STUDENTS from Western Port Secondary College have created a mural which the Carry On organisation believes depicts the spirit of their organisation. It shows a digger reaching down to give a hand up to another digger, pulling him towards the sun. The school’s Outreach Education Program’s Helen Smith said she and colleague Miles Lindqvist invited students who were struggling at school, due to a range of reasons, to get involved with the Cool Store Rd, Hastings project. “We discussed the design with them, in line with the Carry On spirit, and the project result was amazing,” she said. “Students had…
Author: MP News Group
ROSEBUD Christmas Carols in the Park will be held in the sound shell on the Rosebud Village Green foreshore, Saturday 17 December, with activities starting at 5pm and carols, 7pm. Residents, friends and family are invited to come along and enjoy this free community event with food stalls and entertainment and to meet Santa. Entertainers will include the Southern Peninsula Band, Ladies Singing Group, and Max and Sam with their band, including Ken Ferguson, singing Christmas songs. There will be display shops and market stalls, lolly trolley and children busking. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 13 December 2016
A MORNINGTON Peninsula snake catcher is urging people to be cautious of snakes coming out of hibernation, but to resist the urge to kill the legally protected reptiles. Mornington-based, registered snake catcher Barry Goldsmith receives about 20 to 30 calls about snake sightings every week, mainly from around the peninsula but also as far as Tullamarine, and said snakes were important indicators of a healthy environment and were usually just trying to hide. “Snakes will be more obvious now the weather is warming up, but the better thing to do rather than try to hurt or kill it, is to…
BOATERS are being urged to wear lifejackets and carry safety equipment this summer – especially near Port Phillip Heads. The area will be under the watchful eyes of the Water Police, who will be patrolling the area as part of Operation South End. They aim to ensure boaters are safe and well equipped. Leading Senior Constable Dave McHenry said that following a coronial inquest, ‘The Rip’ was a designated hazardous area. “This designation means that under legislation people must wear life jackets in the area,” Leading Senior Constable McHenry said. “They are among an array of safety items that every…
NAVY personnel at HMAS Cerberus have raised $31,306 to train dogs to help veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder. A cheque was presented to Defence Bank’s managing director and CEO Jon Linehan by HMAS Cerberus commanding officer Stephen Bowater at the ceremony attended by the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett. “The Defence Bank Foundation has supported the training of more than 2000 companion dogs to support veterans’ rehabilitation since 2014,” Mr Linehan said. “The dogs – all rescue dogs – are making an enormous difference to people’s lives. We have received many letters and…
VISITORS to the peninsula’s bay and ocean beaches may have noticed the prevalence of bluebottle jellyfish. The common bluebottle, Physalia utriculus, is smaller and less venomous than its Atlantic cousin Physalia physalis – or Portuguese man o’war – but it can still produce a painful sting. While they may look like a single marine creature they are actually colonial organisms known as siphonophores, with separate animals specialised for food capture, digestion, reproduction, and one that makes up the gas-filled float. The animals cannot function alone and the whole can only survive as a colony. The floats can grow up to…
CHRISTMAS is looming and the tireless volunteers at Peninsula Mums for Families in Need are bracing themselves for high demand. The charity service, established by mother-of-three Jodie Harris, makes Christmas special for disadvantaged people in the Frankston/Mornington Peninsula region. In four years, demand for food, clothing and essential goods has grown to such an extent, the charity has been forced to find a new home and now works out of warehouse in Seaford that comes with a large rent bill each month. The volunteers now wrap about 2000 presents and 300 food hampers for families in need every Christmas, which…
TWO artists with different styles are the “feature artists” at next year’s Mornington Art Show. Craig Davy’s uses an impressionistic approach to landscapes and seascapes while Ron Brown has been described as having “a unique contemporary style with colour featured strongly in his work”. Their works will be among more than 700 entries in the 45th Mornington Art Show in January. Davy was born in Melbourne and grew up on the Mornington Peninsula which has resulted in his “connection” with the peninsula’s landscape. In 2009 he began painting in oils in appreciation for fine realistic art of the past and…
HASTINGS foreshore will come alive to the sound of Christmas carols on Friday 9 December. Churches and Mornington Peninsula Shire will hold Carols by Candlelight from 6pm when Santa arrives. Children can enjoy the petting zoo, face painting, sausage sizzle, doughnut stall and, weather permitting, jumping castle. The singing group Thumbs Up will entertain and children will perform. Carols are scheduled to start at 7.15pm and finish at 8.45pm. Carols by Candlelight at Balnarring will be held at the primary school, 6pm, Friday 16 December. First published in the Western Port News – 6 December 2016
A WOMAN washed off the rocks at Cape Schanck late Saturday night was rescued by members of her family with the help of SES, police, ambulance and Fisheries officers. The 35-year-old, of Hampton Park, was crab fishing when a big wave, exacerbated by the low tide, surged into the group, dragging her under in rough water, at about 10pm. The woman was pulled from the water by members of her family who called Triple 0 and began performing CPR. “She swallowed a fair bit of water,” Senior Sergeant Phillip Hulley, of Frankston police, said Monday. Intermittent phone coverage made pinpointing…
MONEY raised through Reclink Australia’s 2017 Great Peninsula Paddle on Australia Day (26 January) will be used to re-establish the Westernport Warriors Football Team. Players from the Hastings and Somerville areas are invited to play next season with the team which was previously led by former police officer, Andrew Brady. Hastings MP Neale Burgess and Reclink Australia CEO John Ballis, pictured, met in Hastings last week to show their support for the Warriors and to invite the team to re-join the annual Reclink Football fixture. “Playing with the Warriors was the only means for hundreds of disadvantaged young people and…
A lone cyclist tackles the road’s sweeping bends as paying customers in the Eagle cable car take 15 minutes to get to the top of Arthurs Seat. The $16 million direct link to the 300 metre summit opened on Saturday and the blue gondolas now run 10am-8pm daily (except Christmas Day). Sue Sharples and her grandson Dusty, above, were able to take the easy and comfortable way to the top while the cyclist, right, worked somewhat harder before he could enjoy to the views of Port Phillip. The Eagle runs along the same route as the former 1960s era chairlift…
BEACHGOERS are reminded to keep their distance from seals resting on beaches in Western Port and Port Phillip bays beaches. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning manager program manager Suraya VI said some seals may appear sick or emaciated, but should not be approached under any circumstances. “While we understand that seeing a seal in poor condition may be upsetting, approaching the seal or trying to move it will cause an already stressed animal further distress,” she said. “If people sighted seals or seal pups lying on the beach, leave them in peace and enjoy their presence from afar.…
A DROMANA service station attendant was bashed by thieves who then helped themselves to a “significant quantity” of cigarettes, early Friday 2 December. The 35-year-old man was outside the closed 7-Eleven fuel outlet on Point Nepean Rd, Dromana, 2am, when two men and ambushed him. The man was knocked to the ground, receiving facial and dental injuries, and bound with cable ties. One offender stood guard over him while the other used the man’s keys to enter the store and steal the cigarettes. Detective Senior Sergeant Miro Majstorovic, of Mornington Peninsula CIU, said the offenders were seen on CCTV wearing…
MCCRAE Yacht Club hosted a state government campaign focusing on elder abuse and family violence, Friday 2 December. Prevention of Family Violence Minister Fiona Richardson announced that $1 million would be spent on programs to support the elderly victims of family violence. “Older Victorians suffer from high rates of family violence and abuse, yet it’s rarely discussed in public,” Ms Richardson said. “We need to increase people’s awareness of this problem so senior Victorians are supported and empowered. “Elder abuse is a form of family violence that must be addressed as a priority to ensure older individuals are kept safe.”…
BERG Mt Martha president Graham Hubbard is applauding the funding successes achieved by the conservation group’s philanthropy members Bronwyn Street and Bev Fryer. Their aim is to generate money from new sources for the Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group, which was formed in 1997 to preserve and restore bushland around the Balcombe Estuary at Mt Martha. “The committee thought it might be possible to raise $50,000 a year through the group, which would make a great difference to our ability to restore the reserves,” Mr Hubbard told the annual meeting. In May it received $15,000 from the Sally Oatley Memorial Fund,…
MORNINGTON’S Main St ambulance station will get a $1.4 million upgrade and a new “super response centre” will be built under a $500 million plan to improve the Mornington Peninsula’s ambulance response times. The upgrade is part of a five-year plan which will see Mornington’s station get a new ambulance and be manned round the clock by 14 full-time paramedics. Ambulance response times on the peninsula have been some of the worst in the metropolitan region, with ambulances meeting the government benchmark of 15 minutes in just 71.7 per cent of cases in 2014, according to the Victorian auditor general’s…
CHANGES to boating and swimming zones in Port Phillip and Western Port bays are part of an ongoing review to improve public safety on the water. Parks Victoria is inviting public comment on the proposed changes. “It’s important that boating and swimming zones are a good reflection of the current and future needs of water-based activities in the area, and that they maximise safety on the water,” acting senior manager for local ports and waterways Cathy Jenkins said. “The focus of [the] review is to refine the zones in order to provide a safer environment through better separation of boating…
AFTER five years of negotiations and planning, beach matting has finally arrived to provide safe access for wheelchairs at Mt Martha beach. Unrolled to public for the first time two Saturdays ago (27 November), the matting was quickly given trial runs, and the thumbs up. Several wheelchairs and one man using two crutches took to the matting after a ribbon cutting ceremony involving Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor, Cr Bev Colomb, the shire’s MetroAccess officer Virginia Richardson, Mt Martha Life Saving Club president David Mowat and Karen Frankhauser. The first roll of matting was given a kick by Mark Hopper before…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie LANGWARRIN’S assault on the 2017 State 1 South-East championship will be powered by a raft of visa players. The Lawton Park outfit will throw down the gauntlet to local clubs Mornington and Casey Comets and cashed up Greek-backed opponents Malvern City, Clifton Hill, South Springvale and Caulfield United Cobras by backing the quality of its imports to take the league by storm. Central defender and former Macclesfield Town youth team captain Kieron Kenny has agreed terms with Langy and should arrive within a fortnight. Kenny, 23, is currently on the books of Congleton Town in the…
Fresh off playing sold out shows nationally with Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals and blowing away audiences on the biggest festival stages around the World, Pierce Brothers are delighted to announced a special Summer run of Australian shows. Be the first to hear brand new music from their anticipated debut record & fan favourite live staples which have helped the Melbourne twins achieve huge success on the live stage. Strictly one night only & tickets selling fast from www.piercebrothers.com.au Pierce Brothers will be playing at The Grand Hotel, Mornington, on Friday 13 January. Special guest Josh Cashman. Doors: 8pm.…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will celebrate International Day of People with Disability by holding a come-and-try sports day and mini-expo at Civic Reserve, Mornington, 10am–1pm Wednesday 7 December. International Day of People with Disability aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. Activities on the day will include tennis, gymnastics, soccer, netball, footy, dance, table tennis and SWISH (blind table tennis). A Marveloo, a portable, fully accessible toilet with adjustable change table and hoist, will also be available. The toilet is part of a campaign by the shire’s all abilities consultative committee to see similar permanent toilets…
POLICE believe the same two youths lit grass fires in Somerville, Hastings and Frankston over the weekend. Although not causing a great deal of damage the fires on Saturday afternoon, 26 November, tied up CFA volunteers and could have spread to neighbouring properties, police say. Somerville detectives believe there is a link between the offences, with the youths possibly catching a train on the Stony Point line between fires. Grass was set alight behind a property in Church St, Hastings, 5.40pm, burning down a fence. Hastings CFA crews attended. Witnesses said they saw youths lighting the fires. A grass fire…
McCRAE lighthouse will be bathed in orange light from dusk to dawn for next few weeks to bring attention to the Victoria Against Violence campaign. The steel tower, built in 1874, is the tallest lighthouse on mainland Victoria and one of 14 prominent landmarks – and the only one on the Mornington Peninsula – to show off the campaign’s colours. Disability and Ageing Minister Martin Foley is expected to attend an elder abuse campaign launch at McCrae Yacht Club, 10am, Friday 2 December, as part of the state government’s campaign. Organisers are hopeful of a grant of $1 million for…
Manyung Gallery Sorrento will be holding an exhibition this December for a much loved peninsula artist, Carole Foster. On display will be about 24 works of art, ranging from her well known landscapes to a new series of designer birds. “The exhibition is basically half landscape and half designer birds, which is a new series I have been working on,” said Foster. “I have been painting birds since I was a child but have wanted to do a series like this for years now. These will be the first time I have displayed them in this Manyung exhibition.” With ‘nature’s…
FIVE Mornington Peninsula tourism operators won gold in the 2016 RACV Victorian Tourism Awards announced on Friday, and will now represent Victoria at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin in February. “It is terrific to see the industry embrace the spirit of co-operative competition and come together to celebrate the best Victoria has to offer,” executive chair of the Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board, Tracey Cooper, said. “As our industry continues to evolve it is pleasing to see new businesses and first time entrants participate. “These awards play a critical role in the peninsula’s growth as a tourism destination,…
SOUTHERN Peninsula U3A Photography Group members will display photographs in four cafes from Dromana to Rye until 26 January. Each cafe will show about 25 photographs, to be rotated fortnightly between The Laneway (Dromana), Blue Mini and The Corner (Rosebud) and Captains at Rye. “Visitors can come along and enjoy the exhibition while sipping their coffee,” organiser Jim Carr said. “Most of the photographs will focus on life on the Mornington Peninsula as well as varied subjects. “Visitors will be pleasantly surprised at the standards achieved by our senior folk.” Southern Peninsula U3A with 800 members offers 100 courses as…
Photos, story: Barry Irving BRADY Egan is the Rye Sports & Social Club’s senior sportsperson of the year. He was nominated by Rye Senior Football/Netball Club. Egan capped off a stellar year on the field by finishing eighth in the Fox8 production of The Recruit, in which AFL legend Mick Malthouse leads the search for Australia’s next sporting hero. He didn’t win the competition, but he was picked up by the North East AFL in Queensland and will play for Southport Sharks next season. Debbie Kennedy (nominated by tennis) was named sports administrator of the year and junior sportsperson of…
SOCIAL media is being used to attract staff to work for Mornington Peninsula tourism operators. The mayor Cr Bev Colomb said the campaign being undertaken by Mornington Peninsula Shire and Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board aimed to encourage and build understanding for people to consider the peninsula’s tourism industry as a career choice. She said a website would help to inspire job seekers and provide insight into career options and “lifestyle choices” within the industry. Executive chair of the MPRTB Tracey Cooper said the shire and the regional tourism board were working with tourism operators to promote how people can…
MORNINGTON Secondary College students played an active role in establishing a new World War I avenue of honour. One Friday they hosted the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Lady Cosgrove and Eastern Victoria MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury and Finance Daniel Mulino at its official opening. The avenue of honour – with its 21 plaques – commemorates the 21 Mornington district soldiers who died during the war and four women who enlisted as volunteers. The idea came from the students. In 2012, a group, which included relatives and teachers, attended the dawn service and Lone Pine commemoration on the Gallipoli…