The horrific burning and drowning of more than 62,000 sheep seems an unlikely source of inspiration for a children’s book. But the loss of the live sheep export ship the MV Uniceb in August 1996, gave freelance writer Sally Nowlan pause for thought: imagine being a sheep caught up in the live export trade? Unlike the thousands of sheep that perished aboard the Uniceb six days into a 16-day voyage from Freemantle to Aqaba, Jordan, Nowlan’s tale does have a happy ending. While Jumbucks Misadventure certainly carries a message about the “the wrongness of live export for such creatures”, it…
Year: 2018
STRICT regulations governing the safety of seals on bay beaches have prompted the Department of Environment, Lands, Water and Planning to warn members of the public not to get too close. Senior wildlife officer Abby Smith said as summer approached some seals swam ashore after the breeding season. “In Victoria, it is common to see Australian fur seals resting onshore. They are beautiful creatures and can look very placid when lying on a beach,” Ms Smith said. “Despite their relaxed appearance, they are still wild animals. They will defend themselves if approached and can deliver a nasty bite. “We’re really…
RYE Community Group Alliance has been awarded the $1000 Keep Victoria Beautiful Gift Fund prize for its project: A Clean Rye Protects Marine Life – Do the Right Thing. President Mechelle Cheers said the campaign would run over the peak tourist period as a litter prevention strategy to keep marine debris out of the bay. “It is targeted at tourists who leave behind huge amounts of plastic and other litter every summer,” she said. “We hope to highlight through the great work of Rye individuals and groups that, as a community, we value our coastal environment and expect visitors to…
THE Mornington Peninsula is playing a big part in Victoria’s tourism boom. Visitors – mainly from Melbourne and other parts of the country – spent 4.8 million nights on the peninsula last year, up 20 per cent on the previous year. Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board chair Tracey Cooper said the figures reflected an increase in day and overnight trips, especially in the autumn and spring shoulder seasons over the past five years. The benefits were enhanced by the dispersal of visitors to second and third-tier attractions across the peninsula, which helped to spread the tourist dollar several ways. The…
Like nearly every family ours has felt the severe impact that mental health sickness inflicts on the sufferer and the community around them. This is a challenge we as individuals and Peninsula Hot Springs as an organisation have take on. One of our many strategies and activities is the hosting of Ride for Relief an awareness and fund raising bike riding event on Sunday 21st, October. All proceeds from this event go directly to support the great work of Mentis Assist, an incredible in-the-trenches mental health organisation on the Mornington Peninsula. Here are links to the event and to the fundraising…
Somerville Highway Patrol officers caught a motorcycle speeding at 70kmp/h over the speed limit in Pearcedale last night. Police clocked a silver 2013 Triumph Trophy motorbike allegedly travelling at 170kmp/h in a 100km zone on the Western Port Highway just after 9pm. The motorcycle was intercepted and immediately impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1280. The driver, a 48-year-old Hastings man, is expected to be charged on summons with excessive speed. Victoria Police News – Thursday, 18 October 2018
“RHYTHMS FOR RAIN” EVENT will take place in Flinders Village on Sunday 21 October. The launch will be on Saturday 20 October from 6pm-8pm at the Flinders Bakehouse Café, Cook Street Flinders. Sunday is the day we welcome people to come and support this event in Flinders Village. Rob Lindsay a Musician and Peninsula resident has coordinated the whole event and collected his ‘muso’ friends to play. There will be collection containers at each venue and the local Flinders District Lions Club will be collecting and supporting. All funds raised go to ‘Need for Feed’ a Lions Project. 100 per cent…
The Maladiction Longboarders Club has again teamed up with the Disabled Surfers Association, Mornington Peninsula (DSAMP) for a fun surf competition to help finance surfing days at Point Leo for people with disabilities. Last year’s inaugural contest saw 13 teams compete in costumes riding waves at The Pines, Shoreham. This year’s competition will be held at the same beach from 10am on Saturday 10 November. Teams can be made up of either two or four surfers. Contestants are being encouraged to again wear costumes but this year they can ride their own boards. “Crazy” surf moves will attract extra points.…
A DEFENCE investigation has found “no evidence of any unacceptable exposure or risk” to residents living near HMAS Cerberus or workers at the base from the historic use of firefighting foams. The all-clear extends to those eating fish caught at nearby Hanns Inlet, on-base workers doing non-surface soil works and trainees or visitors through direct exposure to soil at the base. However, traces of the chemicals were found where the PFAS foam was used and stored, such as the fire ground and station, ornamental lake, sullage pit, irrigated sports fields and former sewage treatment plant. Also within the base but…
The Liberal Party has thrown a lifeline to the Otama submarine that has been anchored near Crib Point for the past 17 years. Hastings MP Neale Burgess on Sunday (14 October) said a Liberal Nationals government would bring the vessel ashore at Hastings, if it wins the Saturday 24 November state election. Mr Burgess said his party would work with the Oberon Association, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and Western Port Chamber of Commerce to create a potential tourist attraction out of the submarine. He said feasibility studies and business cases had shown “what a great tourist attraction the Otama would…
Planning Minister Richard Wynne says power company AGL’s plan to import liquefied natural gas through Crib Point will be subject to “the strongest environmental assessment process in the state”. The Save Westernport group opposing AGL’s floating gas terminal saw Mr Wynne’s announcement last week as “a huge win”. “It’s the deferral to EES [environmental effects statement] we’ve been waiting for. The study will start in January and take nine to 12 months to complete,” the group’s website proclaimed. “It’s just the first step, but thanks to your hard work spreading the word and contacting your government representatives we are seeing…
DISTRICT ROSEBUD have bounced back from a difficult start to get the better of Seaford at Olympic Park on Saturday. Seaford won the toss and sent their opponents in to bat, which looked to be a masterstroke early. Rosebud’s openers Kane Donald and Pete Doughty both fell for ducks to leave their middle order to pick up the pieces. Billy Quigley came in to steady the ship with a handy 29, but Rosebud still found themselves struggling at 6/66. They showed signs of life to knock 77 runs for their next two wickets, finishing up on 8/143 from 40 overs.…
SOCCER A DAMAGING presidency battle was averted last week after Steve Spencer was elected at an extraordinary general meeting at Frankston Pines. It had been widely expected that former vice-president Daniel Plaiche and recent interim president Hamdija “Boz” Osmancevic would run against each other but neither party turned up to the meeting. Osmancevic had been the only candidate for president a fortnight earlier at the club’s AGM but stood down after a dispute erupted about his managerial style forcing last week’s meeting to settle the impasse and elect an executive. Rumours flew about Osmancevic’s intentions and involved speculation about a…
MORNINGTON-based trainer Matt Laurie has Stakes ambitions with his smart filly Rainbow Girl after she kicked clear for a comfortable four-length win at Bairnsdale on Sunday 7 October. The daughter of Pierro had to overcome the second-widest barrier (9) to take up the lead, but once she crossed there was nothing able take ground off her in the straight. Trainer Matt Laurie was more than happy with the performance. “I thought it was very good,” he said. “She had to jump from the wide barrier and cross them but she still managed to kick clear very strongly – she did…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Hockey Club had five players represent Victoria at the Women’s Masters Championships in Bunbury, Western Australia on Thursday 27 September. Four of the women, Emma Brown, Kim Trezise, Julia Ashmore and Margaret Nettleship, returned home with silver medals from the national competition while Rebecca Gipp finished just shy of a bronze. Mornington Peninsula Hockey Club goalkeeper Julia Ashmore said “it was a great result from everyone”. Ashmore, who usually plays in the over-45s, competed in the over-40s Victorian team which had to merge with the over-45s due to the lack of numbers. Ashmore said the side had their…
THE Peninsula Film Festival is proud to announce a new partnership with AGL. AGL has come on board as Naming Rights Sponsor and will support the Peninsula Film Festival activities which include the expansion of a new, music festival to be held at Hastings Foreshore. Festival Director Steve Bastoni said the relationship with AGL means the Festival can grow to include the Western Port side. “We are excited to have AGL onboard and this means we can continue to keep the short film festival FREE to attend and also offer a low-cost ticketed, music event at Hastings,” he said. The…
THE Frankston Progress Association, at its last monthly meeting decided to organise funds for a memorial in Frankston to the late Sir John Madden. If sufficient funds are received it is proposed to erect a large brick pavilion in the Frankston Park, at a cost of about £3000. The president is personally supervising and organising the collecting of donations, which, it is hoped, will come from all parts of Australia. Over his own signature the president personally addressed and directed a total of 2000 letters to friends of the late Chief Justice. The following is a copy of the letter…
THE architects behind the $80 million redevelopment of Sorrento’s renaissance-inspired Continental Hotel say they want to recreate the charms of the “marvellous Melbourne” boom period of when it was built. Six Degrees Architects will aim to complete the public bar and bistro, fine-dining restaurant and champagne bar in September 2019. This will be followed one year later by a “world-class” hotel, wellness centre, cafe and wine bar, day spa and gym, events and function rooms. The National Trust-listed Ocean Beach Road hotel, built in 1875 by the “Father of Sorrento”, comedian, actor, entrepreneur and politician George Coppin, is said to…
Running for the train will take on a whole new meaning next month when the steam train K163 competes for speed against a group of children. Mt Eliza Rotary Club, Mornington Railway and Peninsula Health have again teamed up to run the Kids’ Fun Run with K163 to raise money for Frankston Hospital’s paediatric ward and special care unit. “I think the Kids Fun Run with K163 is a very important event because the paediatric and special care units are here to provide world-class care for children and families in our local community,” Peninsula Health’s clinical director of paediatrics Dr…
Although they may be several hours’ drive away from the nearest forest, motorists heading south along Nepean Highway, Mt Eliza last week witnessed part of the protests aimed at getting the premier Daniel Andrews to stop logging in Victoria’s native forests. The walkway over the highway near Mt Eliza Way and Wooralla Drive – traditionally used to proclaim anniversaries and birthdays – was used as a platform for banners calling on the Premier to “Save our Forest Dan” and “Protect our Wildlife”. The walkway was also used recently by groups opposed to AGL importing gas through Crib Point. The politicisation…
Entries from interstate will be among the 850 works exhibited at next year’s Mornington Art Show. One of the feature artists at the show will be Kathy Van E and the art show judge is Lyn Mellady, who will also exhibit some of her work. One of the show’s organisers, John Renowden, said the Mornington Art Show “remains as the biggest and best quality art show on the Mornington Peninsula and one of the best in Victoria, according to the comments of various show judges and submitting artists”. Being held by Mornington Rotary Club for the 47th year, the show…
MELBOURNE’S Spring Racing Carnival means more to Lorraine Reeves than thundering hooves and two dollar place bets. The Mt Martha fashion designer is gearing up for her first Fashions on the Field contest at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day after being named as a top 10 finalist in the Emerging Designer Award category. Ms Reeves says she wanted to be a designer since she was a teenager but didn’t have the opportunity to study fashion when she finished school. “However, I have been a dressmaker my whole life and, even without formal study and being mostly self-taught, I have made…
A FENCE stopping access to The Pillars rock jumping platforms at Mt Martha is to be built before summer. Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Bryan Payne said the situation at The Pillars “is out of control and the only option is to close it off permanently”. The shire will also declare a 200 metre exclusion zone for boats and water craft out from the cliff face. The move seemingly defies directions from the government in 2016 not to build a fence. The latest decision to build a fence followed legal advice which stressed the shire could be “liable” if someone…
Builders and owners have paid tens of thousands of dollars in fines and costs in a crackdown on building regulations by Mornington Peninsula Shire. With 15 more prosecutions underway, the seven successful actions taken by the shire since May have involved: The construction of retaining walls with no building permit at Mt Martha: Owner fined $22,500 with costs of $20,000. Alterations to dwelling and bungalow at Rye with no building permit: Builder fined $25,000 plus costs. Construction of garage and carport with no building permit at Rye: Owner fined $15,000 plus costs Construction of basement and dwelling additions with no…
MORNINGTON Peninsula detectives were last week searching for five of seven cars stolen from Jeff Wignall Ford, Hastings, 2.20am, Tuesday 9 October. Company spokesman David Christianson said burglars smashed a door to the dealership in Frankston-Flinders Road and stole keys to the cars. Four were new and three used cars. The keys also allowed the offenders to remove security bollards out front to make their getaway. The burglars used one of the stolen cars, a Subaru Outback, to rob a K-Mart store in Hall Road, Carrum Downs, at 1.50am next day. Two men reportedly used a crowbar to steal three…
A MAN with “extensive local government experience in the UK combined with commercial expertise developed as lead partner at both Ernst and Young and KPMG in the UK and Australia” is Mornington Peninsula Shire’s new CEO. John Baker was last week named to succeed Carl Cowie who left Friday 30 August after almost four years at the helm to take up the vacant CEO’s position at Nillumbik, in the outer northern suburbs of Melbourne. The new CEO will pocket a yearly $380,000 over his four-year term with annual salary reviews. Likewise, his performance will be reviewed annually by the council…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is seeking expressions of interest to turn a former tip into a solar energy plant. The proposed plant at 119 Truemans Road, Capel Sound would use banks of solar panels to generate electricity to be bought by the shire, or sold back to the grid and used to power thousands of homes in surrounding suburbs. The winning tenderer would build, own and run the plant for 25 years, with possible options for a longer term. However, the capital-free solar generation and battery farm EoI campaign, which closed Monday 8 October, may have unintentionally excluded the company which…
A THREE-DAY walk to “touch base” with every police station on the Mornington Peninsula is Superintendent Adrian White’s way of getting an important message across to his staff. He wants to encourage police to reflect on and, hopefully, initiate discussions with support groups or seek help to prevent their suffering ongoing mental illness or harm. Superintendent White was planning to cover the 100 kilometres over three days – Friday 12 October to Sunday 14 October – from Carrum Downs police station to Sorrento police station to raise awareness of mental health issues that he says are “increasing among our current…
Mornington Peninsula Shire has employed two investigators and two prosecutors in a crackdown on illegal buildings. Seven owners or builders have been prosecuted in the past five months and a further 15 cases are already listed with the Magistrates Court or are under investigation. The investigators and prosecutors make up a “compliance arm” in the shire’s statutory building unit. The team is responsible for the investigation, enforcement and prosecution of breaches of the Building Act 1993 and the Building Regulations 2018. The court has imposed fines of up to $25,000 for works done without a building permit as well as…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will spend $1.74 million over the next six months preparing the site for the $43.5 million Rosebud Aquatic Centre. The council chose one of six tenders for preliminary works on the Besgrove Street site. Infrastructure project manager Elliott Reid said the work included constructing a 380-space car park, exposed aggregate footpaths, pram ramps, concrete kerb and channel, vegetation removal, line marking, signs, electrical connections, lighting and landscaping. Drainage works include a “water sensitive urban design”. The council has supported a “fast-tracked approach” to finish the aquatic centre by September 2020. Public support for the 50-metre pool was…