A FREE careers counselling session in Rosebud is designed to advise job seekers on preparing for job interviews, resume writing, and how to “sell” their abilities. Careers coach Merilyn Hill, who has a background in human relations and runs her own careers coaching business, said she wanted to help people develop the confidence and the knowledge to get them into the workforce, and to fill the thousands of job vacancies currently crippling Mornington Peninsula businesses. Hill, who said she loves to help people develop their potential and understand what they do well, was motivated to hold the workshop after a…
Author: MP News Group
For safety’s sake, it’s time to remove beach boxes Port Phillip Conservation Council attended the Department of Land, Water and Planning’s Mount Martha north beach stakeholder group meetings, overseeing the $1.5 million federal grant for beach renourishment initiated by then Flinders MP Greg Hunt (“Beach closed in face of ‘cliff collapse’ fears” The News 22/11/22). DELWP advised the grant was specifically for beach renourishment, however several members demanded consideration of other options to “save” their beach and boxes. Unhappy their ideas for hard engineering (rock groyne) were not in the mix, they demanded to see the funding agreement between the…
TWO Mount Martha Primary School students had a spectacular sporting win recently, when they took out the girls’ competition in the inaugural Table Tennis Victoria Primary Schools Cup at Melbourne Sports Centre. Year five students Georgia Hollow and Billie Raymond demonstrated their table tennis skills and teamwork when they competed against primary school students from across the state on Friday 21 October. Physical education teacher Cameron Sweatman said there were plenty of nerves and excitement for the event, however the girls remained calm under pressure and went on to win the title of State Girls Champions for 2022. “But most…
OFTEN seen behind the camera, Glenys Slade was part of the picture when this shot was taken by Bev Lowe at Mornington’s Wednesday market. Slade, a consistent contributor to The News with her photographs recording scenes around the town – flowering street trees, roses and catches at Mornington pier – plays piano accordion in Jack’s Band. With Jack Kirby on guitar and banjo and Bruce Mitchell on ukulele, the band entertains during celebrations at aged care centres as well as performing regularly at the market. “We met at the market and play old time music including such singalongs like It’s…
A MAN in his 50s escaped serious injury when his utility crashed on Stumpy Gully Road, Balnarring on 27 November. The man is believed to have had a medical episode according to Ambulance Victoria. Nearby resident Murray Goddard said the road between Myers and Hunts roads had been turned into a dangerous thoroughfare after heavy rain, with deep culverts and potholes. Mornington Peninsula Shire, which is responsible for the road, was contacted for comment. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 6 December 2022
OVER the past 20 years 32 people have been killed and more than 280 people severely injured on the roads included in Mornington Peninsula Shire’s safer speeds trial. A further 487 people sustained less severe injuries and six of the 32 deaths were in 2019 (“Trial speed limits to stay” The News 28/11/22 contained some incorrect data about the trial). As a result of the Safer Speeds Trial the shire will ask the Department of Transport to make permanent the speed limits introduced during the trial. The trial, which began in late 2019, introduced 80 kilometre an hour speed limits…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has paid $27,000 so the Australian flag can be flown at night. Regulations and flag protocols require that the national flag must be illuminated if flown at night. IN an unattributed news release the shire states that the “iconic flagpole in Dromana is now a glowing beacon”. The stated that many Dromana residents and in particular WWII veteran Gerry Shepherd had been “instrumental in bringing this lighting project to life”. “On flag-flying days such as Anzac Day, we’ve raised and lowered the flag manually. Now, the National, Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal flags are all flying permanently…
A GROUP of women at Sorrento has been stitching in time for 25 years, making up to 100 quilts a year to raise money for charity. The women meet at Sorrento Portsea Senior Citizens Centre and last week, while celebrating their long time together with a lunch at Blairgowrie, they were presented with a book by Amanda Stuart that “highlights the joy and companionship they have shared over so many years”. “They all feel the same – every member is kind, supportive and always on hand to help when needed. And everyone loves the afternoon tea,” Stuart, the group’s vice-president,…
A P-PLATE driver from Moorooduc who was allegedly more than three times over the alcohol limit has lost her licence following a collision in Prahran overnight on Saturday 26 November. Police observed a car on High Street Prahran, which then turned onto Williams Road and collided with another vehicle about 1.45am. There were no injuries but both vehicles were extensively damaged. The driver, a 19-year-old Moorooduc woman, was breath-tested and returned a positive alcohol reading. She was taken to Prahran police station where she allegedly returned a reading of .168. Her probationary licence was immediately suspended for a minimum of…
Majority wants ‘justice’ for First Nations people It is implied that a majority of Australians are opposed to justice for the “minority group” First Nations people when, in fact, these views are in the minority, not the majority (“Unequal rights” Letters 22/11/22). At the state level, for example, the leader of the Victorian Nationals, Peter Walsh, has publicly stated that the Liberals and Nationals are committed to advancing the Victorian Treaty process. They have supported Victorian Labor’s efforts to bring about justice and self-determination for First Nations people. Mr Walsh has also urged closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous…
TOOTGAROOK Primary School students have proved their talents at the recent Energy Breakthrough HPV (human-powered vehicle) competition in Maryborough. The school sent three teams and came back with first and third wins in the primary division, with students showing that perseverance and dedication to the task will get you over the line every time. The annual Energy Breakthrough is an annual event that invites student teams from all over the state to test their skills to make and race ultra-efficient cars. The program encourages participants to work as a team and use the latest technology while considering its impact on…
LOWER speed limits on the Mornington Peninsula are here to stay, with the council planning to apply for state government approval for trial speed limits on some shire-managed rural roads to become permanent. In December 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shire started a two-year safer speeds trial which lowered the speeds of 33 100kph and 90kph high-risk roads to 80 km/h. The trial resulted from the high rate of road trauma on the peninsula. In 2019 the shire recorded the second most deaths of any Victorian municipality, behind the large regional city of Greater Geelong. By the end of 2019, more than…
By Judith Graley MEMBERS of the Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN) are compiling the story of the group’s history of more than 26 years of social activism. SWAN was founded by a group of Mornington Peninsula women looking to learn more about the justice issues facing women and working together to bring about social change. Over the years SWAN boasts an impressive roll call of activism. For example, members have campaigned for the release from jail of Heather Osland; organised an Islamic women’s fashion parade; and marched in rallies to promote human rights, to protest against family violence and to…
THE sale of nearly 2000 doughnuts has raised $1600 for the Disabled Surfers Association Mornington Peninsula branch. Using the lure of doughnuts to help people with a disability go surfing was the method of choice of members of Haileybury College’s Aikman House. “Haileybury College has supported our surfers for many years before the COVID pandemic, and they were super keen to fundraise again this year,” DSAMP president Pea Saunders said. “Along with fundraising, Aikman House students volunteer their time at DSAMP’s January event at Point Leo where they assist people with different abilities to experience the joy of being in…
Felicity Benson – Freedom Party IN 1975 as my family moved from Melbourne to Baxter, I attended Baxter Primary School for grades 5 and 6. Completing secondary education at St Paul’s School Woodleigh with my final year at Frankston TAFE, I graduated with a certificate in childcare. Married in my early 20s, I currently reside on the Mornington Peninsula and have four daughters, together with four young grandchildren. My career as a personal care assistant and support worker has included working with the elderly and those living with disabilities. During the last few years Victorians have been subjected to a…
Charelle Ainslie – independent (Nepean) I AM frustrated with the major parties as our local MPs are not able to stand up for us. Both sides have been throwing out billion-dollar pledges, seemingly forgetting how much debt we are in. Is it a coincidence that these promises target the seats they need to win? My promise is I will support good legislation, that our community wants and needs, and I will fight for projects based on merit. We all deserve a voice in our community. Nepean is my home. My parents live here, I am raising my son here, it’s…
FINGAL resident Lyndsay Takacs is having fun while paddling toward good health with her teammates from the Dragons Abreast Patterson Lakes Pink Lotus club. Takacs, the club president, said members were from all parts of the south east, and all were breast cancer survivors who wanted to be part of an informal support network. “We enjoy the fitness aspect, but it’s also about the friendship and emotional support, we all have that relation to breast cancer in common; we are all cancer survivors, supporters or partners,” she said. Takacs said the boat they paddle fits 20, but more members were…
RESIDENTS of Hughes Road in Blairgowrie and Sorrento started campaigning for safety upgrades almost four years ago, and they’re still waiting. Despite a petition to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and grant applications to the Department of Transport no improvements have been made to the road, which residents say is dangerous. Residents want speed limits reduced and footpaths constructed to make it safer for pedestrians. Hughes Road crosses the peninsula between Blairgowrie and Sorrento and is popular with walkers. Resident Philip Cooke said the mayor in 2019, Sam Hearn, had stated that the road was listed in the council’s principal pedestrian…
Care one day and none the next – who’s in charge? About four years back we were told by our home carer that Mornington Peninsula Shire would no longer be offering the home care service. In June this year we were given the choice between two companies to do the home care service, and, after many phone calls and many assessments, we were told to contact My Age Care and we were then told to get in touch with the shire. So, we got in touch with the shire which told us to contact Bolton Clarke as they were handling…
Chris Crewther – Liberal Party I LIVE in Mount Eliza with my wife Grace and our two children, who attend a local public primary school and child care. Until recently, I ran a small business and worked for the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery. Previously, I represented Mount Eliza and Mornington residents in federal parliament, delivering Peninsula Home Hospice’s building, Mornington athletics track and Mount Martha Soccer fields. I have master’s degrees in international law and diplomacy. I have been CEO of Mildura Development Corporation, and an international lawyer in Kosovo. My father started at Balcombe Army Barracks in…
A man has been charged following an alleged assault in Langwarrin last week where a ride-share driver was injured. The 37-year-old Safety Beach man was charged with recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault, wilful trespass and unlicensed driving. The charges relate to an incident where a 59-year-old Frankston man picked up a female passenger from a Safety Beach just before 8.30pm on Thursday, 10 November. It is alleged the 37-year-old man approached the vehicle and verbally abused the pair, before getting into his car and following them to a storage facility on McClelland Drive. The man allegedly assaulted the driver, then…
Impossible promises A million dollars here, a million dollars there. Bus services, train upgrades, car parks. I’ve heard it all before. Every four years and nothing ever changes. The Liberal Party has held the seat [of Mornington] for decades. Is it the failed and ineffective advocacy from the four terms of David Morris? Is it the state government? We’ve had state governments from both sides across the years and nothing. Or is it simply Mornington Peninsula Shire? I think our shire councillors are biased, politically motivated and can’t seem to ever get anything done. One even ran in the federal…
RSLs and war memorials around the Mornington Peninsula were a place for solemn reflection on Friday, 11 November, as hundreds of people gathered on Remembrance Day to pay their respects to those who died in the line of duty. Remembrance Day is a memorial day held since the end of World Ward I and commemorates the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts. On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, one minute’s silence is observed and dedicated to those who have died fighting to protect the nation. First published in the Southern Peninsula…
PARTS of Mount Martha, Mornington, Hastings and Dromana were inundated with water again on Sunday night, as heavy rain caused localised flash flooding and building damage. Hastings SES volunteers reported receiving requests for assistance “every few seconds”, with most calls coming from Mornington and Mount Martha. SES chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch said there were 140 calls for help from the Mount Martha area, with 23 flood rescues. Wiebusch said the deluge had been an important reminder never to drive through any flood water. Mount Martha residents reported as much as 90mm in rain gauges over the weekend, with more…
BILLED as a “must see” event, Mornington Peninsula Shire last week held election forums in Mornington and Rosebud. Six of the eight Mornington candidates attended the Mornington Park Pavilion forum on Friday chaired by the mayor, Cr Anthony Marsh. Marsh said the forums were “an excellent opportunity to learn about what each candidate has planned for the peninsula if elected”. “As a council, we are asking candidates to consider funding and support for our 10 key advocacy priorities, including affordable housing, Rosebud Hospital redevelopment, mobile coverage, road safety and protecting our coastline.” Mornington candidates at the shire’s forum, from left,…
A woman has died in hospital following a collision which occurred in Pearcedale last week. Investigators have been told a car was waiting to turn right from North Road into Middle Road about 4.25pm on 10 November. It is alleged a car travelling along North Road has run into the back of the turning car and forced it onto the wrong side of the road where it was hit by oncoming traffic. The driver of the turning car, a 45-year-old woman from Pearcedale, was taken to hospital in a critical condition where she unfortunately died. Police continue to investigate the…
As the weather begins to warm up, Victoria Police looks forward to seeing all Victorians enjoy some of the best coastal areas our state has to offer but above all, we want everyone to enjoy the summer months safely. From now until the end of March 2023, Operation Summersafe will see a bolstered police presence across metropolitan Melbourne’s most loved coastal locations including St Kilda, Half Moon Bay, Altona, and Williamstown through to the Mornington Peninsula and the Rye foreshore. As part of the operation, residents and visitors to these areas can expect to see an increase in proactive police…
Industry, tourism ‘incompatible’ in ‘pristine’ Western Port The announcement that the Port of Hastings might go ahead is no surprise to us who have strived to keep Western Port industry-free for decades (“Hastings port seen as ‘key’ link to offshore power” The News 1/11/22). The economic lie to Western Port residents is always sold by both major parties (do the Greens support this environment-killing industrial port?) and reported in local newspapers that a port would create “jobs”, but the negative economic consequences to thousands of small businesses and their local employees around the bay who benefit from recreational tourism is…
BALNARRING Pre School was recently joined by Balnarring Primary School, Balnarring Early Learning Centre and St Joseph’s school to celebrate and honour First Nations’ Peoples cultures by participating in The Little Long Walk. The event is part of the Bundjil Nest project that involves learning about cultures through a variety of experiences. Karen Anderson from the pre school said Steve Parker welcomed the group with a smoking ceremony that involved him playing the yidaki and clapping sticks. The students helped to create banners that they carried on the walk through the Balnarring Primary School grounds to Balnarring village, waving to…
THE Mornington and District Historical Society held a celebration of the history of the Mornington area on 28 October at the Old Post Office Museum, Mornington. The occasion was the official ‘re-opening’ of the Museum and the launch of new interpretive panels and lettering on the walls. Speakers were the mayor Cr Anthony Marsh, president Diane White and committee member Vicky Sapkin. The society obtained a grant through the Public Record Office Victoria to produce three large interpretive panels for the museum interior to communicate important aspects of the history of the area. The finance also included lettering placed above…