MORNINGTON Peninsula Regional Gallery will again exhibit the portraits entered in the prestigious and popular Archibald Prize. This year’s Archibald Prize features 57 portraits, with figures and cultural identities from all walks of life. As the first stop on the Archibald Prize 2023 regional tour and the only Victorian location, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery will host the prize from 15 September to 5 November. Established in 1921, the Archibald Prize is judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The display at the MPRG will feature the Packing Room winning portrait of Cal Wilson (pictured), by…
Author: MP News Group
MOUNT Martha athlete Thomas “The Tank” Dade is used to pushing his limits in the mountains and the ocean, so it’s no surprise that he has been named as the Australian Ultra Runners Association’s Young Male Ultra Runner of the Year. Ultra running is any running event longer than the traditional marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres and is often run on off-road and trail courses. Dade, who said he was overwhelmed by the award, was recognised for his performances throughout 2022 – in particular, being the sole finisher in last year’s Down Under 135 (about 227km). The 24-year-old has won…
STUDENTS from St Macartan’s Parish Primary School, Mornington were running, skipping and dancing for peace and the planet as part of the global eco relay, Run4Unity on Friday 5 May. The global relay aims to unite people in peace for the planet. For every kilometre the students completed they will propagate one indigenous plant for a local Landcare revegetation project. As part of their studies, students are learning that land restoration heals the land and helps to support and sustain ecological biodiversity and health. St Macartans had partnered with Merricks Coolart Landcare and Friends of Blairgowrie National Park for the…
FIREWOOD buyers and providers on the Mornington Peninsula are being reminded to source responsibly sourced wood, understand the rules of firewood collection and stay out of parks and reserves. As the cool weather approaches and residents stock up on firewood, the Conservation Regulator is urging people to help save wildlife habitat and protect Aboriginal scarred trees. The illegal removal and sale of firewood from parks and reserves causes lasting impacts, and can decimate the homes of the many birds, reptiles as native mammals that rely on hollows in standing and dead and fallen trees. Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens said…
ONE of the busiest intersections on the Mornington Peninsula is to be upgraded at a cost of $930,000. Changes at the intersection of Eramosa, Grant and Frankston-Flinders roads, Somerville, include three raised pedestrian crossings, flashing lights, fencing and signs to allow pedestrians to safely move through Somerville and remind drivers to slow down when approaching the intersection. A ramp and handrail for people who use mobility aids will be added to the footpath on the west side of Grant Road. The intersection connects to nearby shops and businesses, residential areas, schools, industrial areas, community facilities, bus services and the Somerville…
THE Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has upheld the refusal of an application to demolish part of Sorrento’s historic Dalwhinnie house. The property’s owners had sought to partially demolish and extend buildings on the Esplanade property which has a heritage overlay. The applicants took the matter to VCAT in December after Mornington Peninsula Shire Council failed to grant a permit for partial demolition, alterations and additions to the two existing dwellings on the land within the required time frame. The proposed alterations included a new basement car park, decking and a pool and new upper floor. The property includes a…
OFFICERS from Mornington Peninsula Shire are tracking down owners who have not renewed their pet registrations. Registration renewal notices were sent out in march with a 10 April payment deadline. Reminder notices were sent in April and now the shire is now following up on the unpaid renewals by visiting household were pets were registered. Dog registrations were introduced in 1970 and cats registrations in 1994. The penalty for owning an unregistered dog or cat is a $363 fine. The shire says pet registration fees pay for such things as off-leash dog areas; the Community Animal Shelter and Pound; community…
MORE than 30,000 Mornington Peninsula households have received the state government’s $250 power saving bonus. Billed as a way to ease the cost of living, the program encourages applicants to find a better energy deal – with thousands choosing to switch and save by changing their energy deal through the Victorian Energy Compare website. The free Energy Assistance Program has helped more than 500 applicants navigate the energy market, apply for eligible grants and concessions, find and switch to better offers and address billing errors. The cost of household energy bills can also be lowered through the $1.3 billion Solar…
ANZAC Day services and parades held across the Mornington Peninsula last Tuesday (25 April) drew many participants and even more onlookers. LAYING wreaths at Rosebud. Pictures: Yanni ABOUT 600 people attended the Anzac Day dawn service at Tyabb. Coordinator Peter Davis said this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the formal ending of the Vietnam War, although some Australian troops remained there for a further two years. Former helicopter pilot John Sonneveld, of Tyabb, spoke about his experiences in Vietnam, including the sadness of the war and the operation that earned him a Distinguished Flying Cross. Sonneveld also mentioned…
By Siobhan Latham WIDESCALE theft is occurring in our community, and it needs to stop. As land prices skyrocket, some among us look to expand their own holdings. There is land just outside their boundary that seems to be unused. Perhaps they decide to plant some flowers. I am brightening up the area, they think to themselves. They put in some stakes, to stop people parking on the flowers, they will say if asked. Nobody asks. So, one quiet day in the middle of the week, they build a little fence. I’ll take it down if anybody says anything, they…
Baffled by political party and opinions from afar I am more baffled by a certain political party every day. First I (and presumably every other household on the Mornington Peninsula) find in my letterbox a glossy full coloured brochure from our [Flinders] MP Zoe McKenzie explaining all about past wars, together with an Anzac Day timetable of events (which will later appear all over the place). This is one of the few missives I have had from her since the six or seven promoting her before the [May 2022 federal] election. I am unsure how this helps us in her…
SOMERVILLE Highway Patrol is investigating a collision that left a vehicle on its roof in Mornington on 27 April. It is believed a small sedan and 4WD collided at the intersection of Nepean Highway and Wilsons Road just after 5.30pm. The collision caused the 4WD to veer off the road and hit a tree before flipping onto its roof. The driver of the 4WD, a 55-year-old Mount Martha man, was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. His two male passengers were not injured. The driver of the sedan, a 36-year-old Fingal woman has been issued an infringement notice for…
THE wreck of the Montevideo Maru, which sank in 1942 with more than 1000 Australian civilians and soldiers on board, has been discovered in deep waters of the South China Sea. In January Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and family and friends celebrated the opening of a plaque and seat at the Mornington Memorial Park in honour of those lost. Mornington resident Gillian Nikakis, whose father was believed to be on the ship when it was torpedoed mistakenly by a US submarine 120 kilometres off the northern Philippines, said the discovery of the vessel last week brought “a kind of closure”…
Somerville Highway Patrol officers are investigating a hit-run collision in Pearcedale last week. It is understood a red car collided with a motorcyclist on the Western Port Highway near the intersection of Baxter Tooradin Road, about 6.50pm on Friday 21 April. The motorcyclist, a 35-year-old Frankston man, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police were told the driver of the car did not stop at the scene. Anyone who witnessed the collision, has CCTV/dashcam footage or information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au Victoria Police News – Wednesday 26 April 2023
A man and woman have been charged following 22 burglaries in the Mornington area last week. Mornington Peninsula and Frankston Crime Investigation Unit detectives launched a joint investigation after the duo allegedly forced entry into a number of commercial businesses between Monday 17 and Thursday 20 April. The alleged incidents occurred at 22 separate businesses across Mount Martha, Mornington, Mount Eliza, Tyabb, Hastings and Pearcedale. There were no injuries. Detectives arrested a 34-year-old Seaford man and a 28-year-old Frankston woman on Friday 21 April. They have been charged with burglary, theft, criminal damage, theft of motor vehicle, possessing drug of…
By Julian Cook MORNINGTON hasn’t heard many cheers louder than on Saturday when Right You Are was declared the 2023 Neds Mornington Cup (2400m) winner. The atmosphere was electric as Hezashocka and Right You Are paired off down the home straight with fans left on the edge of their seats in one of the closest photo finishes in recent memory. With the crowd left in limbo for several minutes while the judge deliberated, Right You Are’s co-trainer David Eustace, who watched the race from a friend’s wedding, was none the wiser as to the result. “I wasn’t sure actually,” Eustace…
Community input missing from ‘closed door’ negotiations Is it any wonder that ratepayers seek an inquiry into Mornington Peninsula Shire (“Ratepayers want inquiry into shire” The News 11/4/23)? If we take the recent actions regarding Peninsula Aero Club and the shire there’s plenty to be unveiled. Both organisations have caused much angst, time and expense to the community. In Freedom of Information documents obtained from the shire, it is evident that decisions are being made that are not in the best interests of all residents. During the latest failed negotiations between PAC and the shire (before the recent PAC vs…
RENOWNED violinist Jonathon Glonek will play on the Mornington Peninsula at the Eldridge Estate in Red Hill on 7 May as he and his fellow musicians embark on a tour to bring classical music back to the people. Glonek says classical music belongs to everybody, young and old, and he is encouraging music lovers to “bring their children along”. “We often see older people going to concerts, but there are younger audiences that should be exposed to this kind of music,” he said. “They can really enjoy and appreciate this kind of music.” Glonek is bringing classical music to regional…
POLICE aboard the Mornington nightshift patrol van were busy on Friday night (21 April) processing three offenders within three hours for drink driving. All three drivers were intercepted by police in the Mornington area and taken back to the Mornington police station for a further breath test. A 52-year-old man from Tyabb returned a reading of 0.069 – resulting in a fine and loss of licence for three months. A 49-year-old Mount Martha man returned a reading of 0.092 – resulting in a fine and loss of licence for six months. A 21-year-old female P-plater from New South Wales returned…
ROSEBUD Police are asking the public to help identify a dangerous driver in Dromana. On 20 April, a male driver failed to stop on police direction, taking off at a fast speed and running through a red light on Nepean Highway, Dromana. The vehicle was a white Ford Falcon utility with false registration plates 1JI2YN attached. Police are asking for information on the identity of the driver or the whereabouts of the vehicle. Contact the Rosebud Police Station on 5986 0444 with information and refer to incident number 230140949. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 25 April 2023
AFTER a pandemic enforced three-year hiatus Poets Corner will resume live poetry readings every two months from 2pm to 4pm from Sunday 7 May at its new home at the Flinders Golf Club. There will be two open mic sets and a featured poet, who in May will be Alan Pentland. Pentland ran Melbourne’s first stand-up comedy club, Le Joke, was a key player in the multi-Logie winning TV comedy Fast Forward and has won awards at three international film festivals. A former architect and performer, Pentland in 2017 won a Slam competition and other poetry awards, culminating in the…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is yet to work out specific details of its “friendly council partnership” with Roper Gulf Regional Shire in the Northern Territory. The partnership agreement at this stage consists of a single page signed on 1 November last year by then mayor Cr Anthony Marsh, deputy mayor Cr Lisa Dixon and CEO John Baker and their Roper Gulf counterparts. The document states: “The Roper Gulf Regional Council and the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council agree to establish a Friendly Council Partnership (‘Gulf to Peninsula Partnership’) to explore opportunities between the two areas.” Peninsula councillors unanimously agreed to the…
THE founder of charity Guitars for Vets, veteran and former Frankston resident Dave Cox, says the gifting of guitars and music lessons to vets was a proven way of using music to heal. The charity held a fundraising concert at the Soundbar in Rosebud on 23 April, with money raised going towards buying more guitars and lessons for vets in need. The charity also accepts guitars and is calling for anyone with quality instruments to consider donating them. An ex-Army officer, Cox said all of the 400 guitars that had been given away since 2017 had been appreciated by its…
GEORGE MORBY INGRAM was born in Bendigo in 1889, but lived much of his life in Hastings. He died in 1961 and is buried in Frankston cemetery. On 4 October 1918, the 24th Battalion took part in the attack that captured the Beaurevoir sector in France, and was, therefore, expecting to have a rest the following day when the unit was unexpectedly ordered to take part in another attack. The assault was to starts at 6.05am from the village of Remicourt, and lead to the capture of Montbrehain by the 21st and 24th Battalions with tanks to provide support. The…
THE rain stayed away, cars appeared and there was a big crowd to enjoy the Flinders Motoring Heritage 2023 car show, complete with music and food vendors. The Flinders District Lions Club’s annual heritage car show included about 100 cars ranging from some built more than 100 years ago to modern classics. More than 1000 people inspected the cars and wandered around Flinders on Easter Sunday. Club president Monica Holland said, “the mood was great” and everyone enjoyed themselves. “Importantly, the Flinders District Lions Clubs’ endeavours over the last two years for this event raised $71,110 to complete works on…
THE four-legged mascot of Kings Creek Hotel in Hastings has legged it again, and the distraught owners are offering a $500 voucher for its return. The life-size fibreglass horse has stood out the front of the hotel for many years, attracting the admiring eyes of thousands of passersby. However, this is not the first time the wayward nag has gone missing, with thieves making off with it several years ago. On that occasion police were quick to follow the trail and the horse was soon returned. The Alderson family, which owns the pub, are at a loss as to the…
Libs need to follow McKenzie and take climate change more seriously Flinders is now the Liberal Party’s only safe seat in Melbourne. Labor governs all mainland jurisdictions in Australia for the first time in 15 years, including federally. ANU’s post-election analysis revealed that almost one in three voters chose minor parties or independent candidates in the election, the highest number in almost a century. This suggests that voters are becoming more interested in policies and people than parties. The Liberal Party’s failure to engage constructively with climate change legislation in recent months is not winning hearts and minds, particularly with…
HIKER, all-round adventurer and member of Mount Eliza’s 1st Ranelagh Scout Group Tristan Latham was one of 116 Venturers from around Victoria to receive their Queen’s Scout Award from the Governor of Victoria, Linda Dessau, on Saturday 1 April. Only a few Venturers – who are members of the scouting movement aged 15 to 18 – each year attain the Queen’s Scout award, which is the highest award in the Venturer scout section. Latham spent hundreds of hours on service tasks related to the community, leadership, personal growth and outdoor adventure to achieve the award. For Latham and other Venturers,…
NEW opportunities for Mornington Peninsula businesses are predicted to stem from the trade agreement (FTA) between Australia and the United Kingdom. The UK Consul-General Steph Lysaght visited the peninsula last week to brief businesses about what they could expect when the FTA becomes operative. The briefing, organised by the Committee for Mornington Peninsula, included benefits that could be expected, including visas, jobs, and the removal of trade barriers. Also attending during the day were the federal MP for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie, state MPs Paul Mercurio (Hastings) and Sam Groth (Nepean), Cr Antonella Celi and Roger Lancia and Angela Cleland from…
GRACING the stage in Frankston Arts Centre’s Cube 37 next month is internationally renowned comedian Damien Warren-Smith. Garry Starr Performs Everything is a one-hour show combining different theatre styles, as Damien’s character and clown, Garry Starr takes it upon himself to ‘save’ the theatre industry. At times wearing not much other than an Elizabethan ruff, Damien described Garry Starr as the most embarrassing form of himself. Jokes translate differently from audience to audience, but there is something fun for everyone to enjoy. “I’m just wanting people to have a really good time, it’s not in any way divisive or political,…