PELICANS always seem to attract attention. They waddle along beaches, gracefully paddle in the water and fly overhead following the thermals. But while they appear to be common, especially when looking for scraps around piers and jetties, pelican numbers are declining.The Westernport Pelican Study Group reports that just two of a previously known 10 Victorian breeding sites remain.A breeding site on French Island “went extinct” in 2001, according to the group, and pelican numbers in Western Port have been declining ever since.Study group members look for and photograph banded pelicans and have also appealed for members of the public to…
Author: mpnews
POLICE investigating a series of copper thefts from Mornington Peninsula sports clubs are urging anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers.Football clubs at Balnarring, Hastings and South Mornington have been hit in recent months, with some hit more than once as thieves target copper wires and copper water pumps.Two weeks ago, Hastings Tennis Club was hit for the second time, with thieves taking copper from three lights poles.Coach Reece Driscoll said it was a sad blow to the club and the community. “It’s terrible that community clubs are being targeted like this, it’s costly, and for us it means we can’t…
WORK is continuing at Rye pier as designs are underway for the new jetty at Mornington and Dromana pier. The state government said the three projects are part of its plan “to make popular piers and jetties safer and stronger across the state”.“We know ports and piers are places where families and friends come together to enjoy the best of what bayside communities have to offer and we’re making sure these landmarks can be enjoyed for years to come,” Ports and Freight Minister Melissa Horne said. “Designs are underway for not one, but three new piers and jetties in Port…
Development levy would only add to housing costs Mornington Peninsula Shire’s proposed building development levy of 3.3 per cent should not be introduced (Views sought on 3.3% development levy, The News 23/4/24). Rental housing or assistance with housing is not a council responsibility. Social housing is a state government and federal government responsibility. The federal government already provides rent assistance for low-income renters.The need for accommodation is common across the country and has largely been created by federal govt immigration policies – it is the responsibility of government to fix. A council impost of a development levy would add to…
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughA SMOKE social was held on Tuesday evening last, in the Frankston Mechanics’ Institute, at which a large section of the residents of Frankston and representatives of the travelling public were present, not withstanding the wet state of the weather, to bid farewell to Constable and Mrs Graham, he having being transferred to Goornong after a residence here of two years.Cr. Oates occupied the chair. After the usual loyal toast had been sung, Mr. Dodd gave a recitative song, which was well received, and for encore gave a humorous description of Frankston and its environs.Mr. R. Tait…
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a two-vehicle collision in Tuerong last night. It is believed the driver of a Mazda hatchback was travelling along the Mornington Peninsula Freeway when they collided with another vehicle on the Nepean Highway about 9pm. The driver of the Mazda hatchback, a 33-year-old Mt Waverley woman, sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to hospital for treatment. Her passenger, 27-year-old Bundoora man, also sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. The driver of the Toyota Camry, 37-year-old Oakleigh South man, sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital for observation. His…
THE Master Chefs of Portsea Sorrento event returns to The Portsea Camp on Sunday 26 May to raise money to support Victorian children experiencing social and economic disadvantage.The event is always day of gourmet delights, Mornington Peninsula wines and celebrity guests. There will be culinary creations from The Continental Sorrento’s executive chef Julian Robert Shaw, Itali.co Sorrento, Sardo Private, The Koonya Hotel, Pompette and Le Capucin of Portsea, and deserts by Mubble, paired with Sorrento Moon and Portsea Sun Limoncello from host winery Rahona Valley.Marita Fayle, of The Portsea Camp, said the camp was thrilled to be joined by Cath…
YOUNG environmental warriors from Rye Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary, Sorrento had the opportunity to learn about biodiversity and environmental protection under the tutelage of Mornington Peninsula ecologist Gidja Walker OAM. More than 60 children across three sessions attended the walk and talk about the formation of the bay, and the geology of the area and how that influenced vegetation that grows there.The Rye school’s principal Lachlan Featherstone said it had been inspiring to see the children listen intensely to what Walker was saying and ask pertinent questions. “They have certainly learnt a lot from this session”, he said.…
RSPCA Victoria inspectors will join pet owners at the Mornington Peninsula Million Paws Walk in Hastings on Sunday 26 May.Last year, 808 walkers and 518 dogs took part in the peninsula walk, raising more than $24,200 to help the RSPCA end cruelty to animals.Each year the organisation investigates more than 3000 animal cruelty reports across the south east region, with 508 animals being seized or surrendered to inspectors. Peninsula-based senior inspector Maree Crabtree said there would be several inspectors on the walk available to speak to residents and answer questions. “If you are wanting to know what a day in…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Koala Conservation Group volunteers dug into the season’s tree planting program on Friday (3 May).The tree planting day in Balnarring also marked Wild Koala Day with animal enthusiasts and conservationists from around the world raising awareness of the pressures on koala habitat and health.The volunteer peninsula koala group is dedicated to increasing the tree canopy on the peninsula and protecting koalas and other wildlife. First published in the Mornington News – 7th May 2024
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughWITH the passing of the old Bay View Hotel, Frankston, another connecting link of the past will have ceased to exist.However, time and progress insist upon these changes if one would keep abreast of the times, and the new proprietor of the Bay View Hotel, Mrs. McCarthy, evidently belongs to the more modern school, and, in addition, has great faith in the future of Frankston, in as much as she is prepared to spend over £10,000 in the erection and equipment of a really first-class, up-to-date hotel, in place of the old one, that has more than…
False claims of unanimous vote for Harry Potter It’s been a long time coming, but after receiving external advice on my obligations under the Local Government Act, I am now able to disclose that I did not vote in support of the resolution on 22 August 2023 [to allow the Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience to be staged in the wildlife sanctuary at The Briars, Mount Martha].My vote was not a result of exceptional foresight or a comprehensive understanding of the issues that have since come to light. Instead, it reflected my consistent stance on various matters – a…
MORNINGTON Peninsula karate champion Ally Lourensz is celebrating with coach Peter Hollowood her recent success as the Oceania Senior Champion in the under 55 kilogram division.Lourensz, pictured, of Mount Eliza, emerged victorious in her kumite (sparring) category at the prestigious Oceania Karate Championships held in Sydney on 26 April. Competing against opponents from across Oceania, the 18-year-old demonstrated great technique and skill.Hollowood, of Peter Hollowood Martial Arts, Mornington said Lourensz was a hard worker who was loyal to her sport.“Her dedication to her craft and her commitment to improving her skills is admirable,” he said. “She is setting a great…
Mornington will be the starting point for a Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride on Sunday 19 May, an annual international charity event celebrating classic and vintage styles motorcycles and the dapper gentlefolk that ride them. The ride is a visual spectacle as finely dressed men and women from the Mornington Peninsula ride their classic machinery from Mornington to St Andrews to raise awareness and money for prostate cancer research and men’s health, all under the auspices of the Movember Foundation.Riders are encouraged to wear “classic” clothes, and bikes are a mix of classic cruisers, modern classics, sidecars, old-school choppers and more. “Given…
ARTIST Ian Hay has won the 2024 Rick Amor Drawing Award. The awards are presented annually by the McClelland Gallery in Langwarrin. The winning piece will now be submitted into its collection. More than 150 people applied for the award. Ian Hay was announced the winner last week.Award judge Nick Mourtzakis said Hay’s drawing, titled …and somewhere else tomorrow “compresses and measures its forms in quanta of square millimetres with a beautiful precision. The work is fraught with speculative and possible resolutions and seems to develop in an entirely improvised way toward an inevitable conclusion.”“While representing diverse and varied approaches,…
IT’S okay not to be okay will hold a free mental health workshop on Saturday 4 May 1.30pm-4.30pm at The Bays Hospital, Mornington in the ground floor rooms of Dr Ford and Dr Fiske.The workshop is designed to help parents of newborn babies.Bookings: bodybumpfitness@gmail.com, instagram.com/twobaystherapy or call 0438 647 649. First published in the Mornington News – 30th April 2024
WILDLIFE Victoria has issued a warning about the dangers caused by discarded fishing line.The warning followed the discovery of a young grey-headed flying fox that was unable to fly because of injuries from being entangled in fishing line. Grey-headed flying foxes are a threatened species in Victoria.“The fishing line and hooks had done too much damage to both wings that the only option was to humanely euthanise the animal.” Wildlife Victoria CEO Lisa Palma said. “The wing membrane of the grey-headed flying fox consists of a complex network of veins, blood vessels, muscles and nerves. While it is possible for…
Call to remove ‘forever chemicals’ from water A coalition of more than 50 academics, experts, and concerned citizens have signed Clean Ocean Foundation’s open letter to federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek about PFAS contamination, which is of fundamental importance to Australia’s environment. The letter calls on Plibersek to take a bold leadership stance in relation to water recycling in Australia.The signatories understand that, done well, recycling water to produce purified recycled water can help provide water security, reduce ocean and riverine pollution and reduce energy use. They include Australian Water Association (AWA) Professional of the year 2022 Adjunct Professor Ian…
THE fire danger period will officially finish at 1am on Wednesday 1 May for Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.CFA Deputy Chief Officer South East Trevor Owen said all landowners could burn off without a CFA permit once the fire danger ended but needed to be mindful of applicable municipal regulations.“Registering your burn-off ensures that if smoke or fire is reported, the incident is cross-checked with our register, which prevents firefighters from unnecessarily responding and allows Triple Zero call takers to focus their efforts on emergency calls,” Owen said. First published in the Mornington News – 30th April 2024
SCIENTIST Hans Brunner, who helped exonerate Lindy Chamberlain, died last week on Thursday, 25 April.A large portrait, that he has referred to as representing “the other me”, has been entered in this year’s Archibald Portrait Competition.The 95-year-old sat for the portrait for Frankston South artist Lulu Clifton-Evans in a project she said was designed to portray his significant contribution to Australian culture, science and yodelling.Brunner and Clifton-Evans met with the now Chamberlain-Creighton in a Melbourne hotel last October to show her the portrait of Brunner with a microscope and his book on animal hair analysis that was written years before…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough A SHOCKING fatality occurred at the railway crossing, between Baxter and Somerville, on Monday night, when Mr. Alfred Field, 45, market gardener, of Mornington, was killed, and Mr. John Twyford, 60, an orchardist, of Somerville, was seriously injured in a collision between a goods train and a motor truck, in which they were travelling to the Melbourne market.It appears that Field, who owns the motor truck, had been engaged by Twyford to convey a consignment of apples to Melbourne, ready for Tuesday’s market.The engine, which it is said was travelling tender first, struck the motor truck…
PEARCEDALE artist Merran Berry has joined the Peninsula Studio Trail, which sees artists open their studios to the public next month.Berry, of Favourite Hill Road, also creates sculpture from recycled items and likes to talk about connections between life and art while working in her Potato Shed gallery.Just down the same road is Janice Mills, another artist planning to open her workspace and welcome visitors to the peninsula trail.Visitors to the artists on the trail are invited to have a behind-the-scenes view of works in progress and ask questions about the creation of the works. Artists work in varied mediums,…
DUCKS left injured by shooters can receive veterinary care through Wildlife Victoria. The wildlife rescue organisation will deploy veterinary triage units statewide this duck hunting season to care for ducks left hurt by hunters.Wildlife Victoria CEO Lisa Palma has slammed the state government for failing to ban duck hunting in the wake of a parliamentary inquiry into recreational native bird hunting. She says the lack of action will leave other animals at risk during duck hunting season. “We were incredibly disappointed in the government’s decision, especially considering the recommendations from the committee and the resounding call from Victorians supporting a…
MOVES are being made to protect one of Somerville’s few remaining historic treasures, Seaton Carew House, from development.Hastings MP Paul Mercurio has been urged to join the community push to retain the privately-owned house for community use.Seaton Carew House was built in 1905. Someville resident Phillip Ross said the 0.58 (1.42 acres) of land “could be developed into a wonderful park and the house could have endless uses for the community”. The property, at 10 Graf Road, is for sale for $1,795,000, and is described as being “ripe for renovation” to bring back its original glory, or for subdivision. The…
By Captain Diana Jennings FROM the Mornington Peninsula to the shores of Gallipoli, Able Seaman Musician Laura Campbell, right, will represent the ADF at the 2024 Anzac Day dawn service at Anzac Cove, Turkey.“Growing up I usually made Anzac biscuits and attended the services at school,” she said. “I remember trying to imagine what the war would have looked and felt like while the bugle call was played.”The bugle call will certainly hit closer to home this year, as she stands on hallowed ground to perform and represent a nation as part of the Royal Australian Navy Band at Anzac…
GEORGE MORBY INGRAM was born in Bendigo in 1889, but lived much of his life in Hastings. He died in 1961 and is buried in Frankston cemetery.On 4 October 1918, the 24th Battalion took part in the attack that captured the Beaurevoir sector in France, and was, therefore, expecting to have a rest the following day when the unit was unexpectedly ordered to take part in another attack. The assault was to starts at 6.05am from the village of Remicourt, and lead to the capture of Montbrehain by the 21st and 24th Battalions with tanks to provide support. The action…
Shire should disclose answers to Potter questions Mornington Peninsula Shire’s transparency surrounding Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience at The Briars has again come under scrutiny, and so it should (Events denied sanctuary at The Briars, The News 16/4/24).Heavily redacted minutes have been added to the shire’s website. Councillors who vote one way or another should not be redacted from the minutes, and they must have the courage of their convictions made known.The website also fails to publish the cost to the shire – us the ratepayers – so what is the use of an expensive website that provides no…
AUSTRIAN composer Franz Schubert died at the age of 31 at a time when he should have been at his most productive. He left a symphony incomplete, his famous Unfinished Symphony in B Minor. Schubert was, however, best known for his songs (lieder) and chamber music of which he left the world a treasure trove of work.Somers Chamber Music Society will celebrate the composer’s work with a concert at St John’s Anglican Church, King Street, Flinders on the afternoon of Sunday 5 May. The society’s Homage to Franz Schubert concert features Susan Pierotti, violin, Zoe Knighton, cello and Brian Chapman,…
HASTINGS not-for-profit Kindred Clubhouse has launched a new project to increase mental health awareness and care in the community, while raising money for peer support and homelessness.Kindred Clubhouse offers a free peer support model in the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula areas for people wanting to improve or maintain their mental health through friendships and purpose.Its new project, the Welcome Project, is giving the community a chance to get involved by decorating a sign and entering it in the clubhouse competition.Signs can be collected from Wednesdays to Fridays at 29 Marine Parade, Hastings between 10am and 3pm for donations of $5…
FLINDERS CFA is recruiting new members. The brigade, which started in 1945 as the South East Bushfire Brigade in an old shed in Flinders Park, was incorporated in the Country Fire Authority in 1945, moving to Barker Street in 1981, where a new fire station was built in 2017.Flinders is one of the CFA’s 1222 brigades and has 23 members including five women. The brigade trains or meets three times a month and responds to about 30 calls a year, mostly during the December to March bushfire season. It also attends major fires throughout Victoria and interstate.For more details about…