Author: Liz Bell

ATTEMPTING 50 kilometres a day for 50 days is a challenge that would make even the bravest of runners hesitate, but for Somerville man Connor Scott it was a mission with a purpose. Scott took on the challenge to raise money for Mornington charity Speak & Share because he backs what the charity does for young people. “I wanted to be able to help challenge the stigmas of mental illness and help this charity work on proactive responses,” he said. From 15 October to 3 December, no matter the weather or the pain level, Scott donned his running shoes and…

A CAMPAIGN to reduce single-use coffee cups on the Mornington Peninsula is gathering momentum, with some local cafes taking up the challenge and spreading the word. A first for Victoria, the peninsula’s Plastic Free Places campaign is launching a reuse revolution at Commonfolk Coffee and HomeGround in Mornington, culminating in BYO Cup Day on 8 and 9 December. The program is being paid for by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and delivered by the Boomerang Alliance, which represents 55 allies across Australia to tackle waste and litter. Birte Moliere, the alliance’s Plastic Free Places facilitator, said the community was being invited…

A YOUNG male kangaroo has been saved from a tragic end after being trapped for three days on a Balnarring property and harassed by dogs. The kangaroo was relentlessly pursued by neighbouring dogs, leading to a painful encounter with a fence and visible injuries. A rescue team from Vets For Compassion was able to sedate the terrified animal, after it was seen hiding in a secluded corner of a paddock. VFC vet and founder Elaine Ong examined the kangaroo, whose injuries included scratches on his legs and a small patch of missing fur on his shoulder. Fortunately, there were no…

RESIDENTS of the recently named Koonya Grassy Bowl area in Blairgowrie want closer supervision of volunteers in environmental programs, after vegetation was mistakenly ripped out in front of homes. The work was carried out by volunteer members of the Blairgowrie Friends of Mornington Peninsula National Park group under a grants program to remove invasive weeds such polygala in the Koonya Grassy Bowl and restore native vegetation along Koonya beach (Helping at the grassy bowl, The News 14/11/23). Despite a spokesperson from Parks Victoria last week stating the work took place on public land to “protect and enhance the natural values”…

A FORMER Mornington Secondary College student has blamed vaping for an extreme allergic reaction that led to medical treatment. Now in his 20s and a cigarette smoker, he had turned to flavoured, over the counter vapes in an effort to quit, but believes he ended up suffering an allergic reaction from unknown chemicals contained in the product. His skin began itching and his lips “blew up” to three or four times their size within hours of vaping, he told The News. “It was pretty scary, I wasn’t sure what was going on but I know that an anaphylactic response can…

THE paid parking trial that started last Friday at three foreshore parking areas is continuing to draw criticism from ratepayers and visitors to the Mornington Peninsula. Timed and paid parking is already implemented by all councils across Melbourne’s waterfront areas, but the change is proving a hard pill to swallow for peninsula beach users accustomed to free, all-day parking. The trial was labelled a “fiasco” at Flinders before it started and Mornington’s Schnapper Point car park is also proving problematic where Snapper Point Angling Club members and other boaties rely on easy access to car and trailer parking spots and…

AN exhibition at Baluk Arts, Mount Eliza will feature work by First Nations artist from Waradjuri country, Uncle Kevin Williams. The exhibition, Totems of the Waradjuri, will open from 6pm on Thursday 7 December and will run until the end of January. The gallery’s Bronwyn Smart said the artist was a descendant of the Waradjuri people, born in Narrandera, New South Wales, and now resided south of the Murray River. “As a young boy he learnt how to make boomerangs from his father and grandfather and he learnt how to paint from watching his mother in action,” she said. “What…

THE rich history of the Mornington Peninsula has captivated the imaginations of many of those who have delved, but it’s also behind a new wave of history-based tourism. The interest in the peninsula’s past adds another feather to its cap, joining the beaches and the rolling verdant pastures as a reason to visit. History teacher and Eerie Tours proprietor Nathaniel Buchanan said his passion for history led him to the quarantine station at Point Nepean. “When I learned all about the history of the quarantine station I was amazed – it’s got a colourful, tragic and interesting past that many…

THERE is plenty of evidence, documented and anecdotal, that community gardens are beneficial to the environment, to the health and wellbeing of users, and can help reduce the impact of high cost of groceries while providing nutritious food. So, it’s no surprise that community gardens are increasing on the Mornington Peninsula, with a new one popping up in Balnarring and many established ones dotted around the peninsula. The Coolart Community Garden is now up and running in the space of a former herb garden, which was the original Luxton family’s vegetable garden that was overhauled in the mid-1980s. Spokesperson Julie…

MORNINGTON Peninsula four-piece indie rock band Teenage Dads has been jettisoned into the music media spotlight after winning the Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist ARIA award last Wednesday. Teenage Dads was formed by self-taught musicians Jordan Finlay and Connor McLaughlin in Mount Eliza in 2015, with Angus Christie and Vincent Kinna joining the band later. They have been playing locally and toured Europe and America but have not yet hit the heights of commercial success. All that is set to change, with the band now recognised by one of the most prestigious industry awards for up-and-coming bands. Angus Christie’s father Greg…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is reconsidering its mechanical beach cleaning practices after doubts were raised about the effectiveness of the process. Rye-based environmental advocate and former Citizen of the Year Josie Jones said mechanical beach cleaning was creating more macro plastics on the beach and causing serious pollution issues. Jones has produced a report after spending months researching and collecting plastic waste from Safety Beach and Capel Sound to prove that mechanical beach cleaning does not remove all of the waste but shatters it into smaller pieces that get buried in the sand. “I have doubted the effectiveness of the…

WILDLIFE groups have welcomed a proposal to remove kangaroos on the Mornington Peninsula from the commercial kangaroo harvest scheme. If adopted, the changes will come into effect in 2025 and last until 2028. However, property owners will still be able to apply for permit to “control wildlife”. Public comments can be made about the Victorian Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan 2024-2028 until Monday 4 December. The Save Kangaroos on the Mornington Peninsula (SKOMP) group hailed the peninsula kangaroo’s removal from the plan as “great news”. Kangaroos are the peninsula currently included in the Gippsland harvesting zone, which wildlife advocates say distorts…

TWO people, including MasterChef TV cameraman James Rose, were still missing (Monday) after a mid-air collision over Port Phillip between ex-military planes on Sunday off Mount Martha. The two-seater aircraft were reported to be conducting a formation flight over the bay when they collided. One plane plunged into the water while the second, also with two people on board, flew back to Essendon Airport. Family members of the two men in the missing aircraft waited at Mount Martha Life Saving Club Sunday night as a search and rescue mission continued about 11 kilometres offshore. It is believed the Viper S-211…

A MERGER between two drug and alcohol recovery services will combat drug and alcohol overdose deaths on the Mornington Peninsula, which are climbing back towards pre-pandemic levels. Windana drug and alcohol recovery service is merging with TaskForce Community Agency, a not-for-profit with a focus on drug and alcohol misuse, youth and family services, education and employment. Data released last Thursday (9 November) by the Victorian Coroners Court shows overdose deaths in the past decade are back to alarming levels, with 21 on the peninsula in 2013 before dropping to nine in 2019 and climbing back to 15 in 2022. In…

THE start of the much-hyped container deposit scheme on 1 November has highlighted flaws in the program and drawn criticism from environment groups and the state opposition. The state government financed scheme provides a 10-cent refund for returned eligible cans, cartons and bottles, and has been promoted as an important component of the recycling system and a way to cut litter. But by the second day of the trial, some container bins on the Mornington Peninsula were too full to receive any more due to members of the public loading them up with cans they had been saving. There have…

A SPATE of animal deaths on Mornington Peninsula roads over spring has led to renewed calls for more effective strategies to slow drivers down and keep wildlife off roads. The Save Kangaroos on the Mornington Peninsula group (SKOMP) wants Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to lobby the state government and private road operator Peninsula Link to make roads safer for wildlife and drivers. Cr David Gill said exclusion fencing, wildlife corridors and more 40-kilometre speeds limits in high accident areas could save lives. “Unfortunately, the Department of Transport and private road operators don’t have policies to protect wildlife,” he said. “Unless…

DOG owners are again being reminded of the need to keep their pets on leashes or under control in public areas after a tragic end for a kangaroo thought to have been chased into the water at Dromana. Wildlife rescuers, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council rangers and police were called to the beach at Dromana beach on Thursday (9 November) morning, when a kangaroo was seen lying on the sand, drenched and clearly unwell. The area was cordoned off to give the kangaroo time to recover and stop it from jumping out onto Point Nepean Road until vets could arrive to…

VOLUNTEERS from Sunshine Reserve conservation group and Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group have been spreading the word about the need to control weeds. The groups set up a Saturday morning stall at Mount Martha shops to show what weeds can look like and talk to passersby about the dangers they pose to the peninsula’s bushland areas. With an estimated 30 per cent of the Mornington Peninsula’s indigenous vegetation remaining, privately owned bushland, national parks and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council-owned parks and reserves are vital to the survival of native flora and fauna. One wildlife corridor is Sunshine Reserve in Mount Martha,…

RSPCA Victoria has announced its Mornington Peninsula vet clinic is operating at “full capacity” after expanding its Pearcedale site. The clinic has a team of veterinarians, of which four out of five live on the peninsula, including Dr Victoria Collins, a vet for the past seven years. Collins said she relished the variety in her work as an RSPCA veterinarian, and while she enjoyed working with all species, including “pocket pets” like rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice and ferrets, she tried to avoid snakes as much as possible. “I love seeing the positive impact we make on the lives of…

CONCERN over a parcel of Crown land being allegedly incorporated into a privately-owned beachside block in Mount Martha has prompted Mornington MP Chris Crewther to ask for state government intervention. Crewther, who is acting on complaints from a neighbour, said he believed the issue of land encroachment could set a precedent and was potentially causing a financial loss to Mornington Peninsula Shire ratepayers. The case involves the owner of a house on the Esplanade who has added three stone retaining walls, a stone letter box, stone edging, landscaping and an extensive paved area for parking to 277 square metres of…

NOBODY was more surprised and elated than 36-year-old Gemma Maini from Mount Eliza when she was the first woman runner to cross the line in the Melbourne Marathon on 15 October. Not only was Maini a new mum, having given birth to son Ollie less than 12 months ago, but it was her first official marathon. The coach and secondary teacher, who has determination, good training practices, and a naturally athletic stamina on her side, beat the competition by close to five minutes. “I’m still pinching myself; it was an amazing race; a big challenge but an amazing experience,” she…

But the force will be with you – on patrol COUNTER hours at police stations in Mornington and Hastings will be reduced due to statewide staff shortages and a plan to “focus on the frontline”. In a move announced late on Friday 3 November, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner regional operations Neil Paterson said Victoria Police would temporarily reduce reception counter hours at 43 stations across the state. Counter hours at Mornington will be reduced from 24 hours to 16 from Sunday to Wednesday and remain 24 hours the rest of the week. At Hastings, a 24-hour manned station, counter hours…

HE may only be seven, but Taj McCallum has a wise outlook when it comes to his number one passion – fishing. The primary school fishing fanatic has been taking to the rod for as long as he could walk, and dad Michael couldn’t be prouder. Not only is the youngster dedicated to being the best, but he is also passionate about sustainability of the sport he loves and making sure people understand responsible fishing. Michael McCallum says his son’s enthusiasm for fishing is matched by his love and health of the water. “His passion is fishing, being with his…

MORNINGTON residents who fear the popular Beleura cliff path may never open again are urging the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to intensify its pressure on the state government for money to repair the path. Friends of Beleura Cliff Path spokesperson Peter Nicholson said the $1.5 million needed to restore the cliff path after landslips means there was a “50/50” chance it will never be done without government help. “The shire needs to do a lot more than it is doing now if the path is to be re-opened. And to strengthen their backbone, we need to lobby them strongly, efficiently…

THE “witch of Rye” returns this Halloween to haunt the streets for a spectacular 10th Halloween celebration. Karren Fleming, of Rye, transforms into a fan-favourite witch to bring Halloween magic to the southern peninsula, in readiness for the Tuesday 31 October’s trick or treating. District nurse Fleming, a mother of four and grandparent to 12 grandchildren, has been weaving her magic as the witch of Rye for 10 years. With a background in the local theatre scene and a love for portraying the witch character in the renowned Wicked musical, Fleming has become a beloved icon in the community. Last…

ROSEBUD based charity Clothes4U is taking the stress out of looking professional on a budget, providing students and people looking for work with quality clothes at low or no cost. Prices are low, but quality is not. There are suits, race day wear and hats, dresses, designer brands and clothes for most occasions. Charity president Tina Donahue said buying new clothes that were suitable for employment situations was sometimes out of reach for students or people looking to join the workforce. Donahue said clients who come to Clothes4U were given a one-on-one consultation, taking into account their body shape, likes…

AT least seven businesses affected by a fierce blaze in Main Street, Mornington have been forced to close temporarily after a building was severely damaged and deemed in danger of collapse. Emergency services evacuated patrons on Friday night as the fire took hold in the newly opened Colt Dining at 9a Main Street. The blaze could be seen from across the bay, as flames leapt from the building and smoke blanketed the beach and the end of Main Street. Fire Rescue Victoria, assisted by several CFA units, was called to the fire at 8.43pm, arriving to find the entire second…

THE Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation group is preparing for the 2024 stage of its biolink project and is keen to hear from landholders from Cerberus to Tyabb who would like to take part. The project, now in its fourth year, aims to help the peninsula’s koalas by strengthening existing indigenous vegetation in the region. So far, the group has planted more than 70,000 plants, with 25,000 planned for 2024. President Dirk Jansen said the main reason for the decline in koala numbers on the peninsula was the loss of indigenous vegetation, and one of the keys to improving that was…

A MOOROODUC land owner living in green wedge zoning is calling for stronger enforcement of protections following the allegedly illegal development of a neighbouring property. The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council acknowledged it is looking into the alleged non-compliance of use and development of the land at a property in Males Road, but was unable to comment because the investigation is underway. Moorooduc resident Susan Bell accused the council of being a “toothless tiger” after being told by the council it was “working with” the neighbouring land owner and it could take 12 months to resolve. Bell said she believed the…

FIVE councillors and 99 objectors have failed to convince Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to reject a planning application to erect a temporary religious marquee on green wedge land in Pearcedale. In a close vote at last Tuesday’s (17 October) meeting, six of the 11 councillors agreed with principal planner Ersi Ni’s recommendation to allow the remedial Hindu pooja ceremony to purify the land at 1915 Hastings-Dandenong Road, where the applicants want to build the largest Hindu temple in Australia. That separate planning application is due to be heard at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in February. Nine objectors to…