THREE teenagers were arrested and charged overnight on 25 May following a series of aggravated burglaries across Mornington and Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs. The three 15-year-old boys, from Mulgrave and Noble Park, were charged with a range of offences including home invasion, theft of motor vehicle, theft from motor vehicle, obtain property by deception and commit indictable offence while on bail. The charges relate to several incidents, including: Sunglasses stolen from car and attempted break-in at house in Silvan Grove, Mornington about 2am on 16 May. The offenders were chased away by the residents. Netball equipment stolen from a car…
Author: MP News Group
POLICE are investigating several attacks by vandals on Saint Mark’s Anglican Church, Dromana which caused significant damage to the church’s interior, destroyed historic stained-glass windows and smashed a keyboard. In the first incident in early May, a full bottle was thrown at a window from outside the building. One week later 10 bottles of red paint were splashed around the back of the church and more windows broken. In the latest incident, which occurred overnight between 25 and 26 May, an offender kicked in a glass panel door to enter the building and before destroying all six stained-glass windows of…
THE federal election may be over, but police investigations are continuing into the vandalism of a vehicle in Sorrento and a billboard in Rosebud on 28 and 29 April. It is believed offensive graffiti was left on the blue Kia parked on Point Nepean Road between 11pm on Thursday night and 1am Friday morning. Similar graffiti was also left on a billboard on Boneo Road about 12.35am on 29 April. Both the car and the billboard carried signs urging voters to back the Liberal Party’s candidate for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie. McKenzie easily won the election despite competition from nine other…
COMPETITORS from Portsea Surf Life Saving Club and Seaford Life Saving Club headed to Anglesea for the second 2022 TRE Motorsport inflatable rescue boat Premiership Season on Sunday 22 May. Portsea and Seaford’s competitors joined 14 other clubs from across the state who showed off their skills in small but consistent waves, using one of the most popular pieces of modern lifesaving rescue equipment in a competitive setting. Portsea’s under-23 men’s IRB tube rescue team – Niklas Rathmayr, Finn Nicholas and Andrew May – won its division and came second in the open event, behind Barwon Heads 13th Beach. The…
ST JOSEPH’S Primary School students made important steps towards a healthier future on Friday 20 May by participating in National Walk Safely to School Day. The day aims to raise awareness of the health, safety and environmental benefits that regular walking (especially to and from school) can provide for children’s long-term wellbeing. Apart from the physical benefits, regular walking also has a favourable impact on children’s cognitive and academic performance. Now in its 23rd year, the annual event has joined forces with National Road Safety Week (15-22 May). Principal Monica O’Shannassy joined students, teachers and parents on the walk, and…
By Hugh Fraser* MORE than six years ago Mornington Peninsula Shire Council resolved to commit to achieve carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2021. This resolution built on earlier work by successive councils since 2001. Twelve extensive climate change community consultations were held throughout the shire in 2008. These conversations were held up as an exemplar of successful engagement with the community in adaptation actions. Council then launched its commitment to a sustainable peninsula and management restructured with each directorate enjoying “sustainable” in their titles. The actions which management pursued were significant – with substantial expenditure on drainage, fire…
By Pippa Salmon “WHAT are you lot up to? Have you spotted anything yet?” Wearing bright orange vests, chunky binoculars and big grins (or looks of intense concentration), the Dolphin Research Institute (DRI) interns are easy to spot. I happen to be one of them. Every week we spend a few hours down by the beach, straining our eyes to see dolphins. And every week, regardless of what we spot in the water, we hear at least one dolphin story. “They always come when it’s calm; I think the rough water stresses them out.” “I was on a paddleboard once…
THE first of 36 orange-bellied parrots bred in captivity have been released into the wild at Western Port and Lake Connewarre on the Bellarine Peninsula. The endangered birds are expected to join a 100-strong flock of previously released parrots. Experts predict this autumn will see a flock of about 140 orange-bellied parrots migrate to Victoria from Tasmania, the largest number in 15 years. The parrots are reported to have had a successful breeding season in the wild and other captive-bred birds were released in spring and late summer. The species has gone from being at imminent risk of extinction, with…
Alex van der End – United Australia Party During this campaign I have been inundated with hundreds of emails from people seeking my help. There are stories of people who have lost their livelihoods because they refused to take an experimental vaccine that doesn’t work. Health professionals who are not allowed to go back to work in Victoria unjabbed, while in other states they are able to work with no problems. There is no health crisis in Victoria, just an evil oppressive state government ignoring basic human rights and a federal government that allows them to get away with it.…
THE inaugural Drift festival continues on Saturday with a floating gallery at Point Leo. Titled Ocean, the exhibition curated by Janenne Willis includes visual, sound, video and performance artists. Willis says the “experiential, site specific installation encourages audiences to swim, paddle or row amid ocean-inspired works by Shanai Kellett, Leyla Bulmer, Judith Van Heeren, Warren Cooke, Hayden O’Neill, Tilly Riches, Alice Blanch, Sarah Dingwall and Hamish Donaldson. The works will be found in the water off Point Leo Boat Club, on Saturday 14 May (weather permitting). Details: driftartsfestival.com.au/program/o-c-e-a-n-floating-gallery The Point Leo part of the Ocean exhibition follows Groundswell, above, the…
THE pedestrian lights near St Macartans’s Primary School in Bungower Road, Mornington could be turned on “before the end of June”. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s infrastructure projects manager Derek Rotter, said the lights had taken longer than expected due to the impacts of COVID-19 and the need to consult with external agencies, including the Department of Transport. The department initially approved the design for the traffic lights, which were installed almost one year ago, but then requested additional works before they could be activated. Rotter also said the department was procuring and installing its own equipment to link into the…
THE Salvation Army Church in Mornington is holding a Lego competition to raise money for its Red Shield Appeal. The Salvos want children and adults to build something with Lego, that they think represents something unique about the Mornington Peninsula. Competitors will be asked to bring their creations to the church where they will be on public display over the 28, 29 May weekend. There are prizes for ages 12 and under, 13-17 and 18 plus. Registration is a must. Details: salvationarmy.org.au/mornington or email debbie.taylor@salvatioarmy.org.au To donate to the Salvos’ Red Shield Appeal: digitaldoorknock.salvationarmy.org.au/mornington-salvos First published in the Mornington News…
AN all-abilities clinic held at Rosebud Stadium (Southern Peninsula Basketball Association) in conjunction with GenU Rosebud drew about 40 participants aged 19 to 50. The day was designed for all levels of basketball ability, starting with a skills and drill session to get participants warmed up, and finishing with two full court games. Community engagement officer for the association, Peter Caspersz, said the level of basketball skill was wide, but the “smiles and friendships and fun was massive”. “Being truly our first all abilities clinic and with the help of Danielle Sparks and a group of experienced teachers from GenU…
VOLUNTEERS at Rye are working with police and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council on a plan to wipe out graffiti that has become an eyesore in the central business area. Mechelle Cheers, of Rye Community Group Alliance, said businesses and property owners had a hard time keeping up with the removal of graffiti and tags. On Tuesday 3 May alliance members, business and property owners, football and netball clubs and community members, along with councillors Sarah Race and Susan Bissinger, met with police officer Michelle Bradley, shire officers, graffiti removalist Graham Saville and street artist Trent Downie to discuss what could…
SIXTEEN years of collecting sea glass on the Mornington Peninsula foreshores turned into something of an environmental message for Mount Eliza artist Marynes Avila, who has won the best entrant prize in the 2022 Mount Eliza Sculpture Trail competition. Avila’s winning entry, Indifference, is an ongoing site-specific project, and is a poignant choreography of about 1500 sea glass pieces in a sea of sand that she describes as “a commentary on oblivious human behaviour towards environmental issues”. The self-described “visual artist” who creates sculptures and photographs, is exhibiting her work in the Police Point Artist in Residence Retrospective exhibition. With…
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…
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…