NEWS DESK Police patrol Boy terrorised A 12-YEAR-old boy was repeatedly manhandled, threatened and intimidated by two teenagers who stole his watch in a Parkdale street, 5pm, Wednesday 22 March. The boy was walking to the station along Como Parade West from St Bedes, Mentone, when the pair approached and demanded his wallet. In desperation, the boy asked a woman passer-by to call police, but she ignored him and kept walking. The older offender spat on the victim and the pair prised the G-Shock watch off the boy’s wrist and told him to walk away while they ran off south towards Parkdale train station. The offenders are Caucasian. The older is aged 18, 175cm, thin build, brown eyes and unshaven. He was wearing a black hat with orange logo, blue and white hoodie and Camo jeans. The younger is aged 15-16,
160cm, shoulder-length blond hair, blue eyes and pimples. He was wearing a black Nike jacket and black sport shorts. Call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Trafficking charges POLICE allegedly found methamphetamines and cash in a car being reversed along a Mordialloc street, 4.45am, Friday 24 March. During an initial search, police said they found resealable plastic bags including one with a clear crystal substance as well as $260 in cash in the car in Collocott Rd. A further search allegedly found two more bags containing a clear crystal substance inside a flap on the driver’s window visor, $410 in a bag under the driver’s seat, and a mobile phone. A Brighton East man, 34, has been charged with trafficking methamphetamine and bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on 16 June.
Chipping in for Scouts trailer MEMBERS of the 3rd Chelsea Air Scout Group are all smiles after a substantial grant from Freemasons Foundation Victoria, along with its own fundraising and support from the Chelsea community, allowed it to raise enough money to buy a new trailer. Scout leader Paul Villani that about three years ago the group’s trailer, used for Scouting activities including camps, major events and fundraising, was stolen from its storage hall in Carrum. “This posed a problem for the group as we had to beg and borrow from other groups and districts to be able to have our children’s camp and attend activities that required lots of equipment and gear,” he said. The group drew up plans for a new trailer to cost $5500, but this could not be covered by the insur-
ance money. So, members rolled up their sleeves and began fundraising while seeking the support of local traders. Then, a substantial grant from Freemasons Foundation Victoria upped the ante and provided enough money to buy a new trailer. Signage along the sides of the trailer was going to be very expensive, too. “We needed to have signage to advertise our group, to provide a bit of security by having a big name on the sides and back, and to thank our supporters,” Mr Villani said. “Local sign-writers SeeSigns came to our assistance and donated a lot of labour and materials to assist us.” New trailer: Scout leaders Caleb Venn, left, and Paul Villani, right, with Freemasons Foundation Victoria’s Neil Cripps. Picture: Yanni
Church appeal goes to Supreme Court Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au A GROUP that saw a bid to build a place or worship on green wedge land in Carrum Downs dashed by VCAT on religious grounds is appealing to the Supreme Court of Victoria to press ahead with its plan. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled in February that the Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) is not a recognised religion for the purposes of being allowed to build
a church on green wedge land (“Religion ruling ‘a win for the wedge’”, The News 1/3/17). A Supreme Court appeal against the VCAT decision is listed to be heard on Friday 31 March. Defenders of the South East Green Wedge spokesman Barry Ross is listed as a respondent despite not raising religious reasons for the RSSB not being granted the planning permit. The group’s appeal to maintain the rural character of the area 26.3 hectares of green wedge land between EastLink and Frankston-Dandenong
Rd and Boundary Rd near an existing Hindu temple was rejected by VCAT. VCAT panel member Michael Deidun instead ruled a proposal to build a place of worship for RSSB devotees “are not related to the practice or following of a religion”. “I was informed during the course of the hearing that members of RSSB Australia Pty Ltd maintain their existing religious beliefs, whether they be Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu or another religion,” he said in the ruling. Mr Ross said he is seeking legal advice about the Supreme Court hearing.
Frankston Council has been listed as a second respondent despite councillors voting to approve the development at a public council meeting in July last year. RSSB chairman Michael Cooke confirmed the organisation has sought leave to appeal against the VCAT decision. The group is a self-proclaimed “philosophical organisation based on the spiritual teachings of all religions and dedicated to a process of inner development under the guidance of a spiritual teacher”.
RSSB’s “spiritual leader” is Baba Gurinder Singh who lives in northern India. RSSB has been granted non-profit religious institution status by the Australian Taxation Office. Frankston Council has been contacted for comment about the Supreme Court hearing. An attempt by RSSB to build the place of worship and dwellings to house devotees in Chirnside Park was rejected by Yarra Ranges Council in late 2014.
Place Your Classified Ads Online
1300 666 808 // sales@networkclassifieds.com.au
networkclassifieds.com.au Your advert can appear in print and online!
PAGE 8
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 29 March 2017