Police patrol
NEWS DESK
With Liz Bell
Police warn about dangers at the Pillars “Far too often there have been injuries from people jumping or diving into shallow water,” a police statement read. The police also reminded visitors to take their rubbish home and “be respectful of the nature and surrounding areas”. The Pillars, a Department of Energy, Environment and Climate actionmanaged area which Mornington Peninsula Shire Council helps to maintain, is a rock formation that attracts many hundreds of visitors ever year. Visitors flock to the picturesque site every summer to jump from the rocks into the water, despite fencing being installed briefly in 2019 after a series of incidents in 2016, 2017 and 2018. POLICE are urging visitors to the Pillars at Mount Martha to be aware of the dangers of jumping from the rocks after a man was injured on Friday 5 January. The man, in his 20s, is believed to have been injured while jumping off rocks into the sea at the Pillars, a popular tourist spot that was once closed due to the risks involved and the high number of accidents. Emergency services and paramedics rushed to the scene about 4.40pm where they treated the man for neck pain and took him to Frankston Hospital. He was believed to be in a stable condition. On Monday police issued a reminder for people visiting the Pillars to “know your limitations, and the depth[ of the water]”.
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Mornington News
Woman rescued POLICE are investigating an incident in Tootgarook involving illegal fireworks and flares on New Year’s Eve that caused significant damage to a house and left a 57-year-old woman trapped inside. Tootgarook carpenter Jon Croft is being hailed a “hero” after he raced to the burning house in Alma Street just after midnight to help the disabled occupant escape through a front window. Croft was walking with his wife Amy just after midnight when he heard fireworks and flares being let off and soon after heard calls for help coming from a house. Croft told the media he could see a woman in distress in the house and ran across the street to help her.
9 January 2024
Confronted by flames and smoke, he had to smash a window to help the woman climb out. Assistant Commissioner Michael Granger told the media that police will allege some neighbours let go of flares and in an effort to recover those flares and look after her property the woman was injured. She was taken to hospital with nonlife threatening injuries. Other incidents involving illegal fireworks and flares have horrified members of the public caught up in out-of-control celebrations. At Rye, a family was left “terrified” when partygoers on the pier thew firecrackers at children. One social media user posted that she was on the pier when people just started throwing flares at each other and her children. People were running and screaming,” she said. “What a disaster.” On the night, across the state Victoria police responded to 64 fireworks incidents, arrested 33 people and seized 26 weapons.
Sorrento assault POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding an assault in Sorrento on Saturday 23 December 2023. It is believed a male victim outside a venue on Ocean Beach Road was “coward” punched and knocked to the ground about 12.11am. It is also believed that the victim may have sustained a mild concussion and other potential facial injuries. Police are hoping to locate the victim to assist with further investiga-
tion into the matter as no reports were made on the evening. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
Island arrest DIVISIONAL Response Unit members from Southern Metro Region have seized firearms and drugs from a rural property on French Island. Detectives went to the Mosquito Creek Road property on Thursday 4 January at about 8.30am, as part of an investigation into the illegal possession and use of firearms. A 36-year-old man was arrested before warrants were executed by detectives with support from the Dog Squad and Water Police. A search of the property uncovered 11 firearms, a large quantity of ammunition and alleged methylamphetamine and cannabis. The French Island man has been charged with various offences including unlicensed person possess unregistered firearm; unlicensed person possess registered firearm; fail to store firearms in a secure manner; possess ammunition; and possess cannabis. He has been bailed to appear before Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 9 February. Police said a 39-year-old woman also spoken to at the property is expected to be processed in relation to drug related offences.
Dunkley poll a test for Labor govt CANDIDATES from the major parties for the Dunkley by-election are expected to be announced soon. Incumbent Dunkley MP Peta Murphy died from metastatic breast cancer in December. She won the seat for Labor in 2019, and retained it at the 2022 federal election. A by-election will be held to install a new federal MP. Speaker Milton Dick has yet to announce a date for the by-election which is not expected to be held until February at the earliest. Labor has yet to announce a candidate and the Liberals are expected to preselect a candidate for the seat in the next week - contenders named in the media include Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy, former Carrum MP Donna Hope, and former Carrum candidate Bec Buchanan. Dunkley was held by the Liberals for more than 20 years before Murphy’s 2019 victory. Bruce Billson was Dunkley MP between 1996 and 2016 before handing the reins to Chris Crewther. Crewther was defeated after just one term. Murphy narrowly won the seat in 2019, and expanded her margin in 2022. It is now held by Labor with a margin of 6.3 per cent. The by-election will be a test for the Albanese Labor government after it won the Aston by-election last year in what was an historic result for a sitting government. Since then it has been damaged by the defeat of the Yes campaign at the Voice referendum, and continuing cost of living pressures. The Dunkley electorate encompasses Frankston, Mount Eliza, Langwarrin, Skye, and Seaford. Brodie Cowburn
