Southern Peninsula
Proudly published by Mornington Peninsula News Group Pty. Ltd
NEWS DESK
Police patrol
With Stephen Taylor
PHONE: 03 5973 6424 Published weekly
Circulation: 22,870
Audit period: Apr 2014 - Sept 2014
Source: AMAA; CAB Total Distribution Audit for further information visit auditedmedia.org.au
Journalists: Stephen Taylor, Neil Walker 5973 6424 Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Advertising Sales: Ricky Thompson 0425 867 578 or ricky@mpnews.com.au Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production/Graphic design: Maria Mirabella, Marcus Pettifer Group Editor: Keith Platt 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Andrew Kelly, Craig MacKenzie, Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough. ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group, PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@mpnews.com.au Web: mpnews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURSDAY 4 JANUARY 2018 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: TUESDAY 8 JANUARY 2018
An independent voice for the community We are the only locally owned and operated community newspaper on the Mornington Peninsula. We are dedicated to the belief that a strong community newspaper is essential to a strong community. We exist to serve residents, community groups and businesses and ask for their support in return.
Tow truck smashes into police van THE Hastings police divisional van was “totalled” after being rammed by a rampaging tow truck in Bittern, 12.30am, Wednesday 13 December. The crew had chased the stolen Isuzu tray truck after an earlier incident in which a Crip Point man, 46, was struck in the face with a torch after complaining about the noise being made by vehicles parked outside his house. The resident said that when he complained the tow truck was reversed up his driveway and smashed into his car, causing extensive damage. When the police van arrived the vehicles quickly sped off, while the tow truck – with no rear number plate – headed along Stony Point Rd and then Buckley St with the police in pursuit using their lights and siren. As police pulled up behind the truck it was promptly reversed into them before speeding off. The van was too damaged to follow. Inquiries revealed the tow truck had been stolen from a Seaford property in November. It was recovered in Crib Point later in the week. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Diver rescued A SCUBA diver was lucky not to be washed out through The Rip in strong currents last week. The 51-year-old, of Springvale, was diving alone north of Rye pier when he got into trouble,
Full tanks: The police helicopter which refuelled at Tyabb airfield was able to direct a rescue boat to the diver in trouble. Picture: Supplied
3.20pm, Thursday 14 December. The alarm was raised by a friend on the beach. “The Police Air Wing soon found the dive boat with the diver flag still flying, but no sign of the diver,” Senior Constable Paul O’Reagan said. “We were able to contact Peninsula Aero Club and confirm fuel was available, and were able to extend the search until the diver was found. He was a long, long way from his boat.” The chopper directed a boat to rescue the diver at 6pm. Sergeant Michelle Bradley, of Rosebud police, said he was taken to Rosebud Hospital suffering mild hypothermia. The aero club’s Ian Johnson said that, in the two months since the helicopter refuelling depot had been
commissioned at Tyabb, two lives had been saved because the police were able to refuel and extend the range of their water searches.
Lock up sheds POLICE are appealing to home owners to lock their sheds – especially if they are going away. “We probably have two burglaries every week where sheds are left unlocked and unsecured with lawn mowers, whipper snippers, electrical and other tools stolen,” Detective Senior Sergeant Stephen Fyffe, of Frankston CIU, said. “Residents should be vigilant and help us – and themselves – by locking their sheds.”
There’s no questioning the facts. In a bushfire, most homes burn down due to ember attack. It’s your responsibility to be fire ready this summer, so prepare your property, fire plan and emergency kit now. And on high-risk fire days, leaving early, before a fire starts, is always the safest option.
emergency.vic.gov.au Download the VicEmergency app PAGE 10
Southern Peninsula News 19 December 2017
Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne