Author: Liz Bell

LOCAL laws officers have started patrols at Shoreham Foreshore one week after the death a wallaby joey at Shoreham foreshore whose mother was apparently chased by dogs on Sunday 3 September. The death prompted an outcry from residents and the Shoreham Foreshore Reserve Committee, which is calling for greater awareness of the risk unleashed dogs pose to wildlife. The dead joey was found in the foreshore reserve on the Monday morning, following an incident on Sunday night in which it is believed barking dogs chased the mother and caused it to eject or lose her joey. Management committee chair Toby…

WARNINGS to use only wildlife-friendly baits for rats and mice have been issued after at least six birds of prey, including tawny frogmouths, owls and goshawks have been found dead on the southern Mornington Peninsula. The birds did not show any signs of injury and all except one were dead when discovered. Peninsula marine advocate and researcher Kent Stannard said birds of prey dying from baits was a long-standing issue in the area, but mainly on the back beach and national park. Stannard said he recently found several dead birds near the Whitecliffs foreshore camping ground and suspected they may…

WELFARE services say it is “time to act” on homelessness, with the Peninsula Voice adding its views with a report “Working together on the homelessness crisis on the Mornington Peninsula”. Peninsula Voice president Peter Orton said the community had “watched the growing homelessness crisis on the Mornington Peninsula damage lives”. “It’s a complex issue, so it’s vital that our community understands the drivers behind this crisis and how broadly it impacts us, so we can work together on local solutions,” he said. Orton said that to support the issued, Peninsula Voice had held three events aimed at taking a “deeper…

ORGANISERS of a walk for the Voice to Parliament are inviting people to join the event to support the Yes vote and learn about the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart. One of the volunteers, Madeleine Machin, said the walk organised by the Mornington Peninsula Yes 23 campaign would show participants’ “solidarity” and support for the Voice to Parliament. The walk will be on 17 September starting at Safety Beach foreshore, opposite Prescott Avenue, at 1pm. Machin said there would be shorter walks at various points, including Dromana (2pm), Anthony’s Nose ( 2.30pm) and McCrae (3pm). The walk will finish…

HAVING a new baby is supposed to be one of the most joyous times of a mother’s life, but for 29-year-old Taylor Johnston it was marred by a diagnosis of terminal cancer. Just one week after giving birth to her daughter Billie earlier this year, Johnston, of Rye, was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer and now faces an uncertain future and the trauma of having to spend time apart from her baby for treatment. Her husband Jesse, a senior footballer at Rye Football Netball Club, said the family was trying to stay positive, which had been helped by community support.…

THE volunteer-run Mornington Tourist Railway has been given three carriages from Vline and is looking for suggestions about how to best use them. Owen Paden said the 22.86 metres long carriages, known as the N set, included an economy seating carriage (BN) with 88 seats, an economy class carriage (BRN) with a buffet seating 67 passengers, and first-class carriage (CAN) with a guard compartment seating 52 passengers. Paden said the carriages were originally broken down into classes, but all seats were now considered “premium class”. “These N set carriages began operation on 5 October 1981 and were built at the…

A FISHING competition in honour of Jamerson Ross, who died on 8 October last year in a hit-and-run incident in Hastings, will be held from the 6 to 8 October in conjunction with the Western Port Angling Club. Jamerson (known as Jammo) was a 23-year-old working in the marine electrical business Australian Integrated Marine when he died. His mother Chantelle Ross said her son was a hard-working young man who also worked on weekends to save money. When not working hard was outdoors following his passion for fishing. Jamerson had extensive fishing knowledge and experience in running and competing in…

SHIREEN Hammond says her life went to the dogs, literally, following a breast cancer diagnosis around nine years ago, months of chemotherapy and seemingly endless hospital visits. The award-winning photographer from Tootgarook was known for capturing the emotion and beauty of families and weddings but was forced to consider another way to continue her artistry, and dogs were it. “When I came out of hospital in 2015, I needed a project to heal as I had no strength and couldn’t shoot my 30 weddings that year at eight to 12 hours a shoot,” she said. “Our beautiful border collie Mariah…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has strengthened its stand against the commercial harvesting of kangaroos on the peninsula. At the 8 August council meeting councillors agreed to write to the state government to demand the banning of commercial kangaroo harvesting on the peninsula “by using the background information supplied to alert our community of the issues and to further inform the state government of the urgent need to protect the viability of kangaroos on the peninsula”. Cr David Gill said there was an “urgent need to protect the viability of kangaroos on the peninsula”. Gill’s motion followed a council decision on…

STELLA Mars has conquered many difficulties in her short life, not the least being literacy and academic mastery that’s not always associated with people living with autism or ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). A finalist for this year’s Mornington Peninsula Mayor’s Short Story Writing Award in the eight to 12 years old category, the Mount Eliza girl has shown that she has a strong driving force determination to succeed. The nine-year-old already considers herself a professional creative who knows where her talents lie and the obstacles she faces. “I really enjoyed writing my story and I am proud of it. It took…

WELFARE workers are calling for an end to the scapegoating of homeless people over thefts and anti-social behaviour on the Mornington Peninsula. The call follows an incident on Tuesday 22 August near the Rosebud foreshore, where a 36-year-old woman allegedly assaulted a police officer after she was seen throwing objects into traffic and behaving erratically on Point Nepean Road. The woman, from Dromana, allegedly spat at officers and was arrested at the scene. She was charged with assaulting police and remanded in custody to appear before Frankston Magistrates’ Court at a later date. CEO of the Mornington Community Support, Ben…

THREE sisters who founded the mental health charity It’s Okay, Not to Be Okay are encouraging people to get involved in next month’s Walk for Suicide Prevention. Social worker Georgia Hocking and her sisters Maddi and Hayleigh, who grew up in Somerville, lost their younger brother Ben, 22, to suicide in 2016. Their passion and mission since then has been to raise awareness of mental health and the importance of community support. Georgia said the family’s mission was to prevent suicide by destigmatising mental health and encouraging people to seek support. She says suicide has a devastating impact on families,…

SPORTSWOMAN, mother and company founder Donna Groves can add another feather to her cap when her first book Shine is released in October. Groves, who grew up in Western Sydney but now lives in Cape Schanck with her husband and their child, plays soccer in Mount Martha. She says one of her aims in writing her book was to help women find “self-love” and empower them. Groves says she experienced the trauma of a difficult childhood and a “disastrous” first marriage, only to find herself a single mother at 26 raising two children under five. After studying at night, and…

YOU can almost hear the excited chatter of children in the halls, smell the aromas of early Australian cooking, and sense the spiritual energy that has powered Mount Martha House for almost 200 years. Now home to the Martha House Community Centre, Mount Martha House is a Mornington Peninsula icon and landmark, perched on a grassy hill that was once part of the Martha sheep run and today is just steps from bustling Mount Martha village. The house’s many incarnations mean it holds an indelible place in the shire’s history, with strong connections to the area’s early inhabitants and a…

GET ready for a fashion twist that’s turning heads and tickling funny bones – meet “the wheelchair guy” from Capel Sound, who is trying to add a bit of levity to disability and give disabled people a way to connect with community. Daniel Laing, pictured, has designed a range of disability-friendly t-shirts that he hopes will help bridge the gap between able-bodied people and those with disabilities with a touch of humour. In Laing’s own words, his is not your “run-of-the-mill clothing gig – we’re here to prove that disability and style can have a hilarious, inclusive dance party”. “I’m…

FORMER Woodleigh School student Braeden Van de Beek has shown what rewards hard work and determination can bring, after making it to the International Brain Bee Neuroscience Challenge. Van de Beek participated in the competition – held virtually between 31 July and 5 August – after first winning the Victorian challenge followed by last year’s Australian challenge. He was one of 10 students representing the eight states and territories of Australia and both islands of New Zealand in the battle to find an Australian and a New Zealand Brain Bee Champion. The competitions aim to inspire students to pursue careers…

RESIDENTS involved in the Save Flinders Pier campaign have welcomed the planning being undertaken by Parks Victoria to restore the historic structure, despite the pier not being expected to fully open over summer. It is believed the Flinders Foreshore Precinct Conservation Management Plan needs to be reviewed and reworked to accommodate the pier’s restoration and reflect Heritage Victoria’s mandate to protect the state’s important heritage assets. Spokesman for the Save the Flinders Pier campaign, Charles Reis, said Parks Victoria had committed money for the pier’s safety works, but the complexity of the project required time and commitment. “While funding for…

TOURISM and business operators from the Mornington Peninsula got together at the “explore connections” event in Rye last Tuesday (8 August) to talk about tourism following one of the worst winters even seen on the peninsula. But the vibe was positive, and the focus was clearly on the future and shining the light on the many industry developments and opportunities in the region. Spokesperson for the not-for-profit Sorrento Beachside Tourism group Kera Zaltsberg said there was a lot of positive energy and sharing of “big plans” at the meeting for the southern peninsula. “Winter hasn’t been a great time for…

JACQUIE Beddows says her art has been a defining way to move forward in a positive direction. “It has enabled me to reconnect with my local community through setting up and facilitating Art for Wellness – a supportive and inclusive group for people suffering from communication issues due to stroke, Parkinson’s, acquired brain injury or Alzheimer’s,” she said. The Mornington Peninsula resident lives with significant brain injury due to an aneurysm, stroke and brain surgery. “I had to give up a career I really loved as a support worker with new mothers and pre-school children. I’ve tried to not let…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Waste Wise says the container deposit scheme to be introduced in November will be a game-changer in terms of reducing recyclable waste on the peninsula. Victoria’s container deposit scheme, CDS Vic, is expected to reduce the amount of recyclable litter that ends up on the streets and beaches. The scheme will reward Victorians with a 10-cent refund for every returned eligible can, carton and bottle. The scheme also provides charities, community groups, environmental organisations, sports groups and educational organisations with ways to raise money. Co-founder of Mornington Peninsula Waste Wise and national Boomerang Alliance spokesperson, Birte Moliere, said…

THE future of some Mornington Peninsula kindergartens is uncertain because Mornington Peninsula Shire cannot afford extensions needed to accommodate state government reforms. “We are committed to continue our long-standing partnership with the state government through planning for the needs of children and families in our municipality, but we cannot fund these necessary upgrades or continue to maintain these facilities on our own,” the mayor Cr Steve Holland said. “We are obligated to allocate funds in our budget equitably to benefit the whole community, including facilities for seniors, people experiencing vulnerability, young people, community groups, sporting groups and community support organisations.”…

WELFARE services, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and residents took to the streets of Rosebud on Friday for a walk and rally to call for an end to homelessness on the peninsula. The walk came as the peninsula’s only crisis accommodation looks set to close. The event was a collaboration between Fusion Mornington Peninsula, Mornington Community Support Centre, Western Port Community Support, Southern Peninsula Community Support and the shire. The walk started at 4pm at Rosebud pier and went along Pt Nepean Road and past Memorial Hall, to finally gather for a rally at the sound shell, where there was a…

MEMBERS of the veteran community came together with family and friends at Dromana Cemetery on Thursday (3 August) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. A vigil was held at the graveside of Michael Poole, of Dromana, one of 523 Australians who died in Vietnam between 1962 and 1973. Poole, who was killed by a landmine explosion in 1967, served with the fifth battalion. More than 3000 Australians were wounded in the 11-year conflict and the Dromana service was one of hundreds held around the country as communities reflected and paid tribute…

POLICE and the education department are investigating a series of intimidating incidents at Somerville McDonalds, following continued aggressive and disrespectful behaviour by school students. A hand-written sign banning Somerville Secondary College students from the store was removed on Friday, two days after it was placed there by a staff member attempting to protect his staff and customers. The McDonalds franchise was not aware of the sign or student ban at the Somerville store. Bad behaviour by groups of young people has been an ongoing issue at the fast-food restaurant, including the throwing of food, staff being abused and spat at,…

IT’S well known among equestrians that being around horses can have a therapeutic effect on mental health, but there are also a range of physical and social benefits that come with riding these beautiful animals. The coordinator at Riding for the Disabled Peninsula, Jenny Stidston, says the program is helping riders gain confidence, and at the same time improving their coordination, balance, muscle development and communications skills. “RDA helps to enrich lives through specialised programs and a relationship with horses, and it can be very helpful for people with a variety of physical and intellectual disabilities,” she said. Stidston says…

HASTING’S resident Melissa Stevens’ life could have had a vastly different outcome if not for the openness of her employer, The Hastings Club, to employ someone with a recognised disability. The 46-year-old has low lung capacity, a side effect of the autoimmune disorders she lives with and struggles with shortness of breath and fatigue. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to work. The opportunity to get back into the workforce has given the hospitality worker a new lease on life, new friends, new energy and best of all, new-found confidence. Stevens had previously worked in the cleaning industry for…

THE international animal welfare group that exposed the horrors of live sheep export and animal baiting in the greyhound industry has praised Mornington Peninsula Shire Council for taking a stand against the state government’s kangaroo harvesting program. Animals Australia, known for its hard-hitting campaigns to end animal cruelty, said the councillors’ “courageous” public opposition to the slaughter of kangaroos was a good example of a council taking the lead to reflect its community’s values. The council recently passed a motion to request the shire be excluded from the commercial kangaroo shooting industry – a move that would protect kangaroos and…

HASTINGS housing advocate and rental agency manager Karen Taylor says it was a tearful moment when she handed over the keys for a rental property to a family of four who had been homeless for nearly a year. “I always look forward to handing over house keys. It’s such an exciting time for all involved, especially for the people moving in. But that day was extra special,” she said. The family she was giving the keys to was trying to find a home in the midst of a rental crisis but, to make matters harder, 27-year-old mother Caitlin Scown had…

A PLANNING application for a two-storey, licensed restaurant with rooftop bar in Mount Martha has been refused amid concerns it could change the character of the popular tourist spot. The proposal for a licensed restaurant and cafe at 3A-5 Bay Road, Mount Martha was supported by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council officers who recommended its approval with amendments, despite objections about potential noise, parking and the size and style of the building. Officers’ amendments included acoustic screening in outdoor areas and “appropriate bicycle parking spaces in the footpath area adjacent to the site”. Councillors at their 25 July public meeting determined…

AN application for a theme park on green wedge land at Boneo has attracted 98 objections and 36 letters of support. Although submissions to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council regarding the $47.7 million theme park and recreation centre closed in late June, objectors are hoping for a public forum to air their grievances about the “inappropriate” proposal. Neighbour Simon Stuart said the 80-hectare property operating as The Ranch horse riding and camping centre, is surrounded by broad acre grazing farms and market gardens, and the development would “change the character of the area permanently”. It is believed the revamped park will…