THE Mornington Peninsula Toastmasters have been toasting new members but are still keen to welcome more. For nearly 100 years the organisation has encouraged and supported people from diverse backgrounds in becoming more confident speakers, communicators and leaders. Member Jacky Howgate said public speaking could be nerve wracking, but the support of Toastmasters made it a much less daunting activity that had boosted her confidence. Club president Sue Macdonald said being part of Toastmasters was also good for meeting new people from all walks of life. “It’s a great way to learn how to speak confidently in public, in a…
Author: MP News Group
MORE Victorians can receive bill relief and cut their energy costs with the state government’s $250 power saving bonus, already taken up by one million households. Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio announced an extra $205 million for the program, where every Victorian household can receive $250 to find a better energy deal on Victoria’s Energy Compare website. Since 1 July, one million Victorians have applied for the one-off payment. All Victorian households are eligible for the $250 payment, including the nearly 400,000 concession card holders who previously claimed the payment under an earlier phase of the program. The $250 power saving…
Cr Anthony Marsh* AGED care is a complex issue with no easy answers and Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors share Dr Sarah Russell’s concern for the wellbeing of our older residents and are deeply committed to supporting our older population and ensuring the peninsula is a place where people can age well. Since we became aware of the federal government’s aged care reforms in 2016, we have worked hard to determine the best approach and outcomes for our community. It was disappointing to see the many inaccuracies in Russell’s opinion piece regarding recent changes to in-home aged care on the peninsula…
DROMANA resident Ceberio “Cebby” Johnson has won this year’s Frankston Arts Centre’s open exhibition competition with his self-portrait photograph, Ceb and Early. Johnson’s photograph was recognised for its depiction of optimism and happiness. Guest judge Suzette Wearne said the self-portrait stood out for the joy and spontaneity of its subjects—a young blind man and his dog. “It captures Ceberio Johnson’s remarkable fortitude and optimism,” she said. Johnson took the picture in his garden using a remote with a cord and a tripod. He said it had been difficult because his dog, Early, kept chewing the cord and knocked over the…
CHRISTINE Gorman, trading as Calmer Farmer, established her business after seeing a need to provide expert advice to tree changers who want to get the maximum benefit from their new lifestyles but are not sure where to start, or how to go about it. Christine offers farm coaching and tutelage over six or twelve months, focussing on providing individualised and comprehensive assistance in all areas of farming – from the ground up. With school-age children herself, she takes a family-friendly approach that incorporates all family member needs when helping clients to develop the skills they need, understand their resources, and…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is overseeing opportunities for entrepreneurs to provide coffee and snacks from one fixed and multiple mobile venues. Expressions of interest are being sought for the lease of the cafe attached to the Mornington library and comments are being sought from the public on mobile food vans. Proposed changes to the shire’s food truck policy proposes increasing permits from one to three years (with extra winter-only permits); providing electricity to mobile food van site; adding new sites and increasing “residential roving” permits from two to four; and “asking food truck vendors to demonstrate how they will benefit the…
By Dr Sarah Russell* A MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillor claims the federal government “forced” the shire to outsource its aged care services to private providers. Really? This contradicts advice from the Department of Health and Aged Care. The department states that it encourages councils to deliver aged care services: “[Councils] have been consulted, encouraged and supported and may be eligible for a grant to assist with their higher costs.” Furthermore, as a result of the outsourcing, the personal details of thousands of people were given to private providers: 1554 client records were given to Bolton Clarke; 2063 were given to…
PORTSEA Surf Life Saving Club’s under-23 men’s tube rescue team – Finn Nicholas, Andrew May and Sophie Courtney – won the Australian IRB (inflatable rescue boat) championships at Mollymook, New South Wales. Courtney and Nicholas teamed up with Sas McNamara to take out the silver medal in the open women’s tube rescue. As well as their efforts at the Australian Championships, Courtney, May, McNamara and Nicholas were selected in the Victorian team against Australia’s best drivers, crews and patients. “Victorian lifesavers have a fantastic record of outstanding results at the Australian IRB championships and I am thrilled to say in…
AVA Holland is making waves in the world of competitive surfing and left some of Australia’s best surfers in her wake at the recent Skullcandy Oz Grom Open Event at Lennox Head. The goofy-footer (a surfer who stands with their right foot facing the front of the board) from Dromana – who turns 14 this month – showed her style during the six-day event to win the under-16 division with a 13.80 two-wave heat total. Holland, who took up surfing three years ago, said the Skullcandy was one of the most prestigious surfing events in the world. It includes a…
A MURDER on the waters of Port Phillip is the mystery inside a new fiction novel. Death on the Ferry Hygeia is a new novel by Langwarrin author Will Spokes. The murder mystery is set just after World War I during a charity event aboard the Port Phillip excursion ferry Hygeia. Spokes said that the novel is inspired by the works of legendary author Agatha Christie. “I’m a fan of crime and murder mysteries like most people. One of the great titles in this genre is Murder on the Orient Express. Because of my interest in the old ferries, I…
POLICE are calling for witnesses to a collision on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway in Moorooduc on Saturday 16 July with one vehicle being forced from the freeway. Investigators say the collision happened about 3.30pm between a grey Holden Captiva and a white Mitsubishi Magna which left the road and came to rest about 150 metres south of the Loders Road Bridge. Anyone with information should phone the Frontline Tasking Unit at Somerville on 5978 1300 (quote incident number T20220016200). First published in the Mornington News – 26 July 2022
SOMERVILLE Highway Patrol officers are appealing for public help after a woman was hit by a car in Hastings on Tuesday 20 July. Investigators have been told a Ringwood woman, 28, was on the road talking to the driver of a silver Volvo which was pulled over on the side of Boes Road about 6pm. A south-bound, light-coloured Toyota Landcruiser collided with the woman as it was driving past. The male driver allegedly stopped and checked on the woman before driving off before police arrived. The driver of the Toyota is described as being Caucasian, 40-50-years-old with grey hair and…
MOUNT Martha teenager Harry Geary has been selected to represent Australia as part of the world skate inline speed skating team at this year’s world skate games in Argentina. Geary, 17, is one of three inline speed skaters in Australia selected for the games. Being held in Buenos Aires later this year, the skate games will run events in rink hockey, skateboarding, roller derby, inline downhill, artistic skating and inline speed skating. Geary’s place at the games was cemented two weeks ago in Brisbane, when he won two gold medals and two silver medals at the 2022 National Inline Speed…
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a fatal collision that has claimed the life of a motorcyclist in Baxter this morning. It is believed a 4WD and a motorcycle collided at the intersection of Frankston-Flinders and Coolart roads about 5.45am. The rider, a 67-year-old Tyabb man, sadly died at the scene. The driver of the 4WD stopped at the scene and is assisting police with their enquiries. The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential…
VICTORIAN Liberal leader Matthew Guy says he has not spoken to Hastings MP Neale Burgess about allegations of alleged inappropriate behaviour because “it is a legal matter being handled through the parliament”. Guy told a news conference on Saturday (16 July) that he did not know what conversations “presiding officers” of the parliament had had with Burgess of who had been subject to the alleged inappropriate behaviour. Guy was speaking after newspapers revealed that Burgess had been banned from parliament for one month and told by his own Liberal Party leaders not to attend party issues events or be involved…
A NEW bay swimming group has started in Mornington to give more cold-water enthusiasts a chance for an early morning dip with friends. Jacky Howgate, who started Mornington Morning Mermaids in January last year to help her recover after brain surgery and other health issues, said the swimming group attracted women of all sizes, shapes and backgrounds. The group grew by word of mouth and Facebook posts and eventually comprised nearly 100 members who would gather three mornings a week on the beach for a dip and a chat. Along the way women came and went due to work commitments,…
ASPIRING tennis pro and Mornington Tennis Centre player Lola Grigor had the experience of a lifetime earlier this month competing in the Rafa Nadal Tour with other 12 to 14 year olds from around the country. The tour is a junior tennis circuit launched in Spain in 2014, combining the tournament aspect with dynamic and fun educational activities (classroom and physical). Tennis centre spokeswoman Lynne Finch said the club was excited to have been chosen to host the tour, which had a strong focus on being a good person, not just a good player. The eight winning players from each…
DROMANA Primary School celebrated NAIDOC week last Monday against a backdrop of music, culture, sport and harmony. Students wore Indigenous-inspired clothing and celebrated NAIDOC week at various locations around the school. Author Coral Vass spoke to students and read from her book, Sorry Day. The students experienced traditional ways of life and tried using a spear thrower, didgeridoo and wearing possum skins, as well as learning about the origins of AFL football – Marngrook. They participated in a smoking ceremony performed by Lionel Lauch and his team from Living Culture and heard the school choir singing two songs inspired by…
MARK Daw, of the State Emergency Services Sorrento unit, and Rosebud-Rye Rotary Club member Pat Sansonetti, have been presented with Paul Harris Fellowship awards. The awards were made at a Rotary dinner on Wednesday 29 June. Daw has been a member of Sorrento SES since May 2012, undertaking such roles as incident controller responding to and managing storm and flood events, road crash rescues and leading teams to assist fire agencies. He was incident agency commander for the Victorian SES during the 2019/20 East Gippsland fires in charge of groups of volunteers and making decisions on response and safety in…
THE 2022 flu season is adding to staffing and service difficulties across the Mornington Peninsula. Peninsula Health medical services and clinical governance executive director Associate Professor Shyaman Menon said Peninsula Health, like many health services in Victoria, was experiencing an increase in demand due to the current increase in COVID-19 and influenza cases across the state. “We are being agile across our all services to meet this demand and ensure we are continuing to provide the best care for our community,” he said. “Even with protective vaccinations, COVID-19 is still a serious illness for so many people, especially those who…
HASTINGS SES volunteers got to work quickly on Sunday morning to remove a tree brought down by strong winds at Merricks. The tree fell across Stanley Road which had to be cleared by several volunteers. The same thing happened in Balnarring on Sunday, as strong winds, coupled with wet conditions, brought trees down in several places. Hastings SES unit controller Dutchy Holland said the incidents were a reminder to drivers to be aware of conditions and driver carefully during high winds. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 19 July 2022
SOUTHERN Metro Regional Crime Team detectives have arrested six youths in Seaford over several offences across the Mornington Peninsula and south eastern suburbs. Police will allege the group of youths stole two vehicles on 10 July, a white Subaru from Safety Beach, and a silver Land Rover from Mount Martha, before committing a series of aggravated burglaries in Mount Martha, Safety Beach, Mount Waverley, Edithvale, Mordialloc, Dandenong South, Montmorency, and Eltham between 10 and 14 July. It is alleged at about 3am on 11 July, a silver Volkswagen and a silver BMW were stolen from a house in Mount Waverley,…
GYMNASTICS coach Zak Stolz has a new army of supporters following his win on the Australian Ninja Warriors televised entertainment show. Taking home the title of Furthest Fastest in 2021, the 23-year-old from Rosebud credits his agility to his years training in the artistic gymnastics discipline. He also broke a world record for the furthest distance by lacheing (launching from a shelf) 4.7 metres. The shelf grab world record stood at 4.57 metres. Stolz’s record smash earned him an extra $15,000 on top of the $100,000 prize money he’d already won in the grand final. He said there was always…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has adopted a “framework” to spend more than $1 billion over the next decade on its “effective management and stewardship” of council-owned assets worth $2.3 billion. The four “key areas” for the spend adopted on 14 June as part of the shire’s Asset Plan 2022-2032 are transportation, stormwater, buildings and open space. The shire’s assets – buildings, local roads, bridges, footpaths, shared paths, marine structures, drainage, and open space and recreation – have a combined estimated replacement value of $2.3 billion. The Asset Plan 2022-2032 can be seen at mornpen.vic.gov.au/strategiesandplans First published in the Mornington News…
FOUR Portsea Surf Life Saving Club members have been selected in the Victorian inflatable rescue boat (IRB) racing teams competing at the national championships in Mollymook, New South Wales 21-24 July. Sophie Courtney, Andrew May and Finn Nicholas have qualified for the state team while Sas Macnamara has been selected as team reserve. The four are part of a 36-strong squad selected by Life Saving Victoria’s aquatic sports council, based on results at the recent TRE Motorsport 2022 Victorian IRB championships. “Being selected to represent your state is one of the highest honours for our athletes, team managers, coaches and…
SORRENTO SES is reminding Mornington Peninsula residents to prepare properties in the lead up to stormy weather. That includes trimming trees, clearing gutters, securing loose objects, outdoor furniture and trampolines, and ensuring an emergency plan is in place. Residents could also check if elderly neighbours require assistance. Volunteers had their work cut out for them on 23 June, when a large tree blocked Arthurs Seat Road in Red Hill. Sorrento SES attended at 4.30 am, and it took volunteers two and a half hours to clear the tree and re-open the road. Deputy controller Margaret Davis said it was a…
A 21-year-old probationary driver was stopped by Somerville Highway Patrol on 6 July after travelling at 196kph in an 80kph zone on Balnarring Road, Balnarring. The man had his Mazda 3 hatch impounded for 30 days at a cost of $895, and he will be summonsed to appear at court at a later date. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 12 July 2022
HASTINGS police are again appealing for public help to get illegal motorised bikes off the streets. Acting Sergeant Andrew Ross said public assistance earlier this year had helped get 14 illegal bikes impounded, but more were out there. “Many of the riders are not skilled, and the bikes are an accident waiting to happen,” he said. “We know they are riding around the area but we really need public assistance to know where they are located. “We’d also like to thank the public for the help they provided last time.” Most of the bikes are unregistered trail bikes or monkey…
VISITORS to the 560-hectare Point Nepean National Park will soon be able to overnight there in a tent. In a low key visit last week, Environment and Climate Action Minister Lily D’Ambrosio and Nepean MP Chris Brayne (pictured) had a first-hand look at one of the 36 pre-pitched tents that will be available from spring. Erected on wooden decks, the tents are close to the beach (signs warn of strong currents and rips) and amenities, including kitchens. Brayne said the “camping experience” would help “ensure the site’s ongoing presence as an environmentally and historically significant tourist destination”. The camping ground…
RSPCA op shops are appealing for more donations to help vulnerable people keep warm through winter, and to help animals in need. Liz Irvine, RSPCA Victoria’s op shop network supervisor, said RSPCA Victoria’s op shops relied on donations and community support to continue their critical work of caring for animals. “To support us in our work we’re calling on the local community in Mornington and surrounds to consider clearing out unused items this winter and donating them to the RSPCA op shop,” Irvine said. “We have recently experienced a significant drop in the donation of goods across the state, including…