Schools came first Tyabb Primary was established over 130 years ago (1895) and still cherishes an oak tree planted at that time; Tyabb Railway Primary School was established in 1907 and continues to utilise an original building as a classroom (“Airport came first” Letters 14/3/23). Being a local newspaper journalist one would assume Fran Henke has checked her facts and it would therefore follow that the airfield operators had great foresight in establishing the airfield long before Orville and Wilbur Wright conducted their first flight. Furthermore, living some two kilometres from the southern end of the runway is hardly at…
Author: MP News Group
MOUNT Martha karter Matthew Basso recently brought home the coveted blue plate trophy after his win in the Victorian Kart Championships (KA3 Junior Heavy class) at the Albury Wodonga Kart Club on the long weekend. The newly crowned Victorian Kart Champion was the fastest in qualifying and lead every lap of each race, and was the only driver in any class to do so all weekend. Basso said all the hard work behind the scenes from his family and support team is paying off as he continues to achieve strong results. Basso took out his first Victorian State Championship win…
ONE of the Mornington Peninsula’s newer residents, musician, songwriter, TV presenter and musical director Phil Ceberano, has opened a band performance program for local teenagers who want to develop their skills. Over the next two weekends, Rock Academy Peninsula will give young people the opportunity to work directly with touring and recording musicians to develop songwriting and performance skills. As well as working extensively with his sister, Kate Ceberano, Phil has a strong background in the industry, having formed and played in many bands including well known Melbourne club band Sexual Chocolate (87-93) and Trentwood, Phil’s original power rock trio…
EMERGENCY services will undertake a clean-up in Western Port near Sandstone Island after six 44-gallon drums with unknown contents were allegedly dumped. The CFA said on Friday there was “no immediate threat“, but further investigation would take place. The Coast Guard on Friday issued a ‘Potential Hazard to Navigation’ alert, informing people heading out on Western Port be on alert for the floating drums. The drums are located between Crib Point Terminal, Hastings Channel and Sandstone Island. The drums are believed to have been dumped by an unknown offender between three and four weeks ago. Witnesses have told The News…
NONAGENARIAN Liz Hicklin’s memoir Kiss & Cry was launched on Sunday 26 February at Morven Manor Mornington to a warm group of fellow writers, friends, and family, as well as Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s deputy mayor Cr Debra Mar. Originally from the United Kingdom, 92-year-old Hicklin (author, poet, and raconteur) has led an interesting life on two continents, dating the celebrated British poet Laureate Ted Hughes before moving to Australia and marrying her late husband Bill in the 1950’s. In her introductory speech at the launch, vice president of the Peninsula Writer’s Club, (of which Liz is a member) Rebecca…
MORE Mornington Peninsula sports clubs are set for the big games in 2023 with the completion of new sports facilities at AR & F Ditterich Reserve in Main Ridge, Narambi Reserve in Mornington and Emil Madsen Reserve in Mount Eliza. Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh joined Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Steve Holland and local sporting clubs at all three venues to officially open the new cricket training facility at Main Ridge, newly-lit sports oval in Mornington and newly-lit soccer pitch at Mount Eliza. At AR & F Ditterich Reserve, there’s a new three-wicket cricket training facility for the…
COASTREK – Australia’s iconic team hiking challenge – will bring its inspirational formula of fun, fitness, friends, and fundraising to the Mornington Peninsula on Friday 26 May, encouraging more women (and men) to get moving in nature and hike for healthy hearts in support of the Heart Foundation. More than 2500 trekkers will take on a 60km, 45km, 30 or 20km challenge along the peninsula’s picturesque coastlines and hiking trails, starting at sunrise at Cape Schanck lighthouse, and then taking in the natural beauty of Sorrento Beach, panoramic views from Fort Nepean, and coastal bush trails including Farnsworth track to…
THE ‘lucky’ 13th Rosebud Rock n Rods Festival will be held at Eastbourne Primary School grounds, Allambi Avenue, on Sunday 2 April from 10am to 4.30pm. The festival will showcase classic and collectable cars with a backdrop of great rock n roll music and dancing from Moonlighters, DJ Jeff and more. The day promises a trip down memory lane for car enthusiasts and families, with something for all ages, including refreshments and food trucks, Lions club members manning the barbecue, and a range of stalls. Proceeds go to the Rosebud Hospital. Festival entry is $10. Under 12s and display cars…
Three Southern Peninsula businesses have been given national recognition at the Australian Tourism Awards. It was a momentous win for Searoad Ferries, taking home silver in the category of Major Tour & Transport Operators Further commendation is due for Red Hill Candle Co and Carmel at Sorrento who both made finalists. Established to highlight and celebrate tourism excellence across the nation, the Australian Tourism Awards have a longstanding history of more than 35 years. More than 200 entrants form part of the national Awards ceremony, each having taken home a gold medal at their respective state Awards. Last night, industry…
THE Westernport Sybils performed in Hastings last Friday (10 March) to support Climate Action Network Australia’s day of action to call for the federal government to “safeguard our climate, not polluter profits”. Sybils member Hannah Lewis said their message “was clear, no new gas, no new oil and no dodgy offsets”. The Sybils and members of Save Westernport, Westernport Peninsula Protection Council and Extinction Rebellion said local politicians should know “that the community continues to hold government to account”. “Western Port is a precious resource with Australia’s southernmost mangrove habitat and an internationally recognised Ramsar wetland,” Lewis said. “It is…
BONEO sculptor and organic vegetable grower Andrew Bryant has always had a fascination with the symbiotic relationship between light and humans, creating dozens of works reflecting on that connection. One of his pieces – Perfect Time – has particular symbolism for the veggie farmer at this time of year, with the shadow of the three-metre tall piece literally cut in half when the sun hits it on a right angle on the equinox. The plumber turned sculptor and farmer said his equinox sculpture symbolised the connection people had with light and demonstrated the relationships all life had with seasons. He…
CAT and dog owners have until 10 April to renew their pets’ registrations with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. Renewal notices are about to be sent out and fees can be paid online, over the phone and in person. It costs $54 a year to register a desexed dog and cat, with discounts for pension card holders. Owners of an unregistered dog or cat can be fined $363 (subject to state government increases). The Domestic Animals Act 1994 requires all cats and dogs over the age of three months to be microchipped and registered with the shire. The shire says services…
Inquiry off track I have not been able to crack Mornington Peninsula Shire’s codes and find out much more about the $85,000 inquiry into Mornington’s Beleura cliff path, the contract for which will apparently be signed soon. What is not a secret is that the Friends of the Beleura Cliff Path take a very different view to the shire on how the landslips and closure issues should be handled. In the course of our working bees over eight years, we have been studying these issues closely and constantly begging the shire to tackle certain problems. Now we are still working…
Acting on a community tip-off, Mornington Divisional Response Unit (DRU) detectives have today seized 1,500 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of $2.5 million. Police swooped on a commercial property in Keppler Court, Seaford at about 8am this morning, uncovering a sophisticated hydroponic set up where they seized the cannabis plants. During the warrant police seized: No arrests have been made at this time and investigation remains on-going. Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or lodge a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au. Quotes attributed to Mornington Divisional Response Unit Acting Detective Sergeant Chris…
SUSIE Beveridge sees Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Watson Ward as “the forgotten corner of the shire”. One of six candidates contesting the seat left vacant by Paul Mercurio since he won the state seat of Hastings in the November election, Beveridge is no stranger to council politics. First elected to represent the then Truemans Ward at a byelection in 2007, then in 2008 re-elected a second time unopposed, Beveridge says she was “quite badly assaulted”, sustaining injuries which contributed to her “heartbreaking” decision to resign from council in 2010. Injuries from yet another attack sidelined her from running in the 2016…
MERRICKS author Megan Rogers has lived in many places, but says it was moving back to the Mornington Peninsula that became the inspiration for her debut novel The Heart is a Star. Rogers spent her primary school years “scribbling” in her mother’s 1970s cookbooks and then telling people they were novels she’d written and published. Now a mother of two, her own novel tackles the trials of middle age and second chances. The book centres around the mid-life predicament of many women: competing demands of work, families, and marriage, and trying to understand what their heart and sensual selves are…
No gain in Roper Gulf ‘partnership’ I seethe when I read that our dedicated councillors have decided to form a partnership with the Roper Gulf Regional Council (“Partnership ‘opportunities’ assured” The News 27/2/23). What earthly good will this do for the ratepayers of Mornington Peninsula? There is nothing we have in common with this area at all. It is touted as some kind of business partnership that will generate revenue for us ratepayers down here. I challenge the logic behind this proposition and would assert that it will generate absolutely nothing at all for us, financially or practically. As I…
MORE than 2400 people have “shared their ideas and priorities” with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council about how the shire’s money should be spent in the coming financial year. In December shire invited people to share their “ideas and priorities” online. The “budget portal” on the shire’s website will close next Wednesday (15 March). All contributions and feedback will be presented to councillors for their consideration. The shire has listed 14 themes where money can be spent: New footpaths; drainage and stormwater upgrades; coastal infrastructure and access; improving planning services and permits; community crisis and homelessness support; economic development, tourism and…
POLICE are continuing an operation targeting speeding drivers on Mornington Peninsula and Frankston roads after early results showed too many drivers were not getting the message about the dangers of speed. Somerville Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant, Christopher Spero says Operation SAST over the summer holidays showed that too many motorists were complacent when it comes to speeding, despite speed being one of the major contributors to road trauma. Operation SAST saw police targeting drivers on high-risk roads between November and February, with 241 traffic offences detected on the peninsula. Seventy per cent (169) of offences detected during the operation were…
A BURNSIDE Heights man has been charged following an investigation into a series of alleged fraudulent deliveries and scams on the Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne’s south east. The 57-year-old man self-presented at Sunshine Police Station where he was subsequently charged on Thursday March 2 with 22 counts of obtaining property by deception and two counts of attempt to obtain property by deception. The charges follow incidents where businesses and residences reported being approached by someone purporting to be a delivery driver who required cash up front before goods could be provided. However, the man allegedly left with the money without…
A TEENAGER has been arrested and charged with burglary and theft offences after Mornington Peninsula CIU detectives located two allegedly stolen vehicles at a Safety Beach home on Thursday 2 March. Officers from Rosebud were travelling west on Point Nepean Road when they observed a VW Golf without registration plates about 4.45am. The driver allegedly sped off before officers later found the same VW Golf parked in front of a residential address while patrolling. After searching the property, officers found a Mazda that had allegedly been stolen in an aggravated burglary in Cranbourne on 25 February. It is alleged the…
A 71-year-old Balnarring man has been charged by the Frankston Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team detectives with 17 historical sex offences. It is alleged the offences against two female victims took place between 2001 and 2007 in the Mornington Peninsula area. The man was arrested in August 2022 and has now been charged with 17 offences including sexual penetration of a child under 16, indecent act with a child under 16 and threats to kill. He will appear on 5 May at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 7 March 2023
DROMANA Fire Brigade has named a further two of its vehicles after long-serving past and present members. Robyn Desmond has been a Dromana brigade member for 31 years, was one of the first female lieutenants in a Victorian urban brigade and the first female deputy group officer in CFA’s District 8. Her husband Captain Timothy Desmond describes her as “a bit of ground breaker”, although Robyn says she is just doing her job. She has been the Dromana brigade’s president since 2008. The unveiling of the naming of the Dromana car and recognition of her more than 30 years’ service…
TWO people have been arrested and one charged with murder in relation to the death of Rosebud man Jake Bradford. The 21-year-old was reported missing by his mother on 29 January. Police conducted a number of inquiries following the report, including several public appeals for assistance. Detectives arrested a 25-year-old woman of no fixed address on Thursday 2 March and she remains in custody on unrelated matters. On Saturday 4 March a 25-year-old Korumburra man was arrested and has been charged with one count of murder. He has been remanded in custody to appear before Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on…
The countdown is on for the Mornington Great Outdoor & 4X4 Expo. This four day event – held at the Mornington Racecourse, will showcase everything from the latest Caravans, Camper-vans, Camper-trailers and Hybrid campers, 4WD’s and 4 x 4 accessories to boats as well as fishing gear, demonstrations and activities for the whole family. The Mornington Great Outdoor and 4 x 4 Expo Mornington Racecourse Friday March 10th – Monday 13th 2023 Admission prices – Adults $16Seniors and Concessions $13Under 16s are free. greatoutdoorexpos.com.au
VOLUNTEERS joined OzFish and Landcare members over two days at the Hastings foreshore, 15 and 16 February, restoring and planting mangroves. The mangroves of Western Port play a vital role in the health of the local ecosystem, providing shoreline protection and critical fish nursery habitat for many of the species. The Reel Big Fish Mangrove restoration project is restoring mangroves across the bay, with OzFish members and the community rolling up their sleeves to help restore mangroves along the foreshore. Using a method developed and refined by John Eddy and the Bass Coast Landcare Network, mangrove seeds are attached to…
DWINDLING numbers of koalas and kangaroos “trapped” on private property at Cape Schanck have led to increased pressure on the state government to implement a wildlife management plan. Mornington Peninsula Shire last week decided to “immediately renew advocacy efforts” to convince the government of the need of a plan to manage wildlife on the peninsula. The shire will tell the government, “all relevant ministers and all local politicians” that “delays are not consistent with the aspirations of our community and the viability of our native wildlife”. Cr David Gill said there had been no indication “of action in the foreseeable…
TWO notable Mornington Peninsula properties are for sale after decades of family ownership. The former Arthurs Hotel and four adjoining blocks perched on top of Arthurs Seat Road is for sale, after failing to sell three years ago. Further east, the 340 hectare Boneo Park equestrian centre and surrounding wetlands is also on the market. The hotel closed in 2020, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, and was passed in at auction in mid-2021 after bidding reached $11 million, but short of the reserve. The property on five titles over 7254 square metres is opposite the Arthurs Seat Eagle…
LORD Sebastian Coe and Herb Elliott joined Mornington Peninsula Shire Council mayor Cr Steve Holland and CEO John Baker on Sunday at Portsea for the unveiling of a memorial plaque in honour of athletics coach Percy Cerutty. Cerutty was awarded the plaque in the posthumous category of Legend by World Athletics for his “outstanding contribution to the worldwide history and development of the sport of track and field athletics”. The unveiling at the Percy Cerutty Oval, Portsea coincided with the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst 18, 19 February. Cerutty MBE was an Australian athletics coach in the 1950s…
POLICE will prepare a report for the Coroner following the death of a man at a beach in Rye on Friday 24 February. The man was pulled from the water at the beach off Point Nepean Road about 3.30pm. Paramedics attended and worked on the man who died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 28 February 2023