Day: December 12, 2016

A MORNINGTON Peninsula snake catcher is urging people to be cautious of snakes coming out of hibernation, but to resist the urge to kill the legally protected reptiles. Mornington-based, registered snake catcher Barry Goldsmith receives about 20 to 30 calls about snake sightings every week, mainly from around the peninsula but also as far as Tullamarine, and said snakes were important indicators of a healthy environment and were usually just trying to hide. “Snakes will be more obvious now the weather is warming up, but the better thing to do rather than try to hurt or kill it, is to…

BOATERS are being urged to wear lifejackets and carry safety equipment this summer – especially near Port Phillip Heads. The area will be under the watchful eyes of the Water Police, who will be patrolling the area as part of Operation South End. They aim to ensure boaters are safe and well equipped. Leading Senior Constable Dave McHenry said that following a coronial inquest, ‘The Rip’ was a designated hazardous area. “This designation means that under legislation people must wear life jackets in the area,” Leading Senior Constable McHenry said. “They are among an array of safety items that every…

NAVY personnel at HMAS Cerberus have raised $31,306 to train dogs to help veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder. A cheque was presented to Defence Bank’s managing director and CEO Jon Linehan by HMAS Cerberus commanding officer Stephen Bowater at the ceremony attended by the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett. “The Defence Bank Foundation has supported the training of more than 2000 companion dogs to support veterans’ rehabilitation since 2014,” Mr Linehan said. “The dogs – all rescue dogs – are making an enormous difference to people’s lives. We have received many letters and…

RUSSELL Joseph has been selected as the Liberal Party’s candidate for the seat of Nepean at the November 2018 state election. Mr Joseph is the electorate officer for Martin Dixon, a former education minister who has held Nepean for 14 years and the now-defunct seat of Dromana for six years. Anonymous “party insiders” were widely quoted by the media as criticising the choice of Mr Joseph as being counter the Liberal Party’s stated aims of wanting “renewal” and a more “diverse” parliamentary representation. The Liberal Party currently has seven women MPs in the 88-member Lower House (Legislative Assembly), Labor has…

A BOOK exploring the rich history of Rosebud West and its people, from the early beginnings in the 1930s to more recent times, was launched on Saturday. Stories of Rosebud West, funded under the Rosebud West Community Renewal project, took first-time author Bettyanne Foster more than four years to research and write. “It might only be a tiny area, but I was amazed at just what a rich, vibrant history this area has and how many interesting tales people have about it,” she said. Ms Foster, who had never heard of Rosebud West until moving to the Mornington Peninsula six…

FIRE danger periods for the Mornington Peninsula, Frankston and Kingston CFA districts will begin 1am, Monday 19 December. During this time fires cannot be lit in the open air without a written permit from CFA or a municipal fire prevention officer. Fire danger periods are based on local conditions and take into account fuel moisture, fuel loads, grassland curing, weather and rainfall. CFA District 8 operations manager Mark Kennedy said forecasts showed potential for an above average fire season, despite recent heavy rain and flooding in many parts of the state. “The rainfall we experienced in spring has produced a…

PARKS Victoria is calling for feedback on a revised master plan for the future of Point Nepean National Park. The plan, based on a draft released in 2010, is expected to consider a wide range of options for the pristine coastal area, taking account of Point Nepean’s historic connections to Point Lonsdale, the marine national park, its occupation and use by Aborigines as well as “appropriate” commercial and educational developments. Late in 2014, just before the end of its term in office, the then Napthine Liberal government outraged environmentalists when it leased more than 64 hectares (158 acres) of the…

PROTESTERS fighting to protect Mt Eliza’s decommissioned Kunyung Rd reservoir from development are calling on South East Water to bow to the community’s wishes when deciding the future of the site. On Thursday members of the South Eastern Centre for Sustainability, which has been pressuring South East Water not to sell the site for development, began erecting protest signs at strategic locations in Frankston and Mt Eliza. President Steve Karakitsos said previous public relations campaigns by SEW had placed significant importance on community consultation and the work of community members in protecting the environment. But he said the organisation’s refusal…

THE expansion of a winery at Merricks North has been given the go ahead despite conflicting with state regulations about overdevelopment in green wedge areas. A 7-4 majority of councillors at a public council meeting on 28 November agreed with shire planning services manager David Bergin’s assertion that the Willow Creek Vineyard had “existing usage rights” to increase patronage numbers at its Merricks North winery from a maximum of 150 in line with green wedge regulations to about 280 people at any one time. The maximum number of people allowed on site at a venue situated in a green wedge…

VISITORS to the peninsula’s bay and ocean beaches may have noticed the prevalence of bluebottle jellyfish. The common bluebottle, Physalia utriculus, is smaller and less venomous than its Atlantic cousin Physalia physalis – or Portuguese man o’war – but it can still produce a painful sting. While they may look like a single marine creature they are actually colonial organisms known as siphonophores, with separate animals specialised for food capture, digestion, reproduction, and one that makes up the gas-filled float. The animals cannot function alone and the whole can only survive as a colony. The floats can grow up to…

THE popularity of smartphones has fuelled a rise in the number of problem gamblers who now have easy and instant access to online gambling sites, warns a Mornington peninsula counselling service. Alvin Efklidis, of Gamblers Help Southern, has warned that measures to reduce the harm of poker machines are not targeting the growing online sector. “In terms of problem gambling, poker machines are still the biggest form of gambling, but online gambling is rapidly growing and with the technology that’s available to everyone, such as mobile phones, it’s at the fingertips all the time,” he said. “Most people are not…

CHRISTMAS is looming and the tireless volunteers at Peninsula Mums for Families in Need are bracing themselves for high demand. The charity service, established by mother-of-three Jodie Harris, makes Christmas special for disadvantaged people in the Frankston/Mornington Peninsula region. In four years, demand for food, clothing and essential goods has grown to such an extent, the charity has been forced to find a new home and now works out of warehouse in Seaford that comes with a large rent bill each month. The volunteers now wrap about 2000 presents and 300 food hampers for families in need every Christmas, which…

TWO artists with different styles are the “feature artists” at next year’s Mornington Art Show. Craig Davy’s uses an impressionistic approach to landscapes and seascapes while Ron Brown has been described as having “a unique contemporary style with colour featured strongly in his work”. Their works will be among more than 700 entries in the 45th Mornington Art Show in January. Davy was born in Melbourne and grew up on the Mornington Peninsula which has resulted in his “connection” with the peninsula’s landscape. In 2009 he began painting in oils in appreciation for fine realistic art of the past and…

MAIN St traders fear a proposed three-storey mixed use development opposite Blake St will force them out of their businesses and ruin the heritage feel of the area. Their four shops, at 55-61 Main St, were sold in August 2014 for $4.2 million after being built in 1902 and renovated in the 1930s. Businesses affected are Eco D, Koh Living, an optometrist, and a tea shop, at least one of which has been trading for up to 15 years. It is believed the businesses – with the exception of Koh Living – are on short-term leases and the tenants could…

SHIRE councillors have gone against their officers’ recommendations by siding with Mt Martha residents who oppose a high-density housing estate being built at Bentons Rd on five acres of former farmland. A packed public gallery at the 28 November council meeting heard councillors debate whether Mornington Peninsula Shire would formally oppose a planning application by Bentons Blossom Pty Ltd for a $45 million project containing 52 units and townhouses. Neighbouring objectors in Mt Martha say increased traffic will negatively impact on the area if the housing estate is built on 292 square metre sites, far smaller blocks than for existing…

PROVINCIAL BAXTER’S Chris Brittain smashed his second big century in as many matches on Saturday as his side posted 7/363 against Crib Point. Brittain belted 10 sixes and nine fours in his massive knock of 181, backing up the 155 he hit against Mornington the match before. Both the Magpies and Doggies have some of the best bowlers running around in the MPCA. In addition to two massive tons, Brittain has also hit two half centuries against Langwarrin and Sorrento this season, giving him almost 500 runs for the year. Former Victorian wicket keeper and South Australian coach Darren ‘Chuck’…

DISTRICT MT MARTHA has continued its domination in District cricket, already picking up the 12 points against Main Ridge. Main Ridge have been a major disappointment this season with high expectations that they would be a real challenger in 2016-17. However, the Ridge’s form has been up and down and they find themselves mid-range on the ladder. On Saturday they batted first and were rolled for just 125. Michael Holmes opened with 27 and Billy Sakalis was the next best with 24. Shaun Foster was sent packing for a blob and skipper Gareth Wyatt was trapped in front for 17.…

SUB-DISTRICT TYABB has given itself very chance to beat Carrum and keep its season alive with an impressive performance with the bat on Saturday. Yabbies’ opener Nick Taranto hit 116 and number three Michael Edwards went agonising close to a century, scoring 96, to help the Yabbies to 4/270. Troy Hollingsworth was the best of the Lions’ bowlers with three of the four wickets, finishing his 30 overs with 3/92. Dromana is in some real strife as it tries to reign in Balnarring’s 206. The Hoppers did well with the ball to keep the Saints to a gettable total. Jye…

LAST Friday gave further evidence that the Majestic Picture Company desires to produce up-to- date pictures, and at the same time, items of interest. The Battle of the Somme was very realistic. On Friday 22nd the New East Lyne will be produced; a piece that will live for ever, companion picture to Napoleon at St Helena, Charlie Chaplin and a host of others. Dromana will be visited Monday 18th Dec; Somerville 19th and Hastings 20th, with the Australia at War. We can confidently recommend the residents of these towns to support the Majestic Pictures in their endeavours to bring a…