VOLUNTEERS are standing by ready to help evacuate more than 500 kangaroos trapped on private property near Cape Schanck. The kangaroos, once under threat of being culled, are fenced in and cannot access their usual habitat of Greens Bush National Park. Members of the Save the Mornington Peninsula Kangaroos group say the animals have been there since last September “with limited feed and shelter”. Mary Waterman says the group has a “kangaroo movement plan” and has offered to provide one-way gates “for their safe removal from the property”. She accuses the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning of not…
Author: MP News Group
STUDENTS from St Macartans Primary School, Mornington, have again given the boat at Schnapper Point Park a facelift and a fresh new look. The school’s grade 5/6 art students were involved in an upgrade of the boat in 2014, so the school jumped at the chance to refresh its look. Art teacher Kristy Hayes took on the project, liaising with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and then working with the students at the end of last year to brighten up the marine animals on the boat. “We wanted to be involved in the spruce-up of the park again, so the council…
By Hugh Fraser* DAMAGING cultural issues have developed within Mornington Peninsula Shire Council that are having a significant impact on the democratic rights of the community and good governance of the Shire. I believe the risk of this development could have been avoided with timely advice by management to council when making critical decisions, as required by the Local Government Act 2020. One issue includes the right of the community to be heard and consulted on what were proposed as the rules governing council meetings procedure. These governance rules, as they now stand, are patently undemocratic. They dispense with council…
THREE people were taken to hospital after a two-car accident in McCrae on 3 February that saw one vehicle overturn and land on its roof. The accident, which happened about 3.35, occurred on the busy intersection of Flinders and Cairns streets. Although police data only shows one crash at the intersection in the past five years, residents say it is an accident hot spot and often the scene of accidents and near-misses. A man in his 60s was taken to Frankston Hospital in a stable condition with minor injuries and a woman in her 70s was taken to hospital in…
MORNINGTON Peninsula community and charitable organisations can apply for South East Water’s 2022 Community Grants program until 4 March. The $500 to $10,000 grants are available to help groups undertake community projects. Projects must support the health and liveability of Port Phillip and Western Port bays and nearby areas, such as beaches, creeks and wetlands. Now in its third year, the program has so far granted $134,000 to 34 community groups. In 2021, the program helped buy equipment for Mornington Life Saving Club and Baxter Fire Brigade, pay for education programs at the Australian Marine Mammals Association, environmental activities at…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is considering allowing families and friends to erect memorials to their deceased loved ones in public places. The shire is asking for public comment on the temporary roadside memorials of crosses and flowers as well as more permanent structures, such as benches, trees and art works. A news release issued by the shire stated that memorials provided “comfort in having a place to visit” and that public memorials were seen as “a tribute to someone who meant a lot to them”. In the lead-up to updating public memorials policy the shire is inviting comment on: Should members…
STAND-UP paddle boarders are being advised to check weather conditions before venturing into the water around the Mornington Peninsula. Last month, two teenage paddle boarders had to be rescued at Mount Eliza after being blown nearly five kilometres offshore, and a 12-year-old boy at Frankston had to be rescued after he was unable to paddle his board back to shore. There have also been incidents at Dromana and Rosebud, including on Friday (21 January) when five people in a blow-up boat and paddle boards took to the water in windy conditions and could not get back to shore. Mount Eliza…
By Tony Duboudin RETURNING to her home village of Flinders after more than 20 years in Western Australia was the catalyst for Robbie Freia, above, to complete her first book. “I remember driving on the peninsula when returning to Victoria in 2017, the contrast of the blue sea, the green trees and the wonderful smell of the dark earth. I remember, too, thinking how did I ever leave this place that felt so much like home to me,” she said. Freia had returned to Victoria to nurse her sick sister and reconnected with Flinders where her mother was born; her…
THE developer of a $190 million battery storage system at Tyabb expects it to be completed by mid-2023. Renewables company Maoneng has been given development approval to build its proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) adjacent to AusNet’s substation in Thornells Road. The BESS is designed to draw and store energy from the grid during off-peak periods and release enough back to the grid during peak periods to power the equivalent of 40,000 average homes. Maoneng says its BESS will improve the reliability of electricity “in an area that is particularly exposed to fluctuations in demand, primarily as a result…
MORNINGTON Peninsula police are calling on the public to help in a crackdown on monkey bikes and other unregistered motorised bikes. Senior Sergeant Kirby Tonkin, of Hastings Police, said neighbours and residents were being asked to report any illegal riding in their streets. In recent incidents a 12-year-old boy was intercepted by Hastings police riding a dirt bike along Victoria Street, Hastings, about 6.25pm on 7 January. The bike was seized, and the rider issued with a caution for unlicensed driving, using an unregistered vehicle and failing to wear a helmet. Five days before, at 3.35pm, a 15-year-old male was…
POLICE have praised the behaviour of boat and jet ski operators after a drug and alcohol testing operation at boat ramps and Rye and Safety Beach on Saturday 22 January. No offences were detected with police administering 30 alcohol tests and 29 drug tests after checking 22 boats and eight jet skis. Four infringements were issued however, including for having an unregistered vessel, out-of-date flares and two for people not wearing a life jacket. Police spoke with 58 people and were pleased with behaviour on the water generally, especially boat and jet ski operators adhering to the rules and carrying…
MELBOURNE-based artist Hayden Dewar has combined imagination and his love of nature to create a colourful and symbolic mural in Rosebud. Taking his inspiration from native Australian flora and fauna and incorporating elements of the Mornington Peninsula, Dewar’s Magic of the Peninsula mural has transformed a previously unattractive wall on Ninth Avenue, facing the end of Wannanue Place. Dewar, who has completed murals around the state, said he is passionate about transforming and enhancing public spaces through mural art and thrives on the positivity and public engagement that results from letting his creativity off the leash. The former illustration and…
GOLF By Martin Blake BIG golf is coming back to Rosebud Country Club this week as the Mornington Peninsula gets ready to celebrate some of the best players in Australia on one of the region’s favourite courses. TPS Victoria, hosted by Geoff Ogilvy, is returning after its stunning debut at Rosebud in 2021, with its innovative format mixing men and women, professionals and amateurs in the same field. Male pros include 2006 US Open and all-time great Ogilvy, accomplished stars like Matt Griffin and Brett Rumford and recent tournament winners Jack Thompson and Anthony Quayle. The women who could contend…
LORNA Grant turned 100 on 18 October last year but, because of a broken wrist resulting from a fall, had to quietly celebrate the milestone in hospital. A resident of St Johns Retirement Village, Somerville for the past 23 years, the real celebration was delayed until she came back home and COVID restrictions were eased. But the lateness did not make her birthday lunch – with her requested “party food” – any less enjoyable. Now living in the village’s serviced apartment, Ms Grant was born in Caulfield. She had a bother 18 months older and a sister 10 years older,…
LIFE Saving Victoria has confirmed four sharks were spotted at an unpatrolled section of Sorrento front beach on Sunday. A siren was sounded to alert beachgoers, but it is believed there were no swimmers there at the time. It was the second shark report in one week, after a two metre shark was spotted off Fishermans Beach, Mornington on Friday. Life Saving Victoria has reminded swimmers to swim between the flags on patrolled beaches and avoid entering the water after dusk or before dawn. First publsihed in the Southern Peninsula News – 25 January 2022
ATTENDANCE numbers were down at last Thursday’s opening of the 50th Mornington Art Show, but sales have kept pace with past years. The numbers were restricted because of COVID protocols but a “warm, balmy evening with gentle jazz music, cool refreshments and quality finger food helped provide a warm, friendly atmosphere for those sponsors, artists and guests” who did come along, organiser John Renowden said. He said the natural light in the new studio and community house building at the corner of Nepean Highway and Wilsons Road, Mornington was ideal for displaying “the quality art work for all to enjoy”.…
CO-FOUNDER of the Mornington Botanical Rose Gardens, Laurie Taylor, has been commended by Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh for his contribution to the gardens and the thousands of hours he has given over the past 20 years. With the rose garden committee and volunteers in attendance, Cr Despi O’Connor stepped in for Cr Marsh to present Laurie Taylor with his mayoral commendation, at the Christmas function held at the garden on 14 December. Guests heard about Mr Taylor’s 20-year journey with co-founder Don Gordon, whose tireless contribution has enabled the garden to grow to more than 100 garden…
ROSEBUD police are seeking information about an accident on 25 November last year where an elderly woman in a mobility scooter was hit by a car. At about 3.20pm a small red or orange hatchback was travelling east on Campbell Lane, Rye. As the vehicle approached the intersection of Campbell Lane and Lyons Street the driver is alleged to having failed to give way before colliding with the mobility scooter (there are clear signs to give way). The driver stopped and helped the woman before getting back in the vehicle and driving away, failing to exchange details or ascertaining if…
TWO teenage paddle boarders who got swept out to sea on Tuesday were rescued at Mount Eliza by Frankston SES volunteers, Ambulance Victoria, the Police Airwing and marine rescue volunteers. The two girls had been on stand-up paddle boards when strong offshore winds prevented them from paddling back to shore and took them three kilometres out to sea. One of the teenagers used her Apple Watch about 9pm to call for help, and the Police Airwing was able to locate the stricken pair and drop a flare to guide rescue vessels which were conducting a training session nearby. A Volunteer…
FOR a brief moment in time on Saturday, as swimmers leapt into the water for the 36th Portsea Ocean Swim Classic, the world’s pandemic woes were forgotten. Masks were off, at least in the water, and perfect conditions and the thrill of the competition dominated conversations. About 2000 entrants flocked to Portsea to try their luck. Defending champion Jesse Coulson, from Anglesea, won the shorter 1.5 km classic with a time of 14:01, while fastest female was Torquay surf life saver Sophie Thomas with 14:20. Thomas said it was great to see a club implement so many extra precautions to…
ABOUT 1500 people in a remote Papua New Guinea village can drink water from a tap for the first time, thanks to money raised by several community groups, including Mount Martha Rotary Club. Previously, women and children from Sigri, in the highlands near Mount Hagen, had to walk more than one kilometre to bring home water in buckets. Several of the village’s building had metal roofing but, without gutters, no water was being collected and stored. Mount Martha Rotary set up a project through Rotary Australia World Community Service to raise money to provide Sigri with a reliable water source.…
A FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD boy was left shaken and bruised after allegedly being attacked by an unknown man who attempted to steal his unicycle in Somerville on Sunday night. Mornington Peninsula CIU is seeking information about the attempted robbery, which happened about 9pm on the Eramosa Road West, beside the Claremont Close playground. Detective Senior Sergeant Eddi Lagonda said the incident was concerning as the attack was unprovoked and brazen. He said the victim received minor injuries but was shaken by the incident. The teenager told detectives he was riding his unicycle about 9pm when a white sedan pulled up alongside him.…
CRIB Point residents and holidays makers hoping to cool off at the Crib Point swimming pool this summer will have to seek alternatives, with the 25 metre outdoor pool remaining closed. The pool was closed in November due to leaks in the pool shell and underground pipework that have prevented water levels and water quality from being maintained. It is thought the pipes may have been damaged by an earthquake last year. In late December, a specialist leak detection company used sonic testing to detect the location and extent of the leaks. However, Mornington Peninsula Shire is waiting on reports…
FOOTBALL THE 2022 AFLW season kicked off in Frankston on Friday night with a big win for Richmond. Played under lights at Skybus Stadium, Richmond were trailing by a point at quarter-time. They then put the foot to the floor, denying St Kilda momentum and keeping them goalless in the second and third quarters. Richmond racked up nine consecutive goals in a clinical performance, walking away 38-point winners. Richmond’s dual code athlete, Monique Conti, starred with 29 disposals, nine clearances and 17 contested possessions. The talented Conti also plays for the Southside Flyers in the Women’s National Basketball League. First…
STRICT fire restrictions came into force across the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston on Monday (10 January), with high fuel loads, recent rainfall and warm conditions causing a concern for firefighters. The CFA declares the fire danger period for each municipality depending on the amount of rain, grassland curing rate and other local conditions. Western Port CFA Group Captain David Breadmore said it was important for residents as well as visitors to keep abreast of CFA fire ratings. He said visitors to the peninsula often inadvertently breached fire restrictions by lighting incinerators or burning off because they were not aware of…
MORNINGTON Peninsula and bayside businesses are experiencing the fallout from increasing COVID-19 infections, with some having to close at their busiest time of the year due to staff shortages. Hotel Sorrento closed its restaurant and bar on New Year’s Eve “due to health and safety reasons” scheduled to reopen on 7 January. The hotel was impacted due to a positive COVID-19 case on Thursday, December 30. Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club has suffered a similar fate, with nine staff testing positive, along with several members. However, instead of closing the club will reduce its restaurant operations and has halted sailing…
PORTSEA Surf Life Saving Club’s Nippers Program due to finish last Thursday and Friday (6 and 7 January) became the latest victim of COVID cancellations on Wednesday. The club announced that the last two days of the Nippers program would not go ahead because many families and volunteers had been impacted by the rapid rise in COVID infections across the Mornington Peninsula. A spokesperson said the “tough” decision was made to cancel the rest of the seven-day program because all available volunteers would be required for beach patrol, and some had already been forced to isolate due to positive cases,…
Divisional Response Unit detectives have charged a man and seized drugs and other items following an ongoing investigation. A warrant was executed at an address on Clarinda Street early yesterday morning. Police seized cannabis plants, methylamphetamine, bikes, an electric scooter, ammunition, and a jet ski. A 55-year-old Somerville man has been charged with several drug related offences including cultivating a drug of dependence, trafficking a drug of dependence, theft, dealing with the proceeds of crime, possession of ammunition and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. He was remanded to appear before the Frankston Magistrates’ court today, 22 December. Anyone…
FIVE Mornington Secondary College students achieved ATARs over 90, including members of the school’s high achieving Dreamcatchers. Dux of the college is Tynan Bressan, above left, with a score of 96.8. Kiralee Turver, above right, scored 91.8. Among other high achievers at the college were Olivia Stuart (90.2) who will do a science/arts degree, Ellie Jenkins-Perry (94.5) who will do a public health course, and Jessica Pinkett (91.3) who will do nursing/psychology as a double degree. First published in the Mornington News – 21 December 2021
DUX and school captain Amy Uren with a score of 99.1 was among the 19 per cent of students at Toorak College with ATARs over 95 in the 2021 VCE results. The dux proximus (or next best) was international student Alina Xia, who has been unable to return home to see her family since the pandem-ic began. Her 98.65 is described as a “fitting reward for the hard work and sacrifices she has made to complete her VCE in Australia”. Almost one third of Toorak students received ATARS above 90, placing them in the top 10 per cent in the…