Author draws on life, memories Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au WAR veteran John Missen takes issue with the old adage ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks’: he’s nearly 90 and he’s just written his first novel. A Mornington resident for 20 years, Missen has written 450 pages of “historical romance” set in the Wimmera district of north-western Victoria in the 1950s. ‘A One Man Band’ was officially launched at Mornington Library, Saturday. “It’s the area of Victoria I remember best as a child,” he said. The book’s jacket says: “The hero, Eric Fergusson, travels from farm to farm with his mobile engineering workshop in an old Bedford truck, fixing machinery, tools and fences. He encounters sheep and wheat farmers, the goings-on of small town country life – and his future…” The author said the character is a “composite of the many people I knew. I appreciate people who can turn their hand to anything.” The choice of trade is insightful: Missen initially became an engineering draftsman before the war and was away fighting overseas from age 18-21. Returning home, he was encouraged to complete an engineering degree but opted, instead, for art at the then-Swinburne Technical College. It was an uphill battle: “I tried to make a living as an artist but didn’t do much good and needed money to raise a family. I joined the Lands Department as a draftsman,” he said.
A police face image of one of two boys who police believe can help with their inquiries into a scrub fire at Bittern.
Bittern scrub fire
SOLO PERFORMANCE: First time author John Missen believes writing is “too good to miss”. Picture: Yanni
He then joined Monash University where he stayed for the next 21 years, becoming a senior technician illustrating books and later chief technical officer, illustrating book covers. “I had no previous desire to write a book because I saw it as too difficult,” Missen says, having always used longhand. But, with the advent of computers, he was thrilled to discover how easy it was to write on screen, using the inbuilt Thesaurus.
“I sat down and played with one and thought, ‘This is too good to miss’”, he said. “I wrote the family history in 2001 and then joined the Federation of Australian Writers and began attending creative writing groups at Mornington Community Centre.” The title of the book came about through the hero’s way of life and his love interest: a woman he meets in a country town and who encourages his
love of music. At the altar on his wedding day the hero says: “This looks like the end of the one-man band.” His best man quips: “Val says she thinks it might mean we’ll soon have a chamber orchestra.” Missen is an active member of Peninsula Legacy, having been secretary for five years. He plays lawn bowl and attends writing and painting classes each week.
Register signs up client no. 1000 HASTINGS Police Senior Citizen’s Register signed its 1000th client at its recent Christmas barbecue. Cr David Garnock attended along with Hastings Senior Sergeant Alan Courtney. Fundraising officer Angie Muir said the joint Hastings police and community initiative had been running since 2000 with the aim of promoting confident and secure living among senior citizens. The service is free of charge, and registration is voluntary for the members who live in the Western Port area: from Baxter to Shoreham. Clients are provided with ID cards listing their names and identity numbers which are recorded at Hastings police station. Police and other emergency services can obtain the information should it be required in an emergency.
During the week, volunteers call regularly to check on a client’s welfare and, if there’s no answer after several attempts, Hastings police are alerted. The register mails a quarterly newsletter to clients, and organises two bus trips and two social functions each year. The home visits team is fundraising for a new car as the old one is 11 years old and becoming expensive to maintain. “We receive no funding from local, state or federal governments,” Ms Muir said. “Everything we do is funded by our activities and donations from members and local organisations.” To donate, call the register on 5979 2137 and leave a message for the president, Denise. Senior citizens wanting to be added to the registered can also leave a message with their name and phone number.
HORSHAM COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL 5 days - Thu 31 Mar to Mon 4 Apr 2016 $610.00 Twin Share MATILDA Wed 18 May 2016 (a) $120 (p/s) $110
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House arrests A BITTERN man and a Hastings woman, both 36, were arrested Tuesday 24 November and charged with burglary and theft of three houses in Bittern. The pair allegedly took power tools, glass ware and a pastry roller in the raids, police said. They have been bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 10 January.
Keeping track
Birthday bash: President Denise Palmer cuts the celebration cake for the Register’s 15th year of service with Senior Sergeant Alan Courtney.
A WEBSITE tracking the performance of Victorian councils has been launched by the state government. Performance indicators in 66 categories are listed on the Know Your Council site, including rates cost, missed rubbish bin collections and customer service satisfaction levels. Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins said the Know Your Council site improves transparency across all state councils. Statistics will be updated annually. Councils will also be able to respond to the results on the website. See knowyourcouncil.vic.gov.au
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A SCRUB fire at the corner of Bullecourt Rd and Disney St, Bittern, has prompted police to appeal for witnesses. The fire started at about 9pm on 29 November. A small area of grass and shrubs was burnt before the fire was put out by CFA crews. No one was injured. Police would like to hear from two teenage boys on BMX bikes who spoke to firefighters. One of the boys is described as Caucasian, mid-teens, slim build with shoulder length dark hair. He was wearing a black hoodie, jeans and a black cap with a red peak. The other is mid-teens with blond hair. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au
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PHONE ORDERS: 5979 2173 93 HIGH STREET, HASTINGS Western Port News 15 December 2015
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