunfire. The area was patrolled and a man, believed to be in his 20s, was located in the street with a suspected gunshot wounds to his legs. He was taken to hospital for treatment. Police have patrolled the area but at this stage no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Victoria Police News – Wednesday, 7 August 2019
A DAY’S fishing on Western Port will be cheaper from next month with the abolition of parking and launching fees at public boat ramps. Better Boating Victoria is overseeing the introduction of free parking and launching by 1 September, and upgrading and maintaining ramps at Hastings, Rhyll and Cowes jetty. The state government made a big splash about freeing up boating and fishing fees in the lead up to the November election, saying “every dollar of licence and registration revenue [will] go towards improving boating facilities and safety”. “Boat launching fees cost Victorian families hundreds of dollars a year –…
FROM the creators of celebrated Australian works Rumour Has It and Wrecking Ball, comes the must-see live music event of the year. Lady Beatle is a modern memory play set to a kaleidoscopic soundtrack of the Beatles’ most monumental hits. Starring Australian stage and screen star Naomi Price (The Tragedy of King Richard III, Ladies in Black, The Voice Australia) and inspired by true accounts, Lady Beatle weaves a fantastical tale soundtracked by the Beatles’ biggest chart toppers, including Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, Eleanor Rigby and Penny Lane. Rediscover the Beatles’ immortal catalogue as new; reimagined and reinterpreted…
CAN you believe it’s over 50 years since Mrs Robinson removed her garter in the Graduate?And over 30 years since the landmark Grammy winning Album – Garceland! Paul Simon is undoubtedly one of the greatest songwriters in Contemporary Music His success & variety of work, spanning 6 decades, is true testament to his genius. From his massive early success in Simon & Garfunkel, who defined the folk rock sound, Mrs Robinson…The Boxer Sounds of Silence …Bridge Over Troubled Water..…Feelin Groovy ….to his solo endeavours in reggae, rock, contemporary. …Mother & Child Reunion… 50 Ways….. Kodachrome ….. Me & Julio… &…
IT was many happy returns for Kunyung Primary School last week when celebrating its 40th anniversary with a big cake and special assembly. The 780 students and 50 staff were arranged in a “human 40” on the oval to be photographed from overhead by a drone. Buddy grades spent the morning playing party games. Business manager Eleanor Nuttall said the school was to be called Mount Eliza West Primary School when work started in October 1978, but changed its name to Kunyung Primary when its doors opened in February 1979. Doug Slattery was the first of five principals assisted by…
THE female partner of a man who blew more than three times the legal limit blasted police for “wasting our time”. Somerville Highway Patrol members pulled over the 51-year-old Skye man in McClelland Drive, 9.15pm, Wednesday 31 July. After blowing positive he was asked to return to Carrum Downs police station for an evidential breath test. There the woman “became abusive towards the testing officer, setting a poor example for the young teenage girl in the back seat”, Senior Constable Greg Wolfe said. The man blew 0.159 per cent – or more than three times the limit – and had…
POLICE Operation Reset held over the weekend was aimed at encouraging drivers on the Mornington Peninsula to reset their attitudes towards road safety. Southern Metro Region Acting Commander Tony Silva said Operation Reset provided a “highly visible presence of police with a particular focus on known road trauma locations”. “We are incredibly saddened by how many lives have already been lost in Victoria’s south east this year, with 24 people not returning home to their families.” This is double the number of lives lost at this time last year. Acting Commander Silva said: “We are seeing reckless speed, failure to…
A MAN who allegedly twice rammed police patrol cars spent the night under guard in Frankston Hospital before fronting Frankston Magistrates’ Court last week. Police cornered the 21-year-old around 1.30am, Thursday 1 August, in a Moorooduc Highway service road near Humphries Road, Frankston South. They said he deliberately reversed the stolen car he was driving into them and attempted to run off but was caught after a brief chase. Police searched the vehicle and allegedly found a quantity of knives and stolen number plates. They said the man had earlier rammed a police car in Frankston South and attempted to…
A MT ELIZA man alerted by a silent alarm was able to watch on his phone from another location as two men wearing balaclavas tried to force the front door of his house, 5.33am, Saturday 27 July. Detective Senior Sergeant Al Paxton, of Somerville CIU, said the man called police who rushed to the Fulton Road house as the men sped off towards Nepean Highway in a grey 2000 Ford sedan. They were not able to apprehend them. Police canvassed houses in the street and found a neighbour had been robbed of cash and jewellery, another neighbour’s garage had been…
A MURAL depicting the firefighting water tank at Main Ridge was unveiled by members of the Dromana & District Historical Society last week. It was painted by artist Michael Leeworthy, pictured, with help from students at Red Hill Consolidated School. The mural is on Arthurs Seat Road, near Bellingham Road, Main Ridge. At the unveiling are, from left, Main Ridge CFA president Graeme Flockart, Red Hill CFA firefighter Barry Johns, Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor David Gill and artist Michael Leeworthy. First published in the Western Port Times – 31 July 2019