Western Port News 26 August 2020

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Wednesday 26 August 2020

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A breakfast regular with big bill to fill MICHELLE Potter knows she’ll be warmly greeted when she arrives at the Hastings foreshore on Thursday and Friday mornings.

Waiting patiently for his breakfast outside her Peninsula Fresh Seafood, business will be Ernie the Pelican … and she is happy to oblige him with his favourite fishy delicacies.

“Shelly” – as she is known – noticed Ernie looking disconsolate when the first COVID-19 lockdown banned boating and the usual fishers were not around to feed him scraps. When he waddled over she knew exactly what he was after.

“He was smart coming over us,” said Ms Potter, who has run the trailer for the past five years.

“He makes my day. He’s the only pelican who comes over and it’s pretty amazing to be so close to him.”

Ernie has the kind of daily bill that Ms Potter doesn’t mind going unpiad.

Down the hatch: Ernie the Pelican waits patiently for his breakfast.

Picture: Gary Sissons

Budget affected by COVID-19 Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council’s half-year finances had been “sharply impacted” by the effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns forcing it to make $3 million in cuts while facing a predicted $6.4 million loss of revenue in the coming year.

Cr Sam Hearn said councillors had “worked hard to deliver a fair and balanced budget under these difficult circumstances”.

He said council was determined to achieve an economic and social recovery, but warned “it will take a sustained

collaborative effort to overcome the hurdles we are facing as a community”.

“Despite these difficulties, we continue to deliver close to the lowest average rates and charges in Victoria while delivering the services efficiently,” Cr Hearn said.

He said there would be no wage increases for shire staff and “no reduction in services for the community.”

Cr Hearn said the council was “committed to economic stimulus projects” through the $50.9m capital works budget. About $96 million in capital works was delivered or contracted in the previous financial year.

“This all helps sustain and boost our

economy during COVID-19 and provide much needed local employment, and improved amenity for the community,” he said.

Support was being provided by waiving non-commercial sporting club lease and licence fees for 2020/21; waivers or deferrals to organisations leasing council facilities; relief for those paying footpath trading and licence fees; standardising and reducing bathing box fees; reviewing shire hardship policies and giving rate relief for facing financial difficulties.

Cr Hearn said “significant council resources” would go towards delivering care packages to vulnerable and

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isolated residents.

The budget recognises properties under Trust For Nature and drops the rural living rate but increases waste collection fees from $285 to $322.

Big ticket items include $33.1 million in waste services; $4.4m to manage bushland and foreshore reserves; $5.7m for roadside vegetation management and arboriculture; $8.4m to beautify and clean towns and $4m for road resealing and rehabilitation works.

About $12.4m will go on roads, pathway, traffic and transport management; $1.2m on school crossings in high risk locations and $1.5m on marketing the peninsula, developing industry and

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“visitor servicing”.

Yawa Aquatic Centre will receive $11.2m, while $3.1m will go to child and family health and youth services; $5.6m to ageing and disability services, senior citizens’ services, meals on wheels and home-based services; $6.6 million to open spaces maintenance, and $5m for other aquatic and recreational facilities. About $1.3m will help implement the shire’s tennis strategy.

The $4.4m projects program includes a $100,000 study into supplying recycled water to the hinterland, $100,000 for social housing, $400,000 for a climate emergency program and $360,000 for bio-links weed management.

“The people coughing, the people gasping for air - it was terrifying.”

Sam was admitted to the COVID ward, struggling to breathe, to the sound of others around him coughing and gasping for air. One by one, he watched patients get taken into negative pressure rooms, sealed off by multiple doors, with no support network.

As a healthcare worker who’s now recovering at home, Sam’s hope is that in this fight against coronavirus, we all understand that we are the front line.

We all have a part to play by staying home to help stop the spread of the virus. If you have symptoms - please get tested. Payments of $450 are available to help you stay home and wait for your test result.

To learn more of Sam’s story go to vic.gov.au/CORONAVIRUS Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

PAGE 2

Western Port News

26 August 2020

NEWS DESK

New faces for council Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au JUST five of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s 11 councillors will stand for re-election in October.

The five councillors who will recontest their seats are the deputy mayor Kate Roper (Cerberus Ward), David Gill (Red Hill), Hugh Fraser (Nepean) and Antonella Celi and Simon Brooks (Seawinds).

None of the three Briars Ward councillors will seek re-election - the mayor Sam Hearn, Bev Colomb and Rosie Clark.

Other councillors retiring in October are Julie Morris (Watson Ward), Bryan Payne (Nepean) and Frank Martin (Seawinds Ward).

Although few candidates have declared their intentions to stand, one sitting councillor claims to have compiled “a Melbourne Cup long list” of council aspirants.

Voting will be done by post and because of the COVID-19 restrictions candidates will have few chances to meet voters.

Local Government Minister Shaun Leane ended rumours to the contrary last week by announcing Victorian municipal elections would proceed as planned on Saturday 24 October, with nominations closing on 22 September.

Postal ballots will be accepted from 8 October until poll eve, Friday 23 October.

Vote counts will be posted periodically online.

Cr Hearn, elected in 2016, said serving the community over the past four years had been “one of the greatest honours of my life”.

“I’ve been particularly glad to have had the opportunity as mayor to make a difference at a time of great challenge and need, and will continue to use every day I have left in the role to do so,” he said.

“Unfortunately, I can’t balance four more years working in a demanding management role

combined with the significant weekly hours of a councillor and still be a half-decent dad to my young children.”

Three-time mayor Cr Bev Colomb, who has represented Briars Ward since 2005, said she would miss her time of service and providing a longer-term view to council decision-making.

“I’m known as the Grand Old Dame of council,” she quipped. “I feel for any candidates who this year won’t be able to get out and meet their constituents, but I certainly hope we get some younger, community-focused candidates to contest the [Briars] ward.”

The Victorian Electoral Commission says it has closely monitored government advice in developing a plan to “safely manage” the elections during the COVID-19 emergency.

Electoral commissioner Warwick Gately said postal voting was safe and of high integrity, and that the VEC was ready to respond to the changing environment.

He said there would be increased distancing at election offices, limited face-to-face contact and enforced mask wearing.

Measures to further safeguard voters and VEC staff will include the removal of counter service for replacement ballot packs and unenrolled votes. Requests can be made over the phone for replacement packs to be mailed out.

Voters can hand deliver completed ballot papers to the election office if they miss mail collection times with social distancing rules in place.

Information sessions for candidates will be moved online.

It is also expected that additional social distancing during vote counting will delay the declaration of results for some elections by at least a week to Friday 13 November.

See the COVIDSafe election plan at vec.vic. gov.au/voting/2020-local-council-election/providing-safe-elections

Something to smile about BIG and small children are invited to help decorate Smiley the Snake as he clings onto the fence at Crib Point Community House.

Manager Mary Budd says next time children are out for a walk, using a permanent marker on a bright strip of material, they should write a short, positive or thank-you message and tie it onto Smiley’s body.

Ms Budd will take a picture every so often showing Smiley filling up and “keeping everyone smiling”.

“When you’re out for your walk take a moment to read these uplifting messages,” she said.

The community house’s art teacher, Phil Philippou, has been keeping students busy throughout this challenging time. He starts a painting which is then added to progressively by multiple artists who then arrange contactless handing over of the work to the next person to add their touches.

“A novel idea hey? More of these art works to come soon,” Ms Budd said.

AN example of the artworks being “progressively” produced by Crib Point Community House students.

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LOCKDOWN PICTURES

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 27 AUGUST 2020 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: WED 2 SEPTEMBER 2020

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We are dedicated to the belief that a strong community newspaper is essential for a strong community.

We exist to serve residents, community groups and businesses and ask for their support in return.

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

THIS week’s crop of pictures taken by readers during the ongoing coronavirus restrictions range from birds, to knitted toys and an inflatable , but unseasonable, reindeer.

Starting with the birds, Tom McCullough spotted sulphur-crested cockatoos, bottom left, happily inspecting a seemingly made-forthem hollow on Dromana foreshore.

It has sea views, is close to shops and power is just a flutter away.

Further north, at Mount Eliza, Rosie Fay is happy to see “these little visitors come nearly every day and help brighten our spirits during isolation and lockdown”. The kookaburras, right, no doubt have breakfast in mind.

Lyn Keamy says the blow-up “smiling chappie, left, keeping watch over the neighbourhood” on a verandah in Oakland Street, Mornington “gave me a lift while on my morning walk”.

At Hastings, Fran Henke has been knitting Trauma Teds, below, since the bushfires earlier this year.

Deprived of being able to exhibit them at Mornington Library because of coronavirus closures she is still

knitting (with wool donated by a Gippsland spinner) and hoping to sell them to support koalas. Several have also been sent to “polio pals” in the Unites States. Every ted has a name

and Fran insists “they are not to be given to pets to tear up”.

Readers can send and share their pictures, with a short caption, to: lockdown@mpnews.com.au

Attention Schools, sporting clubs & community groups

Free advertising listings Each month the Westernport News will run a Community Events page, where your school or organisation can promote upcoming events, fund raisers, social events, etc. at no charge.

This page is sponsored by the Balnarring & District Commuinity Bank, and listings are completely free.

Speak to your agent about listing on realestateview.com.au.

Be seen everywhere.

PAGE 4

Western Port News

26 August 2020

Lisiting should be about 40 words and include event name, date, time & address.

Send your listing to:

Community Events

PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or email communityevents@mpnews.com.au

NEWS DESK

AGL’s plan has ‘safety mechanisms’ Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au POWER company AGL says “safety mechanisms” and “noise mitigation measures” are included in the design of the floating gas import terminal it wants to moor at Crib Point.

“The safety of our people and the communities in which we work and live is AGL’s highest priority,” the company’s project director Ricky McNally said.

He said the 10,000-page environmental effects statement (EES) produced by the company “includes in-depth investigations to identify potential hazards during construction and operation”.

Mr McNally did not respond when asked to comment on the suggestion

by Flinders MP Greg Hunt that there were “much more appropriate gas projects under consideration, such as in Port Kembla NSW”.

While the state and federal governments will decide the fate of AGL’s plan, Mornington Peninsula Shire has issued a statement saying the project “poses an unacceptable risk to the environment for unproven economic and resource gains”.

Mr McNally’s comments followed claims by community group Save Westernport that the gas terminal will have “disastrous impacts” on the town and western Port (“EES ‘proof’ of gas import plan fears” The News 19/8/20).

As well as the floating gas conversion terminal and gas ships transferring liquid natural gas, Save Westernport says analysis of the EES uncovered “dozens of shocking new

PIED oyster catchers feeding on mudflats near Crib Point.

Australia has an obligation under the international Ramsar convention to protect wetlands used by migratory birds. Cr Kate Roper said Mornington Peninsula Shire does not see “any benefit in the further industrialisation of Crib Point” and describes Western Port’s wetlands as “a crucial part of our ecosystem”.

Picture: Gary Sissons

threats and impacts”, including AGL’s admission that 900 tanker trucks carrying liquid nitrogen would travel each year along Peninsula Link, Coolart and Frankston-Flinders roads and through Crib Point.

Council has told the state government that it believes the EES “falls short of demonstrating that potentially significant environmental impacts of the project can be acceptably managed” and “fails” to prove the need to import gas “as Australia transitions towards renewable energy”.

The mayor Cr Sam Hearn said the EES was “fundamentally deficient” which prevented council and the community to undertake “a robust net

community benefit assessment of the project”.

“It is a weak analysis and gives us no confidence that the environmental impacts of this project can be acceptably managed.”

The council said AGL’s project “contravenes the spirit and the intention” of the UNESCO Western Port Biosphere Reserve.

Like Mr Hunt, the council said there was no consideration of an alternative to Crib Point, “including Corio on Port Phillip Bay and Port Kembla”.

On Sunday, Rod Knowles, of Save Westernport, said the group “holds grave concerns that an accident involving explosion and fire could occur at

the Crib Point jetty”.

“AGL has done little to address our concerns,” Mr Knowles, citing examples of the company’s “past behaviour and poor safety performance”.

“AGL has a disastrous history of repeated convictions and fines for environmental mistakes and mismanagement, and the Crib Point floating gas terminal is not the project to test whether AGL’s behaviour and performance has improved,” he said.

The deadline for submissions on AGL’s plans is 26 August. Visit: savewesternport.org/; or, engage.vic. gov.au/crib-point-IAC

Picture: Yanni

Lighting up for frontliners WRITER Heather Forbes-McKeon wants Victorians to acknowledge coronavirus frontline workers on Saturday by turning off their electric lights and hold a lighted candle or torch.

Ms McKeon has lanuched the #sparkinthedark campaign for the the frontline workers who she describes as being “a beacon of hope for Victorians in the fight against the state’s COVID-19 virus outbreak”.

“All Victorians are doing it hard in either a stage four or three Lockdown, with our frontline workers managing heightened risks to themselves and their families,” Ms Forbes-McKeon said.

“The darkness is symbolic of the disconnectedness, fear and anxiety that the pandemic has created. The candle or torch light represents those on the frontline who are working to win this battle and hope for the future.”

The #sparkinthedark campaign hopes to see lights go out for one minute a 7.30pm Saturday 29 August.

Details: www.facebook.com/ sparkinthedarkvic

Western Port News

26 August 2020

PAGE 5

Police patrol

With Stephen Taylor

Party ends when police arrive

THE two women who police believe can assist with their inquiries into a drug crop found growing in a Mount Eliza house.

Women wanted over drug crop

FIVE people allegedly caught partying at a Somerville house on the weekend have each been fined $1652.

Sergeant Damien Lombard, of Hastings police, said police knocked on the door suspecting a party was in full swing, but this was allegedly denied by the homeowner, Saturday evening 22 August.

However, it seems the partygoers head for the exit when the police used their new powers under the state of disaster declaration to enter the house univited.

Sergeant Lombard said said the partygoers had run out the back to hide but were rounded up and fined.

TWO women are wanted after a commercial quantity of cannabis was allegedly found at a property in Mount Eliza, Tuesday 14 July. No one was at the Bambra Street house during the search, but police believe two women of Asian appearance may be able to help with their inquiries. Both are described as being in their 20s or 30s, of average build and of short-to-medium heights.

Attention caught

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Western Port News

26 August 2020

A CAR being driven erratically in West Park, Hastings, attracted police attention, 11.10pm, Monday 17 August.

The Hastings divisional van crew pulled the car over in Curacoa Drive and took the driver back to Mornington police station where he allegedly blew 0.115 per cent.

The man’s car was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1075 and his licence suspended pending a court appearance.

The van resumed patrolling near Hodgins Road/Wallaroo Place, Hastings, after reports of a vehicle doing burnouts. At 2am next morning (Tuesday 18 August), they spotted a yellow VW Beetle with no plates driving west along Hodgins Road. The driver allegedly locked the rear wheels with the handbrake and performed a slide into Wallaroo Place.

He was intercepted and found to be unlicensed. He was also taken to Mornington police station where he allegedly blew 0.146 per cent.

The Beetle, below, was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $895.

Police said the driver told them it was the fourth time in as many months his car had been impounded.

They said vehicles out during curfew stood an “excellent chance of being intercepted by police”, adding that driving erratically or doing burnouts in a yellow car with no plates was also sure to attract police attention.

The driver of VW and his passenger were each fined $1652 for breaking the COVID-19 curfew.

Camping delayed CAMPING grounds on Mornington Peninsula foreshores will not open until at least 19 December because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision to cancel the scheduled 23 October opening followed the introduction by the state government of stage four restrictions.

Mornington Peninsula Shire says a decision on when to start to 2020-21 camping will be made later in the year.

“While we are disappointed the camping season has to be postponed, it is a necessary step to protect our community and do our part to flatten the curve of this pandemic,” a news release from the shire stated.

Erasing Black Spot MORE than $1 million will be spent improving Mount Eliza Way west of Nepean Highway, Mount Eliza.

The $1.02 million works under the Black Spot program will include raised zebra crossings at all pedestrian crossings and flashing lights at most of the crossings, reduced speed in the shopping centre and installing 40kph pavement marking.

NEWS DESK

COVID-19 hits hospital staff Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au POSITIVE COVID-19 tests for 51 staff at Frankston Hospital has led to another 446 staff being forced to self-isolate at home.

Early last week, Peninsula Health CEO Felicity Topp confirmed that 51 staff members had tested positive to COVID-19.

Peninsula Health, which runs Frankston and Rosebud hospitals said investigations were underway into the source of the cases.

No cases have been detected among staff at Peninsula Health’s rehabilitation centre and a palliative care unit. in Golf Links Road, Franlston “Of the 51 staff cases, 40 are nursing staff, with four doctors having tested positive at this point, along with five support staff members and two Allied Health employees,” Ms Topp said.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic we have tested 54,981 people, 336 of those testing positive. We currently have 48 COVID-19 positive patients in our care, with none of these patients in ICU. We are doing all we can to keep them safe and well.

“We were alerted to an increased number of staff cases at Frankston Hospital on Sunday [last week], and immediately responded by calling in external experts to support our response.

We immediately closed a number of wards to admissions and all potentially affected staff and patients were tested. We also started contact tracing to identify anyone else who may have come into contact with an infected person. This process is currently in the final stages.

“We are still investigating if these cases are

the result of increased community transmission of the virus, or if it has been acquired through the hospital. We are continuing to stress the importance of the correct usage of personal protective equipment which is readily available to our staff in all of our services and are doing our utmost to help all staff members do all they can to stay safe.”

The Department of Health and Human services said that “an incident management team was working closely with Peninsula Health to manage this outbreak. All appropriate public health actions are being undertaken, including deep cleaning, contact tracing and testing.”

Ms Topp has stressed Golf Links Road centre was still accepting patients despite reports of an outbreak.

“There seems to be a misconception that Peninsula Health is currently experiencing an outbreak at our Golf Links Road facility. This is not the case,” she said.

“At the end of July, we did see an increase in cases at our Golf Links Road facility due to a patient initially returning two negative results, and then later a positive result. All appropriate infection control measures were immediately implemented including contact tracing and the furloughing of a significant number of staff at the time.

On Sunday DHHS reported that Frankston City now had recorded 203 cases of COVID-19 since the emergency started, this was up from 188 six days earlier. Frankston has 69 active cases.

The Mornington Peninsula by Sunday had recorded 162 cases overall (59 active) , up from 152 earlier in the week.

Victoria’s total is 18,231 cases.

TOWN Mornington Mount Martha Somerville Rosebud, Boneo, Cape Schanck, Fingal Mount Eliza Flinders Arthurs Seat, Dromana, Safety Beach Sorrento Portsea Capel Sound St Andrews Beach, Tootgarook, Rye Hastings, Tuerong Somers Blairgowrie Baxter Bittern Crib Point HMAS Cerberus Balnarring, Balnarring Beach, Merricks Beach, Merricks Nth Moorooduc Tyabb Main Ridge Shoreham, Point Leo, Merricks Red Hill, Red Hill South McCrae

Postcode

Confirmed cases (ever)

Active cases (current)

3931 3934 3912 3939

39 21 15 11

27 7 7 5

3930 3929 3936

10 7 7

1 0 4

3943 3944 3940 3941

7 6 5 5

0 1 0 2

3915 3927 3942 3911 3918 3919 3920 3926

4 4 4 3 3 2 2 2

3 0 0 1 1 0 0 1

3933 3913 3928 3916 3937 3938

2 1 1 0 0 0

0 0 1 0 0 0

Cases by postcode on the Mornington as of Thursday 20 August show the location as the residential address provided when the case was notified and may not be where they were infected and may not be where the case currently resides.

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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

Planned shared path is not good for nature

never been rescinded so, even here you can take that breed of dog into parliament so it can mess up the carpet.

This is just an example of how stupid and archaic these laws are in our present times.

Mr Fox must never be allowed to take something that is ours, not his because of these laws.

David Barker, Sorrento

I agree that we need more bike paths on the Mornington Peninsula, for the safety and enjoyment of not only cyclists, but of pedestrians as well (“Pedalling a petition for shared path” The News 3/8/20). But the precious remnant woodland, bordering the Moorooduc-Mornington railway line, with its beautiful, endangered indigenous flora and wetland havens for diverse frog, bird and insect species, is not the place.

The wildlife corridor flanking the railway is a rare local gem; one of the last remaining areas of its type on the Mornington Peninsula and already surrounded by cleared land on both sides of the track. The area is home to endangered native orchids and grasses of national significance, to local snow gums and to a large and diverse range of native wildflowers, birds, frogs and insects.

Despite Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s awareness of the environmental significance of the railway reserve, plans are underway to construct a wide, paved shared bike path, together with a safety fence, beside the railway line Are residents willing to stand by and see this precious natural haven sacrificed for the sake of the tourist dollar or for a quick spin on their bikes?

For the sake of biodiversity which enhances the health of our environment and of ourselves; for the sake of our children and grandchildren and all the health benefits to them of natural spaces, and for the sake of some voiceless, small, but hugely significant, threatened plants, please lodge your objections or suggestions for an alternative bike path route to councillors.

Jeanette Miller, Mornington

Endless mistakes

Doubts on vaccine [Flinders MP and Health Minister] Greg Hunt and his colleagues are at it again with spin and marketing. He and [Prime Minister Scott] Morrison made a grand announcement saying they had signed a deal with AstraZeneca to secure development, production and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, promising that a vaccine would be available for all Australians and rather weirdly suggesting it might be made compulsory. Unfortunately for them, the company itself corrected the announcement the next day saying they had simply signed a letter of intent with the federal government.

At the same time, of course, there is no guarantee that the vaccine they are working on will work or be available freely for us.

This announcement was made at a time when aged care homes are still experiencing a high level of deaths which Morrison and Hunt are claiming they have no responsibility for despite what we have learnt about the Commonwealth’s lack of preparedness for dealing with the pandemic in aged care homes.

We could do with a little less spin and a bit more leadership and responsibility.

Marg D’Arcy, Rye

Cool on warming policy Further to your article parking at the bottom of Canadian Bay Road, Mount Eliza despite the already more than 1000 patches, a few days ago I saw that in the past week or so they have added a few more tiny patches while large areas are crumbling (“Beachgoers face long wait for better access” The News 4/8/20).

Both I and the person with whom I was walking found the reasons for this difficult to understand, when clearly the area requires a totally new surface.

I trust that it is not that mayor Cr Sam Hearn, who represents this area, and his councillors concerning themselves more with global warming and the part Mornington Peninsula can play?

The shire’s draft policy on this has the following comments: “the planet heat up so quickly that conditions become incompatible with civilisation” and “... it’s scary confronting and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed” (page 7); ”catastrophic effects of humanity’s effect on the planet’s ecosystems” and “council recognises that the earth’s current warming trajectory threatens most life on this planet” (page 10); and “If we don’t drastically take action … the world that our children inherit will be a scary and unstable one” (page 12).

One is left with the impression that unless the shire focuses on global warming, there will not be a planet (or peninsula) to worry about.

The shire should address local issues and although everyone can do their bit on global warming (I believe we should do more on pollution than global warming), surely focusing on global warming is unlikely to compensate in any measurable way for hundreds of coal-fired (Australian supplied) power stations being built in China, India and Japan (which are built so they can make products that we can buy from them that we used to make here).

Grant Snowden, Mount Eliza

‘Stupid, archaic’ laws Thank you for your report on the approach Lindsay Fox has made to take over areas of land that have always been owned by the people of Victoria and not by selected individuals (“Politics and ‘olde’ law a potent mix at Portsea” The News 10/8/20).

Fox has made his fortune here in Australia and he claims he is a true Australian, but he now wants to use archaic British laws to increase land holdings that I do not believe he is entitled to.

Part of these old laws came about because of tidal changes in Britain that create huge mud flats each day and they were created because of ever changing tidal movements that affected mooring and shipping needs, and even go back to boat building on estuary and river banks requiring areas for launching.

King Charles made a law that allowed his dogs (King Charles spaniels) to be able to enter the Houses of Parliament - a law I believe that has

I admire the courage and blind faith of people who attempt to defend the indefensible.

Try telling 25 million Australians that [Victorian Premier] Daniel Andrews is doing a good job and you would be laughed at. We are a basket case here in Victoria all due to the mismanagement of the virus.

The list of mistakes is endless and throw in the belt and road initiative for good measure.

I am looking forward to the apologies for wrongly accusing the Australian Defence Forces for the Ruby Princess disaster. Oops, I forgot that Daniel Andrews and his ilk never apologise for anything.

Peter Rogan, Rye

The blame game Various correspondents to your Letters column have complained that the Premier Daniel Andrews has taken less than perfect action to control the present COVID-19 outbreak. Unfortunately, it is symptomatic of human behaviour to try to find a cause and a culprit for all the bad things that happen to us. More often than not though the cause is ill fortune and the culprit (as in this case) is ourselves.

The people calling for the Premier’s blood are, I suspect, the same ones who criticised him for overreacting when he cancelled the Grand Prix and curtailed Mother’s Day celebrations in the early stages of this pandemic.

It is quite farcical that Andrews is now being held responsible for the failure of the state’s health system to alleviate the so-called second wave despite the fact that no one else in the world has yet been successful in doing so.

However it is informative that one of your correspondents has likened Australians to children and, to an extent, they are right - we do not like being told what to do and we try to avoid such instruction even though it is for the betterment of the group rather than the individual. Therein lies the cause of all our troubles.

Richard Marshall, Carrum

Call for honesty The letter from John Cain outdid itself in its lack of consistency, leaping from topic to topic, state to state in an extraordinary load of self-indulgent twaddle (“Kicking back” Letters 4/8/20).

The truth is finally coming out about the hotels’ quarantine fiasco and it is getting worse by the day and, no Mr Cain, Daniel Andrews did not “arrange trysts between guards and residents”, a comment that is plain silly.

He is, indeed, fronting the inquiry on a daily basis, and so he should. Now all he needs to do is refresh his memory a little better and be truthful in his responses and statements.

Then we move interstate to denigrate alleged fundraisers to be held by the LNP? So what if they want to hold fundraisers as long as it is safe and responsible to do so? Does the Labor Party ever hold fundraisers, along with their union

mates?

Oh yes, the Ruby Princess was a disaster.

However, it is now under control (unlike in Victoria) and I absolutely agree that the aged care Industry needs a full and frank inquiry and firm action taken to ensure that our senior citizens receive the best care and resources available.

And no cover ups, at any level.

This correspondence simply tries to deflect criticism from our state’s premier and ministers for their inept handling of this crisis, and push it onto others, particularly those in federal government.

Other states are getting through this crisis way better than we are in Victoria. Mr Cain needs to be honest and admit that our state government has caused this current quarantine fiasco.

Kevin Cahalane, Mornington

Labor questioned I have adjusted my thinking about responsibility for the Victorian COVID-19 crisis and can say that the Labor government has a lot to answer for.

Having said that, I have no doubts that a Liberal government would do no better.

And keep in mind that 66 per cent of the deaths in Victoria are attributed aged care, which is under the rule of the federal government (Liberal for those of you who may have missed it).

I do have to commend the Premier Daniel Andrews for having the fortitude to front the press and answer their criticism and questions, unlike our prime minister who seems to learn a lot from Donald Trump in how to thwart the media.

Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach

Delivering for Rye It is right to applaud the outstanding design and delivery by Mornington Peninsula Shire’s strategic planners and engineers of capital works and planning for Rye (“Amazing outcome” Letters 4/8/20 and 11/8/20).

Working closely with the Rye community and successive Nepean Ward councillors delivered by the shire and underway are $2 million of committed shire money to the completed boardwalk and landscaping east and west of the Rye pier, the Napier Street plaza presently underway, foreshore camping reconfiguration creating a new entrance to Rye, the Elgan Avenue drain conversion to a coastal bio infiltration basin and sealed bay trail west of the pier and there is more to come.

The Rye Township Plan - with the $6.5 million of shire and state government grants – council will continue to roll out a fabulous foreshore promenade from Napier Street over Point Nepean Road to the pier and replacing the “horseshoe” car parks – all creating a whole new public plaza and precinct. The plans are currently on public exhibition for all the community to “have your say” on line.

Together with council’s recently approved urban design guidelines – with maximum township height controls of three storeys with third storey setback mandated and rezoning – all charts the course of generational change for the Rye foreshore and township for the benefit of all the community.

Hugh Fraser, councillor, Nepean Ward

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www.mpnews.com.au Western Port News

26 August 2020

PAGE 9

OBITUARY

Frances Jean O’Neill – A life well lived OBITUARY

Frances Jean O’Neill 29 March 1926 – 18 July 2020

By Peter McCullough Well known local identity Frances O’Neill passed away at the Rosebrook Aged Care facility in Rosebud on 18 July. She was 94. Married to the late Jack O’Neill for over 66 years, she was the mother of daughters Sally, Jeanette and Lynne; grandmother of Chris, Clare, Rebecca, Dylan and Molly; and great grandmother of Louisa and Archer. Because of the existing restrictions, attendance at the funeral was limited to family members and consisted of a graveside service held on 29 July at the Tyabb Cemetery, Hastings. The service was conducted by the Reverend Tom Ede who gave the eulogy on which this obituary is based. *** Frances Jean O’Neill was born at the hospital in Somerville on 29 March, 1926, the youngest of three children to William and Frances (Ruth) Hutchison. Her siblings were Wallace and Gwen, both of whom are deceased, and the family lived on a 400 acre mixed-farming property (fruit, dairy cattle and sheep) in Tyabb on the corner of Coolart and Mornington – Tyabb Roads.

Frances attended the Tyabb

Primary School and then Frankston High School where she completed her Intermediate Certificate. Her ambition to be a nurse took Frances to Bendigo hospital to undertake training and she spent three years there before transferring to Frankston hospital where she worked for a further three years.

During her time at Frankston, Frances’ brother Wallace introduced her to a Jack O’Neill, a fellow orchardist. In due course Frances and Jack were married at All Saints Church in Tyabb on 20 January 1951. The house in which Jack had grown up in O’Neill’s Road, Tyabb, then became their home.

For the next 40 years Frances worked alongside Jack on their 60 acre apple orchard, later diversifying into poultry when the apple industry went into decline. As well as helping Jack in the orchard and later in the chicken sheds Frances managed the household and attended to the needs of the couple’s three daughters: Sally, Jeanette and Lynne. At all times she had a positive outlook on life and this was supplemented by a wicked sense of humour.

Frances was on the committee of the Mothers’ Club at Tyabb Railway Primary School and later facilitated the many extra-curricular activities which the girls became involved in at secondary school. Her nursing

Clockwise from top right: A recent photo of Frances O’Neill; Wedding day at Tyabb, 1951.From left, Lewis Cole, Lorna Coleman, Jack O’Neill, Frances O’Neill, Laurie Denham, Dorothy Noldt; Frances Hutchison with her sister Gwen (later Mrs Kevin Hodgins) circa 1943; Frances (left) with sister Gwen and brother Wallace Hutchison. circa 1934.

PAGE 10

Western Port News

26 August 2020

training meant that she was caring and supportive of her family and the wider community.

In 1993 Frances and Jack retired and moved to Bribie Island in Queensland where, with more time on her hands, Frances was able to pursue her passions. She became Vice Chairperson of the Bribie Island Diabetes Support Group in which capacity she was involved in fund-raising activities, and the local garden club where she developed many friendships. Frances had always had the desire to paint so she joined the local folk-art group and the family now treasures many of her art works.

In 2014 the couple returned to Victoria and became residents of the Rosebrook Aged Care facility in Rosebud. Jack passed away there on 29 March 2017 and Frances on 18 July of this year.

At the conclusion of the graveside service Sally provided some additional comments, concluding with the words “She is remembered for her strength, calmness and nurturing ways.”

100 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK...

Victoria’s power problems will be solved by great Morwell scheme Compiled by Cameron McCullough VICTORIA is dependent upon New South Wales for her coal supplies.

But for the coal brought at great cost by rail or steamer from the sister State Victorian industries would vanish.

It is a lamentable state of affairs, and we have paid dearly indeed for our experience.

Our only hope of the future lies in the Morwell electric power scheme.

That there is reason for hope at all is due to the Lawson Ministry.

Successive Ministries for the past thirty years have failed to make anything of an asset given by nature that means so much to Victoria.

Inquiry after inquiry has been conducted into the possibilities of brown coal as a source for the provision of power for industries, but it remained for the Lawson Ministry to take the step towards actual achievement.

The recent appointment of Sir John Monash as general manager of the Morwell electric power scheme represents another stage in the programme of work undertaken by Mr. Lawson and his colleagues to make Victoria absolutely independent of outside sources for power for industries.

Many lessons were taught by the war. One of the most important was that the stability of a nation is measured by its resources.

Lack of shipping, curtailment of supplies of imported manufactured goods emphasised the extent to which Australia relied upon other countries for her requirements. That lesson has fallen on fertile soil, and on every side are to be seen industries that would have remained foreign to this country but for the war.

British capitalists are looking round for openings in Australia, and it is becoming increasingly evident that they are finding those openings in States with cheap power to offer as the chief attraction.

Tasmania already has its hydroelectric power scheme in operation, and several large industries have been established on the island.

Other States, too, are competing, and without a cheap power scheme Victoria would be left in the backwash of industrial expansion.

In the brown coal deposits of Gippsland, Victoria has a truly wonderful asset. The existence of thousands of millions of tons of coal in the Morwell area has been proved, while the wealth that lies hidden in other parts of the southern province is untold.

The particular advantage of the Morwell coal is its accessibility. It can be won without the sinking of shafts, and some day on the Morwell field will be seen perhaps the biggest open cut coal mine in the world.

A project of such magnitude as that of Morwell necessarily entails a vast amount of preliminary preparation.

Before involving the State in an expenditure that will run into millions of money the Lawson Ministry fortified itself with the opinions and advice of the world’s most eminent authorities.

The soundness of the scheme has been proved beyond all question, and the utmost care is now being exercised to ensure that no mistake will be made in its execution.

Within one square mile of the power house site there are between 120,000,000 to 150,000,000 tons of

open-cut coal.

With an output of 100,000 kilowatts of power a year this coal would last for 150 years.

Outside of the area mentioned there are over 20,000,000,000 tons of coal. *** Frankston Police Court MONDAY, AUGUST 16th. Before Messrs C. G. V. Williams (chairman), C. Grant, W. J. Oates, and W. Armstrong, J’s.P. A CLAIM FOR RENT. Brody & Mason v G. White; claim for rent.

Mr. Rostron appeared for plaintiffs, and Mr. Chumley for the defendant.

The plaintiffs alleged that White entered into a verbal agreement to lease a cottage at Frankston for a period of 12 months.

A lease was drawn up, and forwarded to White for signature, but was never returned.

The rent was paid at the rate of £2 14s 2d per month.

The last two payments were made by a man named Lesker on behalf of White.

The last payment was made on 24th July, 1920, and was forwarded by post

by Lesker.

The key of the house had never been returned to plaintiffs, and in May last, Mrs Huon, the owner of the house, was compelled to take forcible possession.

After July 1919, plaintiffs made several visits to the house to try and collect the rent, but were never able to find defendant at home, as he was a week-ender.

Neighbors had advised them that the house was occupied at week-ends last

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season.

The defence was that there was no tenancy for more than a weekly tenancy, that there was no use or tenancy of the property since May, 1919, that if there was tenancy it was weekly and terminated when last rent was paid, and that plaintiffs had no authority to give tenancy for a year.

Gordon White, accountant, in the employ of the Gippsland & Northern Agency Co., now residing at Romsey, said he rented the house in question from plaintiffs at 12s 6d per week.

There was no lease. In May, 1919, he was affected with influenza, and on leaving the hospital, was transferred to Romsey.

In that month his wife visited Frankston to tidy the house.

She then went with witness to Romsey, and had been there ever since.

On leaving for Romsey, witness instructed Lesker, his friend, to pay the rent until June, 1919, and to return the key of the house.

Witness had not been in the house since April, 1919.

Herbert Lesker, indebtor, Melbourne, deposed that early in July 1919, he forwarded the rent to Brody & Mason with a covering letter terminating the tenancy, and returned the key by post.

He had not been in the house since April last year.

The Bench dismissed the case, and allowed £2 2s counsel fee.

Defendant’s claim for costs was dismissed, as it was considered he should have exercised more care terminating the tenancy.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY John Perry pleaded guilty to the charge of being drunk and disorderly

at Seaford on 14th August, and was fined 10s, and on a charge of assault was fined £1. *** Frankston Cool Stores - Forming the company. Provisional directors appointed A further meeting of those interested in the formation of a company for the purpose of erecting Cool Stores at Frankston was held last evening.

Cr. W. J. Oates was again voted to the chair, and others present were – Messrs J. Nott Marsh, C. W. Grant, J. Clark, S. Corlett, Aisbett, Patten, Janes, Young, Cr. F. H. Wells, and the acting secretary, Mr H. Vicars.

The canvassers having submitted their reports, Mr Werner, of the firm of Werne and Co., gave the meeting a lot of valuable information.

Mr Marsh moved, and Cr Oates seconded, that this meeting resolve to form a Company for the purpose of establishing Cool Stores at Frankston.

– Carried unanimously.

It was further resolved, on the motion of Cr Wells, seconded by Mr Aisbett, that the capital of the Company shall be £25,000, divided into 50,000 shares of 10s each.

Mr C. W. Grant moved, and Mr J. Clark seconded, that each member shall pay 1s per share on application and 6d on allotment. – Carried.

It was also resolved that the minimum number of shares issued to one member be 50.

Cr Oates and Messrs Marsh and Clark were elected provisional directors. *** FROM the pages of the Mornington Standard, 20 August 1920

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26 August 2020

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26 August 2020

scoreboard WESTERN PORT

Clubs await FV refund decision SOCCER

By Craig MacKenzie FOOTBALL Victoria is expected to announce its fees refund policy this week.

Late last month the state federation posted a joint statement from president Kimon Taliadoros and CEO Peter Filopoulos.

The statement said that a refund policy would be based on a consultative process that engaged clubs in decision making.

“We are very close to finalising the FV refund policy for our portion of participants’ fees. Emergency committees of football stakeholders have been created to work through the incredibly complex matrix of issues.

We are working with clubs to ensure their input in developing a reasonable, transparent and fair FV refund policy. Each individual club will need then to take into account their own circumstances when developing their own club refund policy.”

Since that statement was issued it’s understood that none of the 12 local NPL and State League clubs has had contact with FV on this matter.

Rosebud president Melissa Osorio was the only local club boss who refused to comment when asked if FV had been in touch concerning refunds.

FV’s inertia has forced many local clubs to take matters into their own hands.

“We’ve already started our refunds process for our community teams with no input from them (FV) or guidance,” Langwarrin president Tanya Wallace said.

“It’s really hard but we couldn’t wait forever.”

Langy sent out an email to parents last week with three options: (1) to donate fees and get a brick with the player’s name on the clubroom wall, (2) to roll over fees to 2021, and (3) accept a refund less expenses already incurred (strip, equipment, etc).

Mornington, Skye United and Peninsula Strikers are among other clubs who have been offering refunds.

“Fortunately for the senior club we only had a couple paid up and those monies go towards next year’s fees as the lads weren’t interested in a refund,” Strikers president Adrian Scialpi said.

Top trio: Football Victoria president Kimon Taliadoros (left) with former Socceroo player and coach Ange Postecoglou (centre) and former Socceroo Josip Skoko.

Picture: Anita Milas

“We had no consultation with FV.” Baxter president Bray Hodgkinson had a similar comment.

“Absolutely zero consultation with our club mate,” he said.

The FV statement also reinforced the governing body’s commitment to get some form of “competitive football happening before the end of 2020 provided it is safe to do so – it just might be in a different format than to what we have been accustomed to.

Even though the situation changes week-to-week, we remain determined to get the ball rolling this year.”

It is unclear whether this refers specifically to the JBNPL but FV is yet to inform clubs about the fate of that elite junior boys’ competition in 2020.

Strikers vice-president Steve Schreck oversees the club’s junior NPL program and was dismissive of FV’s communication record.

“The last official junior boys’ NPL email was on 7 July and the last official FV correspondence was on 15 July. There’s been nothing since,” he said.

“Pretty sure that’s more than the three weeks they said they would have refund information in their last email.”

Meanwhile there has been action on the off-season front with FV’s foot-

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The proposal received a lukewarm response from Langwarrin, the only local NPL senior club.

“The club isn’t comfortable at this time opting in or out as we don’t know how it will impact the season, pre-season and trial period for 2021,” Tanya Wallace said.

“It’s (calling for) an expression of interest but again lacks any insight or understanding into the potential implication for next year.”

There was no mention of costs in the proposal.

An off-season competition proposal is expected to be rolled out to State League clubs in coming weeks.

In other news a multimillion dollar facilities investment was announced by the state government last weekend.

Just over $4.9 million in grants has been secured for 13 projects through the World Game Facilities Fund allowing upgrades for some of the state’s most critical soccer facilities.

The fund is a state government initiative that assists local soccer clubs and organisations to upgrade existing or develop new facilities across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

It has invested $9.9 million in 38 infrastructure projects since 2018 with a total project value of $25.5

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ball operations executive manager Will Hastie contacting NPL clubs via email to gauge interest in a proposed new competition.

Hastie’s email proposed an under-23 NPL competition held in spring/summer months pending state government approval of full contact sport at that time.

“While competition structure, rules of competition, eligibility rules (we would anticipate a limited amount of over-age players can play each week) are still to be determined, we see this as an excellent way to bridge the gap that has been created between the cancellation of the 2020 NPL senior men’s season and the commencement of football in 2021,” Hastie wrote.

Hastie’s proposal included “up to three over-age players eligible on the game day team sheet; a voluntary optin process for all clubs; establishment of two, geographically determined leagues being North West and South East (if there is enough interest, this may be four leagues being North, South, East and West to ensure travel is reduced for participants); potential for two games a week which would include a weekend and midweek fixture; and five substitutions to ensure high player rotations.”

Hastie was contacted about discussing his proposal but declined to do so.

million.

Last weekend’s announcement was lauded by FV bosses.

“This significant funding will immediately go towards the biggest problem we have in football – our lack of proper facilities to cater for the thousands of Victorians who want to play our sport,” FV CEO Filopoulos said.

“The Andrews Government has listened to the football community.

They’ve shown a commitment that has turned into real action, the kind of which is going to deliver real outcomes for the people who participate in our sport.”

The CEO’s comments were echoed

by Taliadoros.

“When it comes to facility investment, our clubs have been crying out to us from day one and we promised to work with the Victorian Government to deliver the outcomes our sport needs. That’s what the World Game Facilities Fund is all about,” he said.

“We are a long way from the finish line, but the commitments made are giving us a real chance of securing the extra 420 full-size equivalent pitches we need by 2026 to meet the demands of the football community.”

Grants of up to $500,000 will be made to councils to improve facilities including lighting, turf pitch redevelopments, synthetic pitches and female-friendly change rooms.

Victorian Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said the funding was about giving the sport the backing it deserved.

“We’re on the hunt for the next Sam Kerr or Tim Cahill and we’re all inspired by what our Matildas have achieved already – this funding will give grassroots football the support it deserves.

“We’re making sure that women and men, and girls and boys, of all abilities have the facilities they need to play the sports they love.”

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26 August 2020

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WESTERN PORT scoreboard

Streets of Avalon looks to bounce back HORSE RACING

By Ben Triandafillou SHANE Nichols is confident his Group One winner Streets Of Avalon can get back into form on Saturday when he contests the Group One Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

After making a top return in the Group Three Bletchingly Stakes when finishing runners-up to the Godolphinowned Viridine, Streets of Avalon failed to fire second-up when striking a soft track at Caulfield a fortnight ago.

Ridden by Ben Melham, the sixyear-old gelding sat in behind the pace before sliding out three-wide at the 1000m mark when the pace slackened up front. The son of Magnus was unable to pick up in the run home and ended up finishing in seventh place in the Group Two P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m).

Mornington-based trainer Shane Nichols believes the run will bring Streets of Avalon on nicely, with the likely firmer surface to work in his favour.

“The track was probably a fraction too soft for him and the race lacked tempo which didn’t suit him,” Nichols said of Streets of Avalon’s previous start. “He needed a solid run race and when they backed off and ran a 12-second furlong that was going to make it really hard for him from where he was.”

Nichols said Streets of Avalon, who won the Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m) at the same track and trip in February, has pulled up excellent

since his last outing.

“I couldn’t be happier with how he is in between runs and he’ll be somewhere near his peak third-up,” he said.

Streets of Avalon had a gallop last Saturday morning and will have his final workout on Tuesday heading into his next assignment.

The Avalon: Shane Nichols’ Streets of Avalon winning the G3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last year.

Picture: Supplied.

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26 August 2020

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Western Port News

26 August 2020