Western Port Your guide to what’s on this weekend for peninsula families
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Tuesday 14 April 2015
5973 6424 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au
Ferry tender may be two years away Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au
War stories: Author Lisa Bayley at the Somerville cenotaph. Picture: Yanni
Somerville dawn service A DAWN service will be held at the cenotaph, Fruit Growers’ Reserve, 328 Jones Rd, Somerville, at 6am, Saturday 25 April, to celebrate the centenary of Anzac. The cenotaph has been restored to its original state with plaques designed and laid around it. One lists the names of servicemen and women who served in World War II and others tell stories about both wars. A book by members of the Somerville, Tyabb
& District Heritage Society tells a story about every soldier. The Great War comes to Somerville has been researched and designed by Lisa Bayley, with support from the society. It will be on sale after the dawn service at the little Fruit Growers’ Room behind the hall. The book costs $40. After the service, Somerville Fire Brigade will cook breakfast and the society will serve tea and coffee. Details: 0417 776 489.
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*CROWN CASINO – MONTHLY* Casino’s bus program with a great BUFFET lunch (all) $35. Only persons over the age of 18 permitted. LAST THURSDAY EACH MONTH (numbers permitting)
DIRTY DANCING Wed 6 May Adults $115 (p/s) $105 THE LION KING Wed 29 July (matinee) Wed 15 Apr & Wed 20 May (a) $120 (p/s) $110
QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET ANYTHING GOES Tue 9 June ’15 - all $30. Wed 8 July Shop for all the bargains we (a) $130 (p/s) $120 do not have down here. We even supply a couple WW1 CENTENARY EXHIBITION Tue 19 May ’15 Adults $75 of Eskys for some of your perishables. (p/s) $65 (ch) $55 AUSTRALASIAN QUILT CONVENTION Fri 17 Apr – All $60
STRICTLY BALLROOM Extended Season-Wed 1 July Adults $125 P/s $110.00
Neptours Phone: 5987 2011
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FRENCH Islanders may have to wait more than two years before their complaints about the ferry service are tackled by the state government. Public Transport Victoria says it is considering re-tendering the ferry service, but not until the current contract expires in June 2017. The ferry which goes to Stony Point and Phillip Island services the island’s 123 permanent residents, although breakdowns and rough weather have led to claims of businesses losing money and schoolchildren being stranded on the mainland. Residents say they have been cut off from reliable access to Stony Point and Phillip Island “for more than two months”, disrupting their access to health services, food supplies, schools, social commitments and “the opportunity to make a living”. The PTV’s French Island Ferry Service Update, a newsletter sent to commuters, says calls for expressions of interest from ferry operators may be made later this year. The newsletter says the government will “consider” improving the Tankerton jetty breakwater. However, the project will join a list of outstanding works throughout the state. The cost of improvements to the jetty and breakwater would “run into millions, therefore funding this project needs to be considered in line with funding availability and other infrastructure priorities around the state”, the newsletter says. The PTV says its “first priority” is to get the principal ferry, the George Bass, back into the water after engine repairs. It is believed replacement engines are coming from Sweden. Another priority is to get its replacement vessel – the Schouten Passage – back into the water after its engine “blew” on Easter Monday. Last week, passengers were ferried across on a stop-gap vessel supplied by Western Port Fishing Charters. The PTV says it will continue to work with Parks Victoria on options for a north/south berthing option at Tankerton. It “apologises for the issues, challenges and isolation” to French Island residents caused by service disruptions after engine failures stopped the boats 22 February-10 March. “The service cancellations and ad hoc replacement services were not of an acceptable stand-
ard. PTV has been advised that the George Bass should be repaired (with two new engines plus gangway installation) by the end of April,” the PTV’s newsletter states. “The operator [Inter Island Ferries Service] has confirmed that they have a back-up to the Schouten Passage vessel available now, should it need to be called upon while the George Bass is undergoing repairs, so that service continuity is ensured.” The ferry is the islanders’ usual link to the mainland. It is funded by PTV. “Despite numerous letters from islanders to PTV and the amazing support by our local member [Hastings MP] Neale Burgess, the amount of cancellations is increasing,” a resident – who did not want to be named – told The News. “There have been more than 70 cancellations in the past two months causing under aged children to get stuck on the mainland after school with no possibility of returning home – for days. “Imagine that your children cannot come home from school, in one case up to a week. “At other times small boats help out to get people across to the island - sometimes under dangerous conditions.” It is believed PTV pays the operator more than $500,000 a year, but the service is not subject to performance standards that guarantee an allweather ferry service. Manager Frank Denvir confirmed that he is “not required to use any particular type of vessel” (‘No ferry: islanders isolated’, The News, 10/3/15). In the wake of the Schouten Passage breakdown, the resident said passengers wanted the George Bass back in service - quickly. “It’s the real principle vessel. This morning we just had a fishing boat as the back-up’s back-up and it was rough and we all got wet through. If I had known I would have worn wet-weather gear. It’s starting to get very unpleasant.” Another source said the PTV had spent $750,000 on the service last year. Inter Island Ferries Service in 2013 told Mr Burgess that it “has been fighting with Parks Victoria for years to fix the Tankerton jetty and dredge the Tankerton channel, but that [it] never seems to have the money and is too busy prioritising other projects, which they think are more important”. Continued Page 8
Burdetts Café & Gift Shop A perfect place to buy that special item and then enjoy a light lunch or refreshment in the cafe. Indulge and book our famous “High Teas”for the ultimate cafe experience.
Cafe is now open 7 days. Mon - Sat 9am - 3.30pm and Sun from 10am - 3pm (Light refreshments only on Sunday) Come and enjoy the great food and great atmosphere at Burdetts Café
615 McClelland Dr, Langwarrin Ph 9789 8266