FLINDERS MP Greg Hunt is urging community groups and individuals to apply for grants to “to engage with and raise awareness of” Point Nepean. Point Nepean is the only one of 104 places on the National Heritage List in Mr Hunt’s electorate. “I encourage community organisations and individuals who want to engage with Point Nepean to consider making an application for a grant,” Mr Hunt said. “Grants of between $2500 and $10,000 are available to undertake activities that promote community engagement and raise awareness of places on Australia’s National Heritage List.” Mr Hunt, who has long been a critic of…
Year: 2016
POLICE visited a picket line at the United Petroleum site on Bayview Rd, Hastings, Tuesday, but took no action against protesters. Hastings Senior Sergeant Steve Burt said the company had contacted police. “They just wanted to know what was going on, so we attended,” he said. “The protest was peaceful and gave us no cause for concern. We talked to the protesters who guaranteed a peaceful blockade. They have every right to protest and, unless they cause a problem, everything’s OK.” Organiser Kevin Roberts said workers entering the site – at which West Australian business Decmil is contracted to supply…
TYABB Ratepayers’ Association is ramping up its opposition to a pending “open cut mine” at Somerville which it says will generate profits for the quarry owners but losses to residents of Somerville and Tyabb”. Members are “considerably concerned” that further development and more intensive extraction works at the Bayport Industries’ Pottery Rd quarry will turn 24 hectares of the old Peninsula Pottery site into a 30 metre deep open cut clay mine. They say all vegetation on the site is, or will be, removed, and that, from this month, up to 280 dump truck-and-trailer loads of clay a day, five…
AN appeal is being made for signatures and money to strengthen the fight against concrete footpaths at Somers. The Somers Village Community Association (SVCA) says it will appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (VCAT) against thye footpaths planned by Mornington Peninsula Shire. The shire plans to apportion costs among all Somers property owners, not just those fronting the footpaths. Many of the property owners to be charged live several kilometres away from the two metre wide, 5.2 km long footpaths. “We [Somers Village Community Association] are calling for people to help us doorknock Somers in order to…
A POSSUM has been blamed for starting the three hectare blaze that threatened parts of Somerville, Tuesday, and destroyed 300 timber sleepers on the Stony Point-Frankston train line. Hastings police Senior Sergeant Steve Burt said he believed the marsupial caused an electrical fault in a transformer, generating sparks near where the grass-and-scrub fire started. But Victoria’s emergency management commissioner Craig Lapsley didn’t consider the possum theory when saying the cause of the fast-running fire was still being investigated. “We haven’t seen any lightning, that means it’s got to be the human factor,” he said. “Whether that’s a vehicle, a human…
AN airport at Hastings is an idea being flown by Frankston Council and Mornington Peninsula Shire appears to be onboard. The high-flying concept was first floated at a Frankston Council public meeting early this month. Councillors unanimously voted to write to Premier Daniel Andrews and the South East Metropolitan Group of Councils “to determine the viability of the Port of Hastings site as a location for the South Eastern Airport as identified in Plan Melbourne”. “We have received support for this proposal from the members of the South East Melbourne Group of Councils,” Frankston mayor Cr James Dooley said last…
AN accidently discharged flare may have caused a fire at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, Saturday (20 February), which destroyed three boats and burned a man’s face. CFA crews from Sorrento, Rosebud and Rye attended the incident at 2.30pm. Thick black smoke billowed from the boats which were tied up at the marina. Some members trained hoses on the blaze in a desperate effort to stop it spreading to neighbouring boats. CFA District 8 Operations Officer John Francis said firefighters from CFA and Coast Guard took 30 minutes to control the blaze. “Two boats were destroyed, another was severely damaged and…
USERS of Port Phillip and Western Port are being asked to tell Parks Victoria about any risks they know about in either bay. The feedback may be added to the safety and environment management plan (SEMP) covering the two bays and Port Campbell. “Our local ports feature unique marine habitats that have been recognised internationally for their diversity and we want to make sure we are serving the community and our marine environment as best we possibly can,” Parks Victoria senior manager local ports and waterways Victor Teoh said. “We’re keen to hear from a whole range of people who…
PT LEO surf beach is sure to be crowded on Saturday, but no one is grumbling as it will be the second event held this year by the Mornington Peninsula branch of the Disabled Surfers Association. The first event for the year on Saturday 16 January saw 115 participants enjoying the surf with the help of 300 volunteers. And organisers are predicting this Saturday’s event will attract even more volunteers and participants. Volunteers can register with the DSA near the Pt Leo lifesaving club from 9.30am (or earlier if they want to help set up for the day). There are…
ROSEBUD Secondary College students spent the past two weeks hiking, raft-building, abseiling and camping in the Victorian high country, as part of a Melbourne University study into the impact of outdoor experiences on positive adolescent development. The 130 Year 9 students attended two free camps run by specialist outdoors instructors at Howman’s Gap on the Bogong High Plains. They reportedly revelled in the challenge. They were encouraged to help each other and work as a team setting up camp, taking turns to lead and organise the others. The going was tough, but the sense of accomplishment rewarding. Students completed a…
A DARK musical tale of love, vengeance and the best pies in London, Astral Theatre Society’s production of Sweeney Todd will take to the stage at Rosebud Memorial Hall later this month. Set in grim 19th-century London, the musical tells the story of wrongfully-imprisoned barber Benjamin Barker (aka Sweeney Todd), and his desire for revenge against the scheming judge who exiled him to an Australian penal colony for a crime he did not commit. Armed with a sharp, straight razor and a mind full of menace and revenge, Todd sets up shop as one of the finest barbers in the…
SUB-DISTRICT DROMANA will play Frankston YCW and Hastings will host Rosebud in the two MPCA Sub District semi finals this weekend. As predicted last week, despite Carrum Downs being a mathematical chance of playing finals leading into the final round, Rosebud was never going to lose to Skye and that proved to be the case. While the Buds won comfortably and finished in third place, the same can’t be said for the Blues. Hastings was beaten by top of the table Dromana, meaning it hasn’t beaten a top four team this season. Going into a sudden death final this week,…
DISTRICT HEATHERHILL and Seaford both blew their opportunities to sneak into the MPCA District top four on Saturday. In the final round of the season, Flinders, Seaford and the Hills were all equal on 72 points. Flinders seemed to have the easiest of tasks playing Seaford Tigers, while the Hills hosted Mt Martha and Seaford had the tough task of playing the best in the business in Red Hill. Most eyes were on the Sharks and the Hills to see who would win and grab that fourth place. However, there were also some eyes down at Carrum for the relegation…
PROVINCIAL CRIB Point finished the MPCA Provincial cricket home and away season on top of the ladder after recording a comfortable victory against Moorooduc on Saturday. The Magpies will host Baxter in the first semi-final this weekend. In the other big match over the weekend, Peninsula Old Boys and Somerville will go head to head for the second time in as many weeks when they clash in the second of the semi-finals. Baxter maintained its position in the top four despite going down to Pines. The loser over the weekend was Langwarrin, who had a chance to grab fourth place…
MELBOURNE Easter Show is bringing a unique, family friendly “ little , big show” to the suburbs of Melbourne Presenting all the hallmarks of a traditional style show, Melbourne Easter Show has it all- albeit without the expensive price tags! Melbourne Easter Show presents the first free entry show of it’s kind to the families of Melbourne. The team at Melbourne Easter Show wanted to bring the experiences of the show, the thrill of rides, the joy of choosing a showbag and engaging children in an array of activities without the huge entry prices for families , like other events.…
Pierce Brothers have taken their music from busking on the streets of Melbourne to the world. Their irresistible energy and world-class live show has generated a word of mouth buzz not seen for sometime. The acclaimed live act has been shaking dance floors and selling out rooms across UK, Europe, Canada, USA & their native Australia. Comprising of twin brothers Jack and Pat Pierce, the multi instrumentalists have sold over 50,000 EP’s independently. Pierce Brothers are returning to Australia to play a select run of shows to launch their top 10 ARIA EP Into The Dirt. After spending the majority…
ENTRIES for the Somerville Fruit Show close on Saturday next, 11th March. The schedules of prizes and all particulars may be obtained from Mr S. S. Gault, at his office, Somerville. *** REV G. A. Kitchen, who has been away for a fortnight’s holiday, has returned, and will again take up his work in Frankston as usual. *** THE friends of Mr D. Petrie, of Frankston, will regret to hear that he is confined to his bed with a serious illness. We hope that he will soon be on the road to recovery, and able to resume his work. *** MRS Unthank, relict of…
Blairgowrie Yacht Club Monday 22 February – the year’s first community meeting. A capacity house, which got its fill of healthy food and news of progress in the shire, especially works completed and on foot in the local ward, Nepean. COUNCIL Watch has great affection for coastal council meetings. One is usually able to find a seat where, if the subject at hand becomes a drone, the waters of Port Phillip lull the senses. The evening started with a presentation on what was occurring in the ward – much of which had the nautical flavour one would expect on this…
FUNDING for an enclosed structure to house the sand sculptures exhibition at Frankston’s waterfront all year round has faced criticism as “a waste of money”. Dunkley Liberal MP Bruce Billson last week announced a $750,000 federal government grant towards building a weatherproof structure to house the sand sculpting exhibition hosted by Sandstorm Events. Several Frankston residents took to Facebook to say they believed the money could be better spent housing the homeless, helping the aged or improving hospital services in Frankston. Frankston Council confirmed it had been notified of the grant before its announcement but said any ratepayer funded contribution…
A BUS being repaired on the side of Humphries Rd, Mt Eliza, rolled backwards, crashing through fences and into properties when the brakes failed, early evening, Friday 19 February. A mechanic tried to steer the Ventura Bus Lines vehicle while looking over his shoulder as it sped 300 metres downhill and out-of-control. The driver had managed to jump off as the bus began rolling, but his efforts to replace the wheel chocks failed and the bus gained speed as it careered first into one property, then through a side fence and only coming to a standstill after virtually destroying a…
KINGSTON councillor Paul Peulich and former Carrum MP Donna Bauer have missed out on Liberal preselection for the seat of Dunkley at this year’s federal election. Chris Crewther, former CEO of the Mildura Development Corporation, won the Liberal nomination in a close run race featuring eight candidates. The vote by Liberal Party members came down to the wire between Ms Bauer and Mr Crewther on Sunday afternoon (21 February) at a party convention in Mt Eliza with Mr Crewther, 31, emerging as the preferred candidate. Mr Crewther unsuccessfully contested the seat of Mallee in 2013 and is a former staffer…
Up to 20 pupils and 25 teachers at Mornington Park Primary School will soon be sitting alongside each other in class being taught the same course. The school is the only primary in Victoria chosen for the Power of Two mentoring program that principal Beverly Dadds says is all about “connecting and building relationships; it’s not just academic skills, this is not tutoring”. Ms Dadds said two children would be chosen for the mentoring program from each of the school’s 10 classes. These children and teachers would then each be able to mentor other pupils, making the Power of Two…
A WAR of words about money has broken out between the federal and state government over funding for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula health services. State Labor Health Minister Jill Hennessy has accused the federal government of a “sneaky counting trick” that will cut $3.29 million from Peninsula Health’s annual budget. “These cuts are a direct attack on Peninsula Health, and will see patients waiting longer for surgeries and treatment,” Ms Hennessy said. “This is not good enough, and peninsula patients deserve better.” The state government says the Liberal federal government has back-flipped on National Health Funding Pool arrangements agreed with…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire officers have been ordered to compile up to date figures on how much councillors have spent on conferences and seminars. The statistics dating back four years are to be delivered by 10 March and follow the release last month of a table which showed at least two councillors had overspent their $16,000 four-yearly allowance. It has been alleged that some figures in the table were inaccurate. However, any over-spending will have to be repaid by councillors within six months of the 10 March deadline. “The onus is on us to make sure we don’t overspend ratepayers’ money.…
Watch and Act Issued For: Somerville Fire Origin: SOMERVILLE Incident Name: FRANKSTON-FLINDERS RD Issued: 23/02/16 4:34 PM This is a Watch and Act message issued by Country Fire Authority for Somerville. The fire that was burning along Frankston Flinders Road near Raymond Street, northwest of Somerville is currently being contained. This bushfire is currently not yet under control. A southerly wind change is expected around 4:30pm which will cause smoke and ash to fall in the area around Grant Road and Speedwell Streets, Somerville Don’t wait, leaving now is the safest option – conditions may change and get worse very…
MOST of the 30 Mornington Peninsula property owners at a dry conditions workshop at Tyabb Hall, Thursday, run livestock on, with a few engaging in horticulture. The Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority’s Nicole Green said many landholders on the peninsula faced significant challenges in trying to manage their land during times of low rainfall or drought. “However, having the knowledge and resources available to help prepare for these conditions can greatly improve the resilience of their land and their ability to remain financially viable during these tough times,” she said. At the workshop, Agriculture Victoria’s Nick Dudley and…
WESTPAC Bank is closing its Centro Somerville branch on Friday 18 March. A spokeswoman said the seven-year-old branch was “amalgamating” with the branch at 70 High St, Hastings. She said three of the five Somerville staff would be redeployed to Hastings and the bank was “looking for redeployment opportunities for the other two”. “We have made changes to our branch network across Australia because over-the-counter transactions have steadily declined as a significant number of customers prefer digital banking options, such as mobile banking, internet banking and smart ATMs,” she said. She said customers could make deposits and withdrawals, query account balances,…
SOMERVILLE hall is again open almost one year since being severely damaged in a storm. The reopening of the Mechanic Institute hall earlier this month also marked 125 years since a hall was first built on the Station St site and a century since two rooms were added at the front. Among those gathered for the reopening ceremony was the mayor Cr Graham Pittock, Cr Lynn Bowden and shire CEO Carl Cowie. Land for the original hall was donated by Henry Gomm, with building money being raised through public subscriptions, bazaars and other fundraisers. The hall was managed by volunteer…
SUB-DISTRICT THE MPCA Sub District ladder was put to rest last night after Frankston YCW staged a wonderful outright victory against Skye to lock in a place in the top four. Even more impressive was Rosebud’s reverse outright win performance against Hastings, giving them a valuable 12 points and locking them into fourth place. Hastings is a little wobbly right now and faces Dromana in a one day game this weekend. The Blues have won only one of its past three games, being beaten by Rosebud on the weekend and Frankston YCW – both finals teams. If the Blues lose…
DISTRICT BADEN Powell is in a world of pain in MPCA District cricket after losing its third match in a row on Saturday. After dominating the early part of the season, where they failed to lose a game before Christmas, the Braves are now on their knees, searching for ways to try and turn around their once blistering form. Despite the Braves poor form, their superb percentage of 1.60 is sure to hold them in the top bracket, even if they were to lose against Main Ridge in the final match of the season, a one-dayer. The Braves’ last victory…