Day: November 23, 2015

A 29-year-old Epping man has lost his car for a month after he was allegedly caught doing a burn out by police in Mornington yesterday morning. Frankston Highway Patrol detected a group of motorcycles and a black Commodore sedan driving along Main Street in a convoy about 10.20am Sunday 22 November. All riders and the driver were displaying Comancheros Outlaw Motorcycle Gang colours. It is believed the group stopped at the Esplanade to give way to traffic, and as they moved off, the Commodore allegedly did a burn-out, fish tailed, lost traction and went through a pedestrian crossing and intersection. Police…

By BARRY IRVING OVER the past 20 years, Woodworkers of the Southern Peninsula have made and hand finished more than 20,000 toys for non-profit groups to help needy families all over the peninsula. Of the 80 expert woodworkers, 20 specialise in making toys. They spend each Wednesday at the shed and then many hours at home finishing off their inspired creations. The Community Bank has sponsored both the raw materials and, also, renovations at the shed, enabling the team to make more than 1200 toys this year. These will go to Good Shepherd Australia/New Zealand, Rosebud Salvation Army Corp, Southern Peninsula…

THE Destination Rosebud project, part of the state government’s Interface Growth Fund, was launched earlier this month at Rosebud pier. Eastern Victorian Region MP Daniel Mulino did the honours, alongside the then mayor Cr Bev Columb and councillors Antonella Celi and David Gibb. Also attending were representatives of Seawinds Community Hub, local schools, Rosebud West Action Group, Rye Rosebud Rotary, Southern Peninsula Community Support and Information Centre, Rosebud Senior Citizens Club, Rosebud Chamber of Commerce, Rosebud Lions Club, Rosebud police and Mornington Peninsula Tourism. The total value of the project is $5.5 million with the council contributing $1.35m from this…

ROSEBUD police acted quickly online to shut down an unauthorised party being held on the Rye foreshore, Friday night. They noticed the event titled “Beach gath, rye, Friday night, BYO” on Facebook and used their own page to comment: “Thanks for the invite Lleam, Tyson and Lochie. “Rosebud police will definitely be attending! PS. Did you remember to get your permits from Mornington Peninsula Shire Council?” At the time, 99 people had signalled their interest in the event, 188 were going and 916 invited. It was looking like being a big night, but interest faded when it became known the…

WHILE footy fans sit with their feet up waiting for the new season many players are already putting in the hard yards to get up to speed for preseason training having been awarded a scholarship to the AFL Academy. Luke Davies-Uniacke, a 16-year-old midfielder from Rye, has his eyes on the prize of an AFL playing career and is determined to keep improving his game to try to make his dream a reality. In 2011 The News reported the then under-12 player represented Victoria at the School Sport Australia Championships in Canberra and Luke has hit every mark in the…

SUB-DISTRICT DROMANA sits alone at the top of the MPCA Sub District ladder after smashing Rosebud by more than 100 runs on Saturday. The Hoppers have been the whipping boys of the competition for the past decade, however, with Darren Kerr at the helm, along with Andrew West, they have been able to turn the fortunes of the club around. Kerr was sensational yet again on Saturday, scoring 103 after resuming the day on 24. West took his overnight score from 42 to 56 to help set up the win. Dromana finished the day on 239, a commanding 112 run…

DISTRICT PEARCEDALE has dropped a place on the MPCA District ladder but still remains entrenched in the top four after going down to Red Hill in a nail biter on Saturday. The Hillmen have now placed a 12 point buffer between themselves and the Panthers while Baden Powell holds top spot after its fourth straight victory. The Panthers went close to picking up the win against the Hillmen but fell 10 runs short. Chasing a modest 140 for victory, Pearcedale resumed at 5/86 with Chris Dew (33) and Kaine Smith (13) at the crease. Dew (57) and Smith (22) were…

PROVINCIAL MOOROODUC caused the upset of the of the season so far when it knocked over Peninsula Old Boys, in dramatic circumstances, by nine runs on Saturday. Resuming at 1/17 and chasing 171 for victory, Peninsula Old Boys just never got going and were bowled out with more than 20 overs left in the match. Leigh Lambert was sensational for the Ducs with 5/40 from 21.1 overs, while Sushant Gupta was equally as impressive with 5/36 from 16 overs. The Old Boys looked home at 5/155, just 17 runs from victory with five wickets in hand. However, visitors lost 5/7,…

The life of an artist is one of quiet solitude with a lot of time for reflection and often too much emotional energy consumed on introspection. It is fair to say that artists at peace with themselves usually translate this serenity to their creations with never an angry brushstroke evident! Conversely , an artist frustrated with  ‘creative block ‘, or too many external influences negatively impacting on her or his peace of mind ,may , if they can indeed create anything at this stage , reflect their ‘issues’ with a  dark or gloomy choice of colours and subject matter. Artist…

By TERRI LEE FATOUROS What a fantastic turn out recently when Andy Phillips of Cadillac Walk fame and his partner and manager Heidi LaFaerie hosted their VIP merchandise launch party at the Double G Saloon in Mornington recently.  Fans of the Cadillac Walk can now buy T-shirts with the bands new insignia printed on it, get mugs, stubby holders and a host of other cool stuff that acts as a constant reminder of their fav band. “The new logo design by international artist for Harley Davidson, was commissioned with a view that we wanted a cool design for our merchandise…

THE Frankston and Hastings Council will hold its monthly meeting at Somerville on Thursday next. *** DRIVER A. G. Young returned from the front by the hospital ship which arrived in the Bay on Monday last. He has been in the front since the landing, and owing to an attack of enteric fever was invalided home. His friends were very pleased to meet him and to see him looking so well after all he has gone through. *** THE residents of Frankston will be provided with a pleasent evening’s amusement on Wednesday next, when the Empire Photo Play Co will…

IT was a grand affair when Mornington’s Avenue of Honour was dedicated and the new rotunda opened in Mornington Park, Sunday 8 November. Musical accompaniment was provided by the Royal Australian Navy Band and Mornington Youth and Citizens’ Band and the service was well attended on the sunny day. The celebrations started when secondary students from Peninsula School, Toorak College, Padua College, Mornington Secondary College and Balcombe Grammar marched along the avenue bearing plaques with the names of the 120 WWI volunteers from the old Mornington Shire. The RSL’s Heritage Support Committee chair and MC Colin Fisher told the gathering…

THREE Mornington Peninsula tourism businesses have been inducted into the Victorian Tourism hall of fame after winning gold medals in their categories for three consecutive years. Searoad Ferries, Enchanted Adventure Garden and Tree Surfing, and Stillwater at Crittenden were honoured at the 31st awards night in Melbourne. Searoad was doubly rewarded when its CEO, Matthew McDonald, won gold in the young achievers award. Aquabelle Apartments in Rye won the inaugural “Self-contained accommodation” category. Erin Joyce of the Victoria Tourism Industry Council said the awards had benefited Victoria’s $21 billion tourism industry by “showcasing and celebrating the high standard of business…

THE state government’s bid to promote students’ interest in science brought Education Minister James Merlino to the second annual Southern Peninsula Principals’ Network 2015 Annual Science Fair. With more than 500 year 5-7 students were at the fair, being involved in science experiments, demonstrations and offering their ideas. The fair, held in the hall at the New Peninsula Church, Craigie Rd, Mt Martha, aims to support science teaching among government schools. Schools at the fair included Boneo, Balnarring, Somers, Tyabb Railway and Dromana primary schools, Dromana, Somerville and Western Port secondary colleges, Peninsula Special School and Red Hill Consolidated. Mr…

THE story about the new audio tour of Mornington’s historic buildings generated comment from readers lamenting the loss of the railway and its historic station. (‘Main St history on a smartphone’, The News, 10/11/15) included an early 20th century photo of the station at the end of Blake St with both cars and horse-drawn carriages parked out front, and people of all ages walking out of the entrance after the arrival of a train. The audio tour has been produced by Mornington and District Historical Society. QR codes are on signs near 18 historic places and scanning one with a…

THERE’S something about fishing. Rain, hail and shine, anglers are always out there casting a line. Sheltering from the weather or running to see what’s happening when someone’s reeling in something that’s obviously bigger than the baited hook, anglers can be a social bunch. The delights of casting a line, the patience required and, yes, skill, are all the things that Glenn Couper uses to bring friendship, companionship and healing to a variety of people who often find themselves marginalised in mainstream society. A Frankston resident, Mr Couper’s fishing-based work with people with mental illness, autism and physical disabilities seems…

THE International Day of People with a Disability will be celebrated with an all-abilities sports day in Mornington next week. It will be Mornington Peninsula Shire’s inaugural “All-abilities come and try sports day” and will be held at Civic Reserve Recreation Centre off Dunns Rd. People with disabilities, their carers, families and friends have been invited to attend the free event. Sports and activities will include tennis, gymnastics, soccer, netball, Australian rules football, cricket, table tennis, yoga, and Pilates. Swish, a version of table tennis for people who are blind or vision impaired, is likely to attract interest. It is…

THREE wildlife experts have rejected a claim that ringtail possums are largely the cause of gum trees dying in Mt Eliza and Mt Martha. Ecologist Jeff Yugovic told Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group’s recent annual meeting that possums were damaging and killing eucalypts, especially swamp gum and narrow-leaf peppermint. He said the answer to the problem was to clear dense understorey where possums live, forcing them to the ground so they can be taken by foxes, their major remaining predator (“Fox seen as answer to possum problem”, The News, 17/11/15). Six native predators that controlled ringtails in the past were now…

MORNINGTON Yacht Club skipper Graeme Taylor has given the club Australian bragging rights after finishing third at the 47th annual World Etchells Championships in Hong Kong. Taylor and crewmen Grant Simmer and Steve Jarvin fought off several challengers for third place during an exciting last race. Next best Aussie was a yacht skippered by Matthew Chew of Queensland who finished seventh. Taylor’s points also gave him top spot in the masters category. Etchell skippers from the United States took first and second spots in the series run by Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club. After the final race, Taylor said…

THE Environment Protection Authority has started testing water quality at Port Phillip beaches a month earlier than planned after a warmer than usual spring. The authority checks if the water is suitable for swimming ever week at 36 beaches including 10 on the Mornington Peninsula – Canadian Bay (Mt Eliza), Mills Beach (Mornington), Mt Martha, Safety Beach, Dromana, Rosebud, Rye, Blairgowrie, Sorrento and Portsea. It puts water quality updates on its Beach Report website and via Twitter twice a day. Reports started on 31 October and will be done until April, a month later than usual. The warning system has…

HOSPITALS have been ordered to review car parking fees after a review found some regular patients and visitors are financially burdened with hefty costs due to repeat visits. The Labor state government promised to review hospitals’ car parking fees before last year’s state election and commissioned an independent review of carparks at Victoria’s public hospitals. The review found hospitals charge different car parking rates and only some provide discounted parking to regular patients, visitors, carers and pensioners. In some cases discounted carpark fees were not displayed or promoted by hospitals. The government has ordered every public health service operating fee-based…