January 13th 2011 by Mornington Peninsula News Group

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Mornington

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Police fire up for Australia Day By Mike Hast LARGE numbers of police will patrol Mornington on Australia Day to nip in the bud the sorts of problems that occurred last year. All rest days for police based on the Mornington Peninsula have been cancelled and officers from major peninsula stations will be boosted by police from Melbourne. There will be foot patrols, police on horseback and bicycles patrolling potential trouble spots, and a “brawler van”, a large truck manned by four officers that can hold people arrested. Sergeant Dennis Ramsay of Mornington police would not provide defini-

tive numbers, but said there would be “numerous police from all stations on the peninsula including Frankston, Hastings, Dromana and Rosebud”. They included officers from Frankston and peninsula traffic management units. Although police command officially downplayed the trouble last year, which occurred in and around Mornington Park and the foreshore, community leaders were upset at several incidents. The worst case was police being pushed and shoved as they tried to arrest 10 people. Mothers with young children at Mornington Park playground said they

were scared for their safety as youths waving Australian flags charged through the park. Young people affected by alcohol intimidated families walking foreshore streets. One policeman, who did not want to be named and who was on the front line on Australia Day, also spoke out three weeks after the event, chiding his bosses for not having enough police and also asking where were the parents of dozens of youths causing trouble. Inspector Shayne Pannell said last January most trouble had been caused by teens aged 13 to 17 who started drinking alcohol in the early afternoon,

but “we had it under control. I was happy with the police numbers we had”. The traditional parade down the Main St starts at 5pm with fireworks after dark, launched from a barge in the harbour. There will be free children’s activities in Mornington Park at the end of Main St from 3pm. In recent years the fireworks have drawn up to 10,000 people to the foreshore for the spectacular show. On Tuesday, Inspector Pannell told The News police from the Melbournebased Operational Response Unit would enable peninsula police to also cover the Balnarring Cup and other

major Australia Day events in Rye, Rosebud and Hastings. The unit, or “flying squad”, of 120 officers was formed in March last year to tackle street violence and is rapidly mobilised when trouble strikes anywhere in the state. Inspector Pannell said police also would have a strong presence at the Balnarring races including bringing in a portable jail, a response to the brawl on 6 November when three policemen were injured, a police car damaged, and youths and men arrested for brawling and drunkeness. Australia Day events Page 3

Cheer leaders: A group of girls get into the moment at the 2010 Australia Day parade in Main St, Mornington. See Family friendly national day, Page 3. Picture: Mike Abicare (www.winningimages.com.au)

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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 20 JANUARY NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: THURSDAY 27 JANUARY

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Hands across the water: Mark Brown, right, and some of the children in Myanmar helped by the New Peninsula Church.

Church group reaches out to ‘adopted’ orphanages FOR the fourth January running the New Peninsula Church is sending a team to help orphanages in Myanmar (Burma). The 10-member team follows hot on the heels of another group from the Mt Martha and Rosebud-based church which was in Myanmar two months ago investigating the feasibility of extending an existing nurse training centre. Mark Brown of Mt Martha said extending the training centre “will hopefully create vocational training for orphans as they leave the protection of the orphanage and are forced to enter the workforce”. Mr Brown and five of the 10 setting

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off this month have been to Myanmar before and will revisit orphanages “adopted” by the church to help rebuild two cyclone-damaged dormitories. “We will also follow up the community centre that was built last year and assess if any other assistance is needed,” he said. “Some of the kinder teachers have requested another teaching seminar which we did last year and was so successful.” Mr Brown said ongoing problems faced by the people of Myanmar included “extreme poverty and a need for urgent food and basic living requirements”. “That will never change, but our

long term strategy is to help the local people to become self sufficient and less reliant on handouts. “After four years we have made some wonderful friends and they welcome us into their family every time we visit. “Even the street children look for us in January and anticipate our arrival. “It is always a humbling experience and for those coming for the first time, I can guarantee that it will be life changing.” Mr Brown said the church’s efforts were helped by the “generosity of the people on the peninsula and local businesses”.

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Gift draws 3500 Story and photos: Barry Irving THE 150th year of celebrations of the township of Rye started with the running of the 37th Rye Gift, the town’s premier family-orientated sporting event. The day started with a gentle easterly breeze blowing directly into the athletes’ faces as they competed in the morning heats. By lunchtime the breeze had shifted to a westerly greatly aiding the runners and keeping the temperature down making the day more comfortable for competitors and spectators alike. Always popular, the event draws a large crowd and this year was no different with about 3500 spectators plus a large number of competitors and training staff. A new edition this year was the judging of the “Miss Rye Community” quest. A number of very talented and community active young women were sponsored by their local clubs and associations to be adjudged “Miss Rye Community 2011”. From a well-contested field the judges awarded the title to Brittany Anderson who had been nominated and proposed by the Rye Basketball Club. Nothing excites a large crowd more than a relay and the local footballers’ relay this year had the large crowd urging on their favourite teams.

Hot favourites Sorrento were again in good form and previous winners Dromana had a tumble at the first baton change, but none were good enough to beat the Red Hill boys who broke through to record their first win in the event. The crowd had come to see the best runners that the Victorian Amateur League could provide and they were not disappointed. The Hillview Quarries 120 metre Women’s Diamond, drew a field of 25 runners in four heats, which ended in a blanket finish final with four runners in touch. A desperate lunge from Alice Platten in the final stride secured her a win in the prestigious event. The Maw Civil 120 metre Rye Gift for men drew a field of 88 runners who competed in 11 heats and then semifinals to reach the final eight, the winner being Craig Rollinson in the fastest time of 12.25 seconds adjusted to 12.488 wind assisted. Rye’s 150th celebrations will continue with a street parade on Sunday 20 February, which will feature this year’s Miss Rye Community finalists and winner in vintage cars, along with floats and displays of various groups, associations, clubs and businesses. Further events to celebrate the town’s big birthday will feature in an historic newspaper due to be printed in February.

37th Rye Gift results Bendigo Bank 70m Novice 1st. Chris Hargreaves H’cap 5.25 7.669 completed 2nd. Matthew Bertacco H’cap 4.50 7.719 completed 3rd. Matthew Wiltshire H’cap 5.00 7.767 completed Clarrie Jennings & Sons / Wittingslow Carnival 70m Open Handicap 1st. Alex Carew H’cap 3.50 7.632 completed 2nd. Simon Greig H’cap 2.00 7.646 completed 3rd. Matthew Bertacco H’cap 4.50 7.741 completed Hillview Quarries 120m Women Diamond 1st. Alice Platten H’cap 8.25 14.230 completed 2nd. Laura Jane Hilditch H’cap 10.00 14.239 completed 3rd. Samantha Sammut H’cap 13.50 14.315 completed

Maw Civil 120m Rye Gift 1st. Craig Rollinson H’cap 8.25 12.488 completed 2nd. Bros Kelly H’cap 6.25 12.579 completed 3rd. Daniel Sammut H’cap 9.25 12.615 completed Rye RSL 300m Veteran 1st. Nathanael Coull H’cap 7.00 36.080 completed 2nd. Noel Maghamez H’cap 50.00 36.090 completed 3rd. Clayton Fraser H’cap 14.00 36.300 completed Rye & Dromana Community Branches 400m Women 1st. Tamara Hamond H’cap 14.00 54.880 completed 2nd. Samantha Sammut H’cap 33.00 55.650 completed 3rd. Alice Platten H’cap 8.00 56.620 completed Rye Hotel 400m Open 1st. Craig Foley H’cap 38.00 48.470 completed 2nd. Matthew McCauley H’cap 28.00 48.480 completed 3rd. Robert Keenan H’cap 32.00 48.490 completed Gilpip Homes 800m Open 1st. Robert Haala H’cap 70.00 1:53:840 completed 2nd. Brady Threlfall H’cap 38.00 1:54:360 completed 3rd. Mark Andrews H’cap 36.00 1:54:470 completed Mornington Peninsula Shire & R.S.S.C. 1600m Women & Veteran 1st. Cody Williamson H’cap 95.00 4:13:390 completed 2nd. Barry Tossol H’cap 160.00 4:13:400 completed 3rd. Mark Andrews H’cap 120.00 4:13:920 completed Jim’s Test & Tag 1600m Women & Veteran 1st. Greg Hilson H’cap 130.00 4:34:320 completed 2nd. Tony Moran H’cap 140.00 4:36:330 completed 3rd. Leon Brooks H’cap 175.00 4:37:500 completed

1. Women’s Diamond winner 6 Alice Platten lives in Narre Warren, competes for the Ringwood club and has been competing for eight years as a professional. Previous best result was winning the 800m at Stawell. 2. Rye Gift winner Craig Rollinson, formerly of Hastings, now travels from Warragul to train in the Wally Meechan stable at Churchill and Waverley Park. Craig has been a pro for three years. 3. “Miss Rye Community” finalists, from left, Sarah (Rye Tennis Club), Sharni (Little Athletics), Emma (Rye Football/Netball Club), Brittany (Rye Basketball Club), Brodie (Rye Football Club), Sarah (Rye CFA). 4. Football team relay winners Red Hill are, from left, Harry Byrt, Mitchell La Fontaine, Lucas Harris, Jake Mold with sponsors, community bank managers Gary Sanford and Julie Toward. 5. Crosscut saw experts Brett Cole and Gary Fitzpatrick race against the chainsaw. 6. Red Hill’s Lucas Harris anchors the final leg of footballers’ relay. 7. Inglewood axeman John Coffey at the top of his game.

Mornington News 13 January 2011

PAGE 23

Sporting a Smile The World Cup

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

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

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

Got any local sport news? Email: team@mpnews.com.au or call us on 59798564

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Co Contact: pengards@gmail.com Fra Frances Cameron 0412 476 088 PAGE 22

Mornington News 13 January 2011

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LIFE & LEISURE

Entertainment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Mornington News 13 January 2011

PAGE 21

LIFE & LEISURE

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

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

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

The most ridiculous and strange, fresh for you... PAGE 20

Mornington News 13 January 2011

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS

Main Street craft market MORNINGTON Wednesday Main Street craft market is the longest running street market in Victoria. Held every Wednesday between 9am and 3pm, it has over 100 stalls with a variety of goods including jewellery, ceramics, cushions, painted signs, leadlight, pottery, knitted goods, children’s wear, ladies’ wear, soaps, lotions, cakes, fruit, veggies, pestos, jams, plants and much much more. Why not come and enjoy a day filled

Photo: www.mpbonline.com.au

Huge new indoor rock climbing & adventure centre

with craft, cafes, fashion and gifts in MORNINGTON with its beautiful harbor, race course, regional galleries and shopping strip. There will be a “Market by Moonlight” twilight market on 22 December from 9am - 8pm. Come and enjoy MORNINGTON – WHERE THE SHOPS MEET THE SEA. For all enquiries please contact The Mornington Chamber of Commerce on 5975-4522

IT IS A QUESTION lots of people have asked… so when we were contacted by Mornington Peninsula News and asked as to why we built a climbing gym…. One strong word came to mind; ‘Passion’… We (The Kassays) are a family of climbers James (our son and Manager at Bayside Rock) started climbing over 15 years ago when he was only 10. After driving him to many competitions and climbing ses-

sions all around Australia, I (Tibor) and my wife (Aggie) thought we too should give climbing a go. Instantly we were hooked! The following years involved (yep, you guessed it) lots of climbing. Not only at the local gyms, but also outdoors when time allowed: State, National (and for James) International competitions. The three of us all competed and had the opportunity to sample a variety of climbing gyms around the world

(which later helped in designing our own). Our daughter Corinne met her now husband Tim climbing at a gym and James met his fiancé Stacey at another climber’s wedding. So climbing has changed our lives in more ways than most could imagine! So going back to the word ‘Passion’…..Bayside Rock is a part of us. Many currently come and Climb and hopefully enjoy themselves, but for us, it really is our lives. We have put everything into Bayside Rock so that we can share our passion and life with not only the many likeminded climbers, but with the wider community who are trying it for the first time. Being a small family business we wanted to create a friendly atmosphere that appeals to everyone including the families. The design of the gym (we believe), has something for everyone. The climbing area is HUGE! With around 300 quick-draws for lead climbing, heaps of well spaced top ropes (so you’re not rubbing shoulders with the person next to you), angles to suit everyone and, once again, multiple climbs to challenge all abilities. Throw in a good gear shop, great coffee and a friendly atmosphere and you have got Bayside Rock. So why not come down, say “hello” and have a climb in airconditioned comfort… Tibor, Aggie and James Kassay (Bayside Rock) For opening hours and further details, visit www.baysiderock.com.au. 9 Network Drive, Carrum Downs. Ph: 03 9775 1557 Mel. Ref: 98 D12

“Market by Moonlight” Twilight Market 22nd December 9am-8pm

Mornington News 13 January 2011

PAGE 19

HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS

Train World for all train set needs Christmas is train set time, be it a first train set, a fully set up layout or a train running around the Christmas tree. A train set is just the beginning for creating your own railway world; there is no end to the possibilities. At Train World in East Brighton you are surrounded by train sets, locomotives, passenger carriages, freight wagons, train accessories, books, magazines and everything you need to create your own world of trains. There is a web site with product, regularly updated price lists and details. Train World has thousands of items in

stock as well as new shipments from overseas arriving every 3-5 weeks and locally supplied product arriving every day. A perfect place to order that first train set for Christmas or even a train book, DVD or CD. Everything and anything to do with trains and model railways is either available in store or they will get it in for you. Australian, American, British and locally made product fills this shop from front to back and from floor to ceiling. Famous names include Thomas the Tank Engine, Hogwarts

Express, the Orient Express, the Flying Scotsman, Hornby, Powerline Models, Atlas, Peco and many more are available in store and online. Mail order, special orders, purchases and advice are only a phone, fax or Email away or you can post Train World a letter. Payment can by EFTPOS, VISA card, Master card, AMEX, bank cheque, money order or direct deposit. See the Train World advert for details and have a train running round your table, room or house this year for Christmas.

Yoga in the Park on the peninsula HUNDREDS of people moving harmoniously while practising tai chi in the parks of Beijing in China is an exhilarating image. So, too, was the sight last summer of up to 60 people of all ages synchronised in flowing yoga movements, enjoying views of the sea from the parks on the Mornington Peninsula and breathing in gum-scented fresh air. This summer, we once again offer peninsula holidaymakers the opportunity to start their day with the uplifting combination of flowing yoga movements and breath techniques, which bring clarity of mind, under the expert tutelage of qualified yoga teachers. These invigorating classes will suit beginners as much as already practised yoga students and offer simple and achievable routines that will put a spring in your step, your attitude, and maybe even your life. Yoga in the Park begins Monday 27 December, every day (except 1 January) in five locations and continues until the sun runs out. Prices are: Casual class $13, 10-class pass $115, season’s pass $300 (which includes bonus gifts for the first 20 recipients), and Junior Yogis (under-16s) half price. Passes make a great gift of health for you or someone whose wellbeing you care about. Venues: Mornington Park (Main St) 7.30-8.30am & 9-10am

Flinders (beach end of Cook St) 7.30-8.30am & 9-10am Main Ridge (Recreation Reserve, Main Creek Rd) 9-10am Somers at Coolart (Lord Somers Rd) 9-10am For more information call 0423 161 503, or visit www.yogainthepark.net.au

Sorrento Park (Hotham Rd) 7.30-8.30am & 9-10am

www.trainworld.com.au

Train World Pty Ltd 6 24 Ha wtho rn Roa d, Ea st Bri g hto n 3 1 8 7 Phone 03 9596-6342. Fax 03 9596-3917

Australia’s Premier Railway Shop

Thinking of Model Trains

Think Train World TW stocks everything for trains and model trains. Train Sets are just the beginning. So for one stop shopping visit us first. All the major brand; Atlas, Powerline, Peco, Hornby, Athearn, MTH, Walthers, BLI, Genesis, and many more in store Mail order, Lay By, EFTPOS, VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, and service in store.

Visit, Email, Fax or Phone. Open 7 Days a Week Monday to Thursday 10am-6.30pm, Friday 10am-9.30pm, Sat 9am-5pm and Sundays & Public Holidays 11am-4pm. Only closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year Day, Good Friday &Anzac Day

info.tw@trainworld.com.au PAGE 18

Mornington News 13 January 2011

peninsula skateworld www.skateworld.com.au

Frankston Dandenong Road, Carrum Downs 3201 03 9793 6799 skateworldfrankston@bigpond.com

LEARN TO SKATE CLASSES Monday 6-7pm Saturday 10-11am STAY ON FOR THE SESSION

$15 MEAL DEAL ENTRY

INCLUDES ANY HOT FOOD ITEM AND A CAN OF DRINK. Available any session

Yoga in the Park organic yoga for all ages every morning from Dec 27 (except Jan1)

casual class $13 10 class-pass $115 season’s pass $300 includes bonus gifts kids (U16) half price.

Sorrento Mornington Flinders Main ridge Somers

Birthday Parties Have fun in our Party Room CHOOSE YOUR MENU D.I.Y. MEAL DEALS CATERED We make your party easy!

SCHOOL HOLIDAY SESSIONS Monday-Friday 11am-4pm Tuesday/Wednesday 11am-6pm Saturday/Sunday 11am-4pm FRIDAY NIGHT 7.30-10.30PM SATURDAY NIGHT 6-9PM

PARENTS SKATE FREE SATURDAY NIGHTS 6-9PM

To advertise in the next Holiday Attractions feature pages please contact Carolyn Wagener on 0407 030 761

for locations and times:

yogainthepark.net.au 0423 161 503

Mornington

HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS

The market for everyone Mornington collectables, nostalgia and retro fair SUMMER is here, the Mornington Peninsula is all of a buzzâ&#x20AC;Ś... Market @ Drive In is located at the Dromana Drive In and is open every Sunday through January from 8am to 1pm. A market where buyers find the essentials amongst treasures; each market day brings about unique and interesting finds, daily needs, to one offs and hard to find items! With a variety of quality stalls changing every market day; selling

fresh produce, plants, antiques & collectibles, art/craft, toys, clothing, tools, new & preloved. There is a playground for the children, plenty of parking, a place to chill out for a while. So come along and visit our National Trust and Heritage listed Drive-In. Shelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Diner, 1950s retro styled, is open from 8am for Brekkie & Brunch. Freshly made Egg & Bacon rolls, Market Burgers, Scones with Jam

& Cream, Cappucino, Milkshakes, Dip nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Dots Ice Cream and so much more. Dine in or grab a bite to stroll around. For more information including dates of up coming markets, having a stall at the market, see our web site, www. drivein.net.au/market.htm or call Shelley, 0428 314025. Movies screening every night at sunset, see www. drivein.net.au or call 0359 872492 for all current titles screening.

TREASURE hunting will be fun at morningtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s browse and buy collectables, memorabilia, nostalgia, retro and small antiques fair. The fair attracts collectors, enthusiasts and sellers from all parts of Victoria. This one stop indoor outdoor event features a diverse range of vintage, modern, rare or just hard to find items of interest to the enthusiast. If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collectable, it probably will be for sale. There will be bargains, price reductions and sale items from the hundreds of 20th century collectables, including, china, porcelain, pottery, glassware, kitchenalia and other household items, with prices that are often comparable with massproduced reproductions. Other items of interest include vintage and collectable dolls, teddy bears, tin toys, movie music sporting and science fiction memorabilia, personality autographs, comics, coins, stamps, die cast models, olympics, militaria, tools, Australiana, jewellery, advertising, books, swap and trade cards and a whole lot more. A qualified doll repairer will be on hand to provide advice and quotes for anyone wanting to have an old or damaged doll

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

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

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For a great family outing

'2// 5(3$ ,56 )5 (( 4827 (6

'2// %($5 9$/8 $ 7,216

Every Sunday in January 2011 8am-1pm Fresh Produce, Art/Craft, Plants, Tools, Toys, Antiques & Collectibles New & Pre-loved Stallholders wanted â&#x20AC;˘ No bookings required â&#x20AC;˘ $20 per site For more information contact Shelley: Tel: 5931 0022 0428 314 025 Email: market@drivein.net.au www.drivein.net.au/market.htm

The Market For Everyone

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PAGE 17

HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS Boneo Maze and Wetlands A big year ahead for Mt Elizaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accredited farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market BONEO Maze and Wetlands is only a 5 minute drive from Rosebud, off Boneo Road on the Mornington Peninsula. With heaps of activities and great things to do and see, it is a must visit location this school holidays. Take a walk along the boardwalk - winding through the unique 15 acres of swamp and wetlands, stopping to view the native wildlife, tall tea tree and fern glade. Get lost in the mazes - the largest hedge maze stands 2 metres tall with a centre viewing platform. The small

maze was designed for the young and the young at heart. The timber â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; maze has 1.5 metre long tunnels, enter if you dare. ; Play giant games and puzzles - have a friendly game of chess or draughts and other games and lawn puzzles within our gardens, complemented by tall shady trees and luscious green grass perfect for family picnics. Bring a picnic - stage coach and picnic tables in the gardens, but bring a blanket. (No BBQs) The Tearooms serve homemade Devonshire Tea, light refreshments and great

coffee. The Gift Shop offers a range of puzzles, games, chess sets, garden and other quality giftware. (Closed Christmas Day & extreme weather days). Opening Hours: Mon. to Thur. 10am to 4pm Fri. to Sun, Public & School Holidays 10am to 5pm. Find Boneo Maze and Wetlands at 695 Limestone Road, Fingal. Mel Ref: 252 H4. Phone: 03 5988 6385. Fax: 03 5988 6058 Email: boneomaze @ bigpond. com Website: boneomaze.com.au

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t s e B s â&#x20AC;&#x2122; lia al a r t s u e A D e s u o Doll H was $189.95

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A visit to Geppettoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Workshop in Sorrento is something no one can afford to miss out on. A true old fashioned toy shop that will leave you smiling and remembering the toys that you uused to play with when you were a child. Geppettoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Workshop is Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest hand ppuppet store and specialises in wooden and educational toys. Remember some of these... JJack in the Boxes, Spinning Tops, Die Cast Cars, Old Fashioned Teddy Bears, Babooshka Dolls, Wooden Puzzles, Wooden Blocks, kaleidoscopes, Peter Rabbit, Very Hungry Caterpillar, GollyW wogs, Snow Globes, Fuzzy Felt, Music Boxes, Wooden Table and Chairs plus much much more. Our fun and friendly staff are waiting to help you select the perfect Xmas gift that will delight not just your little ones, but you as well. Layby is welcomed and we can hold your stock right up to Xmas eve...

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PAGE 16

Mornington News 13 January 2011

LOOKING for a place to buy locally sourced and sustainably produced food that tastes amazing and is affordable? Mt Elizaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market has gained an excellent reputation for being the perfect place to shop. Held on the fourth Sunday of the month (not always the last), the market operates from 9am -1pm, rain, hail or shine. An abundance of produce is available that has travelled the bare minimum mileage from paddock to plate and is being sold by its genuine producer. Since starting in March 2010, the Mt Eliza Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Market has been touted as one of the best in the state due to its high quality produce, festive atmosphere and entertainment. The market has also gained its accreditation with the Victorian Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Market Association, meaning that the stallholders and market organisers have gone through a rigorous process ensuring that the shopper is buying direct from the land. VFMA accreditation also means there is no craft, bric-abrac, onsellers or re-packagers. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market in the true sense of the word. The next market will be held on Sunday 23rd January and will have wonderful summer

stonefruit available, as well as berries, local cheeses, organic sourdough bread, sustainably farmed barramundi, organic salad greens plus much more. Come and enjoy some brekkie cooked by the Lions Club whilst perusing the stalls! The Mt Eliza Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Market is a not for profit initiative of the Mt Eliza Chamber of Commerce, contributing to the Mt Eliza Lions and Rotary Clubs.

Market Details: (4th Sunday of the month) 9am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1pm Mt Eliza Village, corner of Mt Eliza way and Canadian Bay Road. BYO shopping bags or trolleys Enquiries - 0429 398 684. www.mtelizafarmersmarket.com.au

& ENTERTAINMENT

ʔʦLȫɏ

Chilli con carne

Recipes are from The Australian Women’s Weekly, Classics. ACP Books. RRP $12.95, available from selected newsagents, supermarkets and online from www.acpbooks.com.au

Confucius says:

Riddle:

Geometry teacher who loses parrot, will have polygon

I’m part of the bird that’s not in the sky. I can swim in the water and yet remain dry. What am I? Answer: Page 20. No murder at vicarage

A place to find something special for the home or garden TOPEZ Elite Home & Garden provides guidance and advice to assist homeowners in making the best choice to improve their residence. Use your creativity and imagination or allow the professional Topez staff do it for you. By combining different pots, urns and garden-oriented accessories, you can create your own masterpiece. By combining pots, urn and bowls, you can create and design your own exclusive water feature or garden sculpture. With more than 4000 different products to select from, you will be sure to find that something special. Allow Topez to show you how to create a talking point for your home. What’s new Topez is proud to be the exclusive Australian agent for an all-new range of bronze garden sculptures. Never before seen in Australia, the sculptures are finely detailed and are at home in any prestigious garden.

Due to the fact that the estate of the late Agatha Christie have withdrawn the performing rights for several of her plays, including Murder at the vicarage, director Myles Sharpe will stage another of her plays as part of the 150th anniversary of St Peter’s Church in 2011.

Topez offers “inspiration for the imagination” and a shopping connoisseur’s paradise. Topez Elite Home & Garden. 16 Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Tyabb. Phone (03) 9397 6644 Email: enquiries@topez.com.au www.topez.com.au

Shows for 2011 Interested actors please note that auditions for The Secret Garden will now be held on Tuesday 18 January and Thursday 20 January at 7:30pm and Sunday 23 January at 2pm, and not as previously announced in The News. This well-known musical (directed by Naomi Woodward) will be staged on May 6,7,8 and 13,14 and 15. For audition bookings, please phone 5975 9896.

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

Auditions will still be held on Tuesday 29 March and Thursday 31 March at 7:30pm. Keep reading The News for an announcement of the chosen play and a list of characters required. For further information, please phone 5975 6868. Wanted: A Director The Mornington CEF Players are calling for expressions of interest for a director to stage “The King & I” in November 2011. Contact the secretary, Mornington CEF Players. PO Box 90, Mornington, 3931 or ring Dawn Laity on 5975 9896.

PENINSULA FUDGE

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NEW HOME OF PENINSULA FUDGE:

Tel: 0419 501 001 Fax: 03 5982 1460

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13 NEWINGTON AVE, ROSEBUD WEST (INDUSTRIAL ESTATE)

SEE US AT ROSEBUD PRIMARY SCHOOL, BONEO, AND TOOTGAROOK MARKETS EVERY MONTH. Mornington News 13 January 2011 PAGE 15

NEWS DESK

Dolphin’s death in surf at Portsea back beach

people

By Mike Hast DOLPHIN researcher Jeff Weir’s heart sank when he got the call from Parks Victoria to collect a dead dolphin washed up on Portsea back beach last Saturday week. Although partly inured to finding dead dolphins during his 20-plus years as executive director of the peninsula-based Dolphin Research Institute, Mr Weir was visibly upset as he cradled the twomonth-old female calf an hour later. He carried it up the beach and took the 1.1-metre long, 15-kilogram juvenile to Melbourne Zoo for an autopsy by zoo scientists. It was discovered the mammal, a common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), had sustained a fractured skull and rostrum (snout), bleeding liver and its ribs had punctured the lungs. Its stomach was full of mother’s milk, and there were slight teeth marks on its body, probably caused when its mother tried to save it. The dolphin had been dead only a few hours. A jet ski rider is being blamed for the death, although Mr Weir was quick to say it was probably an accident. “It was pretty wild and woolly out there,” he told The News. “There were many riders zooming around in rough conditions and it would have been hard to see a small dolphin. “It looks like a jet ski landed on top of the young dolphin and it probably died quickly.” Mr Weir said most dead dolphins he had seen during his career had died of natural causes. An exception was a two-year-old calf born to a Port Phillip bottlenose dolphin known by researchers as Ripley, which was fatally struck by a boat in 2001, its spine smashed by the propeller. The institute has been photographing, identifying and naming Port Phillip dolphins since the late 1980s when it launched its adopt-a-dolphin campaign to raise funds and awareness. “Ripley spent more than 24 hours in vain trying

Customer Service Ofﬁcer An opportunity to help people in a positive environment Full Time position located in Rye or Dromana, VIC Bendigo Bank branches are all about people working together to build stronger communities. To be successful as a Customer Service Officer you’ll be committed to putting customers’ needs first, you’ll be a great communicator with customer service, computer experience and ideally cash handling – and you’ll enjoy being part of the local community. You’ll be the face of Rye or Dromana Community Bank®Branch and will be given the support you need to do what you do best – listening to customers and helping them achieve their financial goals. In return you’ll become a key part of a diverse team in a rewarding work environment where you will have the opportunity to learn and advance your career. So if you think you’ve got what it takes to be part of the Bendigo team, we want to hear from you. Visit careers.bendigobank.com.au to find out more or to submit your application, quoting reference number VIC707063. Or write to Cara Meynell, Customer & Community Officer, Suite 3,164 Boronia Road, Boronia, VIC, 3155. Applications close on Friday, 21 January 2011. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178. AFSL 237879. (125292_v1) (16/12/2010)

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to hold her calf up and I must say there were tears all round that terrible day,” Mr Weir said. He said the one positive result was the incident raised awareness about how water craft operators should behave in waters off the peninsula and other parts of the Victorian coast. Marine laws require boats to stay 100 metres from dolphins, and jet skis 300 metres. Rulebreakers can be fined more than $100,000. The dolphin’s death sparked calls by peninsula tourism operators for better protection of the mammals from water craft. Port Phillip is home to a sub-species of bottlenose dolphins, and a pod of common dolphins arrived to live in waters on the eastern side of the bay in about 2005, a rare event that attracted the admiration of dolphin researchers worldwide. Operators of Sorrento-based Moonraker Dolphin Swims and the multi-award-winning Polperro Dolphin Swims said people needed to be educated about the consequences of their actions around dolphins. Moonraker director Torie Mackinnon was reported as saying that only last week she saw an incident in which more than 20 jet skiers “buzzed” a pod of dolphins and their calves off Rye. She was horrified to see children jump off jet skies and try to grab their fins. Troy Muir of Polperro said he also witnessed the incident and had seen others. It was not a oneoff incident; it happens quite regularly, he said. Glenn Sharp of the Department of Sustainability and Environment said the best way to protect the mammals was to educate people to observe them from the legal distance. DSE was considering an education campaign to teach people how to behave around dolphins. Mr Sharp said the harassment claims would be investigated. Anyone using their boat to deliberately hit a dolphin would have it seized.

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Questions: Arguments remain over the cause of erosion at Portsea Beach (left) – channel deepening or natural – while the incoming Liberal National Coalition state government has promised improvements to public transport, including armed guards on all stations between Frankston and Stony Point.

100mm of rain, a taste of things to come as winter and spring bring the best rains for up to 14 years. MAY

Rye-sing up: A community lobby group formed to oppose fast food outlets such as McDonald’s, Hungry Jacks and Red Rooster moving into Rye transforms into a community action group with volunteers spending hundreds of hours revegetating the foreshore and devising plans to further improve the town. More trains: The state government adds an extra 35 peak hour trains to the Frankston line, part of an extra 80 services each week, but complaints about late and cancelled trains continue throughout the year and a killer blow is delivered at the state election in late November when four Labor MPs on the FrankstonMelbourne line lose their seats, Rob Hudson (Bentleigh), Janice Munt (Mordialloc), Jenny Lindell (Carrum) and Alistair Harkess (Frankston), and the Brumby government is thrown out of office.

Budget blow: A second major reason the Brumby government loses to Ted Baillieu and the Liberal National coalition was the pitiful yield for the peninsula and Frankston in the May state budget. Now in government, big things are expected of Geoff Shaw (Frankston), Neale Burgess (Hastings) and Martin Dixon (Nepean), the new education minister. Rail revival: The Department of Transport is working on secret plans to electrify the train line between Frankston and Baxter and eventually the spur line to Mornington, closed in the early 1980s. Harbouring safety: Plans for a marina in Mornington harbour are released for public comment, the fourth attempt in the last 25 years to build a so-called safe harbour in an area of Port Phillip that becomes dangerous to water craft, the 150-year-old pier, jetties and launching ramps whenever a big northerly blows. An independent panel will consider the $19 million project this year.

JUNE

They’re racing: Mornington Racing Club joins forces with Melbourne Racing Club, which is based at Caulfield racecourse, in the biggest change in the peninsula club’s 111year history. The alliance yields almost immediate benefits when the Peninsula Cup is able to be transferred to Caulfield later in the year after heavy rains close the recently renovated Mornington track. Frogs hollowed: Conservationists’ angst greets the first clearing of a reserve for the Peninsula Link freeway, Pobblebonk Reserve off McClelland Drive, south of Cranbourne Rd, with claims bulldozers killed hundreds of frogs, lizards, possums, sugar gliders, native swamp rats and marsupials. LMA refutes the claims saying all environmental obligations were met. Chopper windfall: Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad announces it will sell its Sorrento-based helicopter and revert to a sea-based rescue service after usage falls to a

record low, due to state government bodies having their own helicopters. When the service started 34 years earlier, it was the only search and rescue helicopter in the region. The squad says it will return hundreds of thousands of dollars to Sorrento CFA and SES after buying a new rescue boat and other equipment. Listed for $1.8 million in June, the squad gets less than $1 million later in the year, citing the depressed global market for the lower figure. Thar she blows: Humpback whales return to Port Phillip and Western Port in June for at least the 12th year in a row in a heartening display of nature’s ability to recover from the edge of extinction. Humpbacks and southern right whales were killed for their meat and oil off Australian waters until the late 1960s (off Western Australia) and numbers have been building up since then. Twin servos: Linking Melbourne Authority puts out a tender for twin service centres either side of the Peninsula Link freeway south

of Baxter, raising the ire of shire councillors and CEO Michael Kennedy. The shire has a policy of keeping service stations out of the green wedge zone. Devilish time: Conservationists lose the battle to keep anglers, horse riders and cyclists out of Devilbend Reserve as Parks Victoria releases its long-awaited and long-overdue management plan for the reserve that has Devilbend Reservoir as its centrepiece. Later in the year the Department of Primary Industries release trout into the reservoir, against a stack of advice from government scientists. Peanuts to you: Frankston Council workers don monkey masks to protest outside the civic centre after pay negotiations stall, with the council offering 3.5 per cent increase, about $35 a week. “Peanuts”, yelled the workers as startled Frankston City CEO George Modrich was confronted by simmering simians when he left the centre at lunchtime. Next issue: July to December.

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PAGE 13

2010 roundup: never a dull moment By Mike Hast JANUARY

Pier pressure: Rosebud pier reopened in early January 2010 after a $1.4 million renovation and it was to be a busy year around Port Phillip piers and on some beaches, which sustained massive erosion. Most alarming was the neardestruction of Portsea front beach, with a new, mysterious ocean swell – at least according to the state government and the Port of Melbourne Corporation – sweeping away tonnes of sand and foreshore, reducing the famous holiday destination to a narrow strip of sand and alarming scuba diving companies that use the once-placid pier as a training base. Locals said the swell rolling in from Bass Strait and sweeping around Point Nepean was the result of dredging in The Heads, part of the $720 million, 20-month deepening of Port Phillip’s shipping channels in 2008 and 2009. Government and port experts denied this, but could not say what was causing the damage. The Department of Sustainability and Environment forked out more than $2 million to sandbag the beach and truck in land sand from Gippsland. The famous Portsea Swim Classic was moved for the first time in its 25-year history, to nearby Fishermans Beach, and beachgoers abandoned Portsea for Sorrento and other nearby beaches. In August, Parks Victoria closed Mornington pier to start repairing and renovating damage done by storms over the last three years. A small section was reopened for summer, but the $3.5 million project restarts in early February. Barbecued chicken: Inghams Somerville chicken processing plant went up in flames on Monday 11 January, putting more than 800 people out of work. The fire started after an electrical fault in the box room on a day of 40 degrees plus. A month later, Inghams announced it would rebuild, but 250 people would lose their jobs during rebuilding, expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2011. The new plant will eventually employ 600. High times: More than 10,000 music fans trekked to Pt Nepean for the Hot BBQ festival on 16 January. Police used sniffer dogs to detect and detain 36 people carrying illegal drugs. A festival at Mornington racecourse on New Year’s Day saw 28 people detained by police using dogs. Those detained were handed cautions, sent to drug diversion programs or taken to court. There was also trouble in Mornington after its traditional Australia Day fireworks when police officers were pushed and shoved while trying to arrest 10 people. Inspector Shayne Pannell of Rosebud police said most trouble was caused by teens aged 13 to 17 who started drinking early afternoon, but downplayed the mischief. Three weeks later a police officer involved in the trouble broke ranks and said police should have been tougher on young boozers, asking where were the kids’ parents? Road games: Mid-January the state government announced Southernway (a consortium of Abigroup, Bilfinger Berger and Royal Bank of Scotland) had been the successful tenderer for the controversial $760 million Peninsula Link freeway, also known as the Frankston bypass, which will join the freeway at Frankston with the Mornington Peninsula Freeway at Mt Martha when completed in 2013. FEBRUARY

Wrong route: World renowned Frankston naturalist Hans Brunner joined a chorus of scientists and conservationists criticising the

PAGE 12

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

Mornington News 13 January 2011

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

No parking: Mornington real estate agent and Mt Eliza property owner Brett McEwing says he will take the shire council to VCAT for refusing plans for a caravan park on his property Morningdale near the corner of Tower Rd and Nepean Hwy. Later in the year, the tribunal confirms the shire’s rejection of the project with its proposed 101 caravan sites, 15 units, swimming pool and parking for 50 vehicles on 5.6 hectares of green wedge land. Wedged out: Later in the month, VCAT also refuses a plan by Mark and Melinda Brown to build a family home on two hectares in Tuerong, one of 11 blocks subdivided in 1922. The former horse stud, now called Coolart Rising estate, is bounded by Coolart and Stumpy Gully Rds. Sylvia Mainwaring of VCAT said in her judgment that the shire should follow its own planning regulations (after it failed to make a decision within 60 days) or change them to allow high density housing in green wedge. Hot rocks rock: Melbourne geothermal energy pioneer Dr Donald Payne shows the media a house on the cliff at Mt Eliza above Ranelagh Beach where the property owners have installed a 17.5-kilowatt electricity system for the family home and 10.5kw for the pool, with energy coming from eight 30-metre deep holes. Fridge gas travels down through pipes and returns to the surface at 55 degrees Celsius via a geothermal heat pump system. Dr

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

Dumpers targeted: The shire council announces a campaign to tackle illegal rubbish dumping on the peninsula that will include CCTV at dumping hot spots, an education campaign and dob in a dumper hotline. Ferry story: Draft plans released for a car ferry from Stony Point near Hastings to Cowes on Phillip Island, the so-called missing link for drivers travelling along the coast

of Victoria. The project is costed at $15 million, with $700,000 already spent on a feasibility study, but hits a snag when angry Phillip Island residents protest at meetings and a rally on the foreshore, claiming the planned infrastructure will ruin Cowes foreshore. Bass Coast Shire a few weeks later cans the plans after spending $250,000 as its part of the study, with Mornington Peninsula Shire also spending a quarter of a million and the state government $200,000. Rates plea: Mornington Peninsula Ratepayers and Residents Association calls on the shire council to go easy on rate rises in its 2010-11 budget after releasing an analysis showing rates have risen 93 per cent in the last nine years against the Melbourne average of 83 per cent. Over the same period, the consumer price index had risen 30 per cent and wages 45 per cent. Shire officers and councillors ignore the plea and increase rates 6.2 per cent with an average of $1014, but many property owners pay much higher rises due to property revaluations in early 2010. Kicking sand: The state government defends trucking in land sand to replenish peninsula beaches after saying dredging sand stored off Mt Martha could be used when putting the case for dredging two years before. Park it here: State government announces free entry to all national parks, including Mornington Peninsula National Park on the Bass Strait side of the peninsula, from 1 July at an international conference in Melbourne. Beer ban: The Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League announces a ban on BYO grog at all footy matches, which provides a boost for some struggling clubs in sales from kiosks and enables clubs to better manage alcohol consumption. Susie Qs: Rosebud West area councillor Susan Beveridge quits shire council saying she will leave in June, citing health issues and that she cannot live on just her council income and the role takes too much time to find another job. She takes a parting shot at the state government and VCAT, claiming they have too much influence over planning decisions. She is replaced by Antonella Celi at a byelection in mid-July. Michael more: Shire councillors approve a $19,000 pay rise for CEO Michael Kennedy backdated to July 2009 after months of delay assessing his performance. He is now on a package of $319,000, more than the Australian prime minister. Clear skies though: Thousands of people in their vehicles cause road traffic chaos at the first Tyabb Air Show since 2006, but the day is deemed successful by organisers with dozens of aircraft celebrating 100 years of air flight in Australia. More wedgies: Property owners in Boneo, Tuerong, Somerville, Mt Eliza and other rural areas face heartache as they are refused permission to build homes in green wedge zones as the shire council wrestles with outdated and confusing planning laws. If it’s not a “legitimate” farm, you can’t build a house is the message, but the shire begins work on a green wedge management plan to give greater clarity to landowners. Many remember: Rain and cool weather does not stop record turnouts for Anzac Day ceremonies throughout the peninsula, with Sorrento-Portsea RSL dedicating its memorial wall just in time for the day of remembering those who gave their lives in all wars. Storm chaos: In late April, Frankston and the northern peninsula is hit by fierce electrical storms with up to

Birdie’s eye view: Fresh south-westerlies help a paraglider take in the view over Flinders Golf Course across to Phillip Island. Picture: Keith Platt

Water attraction: The popularity of the Mornington Peninsula’s many attractions – including its beaches and inshore waters – is about to come under scrutiny as part of a tourism organisation revamp.

Peninsula tourism in the spotlight TOURISM leaders on the Mornington Peninsula are looking outside the region for ideas to boost what is one of the area’s most important industries and worth an estimated $1 billion a year. The investigation is part of a restructure by Tourism Victoria of Mornington Peninsula Tourism, the peninsula’s peak tourism body. Work starts next month “to develop the most appropriate structure for MPT’s board”. “As per Tourism Victoria’s 2009-2012 Regional Tourism Action Plan, it is now the turn of smaller regions – such as the Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island – to identify the most appropriate industry structure to take these regions into the future,” executive officer Alva Hemming said in an email to members late last year. Ms Hemming said “key learnings and successes” that had worked elsewhere would be looked at along with what was working on the peninsula and “determining what the needs of the region are in terms of tourism marketing, industry development and visitor services in future”. “The entire process is expected to take 12 months and while it will be facilitated by Tourism Victoria’s regional team, the final model will

be determined by the MPT board, in consultation with its implementation committee. “As evidenced around the state, there is no ‘one size fits all’ and indeed, each region has adopted a different model to best meet the needs of its industry and specific challenges in meeting tourism demand. “It is also an option that the MPT implementation committee may, after all the learnings, determine that our region’s current industry structure is just fine as it is.” Ms Hemming, describing the possible restructure as an “exciting opportunity, said it was important to see how the peninsula’s tourism industry “measures up to meet the challenges of a changing tourism market and to ensure that we are providing the most optimum solution to assist our member businesses to grow and tap into new markets”. “This is indeed a wonderful opportunity for Mornington Peninsula, one we have been anticipating and awaiting eagerly since Tourism Victoria’s Regional Tourism Action Plan was first launched in 2009. Our region’s turn has finally come and we are excited.

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NEWS DESK

Motorists rallying for a cure THE All British Classics Car Club and RACV join forces on Sunday 16 January, 2011, for the Melbourne to Mornington RACV Great Australian Rally. The RACV-sponsored rally is a key fundraising event for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (known as Peter Mac) and this year has the theme Rallying For A Cure. The RACV Great Australian Rally has three start points: one close to the Melbourne CBD in St Kilda Rd; Stud Park Shopping Centre, Rowville; and Western Port Marina, Hastings. The rally converges into a 700plus car display at Mornington Racecourse. The Hastings start, from the Marina car park, ensured that older motor vehicles have a comfortable distance to travel to Mornington. More than 100 heritage vehicles are expected to start from Hastings, following two routes to Mornington. Vehicles that are going to be judged for prizes can take a direct route via Tyabb and Bungower Rd to the display area. The second, longer, more scenic route, passes through Bittern to Dromana and then on to Safety Beach and along the coast to Mornington. Both routes will see vehicles depart from the Marina, into Mullet St, turning right into Salmon St and left into High St to Watts Rd (Frankston-Flinders Rd). From there the rally will turn right for the run to Tyabb, or turn left for Bittern. Hastings residents will also have the opportunity to see those vehicles that have started from Rowville as they will also be driving along High St before going to Bittern. There will be an official flag-off ceremony at 9.15 am. Support for the fundraising can be provided by the public in the following ways:

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

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

Attending the vehicle display Viewing vehicles at the rally finish point at Mornington Racecourse. Admission is $10 a person and all gate proceeds are handed over to Peter Mac. Entry gates open at 10am and the display is open till 3pm. There is free parking in the racecourse grounds and rally vehicles will be nominated for judging with a prize-giving ceremony at 2.30 pm. During the display descriptions of vehicle histories and some technical features will be broadcast. There will be a craft market for the first time, and a display in the centre area featuring special interest motor cars and an army tank. There will also be a display area for motor vehicle clubs that are competing for the Best Club Display award. Last year $43,000 was raised for Peter Mac and this year organisers hope to raise more than $50,000. The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre says cancer is Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading cause of death and will affect everyone at some point during their lives. The centre is Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only dedicated cancer hospital and treats more than 25,000 patients a year and houses the largest cancer research centre in the southern hemisphere. Entry forms for this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RACV Great Australian Rally are available at www.greataustralianrally.com.au.

Mornington

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

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Mornington News 13 January 2011

NEWS DESK

Nagasaki A-bomb survivor dies aged 93 Vivian ‘Vic’ Leigh Eustace War veteran, health inspector, service clubs member, golfer 2-12-1917 – 25-12-2010 By Mike Hast ONE of the best-known peninsula identities, Vivian ‘Vic’ Eustace, died on Christmas Day at 10.30pm aged 93. Mr Eustace was a tireless worker for service clubs including a founding member of Lions clubs at Dromana and Rosebud, and a member of the Ex Prisoner of War and Relatives Association. He was a Legacy member for 29 years including president in 1979, and Rosebud RSL member for 40 years. Mr Eustace was also a member of Rosebud Park Golf Club; Rosebud Combined Carnival Committee, Rosebud Foreshore Committee; Rosebud Lawn Bowls Club; and Rosebud Men’s Probus Club. His extraordinary life was celebrated on 4 January where many mourners heard about his Second World War experiences. His nephew Leigh Eustace of Mt Eliza, a Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor, said his uncle had led a fascinating life. He grew up in a large family in inner city Richmond during the Great Depression of the 1930s. He joined the Australian Army soon after the outbreak of war and boarded a ship to Singapore with his unit, 2/10 Ordnance Field Workshop (armament engineers), on New Year’s Day 1942. The Japanese invaded the island state in early February and by 15 February

Long life: Vic Eustace at McCrae beach.

the British commander in Singapore, General Edgar Percival, was forced to surrender. By this time Mr Eustace had been assigned to the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion and was with a group that had evaded capture by the Japanese and was heading to the coast to be picked up by HMAS Perth and USS Houston. These and other Allied ships were sunk by the Japanese in the Battle of Sunda Strait, which runs between Java and Sumatra, south of Singapore. As Vic Eustace told his nephew years later, “this was our last chance of escape and we were forced to surrender on the beach”. Mr Eustace now joined more than 100,000 Allied troops as prisoners of war, initially at Bicycle Camp prison in what was then called Batavia,

now Indonesia, and soon after at the Moulamein prison in Burma. He spent the rest of the war as a POW and was put to work in Singapore, on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway, in Saigon, Vietnam, and finally in Japan. Of the 13,000 Australians sent to work on the railway, 2700 would never return. In Japan, he was forced to work in an underground coal mine near the city of Nagasaki. On 9 August 1945, working deep in the bowels of the earth, Mr Eustace and his mates heard a massive explosion. The Americans had been dropping conventional bombs on Nagasaki and other Japanese cities for some time, but this was something they had never heard before. They thought it must have been a massive fuel or ammunition dump hit by an American bomb. It was an American bomb all right – a 21-kiloton atomic bomb that instantly killed 70,000 people. Three days before the Americans had dropped on Hiroshima the world’s first A-bomb weapon, an enriched uranium bomb yielding 13-18 kilotons that instantly killed 80,000 people. Japan surrendered on 14 August, but the war was not over for Mr Eustace and his Aussie coal miner mates. A Japanese officer addressed the POWs when they came to the surface and told them about the surrender. The men were told there would be air drops of supplies and they cleverly constructed a huge sign with rocks painted white: US POWs. Within days, the US Air Force started

dropping food and other supplies including American military uniforms. “We got more than we needed,” Mr Eustace said many years later, “much of it went to waste as our stomaches could not cope.” “It took us a while to get used to wearing the uniforms and we commandeered a local Japanese fire truck and made forays into the countryside picking up food parcels.” “His wartime notes are an interesting record of human brutality and survival,” Cr Eustace said. Many Japanese guards were executed for war atrocities after war’s end. Back on civvy street in Australia, Mr Eustace made a remarkable recovery. But when he arrived in Sydney on a ship from Japan, the mother of his future wife Norma Watson had a stroke from the shock of seeing a man who was just skin and bones as he shuffled off the ship. His own mother had been told three times that he was missing in action, virtually code for dead. A good-looking woman, her hair had turned white during the three years he had been away. She was also worried about her other son Ray (Cr Eustace’s father) who was still in Borneo. He served with “M Force” as an engineer and sapper attached to the AIF in support of the renowned “Z Force”. Back in Melbourne, Mr Eustace returned to his job at Mignon Hosiery, but soon tired of this and took advantage of a government program for returned servicemen to gain a better education. In 1959 he moved to McCrae after landing a job with the

Shire of Flinders. He rose through the ranks and was appointed chief health inspector, a position he held until his retirement in 1982. Cr Eustace said his uncle had a huge impact on the Mornington Peninsula over five decades when working for the shire and in the community. “Two of his initiatives were a waste hopper system where residents take their rubbish to a central depot, a system that remains much the same today, and protocols for recycled water usage that were adopted by the state government’s health department with little change from his initial proposal.” Norma Eustace, who died in 1995, was a tireless worker for the Liberal Party on the southern peninsula over many years and a great supporter of her husband’s community involvement. The couple did not have children. In recent years, until her death two years ago, Mr Eustace enjoyed the company of Eileen McFadyen, also a Rosebud RSL member. Mr Eustace lived at home until just five months before his death when he moved to Mount Martha Valley Lodge. His nephew said he was able to remain in his own home “with the tremendous support of his many friends and family”. “His mind was sharp as a tack right until the end. His memory of shire activities on the southern peninsula over the last 50 years was amazing. He has played a major role in my life since becoming a councillor as I lost my father Ray, who was four years younger than Vic, almost 23 years ago. He will be greatly missed.”

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NEWS DESK

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

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

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

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

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

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

$200,000 of ‘free’ legal advice PENINSULA Community Legal Centre estimates its volunteers give out $200,000 in free legal advice each year. In the past year 1786 of the centre’s clients were given advice by volunteers, an 11 per cent increase on the previous year. The legal centre has been operating for more than 30 years and depends heavily on its 120 volunteer lawyers, paralegals and administrative workers. “Our volunteers help improve accessibility of free legal services for our local community. We estimate that their in-kind assistance is equivalent to monetary contributions of around $200,000 each year,” general manager of volunteer and education programs Andrea Staunton said. The legal centre acknowledged the work of its volunteers during an International Volunteer Day celebration. Since 2002 the legal centre has presented the

Kath Neilsen Memorial Award to a volunteer and this year it was presented by her daughter, Mandy Arthur, to Judy del Rio, for her work over 30 years, including paralegal work, serving on the centre’s management committee and pro bono interpreting. “Judy del Rio is passionate about improving access to justice for those in our community who are disadvantaged by lack of resources and language barriers, and has assisted members of culturally and linguistically diverse communities to access free legal services, often accompanying them and interpreting for them pro bono,” Ms Staunton said. Volunteer encouragement awards sponsored by Slater and Gordon were presented to Olga Pecherski, Ash Galvin and Danielle Mercuri. For more information about free legal services, contact the legal centre by calling 9783 3600 or on the internet at www.pclc.org.au

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Mornington News 13 January 2011

Council, EPA line up against litterbugs

THE Mornington Peninsula’s beaches look pristine, a place to go for a stroll and shake off any lingering workaday blues. Thousands of holidaymakers are staying overnight or risking traffic jams between the suburbs and what is billed as Melbourne’s playground. And while visitors are encouraged to patronise the peninsula’s tourist attractions, including national and state parks, the beaches can end up resembling a battle ground or a littered sports ground. The shire and the Mornington Peninsula Regional Waste Management Group have signed up to join the “Victoria’s Coast – Too Lovely to Litter” campaign, to curb littering on beaches and along roadsides across the peninsula. The EPA Victoria-backed campaign, supported by 17 councils and five waste management groups, runs until April and is mainly focused on reducing litter by 30 per cent in coastal areas. Environmentalist and aquatic scientist Sheree Marris, a former Hastings resident, said litter significantly reduced the visual quality of the environment as well as the health and safety of people and marine life. “Litter is very harmful to animals and marine life as they can be strangled by or tangled up in it or mistake it for food.” Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Graham Pittock said litter report forms were available at shire offices and campaign signs were being installed. The key message of the campaign is “Do the right thing; put it in the right bin”. Litter being thrown from a vehicle can be reported to the EPA Victoria website www.epa.vic.gov.au/litter

On patrol: Mornington Peninsula Shire ranger Yasmin Schaedler will be approaching pets and their owners on beaches throughout the peninsula.

Sweet ‘reward’ for straying beach dogs UNIFORMED strangers are carrying leads and offering sweets to dogs on Mornington Peninsula beaches. Unlike the warnings given to children, pet owners are being encouraged to welcome the strangers as Mornington Peninsula Shire rangers try and softly softly approach to “pet ownership and good relations between all beach users”. The summer beach patrol program “seeks to educate pet owners, and promote responsible animal ownership,” according to team leader special projects Michael Doyle. “We would like to gain the compliance of pet owners by way of an educative approach,” Mr Doyle said.

“We hope pet owners will do the right thing and that the presence of rangers on our beaches is a reminder of best-practice pet ownership especially on our busy beaches during summer. “Beach patrol officers will provide information regarding leash-free areas, permissible times for dogs to be on foreshores and information about registration. “Officers will also have free brochures, dog leads and doggy treats to distribute.” This month patrols will be conducted daily at beaches across the peninsula “with a particular emphasis on highly populated areas and those where there is a history of complaints”.

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NEWS DESK

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

150-up for courthouse THE first cases in Mornington’s courthouse were held 150 years ago this month and the anniversary will be marked at 5pm on Monday 17 January, including the cutting of a courthouseshaped cake. The historic courthouse, formerly known as the Schnapper Point court house, is on the corner of Main St and the Esplanade, was built in 1860 but the first court day was not held there until January 1861. It is the oldest public building in Mornington, the first permanent courthouse on the peninsula, and was used until 1988. In 2000 a community group saved it from demolition, and it is now a

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

Poet’s day ACCLAIMED Australian poet Les Murray is in Mornington at 6-8pm on Tuesday 8 February to read from his new collection of Les Murray poetry, Taller When Prone, and speak about his writing practice. Mr Murray will be at The Studio @ Peninsula Community Theatre in Wilsons Rd.

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

Melissa Hart of Mornington Peninsula Library Service says his collection evokes rural life here and abroad – its rhythms and rituals, the natural world, the landscape and the people who have shaped it. There are traveller’s tales, elegies, meditative fragments and satirical sketches. Cost is $6 adults and $4 concession. Bookings and pre-payment from Mornington Library, phone 5950 1820.

Eco workshops MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has a series of free workshops at its Eco Living Display Centre at The Briars in Mt Martha this month. From Trash to Treasure is for children to discover what happens to our waste and to make a creation from recycled materials. Wednesday 19 January, 10-11am for

3-5 year olds and 11.30-12.30pm for 5-10 year olds. Compost Capers is for children to learn all about composting and worm farms. Thursday 20 January, 10-11am for 4-12 year olds. Water Wise at Home is a compost session for adults. Thursday 20 January, 11.3012.30pm. Suitable for adults, kids welcome. Bookings and enquiries: Nicci, 5950 1259 or 0428 351 778.

Drink-drivers nabbed POLICE caught more than 12,500 speeders and 1560 drink-drivers over the Christmas and New Year period. The most drink-drivers were caught on the Mornington Peninsula, with 77 over the limit and 350 caught speeding. Police also caught 3175 drivers using mobile phones, 2241 not wearing seat belts, 735 disqualified drivers and

1463 unlicensed drivers. Police said the high number of drinkdrivers nabbed was partly due to more police on the peninsula. One of the worst offenders was a Rosebud woman, 44, who lost her licence after driving 120km/h while three times over the legal alcohol limit on New Year’s Day. She was stopped on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway at 2am with a blood alcohol limit of 0.157.

Bank hits target MT Martha and District Community Bank reached its minimum shareholder target on Thursday 23 December. This means the bank will go ahead and is set to open early April this year. Shares are still available and a prospectus can be obtained by calling Barry Kirkpatrick on 0400 589 593.

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Mornington News 13 January 2011

‘Family friendly’ national day AUSTRALIA Day organisers are planning “family friendly” celebrations across the Mornington Peninsula. Heading the list of events for Wednesday 26 January is the parade down Main St, Mornington, starting at 5pm. The parade is a traditional highlight on Australia Day and groups or organisations wanting to participate can call Cindy Last on 0416 044 974. Elsewhere on the peninsula there will be visits from musicians Wendy Stapleton and Paul Norton, radio personality Shane Healy, sports administrator Graham Duff, opera singer Emily Burke, actor Brian Wenzel and

Day of pride: Families head for the enter4tainment in Mornington Park after last year’s parade down Main St.

footy identities Eugene Arocca and Tommy Hafey. Winners of the shire’s Australia Day National Anthem Singer Competition will perform at ﬂag-raisings around the municipality. There will also be entertainment in Dromana, Rye, Sorrento, Hastings and Rosebud Village Green. This year the Celebrating Local History theme will carry through to all the entertainment – and all in an alcoholfree environment. For Australia Day information call the shire’s community and special events department on 1300 850 600 or www.mornpen.vic.gov.au

Calls for shire to explain executives’ salary ‘secrets’ By Keith Platt MOST of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s highest paid staff received an early Christmas present in their pay packets. Senior staff earning $110,000$199,999 were in line to be given an extra ﬁve per cent bonus, based on their total salary package. The bonus is notionally paid for “speciﬁc performance criteria”, but several staff – who do not receive the bonuses – say the extra money seems to be paid automatically. While the shire’s top earner, CEO Michael Kennedy, had told councillors he did not want an increase to his $319,000 salary package, it seemed doubtful other senior staff followed their leader. It is understood bonuses can be received by team leaders, managers and directors. The Australian Services Union is trying to breach the wall of secrecy surrounding the awarding of bonuses while it negotiates a new enterprise agreement for the majority of the shire’s 660 plus staff. The ASU’s Michelle Jackson said the latest talks had also revealed the existence of a gratuity scheme for over-award payments to other staff. “We’ve asked who gets these bo-

nuses and payments and criteria [for awarding them], but the shire was unwilling or unable to tell us,” Ms Jackson said. “I’ll be writing to them to seek full disclosure under the Fair Work Act.” Ms Jackson said changes to the Local Government Act in October meant details of senior officers’ salary packages were no longer divulged. “We used to be able to see a breakdown, such as salary, cars, superannuation and bonuses, but the state government changed it for some reason. “I think it sucks, when everyone knows what lesser paid staff earn under the enterprise agreement.” New mayor Graham Pittock and ratepayer organisations also want to know the extent of the bonuses. Cr Pittock says he isn’t “concerned” about the bonuses, but intends to investigate. “At this stage I know very little, but I will find out,” he told The News. “I will be looking into it and other councillors have expressed interest. For our own benefit it will be nice to know what it’s about.” David Chalke of the Tyabb and District Ratepayers, Business and Environment Group said his organisation “is looking into that [the bonuses] right now”.

“Rates and fees are all going up. Is it to pay for the bonuses? If they don’t do their jobs, do they lose money?” Mr Chalke’s group was instrumental in a 2009 investigation by the Ombudsman that raised questions about the validity of Dr Kennedy’s 2004 and 2008 employment contracts and the shire’s release of information to the public. In January 2010 Local Government Victoria said the CEO’s contracts were valid. Gary Howard of the Mornington Peninsula Ratepayers and Residents Association said the amount paid in bonuses “is probably buried in the [annual budget’s] salary bill”. “I’ve never been a great believer in bonuses. The ofﬁcers should be paid what they’re worth.” The shire’s $169.2 million budget includes $52.33 million for staff costs, up $3.66 million on the previous year. In September Cr Reade Smith told The News that cars were offered as part of salary packages to attract “good young staff” from the city. His defence of the shire’s recruitment strategy followed an audit by the Victorian Auditor-General’s ofﬁce that found most of the kilometres clocked up by cars leased to staff were for private rather than business purposes. Although the shire claims to be com-

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mitted to transparency and sustainability under the credo of The Peninsula Way, communications manager Todd Trimble says the shire will not make public the number of senior officers receiving annual bonuses. In series of emails between 25 November and 16 December, Mr Trimble made it clear that no one at the shire would respond directly to questions from The News about the bonuses. Initially, he said the absent team support and development manager John Rankine was “best placed” to answer questions. The News suggested Dr Kennedy or sustainable organisation director Kevin Clarke may have the information, but Mr Trimble reiterated it was Mr Rankine’s area. A week after Mr Rankine returned to work, the 11 questions were answered with the following: “Senior officers in local government have been on employment contracts for many years and Mornington Peninsula Shire is no exception. “These contracts provide for an annual bonus of up to five per cent of the remuneration package, linked to specific performance criteria. “The performance is measured through a formal performance review process, overseen by the relevant di-

rector, and submitted to the chief executive officer for consideration.” Again asked to answer the specific questions, Mr Trimble replied: “I have provided you with a statement from the shire. The matter is now closed as far as I am concerned. Again, you are welcome to come in and view the register.” The register referred to by Mr Trimble is the same one that Michelle Jackson of the ASU says provides scant information on the number of senior staff within a certain salary range. The shire’s annual report lists 22 seniors officers, with one earning $110,000-$119,999; 11 earning $120,000-$129,999; five $130,000$139,999; one $140,000-$149,999; one $170,000-$179,000; two $180,000$189,999; and one $190,000-$199,999. The 2009 annual report said there were 34 senior officers in the higher salary ranges, but Mr Trimble did not explain why 12 officers appeared to have dropped off the 2010 list. In his preamble to the 2010 report, Dr Kennedy says: “For the shire organisation, we strive to be a ‘can do’ team of people, seeking to be innovative, looking for ‘new solutions to old problems’, and to ‘go the extra mile’ in responding to diverse community needs and expectations.”

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