Month: November 2016

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will celebrate International Day of People with Disability by holding a come-and-try sports day and mini-expo at Civic Reserve, Mornington, 10am–1pm Wednesday 7 December. International Day of People with Disability aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. Activities on the day will include tennis, gymnastics, soccer, netball, footy, dance, table tennis and SWISH (blind table tennis). A Marveloo, a portable, fully accessible toilet with adjustable change table and hoist, will also be available. The toilet is part of a campaign by the shire’s all abilities consultative committee to see similar permanent toilets…

MOTORISTS who continue to drive while over 0.05 per cent are often certain they “won’t get caught” and can best avoid accidents by driving slowly. They ignore the risks while maintaining that it is more convenient, cheaper and quicker to take their chances than seeking alternative transport. Many blame alcohol for reducing their inhibitions and responsible decision-making. But the possible dangers for them and other road users is high, and the costs – after getting pulled over – far outweigh any presumed savings. These confronting findings emerged from a nation-wide online survey (Facebook, Twitter and Linked-In) by designated driver service…

POLICE believe the same two youths lit grass fires in Somerville, Hastings and Frankston over the weekend. Although not causing a great deal of damage the fires on Saturday afternoon, 26 November, tied up CFA volunteers and could have spread to neighbouring properties, police say. Somerville detectives believe there is a link between the offences, with the youths possibly catching a train on the Stony Point line between fires. Grass was set alight behind a property in Church St, Hastings, 5.40pm, burning down a fence. Hastings CFA crews attended. Witnesses said they saw youths lighting the fires. A grass fire…

McCRAE lighthouse will be bathed in orange light from dusk to dawn for next few weeks to bring attention to the Victoria Against Violence campaign. The steel tower, built in 1874, is the tallest lighthouse on mainland Victoria and one of 14 prominent landmarks – and the only one on the Mornington Peninsula – to show off the campaign’s colours. Disability and Ageing Minister Martin Foley is expected to attend an elder abuse campaign launch at McCrae Yacht Club, 10am, Friday 2 December, as part of the state government’s campaign. Organisers are hopeful of a grant of $1 million for…

Manyung Gallery Sorrento will be holding an exhibition this December for a much loved peninsula artist, Carole Foster. On display will be about 24 works of art, ranging from her well known landscapes to a new series of designer birds. “The exhibition is basically half landscape and half designer birds, which is a new series I have been working on,” said Foster. “I have been painting birds since I was a child but have wanted to do a series like this for years now. These will be the first time I have displayed them in this Manyung exhibition.” With ‘nature’s…

FIVE Mornington Peninsula tourism operators won gold in the 2016 RACV Victorian Tourism Awards announced on Friday, and will now represent Victoria at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin in February. “It is terrific to see the industry embrace the spirit of co-operative competition and come together to celebrate the best Victoria has to offer,” executive chair of the Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board, Tracey Cooper, said. “As our industry continues to evolve it is pleasing to see new businesses and first time entrants participate. “These awards play a critical role in the peninsula’s growth as a tourism destination,…

A RECORD number of patients sought treatment at Frankston Hospital’s emergency department after an early evening cool change swept through last Monday (21 November). The thunderstorm asthma event described by senior Melbourne medicos as “a health emergency of unprecedented scale” put emergency medical services under pressure throughout Melbourne. Eight people have now died and thousands were left gasping for breath after wild winds coincided with a high pollen count. Such was the scale of the event that Ambulance Victoria was forced to issue an alert on Twitter. After the weather-driven disaster hit, Frankston Hospital’s emergency department was deluged with 77 patients…

SOUTHERN Peninsula U3A Photography Group members will display photographs in four cafes from Dromana to Rye until 26 January. Each cafe will show about 25 photographs, to be rotated fortnightly between The Laneway (Dromana), Blue Mini and The Corner (Rosebud) and Captains at Rye. “Visitors can come along and enjoy the exhibition while sipping their coffee,” organiser Jim Carr said. “Most of the photographs will focus on life on the Mornington Peninsula as well as varied subjects. “Visitors will be pleasantly surprised at the standards achieved by our senior folk.” Southern Peninsula U3A with 800 members offers 100 courses as…

Photos, story: Barry Irving BRADY Egan is the Rye Sports & Social Club’s senior sportsperson of the year.  He was nominated by Rye Senior Football/Netball Club. Egan capped off a stellar year on the field by finishing eighth in the Fox8 production of The Recruit, in which AFL legend Mick Malthouse leads the search for Australia’s next sporting hero. He didn’t win the competition, but he was picked up by the North East AFL in Queensland and will play for Southport Sharks next season. Debbie Kennedy (nominated by tennis) was named sports administrator of the year and junior sportsperson of…

SOCIAL media is being used to attract staff to work for Mornington Peninsula tourism operators. The mayor Cr Bev Colomb said the campaign being undertaken by Mornington Peninsula Shire and Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board aimed to encourage and build understanding for people to consider the peninsula’s tourism industry as a career choice. She said a website would help to inspire job seekers and provide insight into career options and “lifestyle choices” within the industry. Executive chair of the MPRTB Tracey Cooper said the shire and the regional tourism board were working with tourism operators to promote how people can…

ANIMAL advocates are protesting against the number of cats being killed after being held at Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Community Animal Shelter. Around 25 people from across Melbourne attended the rally on Sunday 20 November at the Watt Rd pound. Many are in animal rescue groups or advocacy work and used the time to discuss best practice management with colleagues. The shelter, which holds animals found wandering on the peninsula, has been criticised for its alleged high-kill rates, barriers to adoption and limited public opening hours. Rally organiser Rosy Fischer, a former volunteer at the pound, said she spoke out “after…

MORNINGTON Secondary College students played an active role in establishing a new World War I avenue of honour. One Friday they hosted the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Lady Cosgrove and Eastern Victoria MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury and Finance Daniel Mulino at its official opening. The avenue of honour – with its 21 plaques – commemorates the 21 Mornington district soldiers who died during the war and four women who enlisted as volunteers. The idea came from the students. In 2012, a group, which included relatives and teachers, attended the dawn service and Lone Pine commemoration on the Gallipoli…

PARKS Victoria is conducting its annual summer fuel reduction program to maintain fuel breaks and fire access tracks, slash grass and remove weeds on public land. Prevention work is being done in 16 parks on the Mornington Peninsula and around Western Port. These include Mornington Peninsula, Point Nepean and Arthurs Seat state parks, Bald Hill and Buckley nature conservation reserves, Coolart Heritage Reserve, Crib Point and Tyabb bushland reserves, Devilbend and Warneet natural features reserves, French Island National Park, Kangerong and Main Ridge nature conservation reserves, Langwarrin and The Pines flora and fauna reserves, and Tubbarubba Reserve. “Fire can spread…

THIRTY years ago, when Graeme Innes finished university with a law degree and aspirations of a career where he could make a difference, he found a very different reality. Doors closed, employers baulked at employing someone who couldn’t see, and the future seemed bleak for a young man with a growing passion for human rights advocacy and workplace equality. Mr Innes eventually found work as a clerical assistant answering phones in a law firm, but the lessons learned from those early experiences fuelled his passion for advocating for the invisible and voiceless. He went on to become a successful lawyer,…

BASKETBALL By Jarrod Potter WHEN your first word is “ball”, a life on court is probably in the making. Tom Bahen, 14, a Western Port junior, has been basketball-crazy his whole life. There’s no other way to describe a Frankston kid who was bouncing a basketball before he was walking and telling everyone about his sporting passion. But his isn’t the textbook tale of rising through the ranks and dominating at every turn. He hasn’t been in the Jamboree mix. He hasn’t featured in Southern Cross Challenge yet. Realistically, he has never been on “the pathway”. Instead, his first foray…

SUB-DISTRICT HASTINGS will be keen to pick up an outright win on the second day of its match against Carrum Downs in MPCA Sub District cricket. The Blues bowled out the Cougars for just 62 runs in 27.3 overs on Saturday. Luke Hewitt set Thomas Barclay Oval alight with 6/22 from 13.3 overs, including seven maidens. Mitch Floyd did the damage at the other end with 2/19 from eight overs. Jordy Watters was the highest run scorer for the Cougars with 19, while David Dervan with 13 was the only on player to reach double figures. In reply, the Blues…

DISTRICT RED Hill bounced back on the first day of its round five match against at Red Hill Reserve. The Hillmen were less than average against Mt Martha in the last round, giving up top spot on the ladder, however, the home side hit back against the Ridge on Saturday. Red Hill rolled the visitors for just 103, Lincoln Toy the destroyer with 4/12 from 10.3 overs, while Glenn Collett was at his best also with 2/31 from 20 overs. Simon Dart is always in the game and his 2/12 was important. In reply, the HIllmen are cruising at 1/64,…

PROVINCIAL LANGWARRIN is in the box seat to win its match against Moorooduc in round five of MPCA Provincial cricket after having yet another good day in the field. The Kangaroos fielding and bowling has been a key to them sitting in the top four and it was at the forefront of their performance again on Saturday. The Ducs were bowled out for 155, Shamith Kannangara the top scorer with 38 after he was dropped on 30. Brett Wilson opened with 33 and David Greensmith put together 20. The home side just couldn’t put together a partnership (highest was 24),…

WORD has been received that Private Leonard Wilding was killed in action in France, on the 26th of October last. Pte. Wilding was well known in this district, having carried on the business of estate agent for some years previous to enlisting, residing at Bittern, and later on at Frankston. We offer our heartfelt sympathy to the widow who is left to mourn her sad loss. *** MRS Hewison was the winner of the cigar band table which was raffled at the Somerville Fete last Saturday, holding ticket No 8. *** MESSRS Alex Scott and Co. will hold their monthly…

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing woman Madeline Baxter. Madeline was last seen on Jetty Road in Rosebud on 21 November and has not been seen since. Police have concerns for her welfare due to the amount of time she has been missing. The below image of Madeline has been released in the hope someone recognises her and can provide information on her current whereabouts. She is described as having fair skin, straight brown hair, blue eyes and a medium build. Madeline wears reading glasses and has a small mole on the left of her lip.…

ALL 11 of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s newly-elected councillors have been handed copies of a “Councillor and staff interactions policy”, which reminds them that the CEO is in charge of shire staff, not the ratepayer elected representatives. Councillors were not consulted about the policy before it was drafted and will now have to consult council’s governance department who will decide whether a request by elected representatives will be granted or denied. If a request is refused, councillors can raise the issue with council CEO Carl Cowie – the only officer appointed by councillors – or governance manager Joe Spiteri. The policy…

THE Antique Aircraft Association of Australia will be holding its annual toy run at Tyabb Airport on Sunday 27 November. This open day for the public will be hosted by Peninsula Aero Club. Gates open 10.30am, with a sausage sizzle from noon. The aim of the event is to collect unwrapped toys to be distributed to underprivileged children through the Food for All charity. Toys for 10 to 14 year old boys are the most in need. Unique and antique aircraft will be flying in from across Victoria to complement the collection of “warbirds” on display. Details: Ian Johnson, Peninsula…

GUESTS at the Helping Hands morning tea, Friday, at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, were challenged by speaker Jules Allen to stand if they knew anyone experiencing either depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health issues, job loss, separation, loss of a loved one, or low self-esteem. “Wow, I think I can stop there,” she said, to a hall full of standing people. “Have a good look around, do a circle, look around the room. Where are they? They are right here, they are us and we are them, there is no them and us, there is only us.”…

THE Department of Defence has ordered a “detailed environmental investigation” in and around the HMAS Cerberus base after the discovery of traces of a chemical carcinogen outside the base. The per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) was contained in aqueous fire-fighting foams used in training and is suspected of infecting soil and ground water as run-off. Although phased out by the department in 2004, the chemical was used for decades at defence force bases throughout Australia. HMAS Cerberus is one of 12 sites under investigation, with some, such as the Townsville RAAF Base, and HMAS Stirling near Perth, already found to…

Enter your short film in the Peninsula Short Film Fest and you could win a share in up to $30K of cash and prizes. Get filming and enter now! 20 short listed films will be judged live on Saturday February 4, 2017 by top industry professionals with the winner taking out $5K in cash, second place $2.5K cash and third place scoring $1250 cash. There are plenty more cool prizes with awards for Best Animation, Best Documentary, Best International and the Woodleigh School Emerging Filmmaker Award (open to any Australian student under 18 years of age).  There are also awards…

2 December 2016 to 12 February 2017 – A Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery exhibition Over 70 works by 50 contemporary and modern Australian artists will be brought together for this exhibition on the bird. Encompassing works from painting to sculpture, decorative arts, photography, print-making and installation, this exhibition, two years in the making, will explore the science, symbolism, beauty and curiosity of birds. Artists including Albert Tucker, Rover Thomas, Ginger Riley and contemporary artists such as Brook Andrew, Fiona Hall, John Wolseley, Ben Quilty, Christian Thompson, Kate Rohde, Petrina Hicks, Trent Parke and Louise Weaver consider birds as objects of…

PROVINCIAL LANGWARRIN sits in third position on the MPCA Provincial table after pulling off a remarkable victory against Long Island. The Kangaroos are far from the most talented list in the competition, however, they are playing a brand of cricket that is based on team spirit, pressure and taking pride in personal performance. Already this season the Kangas have beaten more fancied opponents Somerville, Crib Point and Long Island, all sides that played finals last season. On Saturday, Langwarrin had no right to beat the Islanders. Resuming at 9/101, the Kangas lasted another nine overs and added a further 27…

DISTRICT MAIN Ridge got its season back on track, picking up maximum points against Rye in MPCA District cricket. After losing the opening game of the season to Delacombe Park, the Ridge have had a draw against Rosebud and an unconvincing win against Boneo in round three. Rye resumed its first innings at 7/26 after the Ridge declared at 5/294. The Demons soldiered on early on the second day with Andrew Hitchener offering great resistance to score 76 and help his side get to 143. Hitchener scored another 25 in the second innings and Dean Collins top scored with 55,…

SUB-DISTRICT HASTINGS pulled off a thrilling three run win against neighbour Tyabb in the fourth round of MPCA Sub District on Saturday. After scoring 277 on the opening day of the clash with Luke Hewitt getting 71 and Nathan Hunt 59, the Blues’ bowlers needed to step up to the plate. The game was in the balance all afternoon with Tyabb’s middle order not able to capitalise on solid starts and the Blues’ bowlers picking up wickets at important times. However, with Tyabb opener Aidan Pateman scoring 106 at the top of the innings, the Yabbies were always in the…

SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie JOSH Hine could be the key to Mornington’s attempt to win a historic third straight State 1 championship in 2017. The 25-year-old English striker is believed to be in advanced negotiations with the Dallas Brooks Park outfit in what would be a major coup for local football. Hine’s CV includes spells with Burscough, Vauxhall Motors, Clitheroe, Skelmersdale, Chorley and Stalybridge Celtic and he currently is on the books of National League North outfit Salford City. He is one of four English-based players with whom Mornington is understood to have recently held discussions. One of them, 23-year-old…