Author: MP News Group

A RED Hill petrol station was fined $7929 after petroleum hydrocarbons were found leaking into a nearby stormwater drain. Environment Protection Authority Victoria southern metro manager Marleen Mathias said Mornington Peninsula Shire Council officers found the leak at the front of the United Petroleum station on Arthurs Seat Road in May and notified EPA. “Sampling by EPA officers confirmed that the stormwater system was impacted by hydrocarbons and that it had come from United Petroleum’s service station in Red Hill,” she said. “Council created a barrier downstream from the station’s stormwater discharge point to contain the spill.” Ms Mathias said…

THE spirit of the Mornington Peninsula green wedge has been captured by the brushstrokes of 100 artists in the inaugural Green Wedge Paint Out. From these works, two have been chosen for major prizes: Winning artist Chris Pubela won a $500 bursary for her work Natural Beauty, an oil on canvas portraying the open spaces around Bittern reservoir. A $250 bursary encouragement award went to William Goodwin for his oil on canvas Green Wedge 1. The mayor, Cr Bryan Payne, thanked the artists saying the Paint Out had been one of the major highlights of the shire’s Thin Edge of…

TWO hungry thieves allegedly stole 10 packs of rib eye steak valued at $150 from the Mt Eliza IGA supermarket, Saturday 18 August. The men took their booty to a vacant aisle and loaded it into a backpack before walking out without paying. Anyone knowing the men – or who attended a barbecue with them – is asked to call Senior Constable Teffa Cunningham, Mornington police, 5970 4900, or call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au online. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 28 August 2018

REVELLERS who allegedly threw beer glasses from a balcony in a Mornington shopping strip are being sought by police. The incidents occurred around 10.30pm, Saturday 18 August, outside a licenced venue in Main Street. Police said a glass was thrown onto the road below endangering the public. While they were investigating another glass was allegedly thrown from the balcony narrowly missing a policeman and a police van. Anyone with information should call Mornington police 5970 4900 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 28 August 2018

SLEEPING on the job took on a whole new meaning last week when a man was found semi-conscious in the roof of a chemist’s shop hours after it had been burgled. Detective Shaun Rampal, of Frankston CIU, said the Frankston man, 29, may have fallen unconscious after consuming prescription drugs allegedly stolen from shelves during the early morning raid. Police were called to Chemist Warehouse on Wells Street after staff heard banging and thumping in the ceiling, 5.30pm, Saturday 18 August. They were unsure whether the noise was caused by a person or a trapped animal until a man’s head…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will hold community drop-in sessions next month to explain how it is working to overcome traffic congestion on the southern peninsula. The move follows concerns that pressures on the shire’s road network are expected to significantly increase as Melbourne’s population rises to eight million by 2050 – with many more people flocking to their peninsula “playground”. (“Road congestion a daunting challenge” The News 21/8/18). Those attending the sessions will be invited to provide input into formulating alternative traffic plans to reduce traffic congestion – rather than having motorists continuing to flood the southern peninsula freeway reserve. The…

By Kelly Parkinson, AGL’s senior manager project engagement AT the recent community rally at Hastings, some key issues on safety and the environment about AGL’s Crib Point Gas import jetty project were understandably raised. First, we agree Western Port is an important environmental area that must be cared for. AGL is a company that has a keen focus on the environment, sustainability and the communities in which we operate. Therefore, we expect to be held to account on these issues. We’ve been reporting our social and environmental performance through an annual sustainability report. Of course, if you look, you will…

FLINDERS Christian College students Lucy Steer and Liv Zuidema rose to the challenge to win the National Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge, Saturday 11 August. The two-day event was run by the Australian Culinary Federation at Holmesglen Institute, Glen Waverley. The Year 12 food studies students delighted the judges with their twice cooked Asian-inspired chicken. It consisted of a poached chicken, Asian-style sauce, egg noodles, ginger carrot puree, crispy chicken skin, stir fried pak choy, pickled pak choy, turned mushrooms and  kafir lime dust. Teams came from Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales. First published in the Western Port News…

MORNINGTON racecourse is about to get a $2.75 million all weather synthetic training track. The synthetic track, to be completed by September, will replace the existing 12-year-old sand track and allow training all year on a more consistent training surface. The existing track base and drainage will support the new synthetic track, which will be the same dimensions as the old sand track – 1730 metres in length and eight metres wide. The club estimates it will save $15,000 a year on water. The Melbourne Racing Club holds 18 race meetings and 40 jump outs each year at Mornington, with…

FOR the past two years team members at Fusion Mornington Peninsula has dreamed of a social enterprise thrift shop and cafe to assist their work among young people on the Mornington Peninsula. The Christian youth and community organisation, based in the former army barracks at Mt Martha, has been providing housing, youth programs and community support since the 1960s. Programs seek to connect young people aged 15-21 to networks in the community and engage them with a wider sense of belonging and achievement. By providing early interventions to youths within its program, it seeks to address the many issues that…

CFA high-angle rescue specialists joined police and SES crews to rescue a woman who had slipped down the cliff at The Pillars, Mt Martha, last week. Police were called to the incident by the brother of the Mornington woman who reported her missing at the site, 9.30pm, Tuesday 14 August. Sergeant Dennis Ramsay, of Mornington police, said officers rushed to the scene and spotted the woman’s car parked on the Esplanade. They were forced to slide half-way down the rocky cliff face to find the woman, 37, before “making her safe and secure”. CFA crews from Mt Martha CFA were…

THE Grand Hotel, Mornington, has joined hundreds of hotels, clubs and restaurants across Australia in backing the Parma for a Farmer campaign. The campaign aims to help drought-stricken farmers by putting $1 from every parma sold towards buying a bale of hay to feed hungry sheep and cattle. Grand Hotel manager Cameron Price said the campaign would run throughout August. “It’s going really well as we hope to raise $4000,” he said. Those wanting to donate online can visit the Buy a Bale website. Daniel Failla First published in the Mornington News – 21 August 2018

SKILLFULLY depicting a full-throttle mash-up of extreme physical risk-taking, graceful movement and slow-mo fight sequences, Cockfight is a darkly humorous and surprisingly tender piece of dance theatre by newly formed Gold Coast/Berlin company The Farm that sees long-time creative collaborators Joshua Thomson and Gavin Webber reassess who is in charge. A cross between The Office and a cage fight, Cockfight is a game of comical one-upmanship that builds to moments of emotive impact, where generational truths are exposed and unpacked. A flash of bared teeth, territorial pissing contests, the desperation of needing to prove yourself versus the need to hold…

OUR Lady of Fatima pupils Lily, Ruby and Lara might be young, but they’re already winning plaudits for their artwork. The youngsters’ works were highly commended in a Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery art competition for primary and secondary pupils based on the theme of sport. Visual art teacher Amanda Heggen said the school was “delighted and excited” with the pupils’ success in being awarded Packing Room prizes by the organising committee. Their work will be displayed at Antipodes Bookshop, Sorrento, until Sunday 26 August. They will receive their certificates at an award ceremony at the gallery, Monday 24 September. Winners…

MUSICIANS are playing for a cause this Saturday at Rye’s Baha restaurant, raising money for families struggling on the earthquake-hit Indonesian island of Lombok. More than 430 people died in the 6.9-magnitude earthquake on 5 August. It followed one week after another earthquake left 17 dead on the island. While thousands of tourists were able to leave Lombok more than 350,000 residents remain displaced. The economic cost has been estimated at $342 million, with thousands of buildings collapsed and infrastructure badly damaged. The Live for Lombok event at Baha has been organised by expatriate Indonesians and other members of the…

OPEN Gardens Victoria will launch its spring season at Rick Eckersley’s Musk Cottage garden at Flinders. “The four-hectare property has been a pet project of Rick Eckersley and the Eckersley Garden Architecture design team for the past 10 years,” the head of Open Gardens Victoria Liz Fazio said. “The result is a garden that ignores the latest fashion trends, is tough and sustainable and feels uniquely Australian.” Musk Cottage will be open over the weekend 1 and 2 September. “It may be one of the last opportunities to see the garden as there are plans to sell the property,” Ms…

AUSTRAL is a name synonymous with presenting musical theatre in Rosebud. Now in its 35th year, the production company is bringing a classic favourite to the stage. Oliver, directed by Emma Webster and starring a cast of amateur talent from near and far, is a story of musical delight for young and old. Ms Webster, a regular at many theatre companies doing choreography and theatrical makeup, has long dreamed of directing a musical and has loved her directorial debut with Astral. “I’ve been involved in a lot of shows over the years, and this is by far my favourite to…

MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer Susan Abbey has been an MS Readathon Ambassador for four years. The Tyabb resident is a frequent visitor to Mornington Peninsula schools where she talks about her condition and encourages children to read more. This year the MS Readathon is raising money for families to attend special MS Camps which Ms Abbey says give those living with MS timeout and a chance to meet others. Pupils raise money for MS by seeking sponsorship for reading as many books as they can during August. “We appreciate the efforts of the young readers and their teachers and families that…

Compiled by Boronica King CAPTAIN Geoffrey Grice, son of Mr James Grice, of Frankston, who was recently awarded the Military Cross, has since been appointed a member of the Order of the British Empire. Captain Grice, who received the distinction for gallantry, is a member of the British Forces. *** MEMBERS of the local branch of the National Federation are reminded of meeting to be held in Mechanics’ on Wednesday evening next. A full attendance is particularly requested. *** MR Robt. Cairns, of Rosebud, topped the market at Dandenong this week for springers with a pen of seven very nice…

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a silver Commodore, possibly a VY model, was driven through the front fence of a property on Boormani Drive, Mornington, 6.30pm, Friday 3 August (pictured). The car lost its bumper bar in the incident near Benton’s Square shopping centre. The driver reversed and sped off without notifying the property owner. Anyone knowing the driver is asked to call Leading Senior Constable Ryan Fraser, of Mornington police, 5970 4900. First published in the Mornington News – 14 August 2018

A MT MARTHA man made a series of bad and likely to be expensive decisions on Saturday night 4 August. At about 10pm, the 23-year-old was directed to pull into the testing line at a booze bus on Nepean Highway, Frankston. Instead, he drove off into the Frankston CBD where he was pulled over by a Somerville Highway Patrol unit that was working with the booze bus. After blowing 0.136 per cent the driver had his licence suspended and his car impounded for a month – with a $1038 release fee. He will be summonsed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’…

A DRIVER pulled over by police in Mornington early Thursday morning last week for having false plates “smelt like a brewery”, police said. He later admitted to losing his licence for drink-driving in 2011 and his car was unregistered. The 44-year-old Mornington man allegedly blew 0.176 per cent when breath-tested. He also tested positive for the drugs ecstasy and ice. Before the man’s blue Honda Civic was impounded and towed away he allegedly kicked dents into every side panel. He was collected by his “none too happy” wife and will appear in court at a later date. Two other drug-drivers…

AFTER being born five weeks premature, Dakota Lampard is now thriving after spending time in a“baby warmer” at Frankston Hospital’s special care nursery. Nurse unit manager Alison Conroy-Joyce said the warmer was bought last year with money raised from the annual Kids’ Fun Run with K163. Mt Eliza Rotary Club and Peninsula Health hold the annual event where children race the historic steam train K163 at Moorooduc Railway Station on 18 November. Last year the run raised $15,000, which was used to buy the CosyTherm baby warmer as well as a phototherapy light to treat jaundice in infants, six cots…

ROSEBUD police are urging school leavers to celebrate safely and responsibly this Schoolies Week, which kicks off later this year. “The majority of school leavers had a good time without any trouble last year, but, unfortunately, there were a small number who took celebrations too far,” Mornington Peninsula inspector Janene Denton said. “We know that Rosebud is a popular destination for schoolies and, every year, police will be out and about to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time. “We’ll be boosting our patrols during schoolies this year to keep partygoers safe. We will target disruptive parties, alcohol-fuelled…

STATISTICS surrounding Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Meals on Wheels service tell a worthwhile tale: it has been operating for 40 years and delivers 1500 meals per week – up from the original 25 meals per week. That’s a staggering 75,000 meals per year. Its 170 volunteers drive 125,000 kilometres all over the peninsula each year to feed more than 450 grateful residents five days a week. The volunteers’ ages range from 21-89, with the longest serving volunteer delivering for 39 years. At a recent annual food safety audit the Meals on Wheels team again achieved excellent results, with 100 per cent…

STATE politicians and some business leaders were given a tasteful look at the Mornington Peninsula last week by the mayor Cr Bryan Payne, councillors and farmers. The team from the peninsula arrived at Parliament House bearing gifts of the types of produce available on the peninsula. Named A Taste of Mornington Peninsula, the shire-sponsored promotion is based on tourism and farming being the “key … that underpins the employment of thousands of Victorians”. Along for the ride with councillors were vegetable growers, wine and cheese makers, brewers, tourism operators and apprentice chefs. The peninsula’s key food producing industries are vegetables,…

A DROMANA Secondary College student was seriously injured after falling through the roof of a shed at Dromana reservoir, 2pm, Friday 10 August. The 14-year-old was playing with mates on the roof of the South East Water pumping station when he fell through a skylight, police said. He was airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital in a serious condition. Police described the incident as “misadventure”.

IN a bizarre incident in Tyabb up to 18 police were involved in arresting a man who allegedly drilled holes in a gas main underneath a neighbour’s house, filling the house with gas. Police, the Dog Squad, ambulance and Tyabb CFA crews, were called to Central Avenue by the neighbour, Tuesday 31 July. When they arrived they found the man hiding in a manhole underneath his own house and refusing to come out. Negotiations with him continued for several hours. Police were unwilling to send down the dog to flush him out because of fears the man may have been…

A FRANKSTON North man will face court this week charged over an aggravated carjacking in company with another man in Somerville, 5pm, Sunday 17 June. Detectives from Mornington Peninsula CIU arrested the 40-year-old, Friday 3 August. He has been remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, Friday 10 August, charged with aggravated carjacking. The other man, 47, of Somerville, is already in custody over the incident. He will reappear at a later date for a committal hearing. Police will allege the two men, one armed with a knife, threatened the woman, 36, in a supermarket car park before…

A NEW control system has reduced energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from ExxonMobil’s fractionation plant at Long Island Point, Hastings, according to engineer James Curry. Mr Curry says efficiency and productivity improvements at the plant were achieved by upgrading the dynamic matrix control system (DMC). “We have upgraded and optimised the DMC system and conducted a comprehensive review of the model settings to ensure we are maximising the value of the molecules that pass through our plant,” he said. “As a result we have reduced our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions per litre of product.” Mr Curry said…