MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has launched a $500,000 program to support people working in the performing arts. The performing arts fund is aimed at supporting arts and culture as “drivers for community development, economic stimulus, health and wellbeing, accessibility and inclusion”. The shire says the peninsula’s “vibrant performing arts community” helps attract more than seven million domestic and international visitors to the region each year. The money being offered by the shire will go to peninsula-based creative organisations and individuals wanting to develop performance-based artistic works and increase job opportunities in the sector. The mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said that understanding…
Author: MP News Group
POLICE are appealing for public help to locate Luke Orlandi. The 30-year-old, above, is wanted on warrant for making threats to kill. Orlandi is known to frequent the Dromana area. He is described as Caucasian in appearance, 165cm tall with a thin build and dark brown hair. Investigators have released an image of Orlandi in the hope someone may have information on his current whereabouts. Anyone who sights Orlandi, or has information about his whereabouts, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Southern Peninsula News –…
TWO 14-year-old boys from the Mornington Peninsula are among a group of six males who led police on a car chase on Sunday morning from Frankston to Sandhurst. The six have been charged after failing to stop for police in an allegedly stolen Porsche, first spotted by police on Excelsior Drive, Frankston about 3.30am. The vehicle was followed by the police Air Wing to a service station on Cheltenham Road, Dandenong where an unsuccessful attempt to get fuel was made. The Air Wing followed it through Dandenong, with stop sticks being used to bring it to a stop on Sandhurst…
MORE than 100 drivers were booked on Mornington Peninsula and Frankston roads over the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends, resulting in 274 offences recorded during Operation Compass by Victoria Police. Superintendent Fiona Bock said the 11-day operation saw 106 drivers booked for speeding. “This is particularly concerning as speed is a major contributor to trauma on our roads with the potentially devastating effects of such behaviour felt throughout the community,” she said. “Whether speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or checking a message from your mate, you are making a decision that puts the lives of…
LIBERAL candidate for Dunkley Sharn Coombes has made a pre-election promise of $15 million for upgrades to Mount Eliza’s Emil Madsen Reserve, just one month after Labor promised $10 million. The Liberal party has its sights firmly set on taking the key seat of Dunkley from Labor and spreading its reach across the peninsula. Coombes, who launched her campaign alongside Attorney General Michaelia Cash in Mount Eliza on Wednesday, said her plan for Dunkley was about supporting local communities and “delivering practical solutions to issues across our area”. Coombes said the upgrade at the reserve would include new pavilions, courts…
THE Greens have promised that everyone eligible for a Medicare card will get free “clinically relevant dental services” The party says that under its plan, people will be able to choose their dentist and routine and therapeutic dental services will be bulk-billed or rebated. The $8 billion a year policy, “will be funded by making billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share of tax”. Greens candidate for Dunkley Liam O’Brien said people in his electorate were “putting off going to the dentist because they can’t afford it”. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 3 May 2022
SCHOOL students from across the Mornington Peninsula have used art and imagination to demonstrate their engagement with the wonders of the underwater environment. The Mornington Peninsula Schools Art Competition, run by the Save Flinders Pier group with the support of the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and Mornington Regional Art Gallery, drew almost 300 artworks of all genres. The competition was the brainchild of the SFP group as a way of bringing wider attention to the importance of the marine environment, and to encourage young people to engage with the underwater world. One of the key organisers, retired teacher and Flinders…
MORNINGTON artist John Trebilco was busy sketching the activities he saw around him as the community hall in Verdon Street, Dromana became the focal point for two days of live performances as part of the Drift Festival. The inaugural 11-day festival – a “vehicle for creativity” – was sponsored by Mornington Peninsula Shire and included theatre, music, outdoor installations, film, writing and art projections. The artistic offerings based at the Dromana hall were named Lift, a collaboration of the Peninsula Culture Collective (Dreamhouse Theatre Company, Living Culture, MP Music Network, Peninsula Studio Trail, Peninsula Writers Club and Spark Productions). Trebilco,…
THE roll call of candidates at the Saturday 21 May federal election has been finalised for the two seats covering the Mornington Peninsula and parts of Frankston. There are 10 candidates seeking election in Flinders, which covers most of the peninsula and has been held by retiring Liberal MP Greg Hunt for the past two decades. In neighbouring Dunkley, held by Labor’s Peta Murphy since 2019, there are nine candidates. Murphy defeated Liberal Chris Crewther, who held the seat for one term following a record term by former Liberal minister, Bruce Billson. In November, Crewther will stand for the state…
MORE than 1500 people braved the chilly nine degree weather to attend the dawn service at Rye RSL on Monday. It was the first service since 2019 and attracted a crowd of all ages, including many children. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 26 April 2022
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Mayor Anthony Marsh is still nursing his tired muscles from kayaking about 100 kilometres along much of the peninsula’s coast to raise money for charity. But the pain is almost forgotten as the councillor of two years reflected on raising $35,000 and the “incredible” experiences since launching from Mount Eliza on 15 April. The Mayoral Charity Paddle saw Marsh take to the water in both Port Phillip and Western Port over the Easter long weekend. Marsh said the passing scenery highlighted the importance of the coast to the peninsula and the importance of an up-to-date coastal management…
THE Labor Party is offering to provide a community battery at Flinders if it wins the Saturday 21 May federal election. The party says just 12 of the more than 230 houses in the Flinders area with rooftop solar have registered a battery. Labor says the community battery would allow “households to feed solar power into the shared battery during the day and draw from it at night – cutting electricity bills and emissions and reducing pressure on the grid”. Households unable to install solar, like renters, would be able to draw from excess energy stored in the battery. First…
LIFESAVERS have taken in their red and yellow flags for the last time this season, the busiest ever, according to Life Saving Victoria. Since mid-November 2021, volunteer lifesavers and professional lifeguards from peninsula lifesaving clubs and the roving rescue watercraft (jet ski) service carried out 156 rescues. Their efforts were part of more than 700 rescues, 140 major first aids and what is anticipated to be over 200,000 patrol hours carried out across more than 60 locations across the state. Rescues were up 18 per cent on the previous season, which was the busiest recorded at that stage. “In Victoria,…
A NEW cat and small animal care centre (CASA) is being built at the RSPCA Mornington Peninsula’s Pearcedale property to provide care and shelter for more than 2500 cats, rabbits and guinea pigs annually. Purpose-built and designed by specialist architects with advice from veterinary and animal behaviour experts, the centre is expected to enable animals to heal faster and be adopted more quickly. RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker said the existing buildings were more than 30 years old and made it challenging for staff and volunteers to provide modern, best-practice care to animals. “RSPCA Peninsula accepts every cat, kitten…
GOLF FLINDERS Golf Club has again hosted the Eric Lucas Shield for junior golfers. Played in partnership with Golf Australia and awarding Order of Merit points the event drew many of the best junior players from Victoria. Keenly contested, the boys event was won by Cody Brenner (Moonah Links and Heidelberg Golf Clubs). Cody fired a scorching four under par and as an eligible member of a Golf Peninsula Victoria club also won the prized shield. Girls winner Jessica Zhu (Victoria Golf Club). Boys nett winner was William Pettitt (Keysborough Golf Club). and the Girls nett winner Arena Tran (Riversdale…
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal collision in Baxter Tuesday evening. It is believed a female was struck by a car as she was walking along Fultons Road around 7.45pm on 19 April. The pedestrian, a 15-year-old Caulfield South girl, sadly died at the scene. The driver, a 19-year-old Aspendale Gardens woman, stopped at the scene and is helping police with their enquiries. The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined and the investigation is ongoing Anyone who witnessed the collision, with dashcam footage or further information is urged to call…
BLUEScope Steel says opening a new customer service centre at its Western Port works, Hastings confirms its commitment to local employment and local manufacturing. Managing director and CEO Mark Vassella said the $34 million centre – with capacity to process more than 100,000 tons a year – consolidated BlueScope’s Victorian steel processing capabilities on one site, “using the latest technology and with a clear focus on our customers, safety and the welfare of our people”. The centre’s opening comes during the steelworks’ 50th year of operation at Western Port. Invited by the company to the opening ceremony were Flinders MP…
MEMBERS of the Save Flinders Pier campaign are mourning the loss of one of the Mornington Peninsula’s most respected environmentalists, Trent Williams. Williams’ death has dealt a blow to the Flinders community as it campaigns to save the town’s historic pier. The Mornington-based educator and marine biologist died two weeks ago while scuba diving near Port Phillip Heads. Williams was one of the leaders of the Save Flinders Pier campaign, regularly organising volunteers to clean the Flinders beach, and leading groups of scuba divers to remove debris from the water and sea bed beneath the pier. A keen underwater photographer,…
MELBOURNE’S lockdowns may have put an end to live shows but did not necessarily cancel creativity. The three-member emo rock band Medicated Love, marooned at their respective homes, managed a self-phone-filmed video (“stage” clothing ranges from dressing gowns to flannelette and Hawaiian shirts). But as soon as the chance arose, they regrouped in the studio to record Sit With Your Feelings, an EP released late March. “Banana bread? Zoom beers? Writing a debut EP? The lockdowns forced our creative juices to flow,” guitarist and singer Riki Platt said. “The COVID-19 lockdowns seem like a distant memory, as do the daily…
MEMBERS of the West Rosebud Bowling and Croquet Club are ecstatic that Brian Richardson has been recognised with the 2021 Good Sports National Volunteer of the Year Award. Club president Phil Brown said the award acknowledged the time and effort Mr Richardson had put into improving the club, whether it be in his more noticeable roles of maintaining the grounds, organising social bowls events, or working behind the bar. “Behind the scenes Brian offers and has delivered so much more,” he said. “Brian is always around the club, whether it be applying his initiative and skills to extend the life…
A LEARNER driver who had his vehicle impounded in February was stopped by police on Hodgins Road, Hastings on Monday 28 March and had a second vehicle impounded for licence infringements. In the latest incident, police in the Hastings divisional van spotted the driver’s unroadworthy vehicle with two rear bald tyres, and further inquiries revealed the driver was an unlicensed learner who was accompanied by a P-plater. Under the Road Safety Act, a learner permit holder without a fully licensed accompanied passenger can have their vehicle impounded. Further inquiries revealed the driver’s other vehicle was impounded the previous month by…
HIGHWAY Patrol officers caught a drink driver four times over the limit at a random breath testing site in Dromana on Easter Saturday 16 April. A Honda CRV with two adults and two children inside was seen pulling over just before a roadside testing site on the Nepean Highway, around 5.30pm. Police allege the female passenger swapped seats with the male driver and then drove toward the testing site. A preliminary breath test was conducted on the original driver, who returned a positive reading. He was taken to a nearby police station, where he returned an evidentiary breath test of…
A 60-year-old Mornington man was allegedly so affected by alcohol he almost fell from the car when stopped by police near Main Street, Mornington, shortly after 10.20pm on Saturday 16 April. Police said the man’s breath alcohol concentration was .255, more than five times the legal limit. The man will have to pay more than $1000 to get his vehicle (above) back and face the Magistrate’s Court at a later date. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 19 April 2022
MORNINGTON Peninsula lifesavers have won six medals at the 2022 Australian Lifesaving Championships masters competition. Portsea Surf Life Saving Club member Sue Crow won gold in the two kilometre ocean swim at North Kirra and then struck gold again at Kurrawa in the 65-69 years female surf race. Fellow Portsea water woman Chloe Hardman came third in the 50-54 years female ski race and their Portsea teammate Brett Croft claimed bronze in the 50-54 years male beach flags. Haydn Tierney of Point Leo Surf Life Saving Club also won bronze in the 40-44 years male two kilometre ocean swim teammate…
AN INVESTIGATION is under way into the causes of a fire that destroyed two Mornington fast food restaurants and forced the temporary closure of Nepean Highway. The Red Rooster store and a neighbouring kebab shop were gutted by the fire which started around midday on Sunday 17 April and quickly filled the streets with thick, black smoke. It is believed the fire started at Mornington Star Kebabs. First published in the Mornington News – 19 April 2022
Rosebud Police have seized a number of firearms stolen from a Bendigo property earlier this year, following a raid on a Safety Beach property yesterday morning. Earlier this year, police received reports that four firearms were stolen from a residential address in Sailors Gully, a suburb in Bendigo. Police will allege the firearms were stolen between 4 – 7 March after the property was broken into and keys to the firearm storage unit were located. Following a thorough search of the Safety Beach property yesterday morning, police located a hidden 4-wheel drive tray where the four firearms were recovered. Rosebud…
NET fishing is now banned in Port Phillip. In 2014, the state government announced that it would phase out commercial netting in the bay by 2022. The ban came into effect last week. The Victorian Fisheries Authority website states that 35 of the original 43 net fishers at Port Phillip Bay have left, with eight commercial operators now remaining. Those staying will be directed to not use nets. The state government has spent $27 million in taxpayer funding on converting the Port Phillip commercial fishing industry to a hook and line snapper fishery. It hopes that fishers will now have…
FIRE brigades across the Mornington Peninsula will soon be able to apply for money from Mornington Peninsula Shire for projects supported by volunteers. Council has voted to set up a working group to disperse the $300,000 it received from the sale of land to the Country Fire Authority in 2018. The working group will have a representative from both the Western Port and peninsula CFA groups, a shire representative and an independent member. Once established, the group will invite all local fire brigades to submit applications. CFA group officer Western Port, David Breadmore, said brigades were grateful and appreciative of…
THE award-winning Easter Sunday Flinders Motoring Heritage event will see more than 150 cars on display. The cars will range from unique veteran cars built in the early 1900s to the latest luxury electric cars from Porsche and Audi and Tickford Racing. A 1934 bus will take passengers around the village as Flinders offers music, food vendors and a festival atmosphere. Awards will be presented for each class of car and there will be a People’s Choice and Car of the Show prizes. The Flinders Motoring Heritage is a major fundraiser for the Flinders District Lions Club and previous events…
POLICE are appealing for public assistance to help locate 52-year-old Warwick Joseph, below, who is wanted on warrant for outstanding drug related matters. Joseph is known to frequent the Mount Eliza, Sommerville, St Kilda and South Yarra areas. Anyone who has information about his whereabouts can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 12 April 2022