NEWS DESK
Bottle shop attack A 15 YEAR OLD Carrum Downs youth has been remanded to the Malmsbury Youth Training Centre for allegedly assaulting a female bottle shop attendant at Seaford on Wednesday night. The youth, who is well known to police, was spotted by the 65-year-old IGA employee allegedly hiding a bottle of alcohol under his coat. Police will allege that, when the woman approached, he allegedly punched and kicked her twice, then struck her head with the bottle, splitting open her eyebrow. Detective Sergeant Alistair Hanson, of Frankston Crime Investigation Unit, said CCTV footage shows the youth then opening the fridge and allegedly stealing more alcohol before running off. Police attended and tracked him down but, when confronted, the youth allegedly threw a bottle at them before being arrested. The youth, who has been charged with 137 previous offences, including armed robbery, assault, affray, theft, and other violence-related matters, was 13 when he first came to police attention. “We genuinely try to support his rehabilitation – to get him on the right track,” Det. Hanson said. “So does his mother, who provides him with a roof and a bed when he’s home, but, of course, he is sometimes very hard to control. “He has become accustomed to all kinds of substance abuse – such as paint sniffing – as well as alcohol and drugs. “Understandably, the courts are very
reluctant to convict him because of his young age.” The youth will appear at the Melbourne Children’s Court on 19 June charged with armed robbery (bottle), recklessly causing serious injury, recklessly causing injury and two charges of assaulting police. Stephen Taylor
Race to the top: Toorak College student Caitlin K-Forde at the summit of Arthurs Seat, the end point for November’s Arthurs Seat Challenge. Picture: Yanni
Stolen car rams house A CAR stolen from the Peninsula Bus Lines staff car park in Bardia Av, Seaford, on Tuesday ended up crashing into a house in Carrum Downs. The 1989 White Toyota Camry was seen being driven “erratically” in Frankston North just after midnight on Wednesday, police say. Detective Leading Senior Constable Craig Goudy, of Frankston Crime Investigation Unit, said the offenders used the car to drive around Langwarrin, stealing from cars parked in various streets near Airlie Ct. They were disturbed at one address at 1.40am and, a short time later, involved in a police pursuit in Carrum Downs. Police chased the car as it turned left into McCormick’s Rd off Hall Rd, then attempt to turn right into Stud Ct where it ran into a house on a corner, causing extensive damage to the brick work. There were no reports of injuries. The offenders ran off in unknown direction. Both are described as 18 years old, slim build, 175cm tall and wearing black clothing. Anyone with information is urged to call Det. Goudy on 9784 5585, or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Road safety catalyst for race to the top PREPARATIONS are well underway for this year’s Arthurs Seat Challenge fun run from Rosebud to the top of Arthurs Seat. At last week’s event launch students from Woodleigh School, Mt Eliza Secondary College, Toorak College and Rosebud Secondary College spoke about the benefits of the Fit 2 Drive program funded by the challenge. They said the program gave them
skills that they would carry with them throughout their entire time as young road users. People aged 18-24 years are the most at risk group on the roads, with P-platers in their first year of driving, being 30 times more likely to crash than a more experienced driver. The Arthurs Seat Challenge highlights the importance of relevant road safety education for young people and helps schools pay for the Fit 2
Drive road safety program for year 11 students. The Arthurs Seat Challenge fun run will be held Sunday 8 November, starting at Rosebud pier and finishing at Seawinds Gardens at the summit of Arthurs Seat. Organisers expect more than 2000 competitiors in the 6.7km climb to the summit. Register at arthursseatchallenge. com.au
Award inspires new direction FRANKSTON High School student Daniel Benjamin is on a high after receiving a Premier’s Award for excellence in his VCE studies last year. Frankston High School student Maria Veresova received a Premier’s Award in Russian. Each year, students who demonstrate outstanding achievement in VCE are recognised. The award ceremony was held last week at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. In front of his proud family and English teacher, Helen Page, and senior campus principal, Helen Wilson, Daniel received the Premier’s Award in English. He achieved a perfect study score of 50 in English and business management and was dux of the school. “Watching friends and family go through VCE struggling to stay motivated and focused in English, gave me an interest in making VCE English a less daunting and more accessible subject,” he said. “I have been contemplating tutoring to help other students. “Until now, I have had doubts about whether I was skilled enough to make a difference. However, winning this award
has validated things: I now understand that I may actually be able to help other students achieve their goals. “I’m just fortunate to have received such high quality teaching and support at Frankston High School. They assisted me in achieving my goals, and attaining an award like this, and have confirmed that Frankston High School really is one of the best schools in Victoria.” After a gap year to undertake a business administration traineeship with the City of Casey and gain experience in public administration, Daniel will begin an Arts /Law degree at Monash University in 2016. He’s aiming for a career in law or policy-making. “Daniel epitomises what is possible by living and learning by our motto “Optima Semper” (Best Always), Frankston High School principal John Albiston said. “He is a role model that has inspired us all. He has our sincere congratulations on this outstanding achievement.” Role model: Daniel Benjamin received a Premier’s Award in English at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Stony Point line travel update
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We thank you for your continued patience during this time.
For more info call 1800 800 007 or visit ptv.vic.gov.au
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Expected completion: June 2015
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Level crossing works will continue on the Stony Point line until the end of June. The works include engineering, installation, testing and commissioning of new track infrastructure at level crossings between Frankston and Stony Point stations. During this time buses will continue to replace all trains, running as close as possible to the regular timetable.