ARTIFICIAL tree hollows – although not the real thing – are still important to the conservation of Australian hollow-nesting animals. They complement the diminishing number of old, natural hollows, which take many years to form, but which are often lost when mature trees are chopped or fall down. This time of year there is much competition for the few available nesting spots. Bats, possums, gliders, owls, parrots, ducks, kookaburras, rosellas and kingfishers, as well as various species of frogs, snakes and skinks, are all searching for homes. Students at Mt Eliza Secondary College’s Real Time Learning program decided to help. …
Author: MP News Group
THE state government is pouring money into Rosebud to both make it a “destination” and to bridge the gap between the infrastructure of Melbourne’s inner and outer suburbs. In a statement issued last Friday Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Bev Colomb enthusiastically supports the government’s $4.15 million grant for the shire’s the Destination Rosebud project. The total value of the project is $5,501,713 with council contributing $1.35m in this year’s budget. Council says it will “inject” 33 jobs and $10.6 million into the local economy “and will provide opportunities for our young people to re-engage in employment, and to reconnect…
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Nathan Murray. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the 27-year-old, who also goes by the name of Nathan Rogers, for failing to appear at court in relation to drug, theft and arson related offences. Murray is known to frequent the Mornington, Frankston, Leongatha and Cranbourne areas. Investigators have released an image of Murray in the hope that someone may have information on his current whereabouts. He is described as being approximately 175cm tall with a medium build, fair complexion and brown hair. Anyone who sees Murray is urged…
A HOST of Mornington Peninsula primary schools are taking part in VicHealth’s Walk to School activities this month. The mayor Cr Bev Colomb joined pupils at Mt Martha’s Osborne Primary School on Wednesday, while Cr Antonella Celi took part in festivities on Thursday at Our Lady of Fatima Primary School, Rosebud. Walk to School’s month of activities encourages pupils to walk – or ride, scoot or skate – to and from school throughout October. It improves health and fitness, increases social connections and confidence – and helps care of the environment by reducing car emissions. “Mornington Peninsula is pleased to…
THE “age-friendliness” of the Mornington Peninsula was a major topic at the shire’s first Positive Ageing Community Summit held on International Day of Older Persons, Thursday 1 October. That “friendliness” relates to transport, housing, social participation, respect, volunteering and employment, communication and information, community and health services, and outdoor spaces and buildings. About 60 attended the summit which brought together residents to reflect on the progress of the shire’s Positive Ageing Strategy 2013 – 2018: A Community for All Ages. A highlight was a comedy act by Evelyn Krape. It aimed to consider new and emerging issues in creating an…
THE Peninsula Dragonflys are encouraging breast cancer survivors to row, row, row a boat. The colourful dragon boat cruises along Patterson River at Carrum most Saturday mornings crewed by a team of women rowers. The Dragonflys, part of the Dragons Abreast organisation, offer breast cancer survivors a chance to meet others with similar experiences and have fun while exercising. The women are putting the call out for new crew members to head along and give rowing a go later this month during National Paddle Month. Peninsula Dragonflys vice-president Linda Young said the club will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year…
THE international Clothesline Project in Frankston was launched Monday to raise awareness of family violence. A clothesline on show at Cube 37, Frankston Arts Centre, 10-13 October, is being used to illustrate the Week Without Violence campaign. It will then be displayed at different parts of the Mornington Peninsula over the next year. T-shirts with anti-violence messages will be on show made by women and children impacted by family violence. Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Family Violence Network is concerned about the high rates of family violence and believes the humble clothesline is a great way of raising awareness in the…
IN a wonderful twist of fate for the Western Port area, Norma Carew’s love of art collecting has resulted in the opening of a brand new gallery, Crib 208 Art Studio. Norma’s life experiences have been many and varied from being a beauty therapist through to attending the “School of Entrepreneurs” with the National Enterprise Development Scheme. She has a passion for all things beautiful that you see the moment you walk into the stunning gallery. “I’ve always been a collector of art and always appreciated things of beauty, so my studio reflects that,” said Norma sitting among her bevy…
There is reported fire activity in the Deham Rd Tyabb area near Bluescope Steel and the fire is currently under control. Fire fighters will be on scene for several hours mopping up the fire and monitoring the area. There is currently no threat to communities. Updates will continue throughout the day. Smoke will be visible from nearby communities and roads. Safety Information: Review your bushfire survival plan. If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes. If you have time check your neighbours to see if they are monitoring conditions. If you are experiencing smoke exposure,…
HOLIDAY home owners in the Flinders area are being advised to check for lost property after up to six homes and six cars were broken into Wednesday night. One of the cars was stolen but later recovered. Rosebud detectives arrested and charged a Hastings man, 34, with burglary and theft on Friday. He was bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 9 December. Another man is believed to be involved but he had not been apprehended when The News went to press. Detectives said absentee owners may not even be aware their homes had been raided. Items known to…
UNSEASONABLY hot weather and north winds over the weekend had everyone alert for fires in the Western Port region. The sight of a large grass fire in Boes Rd, Tyabb, between Graydens and Mornington-Tyabb roads, Sunday, prompted several calls from residents to Tyabb and Hastings CFA brigades, but the controlled burn was deemed safe by fire crews. Some were worried that the fire was unsupervised; others that it was out of control. Others called in simply to check that nothing was amiss. An appreciative Tyabb captain Stephen Birkinshaw said the fire “looked a bit larger than it was” but did…
ATA AllStar Artists proudly presents the ultimate concert event of the year, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the legendary Frank Sinatra. 2015 marks a special year as the most loved entertainer of all time Frank Sinatra will be celebrated worldwide with a series of commemorative centennial concert events. Direct from the USA, the concert stars The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, appearing for the first time ever in Australia…the band that made Frank Sinatra a star! The concert under Music Director Terry Myers features one of America’s finest singers from the Frank Sinatra Songbook, Bryan Anthony along with…
One of Australia’s most respected and sublime recording artists, Katie Noonan, has released her latest album, ‘Transmutant’, and is heading off on a national tour that kicks off in Mornington. An ethereal body of work, it introduces audiences to Katie Noonan’s Vanguard, bringing Katie back to the band environment where she started her career as an 18 year old, a backdrop where she acknowledges, she feels most comfortable. Fans received an initial taste of ‘Transmutant’ from a teaser single earlier in the year, a haunting track called ‘Peace is My Drug’. The album takes in a lot of sonic terrain,…
By MELISSA HODGE PENINSULA Op shops will combine with performing artists to bring local stories centre stage later this month. The Southern Peninsula Arts Centre in Rosebud will come alive with pop-up Op shops, theatre, workshops and conversations, 30 October-1 November. Cosy spaces will be created to share cake and hear stories by Evelyn Krape before participants immerse themselves in the craft of autobiographical poetry with Andrea Louise Thomas and sing from the heart with Colleen Rees. “Op shops are such an integral part of our community,” theatre manager Anthea Mackenzie said. “We loved the idea of working with them…
MT MARTHA mum Libby Turnbull is at her wit’s end having lost an heirloom blanket made by her great grandmother, and is seeking public help in finding it. “My great grandmother knitted the blanket for me when I was born and the last time I remember seeing it was in Mornington shopping centre,” Mrs Turnbull said. “The blanket is very sentimental to my family. Mum wrapped me in it when I came home from hospital and I have used it for my two baby girls as well.” The knitted lavender blanket has a cream trim around the edge. “I realised…
FRANKSTON Council has urged people to report anyone illegally riding a monkey bike on public roads or footpaths in the wake of the death of 34-year-old mother of two Andrea Lehane after a collision at Carrum Downs Shopping Centre last Wednesday. “This will affect so many lives. Our hearts go out to her friends and family through this difficult time,” Frankston mayor Cr Sandra Mayer said. Frankston Council resolved to change its local law in October 2007 to ban monkey bikes on public roads and increase police powers to impound unregistered motor vehicles. “Prior to the decision, these unregistered motor…
A HASTINGS market day will help raise funds for Impact for Women, an organisation that aims to make a difference for women in crisis. Organiser Jenny Scott said around 30 stallholders would add to the event, which will have face painting for the kids and raffles throughout the day. “International fashion designer Henry Roth will assist on the afternoon, Tyabb Scouts will be cooking, plus we will be running a live auction to help raise money for the cause,” Ms Scott said. The market will be opened by Impact for Women founder Kathy Kaplan OAM. She launched the idea in…
SOMERS Primary School will be transformed into a magical arena of children’s activities, music, food and market stalls for the Somers Arts Fair, Sunday 25 October. A dedicated exhibition space will be filled with artworks by collectable and emerging artists who, each year, create art exclusively for the fair’s art auction. Organisers say the fair is the only event of its kind on the peninsula to combine the festivity of a fair with an exhibition and auction of rich and diverse art. It will run 10am-5pm with the art auction 2pm, at Somers Primary School, 87 Camp Hill Rd, Somers.…
A FENCE made from recycled and reclaimed timber? What a good idea! That’s what Rye resident Lisa Hart thought as she and her family nailed on the eclectic range of palings. Their new front fence was taking shape and they were proud of it – despite its rather “individual” appearance. Lisa even sought help from her friends on Facebook: “Hi all, we are currently building some new fences from recycled or reclaimed timber, and we need more palings. Anything will do; it doesn’t have to be fence palings, and it can be painted or unpainted – the more character the…
BURN off restrictions on properties less than 1500 square metres will be eased throughout October to allow residents to burn off for fire prevention purposes. For the whole of the month, open air burning will be allowed on land less than 1500 square metres, but only 9am-4pm, Fridays and Saturdays, provided that: No more than one cubic metre of vegetation is burnt at any one time, the fire is not within 10 metres of a neighbour’s house, and the general fire safety provisions are followed at all times. Open air burning is prohibited on properties smaller than 1500 square metres…
THE exhibition described as the “irreverent and playful rabble-rouser of the Archibald’s” the Salon des Refusés” is coming to Victoria – and Mornington – for the first time. The exhibition showcases what’s described as “the ones that got away” – meaning those artworks that were not granted a showing in the famous Archibald Prize. They include a prized selection of the “humorous, innovative, mad, bad and dangerous entries that were too fabulous to resist”, say Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery organisers, who take delight in hosting the only showing in Victoria. The works, torn from obscurity, include portraits of Robert Forster,…
THE federal government will give Mornington Peninsula Shire almost $6.5 million from its Financial Assistance Grant Program for 2015-16. The amount is part of $39 million for councils partly or wholly in the federal electorate of Flinders, held by environment minister Greg Hunt, who announced the funds in a statement last week. City of Casey receives the lion’s share of the money with $17.31 million for its 283,000 residents. Cardinia Shire gets $9.89 million for its population of 87,000 and Bass Coast $5.49 million for its 30,000 with Mornington Peninsula Shire receiving $6.43 million for its 150,000 people. The government…
A DINNER at the Mornington Golf Club was a fun way for Mornington Lodge members to celebrate 125 years of service to the community. The lodge has been part of the town since 1890 – with Freemasons raising $30,000-$40,000 each year for charitable projects. A major project launched at the dinner is one close to all their hearts: a plan to raise $125,000 to help stamp out family violence. A driving force behind the project was special guest at the dinner: Australian of the Year Rosie Batty, whose campaign for compulsory reporting of child abuse cases has generated a lasting…
BEACHGOERS are being reminded not to open any containers washed up on Mornington Peninsula beaches. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority warned toxic canisters in the Torres Strait, Queensland, NSW, South Australia and Tasmania. The unlabelled silver canisters contain a rat poison known as aluminium phosphide. When a canister is opened, powder reacts with moisture in the air to release highly toxic phosphine gas which is a danger to humans. While there have been no reported cases in Victoria and currents make it likely these containers will not find their way to Port Phillip Bay it is a reminder for all…
FEW 81-year-olds are as active as Lois Dennington. Still working full time in Mornington, the octogenarian is set to represent Victoria in five swimming events at the Australian Masters Games. She started competitive swimming after her youngest child left home in 1984 – now she has won so many medals she’s lost track but is hoping to bring home more gold. “I’m competing in five events: three backstroke and two freestyle.” Ms Dennington holds the Victorian records for the 50, 100 and 200 metres backstroke in the 80-84-year-old category. A key factor in keeping her social and active is regularly…
MT Martha Junior Football Club is the first junior sporting club to sign on to the Frankston Mornington Peninsula Smoke Free Charter. President Warren Davies said the club hoped other sporting clubs will follow their lead and sign the charter. “It’s been really well received at the club. Even the smokers think it’s a good initiative; they don’t want their kids to become smokers either, so they’re happy to be involved.” By signing the charter, the club has made a public commitment to reduce the number of people who smoke and to protect people from the damaging effects of secondhand…
TWO snorkelers were rescued by the Police Air Wing Saturday afternoon after being stuck in an inlet near Tasman Drive, Rye. The Frankston couple were with a Richmond man – all aged 23 – when the woman was dumped by a large wave about 5pm. This inflamed an asthmatic condition causing her distress and she and the man managed to swim to an isolated inlet to shelter in a cave. The receding tide left them high and dry – but unable to get to safety. Senior Sergeant Steve Duffee, of Rosebud police, said their friend managed to scale the cliff while…
SOMERS Residents’ Association (SRA) has issued a written explanation to correct “misinformation” about its role in Mornington Peninsula’s Shire’s footpath plan for the village. SRA president Kingsley Culley said much of the “misinformation” being circulated came “from people who did not even live in Somers”. Property owners are being billed for 50 per cent of the cost if the project goes ahead. He said the misinformation included suggestions that the SRA was putting its weight behind the project, that the 14-member committee was promoting it and that the association had misled residents. “We have at all times consulted with residents…
THE involvement of secondary college students in managing the environmental health of a creek draining into Western Port has attracted the interest of Chinese water quality experts. Somerville Secondary College, the first school to sign up to the Western Port Biosphere’s water stewardship program, last Friday hosted a group from Jiangsu Province, north of Shanghai, led by Dr Zhu Donglin from Jiangsu Engineering Consulting and Dr Zhou Fengqi from Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. Biosphere executive officer Cecelia Witton said the visit was “a fabulous opportunity to showcase the work the school already has underway in protecting their waterway [Watson…
Two brothers have had their cars impounded after one was caught over the limit doing a burnout and the other unlicensed in Mornington. Mornington police were patrolling Main Street when they heard the sound of screeching tyres about 1am Sunday morning. A Mercedes sedan was found to be doing a burn-out and the air filled with smoke. The members intercepted the car and found a 24-year-old learner driving with his mum in the car. The Mornington man returned a positive breath test however refused to accompany police back to the police station for an evidentiary breath test. He was arrested…