Baxter prepares for centenary BAXTER will celebrate its centenary on Sunday 6 May and, to mark the occasion, Baxter Residents and Traders Progress Action Committee will hold a shindig at Baxter Primary School on Sunday 18 March. All proceeds will go to the school. The event will honour the renaming of Mornington Junction, Baxter’s Flat, as Baxter after Captain Benjamin Baxter the original settler. “The residents’ and traders’ committee, parents group and school council, as well as residents and businesses, are working hard to ensure this will be a great day for all,” BRATPAC secretary Gail Forbes said. A mural being painted by Melbourne Murals on the front of the Telstra Baxter Exchange on BaxterTooradin Road depicting the history of Baxter is creating a lot of interest. It will be officially opened as part of the celebration week beginning 11 March. There was an early hiccup to the mural when the artists painted the likeness of American civil war soldier Benjamin Baxter instead of Victoria’s Captain Benjamin Baxter. The mistake was painted over and replaced with the correct portrait within hours of it being exposed on social media. Another cause for celebration is the 100th birthday of Baxter resident Alfonso, who has been invited to “cut the birthday cake” on 18 March, Ms Forbes said. “We have also been contacted by relatives of John Sage, of Sage’s Cottage fame, who are interested in assisting with their family history, and
Six cars nose-to-tail
Mistaken identity: For a short time the visage of American civil war soldier Benjamin Baxter adorned the wall of the Telstra Exchange building, left, on Baxter-Tooradin Road, Baxter instead of early settler, Captain Benjamin Baxter, above. Picture: Facebook (left) and State Library of Victoria (above)
former residents who were around when Golf Links Rd was a dirt track, and Baxter Primary School was next to Mulberry Hill. Their memories will be included in our Baxter story display.” Wallara Australia, the new owners of Sages Cottage, have just filmed the history of Sages Cottage and it is hoped footage will be available on the day of the event. Despite being a small community, Baxter has a colourful history, Ms Forbes said. Mulberry Hill, home
to the artistic Lindsay family, played host to many noted artists and famous visitors from overseas. Baxter also had its own speedway on which many highly regarded racing car drivers competed. Motorcycles and midget cars also raced there. Nevil Shute, author of On the Beach and A Town like Alice, bought property in Baxter in the 1950s and, despite some referring to the location of the property as being Langwarrin, the town is determined to “claim him”, Ms Forbes said.
$100 OFF for every
Other well-known former residents include Diane Dunleavy, of Grubby and Dee Dee fame, now on 3AW, who grew up in Baxter and went to Baxter Primary School, and daredevil rider Blake “Bilko” Williams, with Nitro Circus, who has travelled the world stunt riding. “At the end of the day, we have something to shout about – not to forget the township’s founder was believed to be the first white man to settle on the Mornington Peninsula,” Ms Forbes said.
ATTICUS 2.5 seater sofa + chaise in bristol fabric
$2399 NOW
WAS
$1999
$500 spent
www.ozdesignfurniture.com.au
SHOP IN STORE & ONLINE
IN STORE & ONLINE SAVINGS
BUY NOW PAY LATER!
ON FURNITURE & HOMEWARES
6 MONTHS 0% INTEREST
TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY*
$1999
ASHTON 3 seater sofa in downtown mink fabric
WAS $649 WAS $2649
NOW NOW
$549 $1999
JUDE designer chair in sense stone fabric
www.ozdesignfurniture.com.au
WAS $1999
$1199
NOW
$2499 NOW
WAS
A WHITE Renault van which ran into the rear of the car in front on Bungower Road, Mornington, caused a nose-totail “concertina” collision which damaged six cars. Leading Senior Constable Greg Wolfe, of Somerville Highway Patrol, said the van driver, 48, of Donvale, was later charged with failing to stay a sufficient distance behind the vehicle in front, 8.50am, Wednesday 7 February. He received a $238 fine and lost one demerit point. The accident occurred between Derril Rd and Moorooduc Highway. Five of the cars were described as being extensively damaged and one with minor damage. Two drivers were taken to Frankston Hospital for treatment. “Traffic builds up quickly on these roads, especially at that time of the morning, and motorists really need to concentrate,” Leading Senior Constable Wolfe said. “They have to watch out for cars in front – especially near roundabouts.” In another incident, drivers travelling too close to the car in front were left to count the cost after the lead car braked on Eastlink, just north of Thompsons Road, Saturday morning, 27 January. Police said seven cars were damaged and, of the 29 occupants, four received minor injuries. Many of the cars had to be towed away causing further traffic disruption. Police investigating the incident are seeking dash-cam footage. Anyone who can assist is asked to call Somerville police 5978 1358. “Rear-end collisions are the most common sort that we attend, and they are relatively easy to prevent,” Leading Senior Constable Wolfe said. “He said rear-end collisions could result in on-the-spot fines or charges of careless driving and an appearance in court.
IRIS 3 seater sofa in linen light grey fabric
$1499 NOW
WAS
$1099
NEW HAVEN 3 drw 3 dr buffet in rustic white wash
$100 off for every $500 spent available in-store and online on new orders of furniture and homewares from 6-2-2018 till 05-3-2018 inclusive. $100 discount will be given for every $500 spent in the one transaction and will be given at time of purchase. Savings off full recommended retail prices. Offer excludes Super Savers*, Hot Buys*, clearance stock, Glasshouse and Circa candles, Guardsman warranties and purchases of gift cards. Online orders discount excludes shipping. Terms and conditions apply see www.ozdesignfurntiure.com.au for more information.
OZ DESIGN FURNITURE MORNINGTON PH: 8560 1137, SHOWROOM D4, PENINSULA HOME, 1128-1132 NEPEAN HIGHWAY VIC LOCATIONS: BENDIGO 5410 0644, ESSENDON 8560 1130, GEELONG 8560 1124, HOPPERS CROSSING 8560 1141, MORNINGTON 8560 1137, NOW OPEN NARRE WARREN 8590 1160, NORTHLAND 9471 0244, NUNAWADING 9894 1566, RICHMOND 8560 1120 Frankston Times 19 February 2018
PAGE 9