NEWS DESK
Trio charged over man’s death
Racehorse raffle FIRST prize in Mt Martha Bowls Club’s raffle is a 10 per cent stake in racehorse, Fiesty. The gelding has been donated by trainer Steve Cunningham, of Crestevia Racing Stables, with all costs over five years included. Second prize is a year’s membership at Mornington Racing Club, and third is 30 bottles of wine. Money raised through ticket sales will go towards paying for the bowls club’s new $50,000 kitchen. Half the renovation costs will come from Mornington Peninsula Shire. The raffle (5000 tickets at $5 each) will be drawn at the club on Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 7 November. Tickets will be sold at Bentons Square and Mornington Centro shopping centres. Details: fundraising coordinator Chris Chaney 59710213 or 0427337821.
Beach cleaners MORNINGTON Environment Association wants to expand its role by starting Beach Patrol 3931 and is calling on volunteers to help. President Jill McIver said those who cared about the environment and beaches were needed for one hour a month. Beach Patrol 3931 will clean Fishermans, Royal, Mothers, Shire Hall and Mills beaches. “Although we have Clean-Up Australia Day each year in March this would be a voluntary group meeting once a month to keep our coastline litter free,” Ms McIver said. Those interested can call Ms McIver 0414 916 689 or email morningtonea@gmail.com
Battered: Few boat sheds at Mt Martha north beach have been left unscathed by storms and experts say they may have to go. Picture: Keith Platt
Boat sheds could go Continued from Page 1 Several of the boat sheds at Mt Martha beach north have been condemned by Mornington peninsula Shire but have yet to be removed. Others are being repaired, although the shire has closed access to the beach. The presence of Aboriginal middens on the eroded cliff will also require a cultural heritage management plan before any work can be undertaken. The cost of the options for preventing the cliff from collapsing further range from $600,000 for sand and a small rock groyne to $4 million for sand, a breakwater and several long groynes extending from the beach into the water. It took three years for the sea to wash away 12,500 cubic metres of sand deposited at Mt Martha beach north in 2010. The consultants report has been given to both the Mt Martha North Beach Users Group and Mornington Peninsula Beach Box Association. A community meeting is planned next month (November) and beach
users will be surveyed “to gauge need for ongoing community access to the beach”. Much of the affected beach is a leash-free area for dogs. The report states that there is “presently” no money available for “any further works” and extra money is needed for “detailed coastal modeling” and for the “recommended remediation approach”. As previously reported (“Beach closed for safety” The News 25/9/17) there are widening cracks in the cliff face and access stairs have been blocked or cut off before they reach the beach. Cracks are also appearing in the bitumen on the Esplanade above the unstable cliffs that saw the beach closed in mid-September. At that time, the shire said the beach was being closed to the public “for safety reasons” until further notice. The closure effectively blocks access to 50 boatsheds and paths from the Esplanade leading to the beach near Augusta and Alice streets and Coolangatta Rd, Mt Martha.
Attention Schools, sporting clubs & community groups
Free advertising listings Each month the Mornington News will run a Community Events page, where your school or organisation can promote upcoming events, fund raisers, social events, etc. at no charge.
A HASTINGS woman was charged with murder on Thursday (26 October) after a man’s body was found in a shallow grave at Tyabb last week. Natalie Dalton, 36, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday and has been remanded to reappear on 23 March. She is accused of killing Jade Goodwin at Hastings on 14-15 October. She did not apply for bail. Police reportedly told magistrate Duncan Reynolds they would need extra time to prepare for the case which they said had several crime scenes and many witness statements and telephone intercepts to be transcribed. A 52-year-old Crib Point man, Brendan Mcdowall, and a 34-year-old Hastings man, Shane Heiberg, were both charged with murder on Sunday (29 October) and faced Melbourne Magistrates’ court later that day. Neither man applied for bail and both were remanded until their next court appearance on 3 November. Mr Goodwin’s body was found at a vacant rural property on DandenongHastings Rd, 9pm, Sunday 22 October. The next day, homicide Squad detectives called in 40 SES volunteers to line search the 11.7ha property. Forensics police laid down yellow markers pointing to possible evidence at the scene, including a black glove in the driveway. A blue tent was set up at the rear, possibly to cover the body. A source said police were paying particular attention to a locked steel gate. The rundown property, with weatherboard house, machinery shed, steel
outbuildings and dam, had been vacant for about 12 months, with locals saying it was being used as a dumping ground. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
Women’s murders
SIX rewards of $1 million will be paid for information leading to convictions in the murders of six women whose bodies were found in Frankston and Tynong North in 1980-81. The rewards are part of Operation Lyndhurst and are the largest ever offered in Victoria. They relate to the disappearance and murder of six women – two from Frankston and four from other suburbs – between May 1980 and October 1981. On 30 May 1980, Allison Rooke, 59, was seen leaving her home in Hannah St, Frankston North, 11am, intending to catch a bus to the shops. Her body was discovered by a man walking his dogs in scrubland near McClelland Drive, Frankston, 5 July, 1980. On 9 October 1981, Joy Carmel Summers, 55, was seen at a bus stop at Chile St and Frankston-Dandenong Rd, Frankston, 1pm, intending to catch a bus to the Frankston shops. Her body was found in scrubland near Skye Rd, Frankston North, 22 November 1981. The four other women – from Glen Iris, Berwick, Cranbourne, and Brunswick – were aged 14-73. Three of the women’s bodies were found at Tynong North, and a fourth at Tynong North.
Police Point Artist in Residence Expression of Interest Emerging and established artists, writers, musicians and creatives are encouraged to apply for a 2018 –19 residency at the historic Gatekeeper’s Cottage, Police Point Shire Park, Portsea, on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula.
This page is sponsored by the Mornington Village Shopping Centre and listings are completely free. Listing should include event name, date, time & address.
Send your listing to:
Community Events
PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or email your listing to communityevents@mpnews.com.au PAGE 14
Mornington News 31 October 2017
For further information go to our web page where you can also download the Expression of Interest (EOI) form, or email arts&culture@mornpen.vic.gov.au mornpen.vic.gov.au/artistinresidence Applications close 31 January 2018