A 69-year-old Sorrento man has died in hospital after he was involved in a cycling incident in Portsea last week. Investigators have been told that the 69-year-old was cycling along Wattle Grove with a 67-year-old Portsea man about 8.15am on Tuesday 9 February. The two riders have collided with each other at the intersection of Royal Avenue and both have been thrown from their bikes. The Sorrento man suffered severe head injuries and was air lifted to hospital. Police have been told the man died today. The 67-year-old suffered minor injuries.
Author: MP News Group
FRANKSTON police are calling for help in finding a stolen motorcycle that has “significant sentimental value” for the owner. The deaf and mute man bought it following the death of his father. It was stolen from Tyrone St, Seaford, on 15 December. Detective Acting Sergeant Ryan Collins, of Frankston CIU, is appealing for witnesses or anyone with information about the motorcycle to call him on 9784 5590 or Crimestoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 16 February 2016
ROSEBUD’S own Ron Vincent bears an uncanny resemblance to singer Cat Stevens. But it doesn’t stop there. Ron has been a life-long fan of Stevens and his tribute show has been applauded both here and overseas. Next week Sorrento will enjoy the entertainment of Ron Vincent at the Spiegeltent on February 26 and 27. Ron’s Cat Stevens tribute show is a trip down memory lane exploring Stevens’ remarkable musical career. His folk-influenced, melodic tunes strike a chord with audiences today and Ron’s heartfelt performance sets the scene for an intimate musical journey. A very talented singer, songwriter and musician Vincent…
LIFE Saving Victoria is warning the public about the dangers of rip currents following three fatal drownings and a number of hospitalisations following non-fatal drownings this year. A 27-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman died after getting caught in a knee-deep rip current at Cape Woolamai on Sunday 10 January, while a 27-year-old man lost his life at Gunnamatta on Sunday 24 January. There have been 23 reported drowning deaths in Victoria this financial year, 13 of those were in coastal waters which is five more than the previous five year average of eight. Since July, 78 per cent of…
CONSTRUCTION companies, landscapers, tradespeople and suppliers are welcome to attend a free ‘Meet the Builder’ event on Thursday 25 February, to register for any opportunities that may arise from Frankston Private Hospital’s $45 million expansion project. According to Frankston mayor Cr James Dooley, the Frankston Private Expansion project, delivered by Watpac on behalf of Healthscope and Generation Healthcare REIT, will include opportunities for local suppliers to bid for work packages on the project. “This opportunity has been arranged through Frankston City’s ‘Buy Local’ program, which has brought about some amazing partnerships through major construction projects in the last few years,”…
GRAVESITE commemorations at Dromana and Crib Point cemeteries, Sunday 21 February, will honour two Mornington Peninsula servicemen who died 50 years ago at the Battle of Long Tan, during the Vietnam War. They are among a series of simultaneous vigils across the state at the gravesites of Vietnam veterans. The Dromana ceremony will honour fallen veteran Mick Poole, and Crib Point’s will honour Colin Whiston. Mornington Peninsula Vietnam Veterans’ Association treasurer Robin Date said Mr Poole’s extended family and Mr Whiston’s sister Michelle and her family would attend the services. The two are the only Vietnam veterans buried on the…
By BILLY DIXON “IN the first few years we were playing, getting to play a show at the Oxford Art Factory in Sydney was a dream… when you actually get to a milestone like that, you’re pinching each other and giving high fives!” It’s a sentiment that many newer bands can relate to, as they hop from bar to pub to club, trawling the suburbs of their home state for fans. For RÜFÜS, it’s a reality that constantly surprises with generous bounties of love and recognition for the indie dance trio, consisting of Tyrone Lindqvist, Jon George and James Hunt.…
ANY species that can beat the cane toad and feral cat to the title of “Worst Pest in Australia” for their deleterious impact on native species deserves to be taken seriously. Indian mynas appear to wear that tag with pride. The aggressive, territorial pests are a serious threat to native birds and other small animals. Also called common mynas, they are rated by the World Conservation Union as one of the world’s 100 most invasive species. Southwest Mornington Peninsula Landcare Group members are inviting residents to a free Indian myna workshop on Saturday 20 February. Fauna ecologist Malcolm Legg will…
LARS Tharp, a presenter on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow program, is the first speaker for the year of the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society, Mornington Peninsula branch. The ceramics and oriental art specialist, broadcaster and speaker will tell the story of London’s Foundling Hospital, at 5.30pm, Friday 26 February, at Peninsula Community Theatre, Wilsons Rd, Mornington. The Foundling hospital was established in 1739 by philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram as a home for the education and maintenance of exposed and deserted young children. Artist William Hogarth had a long association with the hospital and was a governor, as was…
FLINDERS MP Greg Hunt has been named Best Minister in the World for his role, as Australia’s Environment Minister, in reducing carbon emissions by 93 million tonnes. The award was announced and presented to Mr Hunt at the World Government Summit in Dubai on Tuesday 9 February. “I am genuinely humbled to receive the award. I am however deeply proud that this inaugural award is being presented to an environment minister. The environment is our common heritage, our land, our home and our identity,” Mr Hunt said in his acceptance speech. Mr Hunt is the inaugural recipient of the annual…
BERG Mt Martha will hold a Free Family Day at Balcombe estuary, 10am-2pm, Sunday 28 February. Those attending the “natural outdoor classroom” will be invited to create a cartoon with Terry Denton, sculpt with the Dromana potters, make a mini-book with Annie Dowd, paint a picture with Judi Singleton, learn about Lego Smart City with Melbourne Water, look for “creek critters” with BERG Mt Martha, burrow into the bush with Gidja Walker, spot the bird with Birdlife Australia, get up close and personal with reptiles from Moonlit Sanctuary, swap a card with the Connies and find a plant. There will…
A woman has died after she was struck by a car in Boneo late on Saturday evening. Investigators have been advised the 22-year-old from Carrum Downs was walking along Browns Road, in between Truemans Road and Boneo Road with a group of friends having left a wedding when at about 11.45pm she was struck by a car. The driver of the Mazda, a 61-year-old man, who was heading west, stopped and is assisting police with their enquiries. The man from Fingal, and his female passenger were not physically injured in the collision. Police are investigating and will prepare a report…
AN image of the Virgin Mary stolen from the Greek Orthodox church, Red Hill, has been found. Mornington Peninsula CIU detectives were told two thieves entered the church, on Arthurs Seat Rd, around 3.50am Sunday (31 January). CCTV footage shows them approaching a sealed glass box containing an icon of the Virgin Mary and gold jewellery. After unsuccessfully trying to smash the glass, the thieves removed the case from the counter top, stealing the icon and assorted jewellery. The case, Virgin Mary icon and other smaller pieces of jewellery were found, Thursday, on the side of White Hill Rd, Red…
THE Ambassador Hotel function centre in Frankston is being demolished but the site is back on the market after a sale at auction late last year fell through. Winning bidder Harry Matsoukas said he was “not involved with that any more” when contacted by The News last month. Lender the Jadig Group repossessed the property at 325 Nepean Highway late last year after previous owner Joanna Kordos, who had planned to build 37 apartments at the site, did not make loan payments. Jadig Group managing director Jack Gringlas said the company had decided to demolish the function centre since Frankston…
SPORTING and active recreation clubs in Mornington are being encouraged to apply for funding in VicHealth’s active club grants program. “This funding is vital to helping many more Victorians get the recommended minimum of 2.5 hours per week of moderate physical activity,” Mornington MP David Morris said. “As well as the health benefits of keeping us fit and preventing illness, exercise helps reduce stress and keeps us alert and resilient. Research also shows that it’s a great way to get social. “Sport builds community pride and loyalty and offers people the chance to get involved, providing them with a positive…
FAMILIES will celebrate all that’s good about reading at the Peninsula Reads Family Fun Day, Village Green, Rosebud, on Sunday 14 February. The day will show what is happening with books on the Mornington Peninsula and offer a range of free activities, resources and takeaway books. Entertainment will suit families and the day will showcase how the community embraces and supports reading and literacy. Activities include sliding on the inflatable Jurassic Park, or patting a real lizard or crocodile. Those preferring little furry creatures can join the petting zoo. There will be a sausage sizzle and live entertainment by school…
MAKEOVER plans are underway to turn the Mornington Peninsula’s car and passenger ferry into a floating food market! In a win for local tourism and the Peninsula’s Food and Wine industries, Searoad Ferries has been chosen to take part in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival next month. The Mornington Peninsula is home to ‘world-class’ produce and this event invites passengers to cruise the bay under the stars while enjoying fine local fare from food stalls and trucks, listen to great local musicians and mingle with the makers. Searoad Ferries is focusing the event on the Peninsula and the Bay…
CHILDREN brought up within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are being taught to be loyal to Australia. “We will prove it with our actions and deeds that our youth are the best citizens of Australia and they will be well educated,” Inamul Haq Kauser said when speaking at an Australia Day dinner. Guests at the dinner Sunday 31 January for 300 at the Baitu-us-Salam (House of Peace) Mosque, Langwarrin, included members of parliament, councillors and police. Imam Kauser, national president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, gave assurances that the children of Ahmadi Muslims “will be loyal to this country”. The imam told diners…
STUDENTS and trainees left stranded when the federal government cut funding for the PenBus service are now back on the road. The state government has announced a dedicated bus service between Rosebud and Monash University’s Peninsula campus. The 12-month trial service is a funding partnership between the government, Mornington Peninsula Shire and Monash University. Route 887 will begin on 22 February in time for the start of first semester, and will follow the same route as PenBus. Six express round trips a day, Monday to Friday, will connect with Monash University’s inter-campus shuttle to Clayton. The bus will also be…
THAT first day at school … It’s often a mixture of angst, excitement and anticipation – coupled with an organisational challenge for parents. Well, just imagine increasing the stakes threefold! That was the case for one local family last week when triplets Donna, Dimitri and Andreas Watson turned up for prep classes at Mornington Primary, Vale St, for the first time. The two boys and one girl were popular arrivals. “They are the only triplets at the school and we believe they are the first ever triplets here at Mornington Primary,” business manager Olympia Maselli said. Dad Carl said the…
WHAT’S a “paint-out”? Why, it’s a group of people getting together to paint a given subject, of course. This one: “At the water’s edge…” complements Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery’s summer exhibition, On the Beach. Enthusiastic artists in the paint-out focused on the intricate patterns of water movement at the water’s edge near the Canadian Bay Club, Mt Eliza, Thursday. Coincidentally, the movie On the Beach was filmed at Mt Eliza in the early 1960s starring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner and Fred Astaire. “This group is not a formal art group or society as such, just people who heard we were…
DO you kick like a girl? Good! Tyabb Junior Football Club wants you to join its new girls football team this year. Girls have been keen participants at Tyabb Auskick for several years and Tyabb Juniors is offering girls a chance to take to the footy field in competitive games for the first time in the club’s history this season. The club has kicked off a social media campaign with the hashtag #yabbienation to spread the word about the club’s expansion ambitions for the year ahead. There are three divisions – junior, intermediate and youth girls – and Tyabb hopes…
SOMERVILLE Tennis Club will hold a free tennis day, 1-5pm, Saturday 6 February. President Karyn Dickens said those attending could have a hit with the club pro, pick up some tips and join in on a lesson to get a taste of tennis. “Tennis is fun for the beginner, social player and the up-and-coming club star,” she said. Attractions include a radar gun being used to check service speeds. Prizes and giveaways will go to the fastest server. In Hit the Target, players test their aim on service. “This is a fun way to practice your serve and challenge your…
THE new park at Red Hill opened with a ribbon cutting, speeches and a barbecue, but it was the enjoyment on the faces of children using the playground equipment that proved the worth of the efforts of the Red Hill Community Association to create the park. “It was lovely to hear the squeals of children enjoying the new playground and see them having such a good time,” Felicity Jackson said. Hamburgers and veggie burgers cooked by volunteers on the barbecue were handed out by members of the 1st Red Hill Scout group. Musician Keith White performed old standards and pop…
HELP for those affected by a bushfire which swept through parts of Crib Point two weeks ago is coming from the community and state government. While the government has announced emergency relief assistance for affected property owners, co-workers and friends have already raised thousands of dollars for David and Caroline Tootell, whose house on The Esplanade was the only one lost in the fire. By early yesterday (Monday 1 February), $6745 had been raised in three days by 172 people who work alongside Caroline Tootell at Peninsula Health to be added to a “substantial sum” raised by Somers Yacht Club…
A RYE man was assaulted as he walked home along Government Rd, Rye, 11.35pm, Tuesday. The 65-year-old had been celebrating Australia Day at his daughter’s house and at Rye RSL. He told police a white coloured sedan, possibly a Camry, slowed as it passed him and an occupant threw an egg at him. Words were exchanged and the car slowed, did a U-turn, and pulled up beside him. The occupants got out and knocked the man unconscious. A passer-by found the man on the nature strip and called an ambulance. He was treated at Frankston hospital for cuts to the…
POLICE are investigating the possibility that two men who allegedly dumped a caravan at Arthur’s Seat did not set it alight. Sergeant John Coburn, of Somerville police complex, said “another party” may have torched the single-axle van after it was left in Arthur’s Seat Rd, 10.40pm, Tuesday 19 January. This was the day after disastrous fires at Crib Point destroyed a house and outbuildings, burnt out 83 hectares of bushland and forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents. A 46-year-old, of Seaford, and 25-year-old, of Frankston, were expected to be charged on summons with dumping the van and arson after…
By TERRI LEE FATOUROS THINK your rock might be lacking gutsy grunge blues, or your passion for it withering? Then atone, my friends, and get yourself down to soul repenting, mystical “shakin & rockin” blues rock with The Electric Church. With eccentric mastermind Baron Franco on lead vocals/guitar as the charismatic front man of the band, flavoured by bassist, Jesse Ingram and interchanging with their tight new rhythmic drummer, Paul Fiddes, and playing in the style of “New Blues-based Alternative Rock,” you’ll be impressed with the funky, raw, and gritty rocking blues the Electric Church is churning out. The Electric…
CATHERINE Brace has joined her sister and father in what seems to have become tradition for the Mornington family by embarking on a military career. Her younger sister Michelle is a private in the Australian Army Ordnance Corps and their father, Ian Brace, now retired, served as an officer in the signals corps. Catherine, 22, was one of 60 recruits taking the official oath last week at an appointment ceremony at the defence force recruiting centre before leaving for 18 months of training at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, near Canberra. A former pupil at Mornington Primary School and student…
THE News 44th Mornington Art Show has broken records, with 350 at the opening night and sales bringing total profits to more than $1 million. The show opened last Thursday night with Miss Australia International Jessica Martini cutting a ribbon before guests viewed the artworks to the jazz of the Balnarring Bakery Trio. During the week the show broke all previous daily attendance records, with more than 250 visitors each day. More than 90 paintings were sold and judge Lyn Mellady awarded the Best Exhibit to “The Thinker” by Rosemary (Todman) Parrant. The peoples choice was “German Shepherd Puppy” by Jos Coufrier…