HUNDREDS of visitors to Main Street, Mornington voted with their feet over the weekend, signalling their approval of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s decision to ban cars from between Barkly Street and the Esplanade. However, the move is not so popular with everyone and the shire has also come under fire for being unprepared for the rubbish generated by sudden influx of people to the town and its beaches. First published in the Mornington News – 17 November 2020
Year: 2020
SOUTHERN Peninsula Basketball Association players gleefully broke out of lockdown and hit the outdoor courts last week. About 250 players aged 6-17 enjoyed free sessions throughout the day at Rosebud Primary School in their first session back since mid-March. “The players were spread out throughout the day to comply with restrictions and included 30 families who have never been part of basketball before,” the association’s new general manager Ben White said. He said the association was realigning its focus with an emphasis on providing basketball for everyone. “We have a number of projects on the way, including the expansion of…
BOMB Squad sniffer dogs were deployed to Dromana beach after explosives were found in the sand beside a beach box on Sunday (15 November). As they worked, the Canine Unit, Arson and Explosives Unit, Rosebud police and Air Wing cordoned off the beach box and searched the sand before declaring the area safe about 3pm. Detective Senior Constable Tim Jamieson, of Somerville CIU, said the beach box’s owner had been digging away sand before repainting when he unearthed a length of PVC pipe about 50cm deep. Unscrewing one end he discovered what he thought to be electronic detonators wrapped in…
A 40-year-old Rosebud man has been released pending further inquiries after an Echo Taskforce investigation into a non-fatal shooting in Bulleen in August last year. Four warrants were executed in Narre Warren South, Rosebud, Brooklyn and Hampton Park last week by police from the Echo Taskforce, Southern Metro Divisional Response Unit, Special Operations Group, Critical Incident Response Team and the AFP National Anti-Gangs Squad. Three people were charged after the raids: A 28-year-old Narre Warren South man has been charged with attempted murder, intentionally causing serious injury in circumstances of gross violence, recklessly causing serious injury in circumstances of gross…
SUMMER camping can’t come quickly enough for Capel Sound Foreshore manager Wayne Nicholls. He’ll be able to show off the new coastal amenity block that’s just been completed at the end of Truemans Road when campers flock to the reserves for the opening of the season on 19 December. It has four ambulant and one all-abilities toilet, as well as two outdoor showers. This, along with a rework of the car park area to move it away from the beach front and create extra parking, is the first stage of a proposed three-stage development that will make this beachfront reserve…
A BUSINESS case assessing the proposed electrification of the Frankston line to Baxter has suggested that a different option be taken instead. The business case was publicly released last week, more than one year after it was handed to the federal government. One of five options assessed in the study only provides improvements to bus services. Two options see no electrification of the railway and add passing loops to the Stony Point line, while the other two see the track duplicated and electrified to Langwarrin and Baxter. The study identifies the “Stony Point Uplift” as the “indicative preferred option”, rather…
SEAROAD Ferries is giving away $1 million worth of foot passenger tickets to encourage visitors to the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas. Online registrations for the tickets to the ferry connecting Sorrento and Queenscliff start on Wednesday (18 November) and close 5pm Sunday 22 November. The free tickets can be used between 23 November and 31 July next year. Searoad CEO Matt McDonald said the 38,384 tickets would enable the winning passengers to “feel a world away from the challenges this year has brought”. He said the giveaway was “motivated by a desire to bring visitors back to the region and…
PHOTOGRAPHS to adorn the Yawa Aquatic Centre at Rosebud when it is completed in March will aim to “celebrate and champion the work of a local artist as well as promote awareness and appreciation of creative communities”. The works will help ensure that the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s public spaces are “stimulating and engaging” for visitors and will hang in the entrance to the main thoroughfare from the car park. The successful artist must live in the shire and will receive $5000. Mornington Peninsula Shire is seeking to engage an artist through an expressions-of-interest process to create the photographic works. They…
CROWDS were down on previous years and masks were mandatory during the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Dromana cenotaph. However, the restrictions did not make the ceremony any less moving or meaningful. Words were spoken and flowers placed as those gathered on the lawns remembered those who gave their lives for their country. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 17 November 2020
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal crash which occurred on Jones Road, Sommerville last night. Officers have been told a white sedan was traveling along the road about 9.55pm when the driver lost control. The sedan left the road and crashed into a tree. A passenger in the car, believed to be a woman in her 20s, died at the scene. The driver and another passenger, both believed to be men in their 20s, have been taken to hospital with injuries. Detectives from Major Collision Investigation Unit are on scene and are investigating. Anyone who witnessed the crash…
SOMERS has a new attraction – the Totem Trail – and an illustrated “map” to help users find their way along it. Although organisers had to cancel Somers Primary School’s arts fair this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, they have embraced a new way to celebrate the character of Somers and raise funds for the school. Artist Lizzie Dennis has created a map featuring 24 totem poles dotted around the area. It has been printed on tea towels. Visitors are invited to use the map to take a stroll through Somers and spot the totem artworks. Totem Trail tea towels…
AN appeal has gone out in a bid to find enough “Moorooduc stone” to help restore an open air chapel at Shoreham. The chapel in Buxton Reserve off Marine Parade was built in 1951 and named after Cyril Young who along with his younger brother Ivan was a member and leader of the YMCA. The brothers died in World War II, and the chapel was dedicated to Cyril and the pulpit to Ivan. The YMCA’s Camp Buxton was established in 1925. However, the chapel has deteriorated in recent years and now the Cyril Young Memorial Chapel Association needs Moorooduc stone…
CONSERVATION has always been of interest to Belinda Eden, but never more so than since moving to Balnarring two years ago. “We came here from Melbourne because Balnarring is a beautiful coastal town with a certain charm and character,” Ms Eden said. “It’s a special place and should be protected so that it does not become overdeveloped, or lose the habitat that is home to many species of precious wildlife, including koalas. “I think when we moved here, I felt a real responsibility to get involved and make it a priority to be informed about environmental issues. My passion has…
RIDERS of bicycles with petrol motors on the Mornington Peninsula face fines of more than $2000 and risk injury on the bikes which are not designed to carry a motor, police say. The frames are not made to travel at high speeds, and the brakes are not adequate to stop a petrol-powered bicycle. To be legal, the motors must have a maximum ungoverned power output of 200 watts or less. A 50cc engine puts out about 2238 watts which is over the limit. Most bolt-on petrol motors or kits being advertised online as “governed” or “limited” to 200 watts are…
POLICE want the public’s help after a road rage and assault incident on Point Nepean Road, Rosebud, 4pm, Tuesday 3 November. Two cars were travelling west when the victim changed lanes. The offending driver sounded his horn and yelled abuse. The men stopped at the intersection of Boneo and Point Nepean roads and approached each other before a scuffle began. When the victim returned to his car the offending driver followed and allegedly punched him to the head through the open window. The attacker driving a white Toyota 4WD is described as Caucasian, mid-30s, with blonde hair and beard and…
ROSEBUD police had their work cut out maintaining order at a large, unauthorised car night at Arthur’s Seat Summit car park, Thursday 29 October. About 30 enthusiasts had gathered when police saw the driver of white four-wheel-drive practicing his off-road skills in the garden bed, 10.50pm. The 19-year-old P-plater later recorded a 0.118 per cent blood alcohol reading at Rosebud police station – way over the 0.00 per cent reading stipulated for P-platers. The Capel Sound man’s licence was suspended and his vehicle impounded. He is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving-related offences. The impoundment was part…
AN Australia Post contractor has been charged with criminal theft and theft of mail items after Rosebud police and Australia Post found more than $10,000 worth of allegedly stolen parcels at his Mount Waverley home. Acting Sergeant Ron Trainer, of Rosebud police, said an investigation was launched after a large number of packages were reported missing around the Rosebud, Rye, Tootgarook, Portsea and Sorrento areas from August to October. The Sri Lankan national was arrested at the Rosebud distribution centre in front of “stunned” colleagues on 21 October. Police later searched the man’s apartment which was said to be “chockers”…
JUNE Alderslade, pictured, is precise in her art. Hours of research and a magnifying glass have always contributed to the realism she achieves in her paintings of insects and birds. Daughter Linda Mitchell says her mother, now 95, has always painted, with one of her paintings featuring in a Bacchus marsh newspaper when. She was 10. Ms Alderslade, who has spent half her life on the Mornington Peninsula, worked as a mechanical tracer before the introduction of computers when “everything they traced had to be precise”. “This showed in her art as she always used magnifying glass and often two…
THE release of the long-awaited Frankston rail extension preliminary business case shows that inadequate public transport in the Mornington Peninsula region is not being taken seriously by the state government, says the Committee for Greater Frankston. The preliminary business case (PBC) was released on Monday 9 November. A news release from Flinders MP Greg Hunt said the business case showed running electric trains to Baxter from Frankston could directly benefit residents across “the entire Mornington Peninsula”. “Delivering a metro rail line extension south of Frankston will help open up the whole of the Mornington Peninsula, meaning locals can get to…
AS life gets back to normal it’s time to leave the car at home, tie up the shoelaces and walk, scoot or ride to school. Mornington Peninsula Shire is calling on all kids and their families take part in the VicHealth Walk to School program supported by Peninsula Health. Active travel to school has great community benefits: it reduces traffic congestion on the roads, cuts pollution, and creates an opportunity to spend more time with friends and family. As part of the program, families are encouraged to participate in a weekly photo competition with four nature-based treasure hunts running until…
WITH lockdown restrictions eased, residents can dump green waste for free at Mornington Peninsula Shire tips at Rye, Tyabb and Mornington, 13-16 November. The green waste must be taken to the tips over the four days in private vehicles and trailers only. No commercial vehicles or commercial green waste will be accepted. Contact details will need to be provided at the gate to satisfy COVID-safe requirements. Residents should take proof of residency, such as a driver’s licence or rates notice. Green waste includes all types of garden waste and untreated timber. The Mornington transfer station can accept up to three…
THE Frankston-based First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing and Nairm Marr Djambana are among six Aboriginal organisations to share $930,000 released by the state government’s Aboriginal Community Response and Recovery Fund. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Gabrielle Williams said the money was aimed at providing additional outreach support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula. The $10 million fund was set up to support Aboriginal groups respond to the coronavirus pandemic, including emergency relief, outreach and brokerage, social and wellbeing initiatives. “Victoria’s Aboriginal community hold the knowledge and expertise about what is best for themselves, their families…
OUR Lady of Fatima years 1 and 2 students planted poppies in the school garden last week as part of their Remembrance Day celebrations. The day will be commemorated across Australia tomorrow (Wednesday) 11 November. They made their own dyes by soaking old marker pens in hot water as part of their Sustainability Studies and painted their own poppies. Teacher Amanda Heggen said the students learned that red poppies are to respect the men and women who died at war, while purple poppies help us remember the animals which helped us in war time. Yellow is the colour of hope…
THE Supreme Court and the High Court last week ruled against lockdown-related cases mounted separately by two Mornington Peninsula restaurant owners. Michelle Loielo may be facing the state government’s legal costs after her failed bid to persuade the Supreme Court that the curfew was unreasonable, disproportionate and violated the human rights of millions of Victorians. Ms Loielo, who runs Unica Cucina E Caffe in Capel Sound, has said that the loss of revenue from the business could lead to the loss of her home. Ms Loielo, of Frankston South, previously told The News that she would seek Liberal party endorsement…
THERE will be eight new faces among Mornington Peninsula’s Shire’s 11 councillors when they are sworn in on Monday 16 November. Six of the councillors are women, the reverse of the previous council which had six men and five women. Ten of the councillors elected from 43 candidates in this month’s postal poll attended last Friday’s election declaration ceremony at the Peninsula Community Theatre, Mornington. With the winning candidates at the theatre separated by a suitable social distance, the chair allocated for Watson Ward winner Paul Mercurio remained vacant. Other new councillors and their wards are: Briars: Steve Holland, Despi…
THE 2020 Food For All Christmas Appeal has raised $2087. Donations were received from community groups and Hillview Quarries. Coordinator Di Falconer (pictured with Brian Allen) said the money raised by the annual appeal provided needy families with Christmas hampers and children’s toys. It would also go towards the weekly emergency food-aid plan. First published in the Mornington News – 10 November 2020
EXPERTS believe Mount Martha may have been the landing place of an invasive marine pest. A photograph of what is suspected as being an Asian shore crab has sparked a request from Agriculture Victoria for beachgoers to be on the lookout. Originally from waters around Japan, Russia, North China and Korea, the Asian shore crab is not known to be established in Australia, but it has the potential to become a major pest. Agriculture Victoria’s principal officer invasive marine species Dr Richard Stafford-Bell said Asian shore crabs could spread rapidly and consume and outcompete native species, including scallops, mussels and…
THE CSIRO is partnering in the development of a smart collar to keep track of pets. Data61, the digital specialist arm of the national science agency, is working with agtech company Ceres Tag, to develop the collar that uses Bluetooth and satellite communications to keep tabs of an animal’s movements in real-time. Updates are sent to the owner’s phone via an app whenever their pet wanders outside of an established boundary. The other approach to tracking pets now on the market is a GPS-based tracker that requires a mobile plan. These devices are often expensive, rely on cellular coverage which…
FORMER national gymnast Kristen Wright is the first scuba diving instructor to compete in Miss World Australia beauty pageant. Ms Wright, of Mornington, is holding a virtual scuba diving seminar tomorrow (Wednesday 11 November) to raise money for the children’s charity Variety. She says her work with charitable organisations has led her to be passionate about community involvement and volunteer work. A biomedical science student, she wants a career in paediatric speech pathology to help children develop their speech after cleft palate surgery. Raising money during the pandemic has been difficult, but Ms Wright hopes tomorrow’s virtual seminar will give…
EAGER foreshore campers got a shock last week when Mornington Peninsula Shire pulled the pin on this year’s holidays. The shire emailed those with bookings at its Rosebud, Rye and Sorrento campgrounds on Wednesday night (4 November) notifying them of its decision to postpone camping until February. The 1136 campsites were expected to be available from the last weekend of October, in time for the Melbourne Cup weekend, until April. But a council risk assessment concluded it could not safely go ahead. Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker said the postponement was the “right decision with restrictions still in place…