NEWS DESK
New hat for day to remember Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au IT’S just a hat – a Digger’s slouch hat – but the memories it stirs in Mornington veteran Laurie Hill go back 70 years to the dark days of World War II. Mr Hill, 91, joined the Australian Imperial Forces in 1943 – a month after his 18th birthday – among five of six brothers who enlisted and who all returned home safely. An infantry signaller in the jungles of Bougainville, Papua-New Guinea, he recalls daring escapades, including tying up a Japanese prisoner with signalling wire and tapping into Japanese phone lines to eavesdrop on enemy communications. He fondly recalls the Japanese surrender in August 1945 and the celebrations for Victory in the Pacific Day, when UK entertainer Gracie Fields sang The Lord’s Prayer to thousands of troops and “it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop”. Mr Hill was discharged in January 1947 and returned to work in an electrical store, rising to become manager. He then joined Myer as a department manager and retired in 1985 as a furniture buyer. He and wife Jean, now deceased, were married in 1951 and had three daughters. Approaching this week’s Anzac Day commemorations, Mr Hill was keen to replace the slouch hat he had lost during the fighting and contacted Flinders MP Greg Hunt for help. Mr Hill’s daughter Julie said it was great news that Mr Hunt’s office was able to provide a fitting replacement in time. It was presented to Mr Hill at Benetas Corowa Court, Mornington, where he now lives. He also received a letter from the Army, Certificate of Appreciation for his service in World War II, as well as a medallion, issued in 2005, commemorating the 60th anniversary of war’s end.
If the cap fits: Army veteran Laurie Hill wears his new slouch hat. Picture: Gary Sissons
Permits top $1 billion in 2016 THE value of building permits issued on the Mornington Peninsula last year was up more than 40 per cent up on the previous year. Data released by the Victorian Building Authority shows the value of permits was $1.08 billion – well up on 2015’s $769.2 million. It showed the value of building permits issued in the state was a record $32 billion – up 7.6 per cent on 2015. The shire recorded growth in the value of all building categories other than industrial, which fell despite an increase in the number of permits for the category compared with 2015. The peninsula was one of 12 Victorian municipalities where building permits valued at more than $1 billion were issued last year. “The VBA data shows there was strong growth in the value of building permits for dwellings on the peninsula, with domestic (housing) rising 17.8 per cent over the previous year and residential (which includes apartments) surging 2196.2 per cent,” VBA chief executive Prue Digby said. Four of the top five building permits by value reported in the shire during 2016 were for the residential building use category. One was for buildings at Cape Schanck valued at $128 million. The others were for a winery, hotel and function area at Merricks North, $22.4m; an aged care building and car park at Mornington, $13.5m; 34 apartments, shops, restaurants and basement car park at Rosebud, $12.9m, and an apartment/carpark and shops and offices to complete a project at Mornington, $10.9m. Stephen Taylor
ENROL NOW FOR YEAR 7 2019! Padua College is at an exciting time in its 120 years of history with Principal, Anthony Banks launching the Educational Strategic Plan. New programs and a campus restructure will provide an enhanced curriculum that encourages our students to be engaged learners and entrepreneurial thinkers. Academic rigour is at the forefront of learning and teaching, and at Padua College we value the Catholic ethos of developing the ‘whole person.’ We aim to develop individuals with a sense of social justice, who are resilient and positive, and have a sense of faith, hope and love for their future.
Enrolments for
Year 7 2019 are open
from 21 March – 19 May 2017
One College
M O R N I N GTO N | R O S E B U D | T YA B B
Rosebud Year 7-10 T: 5982 9500
Curtains Awnings
Blinds Shutters
For all enrolment enquiries: enrolments@padua.vic.edu.au or call the Registrar on 5978 2701
Three Campuses
Tyabb Year 7-10 T: 5978 2700
YOU’LL LOVE WHAT WE DO
Mornington Year 7-12 T: 5976 0100
enrolments@padua.vic.edu.au
www.padua.vic.edu.au
Book your free home appointment today
call 03 5975 9366.
www.shadesofaustralia.net.au Shop 8a, 1-13 Tyabb Road (cnr Nepean Hwy) Mornington Mornington News 25 April 2017
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