Chelsea • Mordialloc • Mentone
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Wednesday 21 October 2020
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Lucky day for ducks
A FAMILY of ducklings were saved from a drain in Edithvale last week. A resident walking through the Edithvale Wetlands heard quacking coming from a drain on Sunday, and called emergency services. The local Chelsea SES unit swooped in to save the day. The SES unit dismantled the drain and used a sheet of plastic to act as a makeshift ramp for the ducks, allowing them to make their escape. Seven ducklings were freed, and soon after waddled off alongside their parents. SES MEMBERS Will Eastwood, Cameron Milner, and Phil Wall worked to free a family of ducklings from a drain last weekend. Picture: Supplied
No recorded COVID cases in community Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au IT took nearly four months, but the Kingston municipality is once again free of COVID-19. The last time there were no active COVID-19 cases in the area was on 22 June. The second wave hit shortly afterwards, with total active cases in Kingston peaking at more than 100 in mid-August. The second wave of the virus hit the Bupa Edithvale nursing home hard,
with 17 residents sadly dying after testing positive. On 17 October, the Department of Health and Human Services reported that the number of active recorded COVID-19 cases in Kingston had finally reached zero once again. The good news came one day before Premier Daniel Andrews announced that numerous coronavirus restrictions would be relaxed statewide. The 5 kilometer radius for leaving home has now been extended to 25 kilometers, and there is no time limit
on how long you can be out of your home for an essential reason. People can now gather outside in groups of 10, from a maximum of two households. Outdoor tennis courts, golf courses, and skateparks have also reopened. Hairdressers are also allowed to reopen. From 2 November, hospitality and retail services will be allowed to open their doors once more, albeit with limited capacity. From that date, households will also be allowed to host a maximum of two guests and their de-
pendent children once per day. Mr Andrews said that those restrictions could be lifted sooner if case numbers remained low throughout this week. “If we continue to track well on the most important indicators, case averages, mystery cases, test numbers and the number of days people wait before they get tested, we may be in a position to move sooner,” he said. Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson celebrated Kingston’s coronavirus milestone with his Facebook followers. “For the first time since June we
have no active cases,” he said. “This is an almighty effort and achievement for our community. It is because of each and every one of our residents, that we are here today. “We had 4,827 Kingston residents get tested in the past fortnight. This is just awesome. Our average every two weeks is over 4,500 consistently and this is the best way for us to know if the virus is knocking around in our community. We need to keep getting tested if we have even mild symptoms, but I cannot thank you all enough.”
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For testing locations visit vic.gov.au/CORONAVIRUS Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
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21 October 2020
Boat ramp Snakes spring livestream on into action
THE new open space at Carrum Station. Picture: Supplied
More major rail works imminent MAJOR construction works are starting at Edithvale, Chelsea, and Bonbeach train stations. Piling rigs have been on site in Edithvale and Chelsea, which are driving approximately 4,500 sheet piles into the ground up to 19 metres deep. These will form the walls of the rail trenches. Five level crossings will be removed and three new stations will be constructed.
Elsewhere on the line, the foreshore park at the redeveloped Carrum Station has been completed and is now open to the public. A water play area, berbeques, seating, and a kiosk are also set to be open at the space in 2021. An LXRP statement read that “Carrum’s new open spaces are connected by the new shared use path that runs along Station Street, with six new pe-
destrian crossings across Station Street and five across Nepean Highway, providing safer walking and cycling access throughout Carrum and to the beach.” “The path will soon connect to Seaford, Kananook and Frankston stations as works in Seaford wrap up in late 2020. By 2022 there will be one continuous 12-kilometre path from Edithvale to Frankston.”
A LIVESTREAM of the Mordialloc boat ramp has gone up, giving boaters a better view of the conditions at Port Phillip Bay before they hit the water. The online camera feed went up last month on the Boating Vic app and website. Cameras are now operating at the boat ramps in Hastings, Torquay, Queenscliff, Point Richards, St Leonards, Stony Point, Corinella, Safety Beach, and Mornington Schnapper Point. Maritime Safety director Cameron Toy said “we know that many Victorian boaters love to check boat ramp cameras before heading out. Boating Vic users can access these images at the same time as local weather details, for a clearer picture of what to expect. With all this information at their fingertips, boaters are able to be better prepared and make safer decisions.” Visit boating.vic.gov.au or download the Boating Vic app to view the live feed. THE camera at Mordialloc boat ramp, updated every five minutes. Picture: Supplied
SNAKES are starting to emerge from their winter hibernation to bask in the sun and search for food and a mate. However, there is nothing to fear provided precautions are taken, according to Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) senior wildlife management officer, Rebecca Dixon. Her tips for living safely and close to snakes include leaving them alone and not attempting to capture or harm them. Ms Dixon said all snakes were considered venomous and highly dangerous and urged property owners to maintain lawns and clean up around houses “as snakes are attracted to shelter such as piles of rocks and timber, sheets of metal, and building materials”. She said snakes were often found around watercourses and parks. “There are a variety of different snakes found in the urban fringes and suburbs of Melbourne, with the tiger snake and eastern brown snake the most common. “Both these species are highly venomous and dangerous to humans, but it is rare for them to bite people. Most snake bites occur when people try to capture or kill a snake.” Snakes would bite dogs and cats if they felt threatened and “the best course of action” was to take pets from the area or tie them up while the snake passes. For more advice call DELWP on 136 186 for call a licensed snake catcher.
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
21 October 2020
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Chelsea • Mordialloc • Mentone
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THREE people have been arrested after police allegedly found drugs and stolen goods at a Frankston North house. Frankston crime investigation unit detectives raided the short stay rental on Rosemary Crescent at around 1.20am on 15 October. They allege that they found GHB and cannabis inside the house alongside stolen phones and tools. Two men and a woman were arrested at the house. A 29-year-old Carrum Downs man was charged with traffick GHB, three counts of possess drug of dependence, two counts of possess proceeds of crime, two counts of contravene bail conditions, commit indictable offence on bail, and breaching the chief health officer’s directions. He was remanded to appear at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 15 October. A 27-year-old Mount Martha man was charged with possess cannabis, possess GHB, two counts of possess proceeds of crime, handle stolen goods, and breaching the chief health officer’s directions. He was bailed to appear at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 7 July 2021. A 26-year-old Frankston North woman was interviewed and released. Police investigations are ongoing.
Teenagers arrested POLICE arrested four teenagers after a string of alleged crimes in Melbourne’s south-east suburbs last weekend.
Police allege that an aggravated home invasion occurred in Marshy Avenue in Cranbourne East at around 6am on Saturday, 17 October. A carjacking allegedly took place in Clyde North at 6.15am, before an attempted aggravated burglary in Lantana Drive, Clayton, and an aggravated home invasion on Bevan Avenue in Clayton South sometime before 11am. Police arrested four teenagers in Cranbourne West at 4.40pm that day after a pursuit that ended at the intersection of Venn Grove and Novel Drive. An 18-year-old Cranbourne East man, a 17-year-old from Clyde North boy, a 17-year-old Cranbourne East boy, and a 16-year-old Cranbourne boy have been charged with two counts of home invasion, aggravated burglary, attempted aggravated burglary, three counts of theft of motor vehicle, and two counts of recklessly cause injury.
Information can be reported confidentially to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppers. com.au
Push to stop bikes MONKEY bike riding in Frankston North is being reported to police at an increasing rate. A statement on the Frankston police eyewatch page read that “police are again appealing for information in relation to monkey bike offending in the Frankston North area. We are aware of an increase in incidents in the Monterey Reserve and surrounding streets.” “Any mobile phone footage is requested. Unfortunately, we are still experiencing injury collisions and fatalities. You all have some information we want. We continue to request for more information on this offending. If you know something, say something.”
GALLERY TALK Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery has evolved over many years. In the summer of 1969–70, an exhibition was organised in the foyer of the 1885-built Mornington Shire Council offices by two key Peninsula residents: the Shoreham-based art critic, author and artist Alan McCulloch and Director of Mount Eliza’s Manyung Gallery, Betty Meagher. The show had a stellar lineup of important works by artists like Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan, Russell Drysdale, John Perceval and Fred Williams. Alan McCulloch went on to become the founding director of the Mornington Peninsula Arts Centre, as it was then known, and acquired over 1000 works for the collection. He also oversaw major fundraising activities for the purpose-built gallery at the current Civic Reserve site in Mornington. We are looking forward to reopening to the public sometime soon to share our 50th anniversary exhibition MPRG: FIFTY. For the most up to date information on when the gallery will re-open please keep an eye on our website. We hope that before the end of November we will be able to open and share this exhibition and the wonderful collection we should all be proud of.
You can check out our latest online programs at MPRG TV, including talks with Flinders resident Vera Möller and NSW based artists Locust Jones and Robyn Sweaney. We also have an online workshop about mastering watercolour and ink with local artist Rosie Weiss coming up on 14 November and a Christmas wreath weaving online workshop on 21 November. Over summer, MPRG will present the 2020 National Works on Paper, a prestigious biennial acquisitive exhibition, featuring many of Australia’s best contemporary artists. This year’s prize features 76 artists from across the country, selected from close to 1200 entries. Stay safe, stay inspired and look out for each other.
Danny Lacy Artistic Director Senior Curator
www.mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au Civic Reserve, Dunns Road, Mornington Ph 5950 1580
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21 October 2020
Speak to your agent about listing on realestateview.com.au.
Be seen everywhere.
Regional tourism focus needed - former Governor-General THE cover for Sir Peter Cosgrove’s memoir You shouldn’t have joined.
Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au SIR Peter Cosgrove has urged holidaymakers to visit the Mornington Peninsula to help restart the regional tourism industry. The former Governor-General estimates that he attended more than 4000 events during his five years in the job. His life’s work took him all across the globe, but this year the overseas flights have come to a sudden stop. Sir Peter says that Australians should take this as a chance to explore some of the best locations the country has to offer, once it is safe to do so. “For beautiful places like the Mornington Peninsula, this year has been a great worry,” he told The News. “Australians are the greatest international travellers you’d hope to see, but now we can’t do that and spend money overseas. So I say to those travellers that where possible, spend that money at home in Australia. Be the tourist that goes to the Mornington Peninsula, spend your money there. “This is a message of exhortation to other Australians and those who have time and disposable income, it is time to help Australians.” Since retiring from the role of Governor-General last year, Sir Peter has spent time working to help bushfire affected communities get back on their feet. This year he was asked by the Business Council to head up BizRebuild, an organisation which aims to assist bushfire affected businesses. The damage done to small businesses by the bushfires was only made worse when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Decades-old shops have been forced to shut their doors, and some will never reopen. Across Frankston, the Mornington Peninsula, and beyond, small businesses have been devastated. Despite the challenges ahead, Sir Peter urged business owners to “refuse to give in”. “Businesses scale themselves on both the lo-
cal population and annual visitation, and that has gone down when their backs are already to the wall,” he said. “What I observe though, is that ingenious small businesses that refuse to give in will struggle through, with the help of the wider community.”
Never one to sit still, Sir Peter has been keeping as busy as expected during the pandemic. This year he has penned his new book titled You shouldn’t have joined, his second memoir. The book will provide an inside look at his time as the Governor-General.
“I thought back when I wrote my first book that would be the end of my public life. Then out of blue I had all these corporate experiences and became Governor-General, so there was another book in it” he said. “My time as Governor-General is the meat and drink of the book. I speak about politics, politicians, the routines of the Governor-General, Kings and Queens and Presidents, the republic, and other essential challenges we will face in the future.” Sir Peter will talk to Frankston library members about his memoir via Zoom at an event next month. The event will take place on Monday 9 November at 6pm. Bookings can be made at library.frankston.vic.gov.au or ourlibrary.mornpen.vic.gov.au
Be a leader. Become a teacher. Become a teacher to lead us into the future, and inspire who comes next.
vic.gov.au/TeachTheFuture
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
21 October 2020
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LETTERS
Letters - 300 words maximum and including full name, address and contact number - can be sent to The News, PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or emailed to: team@mpnews.com.au
Warning councillors: behave or face voter backlash I received my Mornington Peninsula Shire Council voting papers last Friday. Sitting down over the weekend to ponder on whether to cast a valid vote or not, I thought I would give it one last chance. Over the years I have noticed that people who run for council either want to get in to state or federal politics and use the council as a training ground or have a pet project that they want to get through. In earlier days, the council was made up of people who (in most cases) wanted to improve the shire and looked at the big picture of such things as affordable rates, good quality roads and sporting grounds and rubbish collection. In other words, what should the shire council do to make the life of its residents stressless and make those residents glad to live in such an enjoyable setting. Over the years we seem to have gradually lost the way with outlandish spending on things that are the responsibility of state and federal governments, not the shire. The last straw was the truly outlandish amount wasted in naming the new Rosebud aquatic centre (reportedly $200,000). It’s easy to do when it is someone else’s money. I was taught a good lesson when I was in business: “When spending company (council) money, ask yourself if it was my money would I spend it on whatever the expense was?” Most times I could justify the expense, sometimes not, so did not proceed. I have lived in Mount Martha since the early 1970s and would not want to live anywhere else. The Mornington Peninsula has a lot to offer in the way of countryside, small villages and some larger shopping areas to cover most items that people need in their day to day living. So, be on notice that unless you get back to the basics for all the residents of the peninsula “and stop wasting money” then, from the next election in four years, I will be voting invalid. Barry Kirkpatrick, Mount Martha
Council politics Please welcome the Liberal Party machine to our local council elections. At a meet the candidates Briars Ward town hall session Thursday 15 October, candidates were requested to declare any party membership. It came out there are three Liberal candidates, one Greens and no Labor in Briars. The Greens’ transparently sees them declare endorsement to the Victorian Electoral Commission, however it’s not Liberal Party practice to follow suit. Coincidently, the three Liberal candidates are preferencing each other. Some will call this ward stacking. In our proportional voting system if one of the three gets enough of the primary vote the other two preference flows combine to push him above the quota and so is then elected. It’s not illegal and I don’t imply any wrongdoing, so welcome to the new norm for democracy on the peninsula. Kelvin Stingel, Blairgowrie
Psychological stress I am a clinical psychologist practicing in Rosebud and I am extremely concerned about the impact on residents’ mental health due to restricted times people can walk their dog on McCrae dog beach now that daylight saving has started. Residents’ mental health is very fragile presently due to COVID-19, especially if they live alone. A walk on the beach with their dog is often the one outlet they have. They also have the opportunity to meet others, which is vital to psychological wellbeing. Most don’t go if they can’t take their dog. For elderly people to get to the beach before 9am or after 7pm when they have all day in isolation is far too restrictive. I would suggest all day access, at least while COVID-19 is on and much more flexibility when it is over. Julie Cornwell, Rosebud
Obey dog rules We have a fantastic foreshore reserve in Hastings, with excellent facilities, yet I find it difficult to take my young family there. My children are afraid to go to this park because of
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past experiences with dogs knocking them over. Reassuring them that we only go to areas where dogs are required to be on leads seems futile in the face of largescale non-compliance. Are dog owners aware that dogs are expected to be on leads in the southern part of the reserve, or why these rules are in place? It is clearly signposted right along the walking track. Every time I walk past the Pelican Park precinct, I encounter dog owners openly flouting these rules. On any given day, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council could make a fortune in fines should it decide to enforce the penalties that the signs refer to. Many dog owners may be tempted to think, “but I know my dog won’t stray far and attack anyone”. The problem with this way of thinking is that upon seeing your disregard for the rules, other dog owners feel justified in letting their own dogs off-lead, until breaking the rules becomes the accepted norm. I’m sure all would agree that not all dog owners have dogs that know how to behave off-lead. Please, dog owners, think about why the rules are in place and follow them. There is a huge clearly signposted off-leash area at the northern end of the foreshore for you to let your dogs off lead. Let your dogs run there and respect the rights of other park users who wish to enjoy the southern end of the foreshore without concern for errant dogs knocking over their kids and gatecrashing their picnics. Russell Ward, Hastings
Hands off crabs What is happening with the targeting of our local spider crabs that come into the shallows to moult every year is the equivalent of the roses being removed from the annual flower and garden show (“Spider crab ‘harvest’ threat to festival” The News 5/10/20). Thousands of people look forward to the flower show and come to see and smell the magnificent roses, even though they may be short-lived, and even though there are hundreds of thousands of roses elsewhere in Melbourne. But what if a group of people suddenly decided to come to the flower show to pull all the roses out at the roots and drag the rose bushes by the dozens back into their cars simply because they were so easy to access and there was no law yet that said they couldn’t? Now substitute roses for spider crabs. How devastating for locals and the marine environment that this practice has recently emerged and is now being tolerated and defended by those who suddenly want to reduce the spectacle of the spider crabs to nothing more than low grade fishing stock. What an indefensible assault against a grand, eagerly anticipated annual event promoted by Sir David Attenborough himself that is now being ruined for everyone. Some people are arguing there are millions, even billions of spider crabs in Port Phillip all year round (is there any scientific proof of that?). Let the crab catchers go after those millions of crabs then, but not come to pillage huge numbers of crabs when they come into our local piers each year as the community eagerly await their return. This is not about how many crabs are in the bay, it’s about making sure an important local tradition of celebration isn’t destroyed. Leave the spider crabs alone when they are moulting. Chris Morton, Rosebud
Let pines live I’m trying to understand the current push by some zealous residents and Mornington Peninsula Shire for pine tree removal under the justification that they are non-indigenous environmental weeds. The newer first generation peninsula population in conjunction with the shire is determining an alternate identity of the peninsula landscape with no consideration to planting history and heritage. It seems nonsensical in the extreme to be removing aged trees when we are deep into climate change, bushfires have ravaged the country, wholesale land clearing is occurring, and wildlife is being lost at an alarming rate.
21 October 2020
It’s vital that more trees are planted, so why target pines when we are actually the non-indigenous environmental weeds. Peter Avery, Flinders
Final lost to women It was hard to understand why the women’s AFL finals were cancelled. However, the Tigers’ coach has given us the answer with his quote of the week: “It is a big boys’ game.” Geoffrey Lane, Mornington
Takeover intended The president of Peninsula Aero Club, Jack Vevers’ claim that “a pseudo PAC takeover of [Mornington Peninsula] Shire … is a fanciful notion”, which itself appears to be highly dubious given the PAC how-to-vote card that appeared on social media last week allocating a preference number for every candidate in every ward of the shire for the current election (“Proairfield candidates want state to act” The News 5/10/20 and “Deadline close for most unusual poll” 12/10/20). There is apparently nothing “pseudo” about the PAC intention – it seems to want a real takeover of the shire. Let’s trust the voters reject such foolishness without hesitation. Brewis Atkinson, Tyabb
China deals Aussie Sadler describes [China’s] President Xi Jinping as world enemy No 1 and therefore suggests [Victorian Premier] Dan Andrews is betraying Australia by signing the memorandum of understanding for the Belt and Road Initiative (“Chinese colony” Letters 13/10/20). I wonder then how he felt about [federal Treasurer] Josh Frydenberg and the Foreign Investment Review Board giving approval for Mengnui Dairy to pay $1.5 billion for Bellamy’s, an Australian infant formula group in November 2019, or the lease of the Port of Darwin in 2015 to Landbridge, a Chinese Company? Despite the federal government’s anti-Chinese rhetoric, the reality is that we depend on exports to China of our natural resources and agriculture, not to mention the reliance of universities on the custom of Chinese students, to sustain a healthy economy. The concern about the possibility of China to buy our coal is an example of our reliance on that trade. Marg D’Arcy, Rye
State of blame What world does this lady live in (“Lockdown necessary” Letters 6/10/20)? She praises Victorian Premier] Dan Andrews for imposing this lockdown for the good of the community, but fails to mention that Victoria has had 90 per cent of all Australian COVID19 deaths and 74 per cent of Australian COVID-19 cases. This is a severe indictment on this state government and its total incompetence in handling hotel quarantine which has forced this severe lockdown. My husband and I have lived on the Mornington Peninsula for 50 years and have many active and healthy friends (seniors) who have not contributed COVID-19 statistics because they have: Obeyed all the strict rules set down by Mr Andrews. No one is able to visit friends or relatives and the five kilometre rule makes life hell. Seniors wear their masks; stay home (apart from time out for exercise) and don’t gather in large groups. No one we know of has increased the numbers of the COVID-19 horror. They have not flocked to the beaches in large groups every time the sun comes out or taken part in mass protests against the lockdown. Most seniors spend money as they see fit. Grey nomads normally go north for a couple of months in winter, many go overseas. It costs money but this year no one can travel even locally, thanks to Dan. Sick people do spend – it costs a lot of money trying to get better. Yes, families with younger children are vulnerable and their care and futures are important. Seniors have been there, they have worked all their lives, put kids through school and deserve a happy retirement. Lynn Ibbotson, Mount Martha
A safe place Australia’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic is seen by some people who are not stationed in Victoria as incompetent and disorganised.
How cozy for them, living away from the awful lockdown Victorians have endured for months while watching other Australians enjoying a reasonably free lifestyle and with less fear of contagion or financial hardship. They have no idea how hard it has been or how stoic most Victorian citizens have been. It is ludicrous that the borders in the European Union are open when Australia’s internal borders are shut because the Europeans have thousands and thousands of virus cases every day and this includes the United Kingdom. The US has 220,000 [fatal] cases and still counting, whereas Australia has 900 over six months. I know where I feel safer. Mary Lane, Mornington
Assess facts I see John Cain’s letters becoming more meandering and less logical as the COVID-19 crisis goes on (“Different approaches” Letters 13/10/20). On one thing he is consistent [Victorian Premier] Dan Andrews is the best. Dan Andrews can do no wrong. Let’s deal with some of Mr Andrews’ key achievements: 800 COVID-19 related deaths; the worst run hotel quarantine system; the most ineffective COVID-19 tracing system; a team that has collective amnesia when facing responsibility; setting records for time in lockdown. The list could go on and on. Assessment of Mr Andrews should be based on facts, not just blind bias. Robert Hampson, Sorrento
Travel safe The Prime Minister Scott Morrison did not go to South Australia for a holiday, he went (on 25 September) for the LNP annual general meeting, which he is entitled to attend (“Different approaches” Letters 13/10/20). I believe he took a short family holiday to the outskirts of Sydney in July. It would be a really good idea, in my opinion, if Mr Cain left the PM’s family out his letters. The only “safe” COVID-19 country is New Zealand – a safe travel zone has been established with that country. All other returning travellers have to quarantine for 14 days. Perhaps Mr Cain can do a little research in future. Victoria will not be accepting any international flights for the foreseeable future. Mr Cain displays a playful sense of humour by suggesting that Daniel Andrews should be running the country as he “believes in health before wealth”. This beggars belief. Are more than 100 appearances before journalists a badge of honour? [Sky News commentator and former chief of staff to prime minister Tony Abbott] Peta Credlin certainly doesn’t think so and got some reluctant action from our premier. Our hardworking restaurant owners (and business people in this state generally) are suffering terribly and Mr Cain chooses to belittle their efforts. Prince or pauper indeed. Kevin Kahalane, Mornington
Reject gas plan I just became aware that AGL is asking for a planning change in its proposal for a dirty liquid gas import facility at Crib Point in Western Port. It is asking for Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s approval to grab chunks of the beaches and foreshore adjacent to their proposed liquid gas factory at Woolley’s Beach, an area where people enjoy picnics and launch kayaks and canoes. This is part of AGL’s plan submitted in its EES that has taken two years to cobble together and opens up more questions than it answers about the desirability, sustainability or the need for this travesty. In typical state government fairness, the local community was given a “generous” five weeks to trawl through the more than 10,000 pages of the EES to make strong, informed rebuttals to many of the spurious and sometimes misleading assertions about the oh so environmentally “benign” and socially “desirable” Ramsar wetland “improving” floating time bomb for Western Port. Obviously the company’s socially “caring” attitude shows strongest in the proposed grab of our pristine foreshores for personal and shareholder gain. If ever there was a project that should be killed off as soon as practicable, it is this one. Rupert Steiner, Balnarring
100 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK...
Council called before Minister to settle deadlock Compiled by Cameron McCullough THE councillors of the shire of Frankston and Hastings have received a communication from the Minister of Public Works requesting them to attend before him, at his office in Melbourne, on Tuesday next, 19th inst., for the purpose of discussing the present position, and arriving at an amicable settlement of the dispute which has caused a deadlock for nearly three months. *** AN open air meeting, under the auspices of the Frankston branch of the anti-liquor league, will be held in Bay Street, under the electric light, on Wednesday evening next, at 8 o’clock. Ex-Senator Watson will deliver the address, and, according to an advertisement in another column, “will refute the anti-prohibition lies.” *** SOLDIERS from the Caulfield hospital will visit Frankston on Sunday next, and will be entertained at afternoon tea by the local ladies. Gifts may be left with Mrs D. Petrie, Mrs Ward or Miss Gregory. *** A GRAND bazaar, organised by the Somerville ladies’ hall committee, will be opened in the Somerville Horticultural Hall on Friday, 22nd October, at 8 o’clock, by Major Conder. Features will be the Diggers’ stall, book stall, and all sorts of novelties. The bazaar will be continued on Saturday. *** MR D. E. Manson, of Frankston College, is now forming shorthand and typewriting classes for which a
Melbourne expert has been specially engaged. Intending pupils are advised to enrol at once. *** THE committee of the recent hospital ball at Frankston desire to specially thank Mr A. Bailey, of the Frankston Nurseries for his kindness in supplying the palms and ferns which contributed so materially to the success of the stage decorations. *** A PUBLIC meeting, under the auspices of the local branch of the Victorian Protestant Federation, will be held in the Frankston hall on Friday, 22nd inst. See advt. *** MR George May received a warm welcome from his fellow committeemen at the Frankston Sports Club meeting on Monday night. Mr May recently returned from a health trip to Queensland, and appears to have greatly benefitted by the change. *** MR D. E. Hoban, the ex-President of the Shire of Frankston and Hastings, has returned to Melbourne after his trip to Western Australia, where he visited the various goldfields and a great deal of the back country. He covered over 5,000 miles and is in the best of health. His next jaunt will probably be to sunny Queensland en route for the Old Country. *** AT the Mechanics’ Institute, Frankston, tonight, the Hon. A. Downward, M.L.A. will address the electors
on current politics. On Saturday night, Mr Downward addresses a meeting at the Town Hall, Hastings. *** TONIGHT, at the Kismet Hall, Chelsea, the Frankston Pictures will present their first programme at that place. Dustin Farnum will be starred in a Paramount feature. The Chelsea people have promised a hearty welcome in the shape of liberal support. As Carrum does not at present boast a picture enterprise, it has been suggested that the Frankston Pictures make a start at Carrum. At the present time, that move is no contemplated, but the immediate future may see a change in that respect. *** AT a recent meeting of the Frankston II’s Football Club, members presented Mrs C. Wood with a silver mounted biscuit barrel in recognition of services rendered, during the past season. Mr H. Morrison made the presentation and Mr Hector McComb spoke in suppport. Mrs Wood suitably returned thanks. *** MISS Ivy May, who was specially engaged to contribute. songs and dances at the Frankston Pictures on Saturday night, failed to put in an appearance, or notify the management. The audience were disappointed, but the management were not to blame. The writer of these notes would suggest these names – Misses Dulcie Carr, Vera Nuttall, Addie Goble, Freda Cuthbert, Rosa Sinclair and Mr Fred Hayes – as artists likely to “go big”
with local audiences. *** THE social at Moorooduc, under the auspices of the Victorian Farmers’ Union, on Wednesday, October 6th was very successful. Musical and vocal items were rendered by Mrs Cook, the Misses Unthank, and Mr Kerr, whilst Mesdames Andrews, Lucas, Wilkinson, and Miss Slaney provided refreshment. Mr Bradford acted as master of ceremonies. *** DURING last week, Messrs James Ellis and Phillip Hunkin, the well known Benalla storekeepers, purchased building allotments at Frankston. Mr F. Patterson, of Strathmerton, also secured a block. *** ON Saturday, November 13th the first annual picnic of the employees of the Vacuum Oil Co. Pty Ltd will be held at Mornington. Several hundred employees will be present, together with the company’s directors. Had excursion boats called at Frankston, the picnic would have been held here. The Progress Association should get busy, and rectify the injustice. *** A PUBLIC meeting to consider the ways and means of honoring returned soldiers was called recently at Mornington, but the meeting failed to materialise! *** AT the Cheltenham Police Court on Wednesday last, Stanley Hournies was fined £2, with £2 10s costs, for having
assaulted Rupert Mains, farmer, of Balnarring, in the Mornington train on Saturday, October 2nd. *** THE Frankston Fire Brigade requires recruits. Those who desire to become members are advised to see Mr D. H. Petrie, or meet at the brigade tonight at eight o’clock. *** BLOCKS, quarter acre size, in Nolan St, Frankston, near Hastings Road, last week brought £30 apiece at a sale in Melbourne. The upset price was £15. Mrs Rogerson was the purchaser. *** WHEN speaking at Somerville and Tyabb recently, Mr Dowling stressed the necessity, for opening new overseas markets for surplus fruit. This has now been done – the State Government having arranged for the opening of markets in India and China. *** MEMBERS of the Melbourne Piscatorial Club are urging the abolition of mesh netting in Port Phillip Bay, as they allege that, from the economic standpoint, it is the most wasteful form of fishing yet devised. It was stated that 320 miles of mesh net was being used in the bay. The Rosebud fishermen have already asked for a closed area. *** MRS Geo. Shepherd, of Somerville, has been indisposed for some weeks, but is now convalescent. *** FROM the pages of the Mornington Standard, 15 October 1920
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 21 October 2020
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DOWN 1. Resolve (conflict) 2. Wish for 3. Spiritual glow 4. Crushes (fly) 5. Strength of mind 6. Pure 9. Travels along runway 11. Cloudy eye condition
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THE MEANING OF EXISTENCE... AND OTHER SHORT STORIES
Bill Gates: Succubus of the Universe (Or ‘Things the Internet Taught Me’) By Stuart McCullough SOMETIMES I feel a little sorry for Bill Gates. Not often, but sometimes. You’d think that his spectacular success and billions of dollars would shield him from both wild conspiracy theories and his abominable haircut, but apparently not. Even the most cursory glance at the Internet will tell you two things. Firstly, pretty much everything is the fault of Bill Gates. Secondly, there are a lot of different food delivery options out there right now. That has nothing to do with Bill, but they’re everywhere. Since cashing in his (micro)chips, Bill has taken an interest in philanthropy. Once upon a time in the not too distant past, philanthropy was considered a good thing and not something to be destroyed at all costs. In fact, the term ‘philanthropy’ comes from the Greek work ‘philanthropia’ which translates to ‘loving people’. Not normally the kind of thing you’d expect to make people bubble over with molten fury, but these are not normal times. Bill, so it seems, has become something of a target. The claims about Bill are pretty wild. So wild that they don’t bear repeating, lest it should inadvertently add further grist to the rumour mill. Suffice to say, COVID-19 is Bill’s fault. And his efforts to develop a vaccine will, apparently, either result in millions of people being wiped off the Earth or, alternatively, in Bill being able to control the thoughts of those who take it. I’m not sure what Bill would do if he controlled people’s minds. Probably tell them to always wear a pair of pressed Chinos and a sensible sweater. Had he really wanted to control people’s minds, Bill would have stayed at Microsoft. According to either an Essential Poll or, alternatively, something I managed to Google from the Internet, a staggering one in eight Australians believe Bill Gates was involved in the creation and spread of coronavirus. Confusingly, one in eight Australians also blame the spread of the coronavirus on the 5G network. It begs the question – is it the same one in eight who are blaming both Bill and 5G for the pandemic? Are
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they completely separate groups, each of which regards the other as heretics? Or is there some kind of ‘Venn diagram’ with an unknown degree of overlap between the two? Worryingly, the results are particularly poor for the 18 to 35 year old demographic, with one in five blaming Bill. Personally, I’m a little surprised that one in five 18 to 35 year olds have heard of Bill Gates, much less know enough about him to think he’s the source of all their troubles. I’d like to think that they’d misheard
21 October 2020
the question. Perhaps they mistook Bill Gates for, I dunno, Satan or BTS (if there’s a difference). Somewhat ironically, the webpage I looked at to research 5G conspiracy theories is chock-a-block full of Telstra adverts. I’d never thought of Telstra as having a sense of humour, but there you go. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, humankind went through a period of philosophical and intellectual enlightenment often referred to as ‘The Age of Reason’. This movement later
culminated an album of the same name by John Farnham. The video clip, in particular, really summed it up, as one J. Farnham stood on top of a large rocky outcrop while wearing a pair of Ugg boots; sporting a mullet that could be seen from space. (Clearly, the Enlightenment did not extend to fashion sense.) To make it even more miraculous, he was also wearing leather trousers. Ever gone mountain climbing in leather pants? I didn’t think so. But just as John Farnham eventually climbed down from that mighty apex, so too has humankind come down a notch. We’ve moved from the Information Age to the Disinformation Age with barely a pause. Remember when the Internet was ‘the Information Superhighway’? Nobody calls it that anymore. What we thought would be eight digital lanes of cruising comfort has turned out to be a gravel road loaded with potholes where, if you don’t hold tightly onto the steering wheel, you’re likely to end up in a ditch. Quite literally, anyone can say anything on the Internet and there’s almost zero accountability. Some might expect me to defend Bill Gates. Quite the opposite. Instead, I’ve decided to blame Bill Gates for everything. Out of milk? I’ll fall to my knees, raise my clenched fists to the sky and cry ‘Bill Gates!’ at the top of my lungs. Can’t find a shoe? Blame Bill. A lot of people think that the Bermuda Triangle is some kind of supernatural phenomenon that eats boats but, guess again: Bill Gates. In fact, floods, fires, El Nino, VHS rather than Betamax and the failure to screen ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ next year are his fault. From this day forth, millions will curse the name ‘Bill Gates’ down through the ages until…. It just occurred to me that everything I know about Bill I read on the Internet. Which, given all I’ve just said, should be treated with caution. In fact, I’m writing this story using a Microsoft program. Perhaps Bill’s not such a bad guy after all. Bill, if you’re reading this, the kettle’s on. Come on over for a cuppa anytime. stuart@stuartmccullough.com
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ABC spotlight falls on Pines SOCCER
By Craig MacKenzie A TV show, a new home ground for 2021, community projects and hospital beds for Fiji … Frankston Pines has been a hive of activity recently. Last week the spotlight fell on the club’s four young Fijian internationals, Pines vice-president Victor Kumar and senior coach Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor who were interviewed by former Socceroos inhouse videographer Ben Coonan. Coonan’s company Side Netting had been contracted by Beyond Productions to work on a show commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation focussing on the lives of Pacific Islanders in Australia. There’s no working title yet for the program which is likely to have two episodes air before Christmas with the Pines’ segment expected to be part of the first episode. Kumar combines his administrative responsibilities at Pines with presidency of the Victorian Multicultural Sports Association, a Fijian community group which is now headquartered at Monterey Reserve after partnering with the local club late last year. Kumar played a pivotal role in the signing of goalkeeper Aeseli Batikasa, defender Penni Tuigulagula, midfielder Savenaca Baledrokadroka and striker Tito Vodawaqa who arrived from Fiji in February this year. They were set to spearhead Pines’ State 3 promotion push until the season was scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic. The quartet has been active during Melbourne’s lockdown by becoming involved in a series of community projects including shopping and gardening for locals in the Doveton area in which they live. They also have been working with Connect Community Care Frankston, a Christian volunteer-based organisation that assists the local community and have helped deliver a large number of meals to needy and vulnerable people in the Frankston area. The link with the Connect group came through the Play For Lives campaign spearheaded by former Socceroo and SBS football analyst Craig Foster, which aims to place professional athletes into the thousands of essential volunteer positions left vacant in the
Lights, camera, action: Pines gaffer Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor being interviewed for ABC TV. Inset: Pines’ Fijian internationals, from left: Savenaca Baledrokadroka, Tito Vodawaqa, Aeseli Batikasa and Penni Tuigulagula. Pictures: Ben Coonan, Side Netting. Peter Psarros
wake of the pandemic. But it’s not just local community projects that Pines have been involved in. Had anyone visited the Monterey Reserve clubrooms last week they would have found 40 hospital beds housed in the function area. This joint project between the club and the VMSA saw these beds flown to Fiji later in the week. The beds were donated by the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and Arjo Australia and free transportation was made possible by Praveen Prasad of Capital Transport and Ron Sharma of Swift Transport Services. Then came news the club has been trying to keep under wraps for weeks when Frankston council finally lifted the embargo on plans to relocate Pines to the newly upgraded Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve in Wedge Road for the 2021 season. This move has been facilitated by the $3.9 million makeover of Monterey Reserve with demolition of the existing clubrooms due early next year. It’s anticipated that building of the new clubrooms could start in Febru-
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that,” senior coach Taylor said. “I’ve spoken to council about the surface at Wedge Road and at the time I expressed some concerns about softtissue injuries that can come with artificial surfaces but I’ve been assured that council has seen to it that everything has been done in terms of shock absorption and things like that. “From what I’ve been told it looks like we’ll also have access to the grass surface there and be able to do recovery sessions on the grass if need be so I’m happy with that.” Taylor has firsthand knowledge of synthetic surfaces having guided Bentleigh Greens’ under-20s to a championship during his time with the NPL giant. He thinks that the pitch could be advantageous to his squad. “It should allow us to continue with a possession-based style and I think there will only be us and Monash playing on an artificial surface which could give us an advantage I guess. “If you are not used to it then it can be a bit tricky at first. “We might continue to play home games at night and it can be a little
ary and feature flooring roughly 1.5 metres higher than present and a glass front to enable spectators to watch matches from inside. There will be an embankment in front of the clubrooms and it’s expected that new dugouts will be built with Pines keen to situate the away team dugout on the outer part of the main pitch. Four new changerooms, male and female referees rooms, a new bar and new canteen are expected to transform Monterey Reserve into a first rate facility. It also will provide the club with an infrastructure base on which to develop its all-abilities and junior programs. At Wedge Road Pines will play on a FIFA-approved synthetic pitch constructed by the Tuff Group. The pitch consists of a combined synthetic turf product with sand and TPE infill on a preformed shock pad. There are now over 3000 such pitches worldwide and they come with a claim of state-of-the-art performance. “We could have stayed at Monterey but that would have meant operating out of portables and we didn’t want
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bit slicker with the dew you get as the night closes in. “Yeah it can affect the bounce a little bit. “My biggest thing with artificial surfaces is when you are playing in the heat of the day because they retain the heat like nobody’s business.” Pines now seem certain to conduct pre-season at Wedge Road provided Victoria’s public health response continues to corral the coronavirus. It also looms as the facility that will host a very important visitor should the clubrooms at Monterey Reserve not be available. Kumar and Fiji prime minister Frank Bainimarama are friends and Kumar hosted a business event for Bainimarama in 2018 attended by former Pines vice-president Daniel Plaiche. Kumar also met with the Fijian PM in September 2019 on his first official visit to Australia. “When he comes to Australia and when these restrictions here are eased he’ll be coming to the Pines 100 per cent,” Kumar said.
CHELSEA MORDIALLOC MENTONE NEWS scoreboard
Paralympics star sets sights on fourth games Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au ELLIE Cole was just 16 years old when she waved goodbye to her Frankston High School classmates and jetted off for the Beijing Paralympics. By the time she returned her whole life had changed, and she was a three-time Paralympic medal winner. Cole was treated like a star by her classmates, a time she recalls with both fondness and a hint of embarrassment. “I still remember the pride the school had,” the star swimmer told The News. “There were posters all over the place, and I’m a bit modest so I didn’t handle the attention that well. I asked them to take them down when I got back! “I was really fortunate to go to a very understanding school. I was in a team with other school athletes who were struggling with their workload, but my teachers were really great,” she said. “When I came home with my two bronzes and a silver all my schoolmates thought it was pretty cool, and they wore my medals around. Everyone was super proud and I still keep in touch with those friends now.” More than a decade has passed since Cole competed in Beijing. During that time her trophy cabinet has grown considerably, and now features six Paralympic gold medals. Cole is currently working hard to stay fit for the 2020 Paralympic Games, which thanks to the bizarre nature of this year, will take place in 2021. Cole is no stranger to adapting to difficult circumstances though, and has taken the delay in her stride. “It’s been pretty difficult preparing, we had to push back everything for 12 months. So for this year we are trying to stay fit, but I think that athletes going through this coronavirus period can learn a lot and teach something to kids,” Cole said. “Everything is now back to a relative sense of
normalcy, but we did have to get really creative with our training programs, including having Zoom training sessions.” In the 12 years that have passed since Beijing, Cole says that the perception of the Paralympics has improved. “It’s become a lot more professional,” she said. “Now I can train for the Paralympics full time without having to have a full time job. “A lot of people also didn’t understand what the Paralympics really were, but we really saw a jump in interest in Australia after the Commonwealth Games. Now I train with two Olympians, and they’re all really interested in how I do things.” Last week, through the Optus Olympics Unleashed program, Cole returned to her old high school for a Zoom session with sports students. She knows all about overcoming adversity having lost her leg at a young age, and shared her tale of resilience with the students that have done it so tough this year. “It’s really important to stay connected at the moment,” she said about struggling young people this year. “From my experience of going through life and being really adaptive, I know it forces people into making changes. It makes people feel uncomfortable. But, it makes everybody into top people.”
SIX-time Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Cole. Picture: Supplied
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