NEWS DESK
Who you gonna call? Neil Walker neil@mpnews.com.au A FACEBOOK group dedicated to hunting down feral and stray cats has denied it encourages the killing of domestic pets. The Cat Busters page on Facebook sprang to prominence on Friday (15 July) thanks to a flyer posted in letterboxes in the Frankston area urging cat owners to keep pets indoors since Cat Busters “is in your area�. “Domestic cats kill millions of native birds, reptiles and mammals every year in Australia,� the flyer stated. “Cat Busters catches cats. In suburban areas this includes the use of cage and leg-hold traps.� The flyer warned cats “may be shot on sight� if found wandering free during curfew times. The Cat Busters Facebook page shows several
TUTORS WANTED - WE NEED YOUR HELP THE Hastings branch of U3A (University of the Third Age) is in need of volunteer tutors to help diversify and expand their group. U3A is an international movement whose aims are the education and stimulation of retired members of the community....those in their “third age� after fulltime employment and parental responsibilities. lt is widely recognized that many people of retirement age (45 +) have something to contribute and learn without formal links to educational institutions. U3A began in Melbourne in 1984. By 2013 there were 205 groups and 85 000 members throughout Australia. Recent years have seen these numbers steadily increase. Hastings is a relatively small, but passionate and progressive group, keen to meet the needs of the growing retired population in the area. At present Hastings U3A offers more than 60 different courses and activities....a great achievement. But we want to do more! We
need people with strong interest or specialized knowledge in any of a wide range of educational, creative and leisure areas. Your skills and inspiration could be just what we need and at the same time provide you with a satisfying and comfortable opportunity to share your knowledge, skills and time with small groups of friendly and interested men and women at venues in Hastings. Courses may be ongoing, short term or one-off workshops. We are desperate for tutors in CRAFT, PASTEIS, COMPUTERS and all other types of COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, ITALIAN and CARD GAMES. Maybe you play the guitar or chess, the list is only limited by what you can offer. Fresh ideas are very welcome. lf you or someone you know can help us out, please PDNH FRQWDFW ZLWK RXU RIÂżFH 5HPHPEHU DW 8 $ QR HGXFDWLRQDO TXDOLÂżFDtions or expectations are required from tutors or participants and none are given.
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PAGE 6
Western Port News
19 July 2016
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photos of dead feral cats shot by hunters. When contacted by The Times via Facebook, Cat Busters group representative Matt Trim said Cat Busters “do not kill domestic cats�. “We don’t shoot in residential areas. We’re not vigilantes – we are just assisting local government authorities with their animal control measures, in the same way they themselves do it.� He confirmed the group is not based in Frankston. “Most recently we’ve been in Melbourne and Sydney, where cats are a major problem. “We have contributors and supporters in every capital city, except Hobart, and many regional areas. “So far we’ve trapped in 57 different council areas, but we have just been given 50 new traps by a new supporter so we hope to expand our assistance program.�
Home raid AN aggravated burglary at Langwarrin, Thursday 7 July is being investigated by Southern Metro Region Crime Team detectives. Three men partially masked and wearing gloves forced their way into a Warrandyte Rd home about 2.30am. They stole the keys to three cars, and then stole a white 2012 Holden Cruze, registration 1CV5BM, and a white VL Holden Commodore sedan, registration 68324H on heritage plates. The cars were driven off in different directions. Police media’s Leonie Johnson said the family slept on undistributed and discovered the cars missing in the morning. CCTV shows one of the men wearing a Quiksilver hooded jumper and a second wearing jeans and thongs. Anyone with any information should call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
Night moves: Three men in camouflage outfits, wearing gloves and carrying bolt cutters, outside the Langwarrin house.
The Western Port Whisperer THE Whisperer is happy to report that he is no longer missing in action, but has had to deal with the pesky flu which surfaces about this time every year. Mrs Whisperer claimed he was suffering from a case of the Man Flu, but has retracted these comments on the basis she is now sick with the flu. *** With every new financial year, comes the usual self-promotion by all levels of government regarding the exciting new projects about to be constructed in the local area. We always love to hear more about what all levels of government are doing to improve our lives, but one can’t help but point out the irony on Salmon Street, Hastings, where a sign adjacent to the library promotes a new roundabout at the intersection of Salmon, Elizabeth and Herring Streets. Anyone who uses this intersection would be aware this roundabout was installed in 2013 (this detail is confirmed by the signage still up announcing the project). The Whisperer can’t help but wonder when does a completed project stop being promoted as a new project? Surely three years does not count by most people’s standards. *** With the recent inclement weather, one can’t help but show concern at the number of trees falling on roads and subsequently pulling down adjacent powerlines with them. It is supposed to be the responsibility of relevant authorities to maintain trees and prevent them from falling on powerlines. Issues with powerlines was one of the key concerns raised in the Black Saturday Royal Commission, yet it seems to be an issue where local authorities have once again take their eyes off the issue.
*** Pull out your diaries ladies and gentlemen, because the shire is having a once a year visit from the key players from the Rosebud offices. Expected guests at the meeting include the top brass of local politics, including the CEO, heads of the major department groups, the councillors and you, if you choose to come to the meeting. The Whisperer hopes there are plenty of maps to go around so our dignitaries can find their way to Hastings. In a bid to help save the planet, the Whisperer would suggest hiring a bus to save on all the emissions, but doubts this is a good idea. Assuming the driver of the bus would be a council contractor, they’d probably have trouble finding Hastings too. *** The Whisperer has heard a lot of complaints about Frankston- Flinders Road in Somerville, especially the section of surface which is peeling off like skin after a hot summer’s day. The saga is one The Whisperer has been following with great intrigue. The irony of the entire situation is VicRoads encouraging people to use Coolart Road is an alternative to Frankston-Flinders Road. Coolart Road has a history of having a surface like a cheese grater. Nonetheless, drive safe folks, and use some common sense. If you don’t need to use Frankston-Flinders Road, don’t use it and then complain about chipped windscreens. You have been warned! *** HEARD any Whispers? Let the Whisperer know at: westernportwhisperer@gmail.com