Author: MP News Group

NEW owners of the Pig & Whistle, in Purves Rd, Main Ridge, have big plans for the former “traditional British pub” which has been running since 1975. The 26-acre property had been on the market for several months at a reported asking price of more than $3 million. The sale has been confirmed, and it was expected to change hands yesterday (Monday 1 February). The buying syndicate plans to upgrade the venue “to a resort-style destination for visitors from across Australia and overseas”. Chief operations manager John Groenendijk would not reveal the purchase price but signalled major upgrades over the…

HASTINGS resident Aline Burgess has been named Mornington Peninsula Shire’s 2016 Citizen of the Year. The awards were announced at Rosebud Memorial Hall on Australia Day. The shire’s Young Citizen of the Year, Tia McLean, is a year 12 student at Mt Eliza Secondary College, and Event of the Year is Balnarring Community Sustainability Fair, with the award presented to coordinator Pea Saunders. Ms Burgess’s role as foundation secretary of the Peninsula Carer Council in 2004 was said to be a continuation of her tireless advocacy for people with mental illness over 30 years, having moved to Hastings to be…

SEARCH and rescue police on Friday night recovered the body of a 64-year-old Hastings man who went missing off Hastings pier that morning. Police rushed to the scene after receiving reports of an abandoned wheelchair. They set up a shelter at the end of the pier while divers searched for a body. Hastings Yacht Club is assisting police with its CCTV footage. There are no suspicious circumstances. Police are preparing a report for the coroner. For support and information about suicide prevention, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. First published in…

A TRAWLING expedition by fisheries officers on land and sea netted 144 anglers breaking such rules as catching too many fish, using too many lines and keeping undersized catches. Despite the number of anglers booked, Fisheries Victoria says its Operation Billit found “the vast majority” of anglers in Western Port and Port Phillip “are doing so legally”. The operation was targeting snapper anglers but caught one angler with too many calamari and another with abalone. “We inspected 2100 recreational anglers on the water and at the boat ramps, we detected a total of 144 offenders were detected,” Fisheries Victoria’s Bob…

A MAN, 27, drowned at Gunnamatta beach, Sunday, while swimming with friends about 500 metres west of the area patrolled by lifesavers. The Taiwanese national, of Box Hill, got into trouble after being caught in a rip and pulled off a sandbank at 1.20pm. His two friends alerted lifesavers, who ran back along the beach. One swam out to the boy and brought him ashore. The lifesavers performed CPR until Ambulance Victoria crews arrived to take over, but he could not be revived and died at the scene. A report will be prepared for the coroner. Gunnamatta club captain Patrick…

GUNNAMATTA Surf Life Saving Club has received $5000 from the federal government’s Beach Safety Equipment Fund. The fund assists lifesaving clubs to buy rescue equipment and first-aid supplies for rescues over the summer season. The club’s 90 active members celebrated its 50th anniversary last weekend. Vice-president Ray Webb said the money would be used to replace worn rescue and patrol equipment. “It will also enable us to replace the motor in one of our inflatable rescue boats,” he said. The also will enable the club to spend other funds on training and to run nippers sessions. “This equipment will assist…

TWO men have been arrested and are expected to be charged on summons with arson after setting fire to a caravan on Arthur’s Seat Rd, Arthurs Seat, 10.40pm, Tuesday 19 January. The 46-year-old, from Seaford, and 25-year-old, from Frankston, allegedly torched the single axle van, with flames spreading to nearby bushland. Rosebud CFA crews managed to limit the extent of the fire – their job being made easier by damp conditions and lack of wind. Arthur’s Seat Rd was blocked off as a precaution against falling branches until mid-morning Wednesday. Detective Sergeant John Coburn, of Somerville police complex, said police…

AUSTRALIA Day has special meaning for long-standing Red Hill couple Royal and Roy Setter, who celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on the nation’s birthday, 26 January 2016. Royal Elaine (nee-Powell) and Roy George Setter married at St Peter’s Church of England, Frankston, on 26 January 1946, and moved into the family home in Paringa Rd, Red Hill South soon after. There they stayed for the next two years while building their own home just up the road. The couple worked hard on their orchard before retiring in 1982, building a new home in Red Hill where they now live. The…

ABOUT 200 jobs will be lost in Mornington and Carrum Downs with closure of the Masters “home improvement” stores. The demise of the Woolworths-owned Masters chain comes as no surprise, considering its much-publicised failure to gain market share. Each store employs about 100 staff – full-time, part-time and casual. A Woolworth’s media team on Tuesday said the Masters stores would “remain open as normal for some months to come”. “What we’ve announced is we intend to exit the business.  How we exit, which will either be through the sale process or a wind-up process, has yet to be decided and…

A CLOSE watch is being kept on power boats and jet skis to protect seals and other animals in Port Phillip. An increase in patrols by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning along the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula coastline follows rare visit to the region from an Antarctic crab-eater seal and the return of Australian fur seal Arcto to Dromana. The crab-eater seal was only 11th of its kind spotted in Victoria since 1856 and the first since 1999, while the bull seal Arcto was back at Dromana for the third year running. With peak boating season in…

Ghost the Musical Double pass giveaway Tickets valid for Friday February 5th 2016 – 8pm show at the Regent Theatre, Melbourne Terms and Conditions These terms and conditions (“Terms and Conditions”) govern the relationship between you, the entrant (“you”, “yours”) and the promoter, Mornington Peninsula News Group (“Mornington Peninsula News Group”, “Promoter”, “we”, “our”, “us”) 2/1 Tyabb Road, Mornington Eligibility The Competition is open to Australian residents aged 18 years or over. 2. The following are not eligible to enter the Competition: (i) employees and independent contractors of the Promoter and/or its related party entities (i.e. parent companies and subsidiaries); (ii) immediate family members of such employees…

Photos of the aftermath of yesterdays fires at Crib Point taken by Mornington Peninsula News photographer Gary Sissons. Firefighters have stopped the spread of the bushfire in the CRIB POINT area at Crib Point, this fire is classified as being under control. Residents and motorist should take care when travelling in the area as there are still approximately 25 fire trucks and crews working and patrolling the fire area. Staying close to shelter is the safest option, in case conditions change again suddenly. Continue to stay informed and monitor conditions. [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”14″ gal_title=”Crip Point Fire – Gary”]

WHEN a local Men’s Shed member collapsed suffering a heart attack last year he could have been dead within minutes had it not been for the quick action of one of his colleagues applying CPR while waiting for an ambulance with the necessary equipment. The member survived the attack but the incident lead to a discussion with the Hastings Community Bank (Bendigo Bank branch) around the need for an on-site defibrillator. Investigation revealed a statistically higher than normal risk of heart attack at Men’s Sheds because of the ages and health issues of some members, many of whom spend considerable…

AMBULANCE Victoria had a busy Sunday (17 January), with multiple incidents and rescues reported on Mornington Peninsula beaches: At 10.30am a man in his 40s swimming at Portsea was knocked over by a wave, dislocating his shoulder. He was taken to Rosebud hospital in a stable condition. At 3.10pm a teenage girl was hit by a boogie board and then by another swimmer, also at Portsea, injuring her head and neck. She was taken to Rosebud hospital in a stable condition. At 3.39pm a woman in her 30s suffered a serious cut to her leg when she fell on a…

PENINSULA Strikers soccer club members are still in shock after thieves broke into their clubrooms on New Year’s Eve. President Mark Brandon discovered the break-in at the club’s Centenary Park headquarters on McClelland Drive. “Initially I thought that the attempted break-in had failed but, once police arrived, it became clear what had happened,” Brandon said. “Thieves got in through the roof damaging four separate ceilings, two toilets, the bar and our storeroom. They also removed a safe bolted to a wall and stole its entire contents, leaving us well short of funds for the coming season.” But the theft of…

FROGS become more obvious after summer rains. Often heard but not seen, some of the common species to look out for are the common froglet, striped marsh frog and growling grass frog. To encourage the frogs to stick around, the Backyard Buddies program of the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife has issued tips on making a pond. “Water is incredibly important for Australia’s wildlife, especially our huge variety of frogs,” foundation CEO Susanna Bradshaw said. “A pond can offer an easy, permanent water source for your local amphibian buddies and will also benefit lots of other native animals too.…

UP to 300 people are expected to participate in Alzheimer’s Australia’s memory walk and jog at Point Nepean National Park, Sunday 24 January. The fundraising event is part of Alzheimer’s Australia’s efforts to raise awareness about dementia across Victoria. They estimate that 3240 of the state’s 81,000 people with dementia live on the Mornington Peninsula. Without a medical breakthrough that figure is predicted to rise to 10,153 people by 2050. The memory walk and Jog starts at the Quarantine Station with a 7 kilometre run at 8am, and 3.5km walk and 3.5km run at 9.30am. The event finishes at 11am.…

ARCTO has become a regular attraction at Dromana, but the rules are: look but don’t touch. The adult bull seal first landed on the beach two summers ago and this year took up residence for four days early in January. On warm days beachgoers vying for their own bit of sand make it a bit hard to avoid the Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus), although Arcto seems happy enough to share. “This is Arcto’s third straight summer at Dromana and we want to make sure people stay at least 30 metres from him if he does come back,” Department…

A VOLUNTEER beach clean-up with a twist will be held at Rye front beach, 10.30am-3pm, Sunday 24 January. Organiser Sacha Guggenheimer said the Seaside Scavenge concept, Trash–Trade, was all about collecting and trading beach litter for secondhand clothes. “Come and trade the trash you collect on the beach for stylish secondhand threads donated by salty folk to raise awareness of marine debris and plastic pollution,” she said. Those attending should register before starting. They should also bring their own gloves. Prizes will be given throughout the day. Events will include a recycling-themed session of children’s yoga at noon; trashy craft…

SORRENTO Bowls Club is celebrating Australia Day on Tuesday 26 January with a barefoot bowls carnival. The same event last year attracted 700 enthusiasts to the 81-year-old club. This official Mornington Peninsula Shire event aims to provide a family activity to commemorate the national day. It will run 10am-5pm, with free entry, loan of bowls and a sausage sizzle. The Australian flag will be raised at 10.30am by Australia Day ambassador Paul Guerra, managing director and senior vice-president, Asia Pacific, of Optum International and chairman, Queen Victoria Market. The national anthem will be performed by the Southern Peninsula Singers choir…

A RUPTURED water main forced emergency workers to close Point Nepean Rd, Tootgarook, Wednesday morning. The torrent of water from the main gouged a three metre by two-and-a-half-metre hole in the bitumen. The highway was closed both ways between Keith and Kevin streets and traffic diverted while works were completed. Point Nepean Rd resident David Stanton said he had “been ringing South East Water to discuss the emergency all morning, and every time I ring they advance the time it will take be fixed by an hour”. “It’s like a crater in the road; there’s a lot of damage and…

SCRIBBLES Supported Playgroup at Seawinds Community Hub has won the Playgroup Victoria Supported Playgroup of the Year award. Children, parents and playgroup facilitators celebrated the achievement last week. Supported playgroups aim to assist parents develop the skills and confidence to support their children’s learning and development. Mornington Peninsula Shire has received an annual grant to assist local supported playgroups since 2009, and is in partnership with community agencies, including Community Health, Anglicare, Good Shepherd and Family Life. Families are invited to join through referral. Scribbles is co-facilitated by the shire and Family Life, a service organisation working to transform lives…

THIRTY young dancers are performing cameo roles in the Rye-based theatre show, The Humanimals. The show is on at Jason Coleman’s Cabaret Cathedral, a purpose built urban theatre on Rye foreshore. The teenagers appear in 10 shows alongside international dancers and performers. Coleman, a dancer, choreographer and director who grew up in Rosebud, says he is determined to ensure he “pays it forward’ when it comes to nurturing the passions and skills of other young dancers”. “I grew up here, [and know] you can’t just jump on a tram to see the latest show or wander by a performance. It’s…

By BILLIE DIXON When you career begins in the furthest corners of a sleepy seaside village, nearly two hours from the centre of Melbourne, you’re going to have to put in some serious legwork if the rest of the world’s going to recognise you. Seth Morton lived on the Mornington Peninsula for nearly 20 years before a career in music beckoned him elsewhere. A small market that seemed to cater exclusively to cover bands and a general lack of industry saw the Peninsula of the mid-2000s unable to cater for an emerging artist of his calibre. Seth dropped his last…

IT’S summertime: a time to experience the beach, the sea and the bush on the Mornington Peninsula. And, this summer, Lamppost Gallery, Mt Eliza, offers another way to connect with the Australian landscape. It’s Still Life is an exhibition of sculptures by artist, writer, TV producer and actor Nathan King, whose art explores states of being in the natural world. A leaf becomes a skeleton and a sea anemone becomes a shell-casing … Following these shifts and changes in natural forms, King’s work explores nature, its diversity and transience. Discarded, fallen and forgotten remnants of nature are salvaged and assembled…

JUNIOR sailors from Mornington Yacht Club weathered the worst of the storms in NSW during the recent Laser, 420 and Optimist class championships. The club had 15 Optimist sailors competing, eight 420 sailors and two Laser sailors, with around 30 parents and six siblings accompanying them and offering support. Coaches were Mel Hitchen-Haw, Johnny Rodgers and Bunny Warren. Laser sailors Rhett and Tyrone Gowans competed in the Gold fleet at the Belmont 16ft Sailing Club, Newcastle, with Rhett, sailing Rhett’s Rig, coming sixth and Tyrone, sailing Tubby, coming 29th out of 92 competitors. Mornington sailors Stan Austin and Kristian Tipvsky…

Ready, set, swim! With sunshine and favourable winds forecast for the weekend, Portsea Surf Life Saving Club’s (PSLSC) signature special event, The Portsea Swim Classic (PSC), is shaping up to be another fantastic day for swimmers, this Saturday 16 January. The 1.5km open water swim sets off from Fisherman’s Beach, and concludes with competitors making a dash for the finish line in the picturesque surrounds of Point Nepean National Park. 2016 marks an exciting milestone for the Portsea Swim Classic, with the event achieving its 30th Anniversary. In celebration of the Anniversary, there is an additional event on offer this…

THE two vessels integral to the success of Victorian Maritime Centre being built at Hastings are in trouble. The Otama, an Oberon class submarine, is anchored off Crib Point and needs new mooring cables by May if it is to survive winter storms. Cost of the cables is put at $50,000. The other vessel owned by the Western Port Oberon Association, the Wyuna, was built in 1953 and donated to the association in 2013. Although extensively refitted and undergoing sea trials she remains in Tasmania because there is no berth available in Melbourne. Association president Max Bryant said the Wyuna…

BALNARRING Freemasons have given $5000 to the Hastings Police Senior Citizens Register. Lodge master Barry Hodder handed the donation to register coordinator Denise Palmer. The register has been run by volunteers for 15 years and has 1000 clients. It operates out of Hastings police station. The money will go towards a new car for follow-up action when concerns are held for a registered person, especially when daily phone contact fails. Volunteers check on each client’s wellbeing. If, for any reason, there’s no answer within a certain time, a nominated emergency contact is notified. If this fails police or a staff…

THE car park near Western Port Marina will be filled on Sunday 17 January with 300 eye-catching cars of all makes and models setting off on one of Victoria’s largest veteran, vintage and classic car rallies. Hastings is one of three designated starting points – and perhaps the biggest – for the RACV’s Great Australian Rally which runs from Melbourne to Mornington and attracts almost 1000 entries. The 15-year-old rally aims to promote the pleasures of classical motoring and raise funds for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Last year the rally raised more than $72,000. Organiser, the All British Classics…