Melbourne’s local news highlights of 2020

It was the coronavirus-dominated year many of us want to forget. But there was plenty of non-virus news in suburban Melbourne.

It’s been a crazy year, no one’s denying that, and it’s safe to say many Melburnians are probably happy to see the back of 2020.

But while COVID-19 dominated the headlines, a lot of other things happened in the past 12 months, particularly in Melbourne’s local news scene.

Here’s a taste of some of the non-Covid items we covered, as well as a few pieces that were Covid related but really struck a chord with readers.

Sit back, relax and take a walk down memory lane with us as we look back at the year that was. Happy New Year!

CLEAN UP DANDENONG

Police apprehend a man in Dandenong as crime surges in the municipality’s once popular shopping hub.

Things reached boiling point in Dandenong as crime, alcohol and drug abuse spiralled out of control.

Petrified business owners and residents told the Leader they believed it was only a “matter of time” before someone was seriously hurt or killed.

Violent gang brawls and intoxicated individuals turned central Dandenong — once a popular multicultural shopping hub — into a no go zone at night, they said.

Shop owners said they were forced to close early in the evening because the violence was that bad, while others said they had to foot the bill for damage caused to their stores and shop windows by thugs.

Local police even admitted the situation was dire and their resources were “spread too thin”.

Leader launched its Clean Up Dandenong campaign in February to urge Victoria Police and all levels of government to make the Dandenong precinct safer through increased police patrols, installing more security cameras and additional security personnel.

In November, Greater Dandenong Council was awarded $400,000 by the State Government to install mobile CCTV and other security measures.

The council’s community services director Martin Fidler said the money would be used for a combination of fixed and mobile CCTV to keep watch over the troubled Hemmings St precinct.

MAN EATS 100 KFC ZINGER BURGERS

Seamus Murphy was inspired to donate proceeds from his Zinger challenge to Movember after losing a friend to suicide.

A Phillip Island man went on a finger lickin’ mission to eat a KFC Zinger Box for 100 days straight.

It may not have been great for his health, but it was for a good cause.

Seamus Murphy, 27, started the challenge last month as a bit of fun but after documenting his journey on social media he found he built up a loyal base of fans who wanted to send him money to buy more KFC.

He said he felt uncomfortable taking people’s money to buy food so he decided to put the cash towards a cause close to his heart — Movember and the Black Dog Institute.

The charity supports men’s mental health and Mr Murphy said he was inspired to donate to after he lost a friend to suicide in January.

“It was pretty shocking for my group of friends,” Mr Murphy said.

“There’s not as many resources and there’s a tough country mentality of holding it in and dealing with it yourself.

“I think there needs to be more resources of knowing what to do when your friend is down, like, knowing what to say to help.”

Across Victoria 17,500 people registered with Movember to raise money and awareness for men’s mental health and suicide prevention. Mr Murphy raised $1285 for the charity.

MAYOR’S BURGER SHOP TANTRUM

Former Stonnington mayor Steve Stefanopoulos turned heads during an alleged temper tantrum at Grill’d in Malvern. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Former Stonnington mayor Steve Stefanopolous was hardly camera shy — and he wasn’t far from the local headlines in 2020.

First, he and the council used $102,000 of ratepayers money to expand his office so he could meet with more guests.

Then, an unofficial six-page council newsletter, ‘News From Your Mayor’ was sent out around his ward, containing 23 pictures of himself.

But the biggest controversy arose after he went on an alleged tirade at Malvern’s Grill’d store, in July, yelling at junior staff members not wearing masks, before mandatory rules came in.

Witnesses claimed the then-mayor name-dropped himself during his alleged ‘violent’ outburst, and other customers looked ‘frightened’ as he appeared ‘unable to control himself’.

According to chief executive Jacqui Weatherill, Cr Stefanopoulos later visited the store and apologised to staff for his ‘overzealous’ behaviour.

At the time of the incident, Cr Stefanopolous did not return Leader’s request for comment.

But it didn’t save him at the ballot box, with the mayor failing in his bid to be re-elected to the council in October, after three years in the plum job.

ROSEBUD’S NAMELESS POOL

Betty Preston says the public has the right to choose a name for the pool she fought so hard for. Picture: Daniel Pockett

Mornington Peninsula Council copped a lashing online by residents when the Leader revealed in June the council’s delay in naming the new Rosebud pool could cost ratepayers thousands.

The six-month process to name the public pool was sent back to the drawing board after councillors deferred their decision on picking a name to seek more public input.

The council had already spent $50,000, received more than 400 suggestions and even brought in an expert panel to help them pick a name.

The delay and additional public consultation was predicted to add at least another $200,000 to the $39 million project’s bottom line.

The shortlist of names councillors were asked to choose from were all Indigenous and included Barbawar (stingray), Gunawarra (black swan) and Yawa (to swim).

Councillors voted against accepting council officers’ recommendation — Gunawarra — and instead ordered that residents be given the opportunity to vote on five options; Gunawarra Aquatic Centre, Rosebud Aquatic Centre, Barbawar Aquatic Centre, Yawa Aquatic Centre and Tides Aquatic Centre.

Ratepayers slammed the decision as an “appalling waste of money”.

POINT COOK COUPLE’S FIGHT TO BRING BABY HOME

Australian resident Ziva Narang was able to fly home with her grandparents from India after the Leader got involved.

A Point Cook couple found themselves locked in a desperate battle to be reunited with their one-year-old daughter in India after Australia’s borders closed due to the pandemic.

Hardip Narang reached out to the Leader in October after the Australian Border Force rejected his application to allow his ageing parents to fly to Australia with his youngest daughter, Ziva.

Ziva is an Australian citizen and was left in Mumbai by her parents earlier this year before the coronavirus hit.

Mr Narang said the plan was to let her stay there for a short while to bond with her grandparents before she returned to Australia later in the year when her grandparents came to visit.

But their travel plans were cancelled when the world was plunged into chaos due to COVID-19 and international travel ground to a halt.

When the Leader got involved the ABF quickly overturned its initial decision and contacted Mr Narang to notify him his parents would be permitted to travel to Australia with Ziva.

He said the family was grateful for the change of heart, but he said it should have happened sooner.

He said in the meantime they’d missed a lot of their daughter’s first milestones, including watching her take her first steps and celebrating her first birthday.

CURIOUS CAT’S LUCKY ESCAPE

This marmalade moggy was happy to be freed by firefighters after it got stuck in a skip bin.

A cat that found itself stuck in a bin was left counting the rest of its nine lives after it was saved by Metropolitan Fire Brigade firefighters.

The cat, which was not wearing a collar, was heard meowing at the bottom of a factory skip bin in Keys Rd, Cheltenham, in May after it wedged its head through a hole.

MFB crews were called and placed a blanket over the frightened feline’s head as they used a grinder to set it free.

The delicate operation took 45 minutes and the cat was then placed in the care of animal welfare specialists.

It is unknown if the cat was a stray or if it had an owner.

BIRDS BURNED ALIVE

Witnesses were horrified as they watched a man and a woman allegedly set up to 100 wild birds on fire in Langwarrin.

Up to 100 wild birds were believed to have been killed or injured in a sick act of animal cruelty in Langwarrin in October.

The birds were nesting on two islands in wetlands at 490 Frankston-Cranbourne Rd when they were set alight about noon on October 31.

It was believed a man and a woman boarded a dingy and approached the birds before dousing them, their babies and their eggs, in petrol and allegedly setting them alight.

Distraught witnesses watched in horror as the birds were burned alive.

“It was the worst and most inhumane thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” one woman told the Leader.

“I took my paddle board and paddled past all the carcasses and devastation, there were eggs and babies on fire.

“There were birds that were on fire and trying to fly away … others stayed on their nest with their eggs.”

Langwarrin CFA, the RSPCA and Animalia Wildlife Shelter Frankston were called to the scene.

The RSPCA was investigating the incident.

BOGUT’S BEACH HOUSE BLUE

Andrew Bogut has big plans for his new home in Beaumaris, but his new neighbours aren’t so keen.

Superstar basketballer Andrew Bogut rebounded from criticism about the mega-mansion he plans to build in Bayside.

The luxury three-storey redevelopment on Beach Rd, Beaumaris, will span two blocks and cost an estimated $5 million.

But the Beaumaris Conservation Society complained about the size of the house, the height of the fence and the number of trees being removed.

The former NBA champ took to Twitter to defend his dream home and wrote that the flurry of attention had made him feel like a criminal.

“It is a little concerning feeling like a criminal for returning to my home city and attempting to build a home I didn’t think would ever be possible,” his statement read.

“I don’t want sympathy … I only hope this matter is treated fairly by all involved.”

He also thanked the conservation society for “spending their one hour of lockdown exercise time at (his) property”. The tweet was later deleted.

JEWISH SECT DODGES LOCKDOWN

Witnesses reported alleged COVID-19 lockdown breaches to police after they spotted members of the Jewish community hosting gatherings. Picture: Tony Gough

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish group was accused of exploiting a loophole in lockdown laws to run clandestine religious ceremonies in Ripponlea and St Kilda East.

People were seen carrying prayer shawls and other religious paraphernalia when they entered centres in the area up to three times a day.

A loophole in the stage three restrictions meant support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous were permitted to hold socially distanced meetings for up to 20 people.

The Department of Health and Human Services said the group had not breached lockdown laws because it was operating a support service, not running religious ceremonies.

Port Phillip Inspector Nigel McGuire-White told the Leader police were inundated with calls about the gatherings from worried members of the public.

He said residents, including members of the Jewish community, were furious the group was meeting and putting lives at risk.

A resident said the group was “clearly exploiting this loophole”.

“They meet on Jewish holy days and attend with prayer shawls, it’s obvious they’re breaching restrictions,” the resident said.

POPULAR PUB CLOSES ITS DOORS

The Irish Pub at Knox Ozone has long been a crowd favourite. Picture: Ellen Smith

Knox’s beloved The Irish pub at Knox Ozone confirmed its closure in June.

In a statement on Facebook, the pub’s management said it was closed for good but hinted at reopening under a “modern” new brand.

“We will never be forgotten, as we are forever in your hearts,” the statement read.

“We will continue our longstanding Westfield relationship and are presently exploring all options for a new modern Irish concept, so stay ready for more to come.”

Reactions to the post were mixed, with one fan telling the pub to “stop playing with our emotions”.

Another wrote; “Irish and modern do not belong in the same sentence”.

Seamus O’Toole’s Irish Pub has been a destination for locals in the Ozone entertainment precinct for the past 18 years.

Last year fans of the pub were devastated to hear the venue planned to close and more than 1000 patrons turned up for what they believed was the pub’s final Monday drinks night.

At the last minute the pub’s management had a change of heart and announced the venue would remain open until early this year.

POOL BUNGLE LEAVES SCHOOL RED FACED

Caulfield Grammar School’s Wellbeing and Aquatic Centre. Picture: Peddle Thorp

A major slip-up left a new Olympic-size pool at Caulfield Grammar School’s lavish new $25 million aquatic centre too shallow for divers to use.

The Aquatic and Wellbeing Centre opened in January at the school’s Caulfield campus but a monumental flaw meant the diving area didn’t meet size requirements to ensure a safe landing.

The pool has a movable floor which can be raised and lowered to adjust the water depth to cater for different sports, including competition swimming, water polo and diving.

But the Leader understands the depth of the section used for diving did not extend far enough and did not meet Life Saving Victoria’s safety standards.

Several parents and people connected to the school confirmed the fiasco.

School principal Ashleigh Martin confirmed in February “an issue relating to the diving area” of the pool was under review.

A Life Saving Victoria spokesperson also confirmed parts of the pool did not meet design standards.

Caulfield Grammar boasts a hugely successful aquatic program, with both the boys and girls swimming teams taking out the Australian Public Schools Championship last year and the girls’ diving team scoring second place.

Olympic gold medallist Mack Horton also attended the school between 2000 and 2014.

CYCLIST KILLED IN HIT RUN

Cyclist and mother of three Deborah Locco, 60, was tragically killed in an alleged hit run in May.

A senior Department of Education employee and former school principal was hit and killed by a car while riding her bike in Beaumaris in May.

Deborah Locco, 60, died when she was hit near Wells Rd about 5.25pm on May 25 and was remembered by colleagues as a passionate educator who “always placed students first”.

The Mentone mother had built an impressive resume while working in the state’s education system, including working as the department’s regional director and as principal of South Oakleigh College.

The driver of the car, Christopher Hyslop, 35, of Armstrong Creek was later charged with culpable driving, dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop.

Ms Locco is survived by her three children who also tragically lost their father, also a teacher, after he was injured in a diving accident in the Philippines in 2016.

An education department spokesman said Mrs Locco was a passionate educator who “always placed students first”.

Mrs and Mr Locco were leading advocates for the Skyline Foundation, which provides gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds with financial assistance to improve their education opportunities.

UGLY SCHOOL BRAWL

A day of fun in the sun at MSAC turned ugly when police were called to a school sport carnival to break up a vicious brawl between students. Picture: Mark Wilson

Police were called to a school swimming carnival in February after a vicious fight broke out between two “hot headed” students that left one in hospital.

The brawl, which was between two Year 12 students, stunned parents, teachers and younger students when it broke out about 2.45pm on February 13 at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

Tension had been boiling between the teens in the lead up to the incident.

A dad of one of the boys said his son allegedly received death threats after the fight and was facing possible suspension or being expelled from the school.

South Melbourne Senior Sergeant Eric Strik told the Leader at the time police were reviewing footage and interviewing witnesses as part of their investigation.

“At the end of the day it was a scuffle between two hot-headed young blokes,” he said.

“Unfortunately it was in front of a group of Year 7s and 8s, younger children, which isn’t ideal.”

GRIEF AFTER TRADIE’S TRAGIC DEATH

Jarrod Fox, right, with sons Archer, 2, and Jasper, five weeks. Picture: Supplied.

Tradies and the outer east rallied around one of their own after Kilsyth’s Jarrod Fox was electrocuted at a Ringwood worksite in August.

Mr Fox left behind his fiancee Charmaine and two young sons, Archer, 2, and Jasper, five weeks.

With the number of guests limited to 10, Jasper received a special exception from Premier Daniel Andrews to attend his dad’s funeral under the state’s tight coronavirus restrictions.

Mr Fox’s death led to an incredible show of support for his two boys, with a GoFundMe started by sister Erin raising $250,000 for a family trust to support them in the future.

ALLEGED SCAMMER’S BIZARRE ONLINE RANT

Rosebud business owner Rhiannon Pilton has been slammed for hosting alleged sham charity events to con people out of money. Picture: Chris Eastman

An alleged scammer accused of conning about $30,000 from businesses posted a series of strange rants online as police launched an investigation into her apparently fake fundraisers.

Rhiannon Pilton was accused of organising sham charity events in Frankston and Mornington and claimed online she wanted to “set the record straight”.

Her long rambling posts, revealed by the Leader in January, at times denied wrongdoing and threatened legal action.

In other posts she apologised and promised to give money to the charity she used to promote her “sham” event.

She also denied she used the names of comedian Tommy Little and AFL legend Kevin Sheedy as special guests at her events to bait people to buy tickets.

In February last year, Pilton promoted a small business awards night as a charity fundraiser. But the nominated group, homelessness support network Donation Chain Inc, received no money and the people who paid $175 to attend the “black tie, red carpet” event labelled it a sham.

The meal turned out to be sausage rolls and Ms Pilton told the gathered business people the awards trophies had been stolen.

She also organised the inaugural Mornington Peninsula Business Awards at the Mornington Racing Club, which attracted up to 200 attendees.

But a club spokesperson later told the Leader she never paid the full cost of hiring the venue.

The Leader also believes Ms Pilton took money through ticket sales website Eventbrite for a number of events in 2018 that did not go ahead or drew poor attendance.

SHOCK BALCONY COLLAPSE

Two balconies collapsed because of a crack in the sea wall in Patterson Lakes. Picture: Jay Town

Patterson Lakes residents were forced to flee their homes after their balconies collapsed in July.

A botched deck repair job was blamed for bringing down three waterfront entertaining areas and causing residents at number 69, 71 and 73 Scarborough Drive to evacuate their properties about 11am on Monday, July 13.

An investigation by marina management also found four balconies and three decks at properties were built without council approval.

Speaking on behalf of the Patterson Lakes Marina, special counsel Adam Zuchowski, of Sutton Laurence King lawyers, told the Leader the balconies on all properties and decks at numbers 67 and 71 should have been resting on a pad footing situated behind the seawall rather than the seawall itself.

Engineers found the downpipe which discharged water from the roofs of numbers 67 and 69 into the marina became compromised when the deck at 67 was replaced.

This caused water to build up behind the seawall instead of being released into the marina basin.

“This resulted in the soil behind the seawall liquefying and creating pore pressure behind the seawall and when low tide occurred, the increased pore pressure compromised the seawall,” Mr Zuchowski said.

“As the deck and balcony structures were attached to the seawall, they then failed.”

The residents’ owner’s corporation was liable to pay the cost of fixing the damage.