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NEWS DESK

Season’s first whale sighting Police patrol THE first whales of the 2020 season have been spotted off the Mornington Peninsula’s Number 16 beach. In between Blairgowrie and Rye back beaches, the humpback whales at Number 16 were recorded as travelling east by Mandy Robertson on Saturday 16 May. “It's a wonderful coincidence that the first sighting of humpback whales in our region for 2020 aligned with the first relaxing of the COVID-19 rules,” Dolphin Research Institute executive director Jeff Weir said. “Our citizen scientists can now venture out, but this year need to keep a safe distance from each other - as well as from the whales.” Mr Weir said the federal government's JobKeeper program “is also helping to keep our team together and ready for the start of education pro-

Intruder ruins Mother’s Day magic

Picture: Dolphin Research Institute

grams”. He said the best places to see whales on the peninsula included Port Phillip Heads and Cape Schanck. Whale sightings reported on the institute’s website will contribute to its Two Bays Whale project. Keith Platt

Pandemic delivers blow to budget Continued from Page 1 “Other measures include saving $1.4 million by not filling vacant staff positions and saving $1.7 million by reducing materials and services expenditure.” He said the council was also continuing to lobby state and federal departments for financial support and relief. Financial modelling and “scenario analysis” for the 2020-21 budget forecasting the potential $6-$12 million loss is being undertaken while the draft budget is on public exhibition. Cr Hearn said the exhibition period had been extended to Thursday 21 May to “give the community more time to review and provide comment, and to give council officers more time to assess the economic impacts we are

With Stephen Taylor

seeing from COVID-19”. He said the next financial year would be “very challenging”. “We as a council have a united resolve to navigate our way through these difficult circumstances for the whole community,” he said. “I believe we can facilitate a united effort engaging all sectors and people, peninsula-wide, to achieve our economic and social recovery and ensure no one gets left behind. “I’m proud of the way we have stuck together and looked after each other through the pandemic. We need to commit to doing the same as we rebuild and restart after it.” The proposed budget can be seen at mornpen.vic.gov.au Hard copies can be mailed on request.

STAFF at a Mount Eliza florist were terrified when they spied an intruder lurking in the darkness early on Mother’s Day morning. Abricot Mornington Florist manager Matilda Alievski said the unidentified man shining a torch seemed to avoid CCTV cameras behind the Mount Eliza Way shop Saturday 9 May as he made his way slowly towards the back door (right). He was wearing a hoodie, beanie, gloves and boots, and covering his face. “Our staff were working inside the shop trying to get our orders ready and we saw this man on our cameras and immediately panicked,” Ms Alievski said. “We were so frightened as we could see that he was getting closer in his attempts to break in. “We had our lights on in the whole shop and this man knew we were in there; it seems we were being targeted. Luckily, we saw him on our cameras and our male staff member managed to scare him away. “We reported the incident to police.” Ms Alievski said her son, 24, writing Mother’s Day cards and checking orders upstairs, saw movement on the CCTV monitor and raised the alarm. “He saw the man trying to break into the back door and started screaming and came running downstairs to protect us,” Ms Alievski said. “He was shouting to the man to

Camp ground arrest

get out and that he was calling the cops.” The staff left for their homes when the coast was clear but Ms Alievski said she hardly slept worrying about the incident. “We returned at 6am to find that the man had been back, possibly at 4.30am, and been inside the cool room. “He had taken flowers ordered by our customers and ruined them by trashing them and snapping them onto the grass,” she said. “These flowers were orders for Mother’s Day and so we had nothing to give our customers. “It seems the man didn’t come to steal, but do damage. We don’t understand why. It is disgusting that someone can do this to us.” Anyone with information is urged to call Mornington police 5970 4900 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.

DETECTIVES described the arrest of a Queensland man at a Rosebud camp ground on Thursday 7 May as a “good pinch”. The 31-year-old appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court that night charged with aggravated burglary, possessing explosives – which police later described as firecrackers – and three counts of possessing a drug of dependence. On Wednesday 15 Aril two women reported that the man climbed onto the balcony of their Doncaster home and entered a bedroom, 2am, Wednesday 15 April. The women ran outside and hid. The man was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court again in July.

Changing attitudes THE Trust Your Gut’ theme of this year’s Crime Stoppers Day (Monday 18 May) follows an independent national survey commissioned by Crime Stoppers Australia that showed up to one in five Australians turn a blind eye to unsolved crime and suspicious activity rather than speaking out. Crime Stoppers wants to change this attitude and urges Australians to “play a part in building a safer community by sharing with Crime Stoppers what they know, without having to say who they are”. Reports to Crime Stoppers can be made by calling 1800 333 000.

ONLINE DELIVERY&TAKE-AWAY

KOREAN TAKE HOME BBQ PACKS. We provide the BBQ, meat, sides & all trimmings. Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries or small socially responsible gatherings at home with a real authentic Korean BBQ experience. Bookings essential by 12pm each day. Pick up only.

DRIVE THRU PICK UP available via the bottle shop at rear of 124 main st Mornington No need to even get out of the car for all your favourites, including the classic parma, lasagne, vegetable lasagne, roast chicken, curries, beef & chicken burgers, greek salad and sticky date pudding. Lunch 12pm - 2pm Dinner 5pm - 8 pm Seniors hour and discounted menu from 5pm to 6pm

Open 11am-late everyday for Delivery or Pick up

Full bottle shop range still available for purchasing

Check out the menu: www.geonbae.com.au

Check out our website and facebook page for the full menus and drink specials.

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The Grand is still providing our full take away menu to make sure you are able to get the same delicious meals even with the restaurant closed

Western Port News

20 May 2020

TO PLACE YOUR ORDER PH 5975 2001 124 main st Mornington

SATISFYING YOUR HUNGER WITH LIFE’S SIMPLE PLEASURE. You can’t go past our delicious steaks, ribs and prawns, cooked to your personal pallet. With a selection of sauces to tempt you one step further. Add a bottle of wine from our wide selection to make your dinner special. For your full dining pleasure view our THE STEAK SPECIALISTS ‘DINE AT HOME’ MENU! FREE DELIVERY to Mornington, Mt Eliza, Mt Martha, Moorooduc Minimum $50 order. $15 Charge for Frankston South, Frankston, Somerville and Safety Beach FREE delivery for orders over $150 Order online www.squiresloftmornington.com or call 5976 8482 Pick ups welcome. 104 Main St. Mornington

From the team that brought you Geonbae Korean BBQ introducing Choego Frankston. Bringing you authentic Korean street food, Asian desserts and Bubble Tea. Available for Pick up & Delivery to surrounding areas. Located 16 Shannon St Mall, Frankston Ph 9770 2777 www.cheogo.com.au Socials: @choegofrankston

MN_ 19/5

Hastings favourite Korean restaurant ‘Geonbae’ is offering pick up & delivery to the Westerport areas. Takeaway menu & specials available online. Geonbae has also expanded the meaning of ‘takeaway’ with our new concept available for a limited time: