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.…
Author: MP News Group
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…
PARKS Victoria is conducting its annual summer fuel reduction program to maintain fuel breaks and fire access tracks, slash grass and remove weeds on public land. Prevention work is being done in 16 parks on the Mornington Peninsula and around Western Port. These include Mornington Peninsula, Point Nepean and Arthurs Seat state parks, Bald Hill and Buckley nature conservation reserves, Coolart Heritage Reserve, Crib Point and Tyabb bushland reserves, Devilbend and Warneet natural features reserves, French Island National Park, Kangerong and Main Ridge nature conservation reserves, Langwarrin and The Pines flora and fauna reserves, and Tubbarubba Reserve. “Fire can spread…
BASKETBALL By Jarrod Potter WHEN your first word is “ball”, a life on court is probably in the making. Tom Bahen, 14, a Western Port junior, has been basketball-crazy his whole life. There’s no other way to describe a Frankston kid who was bouncing a basketball before he was walking and telling everyone about his sporting passion. But his isn’t the textbook tale of rising through the ranks and dominating at every turn. He hasn’t been in the Jamboree mix. He hasn’t featured in Southern Cross Challenge yet. Realistically, he has never been on “the pathway”. Instead, his first foray…
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing woman Madeline Baxter. Madeline was last seen on Jetty Road in Rosebud on 21 November and has not been seen since. Police have concerns for her welfare due to the amount of time she has been missing. The below image of Madeline has been released in the hope someone recognises her and can provide information on her current whereabouts. She is described as having fair skin, straight brown hair, blue eyes and a medium build. Madeline wears reading glasses and has a small mole on the left of her lip.…
THE Antique Aircraft Association of Australia will be holding its annual toy run at Tyabb Airport on Sunday 27 November. This open day for the public will be hosted by Peninsula Aero Club. Gates open 10.30am, with a sausage sizzle from noon. The aim of the event is to collect unwrapped toys to be distributed to underprivileged children through the Food for All charity. Toys for 10 to 14 year old boys are the most in need. Unique and antique aircraft will be flying in from across Victoria to complement the collection of “warbirds” on display. Details: Ian Johnson, Peninsula…
Enter your short film in the Peninsula Short Film Fest and you could win a share in up to $30K of cash and prizes. Get filming and enter now! 20 short listed films will be judged live on Saturday February 4, 2017 by top industry professionals with the winner taking out $5K in cash, second place $2.5K cash and third place scoring $1250 cash. There are plenty more cool prizes with awards for Best Animation, Best Documentary, Best International and the Woodleigh School Emerging Filmmaker Award (open to any Australian student under 18 years of age). There are also awards…
2 December 2016 to 12 February 2017 – A Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery exhibition Over 70 works by 50 contemporary and modern Australian artists will be brought together for this exhibition on the bird. Encompassing works from painting to sculpture, decorative arts, photography, print-making and installation, this exhibition, two years in the making, will explore the science, symbolism, beauty and curiosity of birds. Artists including Albert Tucker, Rover Thomas, Ginger Riley and contemporary artists such as Brook Andrew, Fiona Hall, John Wolseley, Ben Quilty, Christian Thompson, Kate Rohde, Petrina Hicks, Trent Parke and Louise Weaver consider birds as objects of…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie JOSH Hine could be the key to Mornington’s attempt to win a historic third straight State 1 championship in 2017. The 25-year-old English striker is believed to be in advanced negotiations with the Dallas Brooks Park outfit in what would be a major coup for local football. Hine’s CV includes spells with Burscough, Vauxhall Motors, Clitheroe, Skelmersdale, Chorley and Stalybridge Celtic and he currently is on the books of National League North outfit Salford City. He is one of four English-based players with whom Mornington is understood to have recently held discussions. One of them, 23-year-old…
With Rosebud’s long history as a great place to enjoy summer beach holidays, what better place to revive the fun filled 50’s & 60’s lifestyle? This new festival, Foreshore RockFest, will run over three days, 25th – 27th November and will involve a series of different music, dance, movie, car and vintage shopping events. All these activities will be based in Rosebud with the exception of the Drive in Movies. Fun starts on Friday evening with a Beach Party in the Rosebud Scout Hall plus the Mark Andrews Legends Show at GPO Hotel from 7pm. Mark is a renowned Elvis…
NEW 80kph speed signs went up on Mornington-Tyabb Rd between Peninsula Link and Coolart Rd, Friday 11 November. But, just as quickly, they were taken down again after it was discovered an over-zealous contractor had made a mistake. VicRoads media advisor Jarryd Stokes said the signs were put up a month early by mistake. He said they were changed back to the 100kph limit soon after. “VicRoads will make the [speed] changes from 12 December and we apologise if this confused local road users,” he said. VicRoads has flagged the trial of lower speed limits on several Mornington Peninsula roads…
SCOTTISH soccer star Stuart Munro is appealing for the return of medals he won during a distinguished playing career in the UK. The Mt Eliza resident’s home was burgled recently and medals awarded to him during a successful seven-and-a-half-year stint with Scottish giants Rangers were among the items stolen. “Although they are probably not worth much in gold value they hold great personal value for me,” Munro said. “There were a couple of Scottish championship medals, a couple of League Cup winner’s medals, all in small blue boxes, and a larger medal in a red velvet box which was a…
SAND is being trucked onto the beach at Sorrento for summer. The renourishment works are expected to be completed within a month. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) coastal project officer Jacky Priestly said the works would widen the beach between the boat ramp and the Sea Road Ferries’ terminal by about 12 metres. “Erosion at many Port Phillip beaches means they do not have enough natural sand to protect foreshores and infrastructure,” she said. “We identified that this area was suffering from erosion, resulting in a narrow beach that could no longer support vegetation and was becoming…
WESTERN Port Secondary College may be the first school in Australia to have a sculpture park in its grounds, assistant principal Hannah Lewis believes. It came about after year 8 students visited McClelland Sculpture Park earlier this year to explore the park and ponder why creativity was important, as well as the role of the artist in society. “Inspired and challenged by the sculptures they came away with ideas for setting up their own sculpture park, modelled on McClelland, to complement student-created sculptures in its grounds,” Ms Lewis said. Students from the year 8 Young Entrepreneurs Stream set about curating…