A MAN fishing off the rocks at Cape Schanck on Sunday 30 April was lucky to escape with his life after being swept into the sea seas by a wave, 1pm. Senior Sergeant Phillip Hulley, of Frankston police, said the man, 46, of Kew, was one of seven men swept into the water when a large swell caught them unawares. Six clamoured back but the seventh was in a bad way when he managed to climb back to safety. The Air Ambulance took the man to The Alfred hospital with serious but not life threatening injuries. Senior Sergeant Hulley said…
Author: MP News Group
A STATUE of Bunjil – the wedge-tailed eagle creator and spiritual being – now sits at the entrance to the Willum Warrain Aboriginal gathering place at Hastings. The unveiling of the statue on Friday was also timely in that it marked the recent reopening of the centre which had been closed due to lack of money. “This is a significant day for our mob,” Wullum Wirrain president Peter Aldenhoven said. “We have recently been closed for four and a half months as we temporarily had no funding for staff and operating costs. “This [its temporary closure] caused great dismay to…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie LANGWARRIN has thrown down the gauntlet to other title contenders by signing Scottish striker Liam Baxter from NPL outfit Goulburn Valley Suns. And the State 1 South-East leader will strengthen further with the return of gun central defender Kieron Kenny who went back to England in March following a family bereavement. Kenny is due to arrive in Melbourne tomorrow (Tuesday). Baxter, 24, was on the books of Scottish Premier League outfit Inverness Caledonian Thistle until he was 17 when he decided to leave to get more first team football. He played in the Highland League with…
By Jarrod Potter MELBOURNE Boomers unveiled its Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) centre-piece on Thursday after bringing Liz Cambage home. Cambage, 25, originally from Mt Eliza, will lace up for her first home season in five years in the upcoming 2017/18 WNBL season. The 25-year-old centre won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics with the Australian Opals, has played in the Women’s National Basketball Association for the Tulsa Shock and has also had several other professional achievements throughout China. After a year of soul-searching and contemplation spent away from the court, Cambage returns refreshed and ready to take…
After a 13 year hiatus ARIA nominated, Australian metal outfit SUPERHEIST are back and one thing is for sure, they are here to RAISE HELL. The band who have achieved gold record status and previously toured with rap god EMINEM are coming in hot. Superheist have delivered a heavy hitting and uncompromising AAA Side in a brazen display of what is arguably the band’s best work to date. Kicking off with ‘Raise Hell’ a hectic four minutes of in your face, thought provoking nu metal. Followed by ‘Got The Bounce’ an explosive mix of Wu Tang meets Messhuga perfectly walking…
By Teresa Murphy THE retro brown-brick facade remains and crowds still queue for fish ‘n’ chips at peak holiday times, but much has changed at Balnarring Beach’s general store. Now called Tulum Store, after Balnarring’s original name*, the historic store and cafe was reincarnated in 2016, closing for six months for extensive renovations and reopening for summer. It was a baptism by fire for new owner Cath Haylock, who oversaw the makeover with local tradies, created new menus, hired staff and dealt with the summer chaos – all while being a mum of two young kids. Tulum Store is a…
A MOTORCYCLIST who died after colliding with a minibus on French Island on Sunday 23 April was not wearing a helmet. Leading Senior Constable Lauren McNiece, of Somerville Highway Patrol, said the man, 27, of French Island, was riding east along Tankerton Rd around a left-hand bend when he crashed into a minibus travelling west, 4.20pm. She said speed may have been a factor as the motorcyclist appeared to have been unable to take the bend on the dirt road before running head on into the minibus. He was not wearing a helmet and died at the scene. The driver of…
THE old rule that nurses “live in” during their training years ago forged bonds which are still strong today. This was apparent when 35 out of a group of 50 former nurses at the Royal Melbourne Hospital met in Mornington earlier this month for 50-year reunion celebrations. They included an open house at Maureen O’Brien’s home near Fisherman’s Beach, a cocktail lunch at the Royal Hotel the next day and an afternoon tea at Chris Knott’s home in Rye the day after. “Discipline was harsh when we began training in April 1967,” Ms O’Brien recalled. “The hours were long and…
THE Mornington lodge of Freemasons Victoria last week gave $10,000 to help the Luke Batty Foundation’s advocacy for “a government that supports and respects victims of domestic violence, and holds perpetrators accountable”. The donation was accepted at the lodge in Barkly St on Thursday 20 April by Rosie Batty whose son Luke was killed by his father Greg Anderson at cricket practice, on Wednesday 12 February 2014. Since the Luke Batty Foundation’s inception, Ms Batty has continued to be a voice for victims while campaigning for systemic change, by ensuring family and domestic violence remains a priority on the political…
PATIENTS and staff at Peninsula Health’s The Mornington Centre have made a poppy trail for the Mornington Secondary College’s WWI avenue of honour as part of the school’s Anzac Day celebrations. “I think it’s very clever and it’s nice to do something in remembrance of Anzac Day,” said patient Audrey Whelan. Jenny Mann, of Mornington, encouraged patients at the centre to get involved, along with students from local schools and visitors to the store, as she wanted to “do something special” to commemorate Anzac Day. “I wanted to get different members of the community involved so it’s a community poppy…
LEARNING the ropes takes on a new meaning when it’s backed by a court order. For the past 10 years many young offenders have been “sentenced” to teaming up with police to take on the challenges posed by a giant swing and tree top ropes. And the results, according to the Ropes Program organisers at the YMCA’s Camp Manyung, Mt Eliza, is that 90 per cent of the young participants have not reoffended. The program was established under a partnership between Victoria Police, Dandenong Children’s Court, Sport and Recreation Victoria and YMCA Camp Manyung to give first time offenders under…
INFORMATION panels at Red Hill Station Reserve tell the story of the area which has become a hub for families, walkers, and bike and horse riders. The panels were put up by Manton and Stony Creeks Landcare Group and Red Hill Community Association. Historical information came from the Shire’s Bittern – Red Hill Railway Conservation Management Plan 2014 with old photos provided by the Dromana and District Historical Society. The park was opened in January last year after a large number of wilding Monterey pines and woody weeds were removed and the area was revegetated with 2000 indigenous plants. It…
A HASTINGS man will be charged with failing to stop and render assistance after his car collided with a pedestrian in Coolstore Rd, Hastings 6.55pm, Monday 17 April 2017. Sergeant Peter Martin, of Somerville Highway Patrol, said the man, 30, claimed he swerved to avoid a dog just before the incident. The victim, 23, of Langwarrin, suffered life threatening injuries when he was struck, just east of Wallace Drive. He was flown to The Alfred hospital with life-threatening injuries and was in a critical condition on Tuesday. The driver attended Hastings police station soon afterwards and alerted police. Investigators were…
THE state government says banning dogs from the coastal Mornington Peninsula National Park has already proved its worth in protecting the endangered hooded plover. Parks Victoria says eight chicks survived the most recent breeding season compared with one two seasons ago. The controversial dog ban was put in place along the 42 kilometre coastline in November 2016 to protect the hooded plover and its habitat. Banning dogs has also enabled Parks Victoria to extend fox control programs to help protect the 32 other fauna species of conservation significance that also inhabit the park. Parks Victoria is undertaking regular targeted patrols…
THE refurbished Annie Sage Community Centre includes three community meeting spaces, kitchen, two child and family health consulting rooms, office and toilet and storage space. The refurbishment included replacing the roof, and adding a new facade and entry porch. This project received $270,000 from the state government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, $496,000 from Mornington Peninsula Shire and $75,000 from Somerville Community House. The centre at 21 Blacks Camp Rd, Somerville, is the new home of the Somerville Community House after the burning down of Somerville Recreation Centre. It houses the shire’s maternal and child health team, which provides services to about…
RESIDENTS of Peninsula Parklands, Hastings are preparing to commemorate Anzac Day even though age may be wearying some of them. There are 340 residents at the High St retirement village and last year some of them found it physically hard to attend the town’s official Anzac Day march and ceremonies. This year they will be at a ceremony in their own community hall, which is also being used to exhibit a display of wartime memorabilia, including medals and a set of World War I cavalry spurs worn by a soldier from Somerville. Background music from the wartime era will help…
SPANISH classical guitarist Matthew Fagan and pianist Isaac Mouskovias will perform classical music at its emotive and technical best at 3pm, Sunday 30 April, at St Johns Church, 23 King St, Flinders. The 10-string classical guitar and concert piano will feature arrangements by Vivaldi, Rodrigo’s Guitar Concierto de Aranjuez and Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. Also featuring is Mouskovias baritone voice in Celtic and English folk songs arranged for the Spanish guitar and voice, including the Water is Wide, Scarborough Fair, Greensleeves, She Moved Through the Fair and more. The classical, flamenco and Celtic program will be performed with passion, renewed vigour…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie WHILE Mornington has been forced to call off the Josh Hine deal Skye United was welcoming the arrival of English recruit Jacob Scotte-Hatherly. Skye United officials greeted the 22-year-old midfielder at Melbourne Airport last Wednesday night and are excited about what he could bring to the State 3 South-East side. Scotte-Hatherly’s last club was Bovey Tracey AFC in Division 1 East of the South West Peninsula League and the attacking midfielder from Newton Abbot in South Devon has won two player-of-the-match awards in just nine appearances this season after joining the club in late December. He…
By Ben Triandafillou PENINSULA Boxing has been rewarded with two gold medals after a flawless performance at the 2017 Australian Boxing Championships in South Australia on April 8. Peninsula Boxing went undefeated at the national championships with the Victorian representatives Tyla McDonald and Jason Whateley triumphing in their respected divisions. Tyla McDonald, 13, added to her impressive record defeating last year’s national champion, Tameriah Barney-Sandy, in the final round of the ‘Schoolgirls Division’. Jason Whateley, showed his class at the Elite World Games breezing through the opening rounds of the 91kg division and earning gold, defeating fellow Victorian, Adrian Paoletti,…
THERE will be 13 Anzac Day marches and services on the Mornington Peninsula. The mayor Cr Bev Colomb said the day is a time for “reflection, thankfulness and remembrance of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli”. “While Anzac Day has always been a huge day of national pride, each year reignites the community’s dedication to remembering the sacrifice so many have made for our country. “We will remember not only the original Anzacs who served at Gallipoli, but commemorate more than a century of service by Australian servicemen and women.” Anzac Day program: Balnarring 9.30am service at Balnarring Village Shopping Centre.…
THE speed limit on Melbourne Rd between Iolanda St, Rye, and Heather Av, Sorrento, was cut from 80kph to 70kph on Wednesday 5 April. Temporary electronic signs will be displayed on Melbourne Rd to alert motorists. Early last year, Mornington Peninsula Shire became the first council in Australia to become a Towards Zero Municipality, the shire’s web page says. “One of the first initiatives of this commitment was addressing community group concerns about road safety on Melbourne Rd. “A community survey completed in late 2016 received mixed feedback, however a comprehensive assessment of the numerous crashes and use of Melbourne…
MAXIM Wood, 79, of Blairgowrie was the oldest person to participate in this year’s 100 kilometre Oxfam Trailwalker fundraising event. The event saw teams of four walking and running for 48 hours or less through the Dandenong and Yarra Valley ranges. Teams raised at least $1400 to participate and Melbourne teams raised $2.2 million for Oxfam’s work tackling poverty in communities around the world. Teams raised an average $3548. This year’s event Mr Wood’s tenth trailwalk and saw his team – Eulers Bridge, with teammates, son Miguel Wood, Fiona Morrison and Jacinta Little – in 31 hours and 48 minutes.…
POETRY readings are sure to attract literary buffs to a McCrae cafe. Poets’ Corner organisers Heather Forbes McKeon, a former head of drama at Frankston High School, and Ian Coffey, a former literature teacher at Padua, say verse and fellowship will be on offer at the readings at Blue Bay Cafe, McCrae, on the last Sunday of the month. “Verse has been the vehicle for human experience for centuries,” Ms Forbes McKeon said. “People have expressed their elation, mirth, grief, pain, insight, bewilderment, wonder and anger in poetry through the ages and our world is richer for it.” Poet’s Corner…
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Shane I’Anson wanted on warrant. The 40-year-old is wanted in relation to numerous offences including theft, burglary and trespass. He is described as Caucasian, 200cm tall, thin build with green eyes, ginger/blonde short wavy hair and is unshaven. I’Anson is known to frequent the Mornington area. Investigators have released an image of I’Anson in the hope someone may have information on his current whereabouts. Anyone who sights I’Anson or has information about his current whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at…
Police have charged a woman following an alleged hit run collision in Main Ridge last week. It is believed a car travelling east on Shands Road collided with a cyclist on Friday 7 April about 6pm. The 27-year-old male cyclist was taken to hospital with critical injuries. The driver of the car, a 69-year-old woman, left the scene but was arrested by police a short time later. The woman was taken to a nearby police station where she returned a reading of 0.174% on an evidentiary breath test. She has been charged with negligently causing serious injury, dangerous driving causing…
JUNIOR football league executives are being trained to spot youngsters with mental health problems. The focus on mental health is part of the first aid training being given at every club in the Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League. Course participants will learn about adolescent development; the signs and symptoms of common and disabling mental health problems in young people; where and how to get help when a young person is developing a mental illness; what sort of help has been shown to be effective, and how to provide first aid in a crisis situation. “The hope is to equip each…
By Ben Triandafillou THE gap between the Port Phillip Heads is one of the most dangerous stretches of open water in Australia but keen swimmers have been crossing the opening since 1971. The swimmers must take into account the giant container ships, the vast variety of marine life and the detrimental tides when navigating their way from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean. The ‘Rip Swim’ is now in its fourth season of organising group swims across the bay with a recent crossing on Sunday 26 February. Swimmers of all age groups have attempted and successfully completed the daring venture across…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie Peninsula Strikers have pulled off the transfer coup of the season by clinching the signature of Scottish star Ryan Stevenson. The 32-year-old attacking midfielder or striker has played over 400 games as a professional in Scotland and England and will fly to Melbourne as soon as his visa and international clearance are arranged. The Centenary Park outfit is hopeful that Stevenson will arrive this week and be the first of a number of clutch signings it hopes to make in the next fortnight. Among them is former Bentleigh Greens junior Emmanuel Brima, 18, who has been…
Lee Kernaghan is one of the undisputable all-time greats of Australian country. 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the launch of Lee’s amazing career and the release of his first chart-busting hit, Boys From The Bush. The iconic song was the first of many number one singles from the classic album The Outback Club, which went on to achieve double platinum certification, win a swag of awards and redefine contemporary Australian country music along the way. Since the release of his mega hit Boys From The Bush, Lee has notched up 34 number one hits on the Australian country music…
VETERAN journalist and singer Barry Morris feels as though he grew up with singer Frank Sinatra. “His music has been a background musical score to my life,” Morris, a former jazz writer and sub-editor with Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph, said this week. Two years ago, he and his wife Jill moved to Mt Martha to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Born in 1941, Morris says he became aware of The Voice when Sinatra was recording hit after hit for radio, well before the advent of television. “It was his years with Capitol Records from 1952 to 1962 that…