NEWS DESK
Reward for ‘cold case’ hit-run tip
Down and dirty: Trucks and men work to repair old sewers on Beach Rd near the Naples St intersection.
Sewer works in the pipeline A PAIR of 80-year-old sewer mains in Beach Rd and Nepean Highway is being repaired as part of a $2.6 million upgrade. South East Waters is aiming to minimise disruption to residents in Mentone, Parkdale and Mordialloc over the eight-week project. New lining will extend the life and increase the reliability of the sewers which service around 5600 properties in Mentone and Mordialloc and directly connect to more
than 200 houses. The works will be undertaken at night from Sunday to Thursday, when flows will be at their lowest, enabling crews to work safely in a “dry” sewer. South East Water says directly affected residents will be notified before works start in their area. Water and sewer services will not be impacted during the project.
POLICE are offering a $250,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person involved in the hit-and-run death of Frankston woman Jennifer Moller outside Karingal Bowling Club five years ago. Ms Moller was waiting to cross Skye Rd, Frankston, 1.30pm, on 27 April 2012, when she was struck by a car, believed to be a 2011 white Mercedes Benz sedan. The 54-year-old was treated at the scene by paramedics but later died. The driver fled the scene. Detectives believe the reward will entice someone with key information to come forward. Husband John Moller, 53, said: “It’s been five years and we still have no closure. “I was there, I saw my wife get hit by the car, and 30 minutes later they told me she had died; it was traumatic. “The same day I had to get my children from school and tell them what had happened. They have been through so much. “Please, if you know anything, report it to Crime Stoppers.” Major Collision Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Daryll Out said a conviction would provide some long-needed closure to the heartbroken family. “The day Jennifer lost her life, her children lost their mother and her husband lost his wife. Nothing
Jennifer Moller
will ever mend the broken hearts of Jennifer’s family, or sadly bring her back, but to have someone held to account will help to bring some much-deserved closure for them. “At the time, a number of witnesses came forward which helped locate the Mercedes and identified a person of interest but police need more information which may lead to the arrest and conviction of the driver involved.” Anyone with information about the collision should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersvic.com.au online.
Schools’ budget pain and gain claims Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au SECONDARY schools in Mordialloc, Parkdale, Keysborough, Patterson River and Mentone are set to be shortchanged by millions of dollars in federal funding over the next two years, according to figures released by the Victorian Department of Education. The schools are among 70 statewide slated to each receive up to $1.1 million less in the short term than would have been the case under Better Schools funding, also known
as the Gonski agreement, since businessman David Gonski reviewed schools’ funding for both the previous Labor and current Coalition federal governments. A “Gonski 2.0” funding agreement officially announced in last Tuesday’s federal budget by Treasurer Scott Morrison will see public schools receive more money over 10 years but effectively less upfront than was originally proposed in the next two years. A Victorian Education Department analysis instigated by state government ministers shows 1535 state schools will receive less in 2018 and
2019 than under the old funding plan, which still had a year to run. The department’s figures show that, over the next two years: n Keysborough Secondary College will receive $1.6 million less n Mordialloc College $500,000 less, n Parkdale Secondary College $1.1 million less, n Patterson River Secondary College $800,000 less, and n Mentone Girls’ Secondary College $800,000 less. Principals at a handful of schools called for comment last week did not respond about the state department’s figures that show over the next two
years: Federal Isaacs Labor MP Mark Dreyfus said the federal Coalition government has “again shortchanged local schools”. “Three years ago the Liberals promised no cuts to schools and then ripped away $30 billion,” he said. “And last week they told the parents and students of Australia to be grateful they’re now only cutting $22 billion. “Now we know that some local schools will be worse off over the next two years than under Labor’s funding plan.” Victorian Education Minister
James Merlino said it was “laughable that Malcolm Turnbull is still trying to pass [the budget] off as a positive story for Victorian schools”. “The fact is it leaves a $630 million shortfall for Victorian schools against the original agreement,” he said. “This is more than just a number. It has a direct impact and hurts the kids that need it the most and can least afford it. “We funded our share of the agreement for 2018 in our recent state budget because it was the right thing to do. It is really that simple.”
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BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 17 May 2017
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