NEWS DESK Police patrol Water car chase
Well deserved: Victorian Governor Linda Dessau hands over Duke of Edinburgh award acknowledgement to Frazer Kemp.
Top award for top student BONBEACH student Frazer Kemp, 18, was among 73 people awarded the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at a gala event at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne this month. Victorian Governor Linda Dessau presented the awards on Saturday 3 December. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is reportedly the world’s leading achievement award for young people. Since it was established in 1963, it has challenged and enriched the lives of thousands of young Victorians giving them the opportunity to become confident in their abilities, build connections and tap into their potential, its promoters say. Frazer, who attends Mentone Grammar School, says he developed perseverance through the constant commitment required to achieve the award and extend himself through experiences that weren’t always easy. He says he became more willing to step outside of his comfort zone and develop in character, particularly through his volunteer work. “It gave more breadth to my education and allowed me to
develop more holistically as a person,” he said. “Completing the award put me in challenging positions where I was able to learn more about myself; for example, when I was in Papua New Guinea and was out living with a family completely on my own for two nights.” Fraser also learned to push himself to become more confident and involved. “The award process made me proud of my community and allowed me to understand how each individual’s talents contribute to the community,” he said. “Prior to the award I was focused on improving myself, [but] after serving the community I learnt that that focus is a lot more rewarding.” Victorian Award organisation CEO Anoushka Gungadin said the award provided “real world” knowledge and opportunities for future leaders to learn essential life skills. “We are very proud of our gold awardees,” she said. “Frazer has worked extremely hard [and] we are optimistic about his future, with such a high percentage of awardees gaining confidence in their job prospects.”
EDITHVALE residents and a council worker chased two car thieves along Melrose Av and into the Edithvale wetlands after a car accident in Edithvale Rd, 7.40am, Sunday 11 December. The thieves got away, and the stolen Ford Ghia was a write-off after it was crashed into a stationary black Audi sedan, causing traffic chaos on the narrow, busy road. Police recovered builder’s tools stolen from a storage cage under the car owner’s apartment block in Dandenong Rd, Caulfield North. The thieves had earlier filled the car with $59 petrol from a Warrigal Rd, Cheltenham, service station and driven off without paying, before colliding with the Audi in Edithvale Rd. The driver was uninjured but a resident had to help the passenger out of the car. When the resident went inside to get them a drink of water they did a runner through the wetlands. Detective Senior Constable Susanna Hughes, of Kingston CIU, said the driver appeared to be Indian, 172cm, mid-20s, black hair with acne; the passenger was Southern European, stocky build, mid-20s with short black hair and numerous facial piercings.
Signs of the times
AN Aspendale man was charged over the theft of signs from railway stations, Tuesday 6 December. The Public Transport Victoria signs include two No Smoking signs, validated ticket area sign and blue behaviour sign. They are valued at $500. Police recovered the signs at the 41-year-old’s Willmott St house and he was later bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court in February.
Shopper assaulted A WOMAN sunbathing at Aspendale beach was approached by a man who began masturbating, 3.20pm, Wednesday 7 December. The woman, 25, said the man was standing on a raised platform at the end of Heale Av when he said hello and asked her the time. The woman answered but then ignored him, although she was aware he was staring at her. She looked up to see him fondling himself and became nervous as she was on her own. When the man started to walk away she photographed him on him on her mobile phone. A passerby said the man drove off in a red Toyota Yaris, or similar. He is described as 30-40 years, 172cm, tanned skin, and possibly Indian or Middle Eastern as he spoke with an accent. He was wearing dark pants, a sky blue T-shirt, cap and sunglasses.
No duet
A WOMAN who thought she was at home alone was enjoying a singsong in the bath when an unknown man in the hallway called out “Nice voice”, 11pm, Friday 9 December. The frightened woman called 000 and then went out into the hallway to grab a hammer before retreating back to the bathroom. She then heard the sound of smashing glass in the kitchen of the Taverner St, Moorabbin, house. It was later found to be a glass knocked off the kitchen bench. Police believe the man, who was not seen, entered the property through an unlocked side gate and unlocked back door. It was not known if anything was stolen. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Warning ahead of summer beach swims PEOPLE aged 65 and over are being warned to be extra vigilant around water this summer, with figures showing a 40 per cent increase in drowning deaths of older people. Last week, during Water Safety Week, Emergency Services minister James Merlino launched this year’s Victorian drowning report and announced a new water safety campaign targeting older people. While the report highlights a concerning increase in drowning deaths in the older-age category, toddlers are still at the greatest risk, with children aged up to four years contributing to the highest rate of both fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents. A second water safety campaign will begin early 2017 raising awareness of
the drowning risk for children under four. The report found that 43 people lost their lives in Victorian waters – five more than the 10-year average. The drowning rate of females increased by 33 per cent compared to the 10-year average, but males still account for 72 per cent of all drowning victims this year A Taiwanese man in his 20s drowned earlier this year at Gunnammata when he was swimming outside the flags and got caught in a rip. Lifesavers pulled the man unconscious from the water and he could not be revived. Three young men rescued a drowning man at Blairgowrie last year after they heard him crying out for help.
The Hampton Park man had got into trouble while swimming at Koonya beach, and was spotted drifting about 500 metres offshore. A 32-year-old Frankston man was rescued off Mornington beach last month after attempting to swim across to St Kilda to attend a concert. Police said the fully-clothed man would certainly not have made the trip safely. In May 2012, a 26-year-old man drowned while swimming with friends at Frankston beach. His blood alcohol content was more than six times the legal limit for driving. Beach seen: Lifesavers will be on lookout but swimmers must also take responsibility for own offshore actions.
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14 December 2016
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