Courage award for slain jeweller
Not gone with the wind: Frustrated residents Keith Jacobson and Nick Demooy clean up the tumbleweeds. Picture: Yanni
Seed problem blowin’ in the wind NO, it’s not the dry plains of the old Wild West, but tumbleweeds are blowin’ in the wind from the Hastings foreshore reserve. And nearby residents are fed up with them. Keith Jacobson, of Skinner St, says it is a “horrendous” problem with masses of grass seeds blowing into their properties from new plants put in by Mornington Peninsula Shire over the road. “They are making a mess of our gardens,” he said. “They are covering everything.” Nick and Julie DeMooy, of Salmon St, said they collected six shopping bags full of tumble weeds blown in
from the foreshore on Saturday 18 March. “That was our greeting in the morning when we got up,” Ms DeMooy said. “Nick spent four hours cleaning it up on the Saturday – which was only the backyard. “He was feeling sick from cleaning up this disgusting mess and it has made him quite depressed. “We both spent another two-and-ahalf hours on Sunday cleaning up the front yard. “We take pride in our property and there is still a spot in the backyard we have left for the shire to see.
“This problem has been going on for a few years and was reported in January 2016 but nothing has been done by the shire.” Mr DeMooy said a shire contractor on Friday cleaned up a fair bit “but it just kept blowing back. He said he was going to report it to the council and that’s all we’ve heard”. “If you stand on our patio you’ll see it all being blown down the road. “We are worried our gardens will be infested with seeds. I’ve already pulled a couple out. Stephen Taylor
SLAIN Hastings jeweller Dermot O’Toole has been awarded the Star of Courage in the Australian Bravery Awards. The awards announced over the weekend recognise those who put their own lives at risk to protect the lives or property of others. Mr O'Toole, 64, died while protecting his wife, Bridget, during an armed robbery at their shop in High St in July 2013. The couple were working at the back when they heard the front door open. When Mrs O’Toole went into the shop she was confronted by a man in disguise approaching the counter. The offender – later identified as Gavin Perry, 26, of Crib Point – yelled at her as he approached with a large carving knife. In the ensuing struggle she was pushed onto a glass display counter in the middle of the shop which shattered under the impact. Hearing the noise, Mr O’Toole rushed from the back to help his wife of 41 years, who was screaming. Mr O’Toole wrestled with Perry before slipping onto his back as he attempted to fend of the attack. He was stabbed and later died of his wounds. Perry – who was said to be high on the drug ice – further assaulted Ms O’Toole before stealing $200 in rings and fleeing. Police later charged Perry with murder, armed robbery and intentionally causing serious injury. He is now
serving 27 years’ jail for his crimes. By his actions, Mr O’Toole displayed conspicuous courage. Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove told the investiture: “Sadly, there are those whose brave acts mean they are no longer with us. To their families, I express the nation’s sadness at your loss but pride in your loved one’s actions. “We are fortunate as a community to have so many outstanding people willing to put themselves in harm’s way to assist others in need.” Mr O’Toole is survived by Bridget and their sons Dale, Christian and Trent.
Tractor, 4WD collide A TRACTOR and a four-wheel-drive were severely damaged when they collided on the Frankston-Flinders Rd, Balnarring, Monday morning. Sergeant Bruce Buchan, of Somerville Highway Patrol, said the crash occurred about 7.20am when the grass-cutting tractor was turning at Mt Barron Rd; the four-wheel-drive overturned on impact. The tractor driver, 72, of Somerville, was airlifted to The Alfred Hospital in a serious but non-life-threatening condition. The driver of the four-wheel-drive, 30, of Crib Point, was taken to Frankston Hospital in a serious but non-life-threatening condition.
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Western Port News 28 March 2017
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