New Year’s voyage ends with tow to shore and charges Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au A BOATIE’S frolic with friends in his half-cabin runabout on New Year’s Eve turned sour when they ran out of petrol at sea off Mordialloc and discovered there were not enough life jackets, had no anchor or fire extinguisher and the distress flares were out of date. The Cranbourne man, 43, has been charged on summons with failing to take care when operating a vessel and is expected to appear at court at a later date. The man, a mate and three 18 – year-old girls launched the 4.6 metre fibreglass boat at Frankston intending to cruise to Docklands to watch the fireworks. On the way they skylarked in a ski tube off Frankston in the fine conditions and light westerly wind. The man allegedly told the group that the boat had the required safety equipment on board. After watching the fireworks the mate decided to stay in the city while the man and three girls began motoring the 20km back to Frankston about 12.30am. Police said the man did not check on how much fuel was left in the two 25-litre removable tanks and passed easily accessible fuel outlets at St Kil-

da and Southland. At 2.30am, about two nautical miles off Mordialloc, they ran out of fuel. Without an anchor the boat’s bow could not be held in position in the small chop and, as it drifted, the group realised they had no idea where they were. One of the girls ignited two flares to alert other boats in the area. They were six years out of date and one exploded in her face, causing minor burns. Another girl dialled 000, but Water Police said they had trouble finding the boat because they could only be given an approximate location. The three girls then noticed that there was only one life jacket on board. Water police managed to find the stricken boat at 3.50am and the three girls were taken on board. The boatie was given an approved life jacket and towed back to Mordialloc pier where he was interviewed by police.

Injured workers

Days of old: Dorothy Booth with some of the exhibition pieces, including old rail tickets, V-Line lamp, flags, old railway books and timetables. Picture: Gary Sissons

Memories down the line THE Local Railway Memories exhibition at the Mordialloc & District Historical Society Museum includes old pictures from Moorabbin to Chelsea. Collector of railway memorabilia Peter Walhouse, of Metro Trains, has supplied items for the display cabinets. Exhibition hours are Saturdays and

Sundays, 22 April-13 May, but not Sunday 14 May which is Mother’s day. From then on the exhibition is on 2-4pm, Sundays, or by special arrangement. The display is at the Laura and Charles Ferguson Museum, Old Bakery Lane Mentone. Details: 9583 5975 or 0438 003 234.

Public approval sought for lifesaving club plans CONCEPT plans have been approved for a new lifesaving club at Edithvale. Kingston council has been working on designs with the club and Life Saving Victoria over the past few months. A community information night will be held at the club on Thursday 20

April to show the plans and answer questions from the public. The mayor Cr David Eden said the council was pleased to see a design that would replace the old building, meet the club’s needs for years to come, and provide better views of the

foreshore. It is hoped the new building will be ready in time for centenary celebrations in 2019. The project is being paid for with $1.5 million from the state government and $1.95m from Kingston Council. Details: edithvalelsc.com.au

A GROUP of six Carrum residents who were injured at work have formed an support network which will meet monthly. The group aims to “foster a sense of community and shared experience that injured workers often crave during the isolating and protracted experience of securing workers compensation”. They will take group action against employers and insurers who they say “mistreat injured workers through unscrupulous insurance practices”. The group has already run two protests against Australia Post. The network was formed in August with the assistance of Victorian Trades Hall Council, and aims to reach out to other injured workers through the forum. Speakers include Campbell Walton, an injured worker and a workers’ compensation lawyer from Slater & Gordon lawyers. “We face a battle on all sides when we are injured at work. It’s a struggle that is consuming and isolating, but it doesn’t have to be,” Mr Walton said. “When we get together to talk this out we find that while our injuries can be different, our experience of the workers’ compensation system is the same. There is comfort in that. “It is empowering to know that you are not alone and can work together to find how we can help each other.” The forum will be 7-9pm, Wednesday 19 April, at Carrum Uniting Church, McLeod Rd, Carrum. Details: 0424 698 694.

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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 12 April 2017

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