NEWS DESK
Gang crimes, car thefts Continued from Page 1 Frankston detectives are also seeking a stolen $150,000 red Mercedes Benz stolen from Sandringham overnight, Wednesday 4 November, and seen at several crime scenes in Frankston, Cranbourne, Narre Warren and Dandenong, along with the red Ford and, previously, the stolen BMW, which are all suspected of being used by gang members. The BMW was used in a petrol driveoff at the Seaford Rd United service station, 1am, Sunday 8 November. Detective Leading Senior Constable Paul Roberts, of Frankston’s Embona Task Force, said Mrs Matheson was a “much-loved woman with strong family and employer support”. Her death has highlighted how crime can affect innocent people going about their daily routines and how close we can be to danger – usually without knowing it. Detective Roberts said the stolen
cars have all been used for gang-related crime, with the Mercedes and the BMW seen at up to 10 petrol driveoffs, as well as the theft of liquor from Heatherhill Rd Cellars. The Ford has been seen at other incidents. In the liquor outlet raid, Sunday 8 November, two youths entered the store and helped themselves to $315 in beer and spirits, while the dumbfounded proprietor stood by helplessly. A third person sat outside in the BMW ready to drive them away. The next day the same car was involved in the fatal collision at Mordialloc. One of the alleged offenders, 16, of Keysborough, has since been arrested and charged with theft of alcohol and theft of the BMW. He was bailed to appear at a children’s court at a later date. His accomplice, still at large last Wednesday but known to police, is thought to be related to the 15 year old arrested over Mrs Matheson’s death.
Arrest over carjacking HEAVILY armed police arrested a man in Frankston, 10.30am, Thursday, who is believed to be involved in the Bartlett St carjacking (See story at left). The man, 18, of Endeavour Hills, was arrested at a house in Gweno Av, Frankston, by members of the Special Operations Group. He is suspected of being a leading member of the Apex gang, whose members have been involved in a crime spree throughout the south-eastern suburbs. In the carjacking a 20-year-old man was threatened with a shotgun and a handgun before handing over the keys to his Ford XR6 sedan. It is still missing. The arrested man is believed to have been in the stolen BMW X5 at the time of the carjacking. He has been charged by Frankston Embona Armed Robbery Task Force detectives with armed robbery and assault related offences and remanded to the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court Friday for a filing hearing, Saturday, after appearing at an out-of-sessions hearing Friday. The stolen Ford XR6 was not recovered.
Car hunt: The stolen white 2008 XR6 Ford hijacked by gang members at gunpoint in Frankston South. Police are appealing for help in tracking it down. The original registration number is SAM95.
Costco, Aldi arrive
TWO retail giants have arrived in Kingston. Costco opened its Moorabbin store earlier this month at Moorabbin Airport, its eighth outlet in Australia. The US bulk buy supermarket’s arrival follows the opening of a Mentone store by Aldi last month as part of an Australian growth strategy by the Germanowned supermarket group. In June Kingston councillors narrowly backed Costco’s application to open its Moorabbin store. A council officer’s report had noted “inevitable that such a store will be located in south east Melbourne” because of the broad catchment area for customers but cautioned that the viability of nearby retail hubs such as Aspendale Gardens, Dingley, Thrift Park, Cheltenham and Mentone could be threatened in the longer term.
Bonbeach Aged Care donates toys
AGE is no barrier to sharing in the spirit of Christmas for residents at Bonbeach Aged Care. Every year, staff members invite residents and members of the community to donate toys and food to needy children, which are picked up and delivered by its friends on motorbikes. On Saturday at 12:30pm, two tri-cyclists and eight motorcyclists will collect donations at the 70-bed centre in Station St, and join in a sausage sizzle, Christmas festivities and activities for the children. Manager Jasmine Gunaratnam said the annual event was an important part of the centre’s calendar, with residents encouraged to participate. “We welcome the wider community to make donations, including unwrapped soft toys and nonperishable food,” she said. “This is a wonderful opportunity to join our residents in the spirit of giving and help those in need have a better Christmas this year.” Donations go to Southern Peninsula Food for All, Rosebud Salvation Army, Society of St Vincent de Paul, and Westernport Community Support, Hastings.
‘Gallipoli garden’ a place to reflect
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month. About 150 people attended the unveiling of a commemorative plaque for the centenary accompanied by music from the HMAS Cerberus Band. The reverend says Remembrance Day (Wednesday 11 November) saw Mordialloc Beach Primary School pupils lay a wreath at the new memorial. “It’s a public precinct and it educates young people who are interested and want to learn about the Anzacs and the need for peace and justice.” The RSL donated a flagpole for the precinct that was situated at the now closed Edithvale-Aspendale RSL and red brick pavers where people gathered to remember the fallen have also
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A VISIT to Gallipoli four years ago inspired the Reverend Victor Haste to plan a commemoration garden for Anzacs at St Nicholas Anglican Church in Mordialloc. Rev Haste made the journey to Turkey with his wife Barb and came home determined to do something locally to acknowledge and recognise the service and sacrifice of those who fought and died at Gallipoli during World War I. “Like most Australians who go there to visit the battlefields and attend the dawn service I felt quite moved by what I saw,” he said. Anzac centenary funding made Rev Haste’s plan a reality and the Mordialloc Community Gallipoli Precinct was officially opened earlier this
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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 25 November 2015
found a new home at St Nicholas Anglican Church’s memorial. nSt Nicholas Anglican Church is at 9 Bear Street, Mordialloc. Art gallery and church open Monday-Thursday 12-3pm, Saturday 10am-1pm. Closed Friday and Public Holidays. Sunday worship 9.15am. Neil Walker
Solid foundation for commemoration: Rev Victor Haste at the Mordialloc Community Gallipoli Precinct at St Nicholas Anglican Church. The bear is named after Clarence Thomas, a 9th Battalion medic who did not carry weapons at Gallipoli. Picture: Gary Sissons
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