Western Port News 19 August 2020 by Mornington Peninsula News Group

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Wednesday 19 August 2020

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EES ‘proof’ of gas import plan fears Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au

Not forgotten

ACTING Sergeant David Kennedy stands to attention after the wreath is laid at the cenotaph, Hastings, on Saturday 15 August commemorating the war service of veterans representing US Army Small Ships. Picture: Supplied

COMMUNITY group Save Westernport says details of power company AGL’s plans for a gas import terminal at Crib Point have “proven correct the fears of Mornington Peninsula residents”. With just one week left to make a submission, members of the community group have been studying the 10,000-page environment effects statement prepared by AGL for the proposed gas import jetty and pipeline project. The group says it is “discovering dozens of shocking new threats and impacts that have been released to the public for the first time”. “The extent of information that appears to have been kept back is alarming, with loss of amenity and traffic noise, emissions and congestion now added to the growing list of disastrous impacts that are buried among the volumes of reports,” Julia Stockigt of Save Westernport said. “According to AGL, 900 tanker trucks carrying liquid nitrogen would need to travel along Peninsula Link, Coolart and Frankston-Flinders roads and through the town of Crib Point each year if their gas import project is approved. A further fleet would deliver flammable LNG treatment chemicals to the site at Woolleys Beach, in a known bushfire zone” The rush to prepare objections to AGL’s plan follows the refusal by Planning Minister Richard Wynne to postpone or extend the EES process until after the COVID-19 crisis. Mr Wynne said any further delay would “introduce severe procedural uncertainty” and “add to … the stresses for all parties”. He said that “on balance” the benefits of a pause did not “outweigh the disadvantages”. His refusal to add extra time for submissions (deadline 26 August) or postpone the October hearing by Planning Panels Victoria has been criticised by all levels of government and community groups. Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors are

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this week expected to reaffirm their opposition to AGL’s plans “as the project poses unacceptable impacts and associated risks across a range of areas”. The shire is holding an online “community session” on Wednesday (19 August) to explain its position and provide information “to help residents have their say on the project”. Flinders MP Greg Hunt said he was “deeply disappointed” by Mr Wynne’s decision but would continue to fight against the project. “My long held view remains against the proposed AGL project and the re-industrialisation of Crib Point generally,” Mr Hunt said. “There are much more appropriate gas projects under consideration, such as in Port Kembla NSW. I continue to urge the Victorian government to listen to the community and allow for appropriate time for review of this project.” Mr Hunt’s state Liberal colleague, Hastings MP Neale Burgess, said it was unfair that AGL had two years to prepare is EES and “then a community placed in strict lockdown conditions has only been given 40 business days to respond”. Environmental Justice Australia says the public exhibition of the EES should be extended because the COVID-19 restrictions “curtail the public’s ability to engage or adequately prepare for the public hearings”. Ms Stockigt said AGL also planned to stop public access to Woolleys Beach Foreshore Reserve. “The quiet, shady public reserve is a popular place for a barbecue, launch a kayak or walk the dog,” she said. Ms Stockigt said “other alarming EES discoveries” included the high noise levels from a pumping station that, according to AGL could lead to residents experiencing “reduced satisfaction with their residential amenity”, plans to build 20 metre high tanks to store nitrogen and other chemicals, the creation of few long term jobs except 40 technical jobs on the floating gas terminal. The deadline for submissions on AGL’s plans is 26 August. Visit: savewesternport.org/; or, engage.vic.gov.au/crib-point-IAC

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An Open Letter to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council Dear Councillors, At Sealite, we think you should be commended for recognising that the shortage of industrial land on the Mornington Peninsula is constraining high quality economic development in the region. The Peninsula has been hit harder than most areas of Victoria in terms of job losses, and there has never been a more important time to prioritise economic recovery than in the wake of this pandemic. At your upcoming Planning Services Committee meeting you will have the opportunity to activate an industrial precinct that can deliver economic growth and jobs for the Peninsula community. We recognise that your preferred location is a large 192-hectare parcel of land on Grayden’s Road in Hastings. However, we don’t believe a single large industrial area is the best outcome for the region, nor does it accommodate the diverse needs of our industry. Our request is that two smaller sites are recommended for activation. Alongside the proposed heavier industrial zoning of your preferred location in Hastings, we are proposing a Mornington Peninsula Technology Business Park in Somerville. The activation of two smaller sites will overcome community concerns surrounding the Hastings proposal, such as the merging of the Tyabb and Hastings townships and the significant increase of traffic on Grayden’s and surrounding roads. Given the time required to undertake research into the size of rail stabling facilities and supporting infrastructure of the Hastings precinct, the activation of a smaller, lighter precinct near Somerville will begin to deliver much-needed economic growth and jobs when we need them most – now. The Mornington Peninsula Technology Park will be a long-term community asset. It consists of low rise, high quality business facilities and active recreation spaces for workers and local residents. It features environmental sustainability at every turn, and a green, landscaped wildlife buffer to protect the views of residents. In every way, this is a worldclass technology precinct that the region will be proud of. It will bring up to $1.2 billion in direct and indirect construction investment across the campus, and up to 1,500 high-tech jobs on site, ensuring there is a place in our community to apply the Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM) knowledge and skills that are at the heart of our kids’ education. For us at Sealite, the Technology Park will mean we can continue to grow in the Somerville area. My father started Sealite back in the 1980’s, and I officially took over as CEO in 2010. I’m really proud of this business and particularly our staff, most of who live on the Peninsula. We have been operating in Somerville for more than 25 years, manufacturing navigation equipment for air and seaports. From our local base we operate in over 100 countries. Sealite will be the anchor tenants of the Mornington Peninsula Technology Park, along with other similar businesses – high tech and light industry. Our proposal has been considered over several years and adapted according to community feedback. It is shovel-ready, and we can begin to deliver almost immediately. Activating the Mornington Peninsula Technology Park in Somerville requires only a simple decision by this Council, but it is one that can make a substantial economic impact. It would be one of the last decisions made by this Council ahead of the local government elections. We urge you to consider this proposal and start planning for the economic recovery of the Peninsula now. In our view, Hastings, Somerville, and the wider Peninsula needs every bit of sensible economic growth it can get in order to recover from what we’ve lost. Sincerely,

Chris Procter CEO Sealite Pty Ltd

details of the proposal can be found at www.sealite.com/future-innovation-park/

PAGE 2

Western Port News 19 August 2020

NEWS DESK

Shire, aero club head for VCAT showdown Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has taken the unprecedented step of publicly airing its grievances with the Peninsula Aero Club in the form of a “position statement” before the two parties headed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last Friday. The first of three VCAT sessions (14 August was a practice hearing day) will be followed by a compulsory conference on 26 October and a five-day hearing starting 12 April 2021. The shire says it wants to formalise a “coexistence” between the Tyabb airfield and the council after years of claim and counter claim over what operations are permitted at the Stuart Road airfield. Information in the shire’s position statement relates to three key planning permits based on the findings of a Queen’s Counsel it hired in April last year to conduct a “full legal review, in order to provide clear information … regarding the conditions of all current planning permits currently applying to the Tyabb Airfield”. The QC’s brief was also to “recognise the urgent need to provide clarity around the current and future operations of the Tyabb Airfield”. The QC’s findings led to the shire

issuing an order in June 2019 which virtually shut down the airport and its ancillary businesses. The businesses were later told they could resume work, but that “necessary” permits would be required. Then mayor, Cr David Gill, accused people at the airfield of having “a sense of entitlement … there are some there that do not believe they needed permits to operate. It’s a private airfield with a private aero club” (“Airfield reopens after permit talks” The News 25/6/19). “It will be interesting to see how this pans out; the aero club is definitely winning the publicity war at the moment. But, in the end, it will all come out.” That day of reckoning may be fast approaching as the shire is confident that approved planning permits for land use and development at the airfield only allow for an “authorised landing ground”. The shire says planning approval was never granted to use the land as an airport, airfield, pilot training school/education centre, heliport, transport terminal, or as a place of assembly or major sports and recreation facility, other than approval for the 2020 Air Show. The airfield’s helipad was opened in 2017 with the help of $100,000 from the shire. A prominent sign on the property facing Mornington-Tyabb Road says,

“Peninsula Aero Club, professional flying training to commercial standards, Mornington Peninsula Airport”. Aero club president Jack Vevers told The News in July that Mornington Peninsula Airport was “a registered name” and “not a classification”. The council claims existing-use rights have not been established for any of the operations at the airfield and that no approval was ever given relating to an east-west landing strip. In what is described as a “critical anomaly”, the shire says the provisions of the Mornington Peninsula Planning Scheme do not include airport or airfield as a permissible use within the special use zone. “Tyabb Airfield is a terrific asset to the region and we all want to see it thrive while also operating in a manner that protects the amenity of the surrounding township,” the mayor Cr Sam Hearn said. “In order to place the airfield on a stable legal footing ... it’s crucial we get an independent ruling from VCAT on the conditions for the current and future operation of the airfield.” Cr Hearn said it was “crucial” that the council amend its planning scheme to “clarify a number of zoning matters to allow for the site to be operated lawfully as an airfield”. With Keith Platt “Hearings could lead to airfield shut down” Page 6

WE ARE

Sign of the past: Mornington Peninsula Shire is seeking public direction by holding a vote on replacing “Blacks Camp” in the names for a road, pre-school and bushland reserve at Somerville. Picture: Gary Sissons

Vote to change ‘offensive’ name COMMUNITY voting for a new name for Blacks Camp Reserve at Somerville ends Monday, 21 September. Mornington Peninsula Shire decided to rename the reserve after “community feedback has indicated the name Blacks Camp is a derogatory term that is inappropriate and offensive to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, creating a barrier for people of this heritage in accessing the education precinct” (“Showing respect by changing names” The News 28/7/20). With support from the Bunurong Land Council, the shire has decided to find new names for Blacks Camp Road, the bushland reserve and preschool which share the name. In 2004, an archaeological investigation found more than 200 artefacts and four Aboriginal sites close to a

source of fresh water in the area. The report concluded that the area had been a significant Aboriginal settlement for thousands of years. Names listed for the reserve are: Beek Beak; Burinyong Balug; Mayone Balug; and Ngooraak. The naming process for the road and pre-school will be conducted with “the stakeholders directly affected” and is also open for community feedback until Monday 21 September. Names proposed for the pre-school include: Beenap; Tillerkite; and Turrum. Names for the road include: Decangery Drive and Worwong Avenue. Public comment on the renaming proposals closes 5pm next Monday, 21 August at mornpen.vic.gov.au/ haveyoursay or call 1300 850 600.

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NEWS DESK

Western Port

Proudly published by Mornington Peninsula News Group Pty Ltd

PHONE: 03 5974 9000 Published weekly. Circulation: 15,000

Journalists: Stephen Taylor, Brodie Cowburn 5974 9000 Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Advertising Sales: Bruce Stewart 0409 428 171 Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production/Graphic design: Marcus Pettifer, Danielle Espagne Group Editor: Keith Platt 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Andrew Hurst, Craig MacKenzie. ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@mpnews.com.au Web: www.mpnews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURS 20 AUGUST 2020 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: WED 26 AUGUST 2020

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To advertise in Western Port News contact Bruce Stewart on 0409 428 171 or email bruce@mpnews.com.au Western Port

MAIN Ridge Dairy’s Bess Noxon, and her goats, will be participating in the Farms2Schools program. Picture: Supplied

Farmers to be heard at school A SIX-month program has been unveiled to get farmers and students about agricultural practices. The Farms2Schools program will give primary and secondary students an insight into how everyday agricultural products get from the paddock to their plate.

Delivered by the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority in partnership with industry group AUSVEG VIC, Farms2Schools will see farmers visit schools and students visit farms. Students will be able question farmers and learn about how food is

grown, managing agricultural enterprises, and life on the land. Although now limited by COVID-19 restrictions, excursions are expected to begin later in the year with students visiting farms or agricultural enterprises. Details: ppwcma.vic.gov. au/farms2schools.

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Western Port News 19 August 2020

No buts to delaying no-smoking rules Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au IN a strange twist of fate, Mornington Peninsula Shire’s efforts to combat one known source of death and illness is being hampered by another, totally unexpected threat. However, councillors last week voted against deferring the creation of no-smoking areas, telling CEO John Baker to “ensure that the smokefree policy is implemented as soon as practical”. In doing so they have rejected a recommendation by one of their own senior officers they delay implementing the Smoke Free Environment policy because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While council is taking measures to lessen the effects of COVID-19 under the state governmentdeclared lockdown, delaying its anti-smoking program would do nothing to lessen deaths and illness attributed to smoking. VicHealth says 4000 Victorians die of smoking-related, preventable deaths each a year at an estimated cost of $5 billion. Data from 2018 shows that 10.7 per cent of Victorian adults regularly smoke, down from 13.5 per cent in 2015. Ailments attributable to tobacco smoking include lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, asthma, premature, low birth weight babies and diabetes. Community safety coordinator Talana Cook in a report to council’s Tuesday 11 August meeting, urged councillors to wait for an “action plan for the staged implementation” of the policy rather than bring forward the second stage to 21 December this year. “The impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on resourcing availability, ability to en-

gage stakeholders and implementation activities, further strengthens the argument for a prioritised and staged approach to implementation,” Ms Cook stated. Cr David Gill told The News that “nothing was done last year and nothing this year”. “We’ve had the community onto us to do something, but as soon as it got a bit hard nothing was done. The officers even neglected to put it in the budget.” Ms Cook put the cost of bins and signs at $515,000. The restrictions would be easy to impose at shire offices, libraries, public halls, youth centres, galleries, leisure centres/pools, The Briars, Civic Reserve and Council events, but it would cost $20,000 to provide butt bins and 100 signs. Stage two would be more problematic as it involves beaches (initially Mornington, Rye and Dromana), foreshore camping areas, sports and bushland reserves, community centres, senior citizen centres, beach boxes (in smoke free areas), golf courses, cemeteries and parks. Main Street, Mornington would be the first non-smoking drinking and eating area. “Further, the cost of implementation of signage and butt bins in these areas totals an estimated $290,600.” Ms Cook’s report, supported by a 47-page summary co-authored by environment protection manager John Rankine and consultant Cindy Stubbs, said the shire’s ability “to engage effectively with key stakeholders has been removed in the current ‘lockdown’ environment”. “The supply chain for the manufacture of the signage and butt bins has also been affected and their capacity is reduced.”

WILLIAM and Alexander Heels, above, are delighted with the Spoonville gradually growing in Maxwell Street, Mornington. Their father Rob, who took the picture, said encouraged other residents to “make a spoon person, and plant it while on their exercise walk”.

Lockdown in pictures

TOM McCullough, of Safety Beach, saw value “in patience being a virtue” during lockdown.

THE latest restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19 may have limited the chance to travel, but they also create plenty of inspiring ways for expressing creativity and recording these exceptional times through pictures. There are many opportunities for pictures while still observing social distance and authorised reasons for being outside (and masked) as well as in the home. Readers are invited to send and share their pictures, with a short caption, to: lockdown@mpnews.com.au

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NEWS DESK

Wreath honours brave, but neglected, service Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au HASTINGS police laid a wreath at the cenotaph at Hastings commemorating the war service of veterans representing US Army Small Ships, Saturday 15 August. The small service performed by Acting Sergeant David Kennedy and Constable Kip Mulvogue on the 75th anniversary of VP Day – Victory in the Pacific – referred to Japan’s acceptance of the Allied demand for unconditional surrender made on 14 August 1945. For Australians, it meant World War II was finally over. COVID-19 restrictions prevented a larger ceremony, but the wreath-laying went some way towards honouring the memories of the 3328 Australians, including one woman, who served alongside 1372 US Army personnel as well as New Zealanders, Canadians, Chinese, Danes, British, Filipino, Dutch, Austrian, Torres Strait Islanders, French and even an Eskimo in our darkest days. Theirs is one of the most neglected histories of the war, but official recognition in the past few years is now making their service more widely known. The vice-president of the US Small Ships Section David Lloyd said Hastings was chosen for the ceremony because “it is typical of the sleepy little seaside ports from which so many volunteer crews originated” – as well as being close to the Flinders Naval Depot, since renamed HMAS Cerberus. The Small Ships Section was formed in response to Japanese advances in the South Pacific in 1942. Its irregular crews began landings in New Guinea, with their “attack fleet” consisting of a ragtag variety of vessels, including thou-

sands of fishing trawlers, schooners, ketches, luggers, tugs, yachts and ferries acquired or built here or in New Zealand. Men and boys from different backgrounds served the section on civilian contract. Their ages ranged from 15-80, with hundreds being physically disabled and other veterans of previous conflicts. Their small ships would land troops, evacuate the wounded and carry supplies, mainly at night, in most cases without radio or charts, in unknown waters. Members achieved the most incredible nautical feats and performed acts of bravery. Officially 36 Australian members were killed in action. Small Ships’ crews had their own song: The Suicide Squadron. After the war, Australians who served in the Small Ships Section were officially “unrecognised” and no information about their service was made publicly available. Mr Lloyd said this lack of recognition led to shame and resentment. Many members never spoke about their service and most died long before official recognition was achieved. The US government granted veteran status to WWII merchant mariners in 1988. Spurred on by this, and through tenacious campaigning over many years, recognition was finally achieved in 2009 when an honours and awards tribunal recommended Australian imperial campaign awards be granted to Small Ships veterans on the same basis as members of the Merchant Navy. Anyone who believes a member of their family served with USASOS, army transport service or Small Ships Section during WWII can contact the association by emailing Vice-President@ usarmysmallships.asn.au

CROWDS at this year’s Tyabb Air Show. Picture: Gary Sissons

Hearings could lead to airfield shut down aware of these enforcement proceedings, to allow everyone with a stake in the airport an opportunity to make their views known to VCAT and oppose the making of the enforcement order,” Mr Vevers said. “As we have said all along, and despite the shire’s claim … of wanting the airport to 'thrive’, it is clear they are committed to limiting the airport’s operations to the point where closure is the only outcome. “PAC is bewildered that under the current COVID-19 environment, the shire continues to attack people’s jobs and is spending hundreds of thousands of ratepayers’ dollars in VCAT hearings on what we believe will only confirm what 50 plus years of previous tribunal and panel hearings have acknowledged and endorsed.” Mr Vevers said recognition in 1983 by a planning panel that the “Westernport Airfield” was “recognised and protected” by a special use zoning and “provides a general aviation facility on the Mornington Peninsula at no cost to the community” was “as accurate and relevant today as it was nearly 40 years ago”. Keith Platt

PENINSULA Aero Club says the enforcement order being sought by Mornington Peninsula Shire, if granted, will “effectively” shut down the Tyabb airfield. A news release issued by PAC president Jack Vevers following last Friday’s “practice” VCAT hearing said the shire’s intent was to “strangle airport operations to the point where it will become unviable. This will cause many job losses and the demise of the emergency response facility”. “Of course, all of this is predicated on the shire’s assertion that PAC does not have permits to continue to conduct its operations at Tyabb Airport, as it has for several decades,” Mr Vevers said. “PAC has consistently maintained that it has all of the permits required.” He hoped the results of an earlier hearing into the so-called holy hour restriction on Sunday flying “will shed further light on the matters in dispute between PAC and the council”. PAC has requested orders from VCAT today to direct the shire to make all persons who might be affected by the making of the enforcement order

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Western Port News 19 August 2020

Mornington tops list for COVID-19 cases AS of last Thursday (13 August) the Mornington Peninsula had recorded 126 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 44 classed as being active. In a breakdown of postcodes, Mornington, with 13 active cases and 24 since the coronavrivus emergency began, has been the most hardest hit town on the peninsula. Mount Martha with 16 cases (5 active) is the second hardest hit followed by Mount Eiza, 11 (3 active) and Somerville, 10 (5 active). Just four of the peninsula’s 25 postcodes have escaped without any recordecd cases of COVID-19.

Figures released by the Department of Health and Human Services on Monday showed Victoria had recorded 282 new cases since Sunday (279) lifting the state’s total to more than 17,000. There were another 25 deaths in Victoria (16 on Sunday), bringing the state’s total to 334 (Australia’s total is 421). While listing 10 organisations linked to “key outbreaks” in greater Melbourne and regional Victoria, the department says it is also investigating cases with links to Frankston Hospital. Keith Platt

Town Postcode ConÞrmed cases (ever) 3931 Mornington Mount Martha 3934 Mount Eliza 3930 Somerville 3912 Flinders 3929 Sorrento 3943 Arthurs Seat, Dromana, Safety Beach 3936 Rosebud, Boneo, Cape Schanck, Fingal 3939 Portsea 3944 St Andrews Beach, Tootgarook, Rye 3941 Hastings, Tuerong 3915 Somers 3927 Capel Sound 3940 Blairgowrie 3942 Baxter 3911 Bittern 3918 Crib Point 3919 HMAS Cerberus 3920 Moorooduc 3933 Tyabb 3913 Main Ridge 3928 Shoreham, Point Leo, Merricks 3916 Balnarring, Balnarring Beach, Merricks Beach, Merricks North 3926 Red Hill, Red Hill South 3937 McCrae 3938

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Western Port News 19 August 2020

PAGE 7

Police patrol

With Stephen Taylor

Listen to the music A ROSEBUD man is contemplating life without his licence for a minimum of 12 months after he appears at court and also the loss of his red SS Commodore for the next month. Members of the Somerville highway patrol detected his car on mobile radar travelling at 171kph in the 80kph zone on Old Cape Schanck Road, 5.20pm, Wednesday 12 August. When intercepted and asked why he was going so fast the 35-year-old said he was “in a really good mood and the music was playing”. Police said his mood changed when he was told his car would be impounded and that he would be summonsed to appear at court for travelling at a dangerous speed. After allegedly punching his car in anger multiple times he began walking towards home. Senior Constable Steve Newland said: “Old Cape Schanck Road is one of the 38 Mornington Peninsula roads we regularly patrol to enforce

the reduced 80kph speed limits introduced earlier this year. “Even if the limit had been 100, this bloke would still have been 71 kilometres and hour over. It’s a ridiculous speed and he’ll now pay the price for doing it.”

Garage fire fight

and the surrounding buildings were unscathed, however, three motorcycles, tools, camping gear and gym equipment were destroyed. Ambulance crews treated the owner of the property for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire, which also threatened an adjacent house, is under investigation.

WESTERN Port fire brigades fought a garage fire in Nottingham Avenue, Somerville, 7.40pm, Sunday 9 August, right. Somerville CFA was quickly on scene with three fire trucks, followed soon after by Baxter CFA. “On arrival, we saw a garage well alight, with flames threatening the adjacent house,” Somerville CFA Lieutenant Josh Caron said. “However our crew were able to make entry and attack the fire immediately to prevent further spread.” The fire was quickly contained to the garage,

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Rescue after mayday RESCUE crews from Coast Guard Western Port and Volunteer Marine Rescue Hastings rushed to answer a mayday call from a sinking yacht off Flinders, 7.15pm, Thursday 6 August. The two boats were on the scene promptly despite the rough conditions. The San Remo yacht with four people aboard – two adults and two children – was escorted back to Flinders pier where Flinders CFA crews pumped the water out. Coast Guard Commander Jeremy West said an investigation revealed a diesel engine malfunction and burst pipe was causing water to be sucked back into the boat. The next day a friend took the four back to San Remo and the yacht was sailed to Yaringa boat harbour for repairs.

Swamped: Water is pumped out of the yacht at Flinders. Picture: Supplied

It’s up to all of us to keep each other safe. You must continue to practise good hygiene, physical distancing, and if you’re even slightly unwell, get tested and stay at home. Don’t risk it. The sooner we all do it, the sooner we’ll get through it. Have the App Visit australia.gov.au

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra PAGE 8

Western Port News 19 August 2020

Charged over drugs A SAFETY Beach woman has been charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, proceeds of crime offences and firearms offences. The 34-year-old was among 11 people charged following an investigation into alleged drug trafficking in Melbourne’s inner south-east. She was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 8 September. Detectives from the Southern Metro Divisional Response Unit executed warrants across 13 locations in Melbourne’s inner south-east, including South Melbourne, Brighton East, Ormond, Elwood and St Kilda, Sunday 16 August. They were working on Operation Brandish which is an ongoing investigation into the trafficking of methyl-amphetamine and cocaine over the past 12 months. Police allegedly seized a “large commercial quantity” of what is believed to be methyl-amphetamine and cocaine, significant quantities of GHB and cannabis, precursor chemicals for the manufacture of drugs, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and a loaded hand gun. Fourteen people were arrested in the raids and 11 charged.

LETTERS

Letters - 300 words maximum and including full name, address and contact number - can be sent to The News, PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or emailed to: team@mpnews.com.au

More respect needed I commend Mornington Peninsula Shire for wanting to tackle the twin evils of young men ending their lives and violence in the home, but its program seems to offer little hope of doing either (“Equality key to reducing violence” The News 11/8/20). Both behaviours are insidious, so to claim “gender equality” as a “key driver” of both actions seemed ambitious. However, I decided to read the research that underpins the program, which is a Jesuit Social Services study called The Man Box. The Man Box is presented as a set of 17 undesirable attitudes or behaviours. The young men rated them, and the result was that 70-80 per cent disagreed with every Man Box behaviour. The researchers still allocated everyone below the average score into the Man Box. The Man Box is just a straw man depiction of crude masculinity, which is then used to condemn genuine masculinity. Why would an academic study do such a thing? In the commentary, Dr Michael Flood argues that an alternative to the Man Box is “feminist masculinity”. Further, he questions why we need to talk of masculinity at all, identifying the “binary system of gender categories” as part of the problem. His solution is to ensure that: “Whatever vision we have for what men and boys should do and be, first, it must be feminist. It must be clearly critical of patriarchal and unjust practices and based on alternate norms and practices compatible with feminist values and commitments.” What a disappointment. Instead of a program that promotes being a “good man”, we are offered a program that condemns masculinity and demands androgyny. Frankly, here on the peninsula, I think we need to treat our young men and boys with a little more respect. Ian Brace, Mornington

Inconsistencies apply Walking between Canadian Bay and Ranelagh Beach, Mount Eliza I saw a kayaker heading towards Canadian Bay where he disappeared around the point heading into the Canadian Bay Club. Obviously, rules that keep everyone off the water don’t apply. I have a boat at Martha Cove, Safety Beach but because it is more than five kilometres from my home I am not allowed to go there to check that it is securely moored and bilge pumps, battery charger and other safety items are functioning properly. This means I am breaching my agreement with the owner’s corporation, and my insurance policy might be voided because it is a requirement that I check my boat regularly. I sought advice from our local MPs and their advice was ask my Insurer. I did, but received no response. Yachting Australia advised that I may not drive more than five kilometres to check my boat and suggested getting someone else to do it. It seems nonsensical that I can go to my local supermarket but am not allowed to drive an extra 15km, by myself, observing social distancing and wearing a mask, enter through a keycard recorded gate, under surveillance by CCTV, walk alone to my boat, do my checks (15 or 20 mins) alone, and drive home - alone. So, when I saw this kayaker, I thought rules for some, but not for others. Checking on boats, and kayaking, and swim-

ming in the bay, and fishing alone and many other recreational pursuits, alone, are probably far safer than a single trip to the supermarket. Inconsistencies in the stage four restrictions are likely to lead to mass disobedience and loss of confidence in those that rule. ISO has got to me; I’m writing to the papers now. John Hall, Mount Eliza Editor: The Department of Health and Human Services says recreational activities including golf, fishing, tennis, boating and organised sport are not permitted. Kayaking is not mentioned.

Predictable prejudices Last week’s letters against our Premier [Daniel Andrews] were xenophobic, generally. The tunnel-vision fanatics within the margins of fixed opinions, politically, indeed if extended, to any given topic, [are] almost always predictable before opening their mouths. Conservative, the meaning a mystery, looking on democratic socialism as a form of fascism. Many extended to approving [Prime Minister Scott] Morrison’s belief in “all the way with [US President] Donald [Trump]” and never considering (or recognising) his trend of institutional racism. Variety and flexibility, a necessity in living a life? Knowing how to adapt our living patterns to society’s customs and not being bound up with these necessities in favour of your own aims (if any, other than survival) can result in a marked improvement to your sense of living, albeit current adjustments. It gets harder with age. Better still, in the light of people on visas, the unemployed, the homeless, would Jesus approve of negative gearing? Friendship is vital in the sense of a loving friendship, living gold, your wife if you’re very lucky, and one or two close friends; a balancing act. Francis Bacon: “Imagination is given to man to compensate for what he is not; a sense of humour to console him for what he is.” The blame game, jumping the gun. Stay safe? Cliff Ellen, Rye

Scrutiny required The current pandemic disaster happening in aged care obviously needs thorough scrutiny and full accountability. However, there are broader questions that need to be asked and answered. The deregulation and privatisation of what I believe are essential services, applauded by mostly the conservatives and the private sector, need to be fully scrutinised, including gas and electricity. This is particularly needed in aged care, which happened under Prime Minister John Howard. Profit was put before care and this has been a disaster waiting to happen. Nurse ratio to patients were abandoned in the private sector during this time. The casualisation of the workforce is also showing us what that has meant to both the livelihood of workers and to our economy. There has been inadequate training and language barriers. Low paid workers, women especially, mostly contracted, have to do multiple jobs to make ends meet. This has contributed to the spread of the virus going from one work place to another. So, let the whole picture be put under the

scrutiny, that is what is required. Finding all the answers to these questions is imperative; if we are going to learn from what, I believe, are the monumental mistakes that have been made, costing hundreds of lives of our loved ones. Denise Hassett, Mt Martha

Transparency lacking Well said Jo Lenzo about the council not providing you with information about consultancy expenditure by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and also for not responding to letters within 12 working days (“Information lacking” Letters 11/8/20). Why is it so difficult to obtain information from this council? In 2017, myself and another animal lover requested information about our ratepayer-funded pound through a freedom of information request. The council decided it would charge us $1108.23 for our FOI request. Much of the information requested was not available to the public (such as income from pet registrations, budget for the shelter, impound forms for 18 pets). After negative publicity, the council decided to reduce the FOI fee but would not provide the impound forms that listed the outcomes for pets. All we requested was the pets’ names, the impound number and the outcome. We did not ask for any details about people to be included on the impound forms and requested that be redacted. The council cited “personal identifying information” as the reason for not disclosing this information. So, we never received the outcomes for the 18 pets, despite submitting the FOI. We attended the Victorian Civil Appeals Tribunal to try and find out the information, but the council decided to fight us by employing a barrister, at ratepayers’ expense. Council staff did not even attend the VCAT hearing. We withdrew the FOI as we may have been ordered to pay the council’s legal costs. That’s how council wastes ratepayers’ money. So, if the council does not want to provide you with information, it will tell you to do an FOI and then make sure it costs hundreds or thousands of dollars to do so. Council should be more accountable and transparent to the residents who pay staff salaries. Rosy Fischer, Mornington

Positive reaction In the current times it was heartening to read about a couple of our community groups - Mt Martha Rotary and Mt Martha Boomerang Bags - working together to support those in need (“Help for those doing it tough” The News 11/8/20). Also, to learn of the money raised for Homelessness Week by Mt Martha Rotary despite COVID-19 limitations. Thank you for the positive news. Jill Stanszus, Mornington

Internet limits For some time I have been concerned about the “internetisation” of society. Trade, commerce, retailers, government, all seem to presume that you are permanently glued to a phone or a computer; you have an internet account; you will transact with a card; and communicate electronically. An awful lot of “stuff” on the net is dodgy, fraught with financial disaster, insecure, unreli-

able, deceptive. Every purchase you make, every inquiry, every download, everywhere you go, commercial interests are tracking you. The realm is riddled with fraudsters, criminals, scammers, liars, fake news, and malicious social media friends. Notwithstanding that, I would not be without the net. It has overwhelming benefits in legitimate areas, but no person should be forced to use it to do business, nor should the net be relied upon to deliver any communication. Commerce, particularly banks, want all transactions to be via the net, for their benefit, as do government services: tick the boxes, we don’t care if your case has no box to tick. I’m still trying to get the Medicare app to work, it keeps telling me my correct data is incorrect. A large appliance manufacturer emailed me a (disputed) invoice for $345 and demand to pay within five days or the debt collectors will be unleashed. Such a practice should be a criminal offence, not a trend. I never even turned the computer on for four of those five days. The only defence is to let everyone know on the internet. Personally, I use the internet infrequently, rarely to conduct business or buy, mostly to pursue knowledge and interests, and to send letters to the editor. Brian A Mitchelson, Mornington

Kicking back Strewth! Did I get complaints from the Dan [Premier Daniel Andrews] kickers last week? I did get a giggle from one contributor with a biased view complaining about my biased view. Fair dinkum, the way [Prime Minister Scott] Morrison, [state opposition leader Michael] O’Brien and the Murdoch press are carrying on, you’d think that Andrews arranged trysts between the guards and hotel residents. He was not responsible for the hiring of the security guards. Dan is at least fronting up to the inquiry into the hospital quarantine fiasco, of which he had no control. Unlike the inquiry into the Ruby Princess where 2700 passengers were allowed off the vessel to travel too all points of the compass. Gladys Berejeklian, the NSW premier, has refused to extend the inquiry to hear from officials who refused to attend. The sooner the inquiry into the lack of facilities in aged care homes opens the better. Too many companies appear to be getting fat at the expense of the infirm elderly. This is a bit insensitive, even for the LNP, but apparently they are holding three fundraisers in Canberra at $2500 a head and one in Adelaide for 700 guests. I’m very interested in Morrison’s secretive COVID-19 national committee. Who’s on it and what does it do? John Cain, McCrae

Aged discrepancy Your Letters page and other sources frequently refer to the fact that the majority of aged care home deaths from COVID-19 are in the private sector. Surprise, surprise. So are the majority of aged care homes. According to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services in April this year, there are 770 such facilities in Victoria, of which only 178 are in the public sector. Ron Simpson, Mornington

Did you know... you can view our papers online

www.mpnews.com.au Western Port News 19 August 2020

PAGE 9

100 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK...

Frankston Postmistress departs for Mornington Compiled by Cameron McCullough ON Monday night last, Miss Mackay was entertained at a farewell social, on the eve of her departure for Mornington. The Mechanics’ Hall was very prettily decorated for the occasion. Dr Mackeddie presided, and while the function was organised by Frankston Presbyterians to mark their appreciation of Miss Mackay’s activities on behalf of the Church, the very large and representative gathering present made the occasion one of general public importance, and indicated the high esteem in which Miss Mackay is held by all sections of the community. Despite inclement weather, visitors were present from far distant centres, and a highly successful evening resulted. An attractive, musical programme was contributed by Miss Dulcie Logan, Mr Ferney and Master Keith Tait. The Rev. G. J. Murphy. B.A., said the Presbyterians of Frankston owed a debt of gratitude to Miss Mackay, who had worked with such astonishing success on behalf of the Church. In referring to Miss Mackay’s efforts on behalf of the building fund, the speaker commended her enthusiasm and love for the Church of her fathers. Cr. W. P. Mason said the community generally regretted the departure of Miss Mackay, who as Postmistress at Frankston, had proved a painstaking and capable official and given universal satisfaction. Rev. A. Brodie counted it a great privilege to know Miss Mackay. She had done much for the Presbyterian Church in Frankston, and would DECKING T/Pine 70x22 KD ACQ ........................... $2.70mt T/Pine 90x22 KD ACQ ........................... $3.50mt T/Pine 140x22 KD ACQ ......................... $6.25mt Merbau 70x19 Random ........................ $5.25mt Merbau 90x19 Random ........................ $6.50mt Merbau 140x22 Random .................... $13.95mt

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game, but didn’t give satisfaction to either side, as he allowed a lot of breaches to go unpenalised. Mornington was the first to attack from the bounce, and point was soon registered followed shortly afterwards by a goal from Golds. Bowen forwarded and Jim Ryan, from a free, scored first-point for the home team. From the kick-off Olsen forwarded, and, after a lot of centre play, Patterson raised both flags for the visitors. Golds, Wilson and Buckley for the visitors, and Bowen, Woolley, Floyd and Carmichael for the home team, were very conspicuous. Woolley forwarded, but Johnson returned. O’Neil, Ryan, and Bowen got it to Foster, who booted a sixer for Hastings. Mornington attacked again, but Langholtz relieved, and Jim Ryan and Longmuir forwarded, but Buckley and Williams returned, and the latter scored a point. Francis, Carmichael, Mirabella, and Bowen soon had it in the visitor’s danger zone, but Sanderson and Williams relieved the situation, and Sherlock added a point. The scores were then 2.5 to 1.1— Mornington having the better of it. Harrison forwarded, but Langholtz and Floyd returned, but Hutchins got it to Williams, who scored a single. Floyd and O’Neill forwarded, and Francis, from free, added a single. Francis returned to Campbell, but, marking nicely, he missed an easy chance. Olsen passed to Bidgood, and he added six points to Mornington’s tally. Mirabella and Longmuir gave a

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Western Port News 19 August 2020

chance to Foster, who only added a point. but Allen drove it back to Foster, and this time he got the goal from an acute angle. O’Neill, Allen, and Longmuir sent it well up, but Hutchins relieved, but a free to Bowen gave Ryan a chance, and he made the best of it. Allen and Campbell tipped it to Foster, and another goal came. Sanderson, Williams and Olsen added points for Mornington, then, thanks to Campbell and Francis, Carmichael got a goal, giving Hastings the advantage – 5.4 to 8.9. Golds passed, from the bounce, to Buckley, who piled on another goal for Mornington’s benefit. Bowen and Buckley were playing well. Sanderson added a single, and then Floyd and Woolley forwarded, but there was no one there, and Golds and Patterson returned. Mirabella and O’Neill drove it to Campbell, whose shot hit the post. Wilson and Buckley gave Williams a very easy chance, but he missed it. The next feature was a nice run by Woolley. Knox passed to Joseph, and his shot added a goal to Hastings’ score, making the tally read 6.5 to 4.1 – still Hastings’ game. With seven points to the good, Hastings looked good winners, but they seemed to die away, and Mornington took advantage of it. Ryan scored a goal, but Bowen had a try, which went wide, leaving Mornington winners. *** FROM the pages of the Mornington Standard, 13 August 1920

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PAGE 10

Both gentlemen stand high in public esteem in their respective districts and their assistance should prove a valuable asset to the infant association. *** MR C. Tait and Mr W. Mulvane of Frankston, with their families are taking a trip to Brisbane and Sydney for health reasons. *** MR Geo. May is spending a month in Queensland for the benefit of his health. *** FALSE Rumours IT has come to my knowledge that some busy-body has circulated rumours that I have disposed of my Drapery Business in Bay Street, Frankston. I hereby intimate to the public of Frankston and surrounding districts that such rumors are false and without foundation. Furthermore, I have no intention of giving up my business. Yours Respectfully, MRS. DESS *** MORNINGTON and Hastings met for the third time this season last Saturday, when the match was played on the latter’s oval – which was wet and slippery after the heavy rains which had fallen during the week. Both teams took the field confident of winning, but the visitors ran out winners by the narrow margin of three points after a good tussle. Hastings were without the services of Joe Ryan, who was missed on the back line. Umpire Nugent had charge of the

always be remembered as one who did what she could for the Church she loved so well. Dr. Maxwell was pleased to see such a large attendance, which in itself proved the esteem in which Miss Mackay was held by the people, amongst whom she had worked so efficiently for many years. Rev. Angwin (Methodist), Mr Bell (Missionary in charge at Frankston), and Councillor Oates also spoke. An apology was read from Rev A. P Macfarlane, (Anglican), who was unable to be present owing to illness. The Chairman read an address from the members of the Church, which is to be illuminated and presented to Miss Mackay at a later date. He then called on Miss Norah Cameron, who handed Miss Mackay a beautiful bouquet. Miss Mackay, in reply, said she did not like leaving so many friends. A sum of £500 had been raised, out of which £330 had been paid for the purchase of land, and £171 was in the bank for the Church building fund. She specially mentioned Miss Feltmann and Miss Elliott as having rendered very valuable assistance in the work of collecting. (Applause) After refreshments had been partaken of the proceedings closed with the singing of Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem. *** Cr Stephens (Mornington Shire) was a new face at the school committees association at Frankston on Monday night August 2nd. Mr A. Corlett, (Langwarrin) was also a new attendant.

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PUZZLE ZONE 1

ACROSS 1. Reset 5. Move slowly 7. Holy statue 8. Germ-free 9. Situated inside 12. Modified 15. Ate greedily 19. Smoked herring

21. Pause 22. Steam press 23. Weeded 24. Headfirst descent (4,4)

DOWN 1. Dried grape 2. Australian wild dog 3. Cinema attendant 4. Yanked 5. Frozen polar cover 6. Pawned 10. Dowdy 11. Spoken exam

12. As well as 13. Opposed to 14. Stumble 15. Lurid 16. Looked upon 17. Roman XI 18. Copper alloy 19. Tartan garments 20. Continually provided

Puzzles supplied by Lovatts Publications Pty Ltd www.lovattspuzzles.com See page 14 for solutions.

GALLERY TALK Even though the MPRG is currently closed to the public, we are continuing to develop and share our podcasts, videos, collection, exhibitions, stories and children’s activities across all our online platforms. This week alongside Louise Tegart, Director, Art Gallery of Ballarat and Gina Mobayed, Director, Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, I selected the finalists for this year’s National Works on Paper (NWOP) prize, the MPRG’s key biennial exhibition. NWOP supports and promotes contemporary Australian artists working on or with paper with up to $50,000 acquisitions and awards (including the $15,000 major acquisitive award). This year the award attracted over 1150 entries from artists around Australia and the judges had a tough job in selecting 74 finalists. The quality of work was extremely high which will make for a stunning exhibition. The 2020 National Works on Paper will be on display over summer from 5 December 2020 – 21 February 2021. Our series of artist studio conversations have been very popular on MPRG TV, with lots of people tuning in each week. You can catch up on my interview with New York based artist Jess Johnson – one of the most innovative contemporary artists in the world today, who pushes her drawing practice into the realms of installation, animation,

fashion, and virtual reality. Jess discusses her virtual reality collaborations with Simon Ward and working with fashion label Romance Was Born to create fantastical costumes based on her imaginary worlds. I also recently spoke with Sydney based artist Euan Macleod who won the 1999 Archibald Prize for his work ‘Self-portrait/ head like a hole’. For over forty years, Euan has captured the presence imbued within the landscape and has been represented in numerous MPRG-curated group exhibitions. In 2016, Euan undertook a residency at the Gatekeepers Cottage, Police Point Shire Park, and was drawn to the wild side of the coast. These interviews and more can be found on our website at mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au/mprgtv Remember to check out our online creative activities for kids. In our latest video, artist-educator Jill Anderson riffs off Danie Mellor’s work ‘An unsettled vision’ and asks kids to think deeper about our native wildlife and their habitats and create their own collage. Stay safe, stay inspired and look out for each other.

Danny Lacy Artistic Director Senior Curator

www.mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au Civic Reserve, Dunns Road, Mornington Ph 5950 1580 Western Port News 19 August 2020

PAGE 11

THE MEANING OF EXISTENCE... AND OTHER SHORT STORIES

Doomsday Preppers - Your Time is Now! By Stuart McCullough MY sister sent me a message a few days ago. She lives in Canberra, where it’s cold but where you’re not only allowed to leave your house, it’s encouraged. She wanted to know how we were doing in Melbourne. I responded, saying I’d just finished digging a hole in the backyard where I intend to live for the next few months, having collected supplies of fuel, water and food. There was no response. Ten minutes later, I sent another text simply saying, ‘I’ve also heard there’s a pandemic’. These are tough times. But if anyone has the right to feel smug about now, it’s doomsday preppers. This, put simply, is the moment they’ve been waiting for their entire lives. Having endured the scorn of others when they bought one of everything that Bunnings has to offer – from a water filtration system to a self-composting latrine (complete with iPod docking station), we mocked them when they avoided the charity sausages in favour of stuffing as much as they could into a Toyota Yaris. The only thing they’re tasting now is the sweet, sweet taste of vindication. I’d heard about them from friends. They were avid watchers of a TV program about the lives of ordinary people who spent a lot of time preparing for the apocalypse. We laughed at the sheer lunacy of the lengths these people went to for no good reason – the tinned food, the generators and the commitment to dressing in camouflage no matter what the occasion. It helped that the preppers didn’t seem to have a full set of teeth between them. Clearly, these people were idiots of the highest order, except

when they were hunkering down in an underground bunker, at which point they were idiots of the lowest order. But guess who’s laughing now? I caught a couple of episodes of ‘Doomsday Preppers’. While my friends had found it deeply entertaining, I have to admit that I found it inspiring. There’s simply no other word for it. Unless, of course, you have a copy of Roget’s Thesaurus to hand in which case you might choose ‘stirring’, ‘inspirational’ or even ‘rousing’, although I suspect that ‘rousing’ is not for the faint of heart. These people were clearly ready for anything or, at least, anything a flamethrower and a length of rope could handle. In my youth, I’d been a Boy Scout,

whose motto was “Be prepared”. The most obvious response to this invitation to be perpetually anxious was to ask “prepared for what?” which was never explained. As a result of my brief but glorious scouting career, I’ve spent a lifetime never sitting next to a window and always checking into hotels under an alias. I’m sure Lord Baden-Powell would be proud of the lengths I’ve gone in order to be prepared – from always keeping a spare toothbrush on hand to insisting that all visitors to my home pass through a metal detector – I’ve carried the rules of the Scouting movement into adulthood. Being a ‘prepper’ appealed to me. These people were clearly not scouts – they were obviously distrust-

Have Your Say Defibrillators available throughout the Peninsula Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is committed to a ‘heart safe’ community through providing access to defibrillators in public places, to community groups and clubs and at council and community facilities. As part of this commitment, Council has developed its draft Defibrillators in Public Places Policy which is on public exhibition until 5pm Monday 14 September 2020. The Policy looks to: • ensure all relevant Council-

managed public spaces and workplaces have well maintained defibrillators. • Council advocates on behalf of sports clubs and community groups to maximise their access to funds in order to acquire defibrillators.

To have your say visit:

How to Have Your Say Community consultation closes 5pm Monday 14 September 2020 Online mornpen.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay Hard copy forms are available upon request by phoning 1300 850 600 Email Email with the subject line ‘Defibrillators in Public Places Policy’ to: haveyoursay@mornpen.vic.gov.au Post Mornington Peninsula Shire Attn: Defibrillators in Public Places Policy Private Bag 1000, Rosebud, Victoria, 3939

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Western Port News 19 August 2020

ful of dentists and wouldn’t recognize a woggle if it walked up and kicked them in the pants, but they had taken the scouting ideal to its natural conclusion. These were the kind of folk who weren’t just ready in case the power goes out for a couple of hours. They’re ready for anything from a zombie apocalypse through to an invasion by Mongolian hoards. They’re not prone to panic, either. Doomsday preppers aren’t the kind of people who head screaming off down to Coles to stuff the boot with all the toilet paper they can; they can adapt by making lavatory tissue out of acorns using nothing but a rusty butter knife, baking soda and a bucket of luke warm water. These, quite frankly, are my kind

of people. Having arrived somewhat late to the whole ‘doomsday prepper’ experience, I had to make do with what I had. Fortunately, I had plenty of candles. Somewhat less fortunately, these were birthday candles that were unlikely to last much beyond two minutes each (thank God I'm middle-aged). Worse still, they were trick birthday candles that sputter back into life after you think you’ve blown them out. I didn’t have large supplies of bottled water, either. What I did have was a medium sized Sunkist I was given with a three-piece feed from KFC six weeks ago that I never got around to drinking. That should tide me over. My first bunker was something of a disaster. Using a number of couch cushions, I fashioned something I was sure would carry me through the current lockdown. Having read further about the whole ‘doomsday prepper’ thing, I am prepared to concede that you can’t build a bona fide bunker out of things you bought on special at ‘Adairs’. So I started digging a hole. Or, more to the point, I continued to dig the giant hole the dog had started along the back fence. As I plunged my shovel into the dirt, the dog stood watching, wondering why I was lousing up a perfectly good hole. It’s been a couple of weeks, but I’m perfectly content. I have everything I need. By which I mean I have birthday candles, a bottle of flat Sunkist and a woggle. But it will do for now. Wake me up when it’s over. stuart@stuartmccullough.com

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Western Port News 19 August 2020

PAGE 13

scoreboard WESTERN PORT

Mount Martha’s man of Steele

SOCCER

By Craig MacKenzie IT could be a scene from Kindergarten Cop. Adam Steele is at his first training session with the newest kid on the State League block, Mount Martha. A group of teenagers fresh out of junior ranks. A squad made up of the previous year’s under-18s … and a 30-year-old defender. Steele was immediately made aware of what lay ahead in his first conversation with Mount Martha gaffer Chris Sanderson in early January. “Yeah Chris told me he had a young squad up from under-18s and playing senior football for the first time,” Steele said. And a few weeks later the youngsters and their new captain took their senior bow in an FFA Cup tie against Shepparton South that ended in a 5-0 defeat. It could have been worse. Much worse. Down 3-0 at half-time Steele and the youngsters dug in and slugged it out. “There were some promising signs,” Steele recalled. “We talked after the game about what a good education it was for us especially the younger boys finding out what to expect from a senior side. “There were some strong tackles in the middle of the park so they got to see the strength of some of these guys they might come across in senior football.” Their leader led by example. Shepparton’s English import Remell Davis can attest to that after being scythed down from behind by Steele in the second half, a crunching challenge that earned the captain a caution but set the tone for what was to follow. The physical aspects of senior competition had made an impression on Steele at a young age back in his native England. London-born but spending much of his early years in the Midlands Steele’s first club was Uppingham Town. “I didn’t really play at school and there were no junior teams at Uppingham Town so you went straight into playing against men. “I was a 16-year-old skinny lad playing on the right wing and I came up against some old-school English

Crunch time: Mount Martha first team captain Adam Steele with a spirited challenge in this year’s FFA Cup qualifying round. Picture: John Punshon

defenders. “It made me get used to being pushed around and it made me stronger on the ball. “I think it made me develop that little bit quicker.” After his family moved to Nottingham, Steele joined Sandiacre Town in the Central Midlands Premier League and was 22 when he arrived in Melbourne in November 2012. “I joined Manningham United for the pre-season and I found it challenging. “The standard was the norm for me but doing a pre-season when it was hot was really tough. “To be honest it was a bit more professional than what I had been used to in the lower leagues back in England.” Manningham’s boss for the 2013 season was Bruce Graham and he helped Steele assimilate. “I was new to the country and he

sort of guided me on the way soccer is over here. “He’d played in the UK so he knew where I was coming from.” Graham decided to play Steele at the back and Steele embraced the switch. “I’d rather have stayed on the wing but Bruce preferred to use me at the back and that changed my game in terms of my composure. “I also needed to use my left foot more and that was part of my game that also developed.” During the 2013 season Steele played against Eltham Redbacks and when he moved to Lower Plenty at season’s end he contacted Eltham and started pre-season there. Paul Harris had taken on the head coaching role and when Steele signed little did he know what was to follow. The 2014 season was a landmark in his career as he was part of the Redbacks squad that won every league

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Western Port News 19 August 2020

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game winning the championship by 15 points with 126 goals for and 13 against. “Paul taught me a lot. “I wasn’t a starting player at Eltham and he taught me the value of working hard to earn a spot in the team. “He told me to dig deep and work hard at it and I ended up playing about eight games that year. “It was the first time in my football life that I had to work hard just to get into the starting line-up and it was so good at the end of the year to get that medal and the flag. “It was really great to be a part of that.” Steele stayed with the Redbacks the following season but when the 2016 season kicked off he was in Ashburton United colours and his links with that club continue to this day. “I love the club. I love the atmosphere. They are a real community club, very family oriented.”

H O E

N O S

Steele is the coach of Ashburton’s senior women’s team and has been coaching at Ashburton for the past few seasons. But that won’t blur his focus on his Mount Martha responsibilities. “I take being made senior captain seriously. “My game won’t change too much though whether I had the captaincy or not because I’d still be pushing the boys to be the best they can all the time. “I really believe in the social aspect of being part of a squad and how that can bring you closer together. “I think outside of the game itself it’s something that helped me through the years and I’d like to think I can take control of that a little bit. “I know when you’re a bit younger you tend to have your own little group but for me I never had that growing up because it was always about sticking together as a team.” It’s an approach that Steele is convinced can reap dividends next season. “I think a midtable finish is definitely reasonable but I think we’ll be up there. “I think we’ll be top four. “The boys will be that year older and they’ve got the drive, they’re hungry, they want to win things. “I’ll be 31 next year and I know that for me coming up against these young blokes who are going to be more physically mature and stronger would be a challenge. “The break they have had this year could be a blessing and they are all doing their fitness work in isolation. “From what I can tell Mount Martha has a good junior system so we could have another group coming up and pushing to play in the seniors or reserves. “I think the club’s only six years old so from what I can see its onwards and upwards from here.”

WESTERN PORT scoreboard

Big days ahead for Barocha HORSE RACING

By Ben Triandafillou CLAYTON Douglas has begun his training career in sensational fashion with his heavily backed debutant, Barocha, providing plenty of entertainment at Sale on Thursday 13 August. The Mornington-based trainer saw his very first runner get backed in from $6 into $1.75 after showing plenty of ability at the Mornington jumpouts, including a comfortable win in a heat that included the Group 1 winner Princess Jenni and Melbourne Cup hopeful Steel Prince. The addition of an unidentified viral text message spruik sent out the day prior to his debut added to the drama. While not all the facts were correct in the creative text message, the fouryear-old first starter lived up to the hype to score a dominant five-length victory courteous of a calm ride from Douglas’ partner, Jamie Kah. Douglas said it was “unbelievable” to land the win with the amount of exposure his first starter had gained. “I’m just rapt,” he said. “Jamie’s done a really good job on this horse. He’s not really an easy horse and she’s really educated him well. “There was a lot of hype over it, but I knew he was pretty good, and so did Jamie. We did think he’d probably do that.” The victory continued a family tradition with Douglas following in the footsteps of his father Vic Douglas and his grandfather Vic Douglas Snr.,

Dominant debut: Barocha wins on debut for Mornington trainer Clayton Douglas. Picture: Supplied

who were both successful trainers in their own right “It’s always been on the cards with dad and grandpa training,” Clayton said. “Mornington have been great

for me as well. The facilities are great down there and it’s good to get a nice horse that’s come out of Mornington and hopefully he can progress on from here.”

For where Barocha heads to, Douglas said he’ll just be letting the “dust settle” for now. “There were a few plans,” he said. “We just wanted to make sure we

could do that today. I was thinking if it gets beat what maiden do I take it to or if it runs second which way do I go, but now he’s won really well so I’ll speak to the ownership group and we’ll work it out.” On the other hand, Jamie Kah predicted some potentially high targets for the gelded son of Ilovethiscity. "I don't think I've ever been this excited before," Kah said. "We think he's got a lot of ability but obviously being a first-starter we just wanted him to do it on race day and run well. "I'm so happy for Clayton, he puts so much time and effort into the horse and his team so it's really rewarding. "Now that he's won, I can say that I think he's definitely Stakes-class. Once we step him up over 1200m and 1400m, he'll really be able to let down and show his class." Barocha was a $12,000 purchase from the 2018 Inglis Yearling Sales.

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