Southern Peninsula News 25 August 2020 by Mornington Peninsula News Group

Southern Peninsula

M. & A. EGAN Licensed Plumber & Gasfitter Lic No: 22042

461 Dundas St, Rye, 3941. PO Box 101, Rye, 3941.

MOB: 0418 301 980

m.eganplumbing@gmail.com

An independent voice for the community

FREE

Your weekly community newspaper covering Safety Beach to Portsea For all advertising and editorial needs, call 03

Wednesday 26 August 2020

5974 9000 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au

Gateway lead to Sorrento’s future A MASTER plan for Sorrento will include a gateway to the ferry terminal and the main street, linking the town centre to the coastline with a “modern feel”. Developed from a 2018 coastal and marine plan, the blueprint outlines the design of new all-abilities toilets with contemporary beachside amenities, new look cenotaph, and new boardwalk with picnic areas, shade structures and seating. A grassed area will aim to provide “flexible use” of the space along with a footpath wide enough for shared use. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is inviting community feedback on the plan, which also includes planting native flora to complement the natural environment and “pay respect to the area’s history and culture”. Community consultation closes 5pm, Monday 21 September. Go to mornpen.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento. Picture: Yanni

Budget affected by COVID-19 Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council’s half-year finances had been “sharply impacted” by the effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns forcing it to make $3 million in cuts while facing a predicted $6.4 million loss of revenue in the coming year. Cr Sam Hearn said councillors had “worked hard to deliver a fair and balanced budget under these difficult circumstances”. He said council was determined to achieve an economic and social recovery, but warned “it will take a sustained

collaborative effort to overcome the hurdles we are facing as a community”. “Despite these difficulties, we continue to deliver close to the lowest average rates and charges in Victoria while delivering the services efficiently,” Cr Hearn said. He said there would be no wage increases for shire staff and “no reduction in services for the community.” Cr Hearn said the council was “committed to economic stimulus projects” through the $50.9m capital works budget. About $96 million in capital works was delivered or contracted in the previous financial year. “This all helps sustain and boost our

economy during COVID-19 and provide much needed local employment, and improved amenity for the community,” he said. Support was being provided by waiving non-commercial sporting club lease and licence fees for 2020/21; waivers or deferrals to organisations leasing council facilities; relief for those paying footpath trading and licence fees; standardising and reducing bathing box fees; reviewing shire hardship policies and giving rate relief for facing financial difficulties. Cr Hearn said “significant council resources” would go towards delivering care packages to vulnerable and

isolated residents. The budget recognises properties under Trust For Nature and drops the rural living rate but increases waste collection fees from $285 to $322. Big ticket items include $33.1 million in waste services; $4.4m to manage bushland and foreshore reserves; $5.7m for roadside vegetation management and arboriculture; $8.4m to beautify and clean towns and $4m for road resealing and rehabilitation works. About $12.4m will go on roads, pathway, traffic and transport management; $1.2m on school crossings in high risk locations and $1.5m on marketing the peninsula, developing industry and

“visitor servicing”. Yawa Aquatic Centre will receive $11.2m, while $3.1m will go to child and family health and youth services; $5.6m to ageing and disability services, senior citizens’ services, meals on wheels and home-based services; $6.6 million to open spaces maintenance, and $5m for other aquatic and recreational facilities. About $1.3m will help implement the shire’s tennis strategy. The $4.4m projects program includes a $100,000 study into supplying recycled water to the hinterland, $100,000 for social housing, $400,000 for a climate emergency program and $360,000 for bio-links weed management.

Looking for mental health support during Covid-19 lockdown?

Free

Whole Medicine General Practice is here to support both your physical and mental health, that’s why we focus on lifestyle medicine and supportive, compassionate care as well as optimizing your health and wellbeing. We offer: • GP mental health counseling and mental health care plans • Skin checks and skin cancer medicine (LATEST TECHNOLOGY) • Dermatology – lumps, bumps and rashes and more • Whole person care • Women’s health • Men’s health • Kid’s health • GUT health • Chronic disease management • All aspects of General Practice • Antenatal and pregnancy care • Psychology • Same day appointments

Skin Checks for PENSIONERS AND HCC HOLDERS. Call today 5986 4229 to find out more or visit www.wholemedicine.com.au 113 Boneo Rd, Rosebud (adjacent to new aquatic centre) P. 5986 4229

Facebook.com/wholemedicinerosebud

wholemedicine.com.au | Taking new patients

book online

SEND A FOOD PARCEL TO YOUR LOVED ONES.

• SEAFOOD • BEEF • LAMB • PORK • CHICKEN • PIZZA

The best suppliers to the restaurant industry are now available to you at our incredible GFH Provedore.

• CHEESE • FRUIT & VEG • MORNINGTON PENINSULA JAM'S, CHUTNEY & RELISHES • PANTRY ITEMS • BEER WINE AND SPIRITS

With restaurant-grade produce at great prices, enjoy Melbourne’s best and supporting some amazing hospo suppliers. After 10 years at the GPO Rosebud

GPO HOTEL

and along with Rod Ash, ex Assagini Mornington, we are bringing Melbourne’s best meat, seafood,

MEALS FOR TWO (500GM) from the best Hatted Restaurants in Melbourne

and Coda and Tonka meals to your place. Operating out of both the city and our Rosebud Industrial Estate coolstores we can deliver to your door 4-5 times a week.

DELIVERY PENINSULA WIDE AND METRO MELBOURNE. 4-5 TIMES PER WEEK. For your provedore lists please email info@goldenfleecehotel.net.au

PAGE 2

Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

NEWS DESK

Cyclists want to close ‘gaps’ in trail Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au THE Bicycle Network – previously Bicycle Victoria – is urging Mornington Peninsula residents to provide feedback to the shire’s plans to “improve the cycling experience on the peninsula”. The RideSafe Strategy 2020 on display until 11 September aims to attract more cyclists to the peninsula to experience its “alluring rural and coastal attractions, and holiday destinations”. “The Mornington Peninsula has always promised much for riders, with its alluring rural and coastal attractions, and holiday destinations,” the network’s Garry Brennan said. “But delivering on those hopes has been slow and patchy. There is a lot of ground to make up. “There are considerable gaps in the trail network, and potentially great road routes are still hazardous. “The coronavirus pandemic has only highlighted the shortcomings, with many locals struggling to find five kilometres of safe pavement to get their exercise.” The network says two “major gaps” in the trail network look set to be addressed in the new plan: extending the

Breakfast regular with big bill to fill

Peninsula Link trail through to Port Phillip and Western Port bays – which would require linking Moorooduc and Mornington; Mt Martha and Safety Beach and, on the Western Port side, the link between Baxter and Somerville. Four main objectives of the shire’s draft strategy are to improve cycling infrastructure to reduce risk to users; develop a connected cycling network to ensure most areas of the peninsula can be accessed by bicycle; enhance the user experience to encourage more people to cycle; and, educate road and trail users and promote cycling on the peninsula. The network said the draft strategy could “clearly benefit from more data and analysis for use in developing the case for more money for bikes”. “The health and tourism benefits available to the peninsula from an uplift in physical activity and overnight visitation would be considerable,” Mr Brennan said. However, he said there was little in the strategy for the residents of the resort towns, “where footpaths are often missing, and walkers and riders are sharing high speed streets with cars”. To provide feedback online visit: mornpen.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay.

Down the hatch: Ernie the Pelican waits patiently for his breakfast. Picture: Gary Sissons MICHELLE Potter knows she’ll be warmly greeted when she arrives at the Hastings foreshore on Thursday and Friday mornings. Waiting patiently for his breakfast outside her Peninsula Fresh Seafood, business will be Ernie the Pelican … and she is happy to oblige him with his

favourite fishy delicacies. “Shelly” – as she is known – noticed Ernie looking disconsolate when the first COVID-19 lockdown banned boating and the usual fishers were not around to feed him scraps. When he waddled over she knew exactly what he was after.

“He was smart coming over us,” said Ms Potter, who has run the trailer for the past five years. “He makes my day. He’s the only pelican who comes over and it’s pretty amazing to be so close to him.” Ernie has the kind of daily bill that Ms Potter doesn’t mind going unpiad.

New faces set to dominate council Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au JUST five of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s 11 councillors will stand for reelection in October. The five councillors who will recontest their seats are the deputy mayor Kate Roper (Cerberus Ward), David Gill (Red Hill), Hugh Fraser (Nepean) and Antonella Celi and Simon Brooks (Seawinds). None of the three Briars Ward councillors will seek re-election - the mayor Sam Hearn, Bev Colomb and Rosie Clark. Other councillors retiring in October are Julie Morris (Watson Ward), Bryan Payne (Nepean) and Frank Martin (Seawinds Ward).

Although few candidates have declared their intentions to stand, one sitting councillor claims to have compiled “a Melbourne Cup long list” of council aspirants. Voting will be done by post and because of the COVID-19 restrictions candidates will have few chances to meet voters. Local Government Minister Shaun Leane ended rumours to the contrary last week by announcing Victorian municipal elections would proceed as planned on Saturday 24 October, with nominations closing on 22 September. Postal ballots will be accepted from 8 October until poll eve, Friday 23 October. Vote counts will be posted periodically online. Cr Hearn, elected in 2016, said serv-

ing the community over the past four years had been “one of the greatest honours of my life”. “I’ve been particularly glad to have had the opportunity as mayor to make a difference at a time of great challenge and need, and will continue to use every day I have left in the role to do so,” he said. “Unfortunately, I can’t balance four more years working in a demanding management role combined with the significant weekly hours of a councillor and still be a half-decent dad to my young children.” Three-time mayor Cr Bev Colomb, who has represented Briars Ward since 2005, said she would miss her time of service and providing a longer-term view to council decision-making. “I’m known as the Grand Old Dame

WIN AN ESKY

THIS FATHER’S DAY

FULL OF GIFTS valued at

$290

Purchase a main meal for takeaway or home delivery and go into the draw to WIN!

HOME DELIVERY from 12noon to 7.30pm

• • • •

Four Pines Esky Johnnie Walker Black 2x Johnnie Walker Glasses Bottle of Jacobs Creek Le Petit Rose

• Slab of St.Andrews Beach Brewery Beer • 1.9lts Carton Draught Growler • Cap, Beanie, Bottle Opener, Playing Cards

of council,” she quipped. “I feel for any candidates who this year won’t be able to get out and meet their constituents, but I certainly hope we get some younger, community-focused candidates to contest the [Briars] ward.” The Victorian Electoral Commission says it has closely monitored government advice in developing a plan to “safely manage” the elections during the COVID-19 emergency. Electoral commissioner Warwick Gately said postal voting was safe and of high integrity, and that the VEC was ready to respond to the changing environment. He said there would be increased distancing at election offices, limited face-to-face contact and enforced mask wearing. Measures to further safeguard voters

Stubby & Parma

MEAL DEAL* Purchase a PARMA with chips & salad or rosemary chats & vegetables

*YELLOWGLEN YELLOWGLEN Piccolo or Carlton Draught

Drawn Sat 5th Sep 2020.

Delivery available within 10km radius

2415 Point Nepean Road, Rye Ph: 5985 2277

and VEC staff will include the removal of counter service for replacement ballot packs and unenrolled votes. Requests can be made over the phone for replacement packs to be mailed out. Voters can hand deliver completed ballot papers to the election office if they miss mail collection times with social distancing rules in place. Information sessions for candidates will be moved online. It is also expected that additional social distancing during vote counting will delay the declaration of results for some elections by at least a week to Friday 13 November. See the COVIDSafe election plan at vec.vic.gov.au/voting/2020-localcouncil-election/providing-safe-elections

$12 GRAB & GO PREPARED MEALS

AVAILABLE

via Thirsty Camel Drive Thru

LUNCH & DINNER MENU FOR TAKEAWAY AND HOME DELIVERY FROM 12NOON TO 7.30PM

p lu s WE CAN DELIVER YOUR ALCOHOL! www.ryehotel.com.au Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

PAGE 3

Supporting and walking with you...the Prudent Way MOST legal issues and needs arise or are influenced by significantly broader underlying factors. Whether such issues are resolved successfully or not, the outcome usually has broader ramifications on close family members and others. “This is why advice, support and guidance are fundamental tenets of the way we practice law and assist clients at Prudent Legal”, says Jimmy Lardner, a principal of the firm. It obliges us to take a holistic approach with each of our client’s needs by listening intently and discussing thoroughly to understand the exact needs before we provide the most appropriate legal advice and support to a client. We focus on enabling a client to move on with their lives in the best way forward. “Our clients consistently inform us it is our care, consideration and compassion they receive that brings them the greatest satisfaction”, says Lardner. The other very fundamental aspect of the firm’s approach in resolving legal issues is to resolve disputes through negotiations and mediation as much as possible. “We encourage clients to stay out of court. We will only enter into a strong litigation process if this becomes absolutely necessary. Litigation is hugely expensive and the emotional stress accompanying litigation may result in higher unquantifiable costs to the individual. We are prudent in our approach to meeting client’s needs and we help them navigate a prudent pathway towards a prudent destination. We live by our name,” says Lardner. Prudent Legal has offices in Mt. Eliza and Rosebud. All its solicitors live locally and travel and meet with clients throughout the length and breadth of the Peninsula. The firm’s solicitors have a combined experience of over 40 years and practice in the main areas of Family Law, Property, Wills and Estates, Seniors Law and Commercial Law. No fees are charged for a reasonable time spent on initial consultations with clients.

Pictured left: Jimmy Lardner, right: Andrea Griffiths

The COVID-19 pandemic environment has generated significant challenges for couples and families. We are seeing some of these challenges manifest in relationship breakdowns and family violence in one form or another, says Ms Griffiths, a solicitor with the firm and a mother of two young children. “I understand current social pressures on young families and the struggles some of them have in trying to balance work life demands,” says Griffiths. “The pandemic has significantly magnified the intensity and emotional costs of struggles some families are having in areas like separation, domestic violence, parenting or property issues. If the principles of prudence have not been applied and allowed to shape a legal result or guide the parties to a dispute, there are no real

winners in the long term. This is especially so when children are involved,” says Griffiths. The firm is increasingly advising senior citizens on several issues very specific to their evolving needs. “We find our seniors are becoming sophisticated in their needs in areas like wills and estates, asset protection, inheritances, retirement village and aged care matters, reverse mortgages and family and succession issues” says Lardner. The firm’s solicitors visit seniors’ homes, hospitals, retirement villages and aged care facilities to help inform, advise and take instructions. We work with and assist clients who may struggle with language, hearing, vision or other disabilities that may hinder them from knowing their legal rights and expressing their needs. “In taking a holistic approach to

our client’s needs, we often find ourselves assisting seniors with referrals to other organisations and services who specialise in a specific area of their non-legal needs”, says Lardner. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the community, Prudent Legal had been working flexibly with clients including scheduling meetings after hours to suit working individuals, meeting via teleconference or on SKYPE, or making home visits. The firm continues to be open and operates daily on weekdays with additional flexibility via ZOOM or Microsoft Teams video conferencing available to help clients meet with and chat with its solicitors.

• A DV IC E • GU IDANCE • SUPPORT

Talk to us about your needs in: • • • •

Family Law Commercial Law Wills & Estate Planning Seniors Law

• • • •

Powers of Attorney Criminal Law Property Conveyancing

Mount Eliza:

Rosebud:

2/20 Ranelagh Drive Mount Eliza, VIC 3930 Tel: 9787 0211 Email: jimmy@prudent.legal

6 Ninth Avenue, Rosebud, VIC 3939 Tel: 5903 5590 Email: advisor@prudent.legal

WWW. PRU D E N T. L E G A L No Charge for Initial Consultations • ADVICE • GUIDANCE • SUPPORT not just lawyers

PAGE 4

Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

NEWS DESK

COVID-19 hits hospital staff Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au POSITIVE COVID-19 tests for 51 staff at Frankston Hospital has led to another 446 staff being forced to self-isolate at home. Early last week, Peninsula Health CEO Felicity Topp confirmed that 51 staff members had tested positive to COVID-19. Peninsula Health, which runs Frankston and Rosebud hospitals said investigations were underway into the source of the cases. No cases have been detected among staff at Peninsula Health’s rehabilitation centre and a palliative care unit. in Golf Links Road, Franlston “Of the 51 staff cases, 40 are nursing staff, with four doctors having tested positive at this point, along with five support staff members and two Allied Health employees,” Ms Topp said. “Since the beginning of the pandemic we have tested 54,981 people, 336 of those testing positive. We currently have 48 COVID-19 positive patients in our care, with none of these patients in ICU. We are doing all we can to keep them safe and well. “We were alerted to an increased number of staff cases at Frankston Hospital on Sunday [last week], and immediately responded by calling in external experts to support our response. We immediately closed a number of wards to admissions and all potentially affected staff and patients were tested. We also started contact tracing to identify anyone else who may have come into contact with an infected person. This process is currently in the final stages. “We are still investigating if these cases are

the result of increased community transmission of the virus, or if it has been acquired through the hospital. We are continuing to stress the importance of the correct usage of personal protective equipment which is readily available to our staff in all of our services and are doing our utmost to help all staff members do all they can to stay safe.” The Department of Health and Human services said that “an incident management team was working closely with Peninsula Health to manage this outbreak. All appropriate public health actions are being undertaken, including deep cleaning, contact tracing and testing.” Ms Topp has stressed tGolf Links Road centre was still accepting patients despite reports of an outbreak. “There seems to be a misconception that Peninsula Health is currently experiencing an outbreak at our Golf Links Road facility. This is not the case,” she said. “At the end of July, we did see an increase in cases at our Golf Links Road facility due to a patient initially returning two negative results, and then later a positive result. All appropriate infection control measures were immediately implemented including contact tracing and the furloughing of a significant number of staff at the time. On Sunday DHHS reported that Frankston City now had recorded 203 cases of COVID-19 since the emergency started, this was up from 188 six days earlier. Frankston has 69 active cases. The Mornington Peninsula by Sunday had recorded 162 cases overall (59 active) , up from 152 earlier in the week. Victoria’s total is 18,231 cases.

TOWN Mornington Mount Martha Somerville Rosebud, Boneo, Cape Schanck, Fingal Mount Eliza Flinders Arthurs Seat, Dromana, Safety Beach Sorrento Portsea Capel Sound St Andrews Beach, Tootgarook, Rye Hastings, Tuerong Somers Blairgowrie Baxter Bittern Crib Point HMAS Cerberus Balnarring, Balnarring Beach, Merricks Beach, Merricks Nth Moorooduc Tyabb Main Ridge Shoreham, Point Leo, Merricks Red Hill, Red Hill South McCrae

Postcode

Confirmed cases (ever)

Active cases (current)

3931 3934 3912 3939

39 21 15 11

27 7 7 5

3930 3929 3936

10 7 7

1 0 4

3943 3944 3940 3941

7 6 5 5

0 1 0 2

3915 3927 3942 3911 3918 3919 3920 3926

4 4 4 3 3 2 2 2

3 0 0 1 1 0 0 1

3933 3913 3928 3916 3937 3938

2 1 1 0 0 0

0 0 1 0 0 0

CASES by postcode on the Mornington as of Thursday 20 August show the location as the residential address provided when the case was notified and may not be where they were infected and may not be where the case currently resides.

ANY SYMPTOMS GET TESTED It’s important to get tested for coronavirus at the first sign of any symptom and stay home until you get your result. Getting tested means you keep yourself, your friends, family, workplace and your community safe. It’s not over yet.

Find out where to get tested visit vic.gov.au/CORONAVIRUS Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

PAGE 5

Southern Peninsula

NEWS DESK

Proudly published by Mornington Peninsula News Group Pty. Ltd

PHONE: 03 5974 9000 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, Brodie Cowburn 5974 9000 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: Marcus Pettifer, Dannielle Espagne Group Editor: Keith Platt 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Craig MacKenzie, Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Ben Triandafillou 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 27 AUGUST 2020 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: WEDNESDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2020

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.

Churches unite to ease COVID-19 fatigue By Barry Morris A SIGN on the front of the Anglican Centre in Mornington declares: “Our buildings may be closed, but our church is alive and well.” The sign reflects the spirit that has driven Mornington community groups and churches to join forces and provide hope in the time of COVID-19. The pandemic and particularly stage four restrictions have meant that church buildings have been closed, with most moving to become online/virtual churches “Alive and well” is the experience of most churches with some even recording an increase in people taking part in their new online format. With a long history of working closely together, community groups and churches have formed a network to address community needs. The network sprung out of the desire of Mornington/Mt Martha Inter Church Network (a group of parishioners from different churches), Peninsula Voice, which promotes a healthy and more connected community, and Mornington Community Information and Support Centre to work more closely with church leaders. Mornington community and information support centre manager Stuart Davis-Meehan said: “We recognise that we are better when we all work together, in the interests

of our local community. “Churches are an important part of people’s lives in Mornington, Mount Martha and Mount Eliza, with some 56.1 per cent of the local population identifying as Christian in the last Census.” The new group has met twice by ZOOM with members welcoming three new ministers to Mornington, They are St Macartans Catho-

lic Church parish priest, Father Geoff McIlroy, St Mark’s Uniting Church minister, the Rev Joy Blamires, and Mornington Salvation Army Corps officer Debbie Taylor. The team will meet monthly to focus on recovery and rebuilding as the community moves through and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Think about who you love, then think about them in ICU.” For Sarah, who’s been battling coronavirus for nearly 8 weeks, being separated from her two little boys, has been heartwrenching. On top of coronavirus attacking every one of her body systems, intense pain and acute breathing difficulty, she still has no idea when she will be well enough to see her boys. Sarah’s hope is that by us all doing the right thing, no one else will have to experience the heartache her family has. Please, play your part and help stop the spread of the virus. If you have symptoms - please get tested. Payments of $450 are available to help you stay home and wait for your test result.

To learn more of Sarah’s story go to vic.gov.au/CORONAVIRUS

Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

PAGE 6

Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

LOCKDOWN PICTURES THIS week’s crop of pictures taken by readers during the ongoing coronavirus restrictions range from birds, to knitted toys and an inflatable , but unseasonable, reindeer. Starting with the birds, Tom McCullough spotted sulphur-crested cockatoos, bottom left, happily inspecting a seemingly made-forthem hollow on Dromana foreshore. It has sea views, is close to shops and power is just a flutter away. Further north, at Mount Eliza, Rosie Fay is happy to see “these little visitors come nearly every day and help brighten our spirits during isolation and lockdown”. The kookaburras, right, no doubt have breakfast in mind. Lyn Keamy says the blow-up “smiling chappie, left, keeping watch

over the neighbourhood” on a verandah in Oakland Street, Mornington “gave me a lift while on my morning walk”. At Hastings, Fran Henke has been knitting Trauma Teds, below, since the bushfires earlier this year. Deprived of being able to exhibit them at Mornington Library because of coronavirus closures she is still knitting (with wool donated by a Gippsland spinner) and hoping to sell them to support koalas. Several have also been sent to “polio pals” in the Unites States. Every ted has a name and Fran insists “they are not to be given to pets to tear up”. Readers are invited to send and share their pictures, with a short caption, to: lockdown@mpnews.com.au

Jump on board with Daytripper for a whole lotta fun DAYTRIPPER Tours is a local Mornington Peninsula, Family owned and operated company offering Day Trips and Multi Day Trips to Seniors. Our tours are designed for those who prefer the personal attention, patience, care and an ounce of good humour that the larger companies are often not able to provide. Our itineraries are developed “in house” with passenger comfort, pace and enjoyment in mind. We are all about experiencing the adventures along the way – not simply arriving at the destination. As we begin to emerge from Lockdown 2.0, we are really looking forward to getting back on the road and providing some much needed time out for our passengers with some lovely Day and Multiday Trips on offer. Things may look and operate a little differently, our day tours may be a bit shorter and will focus mostly on locations closer to home. Wherever possible we will engage the services of local, small and family businesses and do our part to help them recover.

Home door to door pick up & return service on extended trips

Fully Escorted Tours - 29 seater Luxury Coach or Fly/Fly DAY TRIPS

Bookings are now open for all tours. Passengers can book with peace of mind, knowing that if the tour is unable to proceed due to Government Restrictions, we will reschedule dates wherever possible or refund tour fees if requested.

Kerrisdale Mountain Railway incl: Mountain railway train ride, Museum tour, BBQ lunch

03 Dec

$80pp

French Island by Ferry incl: Return Ferry travel to French Island, transfers from French Island Jetty to Figs, Lunch at Figs café.

08 Dec

$80pp

A Very Merry Mornington Christmas incl: 2 course dinner with a glass of wine or beer at Mornington Golf Club Bayview Restaurant, Sunset at Arthurs seat with a visit from Santa, Christmas Gift bag, Touring around Mornington Peninsula Christmas Lights. 10 Dec $80pp EXTENDED TRIPS Daylesford & Surrounds

09 - 12 Nov

$1350pp ($225s/s)

Silo Art Trail (NE VIC)

16 – 20 Nov

$1599pp ($300s/s)

King Island

01 - 05 Feb 2021

*$2899pp ($395s/s)

Bendigo & Surrounds

Mar 2021

$TBA

Bushfire Recovery Tour (incl East Gippsland and SE NSW) 22 – 27 Mar 2021

$1899pp ($325s/s)

Great Ocean Rd & Port Fairy

19 – 23 Apr 2021

^$1449pp ($250s/s)

Bright & the Autumn Festival

30 Apr - 05 May 21 ^$1049pp ($225s/s)

Bundaberg, Agnes Water & 1770

May 2021 *Early Bird pricing closes 31/10/20

TBA ^Early Bird pricing closes 30/12/20

Family owned & operated business for over 20 years CONTACT OUR OFFICE P: E: W:

1300 274 880 info@daytripper.com.au www.daytripper.com.au /daytripperaustralia

Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

PAGE 7

Police patrol

With Stephen Taylor

Party ends when police arrive

THE two women who police believe can assist with their inquiries into a drug crop found growing in a Mount Eliza house.

Women wanted over drug crop

FIVE people allegedly caught partying at a Somerville house on the weekend have each been fined $1652. Sergeant Damien Lombard, of Hastings police, said police knocked on the door suspecting a party was in full swing, but this was allegedly denied by the homeowner, Saturday evening 22 August. However, it seems the partygoers head for the exit when the police used their new powers under the state of disaster declaration to enter the house univited. Sergeant Lombard said said the partygoers had run out the back to hide but were rounded up and fined.

TWO women are wanted after a commercial quantity of cannabis was allegedly found at a property in Mount Eliza, Tuesday 14 July. No one was at the Bambra Street house during the search, but police believe two women of Asian appearance may be able to help with their inquiries. Both are described as being in their 20s or 30s, of average build and of short-to-medium heights.

Attention caught

OFFICIAL MEDICAL ADVICE

Don’t risk it. Always follow the health advice.

It’s up to all of us to keep each other safe. You must continue to practise good hygiene, physical distancing, and if you’re even slightly unwell, get tested and stay at home. Don’t risk it. The sooner we all do it, the sooner we’ll get through it. Have the App Visit australia.gov.au

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra PAGE 8

Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

A CAR being driven erratically in West Park, Hastings, attracted police attention, 11.10pm, Monday 17 August. The Hastings divisional van crew pulled the car over in Curacoa Drive and took the driver back to Mornington police station where he allegedly blew 0.115 per cent. The man’s car was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1075 and his licence suspended pending a court appearance. The van resumed patrolling near Hodgins Road/Wallaroo Place, Hastings, after reports of a vehicle doing burnouts. At 2am next morning (Tuesday 18 August), they spotted a yellow VW Beetle with no plates driving west along Hodgins Road. The driver allegedly locked the rear wheels with the handbrake and performed a slide into Wallaroo Place. He was intercepted and found to be unlicensed. He was also taken to Mornington police station where he allegedly blew 0.146 per cent. The Beetle, below, was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $895. Police said the driver told them it was the fourth time in as many months his car had been impounded. They said vehicles out during curfew stood an “excellent chance of being intercepted by police”, adding that driving erratically or doing burnouts in a yellow car with no plates was also sure to attract police attention.

Camping delayed CAMPING grounds on Mornington Peninsula foreshores will not open until at least 19 December because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to cancel the scheduled 23 October opening followed the introduction by the state government of stage four restrictions. Mornington Peninsula Shire says a decision on when to start to 2020-21 camping will be made later in the year. “While we are disappointed the camping season has to be postponed, it is a necessary step to protect our community and do our part to flatten the curve of this pandemic,” a news release from the shire stated.

Erasing Black Spot MORE than $1 million will be spent improving Mount Eliza Way west of Nepean Highway, Mount Eliza. The $1.02 million works under the Black Spot program will include raised zebra crossings at all pedestrian crossings and flashing lights at most of the crossings, reduced speed in the shopping centre and installing 40kph pavement marking.

NEWS DESK

Inspiring art goes straight to the bin

5p We m d-7 Su .3 n 0p m

JUDGES have had plenty of entries to appraise in a contest to paint garbage bins with scenes showcasing the Mornington Peninsula. The 68 entries attracted 4649 votes with their portrayals of rural and foreshore environment, sunsets, beach boxes, marine life, birdlife, fauna and flora and even a fox. The judges led by environmentalist Josie Jones awarded zero waste living packs to the six most popular examples of bin art. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s arts and culture department is encouraging residents to continue to paint their bins and to share them with the hashtag #mpbinspiration on social media. The judges said the painted bins had been a “wonderful way to add colour to our streets and be inspired during these challenging times”. See all the entries at artsandculture.mornpen.vic.gov.au/

Y A W A E K A T OPEN FORBEVERAGES* DINNER &p or Delivery* Pick U

PHONE

5950 0800 Option 3

CLICK ‘N’ COLLECT C OR

Via www.rosebudcountryclub.com.au 207 Boneo Rd, Rosebud 3939 *Conditions apply - available on selected beer and wine/delivery within a 4km radius

Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

PAGE 9

NEWS DESK

Ageing now seen as a ‘positive’ event Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council last week adopted a draft five-year positive ageing strategy while acknowledging the “growing body of evidence… [that] the social and economic contributions of the older population outweigh the cost of pensions and healthcare”. A report to the 11 August council meeting by officers Michelle Wright, Vicki Bishop and Tanya Gilbert, pointed out that age-friendly communities make “good sense economically and socially”. Their report said the draft strategy provided a “road map to strengthen the shire’s commitment to positive ageing”. The ageing strategy with the theme: “Our Wellbeing” and seeking “A healthy, happy, inclusive and active community” aims to make older people feel valued and supported through the implementation of programs and services helping them remain healthy, active and independent. The officers said the policy was committed to creating a community that enabled all residents to participate, belong and contribute. “An age-friendly community benefits all community members, not just older residents. Council is well placed to influence the domains that contribute to an age friendly community, enabling positive ageing for all.” The mayor Cr Sam Hearn said the shire in 2001 had been one of the first local governments to develop a strategy dedicated to supporting older residents. “This [latest] strategy builds on the work done over the past 19 years and benefits from input

and direction from the Peninsula Advisory Committee for Elders (PACE),” he said. About 500 residents contributed to the community consultation process and the shire received 31 public submissions during its exhibition period in June. Amendments were made to the original draft strategy to include the impact of COVID-19 on older people. The draft action plan prioritises areas that have been most affected by the pandemic, the officers said. It is also mindful of the budget implications of the pandemic and does not require finance beyond what is allocated in 2020/21 budget or available through government grants, they said, adding that key actions supporting the goals of the strategy complement existing plans and strategies, such as communication, transport, and housing. Shire CEO John Baker said the strategy was based on the World Health Organisation’s AgeFriendly Cities’ Framework, which highlights eight areas to creating an age-friendly community. They are transport, social participation, respect and social inclusion, housing, communication and information, community support and health services, civic participation and employment, and outdoor spaces and buildings. He said the shire’s strategy included a ninth domain: Quality of life, which identifies challenges, including obesity, dementia, climate change and – topically – our recovery from COVID-19. “The strategy will play a key role in … ensuring our community is one where older people can continue to thrive, contribute and be appreciated.”

CROWDS at this year’s Tyabb Air Show. Picture: Gary Sissons

Hearings could lead to airfield shut down PENINSULA Aero Club says the enforcement order being sought by Mornington Peninsula Shire, if granted, will “effectively” shut down the Tyabb airfield. A news release issued by PAC president Jack Vevers following last Friday’s “practice” VCAT hearing said the shire’s intent was to “strangle airport operations to the point where it will become unviable. This will cause many job losses and the demise of the emergency response facility”. “Of course, all of this is predicated on the shire’s assertion that PAC does not have permits to continue to conduct its operations at Tyabb Airport, as it has for several decades,” Mr Vevers said. “PAC has consistently maintained that it has all of the permits required.” He hoped the results of an earlier hearing into the so-called holy hour restriction on Sunday flying “will shed further light on the matters in dispute between PAC and the council”. PAC has requested orders from VCAT today to direct the shire to make all persons who might be affected by the making of the enforcement order

aware of these enforcement proceedings, to allow everyone with a stake in the airport an opportunity to make their views known to VCAT and oppose the making of the enforcement order,” Mr Vevers said. “As we have said all along, and despite the shire’s claim … of wanting the airport to 'thrive’, it is clear they are committed to limiting the airport’s operations to the point where closure is the only outcome. “PAC is bewildered that under the current COVID-19 environment, the shire continues to attack people’s jobs and is spending hundreds of thousands of ratepayers’ dollars in VCAT hearings on what we believe will only confirm what 50 plus years of previous tribunal and panel hearings have acknowledged and endorsed.” Mr Vevers said recognition in 1983 by a planning panel that the “Westernport Airfield” was “recognised and protected” by a special use zoning and “provides a general aviation facility on the Mornington Peninsula at no cost to the community” was “as accurate and relevant today as it was nearly 40 years ago”. Keith Platt

Rest assured with Regis Regis Rosebud is always looking for new ways to make the transition into Aged Care even easier, that’s why we are offering to waive the basic daily fee*.

Move in as a permanent resident and pay no basic daily fee until 31 August 2020. Or move in as a respite resident and we will waive the basic daily fee for up to four weeks*. That’s a saving of up to $360 per week!

Call today to find out more. * See the full terms and conditions at regis.com.au/restwithregis

Call 1300 998 100 | Visit regis.com.au/restwithregis

We’ll help you find the floor you’ve been searching for. Choices Flooring by Smiths Shop 1, Cnr Bruce St & Tyabb Rd, Mornington

5975 2600 choicesflooring.com.au

PAGE 10

Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

Closures lead to DIY BMX tracks Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au YOUNGSTERS are doing it for themselves following playgrounds and skate and BMX ramps being declared out of bounds because of the stage four coronavirus restrictions. Informal BMX ramps and accompanying bike tracks have sprung up across the Mornington Peninsula, many within protected bushland reserves and parks. But it’s not just enterprising youngsters digging in the build the BMX tracks. Parents have used excavators at Somers and Flinders to help their children build BMX tracks. The track at Flinders between the football oval and cemetery in Stokes Street “started with the kids just using spades … and has progressed through to parents using excavators and dumps of soil to create a huge track complete with constructed wooden ramps”, one resident has told Mornington Peninsula Shire. The area is declared leash-free for dogs and the resident said that besides “the illegality of using council land like this” concerns had been raised about collisions between bikes and dogs and people falling into holes. In Mornington, an ad hoc BMX track in the Mitchell Street reserve was also built with the help of parents. One resident who did not wish to be named, told The News she had suggested another, more suitable area but the youths “just continued on with their destructive actions to our park. It is a very real danger to everyone who

Digging in: Parents with excavators are helping to build BMX tracks in reserves across the Mornington Peninsula. Picture: Supplied

uses the park”. “It’s really just vandalism. I can’t believe no one has put a stop to it. The [Mornington Peninsula Shire] council should put up a fence and signs saying offenders will be fined.” Cr David Gill said BMX tracks were “happening everywhere”. “We can’t just say no, we need to help them find alternatives.” Executive manager infrastructure services Jessica Wingad said while assessing the reserves and parks “used without permission for the construction of bike

jumps” the shire “understands the energy, creativity and enjoyment of those involved.” Ms Wingad said the bike jumps posed unacceptable risks to other park users and damaged bushland and public parks. “Our policy is to remove these,” she said. “We are reviewing our response times and priorities for intervention. We understand the energy, creativity and enjoyment of those involved and will investigate longer-term options to respond to this need in a safe and collaborative way.” Cr Gill has suggested that if the shire

looks at sites on a case by case “perhaps some of the issues could be resolved by allocating nearby areas to small community bike projects”. Cr Gill says land over the south eastern outfall which traverses much of the peninsula and ends at Gunnamatta could be reserved for use by the public, including BMX and bike trails. He has asked state MPs on the peninsula to help provide suitable sites “so that the health and wellbeing of our younger generation is better catered for in this period of uncertainty and growing anxiety”. Cr Gill said the shire had been priced out of buying some parcels along the outfall route because the government valued them after rezoning the land to residential. “This land is gradually being sold to the highest bidder by the state government without regard for community needs,” he said. Mornington MP David Morris said use of the outfall land was “exactly the sort of issue” being looked at by the Legislative Assembly’s Environment and Planning Committee. Mr Morris, who is deputy chair of the committee, said it was investigating community access to parks and open space, sporting fields, forest and bushland, wildlife corridors and waterways. With Stephen Taylor

Bushfire proofing the peninsula UPDATED planning controls and exemptions for vegetation removal are among changes to bushfire protection exemptions on the Mornington Peninsula. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council said it had successfully lobbied the state government for the state-wide changes which align fence line vegetation exemptions with the map of Victorian bushfire prone areas. The changes mean landowners in areas at risk of bushfire can clear vegetation without a planning permit. Landowners outside bushfire prone areas covered by vegetation protection, environmental significance and significant landscape overlays need a planning permit to remove vegetation. “These changes allow landowners of properties at risk of bushfire to remove vegetation to protect their lives and property without the hassle and costs of getting a planning permit,” the mayor Cr Sam Hearn said. He said the changes were a “sensible clarification of planning controls and realignment of exemptions to support landowners in protecting their lives and properties from bushfires”. “These changes also help us conserve vegetation, habitat and biodiversity values outside of bushfire risk areas on the peninsula by restricting unnecessary clearing.” Details: mornpen.vic.gov.au/ vegetationremoval

S ALES , SERVICE & INSTALL ATION

NATURAL GAS REBATES -2020

APPLIANCE REBATES (Not Replacement)

$500 $500

on change over from Electric to Gas Hot Water for NEW Connection

COMMENCING 1/4/20 - 13/12/20 SUBJECT TO POST CODE ELIGIBILITY

COME & VISIT OUR SHOWROOM FOR YOUR NO OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE!

Spring Special!

Heater Service and Safety Check

$140

RINNAI 650 GAS LOG FIRE

$4290*

(incl.GST)

*Excludes gas log fires. Must present coupon

*Flue & installation extra. Subject to inspection.

Hot Water Special!

BRIVIS F36D

Change electric to gas. Rinnai B26 Hot Water

EVAPORATIVE COOLING TO 4 POINTS

Fully installed from $1190*

Inc networker control and winter seal

$3690*

(incl.GST)

*After rebates. Subject to postcode eligibility. Price subject to inspection.

*Subject to inspection. Must present coupon

Must present coupon. Valid until 30/09/20

SHOWROOM OPEN: MON-FRI 9AM-5PM & SAT 9AM-12PM

3 BRUCE ST, MORNINGTON

CALL 5977 0006 www.mrgasman.com.au Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

PAGE 11

NEWS DESK

Peninsula loses long time community supporter By Barry Morris SOME people are so generous with their time that it’s difficult to keep track of everything they did in life. Busy, busy, busy. Such a person was Helen Veronica Hendrey, OAM, who worked tirelessly for the good of Mornington, the people of the Mornington Peninsula and beyond. She died on August 1, aged 83. The mother-of-eight was an indomitable force before she suffered a stroke 10 years ago. Even then, she was still able to see the humorous side of life, enjoying laughs with her carers when they visited to look after her in the home she shared with husband Pat in Venice Street, Mornington. Ms Hendrey will be remembered as a founding member and long-time manager of Mornington Community Information and Support Centre, where a room was named after her, and as a workaholic at St Macartans Catholic Church, Mornington. She was a member of a mothers’ club, parent committees and treasurer of a disputes settlement centre, Mornington Community Group treasurer, a member of Ozanam management committee, Combined Churches Caring, Peninsula Psychiatric Services and the teaching panel for TAFE community information worker course. And then there was her love of gardening and patchwork quilting. In her spare time she fostered children who needed looking after, some for as long as a year. In 2003, Ms Hendrey was awarded

the Order of Australia for services to the peninsula community. Many remember her as a force in setting up the Mornington Community Information and Support Centre in Main Street almost 40 years ago. Stephen Alty was chairman of the committee of management when Ms Hendrey retired. “Helen did all the hard work from day one and a tribute to her skills is that it is still run today the same as

when she was there,” Mr Alty said. “She was there for about 18 years as manager and was the foundation stone of the whole place.” Ms Hendrey was involved with the Mornington Peninsula Shire-founded Friends of Lospalos from when it was set up in 2000 to finance projects in Timor Leste, working as secretary and treasurer and starting a newsletter which got information out on the dire situation in the developing nation.

Speak to your agent about listing on realestateview.com.au.

Be seen everywhere. PAGE 12

Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

Secretary Xiao Li Ma said: “Helen was a driving force on the committee, collecting, sorting and sending goods to Timor Leste. “Her work and commitment will never be forgotten.” Ms Hendrey loved music and sang with a host of choirs. At St Macartans Church, she was choir leader, founder of a credit union and a member of the parish council and prayer group.

Her family believes that her intense reading habit guided her spiritual journey as she embraced Charismatic Renewal and widened her community to include interchurch and interfaith communities. But it all goes back to the days when Ms Hendrey and future husband Pat became childhood sweethearts after they met as 6th grade pupils at St Joan of Arc Primary School in Brighton. After school, Ms Hendrey spent a year training to be a Presentation Sister at Gardenvale, but decided the sisterhood wasn’t for her and trained as a teacher, educating mainly migrant children at Ascot Vale. She and Pat rekindled their relationship and they married in their old primary school church at Brighton. Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, only a few people could attend the commemoration at Tobin Bros on Friday. Husband Pat spoke simply, eloquently and proudly of how they became sweethearts, of their spiritual journey together and how she was totally independent. “She had a life apart from our family,” he said. Ms Hendrey had a couple of sayings summing up her attitude to life, which Pat recalls fondly. The first: There are no strangers, only friends whom you haven’t met yet. And: When you meet St Peter, he will ask you one question: “Did you have fun?” Helen Hendry’s answer would have to be a resounding yes.

Jim Arvanitakis

Anastasia Arvanitakis

Brendan Adams

Jules Alexander

Director - OIEC

Licensed Estate Agent

0416 267 803

0414 267 830

0419 566 944

0401 255 555

VIRTUALLY, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! Book in your remote appointment today.

Louise Varigos

Joanne Avenell

Maz Dunez

Janice Cairns

SA for Jules Alexander

Licensed Estate Agent

Sales Consultant

0408 885 982

0419 358 312

0400 448 224

0456 424 872

If you are thinking of selling this Spring, we can still REMOTELY appraise your home, even though stage 4 restrictions are now in place.

Simpy call us today on 5985 0000 FACETIME

years servicing the Peninsula Community

shoreline.eview.com.au

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Selling with Safety.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

5985 0000 Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

PAGE 13

LETTERS

Letters - 300 words maximum and including full name, address and contact number - can be sent to The News, PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or emailed to: team@mpnews.com.au

Planned shared path is not good for nature

never been rescinded so, even here you can take that breed of dog into parliament so it can mess up the carpet. This is just an example of how stupid and archaic these laws are in our present times. Mr Fox must never be allowed to take something that is ours, not his because of these laws. David Barker, Sorrento

I agree that we need more bike paths on the Mornington Peninsula, for the safety and enjoyment of not only cyclists, but of pedestrians as well (“Pedalling a petition for shared path” The News 3/8/20). But the precious remnant woodland, bordering the Moorooduc-Mornington railway line, with its beautiful, endangered indigenous flora and wetland havens for diverse frog, bird and insect species, is not the place. The wildlife corridor flanking the railway is a rare local gem; one of the last remaining areas of its type on the Mornington Peninsula and already surrounded by cleared land on both sides of the track. The area is home to endangered native orchids and grasses of national significance, to local snow gums and to a large and diverse range of native wildflowers, birds, frogs and insects. Despite Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s awareness of the environmental significance of the railway reserve, plans are underway to construct a wide, paved shared bike path, together with a safety fence, beside the railway line Are residents willing to stand by and see this precious natural haven sacrificed for the sake of the tourist dollar or for a quick spin on their bikes? For the sake of biodiversity which enhances the health of our environment and of ourselves; for the sake of our children and grandchildren and all the health benefits to them of natural spaces, and for the sake of some voiceless, small, but hugely significant, threatened plants, please lodge your objections or suggestions for an alternative bike path route to councillors. Jeanette Miller, Mornington

Endless mistakes

Doubts on vaccine [Flinders MP and Health Minister] Greg Hunt and his colleagues are at it again with spin and marketing. He and [Prime Minister Scott] Morrison made a grand announcement saying they had signed a deal with AstraZeneca to secure development, production and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, promising that a vaccine would be available for all Australians and rather weirdly suggesting it might be made compulsory. Unfortunately for them, the company itself corrected the announcement the next day saying they had simply signed a letter of intent with the federal government. At the same time, of course, there is no guarantee that the vaccine they are working on will work or be available freely for us. This announcement was made at a time when aged care homes are still experiencing a high level of deaths which Morrison and Hunt are claiming they have no responsibility for despite what we have learnt about the Commonwealth’s lack of preparedness for dealing with the pandemic in aged care homes. We could do with a little less spin and a bit more leadership and responsibility. Marg D’Arcy, Rye

Cool on warming policy Further to your article parking at the bottom of Canadian Bay Road, Mount Eliza despite the already more than 1000 patches, a few days ago I saw that in the past week or so they have added a few more tiny patches while large areas are crumbling (“Beachgoers face long wait for better access” The News 4/8/20). Both I and the person with whom I was walking found the reasons for this difficult to understand, when clearly the area requires a totally new surface. I trust that it is not that mayor Cr Sam Hearn, who represents this area, and his councillors concerning themselves more with global warming and the part Mornington Peninsula can play? The shire’s draft policy on this has the following comments: “the planet heat up so quickly that conditions become incompatible with civilisation” and “... it’s scary confronting and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed” (page 7); ”catastrophic effects of humanity’s effect on the planet’s ecosystems” and “council recognises that the earth’s current warming trajectory threatens most life on this planet” (page 10); and “If we don’t drastically take action … the world that our children inherit will be a scary and unstable one” (page 12). One is left with the impression that unless the shire focuses on global warming, there will not be a planet (or peninsula) to worry about. The shire should address local issues and although everyone can do their bit on global warming (I believe we should do more on pollution than global warming), surely focusing on global warming is unlikely to compensate in any measurable way for hundreds of coal-fired (Australian supplied) power stations being built in China, India and Japan (which are built so they can make products that we can buy from them that we used to make here). Grant Snowden, Mount Eliza

‘Stupid, archaic’ laws Thank you for your report on the approach Lindsay Fox has made to take over areas of land that have always been owned by the people of Victoria and not by selected individuals (“Politics and ‘olde’ law a potent mix at Portsea” The News 10/8/20). Fox has made his fortune here in Australia and he claims he is a true Australian, but he now wants to use archaic British laws to increase land holdings that I do not believe he is entitled to. Part of these old laws came about because of tidal changes in Britain that create huge mud flats each day and they were created because of ever changing tidal movements that affected mooring and shipping needs, and even go back to boat building on estuary and river banks requiring areas for launching. King Charles made a law that allowed his dogs (King Charles spaniels) to be able to enter the Houses of Parliament - a law I believe that has

I admire the courage and blind faith of people who attempt to defend the indefensible. Try telling 25 million Australians that [Victorian Premier] Daniel Andrews is doing a good job and you would be laughed at. We are a basket case here in Victoria all due to the mismanagement of the virus. The list of mistakes is endless and throw in the belt and road initiative for good measure. I am looking forward to the apologies for wrongly accusing the Australian Defence Forces for the Ruby Princess disaster. Oops, I forgot that Daniel Andrews and his ilk never apologise for anything. Peter Rogan, Rye

The blame game Various correspondents to your Letters column have complained that the Premier Daniel Andrews has taken less than perfect action to control the present COVID-19 outbreak. Unfortunately, it is symptomatic of human behaviour to try to find a cause and a culprit for all the bad things that happen to us. More often than not though the cause is ill fortune and the culprit (as in this case) is ourselves. The people calling for the Premier’s blood are, I suspect, the same ones who criticised him for overreacting when he cancelled the Grand Prix and curtailed Mother’s Day celebrations in the early stages of this pandemic. It is quite farcical that Andrews is now being held responsible for the failure of the state’s health system to alleviate the so-called second wave despite the fact that no one else in the world has yet been successful in doing so. However it is informative that one of your correspondents has likened Australians to children and, to an extent, they are right - we do not like being told what to do and we try to avoid such instruction even though it is for the betterment of the group rather than the individual. Therein lies the cause of all our troubles. Richard Marshall, Carrum

Call for honesty The letter from John Cain outdid itself in its lack of consistency, leaping from topic to topic, state to state in an extraordinary load of self-indulgent twaddle (“Kicking back” Letters 4/8/20). The truth is finally coming out about the hotels’ quarantine fiasco and it is getting worse by the day and, no Mr Cain, Daniel Andrews did not “arrange trysts between guards and residents”, a comment that is plain silly. He is, indeed, fronting the inquiry on a daily basis, and so he should. Now all he needs to do is refresh his memory a little better and be truthful in his responses and statements. Then we move interstate to denigrate alleged fundraisers to be held by the LNP? So what if they want to hold fundraisers as long as it is safe and responsible to do so? Does the Labor Party ever hold fundraisers, along with their union

mates? Oh yes, the Ruby Princess was a disaster. However, it is now under control (unlike in Victoria) and I absolutely agree that the aged care Industry needs a full and frank inquiry and firm action taken to ensure that our senior citizens receive the best care and resources available. And no cover ups, at any level. This correspondence simply tries to deflect criticism from our state’s premier and ministers for their inept handling of this crisis, and push it onto others, particularly those in federal government. Other states are getting through this crisis way better than we are in Victoria. Mr Cain needs to be honest and admit that our state government has caused this current quarantine fiasco. Kevin Cahalane, Mornington

Labor questioned I have adjusted my thinking about responsibility for the Victorian COVID-19 crisis and can say that the Labor government has a lot to answer for. Having said that, I have no doubts that a Liberal government would do no better. And keep in mind that 66 per cent of the deaths in Victoria are attributed aged care, which is under the rule of the federal government (Liberal for those of you who may have missed it). I do have to commend the Premier Daniel Andrews for having the fortitude to front the press and answer their criticism and questions, unlike our prime minister who seems to learn a lot from Donald Trump in how to thwart the media. Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach

Delivering for Rye It is right to applaud the outstanding design and delivery by Mornington Peninsula Shire’s strategic planners and engineers of capital works and planning for Rye (“Amazing outcome” Letters 4/8/20 and 11/8/20). Working closely with the Rye community and successive Nepean Ward councillors delivered by the shire and underway are $2 million of committed shire money to the completed boardwalk and landscaping east and west of the Rye pier, the Napier Street plaza presently underway, foreshore camping reconfiguration creating a new entrance to Rye, the Elgan Avenue drain conversion to a coastal bio infiltration basin and sealed bay trail west of the pier and there is more to come. The Rye Township Plan - with the $6.5 million of shire and state government grants – council will continue to roll out a fabulous foreshore promenade from Napier Street over Point Nepean Road to the pier and replacing the “horseshoe” car parks – all creating a whole new public plaza and precinct. The plans are currently on public exhibition for all the community to “have your say” on line. Together with council’s recently approved urban design guidelines – with maximum township height controls of three storeys with third storey setback mandated and rezoning – all charts the course of generational change for the Rye foreshore and township for the benefit of all the community. Hugh Fraser, councillor, Nepean Ward

Did you know... you can view our papers online

www.mpnews.com.au PAGE 14

Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

off

ROOM PACKAGES*

Stressless® 3-Seater Emma Sofa and Tokyo Recliner

Made in Norway Sale.

Receive 30% off Room Packages* When you purchase 4 or more seats. stressless.com.au | 1300 NORWAY *Excludes Dining and already discounted models. Cannot be used in conjunc�on with other oﬀers. Must be in a single transac�on per one customer. Available for a limited �me.

10 Bennetts Rd, MORNINGTON info@sorrentofurniture.com.au (03) 5975 0344

CREATE YOUR STRESSLESS@HOME

80767 STRESSLESS WINTER PROMO 1000X1414 JULY2020 FA.indd 1

31/7/20 1:02 pm

Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

PAGE 15

100 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK...

Victoria’s power problems will be solved by great Morwell scheme Compiled by Cameron McCullough VICTORIA is dependent upon New South Wales for her coal supplies. But for the coal brought at great cost by rail or steamer from the sister State Victorian industries would vanish. It is a lamentable state of affairs, and we have paid dearly indeed for our experience. Our only hope of the future lies in the Morwell electric power scheme. That there is reason for hope at all is due to the Lawson Ministry. Successive Ministries for the past thirty years have failed to make anything of an asset given by nature that means so much to Victoria. Inquiry after inquiry has been conducted into the possibilities of brown coal as a source for the provision of power for industries, but it remained for the Lawson Ministry to take the step towards actual achievement. The recent appointment of Sir John Monash as general manager of the Morwell electric power scheme represents another stage in the programme of work undertaken by Mr. Lawson and his colleagues to make Victoria absolutely independent of outside sources for power for industries. Many lessons were taught by the war. One of the most important was that the stability of a nation is measured by its resources. Lack of shipping, curtailment of supplies of imported manufactured goods emphasised the extent to which Australia relied upon other countries for her requirements. That lesson has fallen on fertile soil, and on every side are to be seen industries that would have remained foreign to this country but for the war.

British capitalists are looking round for openings in Australia, and it is becoming increasingly evident that they are finding those openings in States with cheap power to offer as the chief attraction. Tasmania already has its hydroelectric power scheme in operation, and several large industries have been established on the island. Other States, too, are competing, and without a cheap power scheme Victoria would be left in the backwash of industrial expansion. In the brown coal deposits of Gippsland, Victoria has a truly wonderful asset. The existence of thousands of millions of tons of coal in the Morwell area has been proved, while the wealth that lies hidden in other parts of the southern province is untold. The particular advantage of the Morwell coal is its accessibility. It can be won without the sinking of shafts, and some day on the Morwell field will be seen perhaps the biggest open cut coal mine in the world. A project of such magnitude as that of Morwell necessarily entails a vast amount of preliminary preparation. Before involving the State in an expenditure that will run into millions of money the Lawson Ministry fortified itself with the opinions and advice of the world’s most eminent authorities. The soundness of the scheme has been proved beyond all question, and the utmost care is now being exercised to ensure that no mistake will be made in its execution. Within one square mile of the power house site there are between 120,000,000 to 150,000,000 tons of

open-cut coal. With an output of 100,000 kilowatts of power a year this coal would last for 150 years. Outside of the area mentioned there are over 20,000,000,000 tons of coal. *** Frankston Police Court MONDAY, AUGUST 16th. Before Messrs C. G. V. Williams (chairman), C. Grant, W. J. Oates, and W. Armstrong, J’s.P. A CLAIM FOR RENT. Brody & Mason v G. White; claim for rent. Mr. Rostron appeared for plaintiffs, and Mr. Chumley for the defendant. The plaintiffs alleged that White entered into a verbal agreement to lease a cottage at Frankston for a period of 12 months. A lease was drawn up, and forwarded to White for signature, but was never returned. The rent was paid at the rate of £2 14s 2d per month. The last two payments were made by a man named Lesker on behalf of White. The last payment was made on 24th July, 1920, and was forwarded by post by Lesker. The key of the house had never been returned to plaintiffs, and in May last, Mrs Huon, the owner of the house, was compelled to take forcible possession. After July 1919, plaintiffs made several visits to the house to try and collect the rent, but were never able to find defendant at home, as he was a week-ender. Neighbors had advised them that the house was occupied at week-ends last

PUZZLE ZONE

season. The defence was that there was no tenancy for more than a weekly tenancy, that there was no use or tenancy of the property since May, 1919, that if there was tenancy it was weekly and terminated when last rent was paid, and that plaintiffs had no authority to give tenancy for a year. Gordon White, accountant, in the employ of the Gippsland & Northern Agency Co., now residing at Romsey, said he rented the house in question from plaintiffs at 12s 6d per week. There was no lease. In May, 1919, he was affected with influenza, and on leaving the hospital, was transferred to Romsey. In that month his wife visited Frankston to tidy the house. She then went with witness to Romsey, and had been there ever since. On leaving for Romsey, witness instructed Lesker, his friend, to pay the rent until June, 1919, and to return the key of the house. Witness had not been in the house since April, 1919. Herbert Lesker, indebtor, Melbourne, deposed that early in July 1919, he forwarded the rent to Brody & Mason with a covering letter terminating the tenancy, and returned the key by post. He had not been in the house since April last year. The Bench dismissed the case, and allowed £2 2s counsel fee. Defendant’s claim for costs was dismissed, as it was considered he should have exercised more care terminating the tenancy. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY John Perry pleaded guilty to the charge of being drunk and disorderly

at Seaford on 14th August, and was fined 10s, and on a charge of assault was fined £1. *** Frankston Cool Stores - Forming the company. Provisional directors appointed A further meeting of those interested in the formation of a company for the purpose of erecting Cool Stores at Frankston was held last evening. Cr. W. J. Oates was again voted to the chair, and others present were – Messrs J. Nott Marsh, C. W. Grant, J. Clark, S. Corlett, Aisbett, Patten, Janes, Young, Cr. F. H. Wells, and the acting secretary, Mr H. Vicars. The canvassers having submitted their reports, Mr Werner, of the firm of Werne and Co., gave the meeting a lot of valuable information. Mr Marsh moved, and Cr Oates seconded, that this meeting resolve to form a Company for the purpose of establishing Cool Stores at Frankston. – Carried unanimously. It was further resolved, on the motion of Cr Wells, seconded by Mr Aisbett, that the capital of the Company shall be £25,000, divided into 50,000 shares of 10s each. Mr C. W. Grant moved, and Mr J. Clark seconded, that each member shall pay 1s per share on application and 6d on allotment. – Carried. It was also resolved that the minimum number of shares issued to one member be 50. Cr Oates and Messrs Marsh and Clark were elected provisional directors. *** FROM the pages of the Mornington Standard, 20 August 1920

ACROSS 1. Brother’s daughter 7. Sale items 8. Once more 10. Heavy (rain) 12. Issued (from) 14. Severs 16. Broad 17. Soberly PAGE 16

Southern Peninsula News

20. Musical ensembles 23. Weighed down 24. Unbalanced 25. Fatigued

26 August 2020

DOWN 1. Subtle difference 2. Voucher 3. Urge (on) 4. Minimal 5. Cares for (fingernails) 6. Sacred songs 9. Wanderer 11. Scenic painting

13. Detective, private ... 15. Venetian waterway 16. Completely 18. Sighed sleepily 19. Earn 21. Binds 22. Hindu dress

Puzzles supplied by Lovatts Publications Pty Ltd www.lovattspuzzles.com See page 18 for solutions.

networkclassiďŹ eds.com.au networkclassiďŹ eds.com.au Builders & Building Services

Placing your classiďŹ ed advert is so easy...

Since 1972

Heating

GAS APPLIANCE SERVICING

We accept payment by:

Carpenters

VISA/MASTERCARD/EFTPOS

(1.5% credit card processing fee applies. Cheques and money orders can be posted in or hand delivered to our local ofďŹ ce)

colinkellygas@gmail.com KELLYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GAS & PLUMBING Lic. 16546

9850 6611 V

CALL MARTIN

0418 172 044

12435752-FA03-20

Concrete Products & Services

ADVERTISE with us and

CALL 1300 666 808

Call Keith 0432 480 865

"ASED ON THE -ORNINGTON PENINSULA hKEEP IT LOCAL USE A LOCALv

Plasteringnpainting.com

CONCRETE SPECIALISTS

PTY LTD

Plumbing

Sharke Plumbing

Heating

Handy Persons

1/9/20

Phone Tim: 0412 315 798

12417889-FA21-19

Tim The Handyman

(Terms & Conditions Apply)

PIC: 38148 REC: 17042 AU: 06212

Gas Ducted Changeovers Split Systems Ducted Refrig

5998 7796

FAIRBAIRNS

HEATING & COOLING www.fairbairns.com.au Est. 1982

We do all the work

0414 566 273 V

For more information contact Patrik on 041 094 2230 or email patrik@intensivecareathome.com

Professional

Rubbish Removal

12357430-DJ28-17

Pre-winter Gas Ducted Specials extended till

12455182-NG30-20

12437177-ACM52-19

Pensioner Discounts

Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identiďŹ cation number. It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identiďŹ cation number is included in the advertisement or notice. For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

Medical/Nursing

12442410-CLG09-20

12458169-SN34-20

Same day service. No job too small

Hot winter specials

GuttersUncluttered.com.au

Years of experience. Fully insured. Free Quotes. Rye and surrounding area.

EMERGENCY JOB NEED DOING? V

ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE

ICU/PICU nurses wanted for home care in Balnarring, Bittern and Mornington. Minimum of 2 years ICU/PICU experience. Must be ventilation and tracheostomy competent.

s 1UALITY WORKMANSHIP s &ULLY ,ICENCED )NSURED s $EAL DIRECT WITH THE TRADESMAN s &REE 1UOTES Call Andy 0414 477 121

Pets & Services

REGISTERED NURSES

GARYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RUBBISH REMOVALS

CALL JORDI: 0418 312 121

By Horizon Plumbing Pty Ltd

The Peninsulaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own gutter cleaning professionals. See website for details and pricing guide.

Roofing

ROOF REPAIRS & ROOF LEAKS 12459237-SN35-20

0428 720 921 - 0400 537 545

Employment

LIC: 109028

12415744-DJ16-19

www.pykesfurnitureremovals.com

Est. 2010

0447 007 178

www.orbitplumbing.com.au

Free Quotes

section of Network ClassiďŹ eds.

** Same Day Plumbing Service ** Local & Friendly Plumber Daniel:

REASONABLE, RELIABLE AND GREAT RATES! Home - OfďŹ ce and Commercial removals Pre-packaging - All South Eastern Suburbs

Guttering

Real Estate

s (OT 7ATER s "URST 0IPES s 4APS 4OILETS s (EATING s #ARBON -ONOXIDE 4ESTING s 0UMPS s "LOCKED $RAINS s 'AS &ITTING

Furniture Removals

PYKES FURNITURE REMOVALS

Buy, Rent & Sell in our

ORBIT PLUMBING

Tree Lopping/Surgery

CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP

UĂ&#x160;/Ă&#x20AC;iiĂ&#x160;EĂ&#x160;-Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2022;Â&#x201C;ÂŤĂ&#x160;,iÂ&#x201C;Â&#x153;Ă&#x203A;>Â? UĂ&#x160; Ă&#x2022;Â?Â?Ă&#x160; Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x20AC;>Â&#x2DC;ViĂ&#x160; Â&#x153;Ă&#x203A;iĂ&#x20AC; Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;7Â&#x153;Â&#x153;`Ă&#x160; Â&#x2026;Â&#x2C6;ÂŤÂŤiĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x2030; Ă&#x2022;Â?VÂ&#x2026;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;}Ă&#x160;-iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x203A;Â&#x2C6;ViĂ&#x160; Ă&#x203A;>Â&#x2C6;Â?>LÂ?i

12337429-CG06-17

Massage Therapists

ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer non-sexual services.

sharkeplumbing@outlook.com Shaun: 0478 647 138

12428296-ACM40-19

-OB s 0H

Public Notices and Event

General ClassiďŹ eds

Fully Licensed Local Plumber (Lic. 111537) Free Quotes & Emergency Call-outs. Specialising in Burst Pipes, Hot Water Services, Gutter Replacements, Roof Leaks, Blocked Drains.

&2%% 15/4%3 s $!93 ! 7%%+

Notice is hereby given, as required by Section 130(2) of the Local Government Act 1989, that the Mornington Peninsula Shire at a Council Meeting held on Tuesday 18 August 2020, adopted the Annual Budget for the ďŹ nancial year beginning 1 July 2020 and ending 30 June 2021. BULENT OZ FINANCIAL CONTROLLER 12458807-CG35-20

Peter Sharp

Specialising in: s 3LABS s &OOTINGS s 0AVING s $RIVEWAYS s #ROSSINGS s ,AYBACKS s )NDUSTRIAL &LOORS s 4ENNIS #OURTS s %XPOSED !GGREGATE

General Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE ADOPTION OF THE 2020/2021 ANNUAL BUDGET

Quality & reliable service Small repairs welcome Free quotes

Call Anthony for a free quote on 0423 808 691

Concrete Products & Services

contact Graeme 0407 353 875

Plasterers

PLASTERING & PAINTING

Experienced Concreter for: s $RIVEWAYS s 0ATIOS s 'ARAGE 3HEDS s (OUSE 3LABS s !LL 4YPES OF #ONCRETING s %XPOSED !GGREGATE s 0LAIN #OLOURED

get better results

tree & stump removals excavator & tower hire firewood & mulch sales fully insured

Call Mel: 0407 121 284

12417522-RC20-19

Deadline for all classiďŹ cations is 1pm Friday.

s (OME -AINTENANCE s 4REES ,OPPED s 2UBBISH 2EMOVAL s 2ETAINING 7ALLS s 'UTTERS s &ULLY )NSURED

12403490-RA45-18

DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME

Treesbgone

Home Maintenance

PERGOLAS & DECKS

Ask about our discounted ongoing advertising rates and how choosing more newspapers gives your advertising more impact and saves you money...

Tree Lopping/Surgery

12423915-CG33-19

CAMPIS.COM.AU

(include your name, address and phone number)

Colin Kelly 0427 314 570

12434465-NG49-19

RENOVATIONS DBU3721 EXTENSIONS s NEW BUILDS

12446933-SN17-20

CARBON MONOXIDE TESTING

Online: networkclassiďŹ eds.com.au (24/7) Phone: 1300 666 808 (Open 8.30-5pm Mon-Fri) Email: sales@networkclassiďŹ eds.com.au

12371888-ACM08-18

Deadline

1155688-CG39-14

www.networkclassifieds.com.au

Place your ad in print and online

12423634-SN31-19

Trades & Services

Mulch For Sale

Ph Graham 0407 357 927

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.

General ClassiďŹ eds section of Network ClassiďŹ eds.

Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

PAGE 17

SOUTHERN PENINSULA NEWS

scoreboard

Clubs await FV refund decision SOCCER

By Craig MacKenzie FOOTBALL Victoria is expected to announce its fees refund policy this week. Late last month the state federation posted a joint statement from president Kimon Taliadoros and CEO Peter Filopoulos. The statement said that a refund policy would be based on a consultative process that engaged clubs in decision making. “We are very close to finalising the FV refund policy for our portion of participants’ fees. Emergency committees of football stakeholders have been created to work through the incredibly complex matrix of issues. We are working with clubs to ensure their input in developing a reasonable, transparent and fair FV refund policy. Each individual club will need then to take into account their own circumstances when developing their own club refund policy.” Since that statement was issued it’s understood that none of the 12 local NPL and State League clubs has had contact with FV on this matter. Rosebud president Melissa Osorio was the only local club boss who refused to comment when asked if FV had been in touch concerning refunds. FV’s inertia has forced many local clubs to take matters into their own hands. “We’ve already started our refunds process for our community teams with no input from them (FV) or guidance,” Langwarrin president Tanya Wallace said. “It’s really hard but we couldn’t wait forever.” Langy sent out an email to parents last week with three options: (1) to donate fees and get a brick with the player’s name on the clubroom wall, (2) to roll over fees to 2021, and (3) accept a refund less expenses already incurred (strip, equipment, etc). Mornington, Skye United and Peninsula Strikers are among other clubs who have been offering refunds. “Fortunately for the senior club we only had a couple paid up and those monies go towards next year’s fees as the lads weren’t interested in a refund,” Strikers president Adrian Scialpi said.

Top trio: Football Victoria president Kimon Taliadoros (left) with former Socceroo player and coach Ange Postecoglou (centre) and former Socceroo Josip Skoko. Picture: Anita Milas

“We had no consultation with FV.” Baxter president Bray Hodgkinson had a similar comment. “Absolutely zero consultation with our club mate,” he said. The FV statement also reinforced the governing body’s commitment to get some form of “competitive football happening before the end of 2020 provided it is safe to do so – it just might be in a different format than to what we have been accustomed to. Even though the situation changes week-to-week, we remain determined to get the ball rolling this year.” It is unclear whether this refers specifically to the JBNPL but FV is yet to inform clubs about the fate of that elite junior boys’ competition in 2020. Strikers vice-president Steve Schreck oversees the club’s junior NPL program and was dismissive of FV’s communication record. “The last official junior boys’ NPL email was on 7 July and the last official FV correspondence was on 15 July. There’s been nothing since,” he said. “Pretty sure that’s more than the three weeks they said they would have refund information in their last email.” Meanwhile there has been action on the off-season front with FV’s foot-

Did you know... you can view our papers online

Sudoku and crossword solutions N

A G A

Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

S S

S E

O R R A

O P

I T

I D

E S

Y A

S S

W D

N E

R T

L M

S A

N S

C D

C U

Y S

O R C H

N W

E M A

www.mpnews.com.au

PAGE 18

The proposal received a lukewarm response from Langwarrin, the only local NPL senior club. “The club isn’t comfortable at this time opting in or out as we don’t know how it will impact the season, pre-season and trial period for 2021,” Tanya Wallace said. “It’s (calling for) an expression of interest but again lacks any insight or understanding into the potential implication for next year.” There was no mention of costs in the proposal. An off-season competition proposal is expected to be rolled out to State League clubs in coming weeks. In other news a multimillion dollar facilities investment was announced by the state government last weekend. Just over $4.9 million in grants has been secured for 13 projects through the World Game Facilities Fund allowing upgrades for some of the state’s most critical soccer facilities. The fund is a state government initiative that assists local soccer clubs and organisations to upgrade existing or develop new facilities across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. It has invested $9.9 million in 38 infrastructure projects since 2018 with a total project value of $25.5

ball operations executive manager Will Hastie contacting NPL clubs via email to gauge interest in a proposed new competition. Hastie’s email proposed an under-23 NPL competition held in spring/summer months pending state government approval of full contact sport at that time. “While competition structure, rules of competition, eligibility rules (we would anticipate a limited amount of over-age players can play each week) are still to be determined, we see this as an excellent way to bridge the gap that has been created between the cancellation of the 2020 NPL senior men’s season and the commencement of football in 2021,” Hastie wrote. Hastie’s proposal included “up to three over-age players eligible on the game day team sheet; a voluntary optin process for all clubs; establishment of two, geographically determined leagues being North West and South East (if there is enough interest, this may be four leagues being North, South, East and West to ensure travel is reduced for participants); potential for two games a week which would include a weekend and midweek fixture; and five substitutions to ensure high player rotations.” Hastie was contacted about discussing his proposal but declined to do so.

million. Last weekend’s announcement was lauded by FV bosses. “This significant funding will immediately go towards the biggest problem we have in football – our lack of proper facilities to cater for the thousands of Victorians who want to play our sport,” FV CEO Filopoulos said. “The Andrews Government has listened to the football community. They’ve shown a commitment that has turned into real action, the kind of which is going to deliver real outcomes for the people who participate in our sport.” The CEO’s comments were echoed by Taliadoros. “When it comes to facility investment, our clubs have been crying out to us from day one and we promised to work with the Victorian Government to deliver the outcomes our sport needs. That’s what the World Game Facilities Fund is all about,” he said. “We are a long way from the finish line, but the commitments made are giving us a real chance of securing the extra 420 full-size equivalent pitches we need by 2026 to meet the demands of the football community.” Grants of up to $500,000 will be made to councils to improve facilities including lighting, turf pitch redevelopments, synthetic pitches and female-friendly change rooms. Victorian Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said the funding was about giving the sport the backing it deserved. “We’re on the hunt for the next Sam Kerr or Tim Cahill and we’re all inspired by what our Matildas have achieved already – this funding will give grassroots football the support it deserves. “We’re making sure that women and men, and girls and boys, of all abilities have the facilities they need to play the sports they love.”

SOUTHERN PENINSULA NEWS

scoreboard

Streets of Avalon looks to bounce back HORSE RACING

By Ben Triandafillou SHANE Nichols is confident his Group One winner Streets Of Avalon can get back into form on Saturday when he contests the Group One Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. After making a top return in the Group Three Bletchingly Stakes when finishing runners-up to the Godolphinowned Viridine, Streets of Avalon failed to fire second-up when striking a soft track at Caulfield a fortnight ago. Ridden by Ben Melham, the sixyear-old gelding sat in behind the pace before sliding out three-wide at the 1000m mark when the pace slackened up front. The son of Magnus was unable to pick up in the run home and ended up finishing in seventh place in the Group Two P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m). Mornington-based trainer Shane Nichols believes the run will bring Streets of Avalon on nicely, with the likely firmer surface to work in his favour. “The track was probably a fraction too soft for him and the race lacked tempo which didn’t suit him,” Nichols said of Streets of Avalon’s previous start. “He needed a solid run race and when they backed off and ran a 12-second furlong that was going to make it really hard for him from where he was.” Nichols said Streets of Avalon, who won the Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m) at the same track and trip in February, has pulled up excellent

since his last outing. “I couldn’t be happier with how he is in between runs and he’ll be somewhere near his peak third-up,” he said.

Streets of Avalon had a gallop last Saturday morning and will have his final workout on Tuesday heading into his next assignment.

The Avalon: Shane Nichols’ Streets of Avalon winning the G3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last year. Picture: Supplied.

Advertise in the Southern Peninsula’s own newspaper

Call MPNG Classieds on 1300 666 808

Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020

PAGE 19

5p We m d-7 Su .3 n 0p m

Y A W A E K A T R O F * N E P O S E G A R E V E B & R E N * DIN y r e v i l e D r o p Pick U

PHONE

CLICK ‘N’ COLLECT C

5950 0800 Option 3

Via www.rosebudcountryclub.com.au 207 Boneo Rd, Rosebud 3939 *Conditions apply - available on selected beer and wine/delivery within a 4km radius

PAGE 20

Southern Peninsula News

26 August 2020