THE sprawling Mt Eliza campus of the Melbourne Business School is being marketed to overseas buyers, with its private beachfront access and buildings expected to fetch as much as $20 million. The school is selling the 8.9 hectare Kunyung Rd property, partly due to falling interest in regionally-based business courses and a plan expand the school’s Carlton site as a “world-class centre for business education”. MBS media manager Emily Fear-Gook said the “landscape” for business education had changed since the 1980s when the school moved some of its courses to the peninsula after merging with the Mt Eliza Business School.…
Year: 2016
A LARGE section of the Mornington Village shopping centre’s air conditioning unit fell into the Woolworth’s store, Sunday last week, causing more than $100,000 damage. The return air conditioner duct weighing up to half a tonne broke free from its mounting in the ceiling space and crashed onto shoppers’ checkout points around 9.30pm. It has been suggested a blade in the fan dislodged, unbalancing the unit, and causing sufficient vibration to send it smashing to the floor. The store had closed half an hour earlier and there were only about half a dozen high staff on duty. “It could have…
THE father-in-law of outgoing Dunkley Liberal MP Bruce Billson had complaints to the Australian Electoral Commission about alleged “misleading” union and Labor Party flyers handed out at polling booths dismissed by the independent electoral regulator. Arthur Ranken, the father of Mr Billson’s wife Kate, wrote to the AEC on 22 June demanding “election material” including posters and flyers urging voters to “put the Liberals last” and “vote to save Medicare” be immediately removed from Dunkley polling booths ahead of the weekend 2 July federal election. Mr Ranken did not disclose his Liberal Party membership or former official party office bearing…
A MARATHON eight-week election campaign has led to the narrowest of margins in the seat of Dunkley despite the Liberal Party declaring victory on election night. Liberal candidate for Dunkley Chris Crewther was jubilant on Saturday evening when addressing supporters at an election function at the Frankston Dolphins Junior Football Club. He said “a team effort” had got him over the line, after the departure of retiring Liberal MP Bruce Billson, against a challenge from Labor candidate Peta Murphy. Mr Crewther’s confidence in declaring a win seemed well-placed at the time with election night pundits on TV calling the seat…
Heartbreaker country and folk music coming to Cube 37 @ Frankston on Friday 22 July at 8pm. Having been programmed in The Melbourne International Arts Festival, The Brisbane Powerhouse World Theatre Festival, The Darwin Festival,The Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Falls Festival,The Famous Spielgeltent and supporting the likes of Clairy Browne and the Banging Rackettes, Tinpan Orange and Harry James Angus, Miles and Simone are a much loved Australian musical duo. They are dear friends and have been for quite some time. Both Actors and musicians by trade, they met during a production of Summer of the 17th Doll and have been…
It’s a dream, it’s a shadow, it’s a spectacle. Frankston Arts Centre and ATA Allstars Artists bring you the exhilarating Shadowland from world-renowned Pilobolus Dance Theatre. This astounding combination of musicality, projected images and acrobatic dance choreography is daringly dramatic and hugely comedic. The thrilling visuals transform the human body into metaphorical themes before your very eyes. A global sensation, Pilobolus, has been experienced by over a half-million people and was featured on The Academy Awards, Ellen and Oprah. This imaginative Pilobolus creation celebrates the extraordinary power of darkness and its ability to illuminate who we really are. It’s more…
NOT content with doing it once, McCrae sailor Mark Bulka has been named Victorian Male Sailor of the Year for the second time. And he’s a worthy winner having recently won the 2016 World Championships at Santa Cruz, in the United States for the second time in a Contender yacht. But that win was only part of his success, after an amazing run over the past two years Bulka also won last year’s Dutch Contender Championships, came second in the 2015 Contender World Championships, also in Holland, came second in the Kiel Week Regatta, Germany, came first in the Festival…
A FOOTBALL match was played at Frankston on Saturday last, between the locals and a team from Naval Base, a collection being taken up in aid of patriotic funds. The day was cold and showery, which mitigated against a large attendance. The game was pretty evenly contested, and resulted in a win for the visitors by 3.9 to 2.9. *** THE Presbyterian services throughout this district will be conducted on Sunday next by the Rev. G. Carson, of Mornington, the local Moderator. The sacrament of the Holy Communion will be dispensed at each service. The services are advertised. ***…
PENINSULA LEAGUE BONBEACH is starting to flex its muscles in MPNFL Peninsula Division and is starting to make a statement. While all the talk surrounds Frankston YCW and who is going to challenge, the Sharks are emerging as a team that seems to be getting things together at the right time. In what many considered to be a 50-50 game against Seaford on Saturday, the Sharks hammered the visitors to the tune of 32 points, 15.8 (98) to 9.12 (66). Bonbeach has now won six of its past seven matches after losing the opening four games of the season. In…
NEPEAN LEAGUE Even a seven goal last quarter couldn’t help Devon Meadows steal a win against Dromana in MPNFL Nepean Division on Saturday. Trailing by four goals at three quarter time, the Panthers stormed home in the final 30 minutes, albeit never hitting the front, only to fall just short, 15.11 (101) to 14.13 (97). It was Dromana coach Rikki Johnston who proved to be the difference between the sides, booting six goals in a best on ground performance. Rated one of the best defenders of all time, Rikki J has booted 17 goals since swinging himself forward against Tyabb…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie FRANKSTON Pines returned from the Latrobe Valley with a precious point on Saturday as it bids to avoid relegation from State 1 South-East. The Monterey Reserve side earned a 3-3 draw against Morwell Pegasus in dramatic circumstances ending this catch-up fixture with nine men. Pines central defender Nick Lekakis and goalkeeper James Laminski were unavailable due to holidays but the side was bolstered by the midweek captures of forwards Josh Calle from Langwarrin and Naseer Mohammad from Casey Comets. Ioasa Saemo took up a central defensive role alongside Ben Caffrey while Calle partnered Mathew Hames up…
JAN Dance is determined to turn the tragic death of her sister from motor neurone disease into a story of faith and hope. Her sister Sue Whyte died in 2011, four years after being diagnosed with the illness. Jan says the diagnosis, when Sue was 54, was hard to accept, as her sister was a “beautiful soul” who was adored by many. “I was her younger sister and I can say we never ever had an argument, she was just a beautiful person and was always kind,” she said. Jan and her brother Jeff did all they could to stay…
TWO men bashed a man, 54, outside a Tootgarook toilet block, 8am, Thursday 30 June. Detective Senior Constable Peter Butland, of Somerville CIU, said the man was hit in the back of the head and, when he fell to the ground, the men stole his wallet and ran off. The man reported the assault to police. He received treatment for lacerations to his head and abrasions to his face and forehead. Police are appealing to witnesses to the attack, near Truemans Rd. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Southern Peninsula News -…
THE ice-affected driver who killed two elderly women in a mini-bus crash in Rosebud, in August, has been jailed for 11 years with a minimum of seven and a half years. Michael Patrick Trueman, of Coburg, pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court last week to two counts of culpable driving causing death. Judge Paul Lacava was told the 24-year-old L-plate driver had the highest levels of speed and ice in his system that Victorian experts have ever seen. His Commodore crashed head-on into the Ti Tree Lodge mini bus, killing Betty May Fox, 91, and Katharina Nensteil, 88, and…
MCCRAE cafe proprietor Sam Keck got the wake-up call he dreaded, 3am, Friday morning. It was the milkman telling him his Merchant and Maker cafe, in Point Nepean Rd, had been broken into. Racing down he found the front door had been jemmied open for the thief to gain entry and steal a “substantial amount” of money from the till and more from the jemmied safe. Also gone was the cafe’s tips jar containing money earmarked for Ugandan charity the Cup that Counts, which contributes to the African country’s community development. The cafe also donates 20 cents from each cup…
AMBULANCE Victoria has denied claims that moves are underway to reduce the hours of the Rosebud and Rye ambulance service. “The Rye ambulance and the Rosebud ambulance are 24-hour resources based at the recently-renovated Rosebud ambulance branch, which was completed late last year,” regional director Cath Anderson said. “We have no current plans to change the rostering of these two resources.” But a Rye paramedic says it is “common knowledge” among southern peninsula paramedics that the service was set to become a “blended roster”, thereby reducing its hours. “This will result in only one ambulance being available to cover the…
A SAFETY Beach and Dromana residents’ group is ramping up its campaign for quieter freeways following a meeting of 120 residents, Thursday 16 June. Tyred of Noise on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway group’s Wayne Ashley said the meeting “went really well given the cold weather”. “Nepean MP Martin Dixon spoke well and encouraged residents to contact him, VicRoads, the Roads Minister and Mornington Peninsula Shire about the noise,” he said. “I have a petition signed by most of the people at the meeting.” Mr Ashley said VicRoads had declined to attend “but they have signalled a clear intention to meet…
GREG Hunt has been re-elected to the federal seat of Flinders, although his majority has been pared back to single figures. On the latest available figures Mr Hunt holds his seat with a majority of just over seven per cent. He won the previous election with an 11.8 per cent margin. When counting ended on Saturday night Mr Hunt was in the lead with a comfortable 56.9 per cent of the 78.6 per cent of votes counted. On preferences there was a 4.9 per cent swing to Labor’s Carolyn Gleixner, but Mr Hunt’s lead remains one of which many of…
Musician Steve Romig didn’t quite get the audience he was hoping for when singing a protest song outside the Hastings office of Flinders MP Greg Hunt. A troubadour with a message about his concern for the environment, Romig, of Tootgarook, says the Environment Minister’s staff quickly left and locked the office before he even played a note. Despite the empty office he decided to continue his performance, even though it seemed his only public audience were the occupants of a mysterious black four-wheel drive, parked just across the car park. His manager, Michael Snelson, of Balnarring-based Soul Management, said Mr…
Police are calling on road users to take extra care on the roads with sun glare being investigated as the possible cause of a collision in Mornington this morning. A male cyclist was travelling north on the Nepean Highway about 8am when he was struck from behind by a motorist near the intersection with Belleura Road. The injured cyclist has been taken to hospital while the male driver of the car was physically uninjured. The driver told police that he couldn’t see the cyclist due to sun glare on the road. Members of the Somerville Highway Patrol are investigating the…
A DROMANA man was taken to Frankston hospital after crashing his car into a power pole beside the Moorooduc Hwy, Frankston South, 2.52am, Friday 24 June. Senior Constable Evan Humber, of Frankston police, said the man, 28, appeared to have lost control of his red Ford sedan on a bend near Harrow Hill Ct, clipping the gutter and “becoming airborne for 20 metres”. The car came to rest chassis deep in an embankment. It was said to be a write-off. Acting Senior Sergeant John Anderson, of Mornington Peninsula Highway Patrol, said police were awaiting results of blood samples taken at…
Police have charged a man following the alleged theft of a CFA donation box from a service station in Baxter last month. The man allegedly attended the Peninsula Link service station and walked off with the donation box which contained an amount of cash on Sunday 15 May about 4.25am. A 40-year-old Mornington man has been charged with theft, prohibited person possess a firearm, burglary, fail to answer bail, traffic-related offences, intentionally cause injury and other assault-related offences. He has been remanded to appear at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 14 July.
A MORNINGTON family has created a modern, industrial-style art gallery and studio space aimed at supporting creative talent. Black Spot Gallery & Studios in Milgate Drive, has been opened by Allan and Lynne Stynes and their sons Cameron and Travis, after two years’ planning and research into the local art scene. “Our youngest son Cam has always had a great flair and interest in many aspects of art,” Mrs Stynes said. “His works have been on exhibition at many different shows and he has always loved the idea of having a studio or gallery to display his work. “Allan has…
For four decades Aussie comedian Col Elliott has been making crowds across the country laugh and now brings his special brand of humor to the Mornington Peninsula with Col’s Final (Fair Dinkum) Farewell Tour. As part of a generation of Australian standup comedians, along with Rodney Rude and Kevin “Bloody” Wilson, Elliott portrays the larrikin image with plenty of fart gags and casual politically incorrect jokes with characters like the failed kamikaze pilot, a Pakistani Elvis impersonator, and an Italian ambassador named Guisseppe Lasagne. The 67 year old funny man is performing at The Grand in Mornington on July 7…
PLANS to build a footpath that have divided the peaceful village of Somers are becoming increasingly hostile, with opponents launching their own legal challenge and accusing the council of taking sides. The long-running dispute has also put the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s special charge schemes under the spotlight, prompting an investigation that recommended abandoning one scheme, reviewing others and deferring nine. Shire CEO Carl Cowie last week described the issue as “vexed” and said dividing townships was not the intent of the scheme. As previously reported in The News, the Somers footpath scheme signalled the shire’s intention to change the way…
“COMMUNITY-DRIVEN” transport options and more affordable housing are two of the goals in a 20-year vision to address the needs of young people on the Mornington Peninsula. The George Hicks Foundation’s inaugural Mornington Peninsula Philanthropic Summit last month was attended by community service providers, local government, businesses and philanthropic organisations, and was facilitated pro-bono by Right Lane Consulting. The summit formulated a long-term vision for the peninsula that would see more emergency accommodation for families, a youth hub, mental health support for young people, and greater coordination between young people and community service providers. The summit also looked at how…
COSTUMES, make-up and props formed the basis of a colourful protest outside the Hastings office of Flinders MP Greg Hunt. The piece of street theatre organised by Environment Victoria and enacted by members of community groups in Mr Hunt’s electorate, revolved around what they claim is a missing piece of Liberal Party policy: a policy for the environment. A search of the Liberal party’s website reveals that “issue 14” of the party’s “plan” is a document titled Protecting our Environment, which lists its accomplishments as protecting the Great Barrier Reef; tackling climate change; supporting “on-ground” environmental projects; protecting threatened species…
AN “exceptionally well preserved” Aboriginal hearth has been found at Point Nepean National Park. The presence of heat retaining stones in the hearth makes it very unusual, and the only one like it found in the Port Phillip region, experts say. Representatives of the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation and Bunurong Land and Sea Association Traditional Owner groups, staff from Aboriginal Victoria and Parks Victoria, recently gathered to assess the site. Samples were taken for radiocarbon dating and significant fragments kept for analysis, which Bunurong Land Council general manager Dan Turnbull says will reveal more about the area’s rich cultural…
THERE are six candidates lining up for the seat of Flinders in Saturday’s federal election, but it would be wrong to say they all have a chance of winning. The seat has been held by Liberal Greg Hunt since 2001. He was re-elected in 2012 with an 11.8 per cent majority. Trying to unseat him are Carolyn Gleixner (Labor), Willisa Hogarth (Greens), Ben Wild (Animal Justice Party), Yvonne Gentle (Rise Up Australia Party) and independent Shane Lewis. The campaigns of the six contenders vary significantly – from Mr Hunt’s professionally produced road signs and coloured brochures to a hand painted…
AN eroding coastline has experts and residents calling for urgent action to protect the Mornington Peninsula’s beaches and avert a costly drainage disaster. While coastal erosion has long been a problem on the peninsula and millions of dollars being spent on mitigation works including sea walls and groynes, recent storm damage has heightened concern that not enough is being done. Port Phillip Baykeeper Neil Blake has compelling data that suggests the increases in tide heights are substantially greater than predicted by a consultants’ reports prepared for the Port of Melbourne Corporation before the 2008-2009 channel dredging work. He has created…