A FRANKSTON South minister with nearly 60 years of experience has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. Reverend Dr Robert Johnson was named in the King’s Birthday honours list this week. He has been recognised for service to education, and to the Uniting Church in Australia.Dr Johnson has worked with Ormond College at The University of Melbourne, the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania with Uniting Church in Australia, and was the chairman of Cornish College between 2012 and 2020. He was a minister between 1969 and 2016.Dr Johnson said his experience working with the needy and vulnerable…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
KINGSTON Council has drafted a submission to the state’s planning minister outlining serious concerns about development plans at the former Kingswood golf site in Dingley Village. The site’s owner Satterley unveiled its development plans earlier this year. It plans to build 941 residential lots on the land. (“Controversial golf course plans revealed” The News 3/2/2025).In April, the state government informed Kingston Council that its planning authority over the site had been removed. Kingston mayor Georgina Oxley said “we are extremely disappointed that this change was made without consultation or impact assessment.” “It makes the need for a clear and robust…
COMMUNITY grants set to be distributed by Kingston Council in the next three years have survived proposed cuts, but new conditions have been applied to their recipients.In February, Kingston Council resolved to review 10 festival and event community grants awarded by the previous council at their June 2024 meeting. A late amendment made last year to award a grant worth $75,000 over three years to the Druze Community Charity of Victoria had drawn criticism, as councillor Hadi Saab serves on its executive committee. Saab declared a conflict of interest before the June 2024 vote. Earlier this year Kingston councillors voted…
MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONESORRENTO looked to get their season back on track last weekend on the road against Pines. The Sharks have endured a difficult 2025 season so far, languishing in the bottom half of the ladder. They conceded 22 goals to Frankston YCW in their last outing, and were looking to make amends against the Pythons.Sorrento put together a better defensive display at Eric Bell Reserve on Saturday, holding Pines to ten goals. Sorrento beat Pines 10.13 (73) to 14.13 (97). Pines led by 20 points at the half-time break, but were overwhelmed in the second half. Jordan Doherty,…
A FRANKSTON athlete is set to take his talents to France to compete in the 2025 Ironman World Championships.27-year-old Zach Andrewartha competed in New Zealand earlier this year, earning Gold All World Athlete status and a place at the world championships. He first began serious training for endurance sports less than six months earlier.Andrewartha says qualifying to compete in France came as a surprise – he finished eighth during the world championship qualifiers, with the top eight going through. He says the trip will help him fulfill a childhood dream. “I watched the Tour de France with my Dad growing…