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…
Year: 2020
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…
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a fatal collision in Tuerong this afternoon. A collision occurred between tow truck and car on Balnarring Road, near Gillett Road, about 3pm, causing both vehicles to run off the road and down an embankment. The female rear-seat passenger in the car died at the scene. The female driver and male front-seat passenger were both cut from the car and airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The truck driver, a 39-year-old Lyndhurst man, is currently in custody and assisting police with their enquiries. Anyone who witnessed the crash, with further information or dash…
Officers from Southern Metro Crime Team have arrested a 19-year-old Patterson Lakes man over an aggravated burglary and a string of car thefts. Members were investigating a car theft in Armadale where a Jeep was stolen from an address on Monday night. Detectives believe the same offender then attended an address in Pleasant Road, Hawthorn East early Tuesday morning, broke into the premises and stole the keys to a Mercedes sedan. The Mercedes was then stolen from the property. Police allege the same offender was seen in another Mercedes, again believed to be stolen, driving along the Monash Freeway at…
Police from Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula have arrested five people, Tuesday 29 January, in relation to a number of alleged vehicle crime offences as part of Operation Night Eagle Detectives from Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit executed two search warrants in Hastings following an ongoing investigation into vehicle crime and drug-related offending. Detectives arrested four people at a property on Curlew Court, Hastings. This includes: • 34-year-old man of no fixed address • 29-year-old man from Hastings • 31-year-old woman from Hastings • 16-year-old boy from Hastings Police also seized a pen pistol, drugs and cash from the Curlew…
THE state government has outlined an initial $17.5 million rescue package to protect and restore wildlife and biodiversity in the wake of this month’s bushfires. The money will be spent on restoring habitat, controlling predators and pests as well as aerial drops of food for animals. Wildlife experts say 185 of Victoria’s species, many of them rare and threatened, have already been impacted by the fire emergency. The first animals to benefit will be those species judged most at risk, including the brush-tailed rock wallaby, long-footed potaroo and large brown tree frog. “These fires have had a devastating effect on…
THE Federal government is spending $9 million over four years to “build public confidence” in the safety of telecommunications networks. The move follows public concern over health problems allegedly caused by 5G mobile networks and “misinformation about electromagnetic energy emissions (EME)” (“Hands reflect concern over 5G” The News 26/8/19). Flinders MP and health Minister Greg Hunt said “new initiatives” included scientific research and public education “building on the existing and long standing EME safety program”. “The enhanced EME program will make sure all Australians have access to clear, reliable and reputable information so they can take advantage of new technologies…
MYKI customers in Bittern hoping for an easy way to manage their accounts are getting short shrift from the Department of Transport, a potential retailer says. Despite regular pleas to the department to provide myki top-up and myki purchasing services suitable to the size of the population of the area and its ageing demographic, Bittern Post Office’s Jack McCarthy said none had been forthcoming. Bittern Post Office is opposite Bittern train station and beside a bus stop – a location ideal for the purpose. “We regularly have customers asking if they can top-up or buy a new myki from us,”…
A FLOCK of magpies – the footballing kind rather than the feathered variety – invaded the Sorrento Bowls Club greens last week. A game of barefoot bowls was part of a relaxing pre-season break for Collingwood Football Club’s new season recruits and leadership team. “It was a sunny day so my visors were in demand,” the club’s Judith Mordech said. “Brodie Grundy and Jordan Roughead wanted to buy them but I was delighted to donate them because of their exemplary behaviour on the greens.” Groups can book private barefoot bowls event to celebrate a special occasion; gather family or friends…
A MAN involved in an altercation with security staff at a Mornington licensed venue was later found by police at the intersection of Main Street and the Eastern Ring Road, Thursday 16 January. The 34-year-old, of Mornington, allegedly returned a positive breath test of 0.166 per cent. His vehicle was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1075 and his licence was immediately suspended. He will be charged on summons with drink-driving and traffic-related offences. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 29 January 2020
ITEMS including money, handbags, computers, iPads, iPhones, electronic devices and cables should never be left in cars, police say. They continue to take calls from residents and visitors reporting their cars being broken into and valuables stolen – a costly crime easily preventable. Police from General Duties, Highway Patrol, Crime Investigation and Proactive units ask people to ensure their car is locked when they walk away from it – especially in beach carparks and neighbouring streets. They say residents should report any unusual activity as often offenders walk the streets and carparks, checking car door handles and looking in car…
ABOUT 10,000 cubic metres of sand will be pumped onto Rosebud beach this week. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is replacing sand which has eroded over time due to wind, waves and tidal flow. High tides to the east of Rosebud pier have resulted in waves overtopping foreshore vegetation and the Bay Trail boardwalk. Sand will be dredged from offshore sand bars adjacent to the beach and pumped ashore, DELWP Land and Built Environment Program Manager John Downs said. “By bringing sand back to the beach we are protecting the foreshore from further erosion. It is a…
MORNINGTON Peninsula artists are doing their bit to help those affected by the devastating East Gippsland bushfires. They are taking part in Art Aid Gippsland which brings together hundreds of artworks that have been donated from all parts of Australia and internationally for a four-week exhibition and auction. The exhibition will be held at Gippsland Art Gallery, Saturday 15 February to Sunday 15 March. An auction of art works will be held at The Wedge Performing Arts Centre, Sunday 15 March with all money raised going to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund to help those who have lost homes and…
RESIDENTS have only a few days left to provide input on whether they’d benefit from a Cross Peninsula bus service and an on-demand bus service on the Mornington Peninsula. “Since the launch of the council’s Better Buses campaign in August, about 70,000 people have told us how public transport plays a vital role for many on the peninsula,” the mayor Cr Sam Hearn said. “Public transport connects young people with education and employment. It allows our ageing population to live independently and go to medical appointments and social activities. During the peninsula’s busiest periods, public transport benefits visitors who are…
FOUR Mornington Peninsula men will combine overseas community work with one hell of an adventure next month. Along the way they aim to improve the lives and self-esteem of families through promoting child education and vocational training in Cambodia – a country still emerging from the devastation of the hideous Pol Pot regime in power from 1975-79. It is estimated one-in-four people were killed in the period of oppression – up to 200,000 – leaving it with half its population aged under 25 and only 5 per cent aged over 60. Ben Hodgetts, who is trained in trauma medicine, of…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is likely to come under pressure to adopt an emblem featuring a koala. The idea will be floated at a public meeting in March, along with a plan to use the shire’s planning powers to protect koalas. Cr David Gill is holding the 26 March meeting and says having a koala-based flora and faunal-based emblem is a good idea, although changing the planning rules “is a long process which needs ministerial approval”. However, he says advocating using planning laws to protect koalas “would generate much needed publicity on the lack of state government action”. Craig Thomson, director…
A RED Hill resident thought “world war three had erupted” when a wedding at a boutique bushland-surrounded hotel climaxed in a fireworks display. The resident complained to former mayor Cr David Gill, as well as the CFA, the Lindenderry Hotel in Arthurs Seat Road, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and Worksafe about potential dangers from ember attack. He said he felt “totally devastated; gutted – especially with the Dandenong CFA which issued a permit for the fireworks” on Saturday night 18 January. “For the surrounding residents, their animals, and native animals there was no warning,” the resident, who The News has…
FLINDERS MP Greg Hunt has sailed into a storm of controversy over grants handed out to sporting groups and clubs in the lead-up to the 2019 federal election. Calls are being made for his colleague, then Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie, to resign or be sacked over the way the grants worth $100 million had a “distribution bias” towards marginal Coalition electorates. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ordered his department head to investigate how the grants were handled and whether Senator McKenzie, the Nationals deputy leader, breached ministerial standards. Allegations of pork barrelling followed a critical assessment by the Auditor-General, Grant…
IT was the day community spirit reigned supreme at Main Ridge. What started out as an initiative by Main Ridge Bowls and Petanque Club to raise money for a thermal imaging camera for the Main Ridge CFA, and hay for fire ravaged Gippsland farmers, turned into an inspiring rally of support on Sunday 19 January. “At the start we hoped for $5000 to help buy the thermal imaging camera and to buy and transport some hay to the farmers in East Gippsland,” organiser Neville Mallard said. “By the end of the first week I thought maybe we could get $10,000…