Police patrol Road rage victim rammed
Annual visit: This humpback whale rising to the surface off Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island, was photographed by the Dolphin Research Institute which operates with a Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning research permit.
It’s no fluke, the whales are back WHALE sightings are being reported in Western Port and Port Phillip bays in what researchers say has become an annual event coinciding with the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. The Dolphin Research Institute and the Two Bays Whale Project have been receiving reports of humpback and southern right whales in both bays. “Humpback whales regularly visit Port Phillip and Western Port from June through to mid-August and again from late September to November,” DRI research officer Sue Mason said. “The first reported sighting of a humpback whale usually comes into the institute around the Queen’s Birthday weekend, prompting DRI’s research staff to call the weekend Whale Weekend. These whales are on a detour as they migrate north along the east Australian coast. “ Ms Mason said humpbacks were easily identified by their dorsal fin and pectoral fins that are about one third of their body length. “In contrast, southern right whales have smaller, square pectoral fins, lack a dorsal fin and have a rostrum, or nose,
covered with hard, lighter coloured skin patches called callosities.” Ms Mason said recommended lookout sites for whales included Point Nepean, Mills Beach, Mornington, and the Nobbies and Cape Woolamai on Phillip Island. “On the odd occasion, the Sorrento to Queenscliff ferry can become an impromptu whale watching vessel. For example, a southern right whale was seen off Portsea last Sunday evening from the ferry,” she said. Last year, the Two Bays Whale Project, which records sightings from the Barwon Coast to Inverloch, received 87 validated sightings, including 80 humpbacks, four southern rights and three killer whales. Whale sightings can be reported on the Dolphin Research Institute webpage www.dolphinresearch.org.au or be leaving a message on the Two Bays Whale Project Facebook page. Boats must not approach to within less than 200 metres of a whale. Keith Platt
IN a savage road rage incident in Chelsea Heights a man was initially told the car in which he was a passenger had a flat tyre. When he got out to check, the offending driver reversed into him, trapping him between the two cars and injuring his legs. Witnesses said a blue Nissan Pulsar with a male driver and female passenger pulled up next to the victim’s car, which was waiting to turn right from the Mornington Peninsula Freeway into Springvale Rd, 7.30pm, Friday 24 June. After alerting the victim to the supposed flat tyre, the Nissan drove forward, then quickly backed into the man’s legs, with the driver swearing at and abusing him, before he drove off towards Springvale. The victim managed to crawl back into his friend’s car while suffering grazing, bleeding, swelling and significant pain to his legs. They followed the assailant’s car for four minutes before losing him, and then took the injured man to Dandenong hospital. Kingston police urge anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Bandits hit TAB
PARKDALE TAB was held up by two men, one claiming to have a gun, 9.30pm, Thursday 23 June, and almost $16,000 stolen. Their victim was bound with cable ties during the raid and threatened that the thieves knew his address, hinting that they would visit his house if he called police.
When locking up for the night the victim told police he saw a man wearing dark pants, dark hoodie, and with a blue scarf covering his face, waiting outside. The man lifted the hoodie showing the gun and demanded to be let in. Another man then appeared wearing a hi-vis jacket, hood, and Guy Fawkes mask. The victim was told to turn off the alarm and open the safe, which has an internal safe with time delay function. One thief took $900 cash from the front safe, while the other offender bound the victim’s hands and feet and removed his wallet, containing his licence, name and address. The thieves smashed phones inside the TAB while waiting for the safe timer to expire, and asked questions specific to the TAB, such as its busiest times and when the till was emptied. After the delay period the bound man was forced to open the safe. The thieves took $15,000 and ran off. The victim managed to cut himself free and contact his cousin on Facebook and set off the alarm. Kingston police urge anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Club gear stolen
THIEVES stole audio equipment from the Galt Reserve clubrooms, Parkdale, between Sunday 19 June and Friday 25 June. The equipment is used by ground announcers on match days. Anyone with information is urged to call Mordialloc police, 9588 2988.
‘Train pain’ for long-term gain FRANKSTON line commuters are being asked to be patient during a 37-day closure of part of the rail line to remove level crossings at Bentleigh, Ormond and McKinnon. Passengers will have to hop on to buses supplied by Metro Trains between Caulfield and Moorabbin until works end on 31 July. “These level crossings were among Victoria’s worst, with boom gates down for more than a third of the morning peak. Those boom gates are history and we’re getting on with removing more crossings,” Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said. During the closure, 1000 construction workers will work around the clock, excavating more than 250,000 cubic metres – enough to fill the
MCG – to lower the train line by up to seven metres and remove the crossings. The Stony Point line will also be closed down until 31 July since trains running along that line will be unable to travel to Melbourne for maintenance during the partial Frankson line shutdown. Trains will return at the start of August, and new train stations at Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh will be opened to passengers over the month. See levelcrossings.vic.gov.au for more information about the works, the project and service changes. Off line: Trains will not run between Caulfied and Moorabbin stations until the end of July. Picture: Gary Sissons
O IT NL S Y AV FE AI W LA BL E
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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
29 June 2016
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