A MORNINGTON coffee company was recently awarded Radio 3AW and Momentum Energy’s Small Business Achievement Award. It was presented on Denis Walter’s afternoon program. Mornington resident Sam Keck started Commonfolk Coffee Company coffee roaster and cafe in 2013. The 24-year-old zoology graduate wanted to introduce people to the concept of specialty coffee and connect them with all stages of its production – from the farmer to the importer and on to the roaster. “The company battled through archaic council planning regulations but, finally, got permission to open up in the Mornington industrial estate – far away from your typical Main…
Author: MP News Group
AN office has been set up on the Mornington Peninsula to help low income earners buy household necessities. The StepUp project is run by not-for-profit Good Shepherd Microfinance, part of the Good Shepherd network. The group will provide loans for those with a Centrelink health care card or pension card or who qualify for family tax benefit A and can prove they have lived at their current address for more than three months. There are no fees, but a low-interest rate is charged. “We have been providing loans around Australia for 12 years,” financial security manager Sally Edwards said. “We’re…
CATS are being given away free by the RSPCA from Thursday 14 April to Sunday 17 April. During these four days, RSPCA Victoria will be waiving its usual $110 cat adoption fee. The organisation has more than 200 adult cats at its nine adoption centres and two RSPCA Pets Place Centres. There are also cats waiting in quarantine (at least eight days before being ready for adoption). During the no-fee period, normal adoption procedures apply, including matching each animal to the right family. Every cat available for adoption is desexed, microchipped and vaccinated. RSPCA Peninsula is at 1030 Robinsons Rd,…
THE historic 75-year-old steam train K163 is ready to fire up this Sunday 17 April for a kids fun run at Moorooduc Railway Station, on Moorooduc Highway alongside Mt Eliza Regional Park (Melway 105/K9). From 10am-1 pm children aged three to 12 will be able to run alongside the locomotive into the station on a purpose built and secure track. Distances will vary with age from 150 metres to 1200 metres. Organised by Mt Eliza Rotary Club, he event will be family friendly with children’s show bags, face painters, balloon sculptors and an animal farm along with food and drinks…
HMAS Sirius has sailed, but her presence off Mt Martha last week attracted many curious onlookers. The Western Australia-based supply vessel proved a drawcard for sailors from naval training base HMAS Cerberus’s engineering faculty who motored out from Rosebud pier on familiarisation tours. The auxiliary oiler was built as a double-hulled commercial product tanker, then named MV Delos, and bought by the federal government in 2004. Renamed Sirius, she underwent modifications, including the addition of a flight deck for helicopter operations. The ship can carry over 34,806 cubic metres of fuel, including 5486 cubic metres of aviation fuel for helicopters.…
FOUR teenagers were threatened with a machete in a failed robbery in Naples St, Mornington, on Monday night last week. The group was walking along Nunns Rd at about 10.15pm after buying take away when they noticed they were being followed. Two youths approached in Naples St and demanded their mobiles and wallets – one raising a machete to his victim’s face, causing a scratch. The victims refused to hand over any property and the offenders fled. Anyone with information should call Detective Senior Constable Andrew Hodgson, of Somerville police complex, 5978 1300 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First…
By Craig MacKenzie MORNINGTON, Strikers and Baxter have won their opening two games of the 2016 soccer season. But Mornington’s 3-1 win at home to Manningham United on Saturday masks the problems Adam Jamieson’s men had in the first half of their State 1 South-East clash. “Manningham missed a penalty early on and they really should have been 2-0 up. They’re a decent side,” said Jamieson. Mornington regained its composure and went in at the break with a 1-0 lead after a sweeping move involving Northern Irish import Sammy Stewart, ex-Manningham midfielder Chris Reid and Shane Tagliaferro with Wayne Gordon…
A POLICE raid in Skye Rd, Frankston, yesterday, resulted in the seizure of 200 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $700,000-$1 million. Car loads of police descended on the property, between Dalpura Court and Onkara St, on Friday morning. Four Vietnamese nationals – one woman and three men aged 22-38 – were arrested and charged with cultivating and trafficking marijuana and theft of electricity. Sergeant Sam Booth, of Frankston police, said another 20 kilograms of marijuana was “cut up and ready to go”. “Community suspicions” alerted police to the presence of the crop, he said. A bypass switch…
PENINSULA Health’s clinical director of emergency medicine Dr Shyaman Menon knows timing is everything when it comes to medical emergencies. Many elderly Mornington Peninsula residents use a personal pendant alarm and emergency button to call for immediate care if they are in medical trouble. Until now, the personal alarm pendant has been limited to use at home, operating through an extra socket to an existing phone line. But this is set to change with a new alarm pendant designed to work anywhere – in the supermarket, at the park, even on the golf course. “This is an outstanding technological development…
DETAILS of each councillor’s spending on allowances will not be released until Mornington Peninsula Shire’s annual report, possibly as late as October. Elections to determine who will fill the 11 places on the shire’s council will be held Saturday 22 October. Attempts to verify the delay in obtaining details about councillor spending with the shire’s communications manager, Mark Kestigian, were unsuccessful late on Friday. A message left on voicemail drew no response by deadline. No statement appeared on the shire website. But, if usual annual report practice is followed, the figures to be released will not be more than a…
THREE Commonfolk Studio artists drew inspiration from the Mornington Peninsula’s natural beauty for their first group exhibition, Safe Keeping. The exhibition combines the work of glass artist Sarah Dingwall, silversmith Kate Macindoe and artist Emma Morgan to explore the concept of preservation as well as their desire to protect an object or moment. “Though we each make our artworks through different mediums, we noticed we all had similar themes to do with nature and preservation,” Morgan said. Inspired by the natural world, the artists’ work reflects their connection with places, memories, ideas and objects through their respective mediums. “We’re really…
RYE Bowls Club has had another successful Pennant season with five of its six sides making the finals series of Saturday Pennant and the sixth one just missing out by finishing fifth. The fours and the fives went down in the semi and elimination finals leaving the ones, twos and threes to bring home the bacon in the grand final. So on Saturday 12 March, the third division defeated West Rosebud with a margin of 10 shots, at Rosebud Country Club Bowls Club and the second division was too good for Village Glen Bowls Club at West Rosebud by a…
FORMER Australian of the Year Rosie Batty will lead a new Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council as part of a state government plan to implement all recommendations of a Royal Commission into Family Violence due to hand down its recommendations this week. Premier Daniel Andrews said the advisory council will have a say on how the Labor state government ensures the Royal Commission’s findings are used to reform the family violence system across Victoria. Ms Batty’s son Luke was murdered by his father Greg Anderson, who had a history of mental illness and violence against Ms Batty, at the Tyabb football…
RPP FM local radio have announced the launch of a new current affairs radio program on Tuesday, 29 March 2016 at 12noon. The half hour program, called Eye on the Peninsula will be presented by Piers Cunningham and produced by Debra Mar. The program will cover local current affairs, developing stories, live crosses and breaking news across Mornington Peninsula communities. Station Manager, Mr Brendon Telfer said, “It’s all about the peninsula and our talented team who will be able to tell important local stories and give them ‘voice’ – we don’t want to rely on the big news agencies defining…
POLITICAL barbs continue to be exchanged over the Labor state government’s rate capping policy, dubbed the Fair Go Rates system by the government, for councils across Victoria. Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins announced last week that the Essential Services Commission will publish its annual rate cap recommendation, based on the cost of inflation, each year. The ESC recommended councils should not increase rates by any more than 2.8 per cent for the 2016-17 financial year, based on the Consumer Price Index and Wage Price Index. Ms Hutchins decided rate rises should be limited to 2.5 per cent based on CPI.…
THE CFA volunteers’ association believes diversity is vital to CFA and its work of protecting the community. Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria District 8 president Eric Collier says being a CFA volunteer is “about commitment, skills and professionalism”. “CFA brigades welcome volunteers of any gender, age or cultural background. The one thing we all have in common is a commitment to serve our communities,” Mr Collier said. “CFA Brigades are from the community and for the community. We want our membership to be as diverse as the communities of which we are part. “The jobs a volunteer can undertake are quite…
Trent Cotchin, Richmond Football Club Captain, will ‘kick off’ Premier’s Active April on the Mornington Peninsula on Saturday, 2 April. Premier’s Active April is part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to promote healthy and active lifestyles and get Victorians to join in the fun of increased physical activity. Trent’s on-hand to run a children’s and parents’ boot camp to get people into the active spirit, then cool off with some fan photos. Launch events will take place at Pelican Park Recreation Centre in Hastings and at Civic Reserve Recreation Centre in Mornington on the first Saturday in April. You can…
FOUR people survived a light plane crash at Tooradin Airfield on Sunday 20 March. Witnesses say strong winds appeared to buffet the Cessna 182T as it came into land. The plane struck three other planes as it came into the airfield, bending in half before it came to a halt. The four people aboard, a man in his 50s, another in his 20s, a woman, 31, and a four-year-old girl were all taken to Frankston Hospital and treated for light injuries, bruises and shock. The crash happened at about 1pm in full view of diners at the airfield restaurant. CFA…
DIAGNOSED with multiple sclerosis (MS) at 13, Bobby Bajram, pictured above, knows what it means to face difficulties in life. But being a determined type, he’s now created another peak that has to be reached: climbing Mt Everest. “I promised myself that MS would not beat me, and that one day I would walk to the top of the world,” the now 48-year-old last week explained to Rosebud Secondary College students. Mr Bajram’s visit followed a chance meeting with a group of the college’s students while hiking near Mt Bogong last month. “Our paths literally crossed,” he said. “The students…
BUILDING on the success of their inaugural summer lantern event, Boneo Maze is hosting a school holiday program to promote well-being, relaxation and connection for families. Commencing on Good Friday with kid’s yoga and nature craft activities, the program also includes a chocolate Easter egg hunt and indigenous cultural tours. Held in the heart of the park, the kid’s yoga is aimed at children from 5 to 10 years as a fun, mind-body activity. Available every day from Good Friday until Sunday April 3rd, the yoga is being offered free of charge (park entry fee required). The craft and chocolate…
A STUDY will be held to identify sites for new boat ramps on the Mornington Peninsula. The Mornington Peninsula Marine Alliance says a steering committee will hire consultants to undertake the $40,000 feasibility study. The state government-financed study will also investigate improving existing boat ramps. Head of the marine alliance Stefan Borzeki, who operates Yaringa boat harbour near Somerville, said 60 per cent of the state’s recreational boating took place on Western Port and Port Phillip. He said there had been “little renewal or replacement of marine infrastructure in the past 25 years … This under investment is a grave…
A MOTORCYCLIST pulled up at an Operation Wasp roadblock at Peninsula Link Bungower Rd exit at 11.30pm Friday 11 March ran off while being questioned by police. The 28-year-old Frankston North man was caught after a short pursuit and remanded in custody to appear at Frankston Magistrates Court Monday 14 March. Police said the man outstanding warrants and was wanted for several burglaries. Sergeant Steve Duffee of Mornington police said all Peninsula Link off ramps were blocked during Operation Wasp. “It is a road police operation where we set up off the exits on Friday at the start of the…
CRIME on the Mornington Peninsula has bucked the rising statewide trend according to the latest figures released by the Crime Statistics Agency. While reported offences across Victoria in 2015 jumped by 8.1 per cent compared to 2014, crime on the peninsula remained “stable”, in the CSA’s opinion, with a 5.4 per cent rise between 2014 and 2015. Crimes against the person, including assault, fell on the peninsula from 1579 in 2014 to 1410 last year. There were eight homicides last year and seven in 2014. There were 10,997 reported crimes across the peninsula last year compared to 10,303 in 2014.…
LIFESAVING Victoria has issued a list of safety measures for rock fishing which it sees as one of the most dangerous aquatic sports in Australia. The rocky shorelines of Mornington Peninsula facing Bass Strait are as much a lure to anglers as their baits are to fish, and just as deadly. On 10 January a 67-year-old man died after being swept from rocks while fishing at Sorrento. One week later a 26-year-old fisherman was washed off the rocks at Bridgewater Bay in Portland. The two deaths sparked an appeal from Life Saving Victoria for anglers to take more precautions. Top…
OVER the next 12 months Tyabb reservoir will be turned into two independently operating water basins. The works will allow workers from Melbourne Water to install two linings and covers while the old cover and lining is removed. The covers and linings are designed to protect the quality of the drinking water piped from Cardinia Reservoir or Tarago treatment plant. Melbourne Water has warned there will be extensive truck movements 7am-6pm, Monday to Friday. Approval is being sought for the trucks to operate 7am-1pm on Saturdays. Bulk earthworks during what’s described as “an intensive period of 60-100 truck movements each…
THEY may be noisy and, technically, outdated and slow, but there’s no doubting the fascination of old warplanes. Thousands of spectators flocked to Tyabb airfield on Sunday to watch a collection of “Winged Warriors” take to the sky in a display that’s part showmanship (stunt planes blowing smoke) and part aeronautical genius. However, while many of the planes at the Peninsula Aero Club’s biennial event are privately owned, the RAAF sent down a modern C-17A Globemaster III which put on a dramatic display of low flying and a final flypast at 300 knots. But it wasn’t all eyes skyward all…
FORMER students of Dromana College are planning a variety of celebrations for the college’s 50th anniversary this time next year. Parent liaison officer Theresa Stelling and past teacher Doug Smith are heading up the steering committee for the event on Sunday 12 March 2017. It will have a carnival atmosphere with rides, bands, stalls and myriad attractions. A highlight for the pair has been getting in touch with the first technical school student in the roll book – Trevor Birch. The school has an interesting history. It began when former Flinders Shire Councillor George Bishop, a policeman stationed at Dromana,…
RYE pier is well known among locals, divers and underwater photographers for its role in the annual migration of spider crabs that come in, on mass, from Bass Strait. The phenomenon is a popular YouTube topic. Some years thousands wander under, and around, the pier forming what looks like a giant rugby scrum. No one is sure why the crabs do this, but it has been suggested it is to moult while the scrum protects them. The crabs are a bit thin for eating, and look like small crabs on stilts. The phenomenon made spider crabs an obvious choice for the…
DROMANA sailor Mark Bulka, above right, had a busy time on the water last week… He was a member of the winning crew at the Australian SB20 championships sailed off Blairgowrie. Alongside him were boat owner Robert Jefferies, above middle, and helmsman Glenn Bourke, above left. Their boat, Red, sailed a consistent and competitive regatta over the four days taking the title from Tasmanians Nick Rogers, Col Dabner and Simon Burrows on Karabos, second, and Michael Cooper, David Chapman and Matt Johnston, on Export Roo, third. Presentations were held at the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron to finish off an excellent week…
FOUR Rosebud Secondary College students proved that they are willing to give the hair on their heads in to support those suffering from blood cancers like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Abbey Jordan, Stella Tomasello, Lachlan Huxtable and Hannah Clayton had their locks chopped as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s annual World’s Greatest Shave which sees participants being sponsored to shave, wax or colour their hair. “I knew because my hair was so long that people would be surprised I was willing to have it cut off, and that was a good way to raise awareness,” Hannah said. “She was born…