THERE was a reunion of sorts on Saturday (25 February) when Sorrento-based couta boats sailed alongside their counterparts from Queenscliff. Sailors from both sides of Port Phillip came together for the first time in several years to compete in the two-day Couta Boat National Titles. The fleet of boats from Sorrento sailed the 12 kilometres to Queenscliff to compete races organised between the Couta Boat Association, Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club, Queenscliff Lonsdale Yacht Club, and the Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club. Couta boats were developed for these waters at the start of the last century and during the 1920s and…
Author: MP News Group
Bike jump not needed at ‘safe’ reserve A big “town hall” style Mornington Peninsula Shire Council consultation meeting over the proposed bike jump park in Somers took place at R W Stone Reserve on Monday 20 February. It was a show, by the majority of attendees, of opposition to the use of the dog leash-off and walking paths area to be reduced to accommodate a mountain bike jump park. So many of the attendees were in the seniors category and expressed the view that the area was a safe, flat, accessible and visually attractive to exercise by walking and socialising…
VISITING Kirk’s hotel, Mornington can include an easy-to -follow language lesson. The Australian Welsh Male Choir’s monthly concerts at the hotel include singing in English and Welsh. Musical director Tom Buchanan says choir members are “not native Welsh speakers” but help “preserve the language “and this comes to life every time these gentlemen start to sing”. “We also sing many songs in English and when the crowd is singing along, we find after a few drinks they get the confidence to sing in Welsh,” he said. “You don’t need to be the best singers; you don’t need to speak Welsh,…
Water Police Squad with the assistance of the police Air Wing rescued three men in distress from a yacht in Bass Strait overnight. Police were called after the 10-metre yacht was caught in big swells, strong winds and taking on water, about .75 nautical miles off St Andrews surf beach about 10.15pm. The skipper was unable to steer the yacht and it was blown out into Bass Strait. Due to the conditions, the helicopter was not able to winch the trio during the night however they remained on scene in an aerial position to assist with monitoring the incident. The…
UNAUTHORISED watercraft and boating equipment littering the coastal dunes of the Mornington Peninsula will be removed from Crown land foreshore reserves from next month. Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Steve Holland said foreshores were public spaces and removing unauthorised watercraft would enable “healthy foreshore environments and ensure everyone can continue to enjoy public spaces into the future”. Watercraft owners are being asked to remove their unauthorised vessels by 1 March, after which the shire and Whitecliffs-Cameron’s Bight management will begin impounding them. Holland said that while everyone knows dumping a personal watercraft, like a kayak, dinghy or yacht, at a…
Public safety should come first On 4 December 2022 I reported the appalling and extremely unsafe state of the main steps to Mills Beach, Mornington to Mornington Peninsula Shire via Snap Send Solve. I subsequently sent four emails following this up and, finally, on 3 February someone from the maintenance team bothered to call me in response – two months later. I was told that because this issue is not part of planned maintenance there is currently no funding available to fix these steps, which are a major public safety issue. I followed this up with the mayor Cr Steve…
THE 2023 football season Is on the horizon, and the Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League is preparing for another year of fun, exciting, grass roots football. The MPJFL has been a leader in junior sport on the peninsula for more than 50 years, providing a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment for participants to learn important skills on and off the field, that are transferable to all walks of life. Spokesman Ben Lawrence said the MPJFL prided itself on creating opportunities for its participants at all levels, which included playing a role within the high-performance pathway that leads to the AFL…
POLICE want to identify a group of three men who allegedly bashed a 27-year-old man in Mornington early on Sunday (19 February), stamping on his head after he fell to the ground. The victim, believed to be from Mornington, was airlifted to hospital, where he was last reported to be in a serious but stable condition. Witnesses reported seeing the apparently inebriated victim set upon by three men at the corner of Blake and Main streets just after midnight. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppersvic.com.au…
THE RSPCA is investigating reports of a sick foal seen on a Mount Eliza property that has alleged been linked to other reports of suspected animal neglect. The animal welfare organisation confirmed last week that investigators were looking into complaints that a new-born foal was seen by passers-by in a paddock on Monday 6 February, unable to stand or feed, and without human intervention for several hours. A nearby resident who phoned the RSPCA told The News that about 5pm she and other passers-by noticed a downed foal in a paddock near Emil Madsen Reserve, with its mother standing nearby.…
LIFESAVERS from across the Mornington Peninsula showed their skills in the water at the Victorian Masters Championships at Lorne Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC). Life Saving Victoria’s most experienced lifesavers from 23 clubs, plus visitors from Queensland and South Australia, put on a masterclass of skills at the championship event two weeks ago, which saw the Point Leo club announced as water champions on the day with 348 points, while Mount Martha claimed the beach events with 139 points. LSV senior manager sport Chris Schleusener said with competitors aged 31 to 76, the masters championships kept people engaged with lifesaving…
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged six youths after a car was allegedly stolen during an aggravated burglary in Mount Martha early Friday morning. Patrolling officers came across the stolen BMW on Main Street in Mornington shortly before midnight on Friday, 17 February. Police attempted to intercept the vehicle however the driver allegedly sped off. The police Air Wing tracked the BMW overhead as it reached alleged speeds of up to 220km/h on Peninsula Link. Units on the ground were guided to Kirkwood Avenue in Seaford where the vehicle had been abandoned. All of the occupants allegedly fled…
THE recently completed mural in Hastings at Ritchies IGA on Salmon Street by Julian Clavijo has won bronze as the 2022 Australian Street Art Awards’ Best External Mural. The 40-meter Painting Our Future mural was commissioned by Mornington Peninsula Shire to raise awareness and inspire community action on climate change. The Australian Street Art Awards, established in 2018, recognise destinations using public art to engage their community while also attracting visitors and boosting their economy. First published in the Western Port News – 15 February 2023
HASTINGS Bowls Club is abuzz with warm chatter on the first Friday of each month as locals attend Scones on Hastings. And Friday 3 February was no exception with more than 50 attending the first Scones on Hastings for 2023. In the wake of the pandemic and being isolated in lockdowns a group of locals, with the support of the Hastings Bowls club, decided to hold a welcoming morning tea serving Devonshire teas and coffee to help bring people together. This has now been running for more than 12 months. Even though the cost is only $2 for tea or…
Councillor expenses should be approved before being spent Judging by last Tuesday’s Mornington Peninsula Shire Council meeting (7 February), there is confusion among councillors and the shire regarding expense reimbursement. The discussion centred around Cr Anthony Marsh’s trip (as mayor) to Roper Gulf Regional Council with CEO John Baker last year. The claim is for $3750.48. Cr Marsh declared a conflict of interest and left the room prior to debate. Some councillors said they didn’t understand why Marsh was seeking reimbursement because prior to the trip he had said he wouldn’t be submitting a claim. Other councillors stated he should…
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was critically injured following a crash in Tyabb in the early hours of Saturday 11 February. Emergency services were called following reports that a Holden Commodore had crashed into a tree off O’Neills Road about 3am. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, a 26-year-old man, was taken to hospital with critical injuries. The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the collision, has dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a…
DRIVERS who used the notorious Forest Drive intersection with Nepean Highway are being reassured that the road will be improved, but probably not by mid-year, as promised earlier. The state government has confirmed traffic lights will not be installed until later this year as tenders not yet been let or a contractor appointed. The government last year gave the green light to upgrading the intersection, three years after the federal government offered to pay for it. Then Flinders MP Greg Hunt said the federal government had committed more than $20 million to the intersection to include new traffic lights, a…
ALL the elements of nature, including the goodwill of human supporters, came together to ensure a successful outcome to the Disabled Surfers Association Mornington Peninsula branch’s Let’s Go Surfing event at Point Leo on Saturday 21 January. “Everything aligned again: sun, surf, supporters, sounds. Close to record attendance for our January event, with over 500 registered in total and more than 130 surfers going into the water,” DSAMP president Pea Saunders said. “It was a phenomenal day for all and a spectacular way of demonstrating what an inclusive event looks like.” Saunders thanked “all the wonderful volunteers who enable this…
By Sarah Russell* POLLS repeatedly show that climate change is one of the most important issues for Australians. It is also widely accepted that the Coalition lost the last election because of their woeful inaction on climate, with a wave of climate action community independents replacing Liberal MPs. Mornington Peninsula residents are aware of the impact of climate change and want to protect our beautiful environment. Despite this, our MP for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie, voted against Labor’s Climate Change Bill 2022. Tasmanian MP Bridget Archer was the only Liberal MP to cross the floor to support Labor’s Climate Change Bill,…
Achilles Taskforce officers have arrested a 21-year-old Mount Martha man following an alleged hoon event in Truganina in October 2022. Police attended an address in Sabo Place on the evening of 6 February and executed a search warrant. The 21-year-old was found at the address and during the search police located two imitation firearms and the keys to a Holden Commodore, but no car. Investigators made a number of enquiries and executed another warrant at an address on Pinewood Drive in Hastings. It is alleged the car was located in the backyard with its plates removed. The 21-year-old has been…
FORMER councillor Simon Brooks has been elected as the new Seawinds Ward councillor for the Mornington Peninsula Shire. Brooks, who was previously a councillor for Seawinds Ward from 2016 to 2020, will be sworn in at the ordinary council meeting tonight (7 February 2023) and begin his official duties. He will join deputy mayor Cr Debra Mar and Cr Antonella Celi representing the peninsula, including the townships of Safety Beach, Dromana, McCrae, Rosebud and Capel Sound. The extraordinary vacancy occurred due to the resignation of Cr Kerri McCafferty on Monday 19 December 2022. The computer countback was hosted by the…
THE 2023 Peninsula Film Festival went off with a bang on the weekend with over 800 attendees, enjoying a great night of entertainment. Proceedings kicked off with a musical showcase from local schools, followed by a performance from emerging superstar, Matilda Pearl. Festival patron Fred Schepisi praised the quality of the films, saying it was that the best bunch yet. And the winners of Peninsula Film Festival 2023 are: First place from @lexusofbrighton VICTIM by Robin Summons. Second place: HATCHBACK by Riley Sugars. Third place: ASSETS by Charlotte George. Also from ASSETS Best Actor (and writer of ASSETS) Miriam Glaser.…
SAFETY Beach woman Kiara Alexander-McNeal, 22, who was allegedly found in ALF player Dustin Martin’s stolen car on 24 January, will front court in March. Martin’s $135,000 Range Rover car was allegedly stolen on 23 January from a service station in St Kilda, before it was used in a crime spree. The car had been borrowed by Martin’s friend, who left the keys in it after filling up at a service station and then going inside to pay. The man accused of stealing the car, 29-year-old Springvale man Yusuf Amir, was arrested in Barkly Street St Kilda the following day.…
MORNINGTON Police are investigating the alleged robbery of a 16-year-old boy in broad daylight near Main Street, Mornington, two weeks ago. The teenager told police he was walking into the Mornington town centre with three friends when they noticed a man standing beside a red Hyundai i30 near Main Street around 7pm. The man allegedly threatened the group with a knife and demanded their phones. The 16-year-old surrendered his phone while the other three refused, and the alleged offender then fled the scene travelling toward the Nepean Highway. The friend – who did not want to be named – said…
POLICE are investigating a fire that destroyed an historic boat shed in Dromana just prior to 6.15am on Wednesday 1 February, just 200 metres from Dromana fire station and just a week after it had been broken into. Fire crews from Dromana and Rosebud CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria (Rosebud) had to wear breathing apparatus, but quickly extinguished the flames which had spread into adjacent grass and scrub. Dromana Captain Tim Desmond said the fire was being treated as suspicious. “Yet another one of the 247 iconic boat sheds that line the Dromana foreshore between Safety Beach and Anthony’s Nose…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council could look at allowing more secondary dwellings or tiny houses on house lots as a response to the municipality’s growing housing crisis. At 7 February council meeting, Nepean ward Cr Susan Bissinger will call for a round-table workshop with councillors and relevant officers to explore pathways to “activate” secondary dwellings within the shire. Currently there is no land use definition for ‘secondary dwelling’ within the Victorian Planning Scheme, and any change to include a specific definition would need to be undertaken by the state government. In a report to council, strategic and infrastructure and planning manager…
VICTORIAN Maritime Centre volunteers are inviting visitors and residents to discover a slice of Australia’s exciting naval history, and get a chance to see hundreds of exhibits that represent the region’s seafaring past. Despite the loss of the Otama submarine from Western Port last year, the centre’s secretary Rosie Kendall says there were still plenty of reasons to stop at the not-for-profit museum, from torpedoes to artillery and an underwater mine. There are also other vessel exhibits and a good collection of artefacts and memorabilia from the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Merchant Navy. Kendall says some people may…
POLICE are investigating a shocking series of home invasions in Mount Martha in the early hours of Monday 6 February, during which intruders reportedly used hammers to smash their way into several properties in Ponyara Road. CCTV from at least two properties reveals vision of a group of male offenders smashing their way into properties around 1am, seemingly unconcerned about lights or security systems. A home owner whose property was among at least four that were targeted in that street said the “brazen” behaviour of the four males – thought to be in their late teens – was frightening. “Locked…
MORNINGTON peninsula paramedic has been recognised in the recent Australia Day 2023 Honours list, with an Ambulance Service Medal (ASM). Rogers started her service with Ambulance Victoria in 2001 as an advanced life support paramedic, quickly advancing within five years to senior team manager. She has also undertaken numerous interim roles in emergency management as well as group manager roles, and currently works in operational service and holds the position of senior team manager on the Mornington Peninsula. Rogers has made a significant contribution in the area of community engagement. Her tireless efforts and passion for improving community training and…
LAST Year’s flooding crisis on the Mornington Peninsula has left a trail of destruction that authorities are struggling to resolve, but that’s no consolation to flooded-out Merricks’ resident Ian Sharpe. Sharpe’s complaints to the council are banked up with thousands of potholes and storm water drainage complaints that have plagued the region, with no quick fixes and little end in sight for residents. His Merricks home is on a dirt road and was flooded with water late last year, but he is still waiting for the council to resolve a long-running storm water problem that sees road water run off…
MORE than 2700 people took to the water on Saturday 21 January, all in the name of raising funds for the Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club and their life saving programs and resources. The day began at 1.20pm with the 2.5km Gold swim, followed by the 500m categories, with the signature 1.5km Portsea Swim Classic rounding out the annual event from 3pm. The youngest swimmer competing in the Portsea Swim Classic was 12 years old, and the oldest one taking to the waves was Pat Galvin, 89. The Portsea Swim Classic, one of the Mornington Peninsula’s key summer events, draws a…