OPPOSITION Police spokesman Edward O’Donohue and Hastings MP Neale Burgess were at the $16.3 million Somerville police complex on Friday voicing their concerns over its lack of counter service. They wanted to highlight the fact that it “remains closed to the public because of Daniel Andrew’s failure to provide funding for more police”. Mr Burgess said it was important that he had been allowed inside the police building at the corner of Eramosa Rd West and Coolart Rd, Somerville. He was taken on a 30-minute tour by Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Drake and Detective Sergeant Jason Hocking. “It was designed…
Author: MP News Group
A PLAY that’s truly out of this world will land on stage at Hastings Hall this month. A youth show production by Pelican Theatre Company called ‘What’s Above?’ featuring performers aged 10-18 will investigate mysterious sightings of UFOs and aliens. The play is written by Pelican Theatre Company vice-president Madeleine Kay who says the comedy about people who believe in aliens is suitable for the whole family. “I watched a documentary about people who believed in aliens in the US and thought it was a really good idea for a show,” she said. “Adopting a mockumentary to the stage is…
WELLBEING workshops, “empowering” guest speakers and live music are all being brought together for a family fun day. As well as providing a family day out, this month’s Mindfulness Festival is aimed at raising money for the Wellness Pavilion at Rosebud Secondary College. The Wellness Pavilion will offer meditation sessions, counselling support and innovative programs for college students and youth and families within the wider community. Music at the festival will be played by The Warrains, SugaTree, Drew Bowden, Lady and the Tramps and The Daddios. Guest speakers will join yoga, meditation and nutrition practitioners as they demonstrate child and…
ALL creatures furry, rough skinned and feathered will be at the free annual Peninsula Pet Expo on the Village Green in Rosebud 9am-3pm on Sunday 29 November, which is hosted by Mornington Peninsula Shire. One highlight will be NSW dog trainer and qualified behaviourist “Farmer Dave” Graham with his “Muttley Crew”, a troupe of dogs dumped at animal shelters – because their owners couldn’t cope with their bad behaviour – which he has transformed into acclaimed performers. Graham first came to attention as a competitor on TV reality show Big Brother and used his profile to open the Farmer Dave…
The picnic basket just got tastier! We are excited to welcome the incredibly talented multi ARIA Award winner Missy Higgins, bringing with her a catalogue of sweet hits for picnickers in 2016. Joining this year’s menu of music, with his blues and roots flavour will be sonic virtuoso Kim Churchill, Powderfinger guitarist extraordinaire Darren Middleton giving the Peninsula a taste of his solo offerings, rising Adelaide folk star Timberwolf and Shoreham local singer songwriter Ruby Whiting. Roll out your picnic rug, and relax to the sweet sounds of some of Australia’s finest acts, while taking your taste buds on a…
FOUR schools and two individuals have won recognition at the Mornington Peninsula Shire 2015 Mayoral Sustainability Awards. Now in their 10th year, the awards acknowledge the achievements of students, teachers, student groups and school communities in working toward a sustainable future. They were presented by Cr Graham Pittock, who said four outstanding schools were recognised in the student group category, which recognised groups that demonstrated leadership in sustainability practices. Student group award winners were: Mt Eliza Secondary College – years 7 and 8: Students with an interest in environmental sustainability spent one day a week working on sustainable practices on…
By Barry Morris* THEY might have cute little faces and tails and are protected by the Victorian Wildlife Act, but the abundance of ringtail possums in Mt Eliza and Mt Martha are being blamed for a massive loss of gum trees. Ecologist Jeff Yugovic says the tree loss is linked to dense understoreys in which possums can hide from their major remaining predator, the fox. He says the role of the introduced fox has replaced locally extinct native predators which would once have kept the possum population under control. Dr Yugovic’s solution to the possum problem is to remove their…
A PHOTOGRAPHER by profession, Fran Bainbridge these days finds herself more often wielding paint brushes and metalworking tools than operating a camera. “In a world where everything is so readily accessible online, I considers it a pleasure to be designing and creating unique pieces in silver and gold,” she says. Her paintings are inspired by life on the Mornington Peninsula. She describes “Shoreham sands” as “a painting executed in a free flowing loose abstract style that has captured the interest of many who love to wander along our pristine beaches”. Bainbridge, previously of Gallery One in Mornington, is having an…
This Is Christmas at The Palms Double pass giveaway Tickets valid for Thursday 10th December, 7.30pm performance at The Palms, Crown 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);…
THE sun was out, volunteers were smiling and the participants were pumped and ready to go at the Arthurs Seat Challenge 2015 on Sunday. More than 1500 participants took to the 6.7 kilometre climb from the sea at Rosebud to the summit of Arthurs Seat, raising community awareness and money to support Fit2Drive, a road safety program for young people. The challenge was taken out by Nathan Barry, a regular at the event, in 26 minutes and 34 seconds. In the women’s, Kiah Fry was first over the line in 31 minutes and 17 seconds. Junior champions were brother and…
THE three winning fish in this year’s Snapper Point Angling Club Tea Tree competition were caught in Western Port. Although based at Mornington, the competition ranges over both Port Phillip and Western Port, which also yielded the most fish: 947 out of a total bag of 1360. However, the number of competitors, 1537 (including 159 juniors) outnumbered the fish. John Close, of Boronia, was the overall winner with a 12.07 kilogram fish, making him the new Victorian snapper champion. Theo Hatzis, Pakenham, came second with a 10.23kg fish and Norman Kemp, Cranbourne North, was third with a 10.11kg fish. Held…
TO the casual observer at Dromana it may have looked like a group of people was having an enjoyable day at the beach. There were some tricky balancing acts on stand-up paddleboards and quickly arranged photos. There was enjoyment and the need for balance, but it was also the arranged announcement of the involvement of “citizen scientists” in monitoring water quality. Flinders MP and Environment Minister Greg Hunt jumped aboard a SUP to show how water samples could be collected offshore and then, with John Gemmill of the Clean Ocean Foundation measured the water’s PH level. Mr Hunt, a long-time…
SOUTHERN Peninsula Food for All is appealing for support for its Christmas appeal. The group has raised $4810, well below its $65,000 target. Last year, Food for All provided 516 Christmas hampers to the needy as well as toys to 600 children. This year it again plans to distribute hampers and toys to those “doing it tough”. Collection bins for non-perishable goods are at Woolworths Rosebud, Rosebud West and Rye, Coles Rosebud and Ritchie’s Dromana. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible and can be sent to Food for All, PO box 440, Rosebud, 3939. Details: Diane Falconer…
MAIN Ridge and Boneo will be the stage for a pre-summer CFA training exercise on Sunday 22 November. Joining CFA crews will be staff from the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning and Parks, and a water bombing helicopter. CFA brigades from across the Mornington Peninsula, along with those from as far afield as Casey and Cardinia, will converge on Arthurs Seat to test pre-planning and management to combat a major fire on the peninsula. “The exercise will simulate a rapidly developing fire starting on the southern side of Arthurs Seat and running south toward, and into, the Mornington…
BUSKERS by the score will be on the streets of Rosebud this Saturday. Musicians and other entertainers have been invited onto the streets and outside Rosebud Plaza for the annual Buskfest. Spots were limited to 35, but organisers say more than double that number applied for Saturday’s gig, perhaps attracted by the $1000 cash prize. The competition includes performances by solo vocalists, duos, bands, pianists, harpist, African drummers, dancers, jugglers, comedians and quick draw artists. The shows starts at 10am and ends at 1pm. A panel of judges will be out and about among the audiences to see who takes…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has made a commitment to be carbon neutral and has been working with the community to develop the best approach to achieving this outcome, the mayor Cr Bev Colomb says. A draft carbon neutral policy, action plan and the supporting business cases, are available for community feedback. Cr Colomb said carbon neutrality was a forward-thinking approach to long-term environmental improvement. “In August, council endorsed the preferred option in achieving carbon neutrality within five years,” she said. “This approach includes actions to significantly reduce emissions, such as upgrading public street lighting to LED lights, installing solar panels on…
YOUNG people in the Mornington area have a new place to hang out with the opening of The Corner, a youth resource centre, in Wilsons Rd. The centre brings together a range of youth services under one roof and caters to the needs of the growing youth population in Mt Eliza, Mornington and Mt Martha. “The Corner will provide a modern and safe space where young people can seek advice and support from a range of youth organisations, including the council’s youth service and Headspace,” Dunkley MP Bruce Billson said. “It will offer drop-in services, fun and engaging programs, youth-orientated…
A STYLISED calendar featuring fire fighters from across the Mornington Peninsula is helping raise money for the new Monash Children’s Hospital. Designed to hang on the wall, the Victorian Firefighter Calendar 2016 displays a month a page with space for jotting down notes in each day’s box. Public holidays are clearly marked. The glossy pages feature fire fighters in posed, semi-action shots at locations all over the peninsula. Producer Carolyn Donovan, of Mornington, said the calendar paid tribute to the crews who “go above and beyond every day to serve the community”. “They choose their valued profession because they want…
THE state government has introduced laws to strengthen local government governance and reduce councillor misconduct. Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins said the changes would improve the standard of behaviour of councillors, provide a clear process for dealing with misconduct, and empower councils and her to take action against councillors “doing the wrong thing”. Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors will be required to sign codes of conduct, and councils will have to introduce procedures to deal with alleged breaches. Allegations of misconduct and “serious misconduct” will be dealt with by independent councillor conduct panels, which will have the power to suspend…
PENINSULA Aero Club, Tyabb, has been named Aero Club of the Year. This comes through aviation magazine, Australian Flying, acting for the Royal Aeronautical Society, Australian Division. “Of all the clubs in the country, Peninsula Aero Club’s submission won,” president Peter Bernardi said. The award was presented by Captain David Jacobson, a former commercial airline pilot with 24,000 flying hours’ experience. It recognises the club’s outstanding support, facilities and training to the general aviation community, as well as its high standards of safety in operations, while creating an environment that fosters participation in aviation. The award also acknowledges the efforts…
WALLAROO primary, Hastings, is the first government school on the Mornington Peninsula accredited to use a teaching method more often available only at expensive private schools. Last Friday 30 educators from Australia and New Zealand toured Wallaroo to see the results of the Walker Learning Approach (WLA) to education. Principal Nicky Fammartino describes the WLA as “a total approach to teaching and learning, which includes the need for children to be active participants in their learning”. She said the method had been developed after decades of research into “developing skills, knowledge and social interaction through a personalised and age appropriate…
COMMENT By David Gill MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is trying to avoid the state government’s rate cap plan by using special charge schemes. These are schemes where landowners pay what amounts to de facto rate increases for those unfortunate enough to be caught up in almost any kind of public works by councils. As revealed by David Harrison last week (“Rate cap may not quell cash demands”, The News 27/10/15), it is not surprising that there is little information about special charge schemes on the shire’s website. The shire is implementing a special charge concrete footpath scheme for every ratepayer in…
A HASTINGS businessman last week faced Frankston Magistrates’ Court charged with failing to extinguish a fire in the open on Wednesday 31 December last year. Alan Duke, of A&A Worm Farm Waste Systems, of Frankston-Flinders Rd, appeared at a contest mention but did not enter a formal plea. The case was adjourned until 1 December and is expected to be dealt with by diversion hearing. On Saturday 3 January, fires burnt out a wood yard in Reid Parade, parts of Warringine reserve and threatened nearby houses in temperatures of over 40 degrees and with strong northerlies fanning the flames. Mr…
FOLLOWING on from the outrageously successful season of Jason Coleman’s Spiegelicious and Animalastic in Sorrento, The Ministry of Entertainment proudly presents “Jason Coleman’s Razzle Dazzle” and “The Humanimals” performed exclusively in the Cabaret Cathedral in Rye. The Peninsula’s own Jason Coleman has returned to where he grew up, after purchasing a property in Rye a year ago. With so many accolades to his name, having choreographed Christine Anu, Tina Arena, Sheena Easton, and the opening ceremony for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games to name a few, Coleman is delighted to be bringing world class theatre to the peninsula, once again.…
NETBALL games down the beach? That’s the plan for Dromana Junior Netball Club president Paul Faillia, who says he has had “a huge response” from local clubs showing interest in playing the game at Dromana beach. “I have always wanted to see the sport played on our beautiful beaches as part of a summer comp,” he said. “I am in the early-mid stages of completing a portable court system that would see the game played on the beach in any location from Frankston through to Portsea, whether it be on a foreshore or back beach. “We have so many netball…
By Craig MacKenzie SOUTHERN United Soccer Club has named Theresa Deas as president and Stuart Munro as head coach. It is one of eight clubs contesting next year’s inaugural Victorian Women’s National Premier League competition. Deas is a former Matilda’s goalkeeper who made her Victorian state debut aged 14 and her international debut at 17. She was inducted into Football Federation Australia’s Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Football Federation Victoria equivalent in 2011. Married with two daughters she has managed the national women’s team, Victorian state teams, is a former director of Women’s Soccer Victoria, worked as a…
Those anticipating a community meeting of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council at Somerville on Monday 26 October were gutted to learn of the change of venue to the Rosebud bunker. Reason: the Mechanics Hall is still under repair. No briefing, no meal – the gallery made do with a cuppa, a cream biscuit and a full agenda. LET us skip past the majority of the meeting and get to the point of interest – councillors’ consideration of yet another request for a design change to the Arthurs Seat Skylift proposal. On Council Watch’s calculation, this will be possibly the fourth or…
Everybody has heard of “That Sugar Film” right? …. it is the highest grossing Australian Documentary of all time and has played in Cinemas all over the world. Well this year, as a special guest of PSFF, we are delighted to announce that Damon Gameau, the film`s Writer, Director and Star will be joining us on our judging panel. Damon has also appeared in Underbelly, Balibo, Charlies Country and Love my way. Festival Director Steve Bastoni said 2016 is going to be a bumper year. “We have an awesome judging panel lined up. We’re thrilled to have Damon Gameau join…
THE News Mornington Art Show has established itself as the biggest and best quality art show on the Mornington Peninsula and one of the best in Victoria, according to the comments of various show judges. Next year’s 44th annual Mornington Art show will run for six days, Thursday 21 January-Tuesday 26 January. In a change from recent years, opening night will be on the Thursday before the Australia Day weekend and will have a party atmosphere. Gourmet finger food will be served by waitresses and waiters and refreshments will be available from the bar. There will be music and the…
THE state government is warning Victorians about a coming spike in the number of dodgy door-to-door tradespeople trying to rip off people. Consumer affairs minister Jane Garrett said summer was the peak time for con men offering cheap “today only” cash deals on jobs such as painting, roof and driveway repairs. In 2014-15, Consumer Affairs Victoria received 486 reports of travelling con men, with reported losses totalling $1.35 million. Reports spike between January and March. Ms Garrett said con men often ask for cash payments up front, then take the money and run. They leave behind unfinished or poor quality…