February 10th 2011 by Mornington Peninsula News Group

Mornington

Features inside: LET’S DANCE

‘Guiding your computing experience’

PAGE 15

Over 20 Years IT Experience

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 16

Services for Home and Business Fast Friendly Service Tailored to Suit the Customer’s Needs

WHAT’S ON

star.computers@internode.on.net

PAGE 19

M: 0418 882 849

Local news for local people

Your fortnightly community newspaper incorporating Mornington, Mount Martha and Mount Eliza For all your advertising and editorial needs, call us on 1300

‘Queen’ of the mayors retires

F: 03 5977 3192

FREE

MPNEWS (1300 676 397) or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au

Queen bee: Pat Anderson, centre, with former and current councillors and mayors, from left, David Gibb, David Renouf, 2011 mayor Graham Pittock, Susan Beveridge, Reade Smith, Tim Rodgers, David Jarman, Anne Shaw, Brian Stahl, Bill Goodrem, Frank Martin and Antonella Celi at a farewell morning tea on Monday.

PAT Anderson is one of the key people behind the scenes who make local government work on the Mornington Peninsula as the assistant to the mayor and the 11 elected councillors. She will be sorely missed after leaving the shire council at the end of the month, deciding to pull up stumps

and seek a quieter life after a lifetime of work. Pat started with the Shire of Mornington in 1993, the year before the Kennett government forced the amalgamation of Victoria’s 210 municipalities to create 78. Her first boss was governance

Live the lifestyle you deserve Shearwater Serviced Apartments Would you like to live in a secure environment in a beautiful garden setting with your meals provided, your serviced apartment professionally cleaned and 24 hour emergency assistance? Then come to Shearwater Apartments at “The Mornington Retirement Village”

3HQLQVXOD 0RZHUV

0RUQLQJWRQ 7\DEE 5RDG 0251,1*721 7

HAND CRAFTED POTS, WATER FEATURES, FURNITURE, STATUES, ART GALLERY ELITE HOME & GARDEN DÉCOR RE

TIR

EMENT VILLA

10 February - 23 February 2011

150 Mornington Tyabb Rd, Mornington Mel. 145 J4 For enquiries & inspections phone Bruni 5970 5507 or 0438 582 519

16 Mornington – Tyabb Rd Tyabb Phone 03 9397 6644 Open Thurs – Sun 9.30am - 4.00pm

www.topez.com.au

manager Wal Morrison, then based at the shire office in Queen St, Mornington, now one of three offices of the “super” municipality, the amalgamation of Mornington, Hastings and Flinders shires. Continued Page 2

NEWS DESK For all your RACV needs: Lisa and Andrew Iredale are here to help.

Proudly published by Mornington Peninsula News Group Pty. Ltd

PHONE: 1300 MPNEWS (1300 676 397) Published fortnightly. Circulation: 20,000

Editor: Mike Hast, 5979 8564 Advertising Sales: Carolyn Wagener, 0407 030 761 Production/Graphic Design: Stephanie Loverso Group Editor: Keith Platt, 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough, 0407 027 707 REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Neil Walker, Barry Irving, Cliff Ellen, Frances Cameron, Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Gary Turner, Jaime McDougall, Marilyn Cunnington, Brad Stirton, Fran Henke. ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group, PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 E-mail: team@mpnews.com.au Web: www.mpnews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURSDAY 17 FEBRUARY NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: THURSDAY 24 FEBRUARY

Local news for local people We stand as the only locally owned and operated community newspaper on the Peninsula. We are dedicated to the belief that a strong community newspaper is essential to a strong community. We exist to serve residents, community groups and businesses and ask for their support in return.

To advertise in the next Mornington News please contact Carolyn Wagener on 0407 030 761

RACV arrives in Hastings RACV has opened an agency in Hastings, offering comprehensive RACV products and services under one roof. The Hastings RACV shop is located within the store of Travelscene Westernport at 11 High St in the Ritchies arcade. Travelscene Westernport owner Andrew Iredale said “We are delighted

that we are able to offer a high level of face to face access to the type of help you can’t always get over the phone or the internet”. The new RACV Hastings shop is operated by Andrew and Lisa Iredale. Andrew has considerable experience in running retail business. “Travelscene Westernport has been operating

in Hastings for 25 years, and we are thrilled to be associated with such a trusted and respected company as the RACV”. With the RACV coming to Hastings, members will not need to drive to Frankston for their insurance and membership needs. The Hastings store is open Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.

The ‘queen’ retires Continued from Page 1

Are you looking for a new and exciting career? Become a respected Professional Practitioner in the expanding field of Neuro-Training and Kinesiology.

Certificate of Solution Orientated Neuro-Training Certificate IV in Kinesiology (HLT42807) Qualifications for Professional Practitioners Options for an exciting career change Expanding your current expertise and knowledge Leading to the Diploma of Neuro-Training/Kinesiology A comprehensive course that encompasses the world of Kinesiology and understanding your inherited influences Prospectus: College of Neuro-Training Pty Ltd RTO 425176 www.collegeofneuro-training.edu.au

FREE INFORMATION EVENINGS

Tuesday 22nd February, 2011 Contact Lyndy Saltmarsh Bookings essential: 5984 5772 College of Kinesiology Melbourne (Mt Eliza)

www.collegeofkinesiologymelbourne.com.au

PAGE 2

Mornington News 10 February 2011

She had come from recruitment and training giant Drake International, having worked for the company in Sydney, Brisbane, New Zealand and South Africa, where she met her husband-to-be Alex. Back in Australia, a stint with a drilling and exploration company followed before the couple moved from Sydney to Melbourne for Mr Anderson’s work and Pat did some temp work for Drake. A friend told her about a 12-month maternity leave job at the shire and Pat never left, until the end of the month, that is, after she has handed the reins to her replacement, Paula Creek. “Some of the people from those early days included CEO David Collings, Jan Cover, John Ross, Kevin Clarke,” Pat said when reminiscing with The News. “I’ve been lucky to work with a great number of good people.” Pat has been busy in the office of the mayor, but also found time for a couple of other creations – her two sons James, born in 1981, and Ross, 1983. James is a captain in the army and has served in Iraq and East Timor. Ross is a construction manager in Canada, and Pat is looking forward to a big family reunion this month for Alex’s 70th birthday. Paula replaces Pat on 21 February, but Pat will stay until the end of the month to complete the handover. She says her job has been to be a “mentor, carer and speechwriter” for mayors and councillors. “I was on call almost 24/7 in the early days,” she said. She knew the job would be a major commitment and sat down with her family to make sure they were happy. Pat has run the mayor’s office since 1997 when councillors were first elected to the amalgamated shire after three years of commissioners. David Jarman (see photo) was the first mayor.

“The job requires a capacity to listen and be able to make gentle suggestions. Another part of her job has been to look after community members with whom she came into contact. “I’ve made so many friends.” Pat will stay involved with Red Cross and Peninsula Hospice Service in her “retirement”, but it’s really a Clayton’s retirement as she recently completed a civil celebrant’s course and has already conducted a few weddings. A chance to play more golf beckons, too, and she is looking forward to playing a few rounds with girlfriends, perhaps at Cerberus golf course in Crib Point. Mayor Graham Pittock said Pat had been a great help during his short time as mayor. “At her morning tea on Monday I said ‘the transition period will require much tolerance and good humour, and, Pat, please tell me I said that’.” He said Pat’s knowledge of names and personalities on the peninsula was boundless. “She has made this a happier place to work.” Longtime councillor and twice mayor David Gibb said Pat had provided advice and wise counsel to many councillors over the years. “She has a light touch of advice. Pat sees angles that councillors don’t see” and had the capacity to impart this knowledge. Pat had the unique ability to communicate equally with superiors and subordinates in the council as well as members of the community.  Paula Creek has had almost 10 years’ experience as an executive assistant in Commonwealth and state governments as well as the private sector. She is a former executive assistant to the commanding officer at HMAS Cerberus and, more recently, was a senior executive assistant at the Department of Primary Industries. She is a volunteer at the Starlight Foundation and at the Peninsula Animal Aid in Pearcedale. Mike Hast

Main St tradersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; levy a goer VCAT clears last hurdle for $95,000 promotion scheme By Mike Hast INVOICES for the Mornington tradersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; levy will be sent out this month following the removal of the last obstacle to the scheme. Owners of shops and offices on and behind the Main St precinct will receive bills for $350, which they will pass on to their tenants or pay themselves in the case of owner-occupiers. Shops in Centro shopping centre will pay less, with the entire complex of about 37 shops paying $1000. Businesses outside the Main St zone will pay nothing. The special charge scheme to raise money to promote the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Main St shops is the fifth such scheme in the shire, joining Sorrento, Rosebud, Hastings and Mt Eliza. The scheme runs for five years and the annual levy would be adjusted to account for rises in the CPI, or consumer price index. It was controversially challenged by a small group of â&#x20AC;&#x153;rebelâ&#x20AC;? traders last winter with the owner of a lingerie business, Gaye Ferguson, leading the revolt and taking Mornington Peninsula Shire to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The tribunal has backed the shire

and its partner in the levy scheme, the Mornington Chamber of Commerce, and dismissed Ms Fergusonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenge. Ms Ferguson owns lingerie business Just Peachie, and was high up the corporate ladder of an international glass manufacturer before opening the shop 12 years ago. She has another clothing shop in Hastings. The scheme was approved by councillors on 24 May last year, but Ms Ferguson registered her appeal in the VCAT on 22 June, delaying its introduction. The case was heard over one day on 26 November with Ms Ferguson and supporters up against the shireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business development department, which was represented by a lawyer from Macquarie Lawyers, Peter Lucas, and an expert witness, Steve OgdenBarnes, a retail consultant of Deakin Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of Business. Chamber of Commerce president Liz Woolcock and Splash of Red hairdressing salon owner and chamber member David Pedley were at the tribunal to witness the case. Speaking for the rebels at the hearing were Ms Ferguson and Mornington photographer Mike Abicare as well as

their expert witness, St Kilda-based retailer and wholesaler Paul Ryder. They were supported by Richard Holloway of The Country Shop and Rob Donato of Cappamachino, both of whom objected to the scheme at a shire hearing last April. Last July, Gaye Ferguson and her supporters started a petition against the levy and gathered more than 70 signatures including people who originally agreed with it and had supported the shire and chamber, but had cold feet over its implementation. At the VCAT, Ms Ferguson and Mr Abicare argued that it was an unfair levy: a shoe repairer would pay $350, the same as a hotel. The levy did not include all Mornington businesses, only those in the Main St precinct. There was insufficient detail about how the levy would benefit traders and how the money would be spent. It was another impost on small traders that would discourage new business. Promoting Main St as a weekend shopping destination would not benefit accountants, shoe repairers, hairdressers or dentists. The shire and chamber argued

the promotion levy was vital to the economic viability of Main St. The $500,000 levied over five years would be used to raise the profile of â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Mornington shopping precinctâ&#x20AC;?. The chamber would work closely with Mornington Peninsula Tourism; buy advertising features in holiday publications; produce brochures to be distributed nationally; â&#x20AC;&#x153;brandâ&#x20AC;? Mornington in magazines, newspapers and cinemas; improve businesses with seminars; conduct business awards; update the chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website; use social networking channels such as Facebook and Twitter; and organise festivals and promotional events. On Tuesday, the shireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business development manager Shane Murphy told The News the VCAT decision reaffirmed the shire councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in the promotion scheme. He said the chamber would develop a good plan to benefit all traders. Business development unit team leader Tania Treasure said the shire had signed a management agreement with the chamber of commerce for the implementation of the scheme. She said the chamber would immediately hire a business marketing coordinator to refine the broad strategic

plan of the scheme. The experiences of Sorrento, Rosebud, Hastings and Mt Eliza would be taken into account, she said. One controversial part of the scheme is that traders would automatically become members of the chamber of commerce once they paid the levy. Mr Murphy and Ms Treasure could not say how many members the chamber currently had. Chamber numbers are close to a historical low of about 45 members. In recent years there has never been more than about 60 members. Mr Murphy said the scheme would be reviewed each year and adjusted to make any necessary improvements. The chamber of commerce already has money to promote the town, about $100,000 generated from the Wednesday market, which was started in September 1979 and has provided a steady and reliable stream of funds. Out of this the chamber pays about $40,000 a year for staff, about $15,000 for premises in Moorhead House and an amount for other expenses. Details: Mornington Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Moorhead House, 327-331 Main St, Mornington, phone 5975 4522.

<HV :H &DQ )5((=( <RXU )DW $ZD\ <RX DUH SK\VLFDOO\ ILW DQG \RXU ZHLJKW LV VWDEOH EXW QR PDWWHU KRZ PXFK \RX H[HUFLVH RU GLHW \RX KDYH OXPSV DQG EXOJHV DURXQG WKH DEGRPHQ ORYH KDQGOHV WKLJKV \RX MXVW FDQÂśW JHW ULG RI ,167$17 /$6(5 &/,1,& LV QRZ HTXLSSHG ZLWK =HOWLT &RRO6FXOSWLQJ WHFKQRORJ\ IURP 86$ ,W LV GHVLJQHG WR GHOLYHU SUHFLVHO\ FRQWUROOHG FRROLQJ WR WDUJHW DQG HOLPLQDWH IDW FHOOV LQ VSHFLÂżF ERG\ DUHDV FRPIRUWDEO\ LQ OHVV WKDQ PRQWKO\ VHVVLRQV $OVR VSHFLDOLVHG LQ /DVHU +DLU UHPRYDO 6NLQ SLJPHQWDWLRQ )DW &HOOXOLWH UHGXFWLRQ $FQH &KLFNHQ SR[ DQG $FQH VFDUULQJ 6NLQ WLJKWHQLQJ DQG WRQLQJ WKURXJK ODWHVW IUD[HO WHFKQRORJ\ ÂłH 0DWUL[Â´ 6WUHWFK PDUNV /DVHU 7DWWRR UHPRYDO $QWL ZULQNOH LQMHFWLRQV 4XLW VPRNLQJ E\ ODVHU WKHUDS\ KRXU 7HHWK :KLWHQLQJ HWF

/HYHO 6XLWH 3ULQFHVV 6W .HZ 3K Mornington News 10 February 2011

PAGE 3

NEWS DESK Safely aboard: The oil drilling rig Kan Tan IV is successfully loaded on to the MV Transporter in Port Phillip after breaking free during an earlier attempt in Western Port. Picture: Andrew Mackinnon of aquamanships.com

Probe into runaway rig By Keith Platt SHIPS were told to keep away from The Heads and the start of the South Channel while an oil rig was towed into Port Phillip after it broke free from lines during a loading operation in Western Port. Marine Safety Victoria has launched an investigating into the incident. The alert in Western Port was sounded when the 1700-tonne Kan Tan IV rig was swept away by tidal currents as it was floating above the semi-submerged carrier vessel, the MV Transporter. Four wires holding it to the float-on float-off Transporter broke and tugs had to secure and anchor the rig before it ran aground. The 53,800-tonne Transporter, owned by Dutch company Dockwise, also dragged its anchor and was unable to get underway until it had pumped out its ballast. The Kan Tan was eventually towed by tugs to Port Phillip where the entire

operation was repeated without further incident. The problem appears to have been caused by the time taken to partly sink the Transporter and position the rig over it exceeding the six hours it takes for each change of the tide. The strong tidal currents caused the anchored ship and rig to swing on their moorings. It is understood it takes at least nine hours for the Transporter to de-ballast – effectively lifting itself and the rig back to the surface. Once in the relatively calm waters of Port Phillip off Mornington, the Kan Tan was able to be loaded onto the Transporter for shipment to Darwin. The failure to load the rig may lead to changes in the way Western Port is used as a destination for the transportation of rigs. The United Kingdom-based website Safety At Sea says the incident could spell the end of Western Port being used for such loadings, although the

narrow entrance to Port Phillip and extra time and cost involved do not make it the ideal alternative. The website said early investigations “indicate that fastening equipment was swept overboard from the deck of Transporter, which also dragged its anchor some distance before deballasting”. Investigations by Marine Safety Victoria can follow incidents where vessels have been involved in an accident or an incident involving the loss or destruction of other property “or that any pilot, pilot exempt master, harbourmaster, pilotage services provider or person holding a certificate of competency or service has acted incompetently”. Port of Melbourne CEO Stephen Bradford said this was the first time he had heard of such an incident in the seven years he had been with the port authority. He did not think it would lead to a ban on rigs being taken to Western

Port. “I would be really surprised if this type of operation is not done again in Western Port. “Each operation like this has to be looked at separately.” While he had seen “bits of the report … it’s not my job to form an opinion”. Mr Bradford said each loading was a “learning curve” for harbourmasters in Port Phillip and Western Port. Although the PoMC also managed the Port of Hastings, the loading of the drilling rig was under the jurisdiction of the Patrick stevedoring company, which operated the port. The drama began when the rig and Transporter were brought together above a deep hole in Western Port between Cowes on Phillip Island and Sandy Point near Somers. A source has told The News that the rig and its transport vessel were bigger than any previous loading jobs in Western Port. “It’s never been a problem before and it’s much quicker for them to get in

and out of there than Port Phillip,” the source, who did not wish to be identified, said. “They have to contend with the tides and try to do it before the tide turns. It took nine hours for the Transporter to de-ballast, which allowed the vessel to swing around. It’s a very technical operation. This should have all been programmed in.” The source said the Transporter could not get underway until after it had pumped out its ballast. On Friday 28 January a warning was issued by the Port of Melbourne that the fairway through The Heads and the South Channel would be closed to all shipping as the 84-metre wide oil rig was brought into Port Phillip. The same rules to keep well clear of both the rig and the Transporter were imposed when they left the bay on Tuesday 1 February. Additional reporting Mike Hast.

Protests in Tyabb over proposed aged care centre TYABB residents are protesting over the size of a planned $14 million aged care centre. If given the go ahead the two-storey centre will cover 41 per cent of the one hectare site in The Crescent. It will have 60 beds for low care patients, 60 beds for high care and four respite beds. Plans prepared by Graphos Architects, of Port Melbourne, show 63 parking spaces. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s planning department has yet to decide if

PAGE 4

the proposal should go before council or be handled under delegation by planners. In a written submission to Mornington Peninsula Shire Jason Holmes and Justine Barsby, said they were concerned with the likelihood of flooding if a drain running between their property and the proposed aged care centre was filled, as shown on plans. “This drain does carry water and is free flowing at times of heavy rain,” they stated. The couple said their property was

Mornington News 10 February 2011

marked on plans as being a vacant lot “therefore the proposal … has taken absolutely no consideration of our home”. They said 10 metre high trees shown on the plans would block light while the two storey building would “invade our privacy”. Mr Holmes and Ms Barsby said the aged care centre would increase traffic in The Crescent and endanger children attending the nearby primary school. He questioned whether a building that could house up to 166 people

suited the Low Density Residential zoning. “Our home has been built to maximise the view from the south … this is now in serious jeopardy and will affect our view from every window on that side of the property.” Other residents of The Crescent, Peter and Jaye Lewis, said the aged care centre would be a “blot on the landscape, completely out of character with the surrounding rural outlook”. The design resembled a prison or detention centre.

The Lewis’ said a single-storey building would be a better option “blending with the environment rather than a deliberate confrontation of that”. The couple also objected to their post and wire fence being replaced with a two metre high timber fence. They said a three metre high water tank was shown sitting next to the fence which was three metres away from their covered deck. Real estate agents had told them their property would be devalued by having the aged care centre as a neighbour.

Mayor ‘satisfied’ with executive bonuses By Keith Platt MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Graham Pittock says is satisfied with the operation of a bonus scheme for senior officers. Executives at the shire on annual salary packages of $110,000-$200,000 stand to receive a five per cent bonus each year. Directors can get up to 10 per cent. Insiders claim the bonus appears to be paid as a matter of course, but the Cr Pittock says he is satisfied “everything is above board”. Neighbouring Frankston has no bonus scheme for executives and the Shire of Cardinia abandoned a similar scheme two years ago. A policy information memo writ-

ten by team support and development manager John Rankine says pay and conditions at the shire are good and “generally” meet the needs of staff “but they are not the best in local government”. He said bonus and gratuity payments are one of the most common features of wages and salaries in local government. The CEO Michael Kennedy makes the final decision on awarding bonuses. In 2010 there were 47 bonus payments totaling $281,344, an average $5986. The 46 gratuity payments to members the shire’s 668 staff averaged $2868. “The value of these payments can be

seen in the extent to which the shire delivers innovative services and the extent to which our team members will go that extra distance to ensure the work gets done,” Mr Rankine stated. A “classic example” was the effort put in by staff on fire management. “The (many) staff involved in this program do not put in the effort because of the potential bonus or gratuity, they do it because it is important work that will make a difference in our community and they take professional pride in the result.” The mayor and Cr Leigh Eustace were briefed last month about the bonus scheme by Mr Rankine. “It was all right once we found out how the system works,” Cr Pittock

said. “Councillors were ignorant about what was going on. “As an incentive, the system works well. “Executive can get up to five per cent, but I don’t know if they all get it. They have goals set and they have to exceed them.” Cr Pittock said shire officers, when answering inquiries from The News (‘Call for shire to explain executives’ salary secrets’13/1/2011) before Christmas, “could have been more open”. The Australian Services Union also had trouble breaching the wall of secrecy surrounding the awarding of the bonuses and wrote to the shire in December requesting more information.

“We’ve asked who gets these bonuses and payments and criteria [for awarding them], but the shire was unwilling or unable to tell us,” ASU organiser Michelle Jackson said. “I’ll be writing to them to seek full disclosure under the Fair Work Act.” Ms Jackson, who is negotiating a new wages deal for shire staff, also wanted details about the staff gratuity scheme. “We got a politician’s answer,” she said last week. “They didn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know.” The shire’s current $169.2 million budget includes $52.33 million for staff costs, up $3.66 million on the previous year.

Leave sought for family violence victims By Keith Platt IF union negotiations are successful, Mornington Peninsula Shire will become the second municipality in Australia to give paid leave to victims of domestic violence. The leave, if included in the next enterprise bargaining agreement, would allow staff to take time off to attend police interviews, court or find new accommodation. Australian Services Union organiser Michelle Jackson said the shire had argued that leave was already available, “but we’re saying that’s sick leave for when they are actually physically in-

jured”. “We are putting a new claim for a family violence clause that allows anyone who is a victim – and they are mostly women – to have up to 20 days’ paid leave,” Ms Jackson said. “Often, women are too embarrassed or ashamed at what has happened to them to take time off work. “If they are physically injured then, yes, they can take sick leave. But there’s nothing but annual leave that they can take to attend court, police interviews or look for somewhere else to live. “I know of one woman working for another municipality who was going to

work each day from a women’s refuge and didn’t want to let anyone know what was happening. “But she needed time off to get herself together.” Ms Jackson said the Surf Coast Shire had been the first municipality in Australia to provide paid leave for domestic violence situations and Mornington Peninsula Shire, if it agreed, would be the second. “It won’t be a big cost for council,” Ms Jackson said, adding that similar award provisions were being considered by local governments in other states.

Shire staff seek 8% annual rise

THE Australian Services Union is seeking an extra eight per cent or $80 a week for each of the next three years for its members at Mornington Peninsula Shire. The claim is part of the current negotiations for a new enterprise bargaining agreement. ASU organiser Michelle Jackson said the shire had made a counter offer of an annual 3.9 per cent wage or $40, whichever was the most. She thought agreement was some months away and the final wage increase would “be somewhere between those two figures”. The existing EBA ran out in December 2010, but its provisions continue to apply until a new one is negotiated. The new agreement is expected to be in place well before the next scheduled pay rise for shire staff, which is due in July.

Talk to the Home Lender of the Year today. As your local ANZ Mobile Lenders, we’ll come to you wherever, whenever and provide you with a range of flexible home loan options. To arrange an appointment at a time and place that suits you, please call us.

Brian Mein

Rocco Cirillo

ANZ Mobile Lender Mornington, Mount Martha and The Peninsula brian.mein@anzmortgagesolutions.com 0458 55 45 45

ANZ Mobile Lender Mount Eliza and Frankston rocco.cirillo@anzmortgagesolutions.com 0418 376 136

anz.com All applications for credit are subject to ANZ’s normal credit approval criteria. Money magazine and CANSTAR CANNEX’s Home Loan Lender of the Year 2010. These Mobile Lenders operate as ANZ Mortgage Solutions Mornington and Frankston, an independently operated franchise of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) ABN 11 005 357 522. ANZ’s colour blue is a trade mark of ANZ. Item No. 77842 12.2010 W213668

Mornington News 10 February 2011

PAGE 5

(conditions apply. Valid until 28/2/11).

PAGE 6

Mornington News 10 February 2011

NEWS DESK

Island dream for the bay By Mike Hast RYE businessman and yachtsman Kerry Murphy has a grand plan – to build two islands in the middle of Port Phillip, one for humans and one for wildlife, called “Melbourne Islands”. Mr Murphy, owner of peninsula tourism businesses Baysail and melbournepeninsula.com, has revived his big idea and submitted it to an inquiry into Victoria’s tourism industry being conducted by the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission. He proposed the islands in 2004 when the state government and Port of Melbourne Corporation announced the Port Phillip channel deepening project. He met government bureaucrats and made a presentation to the panel investigating the potential environment effects of dredging. Interest in his idea was also shown by developers. Mr Murphy was excited about using some of the 23 million cubic metres of dredged material, or spoil, that was to be taken from the Yarra River, Hobsons Bay, Port Melbourne channel and South Channel between Rosebud and Port Phillip’s entrance, The Heads. The meetings yielded no firm commitment from any party and he was advised to “wait for another day”. The tourism inquiry has given him the

chance to revive his islands project. The spoil from the $720 million channel deepening project has been dumped at the Port of Melbourne’s existing northern dredge material ground (DMG) close to the middle of Port Phillip and a new one off Martha Point near Mt Martha and Safety Beach. Mr Murphy wants to build a tourist island of six hectares (15 acres) with a 1.2-hectare (three-acre) harbour on top of the northern DMG, which is about 15 metres underwater. It would be modelled on Rottnest Island in the Indian Ocean near Perth, a popular place for daytrippers and holidaymakers, and would feature a small five-star hotel, backpackers lodge, restaurant and shops. Preliminary costs done for Mr Murphy by South Melbourne-based engineering firm Aurecon put the bill for the tourism island at about $62 million. The adjacent wildlife island of about seven hectares has not been costed. He hopes it could become a marine park, a refuge for birds and marine life similar to Mud Islands in Port Phillip’s south, the above-water part of the Great Sands. The DMG, which is about 15 kilometres equidistant from Williamstown, Werribee and Sandringham,

Islands in the sun: A dredge making one of the “World” islands off Dubai, United Arab Emirates, a project now in financial difficulty.

covers about 9.5 square kilometres (3.61 square miles), about 950 hectares (2347 acres). It was recently added to when Port of Melbourne contractors dumped 325,000 cubic metres of spoil from what the corporation calls “routine maintenance dredging” undertaken between late November 2009 and Australia Day this year. This was separate from the controversial main dredging project between 8 February 2008 and 26 November

2009 that saw Port Phillip’s shipping channels deepened from 11.6 metres to 14 metres to allow access for bigger ships (only one of which has used the deeper channels so far). Mr Murphy told The News “there’s no money in this for me”. “I sail a 10-metre yacht and charter four others as part of my Baysail business and it would be great to have a destination in the middle of Port Phillip for boaties,” he said. “It would provide a boost for Melbourne tourism and provide a safe harbour in bad weather.” He has an email list of 800 supporters and interested people and companies, and is sending them an update his month with links to press and television stories his idea has generated. The Camberwell boy, who first visited the peninsula for holidays as a 10-year-old and moved to the southern peninsula in 2000, owned a business importing and selling home appliances in the 1970s (“We brought in the first dishwashers; some people thought the dishes, pots and pans were strapped in and churned around like in a washing machine.”). Then he founded the software company Unisoft, which he sold in 2000, and now has a suite of tourism businesses with his wife Heather. They rent accommodation, run sailing charters, and operate winery bus tours and a day spa. Mr Murphy said he was sympathetic to many environmental causes, but had not yet contacted environment groups about his plan. Asked about predictions of rising sea levels, he said: “It’s only going to be 80 centimetres by the end of the century, so we’ll build the islands a metre or so above that.” The Australian Conservation Foundation has consistently warned against developing areas vulnerable to rising sea levels and said developers should make the most of existing assets. ACF spokesman Chris Smyth said: ‘’Port Phillip belongs to all people and should not be handed over for the use of developers.” Three days after The Age published a story about Mr Murphy’s idea in late January, it published an unsigned editorial on the letters and opinion pages

(editorials are usually written by senior editors and are almost always unsigned) querying the economic viability of building the islands. Under the headline “Keep islands at bay, not in bay”, an editor asked: “With such beauteous bounty already popular and within reach, why invade [Port Phillip] with intrusive constructions that might not necessarily be popular? “Other, more considerable, disadvantages have been flagged by conservation groups. In addition to the perils of developing areas vulnerable to rising sea levels, there are difficulties predicted in registering a man-made island as a national marine park. There is validity, too, in the argument that Port Phillip ... belongs to all, and should not be used for private development.” Peninsula-based Blue Wedges Coalition president Jenny Warfe, a trenchant critic of channel deepening, said the editorial “made some good points”. She told The News: “Located atop the spoil ground where more than three million tonnes of toxic spoil from the Yarra has recently been dumped, why would anyone even go near it let alone live on top of it? “I wonder, too, if the proponents of the island idea bothered to ask themselves why Dubai’s man-made islands in the shape of the World (also made from dredged seabed) are sinking rapidly back into the sea, and why only one or two of the “countries” have sold and why even multi-millionaire rock stars have stopped wasting their money on buying one. “Funny isn’t it how some people operate as though humans can do a better job than nature, even in the face of overwhelming evidence that this is not the case.” The competition and efficiency commission releases a draft report of all ideas received for community comment this month and sends the final report to the government in June. For more information about the project, call Mr Murphy on 5985 6559 or look up melbournepeninsula.com on the internet. For more information about the VCEC inquiry, look up www. vcec. vic.gov.au under “VCEC Inquiries” then “Inquiry into Victoria’s Tourism Industry”.

Bay of islands: Melbourne Islands would be created from dredged seabed material pumped ashore from a dredge similar to the three, including the Queen of the Netherlands, used to deepen Port Phillip’s shipping channels in 2008-09. Mornington News 10 February 2011

PAGE 7

NATURE DESK

Long haul to Flinders for the summer By Mike Hast THIS determined-looking bird marching across a beach at Flinders, kicking seaweed and water as it goes, is a ruddy turnstone. The bird has just completed a 27,000-kilometre round trip migration for the second time, astonishing researchers of the Victorian Wader Study Group. It is the first time a ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres) has been tracked with a geolocator, or data logger, on its complete migration in successive years. The birds are small and tough, 22-24 centimetres long (about 9 inches) with a wingspan of 50-57cm (about 21 in) and weighing just 85-150 grams (3-5.3 ounces), but, ruddy hell, can they fly. The bird was first captured at Flinders in mid-April two years ago and fitted with a one-gram light sensor geolocator attached to its leg. The device recorded where the bird was each morning and evening for a year. When winter loomed, the bird, well fed after a summer in Australia, took to the skies and flew back to Siberia in Russia to breed during the northern summer. Researchers led by world renowned amateur ornithologist Clive Minton have used geolocators over the past two years to find out the key stopover locations, which are important for the birds to refuel and rest on their long journey. (Dr Minton, a British metallurgist, has a lifelong interest in birds, especially migratory waders. He helped develop “cannon netting” where a small explosive device hurls a net

Flying marvel: The ruddy turnstone with ID tag (left side of photo) and one-gram tracking device (right) on Flinders beach has flown a 27,000kilometre migration twice. Picture: Victorian Wader Study Group

over a flock of feeding birds, which are then measured, tagged and released. He moved to Australia in 1978 and revitalised national wading bird study groups.) “This is a fantastic result for our group, which is also supported by fantastic volunteers,” Dr Minton said. “The data shows the birds generally start their northward migration with an initial non-stop flight of about 7600km in six days to Taiwan or adjacent regions. “They refuel on tidal flats before moving north to the Yellow Sea and

northern China. They then make a flight of more than 5000km to breeding grounds in northern Siberia, arriving in the first week of June.” The group was amazed to discover that birds returning to Australia take different routes and also fly solo rather than in groups. Some come through Asia, as they did when heading north, but others take a trans-Pacific route. Dr Minton: “They fly east to the Aleutian Islands off southwest Alaska before making a long journey across the Pacific, stopping only once or twice before reaching Australia in ear-

ly December.” The first record of this route was in 2009 when the bird in the photo spent nearly two months in the Aleutians before setting off southward over the Pacific Ocean and making a non-stop flight of 7800km to Kirabati (formerly Gilbert Islands). It “holidayed” there for six weeks before making the 5000km trip back to Flinders. “In 2010 the same bird undertook a similar incredible journey, this time stopping off in the Marshall Islands and Vanuatu in the Pacific before returning to Australia,” Dr Minton said.

Turnstones live up to 20 years and such a bird following this 27,000-km trans-Pacific route would have flown more than 500,000 kilometres in its lifetime, a remarkable feat. Scientists from the Australasian Wader Studies Group of Birds Australia and Deakin University are still puzzled by individual turnstones from the same breeding and non-breeding population using such widely differing routes. The study shows the importance of key regions within what is known as the Asian-Australasian Flyway. Scientists are concerned about the ability of these and similar migrating birds to cope with the massive habitat changes occurring as a result of large reclamation and urban development projects. Migratory bird researchers such as Dr Minton have been instrumental in lobbying governments to protect wild areas in the flyway. Initiatives include the Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA), the China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA) and the East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Site Network. Turnstones also breed in North America and northern Europe, and migrate south when winter arrives, some travelling similar distances to the Australian-Siberian birds. Turnstones make a staccato, rattling call. They forage in flocks, and eat a varied diet including carrion, eggs, plant material, insects, crustaceans, molluscs and worms. The hardy world travellers often flip over stones and other objects to get at prey and this behaviour is the origin of the name.

RACV HasƟngs Now Open!

Everything you need to meet your insurance, motoring and touring needs is now available from the RACV Shop located within Travelscene Westernport at 11 High Street, HasƟngs.

Motor insurance J Home Insurance J Theme Park and AƩracƟon Tickets J Maps and Travel Accessories J

As your closest RACV Shop we will be here to assist you by providing highly personalised service. Please come in and see us, or if you would prefer contact us on 5979 1589.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Social Housing & Affordable Housing Policy The M.P.S.C. invite members of the public to provide comment on the draft Social Housing & Affordable Housing policy by close of business on Monday 21st March. 7KH GUDIW SROLF\ LV DYDLODEOH DW WKH UHFHSWLRQ RI &RXQFLO RI¿FHUV and libraries from 7th February to March 21st, 2011 and on the Council's web site: www.mornpen.vic.au For further information contact: Peter Sibly Phone 5950 1682 or 0419 527 947 PAGE 8

Mornington News 10 February 2011

Closer weather eye on climate change storms By Mike Hast MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is watching weather events more closely after a series of wild storms over the past couple of years. The shire is more closely monitoring its six weather stations when it knows heavy storms are due and sending out “SWAT” drain clearing teams when problems arise. Focusing attention on drainage this and coming weeks and months was the flooding of Koo Wee Rup and Narre Warren on the weekend, and the earlier floods in northern Victoria and Queensland. Koo Wee Rup was inundated after the Bunyip River broke its banks, and parts of Narre Warren and adjacent suburbs went under after they received a huge dump of rain, with Lyndhurst topping the region with 180mm. It is widely acknowledged the Mornington Peninsula was lucky to escape with rainfall totals of less than a quarter of that received by many southeast region suburbs and towns. The 2010-11 shire budget allocated $3 million for new drainage works and programs to better understand stormwater, up 50 per cent from the previous year’s $2m, and the shire’s director of sustainable infrastructure, Alex Atkins, says it is likely to

remain at or above $3 million for the foreseeable future. On top of this was a significant amount to maintain and improve existing infrastructure. “We’ve seen the return of ‘normal’ rainfall after the long drought,” he said. “The rains of winter and autumn soaked the ground and now much of the rain that falls is running off.” He said the shire had ramped up its drain inspection and cleaning program over the past 12 months. “We’ve been doing computer flood modelling for the whole shire and our first flood maps have proved accurate.” How water had moved during and after recent storms had confirmed the predictions of the flood modelling, he said. Detailed maps for the entire shire would be ready in about 6-8 weeks. Mr Atkins said the Mornington Peninsula had many small water catchments and any flood damage was often localised. “We’re expecting more higher density rainstorms that have the capacity to overwhelm existing drainage systems.” The flash flooding could be caused by the build up of silt and debris in drains. “No amount of pre-servicing can

avoid these kinds of problems so we have teams that get in quickly and clear any blocked drains.” The shire had identified problem areas and was using its six weather stations that fed real-time data to cope with flooding. “It’s a matter of adaptation and mitigation, with our focus on adaptation at the moment,” he said. There had been big changes in the way councils dealt with drainage and stormwater management in the past 15 to 20 years. Rather than installing pipes and spoon drains, there was a greater emphasis on slowing down, storing and redirecting water using swales and wetlands. Water sensitive urban design was far more important, he said. The shire encouraged feedback and reports from residents about flooding or potential flood problems, and Mr Atkins encouraged people to call the shire’s 24-hour customer service phone number – 1300 850 600. Flash(flood) back: The first day of summer, 1 December 2010, and a wild rainstorm lashed Mornington Mt Eliza and Frankston. In Mornington the path between Mothers and Scout beaches, which once led to the Mornington baths, becomes a torrent. Another picture shows water surging onto the beach. Pictures: Paul “Tracker” Pingiaro

Wide range of new and second hand models

Westernport Mobility offer you an entire range of home and mobility products to improve the quality of your life and independence.

Westernport Mobility has the full range of Pride Mobility Scooters and offers excellent backup and service to give you the confidence to enjoy your life without boundaries.

• The best products • Advice • Service to all makes and models • NO CALL OUT FEE

What we do: • Speed up to 9.5 kph • Front & rear suspension • Range of 45 km • Tight turning circle

We’re local and we come to you!

· Lightweight aluminium frame · Detachable padded backrest tube · Four 200 x 38 PU wheels · Vinyl pouch standard

Where to find us!

Call for a free home demonstration or to discuss your requirements.

5/1 Bray Street, Hastings Phone: 5979 4722 (Just off Frankston Flinders Road)

FRANKSTONFLINDERS RD

• Service • Battery tests • Repairs • NO CALL OUT FEE!

EDWARD CT AUTUMN CT

POUND RD BRAY ST WESTERNPORT MOWERPOWER Mornington News 10 February 2011

PAGE 9

NEWS DESK

Shire ‘no’ to T’Gallant winery – again By Mike Hast BREWING giant Foster’s Group is considering its legal options after another failed attempt to expand its T’Gallant winery restaurant La Baracca in Main Ridge. Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors refused the application for a scaled-down expansion on Monday 31 January. They knocked back plans for a 274seat restaurant in March 2009 and Foster’s Group appealed the decision in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The case was heard in September 2009 and the VCAT formally rejected the application in February last year, supporting shire councillors, who voted 10-0 to reject T’Gallant’s request to increase restaurant seats from the existing permit for 60 to 274, plus 40 seats for cellar door patrons. The VCAT described T’Gallant’s plan as being of a “scale and intensity [that] cannot be supported” on the 16-hectare property in the green wedge zone on Mornington-Flinders Road. Green wedge planning rules state wineries of 40 hectares can have 150seat restaurants. T’Gallant has 60 seats on 16 hectares. The revised application refused last week was for a 150-seat restaurant plus 40 in the cellar door area. T’Gallant’s planning consultant Ross Morcombe, of Morningtonbased planning firm Watsons Pty Ltd, had attempted to get the matter deferred after being told shire planning officers would recommend the council refuse the plan. At the council’s development assessments committee meeting, sustainable infrastructure director Alex Atkins was in the CEO’s chair, deputising for the holidaying Michael Kennedy. Cr Lynn Bowden was overseas and Cr David Gibb left the chamber before the vote after declaring a pecuniary interest (he has Foster’s Group shares). The plan was rejected 9-0. Mr Morcombe was visibly dejected when he told councillors that when

Foster’s had been told the plan was highly likely to be knocked back, he had met senior planner Sotirios Katakouzinos and asked what conditions for the restaurant would be needed for the council to approve the expansion plan. He said he had not had time to analyse the suggested changes and was seeking a deferral. “Throughout the course of 2010 we’ve had numerous meetings with council officers to bring them up to speed with where we’re at with our application. So we believed that we were working with council, working towards a position where hopefully we were both onside and we could see approval of an expansion of T’Gallant,” he said. “Obviously as have a council officer recommendation that doesn’t support that – and I’d have to say I’m a little bit surprised, with the amount of dialogue that we’ve had with council officers throughout last year.” He said the new proposal was “very much scaled down”. (In fact, the 190 seats being sought is about 70 per cent of the 274 proposed last time.) He described the planning officer’s report as “undoubtedly very negative” for Foster’s. Cr Reade Smith asked: “Do you think that if, knowing there are concerns in the community and in the council and there’s pending applications, that the owners would ensure that the current permits would be complied with?” Mr Morcombe: “I can’t speak on their behalf.” His question alluded to the fact that the second application for more seats was an attempt to legitimise T’Gallant’s operation, with opponents, including Red Hill Community Action, claiming the winery sometimes has more than 300 patrons a day. “T’Gallant admitted in its [first] application to the shire that it regularly had up to 274 diners plus 40 cellar door customers, despite the limit of 60 patrons,” RHCA claimed late last year. Two years ago the shire fined

T’Gallant more than $1100 for permit breaches, but it was challenged and remains in legal limbo. Cr Smith continued: “Say if a supermarket in the main drag of Mornington was concerned about their space, they wouldn’t go and put tents in the car park and in the Main St to put out extra stock because they need more room ... they wouldn’t break the laws first and then ask for permission later. I’m asking, why is this organisation allowed to go outside the rules when others aren’t?” Mr Morcombe admitted seat numbers had been breached previously: “This is a process to recognise the severity of the limitations in those [existing] permits and make the site of a size and with adequate facilities to cope with 150 patrons.” RHCA claims the current waste treatment plant is old technology and has to be pumped out regularly to prevent pollution. Red Hill area councillor Frank Martin told the meeting he had visited T’Gallant on Saturday and Sunday 29 and 30 January and noted the car park was overflowing on both days. “How can your client convince us that the same sort of attitude towards planning permit conditions as there’s been in the past won’t keep continuing?” he asked. Mr Morcombe said Foster’s was “well aware that council won’t tolerate those sort of things in the future given the approvals that they seek”. Cr Martin said it confused him that an applicant such as Foster’s had not gone to the effort of convincing the operators of T’Gallant to adhere to the permit conditions. He said its behaviour had not been that of “a good citizen”. “Have you a comment on that?” he asked Mr Morcombe, who replied: “No, I think I’ll let that one go through.” A motion to reject the application was moved by Cr Martin and seconded by Cr Shaw, and unanimously supported.

Lobby group scathing RED Hill Community Action group is highly critical of this latest attempt to win more seats for T’Gallant. The group’s chairman David Maddocks, an industrial chemist and quantity surveyor, said RHCA wondered how Foster’s Group had persuaded shire planners to recommend giving T’Gallant a second bite at the cherry in the application with its request that the matter be deferred for a month. He said Foster’s had sought a month’s grace to “more fully analyse the draft permit conditions” and to “fully explore whether a mutually satisfactory outcome for the site via new permit conditions could be reached”. “The deferment sought was simply unreasonable. It was insulting to the officers who drafted the report and the draft permit conditions, as well as to councillors,” he said. “Surely the applicant has had sufficient time to get its proposal right. It surely has enough planning, traffic and waste water experts on hand, and the benefit of an almost identically structured proposal presented less than two years ago, to have got its plan right. “The officer’s report and recommendations are blunt and clear. Foster’s Group’s aim here is that of a tennis player calling for another set or two in the hope of knocking off an opponent. “We noted the softness of some of the draft permit conditions produced at Monday’s meeting, compared with the recommendation in the agenda downloaded from the website on Friday morning, before Foster’s Group advocates talked shire planners into recommending the delay.” The group claimed T’Gallant’s record was abysmal and its alleged continuing breaches showed contempt for the shire, its councillors and the VCAT. The VCAT had rejected its last proposal and left in place the permit that allowed it 60 patrons and 41 parking spaces. That permit was still in place but had never been adhered to, never enforced, he said. Last year T’Gallant founder and winemaker Kevin McCarthy defended the operation and said the winery and its restaurant had been welcoming visitors to its vineyards since the early 1990s. “We’ve grown with support from our local community: sharing our love of peninsula wine and food with both locals and visitors,” he said. The expansion plan would allow T’Gallant to upgrade visitor and staff facilities within essentially the same footprint. Visually nothing would change as the upgrade would almost entirely be contained to the existing buildings, he said. Mr McCarthy said T’Gallant had pioneered the introduction of pinot gris and pinot grigio grapes to Australia. He said the winery had been a strong promoter of peninsula wine and food, employed 60 staff plus many others indirectly, and the cellar door and restaurants were key destinations in wine tourism nationally and internationally.

Transmend Panels We provide a competitive estimate! Once the work is authorized to us we will repair your vehicle to a high quality standard! (All our repairs carry a lifetime warranty on workmanship!)* *conditions apply

To advertise in the next Mornington News please contact Carolyn Wagener on 0407 030 761

Mornington

PAGE 10

Mornington News 10 February 2011

Reward system to give tree vandals the chop

Overflow surfers: When the surf is up, cars spill over from the clifftop car park onto nature strips at Flinders.

Car park wipeout for surfers EFFORTS by Parks Victoria to improve the entrance to the Mornington Peninsula National Park at Flinders are causing problems with parked cars. The use of treated pine barricades at the car park at the corner of Golf Links Rd and King St has effectively cut the number of parking spaces, forcing vehicles to park on the nature strips of nearby houses. Several of the barricades have already been ripped out of the ground

and on Saturday 29 January a handwritten notice was placed on car windscreens urging a phone call to Parks Victoria’s Rosebud office. Ranger-in-charge of the southern peninsula Chris Rowe said the car park was crowded “about a dozen times a year”, particularly when there was good surf at the nearby breaks. “It’s a challenge. We had money to improve the sites with infrastructure that’s at West Head and the

ocean beach as well,” he said. “At King St there’s been a ripple of criticism that goes back to the property owners as well.” Mr Rowe said nature strips were “not owned; they’re public land”. “The police were there on Saturday and contacted us to see what the problem was. “No one was parked illegally and if you tried to stop people parking on nature strips there it would have to apply right across the board, and

that’s absurd.” Mr Rowe said a review would be undertaken and a meeting was being held with nearby residents and Mornington Peninsula Shire representatives to try to find a solution. One option would be to erect signs and define parking spots with white lines. He said Parks was doing its best to protect the environment and improve amenity at the national park. Keith Platt

REWARDS could be offered on the Mornington Peninsula for information leading to the successful prosecution of tree vandals. Confirmation that a rewards scheme had been discussed at officer level but not yet put to councillors was given at the 21 January council meeting by sustainable infrastructure director Alex Atkins. Mr Atkins was replying to a question from McCrae resident Barry Robinson who wanted to know how many tree vandals had been prosecuted by the shire in the past year. According to council meeting records, Mr Atkins said he suspected that no prosecutions had occurred. Mr Robinson pointed out that the shire had installed notices on the foreshore saying that penalties of up to $136,000 could be imposed on tree vandals. “Why has the shire not offered rewards which lead to the successful prosecution of the perpetrators, as is done by Bayside City Council?” Mr Robinson asked. Mr Robinson told The News he had told council officers that some houses seemed to keep uninterrupted views of the bay despite trees continuing to grow on neighbouring properties. “It’s like when I wrote to council some years ago about the self-pruning trees on clifftops between Sorrento and Portsea, which not only shed branches but also threw themselves over the cliff. “The shire does not have a very good record of following non-compliance with permits or laws. “If they offered a reward we might get these people stopped. Whatever they do to make people play the game is OK with me.”

Swimming instructor David Henke (M) from Barefoot Fitness was there to compete and oversee some of his students swim on Australia Day at Mount Martha Beach. L- Shane Mahon, R- Steven Symon Mornington News 10 February 2011

PAGE 11

NEWS DESK

Child killer wants $80,000 from dead girl’s mother By Mike Hast COMMUNITY anger is mounting over child killer Derek Percy winning Supreme Court approval for 72-yearold pensioner and grandmother Jean Priest to pay for his legal costs for a failed court case. Last week Ms Priest lost her bid to force Percy, a former naval rating based at HMAS Cerberus in Crib Point, to give evidence about her daughter Linda Stilwell, 7, who was abducted from St Kilda in August 1968. Her body has never been found. Police have long suspected Percy, known as “The Spook”, was involved in her disappearance and he admitted to one officer that he was in St Kilda on the day she went missing. In a police interview in 1969, when asked if he killed Linda Stilwell, Percy said “possibly, I don’t remember a thing about it”. Last week the court ordered that Ms Priest must pay Percy’s legal costs of $32,247 for the first stage of the failed court case. The day after, in an affidavit filed in the Court of Appeal, Percy argued through his lawyer that Ms Priest should pay another $48,700 as security in her final appeal to make him answer questions under oath. Ms Priest faces possibly bankruptcy over the two claims. Percy remains in jail indefinitely for the 1969 killing of Yvonne Tuohy, 12, of Warneet, for which he was found not guilty by reason of insanity. He is the only Victorian prisoner held at the “Governor’s pleasure”, now at Port Phillip Prison in Laverton North, and has never been charged with any other crime. Percy was based at Cerberus when he was arrested just hours after Yvonne Tuohy’s kidnapping. Her mutilated body was found in bushland at Devon Meadows, a short drive from Warneet. Police acted on information from Shane Spiller, a 12-year-old boy with Yvonne at Warneet’s Ski Beach in the coastal reserve between Blind Bight and Warneet on an isolated part of Rutherford Inlet, which flows into Western Port near Tooradin. The boy escaped from the kidnapper’s clutches by brandishing his tomahawk. Leading calls for the state government to help Jean Priest is Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews, Steve Medcraft of People Against Lenient Sentencing and prominent Crime Victims’ Support Association spokesman Noel McNamara, who also says Percy should pay his own bills. Percy has amassed more than $300,000 during his 41 years behind bars. Although he was with the Navy for only 20 months, he continues to collect ComSuper payments of up to $20,000 a year, based on 60 per cent of a recruit’s annual salary. In 2007, police found 35 cardboard boxes and tea chests filled with material from Percy in a South Melbourne storage depot. They alleged the material included clippings on sex crimes, stories Percy had written on how to commit child abductions and items that appeared to implicate him in unsolved murders. There was also a valuable stamp collection.

PAGE 12

Faces of a child killer: Derek Percy, inset above, after his arrest in 1969 for the murder of Yvonne Tuohy and the boy, Shane Spiller with his tomahawk, who helped police find the Royal Australian Navy recruit at HMAS Cerberus; Percy, right, when he appeared in court in the early 2000s; and, left, last year, aged 62.

Police discovered Percy had leased storage units since 1970, had $300,000 in the bank and had successfully invested in gold. He had used part of his income to rent the storage unit. The murder of Yvonne Tuohy became Warneet’s dark secret. It was only discussed in whispers behind closed doors. Residents who remember the event have died, moved away or refuse to talk about it. The murder brought shame on the Navy and HMAS Cerberus, and changed forever the life of the boy who was with Yvonne, the daughter of the owners of Warneet’s one general store. On that fateful day, the day US astronaut Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, the two 12-year-olds had headed off on an adventure, walking about two kilometres from the village through the bush reserve that separates Warneet Rd from the upper reaches of Rutherford Inlet. In Australia it was still a time when parents allowed their children to go adventuring on their own, a time when child stealing was virtually unknown, although the 1960 kidnapping and murder of eight-year-old Sydney boy Graeme Thorne, whose parents had won 100,000 pounds ($5 million in today’s value) in a Sydney Opera House lottery, was still remembered. It was a crime that caused massive shock around the nation and overseas, and was the first known kidnapping for ransom in Australian history. It became world famous as one of the first times a crime had been solved by forensic investigation. The convicted killer, Stephen Leslie Bradley, died of a heart attack while playing tennis in Goulburn jail on 6 October 1968, aged 42. Victoria’s famous Faraday State School $1 million kidnapping, where a 20-year-old female teacher, Mary Gibbs, and her six girl pupils were taken at gunpoint from their tiny schoolhouse north-west of Melbourne, was

Mornington News 10 February 2011

still three years away. The kidnapping, dubbed “Australia’s crime of the century”, had a happy ending as Ms Gibbs and her pupils escaped from a van and police arrested Edwin John Eastwood and Robert Clyde Boland, who were sentenced to long terms in jail (although Eastwood later escaped and committed a second bush school kidnapping in 1977). Shane Spiller and Yvonne Tuohy were playing on Ski Beach when a man approached them and seized the girl. When Percy attempted to grab Spiller, the boy threatened him with his tomahawk. Spiller ran for his life through the bush and raised the alarm when he arrived breathless in the coastal village. Police were called and raced to Warneet. Spiller told them Percy had taken the girl away in an orange station wagon. He gave detectives a drawing of a sticker he’d seen on its rear window, a Royal Australian Navy insignia. Police drove to Cerberus and found Percy in the laundry, trying to wash Yvonne’s blood from his clothes. Shane Spiller was haunted by the incident for the rest of his life and disappeared from Wyndham, a small town on the NSW south coast near Merimbula, in 2002 at the age of 44. He had started drinking at age 14, his school results deteriorated, he fell out with his parents, left school and went walkabout from the family home in Armadale. A neighbour in Wyndham years later described him as “the most paranoid person I’ve ever met. Shane suffered all his life with post-traumatic stress disorder. There was this overwhelming dark cloud over his life and he was basically self-medicating with drugs and alcohol”. Police claim Percy ruined Spiller’s life. Percy has since been linked to the disappearances and deaths of eight other children in Victoria, NSW, ACT and South Australia, including the

three Beaumont children, who were abducted from an Adelaide beach in 1966 and never found. Detectives from four police forces have been investigating cold case child murders for four years in an operation codenamed Heats. Percy has been questioned about:  The murders of 15-year-olds Christine Sharrock and Marianne Schmidt on Sydney’s Wanda Beach in January 1965, while Percy, then 17, was holidaying nearby with his parents.  The disappearance of the Beaumont children (Jane, 9, Arnna, 7, and Grant, 4), abducted from Glenelg Beach near Adelaide on Australia Day in 1966, which spawned books, documentaries and the visit of a Dutch clairvoyant, Gerard Croiset, who said their bodies were buried under an Adelaide warehouse. The site was dug up but nothing was found. The case burned a hole in the national psyche and is discussed to this day. Percy admitted to police he was in Adelaide at the time.  The murder of Allen Redston, 6, in Canberra in September 1966. The boy left his home to go to a nearby milk bar for ice-cream. The following day his body was discovered concealed in reeds by a creek. He had been hog-tied and had plastic wrapped around his throat. When Percy was questioned in 1969, he confirmed taking a family holiday in Canberra that year.  The death of Simon Brook, 3, in Sydney in May 1968, taken from the yard of his home in Glebe. By this time Percy had left school and joined the Navy. He lived at the naval base at Garden Island and commuted through Glebe to the dock.  The disappearance of Linda Stilwell. Percy was subpoenaed to appear in court in late 2009 to give evidence about Linda Stilwell, who was last seen playing on St Kilda foreshore on 10 August 1968. Percy had admitted to police he drove through St Kilda that day but, as with all of his interviews

with the law, says he cannot remember killing anyone. He has maintained this line through 40 years of interviews. Linda Stilwell’s brother Gary has reportedly said he truly believes Percy murdered his sister and Stilwell wants to eyeball Percy in court. The cold case homicide unit first reviewed the Stilwell file seven years ago to prepare the inquest brief. In April 2007, Howard government veterans affairs minister Bruce Billson, the Dunkley MP based in Frankston, promised to investigate the payments to Percy. But the Coalition lost power later that year and the money has continued to flow. Last week, Linda’s mother fought back tears after Supreme Court Justice Iain Ross ruled that Percy, 62, did not have to give evidence to answer questions on his alleged involvement in Linda’s abduction. Percy instructed his lawyers to pursue the Stilwell family for money he spent on barristers defending his fight against self-incrimination. Deputy State Coroner Iain West last year ruled Percy should not give evidence to an inquest on Linda as his apparent psychosis in the late 1960s meant he would be unreliable. An appeal to Justice Ross had sought a judicial review to overturn Mr West’s decision and force Percy to give evidence and for evidence of five other child abductions and murders to be considered. Ms Priest has one more attempt to force Percy to talk. Then she and her family have to face the harsh reality of the child killer’s $80,000 legal bill claim. Members of the public have offered her financial support, but the real issue is a legal system that has allowed this awful case and a state government that so far has remained mute. Premier Ted Baillieu and AttorneyGeneral Robert Clark have refused to discuss the case, despite their “tough on crime” stance prior to the November election.

Western Port

Hastings & District Community Bank速Branch

Mornington News 10 February 2011

PAGE 13

AROUND THE PENINSULA

Fammo statue to take pride of place at Ballam Park A LIFE-SIZED bronze statue of former world boxing champion Johnny Famechon could be installed at Ballam Park, Frankston. Frankston Council is considering an offer from businessman Rob McCarthy and Sydney sculptor Stephen Glassborow, from whom Mr McCarthy commissioned the work. The donation would be funded by the private sale of 15 smaller statuettes costing $12,000 each with the council covering installation costs of $45,000, which include transportation, footings, a plaque and landscaping. A report to the council states similar statues have been installed elsewhere, including a statue of legendary footballer (and Dromana hotel owner) John Coleman outside Hastings library in 2005 and Baw Baw Shire placing a statue of another Aussie boxing champ, Lionel Rose, in a Warragul park. The report stated that when John Famechon was asked where he wanted the statue placed, he said in Frankston, where he grew up after arriving from France as a young boy. Famechon achieved worldwide fame after his epic title fights with Fighting Harada of Japan. Born in France in 1945, Famechon has always called Frankston home. He was actively involved with the community, including helping police run the Frankston Blue Light Boxing Club for young people. He became WBC Featherweight World Champion in 1969 after

Rocks off as paths take costly turn Final costs triple on estimates

Our champ: Johnny Famechon in his fighting prime.

defeating Cuban Jose Legra on points at Albert Hall in London. He twice defended his crown against Harada. With a career record of 56 wins (20 by KO), 6 draws and 5 losses, Famechon was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in Los Angeles in 1997. Fammo, as he is known, was badly injured when hit by a car while jogging in Sydney in 1991 and sustained

horrific injuries. In 1993 he started a radical and demanding rehabilitation program, hoping to improve his acquired brain injury. After three months he took his first steps. He now walks with the help of a walking stick and his speech and memory have improved markedly. In June 1997 he walked down the aisle for his wedding to long-time girlfriend Glenys, fulfilling a promise he made to her four years earlier.

By Keith Platt PLANS to build footpaths in Frankston with crushed rock have virtually hit a brick wall – with costs ballooning to twice that of concrete. In May 2008 Frankston Council adopted a $2.4-million, five-year plan to build 25 footpaths on a priority list. The plan also included using “modified crushed rock” on a trial path in Brunei Rd, Seaford. Council officers estimated they could cut costs by 30 per cent by not using concrete. However, the estimated cost of $23,000 blew out to $69,000. The estimate for concrete was $46,000. Factors contributing to the high cost included the belief the rock could be spread manually. It could not, and a paving machine had to be brought in. Sections that were manually laid had to be reconstructed. Paving machines can only make paths with a minimum width of 2.3 metres while the Brunei Rd path was designed to be two metres wide. Geotechnical testing was also needed for the crushed rock path, which also needs regular spraying for weeds. Neither cost was included in the original estimate. The Seaford path was built under the

Citywide Pathway Program, part of council objective No 4: Well Planned, Well Built and Well Maintained. The report says it supports the plan, which is now being modified to make nine planned crushed rock paths out of concrete. Delays and price blowouts have also occurred with a path in Baden Powell Drive, Frankston South. One section of the path had been completed, but the remainder needed a complete redesign, taking the cost from $43,000 to $307,000. “Other paths, particularly in the Frankston South region, will have site restraints requiring designs to be undertaken and additional works such as retaining walls, though they shouldn’t be to the extent required for Baden Powell Drive,” the report states. The report recommended council raise an extra $500,000 a year from rates to enable the path program to be completed in six years rather than 11 under the current $320,000-a-year program. “The additional funding required can be covered by re-prioritising the Road Assets class within the Capital Works Program,” the report states. “No economic implications apply.”

Radar called in to search for dead HISTORIANS are planning to use ground penetration radar to search for the remains of up to 19 people believed to have died during the first attempted European settlement in Port Phillip near Sorrento. The Collins Settlement was established at Sullivan Bay in October 1803, but was abandoned less than six months later. It is believed that at least 19 deaths were recorded during the time spent near what was to become Sorrento by Lieutenant Colonel David Collins, civil officers, marines, free settlers and 229 convicts. Nepean Historical Society has been given a $5000 grant by Mornington Peninsula Shire to pay for a consultant to use radar to find the missing burial site. Society president Don Ewart said the dead were believed to be buried near the Western Sister, a point at the western end of Sullivan Bay. He said the method had previously been used during research at Point Nepean and he hoped work at the Col-

Artist takes a brush to beads A FRIEND’S beads from Lagos, Africa, caught the eye of artist Claire Spring, who has now portrayed them in a series of 16 oil paintings. The bead paintings form the basis of Spring’s fourth solo exhibition, which also includes flowers, couta boats and seascapes. Spring has been painting for about 20 years and has become known for her “comfort zone” of images of large flowers.

PAGE 14

“A friend who had lived in Lagos for many years had the beads, which I wanted to paint,” she said. This year, as well as exhibiting, Spring also plans to teach art from her studio at Rye. Her current exhibition is at the Portsea Gallery (next to the Portsea Hotel on Pt Nepean Rd) until 18 February, 10am-4pm daily. To find out about her art lessons, call 0418 588 484.

Mornington News 10 February 2011

lins Settlement site would begin later this month. Ground-penetrating radar uses electromagnetic radiation in the microwave band (UHF/VHFfrequencies) of the radio spectrum, and detects the reflected signals from subsurface structures. It can be used in rock, soil, ice, fresh water, pavements and structures. No substantial buildings had ever been built at the site and the burial ground was thought to be near an area already cleared of weeds and shrubs. While the remains of the Collins Settlement are thought to be underground, shellfish middens on the clifftop are evidence of centuries of use by Aborigines. Four graves have been found on the bay’s eastern headland and the only other evidence of the settlement are parts of barrels, leg irons and bottles, which can be seen in the Sorrento Museum, Melbourne Rd, Sorrento. In January 1804 lack of fresh water, vulnerability to attack and the treacherous entrance to Port Phillip were all given as reasons for moving the settlers to Tasmania.

Forum for shire concerns ONE of the peninsula’s key citizen lobby groups is this month holding its 15th annual forum for residents to publicly air grievances and problems. The Mornington Peninsula Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association meets quarterly and the first meeting each year is an open forum that anyone can attend. It is at 2pm on Monday 21 February in the Rosebud library meeting room, McDowell St.

The association has been active in its opposition to the proposed foreshore sites for the Southern Peninsula Aquatic Centre (SPA) as well as lobbying the shire council over its higher tip fees and reduction of free tip vouchers, and over continued annual rate increases. MPRRA has about 300 members and 700 people on its mailing list. Details: Eunice Cain, 5986 7449 or 0428 884 121.

A wide range of styles AT LaDicia we offer a wide variety of classes including, Modern Jazz, Classical Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop/Funk, Contempoary, Competition Troupe Classes and preschool classes. At LaDicia we teach the A.T.D. Syllabus for Jazz and Hip Hop, The Glen Wood Tapping Syllabus for Tap and the Cecchetti method for Classical. We run exams once a year for students to participate in. Completing an exam promotes growth, confidence and sense of accomplishment. Each Term we hold an Under u/16 disco at our studio. This is a good way for all our students to meet each other and make new friends. We run an annual concert at the end of the year for all students, this is a very exciting way to finish up the year with all the students showing off all their hard work. Our studio at 22 Latham Street, Mornington, has a large fully sprung dance floor, children’s play area and small kitchen and meals area.

A fun combination of dance styles RHYTHM Factory is a place where passionate and experienced teachers provide a foundation for early age dance, music and movement. Through a fun, entertaining learning experience and warm caring environment we help assist children with their confidence, self

esteem, body awareness and interaction with others. Classes are filled with a fun variety of music and a mixture of colourful hand held props to aid children in their movements. Our classes are high energy with a modern and positive approach.

Rhythm Factory teaches an age range of 15 months to 6 years offering a combination of ballet, tap and jazz in our program. * Fun Music * Fun Props * Fun Times Phone 1300 468 858 www.rhythmfactory.com.au

Dance Music Movement 15 months to 6 years girls and boys Fun Music Fun Props Fun Times Increased coordination in dance and life Learn a combination of ballet, tap and jazz

Phone: 1300 468 858

www.rhythmfactory.com.au nicky@rhythmfactory.com.au

La Dicia School Of Dance! “The Fun Place to Learn”

Principle Patricia Vaudeau CICB (Associate) Cecchetti Ballet Aust

Offering classes in * Classical Ballet * Modern Jazz * Contemporary * Hip Hop & Funk * Tap * Pre-School * Private Lessons * Exams * Competitions * Boys & Girls of all ages * Adult classes

Intro 22 Latham St Mornington P: 5977 0705 M: 0404 076 035 www.ladicia.com.au Email dance@ladicia.com.au

ducto

ry of fer

$55

For 1 lesso 0 consecu ns ti Cond in one st ve y ition s a p p l e. ly Mornington News 10 February 2011

PAGE 15

& ENTERTAINMENT

Pea, corn and bacon frittata

Riddle:

Confucius says: If the shoe fits, get another one just like it

Recipes are from The Australian Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Weekly, Only Four Ingredients. ACP Books. RRP $12.95, available from selected newsagents, supermarkets and online from www.acpbooks.com.au

Ę&#x201D;ĘŚLČŤÉ?

You are driving a bus throughout the Peninsula. At the first stop, 3 three people get on. At the next one, 12 people get on and 2 get off. After that 5 more people get on. What is the bus driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name? Answer page 17

MORNINGTON RSL ww

u m. a w. peni ns ulafudge. c o

PENINSULA FUDGE

Thursday Lunch - Weekly 6PRUJDVERUG SP SHU KHDG

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT

$10

5.30pm-8pm ONLY EAT IN OR TAKE-AWAY OLD FASHIONED FISH â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHIPS

SLHFHV ÂżVK 0LQLPXP FKLSV SRWDWR FDNHV

Smooth mouthwatering fudge produced in a wide range of delicious Ă&#x20AC;avours Contact us for the name of your nearest stockist For more information please visit our web site www.peninsulafudge.com.au or by email to: peninsulafudge@bigpond.com

Tel: 0419 501 001 Fax: 03 5982 1460

NEW HOME OF PENINSULA FUDGE:

13 NEWINGTON AVE, ROSEBUD WEST (INDUSTRIAL ESTATE)

OPEN: TUESDAY & THURSDAY, 10 AM - 2 PM

SEE US AT ROSEBUD PRIMARY SCHOOL, BONEO, AND TOOTGAROOK MARKETS EVERY MONTH.

For a great family outing

Rock â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Roll )HEUXDU\ WK IURP SP

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who Was That Catâ&#x20AC;?

Sunday Arvo Jazz

)HEUXDU\ WK SP â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Red Hot Jigglers Jazz Bandâ&#x20AC;? FUNCTION FACILITIES AVAILABLE PAGE 16

4/27 Virginia Street, Mornington

Mornington News 10 February 2011

Phone 5975 2106

2nd & 4th Sunday, Feb to May 2011 plus April 17th

8am - 1pm Fresh Produce, Art/Craft, Plants, Tools, toys, Antiques, Collectibles... Stallholders wanted - No bookings required. Arrive from 6.30am - $20 per site For more information contact Shelley: Tel: 11am - 3pm, 5931 0022 or 0428 314 025 Email: market@drivein.net.au www.drivein.net.au/market.htm

The Market For Everyone

LIFE & LEISURE

A Peninsula Garden ... Sow What? By Frances Cameron I WAS starting to think the day wouldn’t come, but the children are back at school. Now it’s time for me to factor in some quality time in my garden without fear of being called back into the house on errands that could so very easily be done by somebody else. There are plenty of things to do in the garden right now. As I write I am enjoying the sight of many blooms in my yard, a veritable paradise. The butterfly bush (Buddleia alternifolia) is waving around its arching canes tipped with glorious, purple heads of flowers, attracting a variety of butterflies: my iceberg roses, which have suffered an unfortunate and, I think, undeserved decline in popularity over the last few years, are also putting on a magnificent show. No sooner than I cut off a dead flower than another one appears in its place. When deadheading your roses as they near the end of their flowering season, cut them back to only the first bud behind the flower, instead of cutting back further down the stem. This will prevent the plant from pushing out excessive new growth. My dahlias are blooming and looking quite spectacular. The collection of different colours and shapes of flowers I have is increasing through generous donations from friends. Sharing is a thing that seems to be common among the gardening community. Dahlias come in a great range of shapes, from small, densely packed, globular flowers (known as ball or show), to large, spidery, flowers with long, loosely situated petals (known as cactus). Pinching off extra buds will help to increase the size of the flowers. There is also a massive range of colours. On a recent trip to New Zealand I had the pleasure of visiting a garden that focused mainly on dahlias; it was simply stunning.

My vegie patch is going gangbusters as well. The combination of lots of sun and rain does wonders for vegetables, but unfortunately it does wonders for the weeds as well. After a good, deep soaking I have topped up the pea-straw mulch in an effort to reduce this problem. Keeping your garden well mulched and being vigilant, removing weeds before they reach nuisance status, is the best way to keep the weeds under control. My crop of Jeruselum artichokes (Helianthus tuberosum) is spectacular to say the least. They are, in fact, becoming a bit of a nuisance, but I love to see the very tall stems topped off with cheerful sunflower-like flowers waving around. I have to try and thin them out and slowly reduce the patch before they spread too far. I also have self-sown rocket and lettuce popping up all through the vegie patch after letting one or two plants go to seed. It’s fascinating to see where the seeds go after being blown about by the wind. It will soon be time to think about what you want for a winter crop. At the time of writing, the local supermarket has cauliflowers selling for $6 each. Admittedly they aren’t in season, but the price is exorbitant, due in part to the terrible floods. Without trying to be too alarmist, I think these prices may well be what we’ll have to pay for some time. A little forward thinking in preparing a spot to grow some of your own food can lead to not only saving a little bit of money, but also to you and your family gaining the pleasure of getting out into nature and benefitting from producing fresh, healthy food. Happy eating! peninsulagardener.blogspot.com

A pleasant Sunday arvo MORNINGTON’S latest entertainment concept “A Pleasant Sunday Arvo” returns to the Mornington RSL in Virginia Street on Sunday 20th February at 12.30 PM and will feature “The Red Hot Jigglers a favourite seven piece Jazz band who always provide top class entertainment. The “The Red Hot Jigglers” play music from the 20’s.30’s and 40’s The style is a mix of West coast Dixieland and New Orleans. You will hear tunes such as CUSHION FOOT STOMP, YOUR FEET’S TOO BIG, STRUTTIN WITH SOME BBQ, CHIMES BLUES, PUTTIN ON THE RITZ plus many more. The concept of “A Pleasant Sunday Arvo” is to provide good quality entertainment during the daylight hours at a competitive price. It is deliberately conducted during daylight hours thus ensuring patrons, after an enjoyable afternoon are able to travel home safely and securely. It is also flexible in providing music to listen to, or to dance to. The concept is modelled upon the Sunday afternoon tea dances held at Melbourne’s leading hotels in the 1960’s and1970’s. In terms of entertainment the program will, wherever possi-

ble, present bands that usually appear in Melbourne’s jazz clubs and other city and suburban venues, which, to a degree, because of the travel involved, puts them out of reach of the majority of Mornington Peninsula residents. For example and for something different - on Sunday 15th May the program will feature the Gut Bucket Jug Band. “Jug bands emerged as a music phenomenon in the southern United States in the 1920’s entertaining dance audiences from the poor end of town”. “The rhythmic music presented is virtually impossible to keep still to. When I first heard the Gut Bucket group their

entertainment value was obvious – they had to appear on our program”. Also on the 11 November program will be the Louisiana Shakers, who have done eight tours of Europe and the United Kingdom in the past nine years. The Shakers play authentic and definitive New Orleans jazz in the “home town” style of the great bands of the New Orleans revival. Once heard, never forgotten, this band brings to the Sunday program an unforeseeable depth of experience, with each member having, over the years, made his own mark in Australian jazz annals. May treat: The Gut Bucket Jug Band.

Lightweight pots and planters all the go for balcony gardens DO you have a double-storey, elevated deck or hard-to-access area but want large, impressive pots or garden features? Quite often people are reluctant to purchase large pots despite wanting to plant trees and shrubs for screening purposes. The difficulty associated with handling large planters and pots is often a deterrent. Finally there is a solution. Topez Home and Garden has Victoria’s largest selection of lightweight indoor and outdoor planters and pots. Produced using UV stablised fiberglass together with automotive paints and coatings, the wide range of planters are easy to handle, will tolerate Australia’s harsh weather conditions and add a special touch of style to any landscape, home or garden. TOPEZ: 16 Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Tyabb Phone 03 9397 6644 Email: enquiries@topez.com.au Open Thurs-Sat 9.30am-4pm Sun 9.30am-2pm www.topez.com.au

Bring this editorial into Topez during February and receive 10% off the full range of lightweight outdoor pots

Ambrolen Organic Garden Solutions

Ma Maintenance of vegetable and orn ornamental gardens, weeding, pru pruning, mulching, plant selection

Co Contact: pengards@gmail.com Fra Frances Cameron 0412 476 088

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

Joke!!!

RIddle Solution

A doctor and a lawyer were talking at a party. Their conversation was constantly interrupted by people describing their ailments and asking the doctor for free medical advice. After an hour of this, the exasperated doctor asked the lawyer, “What do you do to stop people from asking you for legal advice when you’re out of the office?”

Sudoku Solution

“I give it to them,” replied the lawyer, “and then I send them a bill.” The doctor was shocked, but agreed to give it a try. The next day, still feeling slightly guilty, the doctor prepared the bills. When he went to place them in his mailbox, he found a bill from the lawyer. Mornington News 10 February 2011

PAGE 17

LIFE & LEISURE

Entertainment

THE Go!! Show, the television show that created so many local stars and made Melbourne the pop music centre of Australia, is 45 years old and to celebrate, the original stars of the show are coming together for a special concert at the Palais Theatre on Friday 11 March.

The show will feature every living major artist from the 1960s and the guest list reads like a Who’s Who of Australian pop music: Normie Rowe, Ronnie Burns, Bobby Bright, Colin Cook, Buddy England, Ronnie Charles, Marcie Jones, Terry Dean and

Bev Harrell plus the original members of The Twilights, Glenn Shorrock on lead vocals and Terry Britten on guitar performing together for the first time in 40 years. Johnny Young and Ian Turpie, who compered The Go!! Show during its five years on air, will host the concert. Normie Rowe, a former King of Pop, had three singles in the Top 40 at the same time in October 1965 and Que Sera Sera was the biggest selling single in 1965. Normie’s 1966 hit Ooh La La featured Jimmy Page on guitar and John Paul Jones on bass. Both session musicians went on to form Led Zeppelin. Normie also starred in the stage production of Les Miserables. Normie has now settled on the Gold Coast and does a lot of club and cabaret work. www.normierowe.com. au The Go!! Show gold tickets are available 136 100 or www. ticketmaster.com.au * * * COUNTDOWN The Musical is a comedy musical send up of Countdown featuring 40 smash hits from the 1970s and 1980s at The Palms Crown, 10-19

A Grain Of Salt IT’S the second day of the heatwave, Monday, January 31st and very hot. The wireless advises to take care of the oldies in the heat. My darlings are into their 40’s and not a sound from them. Perhaps they’re hoping? I’m bracing myself for a Woolworths visit after days as a hermit. I drive past the carnival and they’re packing to depart. A big plus. I approach Woolies with trepidation. A car spot! Right up the front! I’m in shock. In I stagger and amazingly “real” specials are to be had after weeks of useless Coca Cola. Life is returning to normal. All is serene. What heat? And so, as we move lazily into February and contemplate the disappearance of those charming little kiddies, many of which were very fat (not that there’s anything wrong with it) and look at the streets devoid of broken bottles, empty cans, empty pizza packages and lots of parking spaces, tears come into both my eyes. I miss them already and gaze wistfully towards late December when they will all return to reap the benefits of the ice cream shops, the takeaways, the monstrous carnivals and literally wallow

February 10. Book on 1300 795 012. * * * THE Mornington Racecourse will be turned into a concert venue when Chris Isaak comes to town. Isaak with special guests Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows, Melinda Schneider and Danielle Spencer will perform at the track on Racecourse Rd on Saturday 19 March. Tickets 136 100. * * *

SOME of the classic bands of the 1970s are coming to town including ZZ Top appearing at Festival Hall, 18 April with Rose Tattoo. Jethro Tull will appear at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda on 28 April.

with Gary Turner

Tickets to both events on 136 100. Gerry and the Pacemakers will appear at the Frankston Arts Centre, Sunday 13 March. For tickets call 9784 1060. * * * THE Loreal Melbourne Fashion Festival will launch on 14 March. Details at www.lmff.com.au * * * THE whole family will enjoy Walking with Dinosaurs at Hisense Arena on 4-15 May. Tickets 132 849. * * * Top 10 albums 1. Band of Joy – Robert Plant 2. Station to Station – David Bowie 3. 7 Axes – Diesel 4. Goes Down Under – Amanda Palmer 5. Original Sin – INXS 6. Get Closer – Keith Urban 7. Greatest Songs of the Eighties – Barry Manilow 8. Roadsinger – Yusuf 9. Tim Robbins and the Rogues Gallery Band 10. Man Child – Ken Murdoch

with Cliff Ellen in their late night screaming (mainly females-why do they scream?) as a result of the effects of lots of designer (?) drinks. I fervently hope they relax in the coming months up there in the big smoke and return full of energy for a repeat performance. And please, don’t forget to bring lots of fireworks with you. And jet skis; we adore them. Live and let live is my motto. I’ve often pondered the advantages of being born beautiful, male or female. A tall male with traditional good looks and a good head of hair is starting at the mile post in a two mile Melbourne Cup of life, or in the straight if he also has a good voice. Ditto females. Some live up to these advantages and some fall at an invisible hurdle. For some unknown reason, with not the slightest hint of insight, I’ve almost always been able to pick the shonkies early in the piece. Perhaps God gave me this advantage as a counter to my handicaps? Mind you, a very pleasant looking person asked me along for a beer in a downstairs bar in Athens years ago and that one beer cost me over $50, and a good lesson. It was Lord Byron who said “I can

Mornington

recognize anyone by the teeth, with whom I have talked. I always watch the lips and the mouth: they tell what the tongue and eyes try to conceal.” Byron spent a lot of time in Greece, so he may have adopted this procedure as a necessity. I tried it; didn’t work. Others say “If they turn their head to the right and look away, they’re lying”. Hmnn. Either way I would not know. I leave the beautiful people to frolic with themselves. Another “Australian of the year” has been announced and I’ve missed out, again; likewise overlooked for “Senior Australian of the year”. My grief was seemingly implacable, as it had been in previous years. As Job said in the Old Testament “Woe unto me”. Suddenly I remembered myself as a boy, watching Dad and our next door neighbour cutting the heads off two chooks for Christmas dinner (that was lunchtime back then), and the headless chooks running in all directions. Of course! I’m the chook. Still running, ever headless, with plenty of mates. Let’s imagine that I went away overnight and on returning discover

that my house had burnt down due to some electrical fault or the pipes burst causing severe flooding. Assume that I was not insured and only received my fortnightly pension. People may well come to my rescue, the strength and endurance of the human spirit etc. But would the Federal Government come to my aid other than whatever is covered by Centrelink? So why the flood levy? I’ve already given money. My choice. I have no problem with State and Federal Governments meeting associated flood costs. That’s what they’re there for, despite the propoganda of maintaining a fantasy budget surplus. I do have a problem with feeling a need to help people who build on flood risk areas and yet do not insure for flood damage, in spite of crooked developers. Still, a levy on jet skis ($50) condoms ($5) Aussie flags on cars ($5) Australia Day Award recipients ($500) non smokers in smoking areas ($10) financial advisers ($1000) and Andrew Bolt & Terry McCrann ($5000 each) would help. A previous suggestion that bald people should have special dispensation

to wear hats in the dedicated smoking zone of RSL Clubs to offset nudity on very cold days was met with an icy shoulder. C’est la vie. It occurs to me that at any one time there would be some 6 to 10 ladies on the machines with wigs on their beautiful heads. Aha! All I need is to buy a wig (in the shape of a hat) by next June. Voila! Music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business is. [Pepyrs] What are three words a woman never wants to hear when she’s making love? “Honey, I’m home!” cliffie9@bigpond.com

Would you like to know how you can support the Mornington News?

Simple. Support our advertisers. They support local news in your community. PAGE 18

Mornington News 10 February 2011

WHAT’S ON The Southern Peninsula 50+ Club is a Peninsula based friendship club who meet regularly for outings such as dinners, lunches,walks, games,picnics, bbqs, bus trips. The club holds general meetings at the West Rosebud Community Hall the third Tuesday of each month. For more info, ring Val on 5985 3045. Peninsula Diabetic Self Help Group is a friendly group who meet on the 3rd Monday of each month in the Uniting Church Hall, Murray Anderson Road, Rosebud at 1pm. Diabetics, careers and friends are most welcome. Details 59867795.

Womens pre-loved Fashion Market Mornington Racecourse Loved it Market is a unique event with over 65 indoor stalls selling quality womens pre-loved fashion & accessories. Come along & pick up current fashion, a vintage piece, or a designer handbag. Sunday February 20th 2011 Mornington Racecourse Dining Room 9.30 – 1.30 pm $3 Entry & free parking. Enquiries 0417 138 125 or email loveditmarket@yahoo.com.au Racecourse Road access from Bungower Rd Closed Tootgarook Combined Probus Club meets at the Tootgarook Community Hall, cnr Barry and Darvall Street Tootgarook on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 9.30am. Interesting speakers and activities. Would you like to become a member and join us? For more information, please call Secretary Jane Johnson on 5985 6542 or President Fred Dyer on 5986 3386.

CHICKS TO BOILERS LUNCHEON. “New Beginnings” - Come and hear local woman speaker Sandra Clack tell her story. Sandra is a breast cancer survivor, living a very full and productive life. Tuesday 1st March - Noon - 2.30pm. Brooklnads of Mornington 99 Tanti Road. $25.00 each covers a two course lunch and a glass of Wine. Bookings essential by 24th Feb. Merrilyn 59744072.

Dromana Seniors. On Friday February 11th we have a Blumes end of season sale at the club rooms at 1.30pm. All welcome. On the 2nd of March we go to Denilequin for 3 days. If you would like a break, come join us. Welcome to our new members. Get well to our sick friends.

Rosebud Women’s View Club. Come and join us at 11.30am at the Blue Room, Rye Hotel. Thursday 17th February 2011. Phone Zelma 59862059

Western Port Equestrian Association Inc, for equestrian families, holds rallies on the 3rd Sunday and 2nd Wednesday of every month at Woolley’s Road Equestrian Reserve, Woolley’s Road, Crib Point. New members most welcome. Enquiries 0408 173 486 A Pleasant Sunday Arvo of Jazz Sunday 20th February 2011 (12.30pm to 3.30pm). Mornington RSL Virginia Street Mornington (Mel 145 G2). With “THE RED HOT JIGGLERS” A seven piece band playing west coast dixieland and New Orleans. Bookings/enquires on 03 5975 2106. Over 50’s American Clogging New beginner classes for adults wanting to get fit have fun and meet new people whilst learning Clogging, cross between Country Tap Dancing, Irish Dancing and American Folk Dancing, will commence February. No dance experience or partner needed. Contact: Mornington Cloggers Lee : 59776985 04129777898 Cancer Support Group meets every second Tuesday of the month. All welcome. Community Health. 185 High Street, Hastings, or ring 0419 020 543.

The Celestial Teapot Skeptics meet from 6.30pm on Thursday the 17th of February at the ECO House, The Briars. Guest speaker will be Dr. Stuart Batten whose area of expertise is Crystallography, which is the experimental science of the arrangement of atoms in solids. The real world, properly understood in the scientific way, is deeply beautiful and unfailingly interesting. For illustration, we need look no further than crystals themselves. Please RSVP to Graeme Hanigan on 0438 359 600. Warhammer Kids Club. Play the game, make scenery, paint miniatures. Free attendance, fully supervised. Bentons Square Community Centre. Mondays 3.30-5.30pm 5977-2468

Bluegrass/Country Music Club If you like to sing, play banjo, guitar, concertina, fiddle, mandolin, spoons, harmonica, or just tap ya feet, we want to see you at Mahogany Bluegrass. Jack Verity Hall - Frankston. Cost is $5. Coffee and Tea Provided. 9-786,1445 Your event here? Email team@ mpnews.com.au to have your community group’s event listed in the ‘What’s On Around The Peninsula’ section’. Multiple Sclerosis. Monthly Meeting of Southern Peninsula People With Multiple Sclerosis Self Help Group. At Rosebud Community Health. 1527 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud. Wednesday 1-30pm 16 February 2011. For further information Ph 59820950

classifieds

Mornington Peninsula News Group

To Place An Ad...

Ads are easy to place. Just fill in the template below with one word per box as you require your ad to read.

General Goods Lawn Mower. Honda HRB475 petrol driven Rotary with rear grass collection bag. Is in good condition but has not been used for a while so may need a service, hence only $75.Phone 0435 442291 Balnarring Electric Lawn Edger GMC 1400w. Adjustable height metal cutting edge. Good for tough edges. $50. Phone 0435 442291 Balnarring Porta cot grey. Bebesit pack and play brand. As new. Very clean. No tears. $40. Pick up only. Rosebud 042274571 Single Bed. Good condition. Good clean mattress. Solid light wood head and foot board. 2.1mx1.2m approx. $100 Phone 0435 442291 Balnarring

Ads are free for private items under $100. Ads are just $5 for private items over $100. Add a photograph to an ad for another $10. Situations vacant ads are $20. Garage sales ads are $20. Once you have your ad or listing completed you can 1. E-mail it to team@mpnews.com.au 2. Fax it to (03) 5979 3509 3. Mail it to Mornington Peninsula News Group, PO Box 588, Hastings, 3915.

We accept Visa and Mastercard or cheque only: Card Number: Expiry:

/ /

Name on card: ......................................................

All ads must be paid for before publishing. No ads will be taken over the phone.

Thetford Porta Potti camping toilet. Model Elegance 165. Good clean condition. $25 Phone 0435 442291 Balnarring Baby change table, VGC, wooden, 3 tiers, $60. Baby cot mattress, VGC, $50, Rosebud, 5986 2554

General Goods Whipper snipper. Electric (so no fumes!). Perfect working order. As new condition. $50. 5982 1227 Rosebud Furniture - Electric overn GC $80. Dining table extension, teak veneer $60. Cane lounge suite sette with two chairs $200. 0403 134 513 Microwave Whirlpool. As new. Includes microwave dishes. Grills, crisps, fan forced. $89. 0419 103 862 Electric heater. Hotpoint free standing. Fan assisted 1600w $20. 0419 103 862 Bar fridge. Fisher Paykel 120lt. Never been used. White. $150 ono. 5979 4963. Fence Extensions x 5 woven type, almost brand new $65 the lot. Call 0400554405 Frankston Area 4 piece Lounge Suite. 2x2 Seater + 2xSingle Seat. $100.00. White dressing table with drawers & full mirror. $30.00. Small TV cabinet on castors. $30.00.Single folding bed VGC. $40.00. 0404876327

Camper trailer. Off road. Full width zip-on annexe and accessories. VGC $1000 ono 5975 7409 Mornington.

Ladies Bike 3 speed, 26” wheels. Front & rear fenders and reflectors. Chrome rims, White frame. Good condition.$45.Phone 59711259 Baxter

High chair. As new. Used only twice. Very good condition. $99. 9787 6553 or 0402 155 154. Frankston South.

50 pianola rolls.$75 the lot.Condition very good to fair Phone 59870860 Safety Beach

Professional

RACV’s Cape Schanck Resort, situated on the spectacular Mornington Peninsula, requires cheery and energetic hospitality professionals to join their busy team on a part time basis. Current employment opportunities include: Food and Beverage Attendants Housekeeping Attendants Why not join a vibrant team dedicated to serving our members and guests, whilst developing skills to enhance your career? You will ideally have previous hospitality experience and be flexible to work a variety of shifts across a 7-day rotating roster. RACV offers competitive remuneration, career opportunities and extensive benefits. Register your interest on www.racv.com.au in the career opportunities section now. Solid wooden rocking chair - $45 Valcro run about 3 wheely pram $50 Good Condition Mornington 0413 316 079 Colour Television Panasonic Model TX-29FX50 Series in perfect condition. $100 Phone 5974 1342 Mt Martha Cabinet. Two shelves above. Below drawer. Two wooden cupboard doors with shelf. Greeny brown colour. GC $125. 5976 4916. Mount Martha. Baby Stair Doorway Barrier $28 59841853 Akubra Coober Pedy Hat Size 54 made in Australia new condition $55. Artificial Flowers Red Berries and Twigs $35. Extension Ladder wood solid $15 97668405.

King Single Bed Brand New Condition Mattress and Base. $90 ono 59755182 Mornington 12lt Marine fuel tank plus hose and fittings. Excellent condition. $40. 5975 2875.

Cars Ford Futura 1994 5spd, recent LPG dual fuel, new tyres, exhaust, windscreen, belts, RWC, white. 230,000kms. Must sell. $2,000 ono. Ph 0420 637 102. Bittern Nissan Patrol. TD Model magon (4x4), First registered 1991. Diesel, LWB 7 seater. Bull-bar. Black and silver. One owner since new. Excellent condition. RWC. $9,500 5974 1058. Mount Martha.

Mornington News 10 February 2011

PAGE 19

ADVERTORIAL

LEAVES IN YOUR GUTTER? Protect your home against fire and flooding The Allclear Leafguard made from Colorbond® steel has many benefits, including protecting and prolonging the life of your gutters. The problem of bushfires is always upon us and there is a pressing need for home owners to protect their properties as best they can in the event of fire. One of the ways home owners can be prepared is by ensuring their gutters are free of leaves and debris that could easily catch on fire, leading the flames to the body of your home. There is a Colorbond product on the market at the moment that can save you all the hassles regarding leaves blocking your gutters and creating a fire hazard. It is called the Allclear Leafguard and was developed by Ron Lienert after he spent 20 years in the home improvement business, including many years using other leafguard products. “I saw a need for a good leafguard and was able to evolve a successful formula,” Ron Lienert said.

The Allclear Leafguard is made of Colorbond steel, the same material as your gutters - so it wont melt in fire or perish and become brittle. It stops embers and burning leaves getting under the roof as happened in the Canberra fires. It is for this reason that the Allclear Leafguard can safely give you an amazing 20 - year warranty. The Leafguard is secured under your tile or iron roof and to the front of your guttering. “With it’s unique design, it stops leaves laying flat and also circulates air to blow the leaves away eliminating cleaning problems” Ron Lienert said. “When the leafguard is in place it cannot be seen from the ground, so it does not ruin the appearance of your roof.” Gone are the days of spending hours of your valuable weekend time up on a ladder clearing your gutters by hand! The Allclear Leafguard will do the job for you. The Allclear Leafguard is also an important barrier against potentially devastating fire.

In fire prone areas, keeping leaves out of gutters using the leafguard means no swirling lighted leaves in the event of a house fire, which could be devastating to your home. “Because there is no leaf build up in the gutters, there isn’t the added problem of them catching on fire and the rest of the house burning with it” Ron Lienert said. By keeping your gutters clear of leaves, it will stop any overflowing which causes water damage to your home and will ensure gutters last years longer. “The Allclear Leafguard can also be used to convert box gutters into normal guttering to help solve problems of flooding” Ron Lienert said. “The system is versatile and can be custom made, if required.” It is also an excellent product for tankwater. The Australian made Allclear Leafguard has proved extremely successful in the past couple of years being recognised as the more superior leafguards on the market in NSW, QLD and Victoria.

Allclear staff have been trained in all aspects of leaf and gutter problems to help bring this amazing product to you. We are available to give obligation free quotes and good advice by calling Allclear Leafguard and Gutter on freecall 1800 426 607.

Scott Maxwell from the eastern Victoria area Stephen from the Victoria East branch ofCrettenden Allclear Leafguard and GutterSouth can help branch of AllClear Leafguard and Gutter can help you with any information by calling you with information by calling 1800 426 607 1800 426any 607.

SAVE 15% ... NOW! SAVE 20%... NOW!

' Made from Colorbond® steel

' No fire hazard

' Wind blows leaves away

' Will not melt

' No unsightly appearance

' Local service

' Seniors discount

COLORBONDTM GUTTERGUARD

AllClear

LEAFGUARD & GUTTER

FITS MOST GUTTERS

FREECALL FREECALL1800 1800426 426607 607OR Call Steve 0438 389 707 Call for a local representative to give a Free Quote! Call for a local representative to give a Free Quote! PAGE 20

Mornington News 10 February 2011

* OFF MATERIAL ONLY Valid till 28/2/2011

LIMITED TIME!