Author: MP News Group

STORM damage has forced the closure of a section of  Mornington’s newly restored pier. East Port Phillip and Western Port area chief ranger Reece Taranto said nine concrete wave screen panels and handrails facing the bay were dislodged during last Tuesday’s (12 July) storms. The outer section of the pier is closed, but the public can still access the inner section, including the lower landing, as these areas were not damaged. “Once the pier has been properly assessed, we will reopen the areas that are safe to use,” Mr Taranto said. “Until the project engineers have had a chance to…

WHALE watchers are recording the “busiest season on record” as sightings pour in from Western Port and Port Phillip. “The 2016 whale season has turned into a record breaker around our bays.  We’ve just had our busiest weekend of sightings ever,” said Dolphin Research Institute, research officer David Donnelly said on Wednesday. “Winter in our bays and surrounding coastal waters has become something of a busy time for keen whale watchers. Large whales are now so regular in our waters that sightings have become an expectation rather than a novelty.” Mr Donnelly said although “hunted to the edge of extinction…

AN absorbable heart stent was inserted in a Peninsula Health patient. This breakthrough for the health service was achieved by Associate Professor Jamie Layland, one of a few cardiologists in the world who has inserted this new absorbable stent. He and fellow cardiologist Robert Lew, also of Peninsula Health, are part of a worldwide team investigating the use of absorbable stents in patients with heart disease. A stent is a small mesh tube used to treat narrow arteries in the heart. Traditionally, a metal-based stent is placed in an artery of patients undergoing a coronary angioplasty – a procedure which…

SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie ROSEBUD Heart is the only senior team throughout Victoria’s State Leagues with a perfect record. While the fledgling club has achieved a rare feat in only its second year of competition the mood among local clubs was one of gloom as tribute was paid at last weekend’s matches to former Skye United president and FFV Chief Financial Officer Chris Attard, 52, who died last week. Skye drew 0-0 away to Harrisfield Hurricanes on Saturday but the club remains a genuine title contender in State League 4 South. Heart’s relentless push towards promotion from State League 5…

A WOMAN was found burnt to death in Rye this morning (Monday). A passer-by found the woman on fire near the intersection of Peter and Betty streets and extinguished the flames around 7am. Police spokesperson Natalie Webster said the matter was being treated as non-suspicious. Emergency services were called to the scene about 7.15am. The woman’s identity has not been released and the exact circumstances are yet to be determined. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on…

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Lisa Johnson. The 22-year-old is wanted by police in relation to failing to appear at court in relation to weapons matters. Investigators have released an image of Johnson in the hope someone may recognise her or have information on her current whereabouts. She is known to frequent the Rosebud area. Anyone who sees Johnson is urged to contact Rosebud Police Station on 5986 0444. Source: Victoria Police

Southern Metropolitan Region Crime Team Investigators have charged an 18-year-old man following an investigation into two aggravated burglaries and a burglary in Rosebud in July. The alleged aggravated burglaries occurred at Eighth Avenue and Tarwarri Avenue on 8 July 2016. Investigators arrested the man at a Langwarrin address about 7.40am yesterday. The Langwarrin man was charged with numerous offences including aggravated burglary, intentionally cause injury, assault, theft and burglary. He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this morning. Victoria Police has escalated its response to aggravated burglaries and carjackings across the state. At the start of May they rolled…

HASTINGS FNC SATURDAY saw the Hastings Football/Netball Club come up against Red Hill Football/Netball club in what loomed as a massive test for all sides. But unfortunately not all sides did not come away with a win on Saturday. The club came up against very determined Red Hill sides which was very disappointing but the that’s sport. We now have next week to get ready for. Next week also looms as another huge test with the club heading to Rosebud Football/Netball Club in what shapes as a season defining game for our senior footballers. They played some scintillating football in…

IN July, 2008 the The News printed a short obituary on Des Duguid who had passed away at the age of 76. Des was a courteous, quietly spoked gentleman who resided for many years at Eldon Park in Graydens Road where he filled the role of fitness trainer and helped around the farm. But Des was a man of diverse talents: he was a gifted singer and actor and, in his younger days, was a more than capable boxer. He won a bronze medal in the light welterweight division at the 1954 British Empire (later Commonwealth) Games at Vancouver. Six years later…

A DINING table and other items of furniture have been returned to Coolart Homestead, near Somers, after almost 80 years. The original 16-seat table arrived at Coolart in 1937, where it was converted into an extension table by Gerturde Luxton, who also crafted the original tapestries for the chairs. Mrs Loxton is the wife of Tom Luxton, who bought the 1895 property from the Grimwade family in 1937 and declared it a sanctuary for native wildlife. He embarked upon a program of habitat development. Peter Roffey, a descendant of the Luxton family, made the donation along with eight chairs and…

SECONDARY students from Western Port, Mt Eliza, Mornington, Dromana and Rosebud participated a three-day youth leadership camp at The Portsea Camp, 19-21 June. The camp – for 32 Year 10 students – was organised by the Mornington Peninsula Partnership Forum, made up of the eight Bendigo and Community Bank branches on the peninsula, and Mornington Peninsula Shire. The forum aims to bring together possible sources of funding for strategic projects on the peninsula. “As this was the first camp, there was a great sense of anticipation and excitement about its potential to provide real opportunities for those attending,” Bendigo Bank…

Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following a burglary in Rosebud last Wednesday (6 July). Investigators believe that five unknown offenders have attended a shopping centre in a gold/silver BMW, with stolen registration plates TNV 409, on McCombe Street about 3.15am. They have pulled up in front of the shopping centre where four have gotten out of the car and one has remained in the driver’s seat. The four have smashed a hole in the window of a door using a crowbar and then used a concrete saw to cut the lock on a sliding…

MUSICIAN Steve Romig will launch his latest album Sticky Fingers Played Here. The album is a change of pace for Romig, who is well known for blues and roots music. It delivers soul riffs, with a splash of funk and blues “to add grit”. Romig is embarking on an international publicity tour for the album in two weeks, and the launch in Mornington on Thursday will be his final appearance in Australia for a few months. “We are really happy to be launching the album on the peninsula among friends before I leave. Being able to support an amazing emerging…

A POD of killer whales has caused excitement among wildlife watchers off Flinders and Phillip Island, although its arrival is probably not so welcome by the inhabitants of Seal Rocks. Known as the ocean’s apex predator, the killer whales, or orcas, were first seen by tour operator Wildlife Coast Cruises about 11am on 4 July. The Dolphin Research Institute’s David Donnelly said the news quickly spread with “eager whale watchers converging on the location, but you had to be quick as the pod was clearly on a mission”. “Shortly after arriving the killer whales quickly went about investigating the local…

A MCCRAE panel beater’s workshop was broken into early Tuesday morning and a customer’s car stolen. The 2012 Kia Cerato was lowered from a hoist by the thief and reversed through the roller door at about 4am, causing extensive damage to the workshop. The car was then used in a ram-raid at the Chemist Warehouse, Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Mornington. Detective Sergeant John Coburn, of Mornington Peninsula CIU, said a man was seen stealing four shopping baskets containing fragrances and perfumes ranging upwards in price from $60. He said the man was only in the store three or four minutes but managed…

THIEVES raided two Mornington Peninsula tobacconists last week, stealing about $40,000 in cigarettes and tobacco products. Detective Leading Senior Constable Nick Sweetman, of Mornington Peninsula CIU, said about $20,000 in cigarettes, tobacco and cash were stolen from the Bentons Square, Mt Martha, tobacco outlet early Sunday morning 3 July. Two men are seen on CCTV wearing gloves, caps and hoodies and driving a red Commodore around 3am. A newsagent, cafe and fashion store were also targeted in the late-night-early-morning raid in which the thieves spent more than six hours inside the centre. In a separate raid, thieves stole $20,000 in…

THE beach patrol group 3941Rye aims to help save marine life by removing litter from the beaches and foreshore, as well as promoting litter awareness among members of the community and visitors to Rye. The group had a successful beach clean Saturday 2 July, with 23 volunteers and 11 children – as well as mascots Dixie and Jack. “We collected 286 drink containers and a total of 144kg of rubbish,” organiser Julie Jame said. “3941RYE is the first beach patrol group on the Mornington Peninsula and we were pleased to be joined by a member of the second group: 3941Tootgarook…

AFTER 48 years, Manyung Gallery has moved from its original home in a faux Tuscan castle on Nepean Highway to a shop in nearby Mt Eliza Village. In addition to this “boutique” gallery, directors David and Sharyn Wemyss-Smith have opened an art warehouse in Progress St, Mornington to house and display larger artworks. They also offer a mobile service, delivering artwork for on-site assessment at homes and offices. The Wemyss-Smiths also have “art spaces” at Sorrento, and Malvern. “We’ve found more and more that people want a hero piece in their home accompanied by smaller complementary artworks. This space allows…

RETIRED science teacher John Inchley is heading a team of voluntary researchers monitoring the health of Balcombe Creek which enters Port Phillip at Mt Martha. Mr Inchley is the driving force in BERG Mt Martha’s Waterwatch group, which has recently brought high E-coli levels, invasive plants and phosphorous contamination to the attention of health officers. The creek starts as a trickle near Baxter and meanders 20 kilometres through farmland, parks and near residential areas before flowing through The Briars wetlands and wildlife sanctuary into Balcombe Estuary and eventually into the bay. Mr Inchley and his assistants, retirees John Rawlins and…

The Hachem Group ALL IN FOR CHARITY poker event is coming to the Mornington Peninsula. Superstars from the sports and entertainment worlds including World Champion Poker player Joe Hachem, Brendan Fevola, Bryce Gibbs, Campbell Brown, Sam Greco, Wayne Carey, Marc Murphy, Robert Dipierdomenico and Brad Sewell along with some of the worlds best Poker players will compete in the Poker Tournament at Mornington Racecourse. Hachem Group ALL IN FOR CHARITY poker events are renowned for red carpet, bright lights, high profile celebrities and non stop entertainment. After recent successful SOLD OUT events in Geelong and Etihad Stadium, the Mornington Peninsula…

Chocolate Starfish, one of Australia’s most successful bands of the 1990s is back and sharing the stage with iconic rock singer Swanee & the hottest young rock band in the country Place of the King. Chocolate Starfish released two albums in the 90’s both smashing into the ARIA Top 10 and received gold and platinum sales awards. The band was also responsible for six Top 50 singles including the smash hits “You’re so vain” and “Mountain” (both ARIA Gold singles). Starfish was Australia’s hardest working band in the ‘90s playing more than 700 gigs between 1993 and 1997, once doing…

CONTRACTORS were yesterday (Monday) removing incorrect no-trespassing signs on Somers beach. The signs had caused concern among regular beach users, but it seems they were meant to warn of danger further inland not on the beach. The signs, put up by HMAS Cerberus on 30 June, are 1.7 kilometres north-west of the 100 steps, below the high water line and above the low water line in the tidal zone. The warnings could have affected elderly activity groups, bird watchers, joggers and dog walkers who regularly use the foreshore. Beachgoer Barry Hodder, of Bittern, said he had been exercising at Somers…

SHOPS in High St, Hastings, are being urged to use a green theme in their windows to mark the murder three years ago of Dermot O’Toole. A candle vigil will also be held on 12 July. Mr O’Toole was stabbed during a robbery of his High St jewellery shop by Gavin Perry, who was convicted and sentenced to 27 years’ jail. An appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions over the leniency of the sentence were dismissed by the Court of Appeal last week. The family wanted his sentence lengthened while Perry was seeking a reduction. Perry, who was on…

ON the last day of June strong north winds again drew crowds to Mornington harbour, with some taking to the water to surf or to go sailboarding and others braving the spray from waves while walking along the pier. Photographer Gary Sissons moved from the pier and beach to Schnapper Point where he found Steve Wells and his daughter Jessica, from Somerville, standing knee deep in foam. The resulting photograph could have been taken on a snowy mountaintop, except for the stormy sea backdrop. First published in the Mornington News – 5 July 2016

Heartbreaker country and folk music coming to Cube 37 @ Frankston on Friday 22 July at 8pm. Having been programmed in The Melbourne International Arts Festival, The Brisbane Powerhouse World Theatre Festival, The Darwin Festival,The Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Falls Festival,The Famous Spielgeltent and supporting the likes of Clairy Browne and the Banging Rackettes, Tinpan Orange and Harry James Angus, Miles and Simone are a much loved Australian musical duo. They are dear friends and have been for quite some time. Both Actors and musicians by trade, they met during a production of Summer of the 17th Doll and have been…

It’s a dream, it’s a shadow, it’s a spectacle. Frankston Arts Centre and ATA Allstars Artists bring you the exhilarating Shadowland from world-renowned Pilobolus Dance Theatre. This astounding combination of musicality, projected images and acrobatic dance choreography is daringly dramatic and hugely comedic. The thrilling visuals transform the human body into metaphorical themes before your very eyes. A global sensation, Pilobolus, has been experienced by over a half-million people and was featured on The Academy Awards, Ellen and Oprah. This imaginative Pilobolus creation celebrates the extraordinary power of darkness and its ability to illuminate who we really are. It’s more…

SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie FRANKSTON Pines returned from the Latrobe Valley with a precious point on Saturday as it bids to avoid relegation from State 1 South-East. The Monterey Reserve side earned a 3-3 draw against Morwell Pegasus in dramatic circumstances ending this catch-up fixture with nine men. Pines central defender Nick Lekakis and goalkeeper James Laminski were unavailable due to holidays but the side was bolstered by the midweek captures of forwards Josh Calle from Langwarrin and Naseer Mohammad from Casey Comets. Ioasa Saemo took up a central defensive role alongside Ben Caffrey while Calle partnered Mathew Hames up…

TWO men bashed a man, 54, outside a Tootgarook toilet block, 8am, Thursday 30 June. Detective Senior Constable Peter Butland, of Somerville CIU, said the man was hit in the back of the head and, when he fell to the ground, the men stole his wallet and ran off. The man reported the assault to police. He received treatment for lacerations to his head and abrasions to his face and forehead. Police are appealing to witnesses to the attack, near Truemans Rd. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Southern Peninsula News -…

THE ice-affected driver who killed two elderly women in a mini-bus crash in Rosebud, in August, has been jailed for 11 years with a minimum of seven and a half years. Michael Patrick Trueman, of Coburg, pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court last week to two counts of culpable driving causing death. Judge Paul Lacava was told the 24-year-old L-plate driver had the highest levels of speed and ice in his system that Victorian experts have ever seen. His Commodore crashed head-on into the Ti Tree Lodge mini bus, killing Betty May Fox, 91, and Katharina Nensteil, 88, and…

MCCRAE cafe proprietor Sam Keck got the wake-up call he dreaded, 3am, Friday morning. It was the milkman telling him his Merchant and Maker cafe, in Point Nepean Rd, had been broken into. Racing down he found the front door had been jemmied open for the thief to gain entry and steal a “substantial amount” of money from the till and more from the jemmied safe. Also gone was the cafe’s tips jar containing money earmarked for Ugandan charity the Cup that Counts, which contributes to the African country’s community development. The cafe also donates 20 cents from each cup…