January 2011

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Frankston

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author Leigh Wilson was thrilled when asked to autograph a copy of his just-published self-help book. ‘Leigh writes a lifebuilding book’ Page 3.

Megacity Frankston By Mike Hast FRANKSTON could have 18,000 residents living in the central activities district (CAD) and 18,000 workers arriving every workday by 2025. This and other ambitious plans are contained in the draft Frankston City Economic Strategy released late last year and due to be debated by councillors in February. It is the 10th version of the second draft with the first draft not released due to the 2008 Global Financial

Crisis, considered by many economists as the worst crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. But submissions from two key citizen lobby groups in the region – the Friends of Frankston and the Defenders of the South East Green Wedge – call into question key elements of the strategy. The strategy outlines what Frankston City Council wants to achieve in economic development over the next 10 to 15 years, using a notional 2025

time horizon, and outlines the role the council can play in partnership with business and other spheres of government. “The council cannot deliver the objectives and overall vision by itself, but can act to coordinate activities and investments of other levels of government and the private sector,” the strategy states. “It is widely recognised that Frankston City has significant yet unrealised potential and ... is on the cusp of a

major socio-economic transformation. “Those ... in the property market regularly refer to Frankston as the ‘next big thing’ and with many significant private and public investment projects imminent, it is clear that these are exciting times in Frankston.” The council states Frankston has “numerous regionally significant facilities and ... has an influence which extends into the southern metropolitan region and Mornington Peninsula”. The city’s bayside location, proximity

to the peninsula and its tourism options, transport infrastructure, education and health precincts, and the size of the city centre provide the municipality with a competitive advantage in attracting investment and a workforce that is drawn by the area’s ability to provide a great work–life balance, the report states. Frankston faces a significant economic development challenge, the strategy authors state. Continued Page 4

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Volunteers recognised: From left, Carlos del Rio, Mandy Arthur, Judy del Rio, who was awarded the 2010 Kath Neilsen Memorial Award and Peninsula Community Legal Centre president Victoria Campbell.

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PENINSULA Community Legal Centre estimates its volunteers give out $200,000 in free legal advice each year. In the past year 1786 of the centre’s clients were given advice by volunteers, an 11 per cent increase on the previous year. The legal centre has been operating for more than 30 years and depends heavily on its 120 volunteer lawyers, paralegals and administrative workers. “Our volunteers help improve accessibility of free legal services for our local community. We estimate that their in-kind assistance is equivalent to monetary contributions of around

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Frankston Times January 2011

$200,000 each year,” general manager of volunteer and education programs Andrea Staunton said. The legal centre acknowledged the work of its volunteers during an International Volunteer Day celebration. Since 2002 the legal centre has presented the Kath Neilsen Memorial Award to a volunteer and this year it was presented by her daughter, Mandy Arthur, to Judy del Rio, for her work over 30 years, including paralegal work, serving on the centre’s management committee and pro bono interpreting. “Judy del Rio is passionate about improving access to justice for those in

our community who are disadvantaged by lack of resources and language barriers, and has assisted members of culturally and linguistically diverse communities to access free legal services, often accompanying them and interpreting for them pro bono,” Ms Staunton said. Volunteer encouragement awards sponsored by Slater and Gordon were presented to Olga Pecherski, Ash Galvin and Danielle Mercuri. For more information about free legal services, contact the Peninsula Community Legal Centre by calling 9783 3600 or on the internet at www. pclc.org.au

Plan for 52 units By Mike Hast OUTSPOKEN millionaire developer Rob Emond is seeking Frankston Council approval to build a four-storey, 52-apartment block with 58 basement car parks at Seaford between Kananook Creek and the Nepean Hwy near McCulloch Ave. The land of 5600 square metres (about half a hectare, or 1.4 acres) is occupied by Seaford Beach Cabin Park, which has 71 units in 35 prefabricated buildings with tenants paying up to $200 a week. In December 2009, the council extended the cabin park lease until June 2013 when it will cease operation. About 2600sqm of the 1.4ha is Crown land, which the council manages for the state government. Mr Emond, 40, a former professional golf teacher at Kingston Heath Golf Club, made headlines in Frankston last year when he called for the marina below Olivers Hill to be built as soon as possible so he could invest his millions in developments. He was photographed beside a flash car with personalised number plates. Mr Emond sued a leading stockbroker in 2004 after losing more than $120,000 when the socalled dotcom bubble burst. In 2008 he and former racing car driver Rusty French told the council they could build 1000 low-cost homes on green wedge land if granted approval. Mr French owns the quarry in Skye that was being used by Frankston residents as a rubbish transfer station until the council forced it to close in late November after failure to meet certain planning permit conditions. Waste management multinational Veolia leased part of the land from Mr French’s company Skye Sands and operated the transfer station, but the two have parted ways. Formal objections to the Seaford development have been lodged with the council by Kananook Creek Association, Seaford Community Group and individual residents. The chairman of Seaford Community Group, environmental journalist Jim Kerin, reported on his new website Mayday SE News in late December 2010 (www.mayday-senews.weebly.

com) that the proposed development could only become reality “due to a controversial proposed land swap” of 860 square metres of Crown land facing Kananook Creek for 675sqm of freehold land facing Nepean Hwy. “Frankston Council has since 2003 wanted the site for a car park for beach visitors. If the swap proceeds, about one-third of the proposed building’s footprint, about 16 units, will occupy what was Crown land,” his website states. “The land swap has the approval of the council and former Brumby government minister and local upper house MP Gavin Jennings, who was re-elected in November and is now opposition spokesman for health. The legislative process to transfer the land has started.” Mr Kerin states the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in 2004 approved five twostorey townhouses on three freehold titles with a total area of about 3000sqm. The lessee told the tribunal he would continue operating the cabin park on the Crown land and started the land swap negotiations. In November 2008 Frankston councillors voted to support the deal. The land is one of a number of small reserves set behind housing on the west (bayside) bank of Kananook Creek, set aside for campers way back in 1881. Older residents say they were known as “anglers’ rests”. The government in 2009 cut the 860sqm from Kananook Creek Reserve and revoked its historic status. It is now unreserved Crown land. The land swap will produce an irregular, axeshaped block, the “handle” of which is about five metres wide at the northern end and 9.5m at the south. Locals say the strip will be isolated behind the proposed building, which will have its highest point about 15 metres above the creek bank.  VCAT refused a permit for 22 units at 336340 Nepean Hwy, near where Kananook Creek flows under Mile Bridge, late last month, citing insufficient setbacks from both the creek and the highway. It was the second time development of the block had been refused and is perhaps a marker that Mr Emond’s 52-unit proposal is not a guaranteed hole in one.

Leigh writes a lifebuilding book By Keith Platt LEIGH Wilson knows a lot about building. As a structural engineer he designed, oversaw or was involved in the construction of many buildings, including Melbourne’s award-winning Southern Cross station. However, soon after the turn of the century, he decided it was time for a major career change and began a journey that led him to building on a less firm but what may ultimately be a more constructive level – self-development. Always a teacher or mentor to younger engineers, Wilson set out on a course that would lead to self-development in ways that he never envisaged when sitting at his desk tackling the mathematical complexities of an architect’s imagination or a developer’s dream. Wilson is now an “executive coach” advising and helping people attain their dreams and, the end result of his own personal dream, the author of a published book. Surviving financial meltdown: How to triumph over personal financial hardship and unleash your true potential was born from Wilson’s own life experiences and determination not to accept failure. His optimism, reinforced by lessons learned from many books and several “self-improvement” teachers, carried him across what must have appeared as a morass of self-doubt. The narrative of the book starts some years ago with Wilson returning to his Mt Eliza home after a 10-kilometre jog. The inside of the house is bare. Rooms had been stripped of furniture

Leigh Wilson

and familiar family trappings. His wife and two young children had departed; the end game of a troubled second marriage and a “horrible argument” the previous night. But the book is not a continuing tale of woe. It is about a man who faces reality, admits mistakes and failures, and chooses to find a way out of adversity without blaming others. It is an advice book for others searching for fulfillment. One of Wilson’s biggest moments came just before Christmas when he saw his book on the shelves of Robinson’s Bookshop in Frankston. Just as big a thrill came moments later when a copy was bought by a customer who then asked for his signature.

Wilson says he always knew he had a book in him but, apart from writing his “ideal Year 12 physics book” while still at school, had no idea of what its subject might be. In the end, part of the impetus for the book has been his desire to talk to his four children. “I thought that I must have stuff to pass on to my kids, but there was no way I was going to be able to sit them down to listen, even though we all get on very well,” he said. “So I’ve now had the chance to record some of these [life’s] lessons and there’s a chance they’ll read it at some time.” The children were the product of two marriages, which are also part of Wilson’s story, as is the closure of a business resulting from “the recession we had to have” [Paul Keating’s infamous quote from the early 1990s]. The subject matter for the book came while driving his car: “I’d been coaching for a while, mentoring all my life, working with young engineers, lecturing at university and writing for technical publications. “So I thought ‘what do I know best?’ and it was this coaching background, and battling financial problems all my life.” Perhaps it was his engineering background, but Wilson believes in methodical, step by step ways to overcome problems. He draws mind maps resembling flow charts to list goals and solve problems. Targets are set, stumbling blocks recognised and strategies devised to avoid or minimise them.

His book was written after first attending a three-day “how to write a bestseller” course and then signing up for the more detailed – and expensive – follow-up, which included mentoring, printing and, finally, publishing. Spend a couple of hours with him and it is easy to see how his enthusiasm can be contagious and, most likely, helpful. “Stress, and my book particularly focuses on financial stress, is something people tend to dwell on. It hits us and threatens our survival.” He relates these adult fears back to babies “who are fearful of just two things – abandonment and falling – which is all about survival”. “Lack of money can hit us at a very deep, subconscious level. It can be a threat with deep-seated fears that we often don’t acknowledge.” Wilson’s remedy is to show that the “quality” of a person’s thinking depends on a positive emotional state. Through his book and personal coaching, he teaches that “everything is possible” and “everyone has an inner wisdom” that can be tapped into. “We need to look at life as a journey that is limited only by emotions and beliefs,” Wilson says. “A lot of wealthy people aren’t happy, but I won’t write a book on how to be a multi-millionaire until I am one.” To find out where to buy Leigh Wilson’s Surviving financial meltdown: How to triumph over personal financial hardship and unleash your true potential visit www.survivingfinancial meltdown.com or www.executive breakthrough.com.au

Waterfront contenders THE Frankston Waterfront Festival is ready to entertain the family this weekend (15-16 January) with live music, food and wine, rides, amusements, skimboarding and beach soccer. The Live ‘n’ Local main stage will be headlined by Michael Paynter, the Dirty Boogie Band, Red Ink and funk band Blackwater Riff. Other performers include Alanna Deutrom, the Peninsula Folk Club and the Fun-Key Music Children’s Show on both days. The food tents and beer and wine garden are close enough for the music to be heard while having a chat. The Challenge Arena offers visitors the chance to test their body balance, or try zumba, tenpin bowling, martial arts, dancing and circus skills. On the beach on Saturday are the Victorian Skimboarding Championships, with competing experts and the chance for novices to try their hand at what is an evolving sport. Players from the Melbourne Heart A-League club will be hosting a beach soccer tournament and clinics on both days. Other attractions include lawn bowls, croquet, craft activities, didgeridoo workshops, chalk art and fitness tips. A fireworks display will be held over the bay at 9.45pm Saturday. The Frankston Waterfront Festival - 10am-10pm on Saturday and 10am-6pm Sunday – is held near the pier at Frankston (Melway 100A A9), visit www.visitfrankston.com or call 1300 322 842.

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Frankston Times January 2011

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NEWS DESK

City’s economic strategy for central living Continued from Page 1

Frankston has a low stock of jobs relative to its population size, and does not have an obvious economic specialisation of note. “The challenge for Frankston is significant. The wider region in and around Frankston is growing strongly. Frankston, the Mornington Peninsula and the Cranbourne component of [the City of] Casey combined had about 328,000 people in 2006 and this catchment is expected to expand to about 471,000 residents by 2026. “This presents Frankston with significant opportunities for economic growth and investment. “However, the flip side ... is significant risk of establishing a large urban sub-region that has relatively few jobs and services. Social exclusion issues that currently exist in some pockets of the region could expand significantly without a coherent strategy to deliver jobs and services to the region and in particular to its nominated capital, Frankston CAD.” Friends of Frankston spokesman Richard Laverack, an architectural draftsman, says the draft economic strategy miscalculates Frankston’s status, misquotes population trends, provides an overestimation of the capacity and size of the CAD and has no environmental integrity. The council continues its “ongoing practice of falsely claiming Frankston to be a ‘regional capitol’, with the strategy stating that Dandenong is 20 minutes’ drive from Frankston yet cites 72,000 jobs in the ‘Frankston catchment’ within a 30-minute drive”,

he wrote in a submission to the council. There is the “ridiculous assumption that Frankston, with an existing CAD gross retail floor area of 120,000 square metres, can somehow conjure up an additional 1.28 million square metres of floor space for retail and residents – 10 times the existing floor area – to cater for the desired growth”. Mr Laverack estimates the CAD might need up to 90 tower blocks to house an extra 18,000 people. He said the proposed 10-storey building in Clyde St between Bayside shopping centre and the railway station was to be 180 units for students with two people per unit in what he described as “shoeboxes”. A recent plan for the 12-storey Peninsula Centre on the highway would have seen 60 luxury apartments at five per storey. Somewhere between the two would be the kind of places people would want to live in Frankston, he said.

We’re all about service. Are you?

“It’s erroneous to believe that Frankston’s CAD could expand to accommodate 18,000 employees and the same number of residents, a full blown tourism ‘industry’, an aquatic centre, government offices and the accompanying traffic that they would generate,” he said. “The council seeking to rezone green wedge land to accommodate purely economic development is to be condemned.” Mr Laverack says the strategy omits key elements. “Where is a comprehensive plan for a low-carbon economy? The council says all the development being in the CAD is sufficient as people will not have to travel for work and shopping, but this is an inadequate response. “The impact on Frankston of the proposed development of the Port of Hastings needs to be independently assessed. “Port plans detail three options for

Carve-up proposal fanned green wedge protests people

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Frankston Times January 2011

freight movements by rail, but it’s odds-on the freight trains will run through Frankston as this is by far the cheapest option. “Do residents want freight trains rumbling through the city at all hours of the night? This is when containers and other goods will be moved as passenger trains are already close to full capacity.” He says the impacts on amenity in the CAD have not been fully considered. “Where is a comprehensive discussion about predicted sea level rise and the possible removal of Frankston’s beaches?” He asks why the council’s comprehensive TAFE to Bay structure plan of 2005 has been ignored. “This plan took two years of consultation with all sectors of the community. It should have been the starting point of the economic strategy.” He says Frankston barely rates a mention in the state government’s

Melbourne @ 5 million long-term plan for the metropolis, the 2008 update of the controversial 2002 Melbourne 2030 plan. “The government states three employment corridors will be given priority. “They are Avalon Airport to Werribee, Melton, Melbourne Airport and Donnybrook; Caulfield to Dandenong; and Monash University/ Chadstone to Box Hill, Austin Hospital and Bell Street. Lesser priority will be given to Ringwood to Box Hill and Hawthorn, and Melton to Sunshine and North Melbourne. “Frankston Council should face the reality that it has a hospital, university campus and a railway line that are not particularly integral to employment generation strategies. “Why not concentrate on deleting employment from the CAD strategies and applying resources to residential development and tourism?” He says it is fallacious to think that Frankston CAD – an area measuring 800 metres north to south and about 400 metres east to west – can accommodate the suggested growth. “Compare this to Dandenong, which is more than times three as big, and it is obvious which centre is the ‘regional capital’, further evidenced by the bulk of the state funding going to Dandenong. “Frankston does not have the physical size for the growth being advocated in this study and it is laughable to suggest adding two storeys to every site in Frankston could accommodate the growth.”

AN earlier draft of Frankston Council’s economic development strategy released in October proposed residential and industrial developments in green wedge zones. This raised the ire of Defenders of the South East Green Wedge, a coalition of conservation and community groups dedicated to protecting the green wedge. The Defenders wrote to council CEO George Modrich in December expressing strong concerns over the council’s plan to carve up open space. Defenders’ secretary Barry Ross stated the proposal would raise expectations about the urban growth boundary being shifted and create uncertainty. “Land bankers and speculators will increase their lobbying activity for rezoning,” Mr Ross wrote. The price of green wedge land would increase and force legitimate farmers from the land. The Defenders claimed Frankston’s plan would contravene state government rules about planning scheme amendments protecting green wedges. The coalition also queried why the council would review its local planning policy, which is due to be released to the public this year and which confirms Frankston’s long-standing policy to protect and retain green wedges, but then

produce an economic development strategy that proposes to jettison this protection. “Surely we are entitled to expect more from the council than this ad hoc approach to such an important issue,” the Defenders stated. “The council has been a strong supporter of the green wedge since ... 1997.” The Defenders also stated the green wedge is a wonderful asset for Frankston City that separates the bayside corridor from Dandenong and the growth areas of Cranbourne, and stops the region becoming a vast urban sprawl. It contains productive farms and other rural activities, and provides a buffer zone around quarries, landfills, sewerage works and offensive industries. It provides space for recreation and conservation. “There are many cleverer and more acceptable ways of making Frankston a more prosperous and better place to live that are outlined in the economic development strategy than carving up what precious little is left of the green wedge. “We urge you to drop this ill-considered recommendation from the economic strategy and revert to the long-standing policy of protecting and retaining the green wedge.”

Facts about Frankston’s CAD FRANKSTON Transit Interchange (trains, buses and taxis) has about 2.2 million users annually. Bayside shopping centre attracts about 12 million users each year and is the sixth largest regional shopping centre in Melbourne (by floor space and revenue). The CAD generates about $1.3 billion in gross revenue each year. There are more than 800 businesses and/or

organisations in the central activities district, and its businesses provide work for more than 6300 people and about 800 volunteers. About $442 million of wages and salaries are generated in the CAD each year. Frankston Central, a 1.2-kilometre radius from the centre of the CAD, which the council says is a nominal point in the Bayside shopping centre, had a population of 9444 at the 2006 census.

MP leading red letter protest to Australia Post ‘Keep shopfront in Playne St’

Signature man: Dunkley MP Bruce Billson is spearheading a campaign to get Australia Post to reverse it decision to move shop from its Playne St, Frankston, premises.

FEDERAL MP for Dunkley Bruce Billson is back on the street, but this time he’s asking for signatures not votes. The Opposition’s spokesman for small business, competition policy and consumer affairs spent two and half hours asking shoppers to sign a petition calling for Frankston’s Playne St post office to be retained as a full service Australia Post outlet. He says nearly 100 signed up “on a quiet weekday between Christmas and New Year”. “A survey of the early morning Playne St customers, 71 per cent of whom were collecting items from post office boxes, revealed that two-thirds favoured the retention of all services currently operating from the post office, with the remaining one-third saying they would be satisfied if only the PO boxes were retained,” Mr Billson said. Three people approached by Mr Billson said the post office should be closed in line with Australia Post’s plan to consolidate its operations in

nearby Wells St, but Mr Billson said customers believed moving to Wells St would create problems with parking, queuing and the possible need to change PO box numbers and stationery. “Even the Australia Post customers who frequently visit the Playne St outlet to clear their PO boxes and deposit mail clearly identified the retailing and customer service activities operating out of the ‘post office’ as important complementary activities that should be retained,” he said. “I will be meeting with Australia Post representatives early in the new year to once again press for the retention of Playne St as a full service outlet and will present the survey findings and support reflected in the petition to parliament as further evidence to retain the status quo.” Anyone wanting to sign the petition to be presented to the House of Representatives in February can visit Mr Billson’s electoral office at 20 Davey St, Frankston.

Musical base to combat wildlife poachers MORNINGTON Peninsula musicians are headlining a concert to raise money to stop poachers slaughtering animals in Africa. The International Anti Poaching Foundation (IAPF) event, RAW for Africa, will be held at Mornington Racecourse from noon on 29 January. Organisers hope the annual event will become a fixture on the peninsula’s fundraising calendar. Last year’s event on a private property was a sellout, with nearly 1000 attending. Set up by Damien Mander of Mornington, the IAPF is aimed at raising awareness of the dev-

astating effects poaching has on Africa’s wildlife. The IAPF trains and equips rangers to protect the animals and conduct community-based education projects, reforestation and veterinary rescue of wildlife. Mr Mander said the event at the racecourse would include live music, food and entertainment and educational activities for children. ”Funds raised will go toward the construction of educational and training facility in Zimbabwe where the IAPF operates on the ground to help stop the crises of illegal animal trafficking, which is now the third

largest criminal industry in the world,” he said. Musicians lined up include Dallas Frasca performing from her debut album, Not For Love Or Money; Red Ink (who appeared at last year’s inaugural event); the Quarry Mountain Dead Rats; the Sophisticants; Ben Smith Band; Tub O Vas; President Roots; Dirty Boogie Band; Oakley Greneel; The Resignators and Guesswork. RAW for Africa 2011 is an environmentally friendly event, carbon offset with tree planting across the Mornington Peninsula. For details and tickets visit www.rawforafrica.com.au

Extra hospital – but don’t expect a cure ANOTHER hospital has reopened on the Mornington Peninsula, although its wards and beds are there for looking at rather than actual use. Hospital 3 is one of the historic buildings open to the public in Point Nepean National Park’s Quarantine Station precinct at Portsea. It has been 12 months since the Quarantine Station opened its gates to the public offering visitors the opportunity to explore the grounds and walk around parts of the disinfecting complex. Hospital 3 and the adjacent Cook House. Interpretive displays explain the evolution of the uses and the fabric of the building and its history from 1858.

The hospital remains in its unrestored state with evidence of the building’s previous forms and alterations. Also highlighted are the differences of passenger class accommodation type and uses between the five original hospital buildings at Point Nepean. For example, first class passengers were served meals, but steerage passengers had to cook their own. The opening of Hospital 3 complements the interpretation of the site’s disinfecting complex, already partially accessible to visitors, and provides a better understanding of the organisation and functions of the Quarantine Station. Frankston Times January 2011

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NEWS DESK

News highlights 2010 By Mike Hast JANUARY

Pier pressure: Rosebud pier reopened in early January after a $1.4 million renovation and it was to be a busy year around Port Phillip piers and on some beaches, which sustained massive erosion. Most alarming was the neardestruction of Portsea front beach, with a new, mysterious ocean swell – at least according to the state government and the Port of Melbourne Corporation – sweeping away tonnes of sand and adjacent foreshore, reducing the famous holiday destination to a narrow strip of sand and alarming scuba diving companies that use the once-placid pier as a training base. Locals said the swell rolling in from Bass Strait and sweeping around Point Nepean was the result of dredging in The Heads, part of the $720 million, 20-month deepening of Port Phillip’s shipping channels in 2008 and 2009. Government and port experts denied this, but could not say what was causing the damage. The Department of Sustainability and Environment forked out more than $2 million to sandbag the beach and bring in land sand from Gippsland. The famous Portsea swim classic was moved and many beachgoers abandoned Portsea for Sorrento and other neighbouring beaches. In August, Parks Victoria closed Mornington pier to start repairing and renovating damage done by storms over the last three years. A small section was reopened for summer, but the $3.5 million project restarts in early February. Barbecued chicken: Inghams Somerville chicken processing plant went up in flames on Monday 11 January, putting more than 800 people out of work. The fire started after an electrical fault in the box room on a day of 40 degrees plus. A month later, Inghams announced it would rebuild, but 250 people would lose their jobs during rebuilding, expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2011. The new plant will eventually employ 600. High times: More than 10,000 music fans trekked to Pt Nepean for the Hot BBQ festival on 16 January. Police used sniffer dogs to detect and detain 36 people carrying illegal drugs. A festival at Mornington racecourse on New Year’s Day saw 28 people detained by police using dogs. Those detained were handed cautions, sent to drug diversion programs or taken to court. There was also trouble in Mornington after its traditional Australia Day fireworks with police officers being pushed and shoved while trying to arrest 10 people. Inspector Shayne Pannell of Rosebud police said most trouble was caused by teens aged 13 to 17 who started drinking early afternoon, but downplayed the mischief. Three weeks later a police officer involved in the trouble broke ranks and said police should have been tougher on young boozers, asking where were the kids’ parents. Road games: Mid-January the state government announced Southernway (a consortium of Abigroup, Bilfinger Berger and Royal Bank of Scotland) was the successful tenderer for the controversial $760 million Peninsula Link freeway, also known as the Frankston bypass, which will join the freeway that ends at Frankston with the Mornington Peninsula Freeway at Mt Martha when completed in 2013. FEBRUARY

Wrong route: World renowned Frankston naturalist Hans Brunner

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Frankston Times January 2011

joined a chorus of scientists and conservationists criticising the freeway route through seven public and private parks and reserves, including the Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve in Frankston North and the historic Westerfield property with its precious and rare flora in Frankston South, which in August and September was the site of a 13-week picket by conservationists trying to stop Abigroup bulldozers clearing bushland. Court actions and pickets were to no avail as chainsaws and bulldozers removed trees and grassland in late September. Kennedy legit: Local Government Victoria announced Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO Michael Kennedy’s 2004 and 2008 contracts were valid after an earlier investigation by the Victorian Ombudsman George Brouwer raised doubts. Mr Brouwer conducted a probe after complaints by Tyabb ratepayers about the contracts and the shire’s freedom of information (FOI) system. Later in the year the shire’s own auditors reported its FOI systems were up to scratch, but ratepayer grumbling continues. Bad for business: The peninsula’s business incubator, Western Port Business Centre, was wound up after the shire withdrew its support. Based at the old Shire of Hastings works depot in Pound Rd, Hastings, it was started in 2000 with a $450,000 federal government grant, topped up with $100,000 in 2003, had helped more than 50 businesses start and was the only one in Melbourne’s southeast. Waste not: The Environment Protection Authority approved plans for the long-awaited $380 million upgrade to the Eastern Treatment Plant near Carrum, which treats 40 per cent of Melbourne’s sewage and waste water. Built in 1975, it’s been sending 150 billion litres a year into Bass Strait at Boags Rocks near Gunnamatta, known by surfers as “Poo Pipe”, wasting a precious resource that could be irrigating farms, recreation reserves and sports grounds. ETP currently supplies 21 billion litres of recycled water a year and Melbourne Water says it has buyers for a further seven billion litres after the upgrade, expected to be finished at the end of 2012. Making airwaves: The peninsula’s 24-year-old community radio station 3RPP revealed it was being courted by both Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Shire for a new home with its lease at Moorooduc Coolstores ending in late 2010. Frankston offered the former Milpara Park aged care hostel and the shire successfully suggested the last remaining classroom block at the old Mornington Secondary College site on Wilsons Rd. A cluster of peninsula Rotary clubs is building a state-of-theart studio complex as well as raising $300,000 via a “monster” raffle with no monsters as prizes but instead two cars donated by Motor Court Toyota, a holiday cruise from Travelscene Westernport and a 50-inch plasma TV from Rosebud Retravision. Unseated: T’Gallant restaurant on Mornington-Flinders Rd, Main Ridge, owned by brewing giant Foster’s Group, loses its bid in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to massively expand its 60-seat venue to 274 seats with 171 car parks instead of 41 and a reception centre. Butt out: Frankston Council announces a no-smoking ban in parts of the central shopping area, including the train station and main shopping streets, will be trialled September 2010 to March 2011.

Freeway theatre: Opponents of Peninsula Link freeway protest on the steps of Parliament. Organised by Save Our Bush Alliance, crusading comedian Rod Quantock conducts a mock burial for bushland threatened by the freeway. At the rally are Simon and Joyce Welsh whose property Westerfield lost 2.6 hectares of virgin bush full of precious wildflowers, compulsorily acquired in December 2009 by the state government’s Linking Melbourne Authority. On guard: Frankston Council says it will hire eight security guards to patrol streets, beaches and the train station to make the city safer. Soon after the guards start work later in the year, one of them is assaulted in Young St. Meanwhile, Ian Morrison of the Mt Eliza Community Association says criminals will head for Mt Eliza for easier pickings after the state government rejects a request by shopkeepers for CCTV in the village. Shelf life: Planning minister Justin Madden announces he will fast track applications for an Aldi store in Rye and a Woolworths hardware store in Mornington. Months later Aldi shelves its plans, saying it had nothing to do with a vocal anti-fast food lobby group in Rye. Marina woes: Frankston Council abandons its bid to find tenders for the controversial Olivers Hills marina after spending more than $2 million of ratepayers’ money, claiming the Global Financial Crisis had scared off potential investors. It is revealed two bidders wanted to expand retail areas to 4000 square metres and boat berths from 300 to 550 as well as exclude public boat launching. The council says it will try again in 18 months. Fish fight: Melbourne Water apologises for the failure of a pumping station at Patterson Lakes that caused the death of hundreds of fish in Patterson Lakes, the Eel Race drain and Kananook Creek. The government water body installs backup power and says it won’t happen again. Close call: Using two water-bombing helicopters and 13 fire trucks, firefighters pounce on a fast-moving fire along the Esplanade at Mt Martha, saving hundreds of million dollar homes either side of bushland in Sunshine Reserve. Police say a discarded cigarette butt was the likely cause. MARCH

No parking: Mornington real estate agent and Mt Eliza property owner Brett McEwing says he will take the shire council to VCAT for refusing plans for a caravan park on his property Morningdale near the corner of Tower Rd and Nepean Hwy. Later in the year, the tribunal confirms the shire’s rejection of the project with its proposed 101 caravan sites, 15 units, swimming pool and parking for 50 vehicles on 5.6 hectares of green wedge land. Wedged out: Later in the month, VCAT also refuses a plan by Mark and Melinda Brown to build a family home on two hectares in Tuerong, one of 11 blocks subdivided in 1922. The former horse stud, now called Coolart Rising estate, is bounded by Coolart and Stumpy Gully Rds. Sylvia Mainwaring of VCAT said in her judgment that the shire should follow its own planning regulations (after it failed to make a decision within 60 days) or change them to allow high density housing in green wedge. Hot rocks rock: Melbourne geothermal energy pioneer Dr Donald Payne shows the media a house on the cliff at Mt Eliza above

Ranelagh Beach where the property owners have installed a 17.5-kilowatt electricity system for the family home and 10.5kw for the pool, with energy coming from eight 30-metre deep holes. Fridge gas travels down through pipes and returns to the surface at 55 degrees Celsius via a geothermal heat pump system. Dr Payne says Australia could reach its most optimistic greenhouse gas reduction target if every home had such a system. More RSL blues: The southern peninsula community rallies to try and save the 80-year-old Dromana Red Hill RSL after RSL Victoria says the local sub-branch must find $200,000 in two weeks or shut its doors. RSL HQ then grants an extension, but the club is forced to close in July. In September the club is saved by the Western Bulldogs, which says it will convert the RSL into its peninsula base and allow some RSL activities to continue. Sorrento-Portsea RSL was saved from oblivion in early 2008 and Mornington RSL saved in late 2008, just two peninsula sub-branches struggling with falling membership and patronage. School daze: Pearson St has been the route to the Main St shops for generations of Mornington Primary School pupils, but developers revealed in March they wanted to close off the street and build 12 multi-storey townhouses and 107 apartments with 189 car parks and a new road off the Eastern Ring Rd at the back of school. The school community objected, citing safety concerns, and the matter will be debated in 2011. Fire good news: A Somerville company, Wildfire Safety Bunkers, receives permission from the Building Commission, a state government authority, to sell a bushfire bunker. With room for six people, the bunker costs $10,500 plus installation and is one of the first to be approved, although more than 12 months after the devastating blazes of Black Saturday, 7 February 2009. Meanwhile, Wildfire Management Overlays introduced by the state government to rural and outer urban council planning schemes throughout the state, including on the peninsula, are shown to add several thousand dollars to home construction costs and up to 12 weeks to building schedules. The overlays include all areas from Rye to Pt Nepean plus other bush areas in the shire. Caravan park angst: Two citizen lobby groups, Red Hill Community Action and Flinders Community Association, challenge the shire’s draft caravan park policy, which allows caravan parks of up to 100 sites on rural holdings of 40 hectares or larger. With 168 properties qualifying, RHCA says the policy is development by stealth, could drastically increase the peninsula’s population and that caravan parks should only be allowed near towns with their shops and services. Matter is still under consideration. Freeway OK: Heritage Victoria approves building of the Peninsula Link freeway across Westerfield, removing the last legal hurdle and causing much gnashing of teeth by conservationists. Pristine bushland virtually untouched since white settlement will make way for the four-lane freeway, which will be 200 metres from the property’s historic French provincial-style house built by Sir Russell Grimwade in 1924 and designed by the acclaimed architect Harold Desbrowe Annear. Lost will be grassy woodland, swampy forest and aquatic herb land.

APRIL

Dumpers targeted: The shire council announces a campaign to tackle illegal rubbish dumping on the peninsula that will include CCTV at dumping hot spots, an education campaign and dob-in-a-dumper hotline. Ferry story: Draft plans released for a car ferry from Stony Point near Hastings to Cowes on Phillip Island, the so-called missing link for drivers travelling along the coast of Victoria. The project is costed at $15 million, with $700,000 already spent on a feasibility study, but hits a snag when angry Phillip Island residents protest at meetings and a rally on the foreshore, claiming the planned infrastructure will ruin Cowes foreshore. Bass Coast Shire a few weeks later cans the plans after spending $250,000 as its part of the study, with Mornington Peninsula Shire also spending a quarter of a million and the state government $200,000. Rates plea: Mornington Peninsula Ratepayers and Residents Association calls on the shire council to go easy on rate rises in its 2010-11 budget after releasing an analysis showing rates have risen 93 per cent in the last nine years against the Melbourne average of 83 per cent. Over the same period, the consumer price index had risen 30 per cent and wages 45 per cent. Shire officers and councillors ignore the plea and increase rates 6.2 per cent with an average of $1014, but many property owners pay much higher rises due to property revaluations in early 2010. Kicking sand: The state government defends trucking in land sand to replenish peninsula beaches after saying dredging sand stored off Mt Martha could be used when putting the case for dredging two years before. Park it here: State government announces free entry to all national parks, including Mornington Peninsula National Park on the Bass Strait side of the peninsula, from 1 July at an international conference in Melbourne. Beer ban: The Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League announces a ban on BYO grog at all footy matches, which provides a boost for some struggling clubs in sales from kiosks and enables clubs to better manage alcohol consumption. Susie Qs: Rosebud West area councillor Susan Beveridge quits shire council saying she will leave in June, citing health issues and that she cannot live on just her council income and the role takes too much time to find another job. She takes a parting shot at the state government and VCAT, claiming they have too much influence over planning decisions. She is replaced by Antonella Celi at a byelection in mid-July. Michael more: Shire councillors approve a $19,000 pay rise for CEO Michael Kennedy backdated to July 2009 after months of delay assessing his performance. He is now on a package of $319,000, more than the Australian prime minister. Clear skies though: Thousands of people in their vehicles cause road traffic chaos at the first Tyabb Air Show since 2006, but the day is deemed successful by organisers with dozens of aircraft celebrating 100 years of air flight in Australia. More wedgies: Property owners in Boneo, Tuerong, Somerville, Mt Eliza and other rural areas face heartache as they are refused permission to build homes in green wedge zones as the shire council wrestles with outdated and confusing planning laws.

News highlights 2010

MAY

More trains: The state government adds an extra 35 peak hour trains to the Frankston line, part of an extra 80 services each week, but complaints about late and cancelled trains continue throughout the year and a killer blow is delivered at the state election in late November when four Labor MPs on the Frankston-Melbourne line lose their seats, Rob Hudson (Bentleigh), Janice Munt (Mordialloc), Jenny Lindell (Carrum) and Alistair Harkess (Frankston), and the Brumby government is thrown out of office. Budget blow: A second major reason the Brumby government loses to Ted Baillieu and the Liberal National coalition was the pitiful yield for the peninsula and Frankston in the May state budget. Now in government, big things are expected of Geoff Shaw (Frankston), Neale Burgess (Hastings) and Martin Dixon (Nepean), the new education minister. Rail revival: The Department of Transport is working on secret plans to electrify the train line between Frankston and Baxter and eventually the spur line to Mornington. JUNE

Harbouring safety: Plans for a marina in Mornington harbour are released for public comment, the fourth attempt in the last 25 years to build a so-called safe harbour. They’re racing: Mornington Racing Club joins forces with Melbourne Racing Club, which is based at Caulfield racecourse, in the biggest change in the peninsula club’s 111-year history. Frogs hollowed: Conservationists’ angst greets the first clearing of a reserve for the Peninsula Link freeway, Pobblebonk Reserve off McClelland Drive, south of Cranbourne Rd,

with claims bulldozers killed hundreds of frogs, lizards, possums, sugar gliders, native swamp rats and marsupials. LMA refutes the claims saying all environmental obligations have been met. Chopper windfall: Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad announces it will sell its Sorrento-based helicopter and revert to a sea-based rescue service after usage falls to a record low, due to state government bodies having their own helicopters. Listed for $1.8 million in June, the squad gets less than $1 million later in the year. Thar she blows: Humpback whales return to Port Phillip and Western Port in June for at least the 12th year in a row in a heartening display of nature’s ability to recover from the edge of extinction. Humpbacks and southern right whales were killed for their meat and oil off Australian waters until the late 1960s (off Western Australia) and numbers have been building up since then. Twin servos: Linking Melbourne Authority puts out a tender for twin service centres either side of the Peninsula Link freeway south of Baxter, raising the ire of shire councillors and CEO Michael Kennedy. The shire has a policy of keeping service stations out of the green wedge zone. Devilish time: Conservationists lose the battle to keep anglers, horse riders and cyclists out of Devilbend Reserve as Parks Victoria releases its long-awaited and long-overdue management plan for the reserve that has Devilbend Reservoir as its centrepiece. Later in the year the Department of Primary Industries release trout into the reservoir, against plentiful advice from government scientists. Peanuts to you: Frankston Council workers don monkey masks to protest outside the civic centre after pay negotiations stall, with the council offering 3.5 per cent increase, about $35 a week. “Peanuts”, yelled the workers as startled Frankston City CEO George Modrich was confronted by simmering simians when he left the centre at lunchtime. Next issue: July to December.

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NEWS DESK

Motorists rallying for a cure THE All British Classics Car Club and RACV join forces on Sunday 16 January for the Melbourne to Mornington RACV Great Australian Rally. The RACV-sponsored rally is a key fundraising event for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (known as Peter Mac) and this year has the theme Rallying For A Cure. The RACV Great Australian Rally has three start points: one close to the Melbourne CBD in St Kilda Rd; Stud Park Shopping Centre, Rowville; and Western Port Marina, Hastings. The rally converges into a 700plus car display at Mornington Racecourse. The Hastings start, from the marina car park, ensured that older vehicles have a comfortable distance to travel to Mornington. More than 100 heritage vehicles are expected to start from Hastings, following two routes to Mornington. Vehicles that are going to be judged for prizes can take a direct route via Tyabb and Bungower Rd to the display area. The second, longer, more scenic route, passes through Bittern to Dromana and then on to Safety Beach and along the coast to Mornington. Both routes will see vehicles depart from the marina, into Mullet St, turning right into Salmon St and left into High St to Watts Rd (Frankston-Flinders Rd). From there the rally will turn right for the run to Tyabb, or turn left for Bittern. Hastings residents will also have the opportunity to see those vehicles that have started from Rowville as they will also be driving along High St before going to Bittern. There will be an official flag-off ceremony at 9.15 am. Support for the fundraising can be provided by the public in the following ways:

Direct donation Direct donations can be lodged at the rally start registration counter in the Marina car park. For those donations more than $2 a receipt will be given. All monies collected will be donated to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute.

Rally participation Taking part in the rally with a heritage or exotic motor car. Entry forms can be obtained by contacting the rally office on 9739 4829. Entry fee is $35 and late entries can be accepted at the start venue on the day at $45 a vehicle. Each pre-booked entrant will receive a public entry ticket for a relative or friend. The RACV Great Australian Rally is authorised for those vehicles operated on the Victorian Club Permit Scheme under the auspices of the ABCCC.

Attending the vehicle display Viewing vehicles at the rally finish point at Mornington Racecourse. Admission is $10 a person and all gate proceeds are handed over to Peter Mac. Entry gates open at 10am and the display is open till 3pm. There is free parking in the racecourse grounds and rally vehicles will be nominated for judging with a prize-giving ceremony at 2.30 pm. During the display descriptions of vehicle histories and some technical features will be broadcast. There will be a craft market for the first time, and a display in the centre area featuring special interest motor cars and an army tank. There will also be a display area for motor vehicle clubs that are competing for the Best Club Display award. Last year $43,000 was raised for Peter Mac and this year organisers hope to raise more than $50,000. The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre says cancer is Australia’s leading cause of death and will affect everyone at some point during their lives. The centre is Australia’s only dedicated cancer hospital and treats more than 25,000 patients a year and houses the largest cancer research centre in the southern hemisphere. Entry forms for this month’s RACV Great Australian Rally are available at www.greataustralianrally.com.au.

2010 Clockwise from top: A girl peeps into a rare Lea Francis saloon, during the display at Mornington Racecourse. A Holden leaves the Western Port Marina car park on its way to Mornington. A line of rally entrants wait for the flag-off ceremony. A 1920s Rolls-Royce in the display at Mornington.

Education awards

Join circus without running away

PRIMARY school pupils and secondary students are being encouraged with “Barrelman’s Awards for Enthusiasm” by Seaford Carrum Downs Rotary Club. The club has chosen 11 youngsters to receive books under the awards scheme which is judged on initiative, awareness of the community around them and continually striving to achieve. The club also makes annual $500 Les McNamara scholarship awards to Year 11 students. The selected students were judged on their endeavours to achieve, vocational goals, leadership qualities, participation in extra curricular activities, contribution to the school community and popularity among peers and teachers. For information about Seaford Carrum Downs Rotary Club call secretary Jennie Leslie on 0418 179 269.

YOUNGSTERS with a yen for showbiz can have a crack at performing in the ring without running away to the circus on Friday, 21 January. Frankston’s Hip Cat Circus will open its doors at Cube 37 for 5-21 year olds to learn the basics of circus performing and see if it is something they would like to pursue. Community arts officer Amber Foot: “Our Hip Cat Circus performs every September at Cube 37 and [its members] are often teaching and performing in local events. We will have current and past performers, trainers and the program coordinator all on hand to help children learn some great new skills. “We will also have some spectacular demonstrations of aerials, acrobalance, juggling, gymnastics,

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Frankston Times January 2011

Award winners: Nathan James (Patterson River Secondary College) and Penny McFall (Monterey Secondary College) with Seaford Carrum Downs Rotary Club president Louise Welbourn.

clowning, tumbling and more, so participants can see just what they can achieve if they work at it like our Hip Cat Circus performers do. “Those who show some promise will be invited to train with the Hip Cat Circus and potentially become fully fledged members.” The Hip Cat Circus open day runs 3.30pm-5pm on Friday 21 January and is free. Bookings 9784 1896. Cube 37 is in Davey St, Frankston (Melway 100A D8) next to Frankston Arts Centre. During term one there will be Tiny Tumblers sessions for 5-7 year olds on Thursdays, junior sessions for 8-12 year olds on Tuesday afternoons and senior 13-21 year olds on Tuesday evenings. Call 9784 1896.

HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS Huge new indoor rock climbing & adventure centre IT IS A QUESTION lots of people have asked… So when we were contacted by Mornington Peninsula News and asked as to why we built a climbing gym…. One strong word came to mind; ‘Passion’… We (The Kassays) are a family of climbers, James (our son and Manager at Bayside Rock) started climbing over 15 years ago when he was only 10. After driving him to many competitions and climbing sessions all around Australia, myself (Tibor) and my wife (Aggie) thought we too should give climbing a go. Instantly we were hooked! The following years involved (yep, you guessed it) lots of climbing. Not only at the local gyms, but also outdoors when time allowed, State, National (and for James) International competitions. The three of us all com-

peted and had the opportunity to sample a variety of climbing gyms around the world (which later helped in designing our own). Our Daughter Corinne met her now husband Tim climbing at a gym and James met his fiancé Stacey at another climber’s wedding. So climbing has changed our lives in more ways than most could imagine! So going back to the word ‘Passion’…..Bayside Rock is a part of us. Many currently come and Climb and hopefully enjoy themselves, but for us, it really is our lives. We have put everything into Bayside Rock so that we can share our passion and life with not only the many likeminded climbers, but with the wider community who are trying it for the first time. Being a small family business we wanted to create a friendly atmosphere that appeals

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PAGE 9

For a great family outing

Every Sunday in January 2011 8am-1pm

HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS

The market for everyone SUMMER is here, the Mornington Peninsula is all of a buzz…... Market @ Drive In is located at the Dromana Drive In and is open every Sunday through January from 8am to 1pm. A market where buyers find the essentials amongst treasures; each market day brings about unique and interesting finds, daily needs, to one offs and hard to find items! With a variety of quality stalls changing every market day; selling

Fresh Produce, Art/Craft, Plants, Tools, Toys, Antiques & Collectibles New & Pre-loved Stallholders wanted • No bookings required • $20 per site For more information contact Shelley: Tel: 5931 0022 0428 314 025 Email: market@drivein.net.au www.drivein.net.au/market.htm

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Frankston Times January 2011

fresh produce, plants, antiques & collectibles, art/craft, toys, clothing, tools, new & preloved. There is a playground for the children, plenty of parking, a place to chill out for a while. So come along and visit our National Trust and Heritage listed Drive-In. Shel’s Diner, 1950s retro styled, is open from 8am for Brekkie & Brunch. Freshly made Egg & Bacon rolls, Market Burgers, Scones with Jam

& Cream, Cappucino, Milkshakes, Dip n’Dots Ice Cream and so much more. Dine in or grab a bite to stroll around. For more information including dates of up coming markets, having a stall at the market, see our web site, www. drivein.net.au/market.htm or call Shelley, 0428 314025. Movies screening every night at sunset, see www. drivein.net.au or call 0359 872492 for all current titles screening.

HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS

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Mornington collectables nostalgia and retro fair TREASURE hunting will be fun at mornington’s browse and buy collectables, memorabilia, nostalgia, retro and small antiques fair. The fair attracts collectors, enthusiasts and sellers from all parts of Victoria. This one stop indoor outdoor event features a diverse range of vintage, modern, rare or just hard to find items of interest to the enthusiast. If it’s collectable, it probably will be for sale. There will be bargains, price reductions and sale items from the hundreds of 20th century collectables, including, china, porcelain, pottery, glassware, kitchenalia and other household items, with prices that are often comparable with massproduced reproductions. Other items of interest include vintage and collectable dolls, teddy bears, tin toys, movie music sporting and science fiction memorabilia, personality autographs, comics, coins, stamps, die cast models, olympics, militaria, tools, Australiana, jewellery, advertising, books, swap and trade cards and a whole lot more. A qualified doll repairer will be on hand to provide advice and quotes for anyone wanting to have an old or damaged doll

restored or repaired. Doll and teddy bear valuations also conducted on the day. Approximately 50 well known and diverse dealers from all parts of the Mornington Peninsula, suburban Melbourne and country Victoria will partake at this popular family friendly event. 3RPP community radio will be broadcasting live from the fair between 10Am and 1pm featuring interviews with collectors and live music. Food vendors will be onsite to provide a variety of refreshments on the day. The racecourse has ample

free parking, approximately 3000 car spaces. A fun day the whole family will enjoy. The Mornington Collectables & Memorabilia Fair will be held between 9am and 3pm on Sunday, 30th January at the Mornington Racecourse, Racecourse Road, Mornington. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for children and $10 for a combined pass for 2 adults and 3 children. For more information visit www.eventsvic.com.au or call 9568 8441 during business hours.

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Peninsula tourism’s turn to be in the spotlight

Talent time: Some of the entrants of the 2010 Australia Day talent quest at Rosebud.

National day for talent PERFORMERS are being given the chance to star on the stage when Rosebud Lions Club runs its annual talent quest as part of the Mornington Peninsula’s Australia Day celebrations. The event will be held on the sound stage at the Rosebud Village Green on Wednesday 26 January, the same venue as the last three years Entrants will be judged by a panel of three people, who will take into account song choice, performance and stage presentation. Winners will receive cash and certificates, with a first prize of $200, second $100, third $50 and a $100 encouragement prize for under 12s. Contestants are asked to provide a CD or tape or supply their own backing if needed. Full production will be supplied on the day of the performance.

The quest is open to all ages and styles including singers, dancers, solo performers or duos. Due to production complexities, bands are not included in the quest. The $10 entrance fee can be paid on the day. To enter the talent quest, call Bill Fozard on 0438 391 952, 5975 0502 or email billfoz@yahoo.com.au The event is one of the activities across the municipality arranged by Mornington Peninsula Shire to highlight the Australia Day theme Celebrating Local History, specifically celebrating 150 years of history in the towns of Rye, Dromana, Hastings and Mornington For details contact the shire’s community and special events team on 1300 850 600 or visit www.mornpen. vic.gov.au

TOURISM leaders on the Mornington Peninsula are looking outside the region for ideas to boost what is one of the area’s most important industries and worth an estimated $1 billion a year. The investigation is part of a restructure by Tourism Victoria of Mornington Peninsula Tourism, the peninsula’s peak tourism body. Work starts next month “to develop the most appropriate structure for MPT’s board�, according to executive officer Alva Hemming. “As per Tourism Victoria’s 20092012 Regional Tourism Action Plan, it is now the turn of smaller regions – such as the Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island – to identify the most appropriate industry structure to take these regions into the future,� Ms Hemming said in an email to members late last year. Ms Hemming said “key learnings and successes� that had worked elsewhere would be looked at along with what was working on the peninsula and “determining what the needs of the region are in terms of tourism marketing, industry development and visitor services in future and the specific challenges we face as a region�. “The entire process is expected to take 12 months and while it will be facilitated by Tourism Victoria’s regional team, the final model will be determined by the MPT board, in consultation with its implementation committee. “As evidenced around the state, there is no ‘one size fits all’ and in-

Getting air: High flyers such as this paraglider are drawn to Flinders, just one of many attractions on the peninsula.

deed, each region has adopted a different model to best meet the needs of its industry and specific challenges in meeting tourism demand. “It is also an option that the MPT implementation committee may, after all the learnings, determine that our region’s current industry structure is just fine as it is.� Ms Hemming, describing the possible restructure as an “exciting opportunity�, said it was important to see how the peninsula’s tourism industry

“measures up to meet the challenges of a changing tourism market and to ensure that we are providing the most optimum solution to assist our member businesses to grow and tap into new markets�. “This is indeed a wonderful opportunity for Mornington Peninsula, one we have been anticipating and awaiting eagerly since Tourism Victoria’s Regional Tourism Action Plan was first launched in 2009. Our region’s turn has finally come and we are excited.� Frankston Times January 2011

PAGE 11

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Frankston Times January 2011

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LIFE & LEISURE

Dawn of the Locust-Eaters By Stuart McCullough THEY’RE HERE! After months of anticipation, the buzzing hoards have finally descended, devouring all before them. Having swarmed across the nation, resistance is largely futile so allow me to be the first to say: welcome Oprah Winfrey and her imported audience of excitable Chicagoans. Enjoy your stay. I only hope that a visit to Kryall Castle is on the agenda. Oprah’s television audience, however, aren’t our only visitors. We also have locusts. Talk about a build-up. For the past six months, we’ve heard that the locusts are coming. Now they’re finally here and are intent on taking over. I first noticed them whilst out running. In the early morning darkness, I could feel the little blighters as they ricochet off my head. Until then, I hadn’t realized that I run with my mouth open. However, after several courses of locust served rare, it occurred to me that my mouth needed some kind of protective grill, much like a storm water drain or a Ford Fairmont. I realize that, broadly speaking, locusts are terrible and consume everything before them without discrimination, but the same can be said of members of the Barmy Army and yet we welcome them with open arms. Perhaps they’ve only themselves to blame. Ever since locusts allowed themselves to be used as pawns in the whole ‘Egyptians versus the Israelites’ debacle, their arrival has been greeted with all the fanfare of an impending apocalypse. That they should turn up along with

the type of rain that would send Noah scurrying to the nearest Bunnings for all the nails and timber off-cuts he could lay his hands on hasn’t helped any. I think we’re looking wrongly at the whole thing. Whilst, if history is any guide, the sea will shortly turn red and oceans will boil over, there’s still time to take a ‘glass half full’ approach. In short, we should see them less as the eighth plague of Egypt and more as a once-in a lifetime marketing opportunity. There’s an old saying; when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. As I picked out the mortal remains of a dozen locusts from between my teeth after my morning jog, I contemplated but then dismissed the idea of turning millions of tiny insects into a liquid, fizzing beverage treat and settled for a simple sauté. For whilst some see marauding hoards of twittering insects as a problem, I see a source of protein that simply can’t be beat. The time has come for us to eat our way out. Think about it. The entire history of human existence is a sorrowful tale in which we’ve managed to drag once plentiful species to the verge of extinction because we can’t say no to a plate of seconds. Oceans have been raked bare, fragile ecosystems bulldozed to make room for more cattle. As good as we are at wiping things out, I fear we may have been consuming the wrong species. It now occurs to me that we’ve been looking at this all wrong. Say what you will about cows, they’re hardly aggressive. Sure, they’re slow and not too bright, and suffer a chronic

flatulence problem that may well be heating up the atmosphere with all the speed of a Ford Laser parked in the sun, but they’re not out to destroy us. We shouldn’t be putting our allies onto our dinner plates – we should be eating our enemies instead. I realise that many will recoil at the idea of chowing down on a plate of locusts, but I feel this is nothing more than a simple image problem. For example, if locusts were given a different, more accurate but less Biblical name such as ‘short-horned grasshoppers’, people may not be so quick to rush to judgement. Throw in an episode of MasterChef devoted to the best ways to cook short-horned grasshoppers and you’d have people queuing up to buy them in bulk. (If this world suffers anything in plague proportions, it’s cooking shows. And if there’s anything that this multitude of chefs have taught us it’s that there’s nothing in this world that can’t be eaten without a pinch of sea salt and a drizzle of olive oil.) The tourists would surely flock to see locusts invading Melbourne. If we can train a million or so to perform tricks, we’ll be set. I figure if they can get the dolphins at Sea World to do as they’re told, there’s no good reason to think we can’t do something similar with an army of insects if only we provide them with the right kind of motivation. From this point on, the tram and Arts Centre spire will mean nothing - our tea towels and commemorative teaspoons shall all feature the locust. Forget the Pink Heath as our state flower. We should replace it with a simple stalk and a

locust sitting on top. So let them come here in their millions. As the bright lights of the Melbourne metropolis act as a siren call to the advancing locust army, we should sit back and let them come ever closer before luring them into our kitchens. Toasted, roasted or barbecued – the options are really only limited by your imagination. Perfect as a light snack between

meals or as the crowning glory at your next dinner party. Delish! So fire the stoves and stoke the barbecues, it’s time for dinner. As for me, well, I feel I may have already eaten my share. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be sure to suck down a few more next time I elect to go for a run. But the simple truth is that, at this moment, I just don’t have the appetite. www.stuartmccullough.com

A Peninsula Garden... Sow What? By Frances Cameron

HERE we are in 2011. I hope that everyone had a happy and healthy Christmas and new year. A new year brings with it fresh hopes for prosperity and good times, and hopefully we will all enjoy these things in our gardens through the coming year. My Christmas wish of a mulcher didn’t eventuate, but I instead I received a worm farm, which is just as useful. I’ve yet to set it up, but once I find the best spot for it I will be searching for some worms to come and live with me and help make my garden lush and healthy. Worm farms are a great way to utilise kitchen waste; high-quality fertiliser is produced at a much quicker rate than what can be achieved with a larger compost system. Having said that, though, I would emphasise that a good compost system can’t be beaten for producing organic matter to invigorate and improve the soil. Producing liquid fertiliser from a worm farm could be seen as being complimentary to a good compost system. In these days of uncertain weather patterns and, I would say, more than our fair share of natural disasters in other parts of the country,

utilising our own space to produce food may become more and more necessary to us all as food prices rise, as we’ve seen in recent weeks. Most of us have a space that can be put to good use as a herb garden or vegie garden. Kitchen gardens, or potagers as they are also known, have become much less commonplace in recent times as time to spend in the garden becomes harder to find. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of creating a whole new space, combining vegetables with ornamentals in an already existing garden can be managed. The main considerations are that vegetables generally need higher amounts of nutrients and water than shrubs and other ornamentals, so you need to assess which parts of the garden you can add them to with the least difficulty. Vegetables generally also need lots of sunlight so their placement is important, not right under larger plants that will provide too much shade. The no-dig garden that I created earlier this year has been planted with a mixture of salvias, pretty mignonette lettuce and strawberries as a ground cover. It is fairly large so I put my potted lemon tree in the centre, all

together quite a pretty effect with the added bonus that the salvia will attract bees for pollination. I am all for trying things out to see if they work out; any mistakes can be corrected later. In my vegie patch the sweet corn is coming along nicely; as they grow taller and the lower roots become exposed, I have pushed the soil up around them. This creates a trench that can be filled with water about once a week, providing a deep watering, which is much better than more frequent, lighter watering as it makes the roots dig further down and helps in producing sweet, juicy cobs. I am looking forward to joining the Clean Ocean Foundation on one of their new “eco-wellness” walks at Tootgarook Beach and Wetlands on 16 January at 4pm. The walks are a fun, social way to get a better understanding of the treasures we have right under our noses and also some of the threats they face. Details can be found on the Clean Ocean Foundation website at www.cleanocean. org or by calling 5988 6768. Happy New Year!  Readers can find out more about Frances Cameron’s gardening adventures at: peninsulagardener.blogspot. com

The most ridiculous and strange, fresh for you...

Frankston Times January 2011

PAGE 13

LIFE & LEISURE

Entertainment

Star turn: Aleesa Turner, Daryl Braithwaite and Jason Banfield at Morning Star Estate.

DESPITE the cool weather over the Christmas break, there has been plenty to see and do on the Mornington Peninsula. Craig Regan and staff put on a wonderful show at Morning Star Estate before Christmas, and despite a little drizzle, the crowd had a wonderful time dancing to the sounds of Daryl Braithwaite, Ross Wilson,

Joe Camilleri and Deborah Conway. Owner Judy Barrett was on hand to meet and greet locals and is very proud of what has been achieved over the magnificent 72 acres. Morning Star will hold an Australia Day concert featuring Broderick Smith and Mark Seymour, and Jimmy Barnes will return for a concert on Sunday 16 January with Noiseworks

and Thirsty Merc. For tickets call 9787 7760 or visit www.morningstarestate. com.au Cr Leigh Eustace gave up his time on the day to help sell raffle tickets to raise money for peninsula community radio station 3RPP (98.7 FM), which is relocating to new premises in Wilsons Rd, Mornington, a classroom block at the former Mornington Secondary College that is being renovated by a group of peninsula Rotary clubs. Cr Eustace was with 3RPP’s new station manager Brendon Telfer, a former ABC man who joined the station last year. I am hopeful the new management team will instigate programming changes at the station to create a broader range of music programming that will include the 25-45 age group and more emphasis on a regular breakfast program. You can become a member or station sponsor by calling 5978 8200 or email rpp@hotkey.net.au * * * THERE are so many great restaurants and wineries on the peninsula including Red Hill Estate, Conrads Mt Eliza, Ten Minutes by Tractor, Underground Winery, Dromana Estate, Kirks on the Esplanade, Yabby Lake Winery, and Bluestone Lane Vineyard,

A Grain Of Salt WE ordinary people don’t ask for a lot from our governments, preferring instead to let them go about their power games amongst themselves in return for running essential services and giving us a fair go. We are well aware we are only told what they consider we might like to hear. We do however, expect certain givens from our pseudo democratic system: the presumption of innocence obviously, the right to free speech up to an undefined point and some form of protection for the rights of Aussies overseas. Sadly Prime Minister Julia, in her comments on Wilileaks and Julian Assange said “It is a grossly irresponsible thing to do and an illegal thing to do.” Julia has since retracted the “illegal” bit, but kept very quiet on the antics of Kim Beazley and Kevvy Rudd with their reported willingness to support America in a war with China. I suspect if an election were to be held any time soon Julia would become a memory. The big question for Julia 2011 is what action will she take if the Yanks snaffle Julian via Sweden? Labor supporters, like Collingwood supporters, can stomach the bad times from our leaders but never ever a lack of leadership.

Having said that, there’s something distatefull about private comments being made public. We all say and do things we would not like to get into print. Human nature. On a local level, in the previous issue of this newspaper Mike Hast (or was it the Emu?) reported on the Mornington Peninsula Mayoral Stakes, and how the voting was decided in each round, eventually arriving at the two horse race level and Graham Pittock’s success. How would he know? And yet his information was spot on, which indicates that there was a leak in Council. How do I know? Julian sms’d me from O/S. Possibly one David Harrison is the Emu, according to Julian, but unconfirmed. Back to serious matters: A study of men’s attitudes toward sex in their golden years confirms what some have long suspected: One in three men ages 75 to 95 remain sexually active, defined as having had sex at least once in the past year, according to a longrunning study of 2,783 Australian men published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Among sexually active men, 57% were satisfied with their sex life, and 43% wanted to have sex more often according to the study, which

Little Johnny’s kindergarten class was on a field trip to the local police station, where they saw pictures of the 10 Most Wanted men tacked to a bbulletin board. One of the youngsters pointed to a picture and asked if it really was the photo of a wanted person. “Yes,” said the policeman. “The detectives want him very badly.” So Little Johnny asked, “Why didn’t you keep him when you took his picture?” Frankston Times January 2011

with Gary Turner Phone 5981 0355 or on the net at www.hickinbotham.biz * * * MORNINGTON recording artist Adam Dunning has released his debut album Sunset Monkeys recorded in Rio de Janeiro in 2009 and featuring the much-talked about Mt Eliza. Other featured songs include With You, Photograph, Sunset Monkeys, Jungle Flower, and We and the Sea. All songs on the album were produced and arranged by Adam and mastered in Melbourne. Adam thanks his parents Judi and Keith for their inspiration and support and his wonderful Brazilian musicians including Ronaldo Cotrim, Carol Futuro, Eduardo Santana and Naife “Nana” Simoes. This is masterful work by Adam. For more information, look up www. adamdunning.com or www.myspace. com/adamdunning * * * THE Mornington Racing Club provides some wonderful family days and we are all looking forward to the Mornington Cup on 16 February, which includes Fashions on the Field. For details, look up www.mrc.net.au

with Cliff Ellen

Joke!!!

PAGE 14

There’s Kim & Li’s, T’Gallant Winery in Main Ridge, Benitos, Verde, Beaches, The Rocks and many more, including my favourite: Hickinbotham Winery in Dromana. The Hickinbotham family has been making wine since 1936. They have been at the forefront of Australian wine production for three generations. This dates back to the early 1920s when Grandfather Hick initiated Australia’s first scientific winemaking course at Roseworthy College. In 1988 Andrew Hickinbotham and his partner Terryn purchased a property at Dromana and their winemaking journey began when they started cool climate grape production and planting at about 26 small vineyards across the Mornington Peninsula including chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, merlot and aligote and taminga. Perhaps his best wine is the Hickinbotham 2006 chardonnay with aligote. A pleasant afternoon can be enjoyed listening to live music, sipping Hix beers, trying fine foods including homemade breads as well as a variety of wines while taking in the views over Port Phillip. Hickinbotham of Dromana is at 194 Nepean Hwy, Dromana.

followed men from 1996 to 2009. “It’s defying all the stereotypes out there about old people,” says Sharon Brangman, president of the American Geriatrics Society, “People’s sex lives do not stop just because they get old”. Don’t they? Mine certainly did! Ahh, but I’m not 75...yet. Time heals all wounds? Not necessarily. A week before Christmas: a big 4 wheel drive tractor drives past towing the forgotten monster...the jet ski! The nightmare returns. Days later and there they were in all their deafening glory. I spent time on the beach complete with ear muffs and binoculars and studied the drivers. A few, not many, clearly resembled human beings, but the majority were of the monkey variety, more specifically chimpanzees, lookalikes of Cheetah from the Johnny Weismuller tarzan films. Did the noise come from the machine or a combination of machine and Cheetah? I couldn’t help wondering where they go during the off season. Trail bike riding? Kangaroo shoots? Strip Clubs? Pity the fish. Pity time didn’t wound all heels. I’ve been watching the cricket, fasci-

RIddle Solution I’m part of the bird that’s not in the sky. I can swim in the water and yet remain dry. What am I? Answer: The bird’s shadow

Sudoku Solution

nated by the comments of Mark Taylor and Ian Chappell. They don’t criticize Ponting’s captaincy in words, but they continually put forward suggestions on how they see it, which is in opposition to the ultra conservative decisions of Ponting in matters of bowlers, field placings and anything else to do with the game. Ponting is far from being a great captain and it’s a sad thing that Shane Warne let his desires get the better of him, but so far there’s no great talent on the horizon to replace Ricky. The really sad thing about the cricket is the dreadful bias of the commentators, particularly Ian Healey, Mark Taylor and Michael Slater. My standard question (never answered) is, who selects the selectors? Well done to the Poms. Eddie & the “Hot Seat”. He may be President of the Mighty Magpies but that does not exclude him from his obvious shows of favoritism, generally with either pretty contestants or others he takes a liking to. With some contestants he immediately says “locked in” right or wrong. Boom! With others, particularly favourites who have

announced their choice, he says such rubbish as “tell me to lock it in” or “you’ve still got 15 seconds” when the answer has been given, etc. It’s all so glaringly unfair. One rule for everyone please Eddie. It spoils the whole show. “Is sex more trouble than it’s worth?” [C.I Morse] “With unrelaxed nerves, with morning vigor, sail by it, looking another way, tied to the mast like Ulysses. If the engine whistles, let it whistle till it is horse for its pains. If the bell rings, why should we run?” [Thoreau] Sorry about the jet ski grumpy bum comment. Another year friends. Enjoy. The clock is ticking. cliffie9@bigpond.com

To advertise in the next Frankston Times please contact Carolyn Wagener on 0407 030 761

Sporting a Smile The World Cup

On fire: Heat captain and Victorian state representative Nick Jewell will be on show at the Peninsula Twenty20 Challenge.

Twenty20 heat is on in Frankston WANT to watch some cricket where England doesn’t win? Head down to Jubilee Park in Frankston on Sunday 23 January to see the Mornington Peninsula’s own District cricket team, Frankston Peninsula Heat, take on the best players from the local MPCA competition. The game is the Twenty20 format, so there is sure to be plenty of big hits. There will be face painting and a jumping castle for the youngsters. Entry is free, and action starts at 10am with an under-18 game, with the main game running from 2 to 4.30pm. Jubilee Park is on Hillcrest Rd in Frankston (Melway 102 H4). No BYO alcohol.

Frankston

WHAT a year 2010 was for those addicted to the so-called beautiful game. Those of us who have attempted to understand the curious off-side rule (only to realise that even the most ardent followers don’t understand it either) couldn’t help but get caught up in the pre-World Cup hysteria. Many of us rushed off to the MCG to see the Socceroos play a practice match against Iran. The fact that we couldn’t win this game should have warned us that the experts were conning us into believing that we were a real chance in South Africa. What happened? We were slaughtered by the Germans in the first game. The hysteria back her in Oz quickly subsided. Another team to disappoint at the World Cup was Argentina. Before the first game, its coach, Diego Maradonna, promised to run naked through the streets of Buenos Aires if they won the cup. This thought was probably sufficient to discourage most Argentinian players. The year was not a good one for the colourful Argentine coach as prior to his World Cup promise, he had to visit a clinic in Buenos Aires for reconstructive surgery on his lip to repair damage sustained when one of his faithful pooches went for him. Apparently the Argentine coach was playing with his favourite shar pei at his home in the capital when he got a bit too friendly and leaned in for a kiss. And the dog? She say no. The result, of course, was very, very Messi (sorry about that). Amid the gloom surrounding our performance in South Africa, there were plenty of suggestions as to how our Socceroos might improve. In a letter to The Australian, a reader, Ken Le Fevre, thought it necessary to show some imagination: “What we need is a federal immigration program to enrol 10- to 12-year-old Brazilians, two for every primary school in the country, to inspire the love of the beautiful game in every girl and boy. The Brazilians get a good life, with eventual citizenship and, of course, a fine education, and we get a generation of world beaters.” As if our humiliation at the World Cup wasn’t enough, we then saw the media whip up a frenzy later in the year when the world governing body for soccer was about to meet in Switzerland to decide the locations for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup. We were a monty for 2022. What happened? We were rolled by a small Middle Eastern country that many of us hadn’t heard of. Then there were all sorts of questions asked about the FIFA delegates. All we could do was make a bit of a joke of it. Are you ready? When the curiously named president of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, was asked who was his favourite Qatar player, he replied – Eric Clapton.

Would you like to know how you can support the Frankston Times?

Simple. Support our advertisers. They support local news in your community. Frankston Times January 2011

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