NEWS DESK
Grant aids easier access to airfield PENINSULA Aero Club members are flying high with news they have been given $50,000 for a new access road off Stuart Rd. The grant was confirmed in the Mornington Peninsula Shire budget on Wednesday night. Vice-president Jack Vevers said the club would match the grant to build a $100,000 single lane road with a turning circle. “It will offer a safer and more efficient access point to the airfield to refurbish aircraft with water and fuel in emergencies, and assist with patient transfers,� Mr Vevers said. The club will spend another $200,000 building a dual use hangar for use by emergency services as a triage or respite centre. “More often than not the crews are operating out in the heat working from dawn to dusk in very trying conditions,� he said. He said access to the airfield was “a convoluted process� at present. “Transport vehicles have to go through private property and they do cause damage and we are left with the bill.� Cr Lyn Bowden said she had pushed for the grant in recognition of the airfield’s role in tackling emergencies, such as bushfires and patient evacuation. “They contribute a lot to the community – they’ve done some really good work,� Cr Bowden said. “In emergencies they are able to airlift victims through the Angel of Mercy helicopter flights [using a Bell Jet
Ranger] of which a lot of people are not aware. And they provide a refuelling service to the CFA tankers. “In the big scheme of things this grant is recognition of their work; they are very generous.� The aero club surveyed local residents to get their views on the road plans. “The result was overwhelming support,� Mr Vevers said. “We also opened up the airfield for the public so they could see what we do.� Mr Vevers said the grant was “a vote of confidence from the shire of the role we play in the community�. “It’s a good example of the partnership between us, the shire and the community. The people support us and one or two of them have had the need to use our emergency services.� Planning permits have been acquired and drawings completed for the 5.5 metre by 230 metre road with truck turning bay at the end. It offers provision for helicopter take offs and landings which previously were confined to private land. Mr Vevers said the road would allow significant numbers of people into the airfield for evacuation by helicopter. “We will be capable of handling significant emergencies,� he said. “[At present,] if there was a major fire on the southern peninsula there is no way people would be able to get out. For example, we were flat out coping with the Hastings fires last January. Without the support of helicopters it could have been a disaster.� Stephen Taylor
House fire charges A HASTINGS man was arrested and charged with arson last week after a house fire in Martin St on 11 April. The man was also charged with two counts of theft of a motor car, one of evading police pursuit and several traffic charges. The fire partially destroyed the house – where the man was living as a tenant – causing $250,000 damage. Detective Sergeant Nick Sweetman said the man, arrested in Tyabb, did not apply for bail and was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 26 September.
Pursuit bingle
Senior helpings: Student Braden Hopkins serves food to the seniors.
Students put hospitality into practice HOSPITALITY students from Western Port College “did a tremendous job serving soup, hot savouries, cakes and slices� at the annual Hastings Police Senior Citizens’ Register’s Winter Solstice Lunch. Seniors turned out in record numbers to enjoy the lunch on a cold midwinter morning at Hastings Bowling Club. “We were fortunate to have seven young volunteers to help wait on tables: Ben, Martin, Max, Braden,
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AN unmarked police car was damaged during a “slow pursuit� in Wallaroo Reserve (formerly West Park), Hastings, late on Saturday night. Detective Sergeant Nick Sweetman said police tried repeatedly to force the vehicle over before it was driven onto a nature strip and stopped suddenly – with the police car running into it from behind. The driver, a Hastings man, 37, allegedly refused a blood and drug test. His car was impounded.
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Nepal aid climbs THE efforts of seven-year-old Isabelle Stanley to raise money for Nepalese earthquake victims did not end with her stall at Hastings Community Art and Craft market (“Knitted gifts for Nepal�, The News 23/6/2015). Along with mum Kerry Sorenson she raised $175 on the day, but since then the amount has shot up to $603. The pair will be at Langwarrin market on 18 July, hoping to raise even more money for TEARS Australia to take to Nepal.
Alesha, Kiara and Matilda did a tremendous job,� coordinator Denise Palmer said. “They were all polite and friendly and they even volunteered to clear the tables at the end of the lunch. “Our seniors were delighted to have the students at their function and were very appreciative of their help. It was a great experience for young and old.� Those involved in the register are celebrating its 15th year of operation at Hastings police station.
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WHAT MAKES A HUSQVARNA Western Port News 30 June 2015
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