Month: January 2016

FROGS become more obvious after summer rains. Often heard but not seen, some of the common species to look out for are the common froglet, striped marsh frog and growling grass frog. To encourage the frogs to stick around, the Backyard Buddies program of the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife has issued tips on making a pond. “Water is incredibly important for Australia’s wildlife, especially our huge variety of frogs,” foundation CEO Susanna Bradshaw said. “A pond can offer an easy, permanent water source for your local amphibian buddies and will also benefit lots of other native animals too.…

UP to 300 people are expected to participate in Alzheimer’s Australia’s memory walk and jog at Point Nepean National Park, Sunday 24 January. The fundraising event is part of Alzheimer’s Australia’s efforts to raise awareness about dementia across Victoria. They estimate that 3240 of the state’s 81,000 people with dementia live on the Mornington Peninsula. Without a medical breakthrough that figure is predicted to rise to 10,153 people by 2050. The memory walk and Jog starts at the Quarantine Station with a 7 kilometre run at 8am, and 3.5km walk and 3.5km run at 9.30am. The event finishes at 11am.…

SURF rescue helicopters are patrolling peninsula beaches daily to keep a look out for sharks, rips and people in distress in the water this summer. Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett said the helicopter rescue service, run by Life Saving Victoria, had already completed 50 patrols along Victoria’s coastline this summer. “Rips are dangerous and unpredictable. Have a plan, check for warning signs and know what you’re going to do if you or your kids get caught in a rip,” Ms Garrett said. Life Saving Victoria says it is almost certain at least one person will drown on peninsula beaches this…

ARCTO has become a regular attraction at Dromana, but the rules are: look but don’t touch. The adult bull seal first landed on the beach two summers ago and this year took up residence for four days early in January. On warm days beachgoers vying for their own bit of sand make it a bit hard to avoid the Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus), although Arcto seems happy enough to share. “This is Arcto’s third straight summer at Dromana and we want to make sure people stay at least 30 metres from him if he does come back,” Department…

A VOLUNTEER beach clean-up with a twist will be held at Rye front beach, 10.30am-3pm, Sunday 24 January. Organiser Sacha Guggenheimer said the Seaside Scavenge concept, Trash–Trade, was all about collecting and trading beach litter for secondhand clothes. “Come and trade the trash you collect on the beach for stylish secondhand threads donated by salty folk to raise awareness of marine debris and plastic pollution,” she said. Those attending should register before starting. They should also bring their own gloves. Prizes will be given throughout the day. Events will include a recycling-themed session of children’s yoga at noon; trashy craft…

SORRENTO Bowls Club is celebrating Australia Day on Tuesday 26 January with a barefoot bowls carnival. The same event last year attracted 700 enthusiasts to the 81-year-old club. This official Mornington Peninsula Shire event aims to provide a family activity to commemorate the national day. It will run 10am-5pm, with free entry, loan of bowls and a sausage sizzle. The Australian flag will be raised at 10.30am by Australia Day ambassador Paul Guerra, managing director and senior vice-president, Asia Pacific, of Optum International and chairman, Queen Victoria Market. The national anthem will be performed by the Southern Peninsula Singers choir…

A RUPTURED water main forced emergency workers to close Point Nepean Rd, Tootgarook, Wednesday morning. The torrent of water from the main gouged a three metre by two-and-a-half-metre hole in the bitumen. The highway was closed both ways between Keith and Kevin streets and traffic diverted while works were completed. Point Nepean Rd resident David Stanton said he had “been ringing South East Water to discuss the emergency all morning, and every time I ring they advance the time it will take be fixed by an hour”. “It’s like a crater in the road; there’s a lot of damage and…

SHEREE Marris submerges herself in her work. An outspoken advocate the Mornington Peninsula, she concentrates on its rarely seen and hidden attractions. To actually see Marris at work requires some beach accessories, but not the ones advertised in style magazines or found hanging in trendy boutiques. An aquatic scientist, Marris is more usually billed as a “marine educator” and has long promoted the attractions that live under the waters of Port Phillip. Marris has been widely published and exposed on TV and radio in her quest to highlight the unusual and unexpected life forms that dwell beneath the bay’s surface.…

CONCERN and annoyance are growing as details of a footpath special charge scheme in McCrae become clearer. The project is going ahead despite claims of overwhelming community opposition to it. One cause of concern and bewilderment is a discount given to some residents on the grounds that their street is used via a freeway underpass by nearby residents. That in itself is prompting questions about the rationale for the discount and why the part of the footpath cost is not being met by the residents who use the underpass route and gain a direct benefit. An amendment introducing the discount…

SCRIBBLES Supported Playgroup at Seawinds Community Hub has won the Playgroup Victoria Supported Playgroup of the Year award. Children, parents and playgroup facilitators celebrated the achievement last week. Supported playgroups aim to assist parents develop the skills and confidence to support their children’s learning and development. Mornington Peninsula Shire has received an annual grant to assist local supported playgroups since 2009, and is in partnership with community agencies, including Community Health, Anglicare, Good Shepherd and Family Life. Families are invited to join through referral. Scribbles is co-facilitated by the shire and Family Life, a service organisation working to transform lives…

THIRTY young dancers are performing cameo roles in the Rye-based theatre show, The Humanimals. The show is on at Jason Coleman’s Cabaret Cathedral, a purpose built urban theatre on Rye foreshore. The teenagers appear in 10 shows alongside international dancers and performers. Coleman, a dancer, choreographer and director who grew up in Rosebud, says he is determined to ensure he “pays it forward’ when it comes to nurturing the passions and skills of other young dancers”. “I grew up here, [and know] you can’t just jump on a tram to see the latest show or wander by a performance. It’s…

LAWYERS and an internal governance team helped draw up a newspaper advertisement which appears to contradict a Mornington Peninsula Council decision to close Rye tip by 30 June, 2018. The advertisement, published on 28 October, stated that the shire was “strongly considering” closing the site – certainly not an accurate reflection of the councillors’ decision. Without closing the tip and exporting its waste off the peninsula the shire will almost certainly be unable to meet its aim of being “carbon neutral”. Keeping its waste on the peninsula could also be embarrassing in the wake of the shire being named as one…

SUB-DISTRICT TOOTGAROOK and Ballam Park are playing for their seasons in MPCA Sub-District cricket in Round eight. Both sides are just half a game outside of the top four. A loss in this match could end their seasons. The Knights have gone through some tough times of late, with Ryan O’Connor pulling the pin and heading home to Sorrento mid-season. However, some of the “old stagers” have again rallied around the club and are hoping to get them into the finals. After day one of the clash against the Frogs at Truemans Road Reserve, it appears the Knights are up…

DISTRICT WITH finals well and truly on the line in MPCA District cricket, every game is important for every team as we head for the finish line for the season. Whilst Baden Powell and Red Hill are safe at the top of the table, the scramble for the final two places has been left between five clubs. Heatherhill is one of those clubs fighting for a spot in the four and after day one against bottom of the table Boneo, they are on target to collect maximum points (20) for an outright win. Knowing full well that an outright opportunity…

PROVINCIAL MORNINGTON is going all out in one last ditch effort to make the MPCA Provincial finals. Sitting in 10th place heading into their Round eight match against Rye, the Dogs found themselves 20 points behind second placed Long Island. There was no other result Mornington could afford than an outright win and the 20 points that came with it. After the completion of day one, the Dogs are on track to achieve their objective. Mornington won the toss and elected to bowl first against the Demons at RJ Rowley Reserve. The home side lasted 37.4 overs for a net…

By BILLIE DIXON When you career begins in the furthest corners of a sleepy seaside village, nearly two hours from the centre of Melbourne, you’re going to have to put in some serious legwork if the rest of the world’s going to recognise you. Seth Morton lived on the Mornington Peninsula for nearly 20 years before a career in music beckoned him elsewhere. A small market that seemed to cater exclusively to cover bands and a general lack of industry saw the Peninsula of the mid-2000s unable to cater for an emerging artist of his calibre. Seth dropped his last…

MRS J Millard has received a cable this week from her grandson, Sergeant Alex Kerr, to the effect that he was leaving for Australia after having been wounded in the head at Gallipoli. *** A number of wounded soldiers were entertained by “The Wattles” Club at the Park, Frankston, on last Sunday afternoon, when a most enjoyable time was spent. *** THE Dramatic entertainment advertised to take place at Somerville this evening, in aid of the Red Cross, has been postponed on account of the recruiting meeting being held the same evening. *** AT the special meeting of the Somerville…

IT’S summertime: a time to experience the beach, the sea and the bush on the Mornington Peninsula. And, this summer, Lamppost Gallery, Mt Eliza, offers another way to connect with the Australian landscape. It’s Still Life is an exhibition of sculptures by artist, writer, TV producer and actor Nathan King, whose art explores states of being in the natural world. A leaf becomes a skeleton and a sea anemone becomes a shell-casing … Following these shifts and changes in natural forms, King’s work explores nature, its diversity and transience. Discarded, fallen and forgotten remnants of nature are salvaged and assembled…

JUNIOR sailors from Mornington Yacht Club weathered the worst of the storms in NSW during the recent Laser, 420 and Optimist class championships. The club had 15 Optimist sailors competing, eight 420 sailors and two Laser sailors, with around 30 parents and six siblings accompanying them and offering support. Coaches were Mel Hitchen-Haw, Johnny Rodgers and Bunny Warren. Laser sailors Rhett and Tyrone Gowans competed in the Gold fleet at the Belmont 16ft Sailing Club, Newcastle, with Rhett, sailing Rhett’s Rig, coming sixth and Tyrone, sailing Tubby, coming 29th out of 92 competitors. Mornington sailors Stan Austin and Kristian Tipvsky…

ALTHOUGH he didn’t win the Magic Millions 2-year-old Classic on the Gold Coast, the nine local owners couldn’t be happier with Mornington horse Claro El Banco. In only his fourth race – and third since winning the Magic Millions Clockwise Classic over 1000 metres at Ballarat in November – the gelding came eighth in a field of 16, earning $10,000 prizemoney. “He ran well considering the barrier draw – number 17 – and didn’t lose ground,” said part-owner Peter Seaman, of Somerville, who attended the $2.5 million race Saturday last week. “We are all very proud of him and loved…

Ready, set, swim! With sunshine and favourable winds forecast for the weekend, Portsea Surf Life Saving Club’s (PSLSC) signature special event, The Portsea Swim Classic (PSC), is shaping up to be another fantastic day for swimmers, this Saturday 16 January. The 1.5km open water swim sets off from Fisherman’s Beach, and concludes with competitors making a dash for the finish line in the picturesque surrounds of Point Nepean National Park. 2016 marks an exciting milestone for the Portsea Swim Classic, with the event achieving its 30th Anniversary. In celebration of the Anniversary, there is an additional event on offer this…

A MERRICKS property previously known as The Old Chocolate Factory – and now redesigned as an up-market B&B – is being auctioned 3pm, Sunday 17 January, with price expectations of more than $1.5 million. Such was the reputation and demand for the handmade chocolates that the chocolatier outgrew the premises attached to the home and moved to Flinders in 2009. Now, the property, at 3494 Frankston Flinders Rd, is being sold by Kay & Burton agent Andrew Hines after the vendors, Paul and Julie Honore, recently sold the HR business Manpower. Set on 7061 square metres (one and three-quarter acres) it has…

THE two vessels integral to the success of Victorian Maritime Centre being built at Hastings are in trouble. The Otama, an Oberon class submarine, is anchored off Crib Point and needs new mooring cables by May if it is to survive winter storms. Cost of the cables is put at $50,000. The other vessel owned by the Western Port Oberon Association, the Wyuna, was built in 1953 and donated to the association in 2013. Although extensively refitted and undergoing sea trials she remains in Tasmania because there is no berth available in Melbourne. Association president Max Bryant said the Wyuna…

BALNARRING Freemasons have given $5000 to the Hastings Police Senior Citizens Register. Lodge master Barry Hodder handed the donation to register coordinator Denise Palmer. The register has been run by volunteers for 15 years and has 1000 clients. It operates out of Hastings police station. The money will go towards a new car for follow-up action when concerns are held for a registered person, especially when daily phone contact fails. Volunteers check on each client’s wellbeing. If, for any reason, there’s no answer within a certain time, a nominated emergency contact is notified. If this fails police or a staff…

THE car park near Western Port Marina will be filled on Sunday 17 January with 300 eye-catching cars of all makes and models setting off on one of Victoria’s largest veteran, vintage and classic car rallies. Hastings is one of three designated starting points – and perhaps the biggest – for the RACV’s Great Australian Rally which runs from Melbourne to Mornington and attracts almost 1000 entries. The 15-year-old rally aims to promote the pleasures of classical motoring and raise funds for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Last year the rally raised more than $72,000. Organiser, the All British Classics…

FAST food was the common denominator in the charging of two Western Port drink-drivers last week. A Baxter woman will be charged after being found in Somerville with a blood alcohol level four times the legal limit. Hastings police spotted the woman in a fast food drive through on Eramosa Rd, 1am, Monday 4 January. The 33-year-old was breath tested and returned a reading of 0.202 per cent. She will be charged on summons. Senior Sergeant Michael Lamb said the intercept was potentially a lucky escape for both the woman and the community. “With a blood alcohol level this high,…

CRIB Point and Hastings CFA crews yesterday battled a grass and scrub fire off The Esplanade between Disney and Lorimer streets. Police were called to investigate the cause of the blaze. Duty officer Andrew Turner said 15 appliances and up to 50 firefighters on the scene were awaiting the arrival of a water-bombing aircraft at about 3.30pm. However, with a cooler wind change and light rain the fire was classed as “safe” at 4pm. Firefighters said it was lucky the wind did not pick up at the start of the blaze. First published in the Western Port News – 12…

THE future of the estimated $25 million Victorian Maritime Centre at Hastings now rests on harnessing “people power”. A petition calling for government support and a public meeting planned for either February or March are both seen as crucial to enlisting widespread support from the community, particularly in its hometown of Hastings. However, the two vessels at the heart of the project – the 2030 tonne submarine Otama and former Port Phillip Sea Pilots ship Wyuna – languish at anchor, both unable to find a permanent berth. The Otama has been at Crib Point for 12 years and needs $50,000…

THE Baxter woman pinned against a wall by her car at the Grant Rd storage facility early last week was in “a stable condition” yesterday, Monday. The 59-year-old staff member was airlifted to The Alfred hospital with serious injuries after being stuck for five hours outside the Somerville business. Police and emergency services crews stabilised the woman on Monday 4 January before the car could be moved. The officers then had difficulty evacuating the woman to hospital as locked bollards blocked their way onto Fruitgrowers’ Reserve where the air ambulance was waiting. A Mornington Peninsula Shire officer arrived with the…

BEACHES and foreshores along Port Phillip Bay will be monitored for signs of erosion and renourished as part of a $4.8 million state government project. The Protection of Port Phillip Beaches and Foreshore Program will include works at bay beaches at Frankston, Carrum, Sorrento West, Hampton, Sandringham, Geelong’s Eastern Beach, St Helens and Moorpanyl. Environment, Climate Change and Water Minister Lisa Neville announced the project late last month. “Whether it’s renourishments that widen and lengthen beaches or the work we do with local communities to ensure erosion is properly monitored over the long term, this funding is important for the…