100 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK...
Nasty accident at Hastings Compiled by Cameron McCullough A VERY nasty accident, which might have ended much more seriously, took place on Friday afternoon of last week. Mr. H. Phillips, who has a young orchard on the “Run,” Hastings, was driving home about 4 o’clock. He had picked up three children going home from school, and was himself sitting in front of the spring-cart. Going down the incline where the Cemetery Road leaves the Melbourne Road, it is surmised, the backband or tugs broke, and the cart ran on to the horse’s heels. Mr. Philips was promptly kicked off the cart, and the horse bolted. Two of the youngsters dropped out along the road, escaping with a few bruises. Just across the bridge the horse came down, and the third boy, a son of Mr. J. Wilson, Cemetery Road, was pinned under the cart. Mr. Philips, who must be complimented for his grit, had followed up, though badly cut on the leg and head, and extricated him, when he was almost unconscious. Both are now doing well, and, it is hoped, will shortly be entirely recovered. The horse was badly cut about. It will be remembered that just a few months, ago Mr. Philips’ home was razed to the ground by fire during his absence, and every article of clothing and furniture lost, so he has had his share of bad luck. May good fortune now be his for a time! ***
HASTINGS still grows. Mrs. Hayes, of Frankston, is building a new shop next to Mr. A. Denham’s, where she hopes shortly to open a drapery business. *** KING APPLE By George Upton There is music in the packing shed, for you hear the papers rustle As each fruit is neatly wrapped and deftly put away, For the boys have got to hustle, and put on a bit of bustle, Now the boat is waiting for to take the fruit away. So the packers go on striving, while the fruit is still arriving, To wrap them and to pack them in a proper sort of way. And you’ll hear the rhythmic rustle, amid the hurry and the bustle, For the boats are all awaiting to take the fruit away. Throughout the Peninsula at present the main topic of conversation is apples. The daily work of most is amongst apples. The thoughts of many are of markets for apples, cases to contain apples for oversea or interstate markets, and the rush of work necessary to have the fruit picked, graded, wrapped, packed and consigned in time to reach the oversea boats that during March and April are being constantly loaded with fruit and other produce of the soil to supply the oversea demand. In the orchards the long rows of fruit trees are heavily laden with apples by the million, which, with
their bright tints of color, add a most charming and picturesque aspect to the orchards. Fruit is being picked into cases and carted to the packing shed, where the packers are busy all day, wrapping apples with others, all thoughts intent on finishing the case to a desirable level on top, and to make a record pack for the day. When it is considered that each case will contain 200 or more apples, it will be seen that the packer has to concentrate his mind on his work to pack a case in a few minutes. At the end of his day’s work he may have wrapped twenty thousand apples. The rustle of the paper used in wrapping apples makes continuous sound, and so it goes on each working day for two months – nothing but apples. They arrive at the sheds in legions daily, are packed away snugly in cases, loaded into railway trucks, and still they come pouring into the sheds to join this apparently inexhaustible procession of apples to the worlds of men outside the Peninsula. Can it be wondered at that the Apple is king? *** Langwarrin A pleasant social was held at the Methodist Church on Tuesday, 7th March, at which there was a good attendance. Parlor games were indulged in, and also a recitation by Miss Ridout and songs by Mr. D. Adderly and Miss Myrtle Corlett. A very pleasant evening was spent,
Supporting Ryman has upsides There is a huge downside risk to heritage and conservation posed by the inclusion of the Ryman property [in Mount Eliza] in this otherwise commendable C270morn zoning amendment (“April deadline to ‘save the green wedges’” The News 8/3/22). Some facts: n Moondah is a Victorian 42-room mansion built by James Grice in 1888. It is in desperate need of repair – this will cost $10m – or this priceless part of the Mornington Peninsula’s heritage will be lost forever. n Ryman spent $38m to buy this severely degraded property from Melbourne University in good faith. After Ansett ran a public hotel in the mansion, it was used as an education centre from 1957, most recently as the Mount Eliza Business School. The current zoning permits its use as a retirement village. This rezoning proposal is a cynical attempt to rewrite history. As Ryman wait for its permit to build, it is doing its best to prevent vandalism and decay. It has spent $800,000 restoring the gatehouse. How do we feel about plundering $40m from a respected aged care provider in our community? n The Ryman village will have less footprint than the existing business school’s built form, as the shambles of outbuildings will be demolished. The site will become a jewel in the crown of this beautiful neighbourhood and a blessing to many senior citizens as they move into the care of this retirement home and enjoy their twilight years with the dignity they deserve. n No effort has been made by Ryman’s objectors to explore win-win options that will add amenity, conservation, jobs and care to shire residents – and the opportunities are immense if there were good faith and goodwill to consult. Frank and Jacquie Hoogenraad, Patterson Lakes
Mud-flinging MP
Frankston, Vice-President of the Alfred Hospital, who occupied the presidential chair during the recent absence in England of Senator Fairbairn. Mrs. J. Lambie is taking an active part in the movement and has secured the interest of other well-known workers in community causes. All ladies are cordially invited by advertisement elsewhere. The Alfred Hospital Auxiliary movement has proved a remarkably successful one in the short time since it was inaugurated. Branches have been formed in all the metropolitan centres which the hospital specially serves, such as those south of the Yarra; and now the organisation is being extended to take in districts such as Frankston, which send a majority of their patients to the Alfred Hospital. The policy of the Auxiliary does not include appeals for money, but the quiet contribution of articles in common use at the hospital. In this way the different branches in a few months have already relieved the expenditure at the institution by many hundreds of pounds – a most welcome assistance at a stage when the hospital is so rapidly growing. There will be refreshments and music at Thursday’s meeting. All who are interested in a great and popular charitable institution are asked to attend. *** From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 17 March 1922
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
LETTERS
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and the coffee supper provided proved something above the ordinary, and unstinted praise was bestowed on the gentleman who made the coffee; perhaps it was an art acquired during war service; anyhow, it had the real tang, and stamped the person who made it as an artist at the game. On Sunday, 19th March, harvest thanksgiving services will be held at the Methodist Church, and on the Monday evening following a sale of gifts will he held, which promises to be a record. *** MR Morris Jacobs, of Frankston, who has been in indifferent health for some time, is now, we are pleased to say, showing improvement, and hopes to soon be able to attend to business. *** The Somerville Tennis Club journeyed to Tyabb on Saturday last, to meet the local champions at tennis. After a very enjoyable afternoon’s sport Somerville retired the winners by 44 games to 34. The Ladies of Tyabb entertained the visitors to afternoon tea. These afternoons are most enjoyable and we would like to see more of them. *** WHAT already promises to be a large and representative meeting has been called for Thursday afternoon next at the Mechanics’ Hall, Frankston, when steps will be taken to form a Frankston Branch of the Alfred Hospital Auxiliary. The meeting has been convened by Mr. H. M. Collins, of “Gracehill,”
How typical of [Flinders MP Greg Hunt] to be flinging mud (“Australia’s ‘laziest MP’” Letters 8/3/22). His comments would help the incoming candidates and not perturb him as he sails into the sunset with his parliamentary pension and maybe an offer of a diplomatic position. Google says politicians sit 50 to 60 days a year. Add in a few shaking hand and kissing baby days and it doesn’t add up to many days for their incredible salaries. I can see why our councillors are looking to the future to climb the political ladder. All at taxpayer and ratepayers’ expense. I guess somebody has to do it. Judi Loughridge, Rosebud
Missed opportunity Flinders MP Greg Hunt, a senior cabinet minister in the Coalition government, had an opportunity to discuss significant issues in the lead up to the federal election expected in May. For example, national security, climate change, response to national disasters, floods and bushfires, integrity in government, NDIS funding, COVID-19 mitigation strategies financial and therapeutic. Instead, Mr Hunt indulged in a vituperative ad hominem attack on Nepean MP Chris Brayne (“Australia’s ‘laziest MP’” Letters 8/3/22). Given the serious issues facing our country surely the electorate of Flinders deserves better than this? That Greg Hunt went down this path is instructive, and I am sure your readers will draw their own conclusions as to why he did so. Geoff Hilton, Mount Martha
Bipartisanship need I was very disappointed to see Flinders MP Greg Hunt name calling and making assertions that Nepean MP Chris Brayne is putting people’s lives at risk regarding the needed upgrade to
the Jetty Road intersection with the Mornington Peninsula Freeway (“Federal money outstanding for overpass” The News 8/3/22). That intersection has been an issue for a long time, in fact my ex-partner was involved in a car collision there nine years ago while taking our children to school. Thankfully, no one was injured in that collision, but I know there were many before and have been many after. With 21 years’ experience as a federal politician, I would hope Mr Hunt knows by now that people don’t want to see him insulting political opponents but would rather see him, as a senior politician, show bipartisanship in removing this dangerous intersection. Craig Thomson, Rye
Glass house lesson I would simply say to [Flinders MP Greg] Hunt that “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones” (“Australia’s ‘laziest MP’” Letters 8/3/22). I see his performance as a federal minister during the COVID-19 pandemic as being nothing short of an utter disgrace. It is with relief that we, the Australian people, look forward to your imminent retirement. Les Watson, Bittern
Economic wellbeing A simple enough question, surely? If, as Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg says, “the economy is doing so well” and I’m paying more at the supermarket and for petrol and all other household bills, despite the $10 increase in my pension, who is really doing well? Treasurer Josh has said the pre-election budget at the end of this month will contain more money and measures to support women’s economic security, safety and health. A genderequal world, free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination? Chooks with their heads cut off springs to mind. Excuse me for being cynical. Cliff Ellen, Rye
Money ‘on the table’ The federal government has made $75 million
available to the Victorian state government since 2019 for the Jetty Road, Rosebud project, which was confirmed in the 2019-20 federal budget (“Federal money outstanding for overpass” The News 8/3/22). This comprises three components - $60 million for the full construction of an overpass at Jetty Road, $10 million for immediate roundabout metering and pedestrian operated signal upgrades and $5 million to install noise reduction barriers along the Mornington Peninsula Freeway. This funding has been available to the Victorian government since 2019. Since then, the state government has only sought to access to $3.5 million of this funding to begin a planning phase. To state that federal money remains outstanding is completely false. It is deeply concerning that the State MP for Nepean, Chris Brayne, continues to stand in the way of progress and development on the Mornington Peninsula. There has been $20.5 million committed to upgrade the intersections of Uralla Road and Forest Drive with Nepean Highway and $225 million for the electrification of the Stony Point rail line from Frankston to Baxter. Mr Brayne and the state government have refused to utilise this Commonwealth support for state infrastructure projects and get on with the job. In relation to Mr Brayne’s claims about Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout – Australia has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world and lowest rates of loss of life, accompanied by low job loss rates as a result of the pandemic. It is a matter of public record that I wrote to Pfizer on 10 May 2020 and negotiations to procure their vaccines - should they pass all the necessary safety approvals - commenced from then. Any claim by Mr Brayne to the contrary is completely false and a diversion from the issue at hand. Greg Hunt, Minister for Health and Aged Care and MP for Flinders Frankston Times
15 March 2022
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