Day: February 3, 2020

COMMUNITY projects being considered by Mornington Rotary Club in the wake of this year’s Mornington Art Show include building a roof over a “long table” and developing a park. Money raised by the annual art show is used to finance Rotary projects, mainly in Mornington but also internationally. The long table in Mornington Park seats about 34 and is often used by school groups. It was also the venue for Mornington Rotary’s first meeting for this year on 6 January. The park likely to be improved by Rotary is at the corner of Barkly and Gordon streets, Mornington. This year’s…

RED Hill Fire Brigade’s planned upgrades are a step closer thanks to a concerted fundraising effort by members of the brigade, residents, businesses and an online appeal which raised $45,500 in just a few weeks. First Lieutenant Sam Norris said the station would soon need to replace its 27 and 25-year-old trucks with new trucks standing 3.3 metres high. The building height would have to be raised to four metres to fit them in. “We’ll be doing most of the actual work ourselves on the renovations as we have a few builders, plumber and electrician in our ranks,” he said.…

PENINSULA Chamber Musicians starts its eighth concert season playing Haydn’s Cello Concerto No 2 with Serbian born virtuoso Svetlana Bogosavljevic. Ingrid Martin, pictured, will return as guest conductor. Mark Fitzpatrick, principal trumpet with Orchestra Victoria along with David Macfarlane (harpsichord), Aaron Barnden (violin), Marney Pope (flute) and Michael Powell (oboe) will perform Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, Mozart’s Symphony No 21 and Haydn’s Overture to L’isola disabitata. Tickets for performances by Peninsula Chamber Musicians are $30 adults, $22 concession and primary and secondary students’ free and will be held 2pm Saturday 29 February at All Saints Anglican Church, Rosebud (www.trybooking.com/581121) and 2pm…

CELEBRATIONS of the Chinese New Year have been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak and declaration of a global health emergency, but symbols that point towards a prosperous, healthy year are still eagerly sought. In keeping with the Year of the Rat, glassblowers at Red Hill have created a symbolic “metal rat” to be auctioned online, with some of the proceeds going to animals and the environment affected by bushfires. The making of the glass rat over the Australia Day long weekend by Grant Donaldson, his wife Eileen Gordon and their sons Hamish and Calum was streamed live on Facebook.…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker and his family celebrated Australia Day this year in a patriotic way – they became Australian citizens. The family, originally from England, now proudly call themselves Australians. “We were all very excited to be taking the plunge,” Mr Baker said. “We absolutely love it here. Australia is an incredible country and the Mornington Peninsula is the best bit as far as we’re concerned.” He said his family – wife Tess and children Kasia, 23, Henry, 20, and Molly, 18, had taken to the Australian way of life with enthusiasm. “We love the Aussie attitude…

THE investigation into planning decisions involving three Mornington-based planning and development companies could “potentially encourage [the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission] to look at the Mornington Peninsula”. This eventuality would be a “welcome outcome … if we get greater transparency” as a result, according to Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Sam Hearn. Councillors last week endorsed moves outlined in December by CEO John Baker to review decisions made on planning requests by developer John Woodman and his Mornington-based company Watsons Pty Ltd as well as associated companies Wolfdene Built Pty Ltd and Schutz Consulting Pty Ltd (“Permit probe goes further than…

PREDICTED smoke pollution failed to eventuate for the Saturday 18 January beach day organised by the Disabled Surfers Association Mornington Peninsula at Point Leo. “After our concerns about air quality the day was fine, air quality good and we had fun waves,” DSAMP president John Bowers said. He said the decision to go ahead with the day after the air quality was passed by Point Leo Surf Life Saving Club “based on the distance you can see”. “The club also provides invaluable facilities and assistance on our event days,” Mr Bowers said. Preparations for surf day began on the Friday,…

ROSEBUD police allegedly clocked an 18-year-old P1 probationary driver at 163kph on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway last week. The Cranbourne North man had only had his licence for three months when intercepted in the early hours of Saturday 25 January. His car was impounded. His was one of three vehicles spotted on Arthurs Seat Road and followed onto the freeway where police say they all “accelerated heavily to speeds well in excess of the 100kph limit”. The intercepted driver will be summonsed to appear at court where he faces a minimum 12 months’ loss of licence. The registered owners of…

A FIREWORKS company has defended the staging of a pyrotechnics display outside a Red Hill hotel last month despite nearby residents complaining it posed a bushfire risk. One startled resident said he felt “totally devastated; gutted – especially with the Dandenong CFA which had issued a permit for the fireworks” at the Lindenderry Red Hill Hotel, in Arthurs Seat Road on Saturday night 18 January. (“Groom’s fireworks spark outrage” The News 29/1/20). The resident – one of many not alerted to the upcoming event – slammed the “frivolous fireworks display”. Red Hill CFA confirmed last week that it had not…

IT is not remembered as the shot that was heard around the world, but the firing of a gun at Fort Nepean on 5 August 1914 is acknowledged as being the first shot of World War I. The firing of the Vickers Mk VII naval gun three hours, 45 minutes after war was declared in London led to the capture of the German merchant vessel, the SS Pfalz and its crew, as they tried to leave Port Phillip for the safety of international waters. Heritage Victoria has given the First Shot Committee approval to restore the gun and its emplacement…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillor Hugh Fraser has added to the national debate over Australia Day being 26 January by pointing out the date’s significance to Sorrento. In his Australia Day address Cr Fraser noted that the first European settlement in Victoria, at Sorrento, was abandoned on 26 January 1804, just four months after in was established. Cr Fraser said Lt Governor David Collins arrived at Sorrento in October 1803, with two ships, officers, marines, convicts, free settlers, a public service and a printing press to print his general orders and garrison orders. “I think the really important point is that…

VERONICA Whittaker is Mornington Peninsula Shire’s 2020 Citizen of the Year. Ms Whittaker was recognised for her work with not-for-profit boutique Clothes4U which provides clothing and support to those in need. The service began in 2013 when a group of peninsula women got together to discuss how they could help disadvantaged women and girls. Their idea was to “pamper women who were fragile and raise their confidence”. Ms Whittaker was elected president and Clothes4U now offers clothing, shoes, under garments and toiletries to men and women. Education programs assist with interview preparation and clients can have a free hairdressing…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is taking the lead role in pressing the state government to make it easier for municipalities to enforce planning and environment regulations. Under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 shire officers cannot stop work or force breaches to be rectified. The officers have told councillors the cost and time of enforcing the act is being played “for clear commercial advantage”. They can negotiate, issue $800-$1600 fines or apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for enforcement orders or embark on costly and time-wasting court cases, where fines can go as high as $180,000. The shire wants…