NEWS DESK Streets of Mornington MORNINGTON Peninsula Family History Society will host the book launch of Naming Mornington Streets – The People and Their Stories by Lynne Emblin and Leonie Marshall at 2pm on Saturday 18 February in St Mark’s Church, 50 Barkly St, Mornington. Copies on sale. Details via email to: info@mpfhs.org
Call for wildlife management A MORNINGTON Peninsula councillor plans to renew calls for better protection of wildlife following concerns current management measures are not “consistent” with community expectations or the “viability” of wildlife. At tonight’s (Feb 7) council meeting Cr David Gill will call for the council to increase advocacy to the state government to implement a Wildlife Management Plan for the peninsula. Cr Gill’s call follows inaction by the state government despite councillors and council officers having already met with then-Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (now known as DEECA) to discuss a Mornington Peninsula Wildlife Action Plan. One incident expected to be raised at the meeting is large number of kangaroos (thought to be around 600) isolated on a property near Greens Bush at Cape Schanck for over 12 months. Despite one-way gates being installed on the property, hundreds of kangaroos are still trapped, and there have been widespread concerns for the animals’ welfare.
Memorial remembers Montevideo Maru Liz Bell Liz@mpnews.com.au THE incredibly moving story of the sinking of the Montevideo Maru in the Pacific – Australia’s biggest single maritime loss of life – was thrust into the spotlight again recently with the unveiling of a memorial seat in Mornington and a story board dedicated to those who died. The allied bombing of the Japanese prisoner-of-war ship on 1 July 1942 was an immeasurable tragedy, but one that somehow largely got lost in the horrors of the war. Unbelievably, the event is not something many Australians today have much knowledge of. But that will all change if the incident becomes part of the film history of WW2, immortalised and documented on the big screen. In 2005 Gillian Nikakis, the Mornington daughter of Bill Spensley, one of the 1050 civilians on board believed to have gone down with the ship, wrote a book about the sinking, He’s Not Coming Home, and is hoping the story can be made into a movie. Nikakis, a retired nurse-counsellor who lobbied for the inclusion of the seat at Memorial Park, said telling the stories of war provided a necessary reminder to everyone about the everlasting impacts of conflict, particularly on families left behind. “I’d love to see the story of the sinking of the Montevideo Maru told in film, because it had such a profound impact on so many people, and there are many stories of families
A place to reflect: The recent opening of a seat and storyboard in memory of those who died in the sinking of the Montevideo Maru is an important reminder of the sacrifices made during World War Two. Picture: Gary Sissons
and communities who suffered the anguish of losing someone or not knowing,” she said. “It is an incredibly important event in Australia’s wartime years, but also covers a sad and often colourful period of history and life that has so many elements to it.” Nikakis was born in Rabaul in the East New Britain province of Papua New Guinea, on the island of New Britain, but was evacuated to Melbourne as a toddler with her mother and brother shortly before the Japanese invasion in 1942. She never saw her father again, but has spent years searching for people who may have known him, and documenting facts about his life, the family’s time in the then Mandated Territory of New Guinea and life after the war.
Police patrol
As she gained more information and tracked her father’s trail, she discovered there was much more to the story of the sinking of the Montevideo Maru, the fate of the prisoners of war onboard, and the actions of the Australian government at the time. But her book is more than just a war story. Nikakis weaves the story around engaging tales of life in Rabaul and in Melbourne, and of her much-loved mother Tick, who she described as a vibrant, strong and “fun” woman who lived life to the full, but who never got over the loss of her beloved Bill. Life in Rabaul was “self-indulgent” and privileged for expats in the late 1930s, and Nikakis’s parents lived quite the social high life, along with the 1000s of other caucasians (mainly
With Liz Bell was so scared and just handed over his phone because he didn’t know what they would do,” the friend said. “It’s unbelievable that this could happen in broad daylight just streets away from the main shops, so it’s both a warning to others to be careful, and perhaps more community awareness and CCTV could deter people from doing this – if they knew there were eyes on them they would think twice.” Investigations remain ongoing and police are urging anyone who witnessed or has information on the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com. au.
Historic Boatshed destroyed POLICE are investigating a fire that destroyed an historic boat shed in Dromana just prior to 6.15am on Wednesday 1 February, just 200 metres from Dromana fire station and just a week after it had been broken into. Fire crews from Dromana and Rosebud CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria (Rosebud) had to wear breathing apparatus, but quickly extinguished the flames which had spread into adjacent grass and scrub. Dromana Captain Tim Desmond said the fire was being treated as suspicious. “Yet another one of the 247 iconic boat sheds that line the Dromana foreshore between Safety Beach and Anthony’s Nose has been lost…,” he said. A CFA fire investigator and the Somerville Police Criminal Investigation Branch were onsite checking
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Mornington News
Australian and German) in the provinces. Drawing on years of research, Nikakis provides an insight into life for Australians and other ex-pats in the colonies, bringing the colours, smells and characters of these places to life on the page. Her book covers a lot of ground, describing the romance between her mother and father, who worked for a major import company, his capture by the Japanese after apparently being given up by locals, the excruciating uncertainty over who died on the ship, life during and after Rabaul and the enduring friendships and connections she made during her years of research. “I am hoping there is a filmmaker out there who can see a film in this story, and takes it on,” she said.
Dusty car arrest
over the burnt structure. Desmond said it was disappointing to see fire fighters hampered members of the public parked close to the fire so they “could get that happy snap.” He said it was important to leave the area around a working fire free to allow fire and emergency management vehicles clear access the road. The Dromana fire is not the first time beach boxes have gone up in flames, with two beach boxes at Rosebud destroyed by fire two years ago, with concerns it had been an arson attack.
7 February 2023
Anyone with any information or who saw anyone around the time of the fire should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Daylight robbery MORNINGTON Police are investigating the alleged robbery of a 16-year-old boy in broad daylight near Main Street, Mornington, two weeks ago. The teenager told police he was walking into the Mornington town
centre with three friends when they noticed a man standing beside a red Hyundai i30 near Main Street around 7pm. The man allegedly threatened the group with a knife and demanded their phones. The 16-year-old surrendered his phone while the other three refused, and the alleged offender then fled the scene travelling toward the Nepean Highway. The friend – who did not want to be named – said the 16-year-old victim was traumatised. “He was really shaken by this, he
SAFETY Beach woman Kiara Alexander-McNeal, 22, who was allegedly found in ALF player Dustin Martin’s stolen car on 24 January, will front court in March. Martin’s $135,000 Range Rover car was allegedly stolen on 23 January from a service station in St Kilda, before it was used in a crime spree. The car had been borrowed by Martin’s friend, who left the keys in it after filling up at a service station and then going inside to pay. The man accused of stealing the car, 29-year-old Springvale man Yusuf Amir, was arrested in Barkly Street St Kilda the following day. He is accused of stealing the luxury vehicle before storing drugs and proceeds of crime in it and later ramming a police car to avoid arrest. Alexander-McNeal was arrested in the passenger seat and also charged. Amir was remanded in custody to appear before court in April.