MORNINGTON’S Jaksen Daddo, pictured, must have thought he had the weight of the world on his shoulders while training for Sunday’s Mother’s Day Classic and raising money for breast cancer research. The 26-year-old, who has been competing in strongman events and powerlifting for five years, was training hard outside the Mornington athletics track last Sunday. He was on a mission to carry 100 kilograms over the 10 kilometres as part of his fundraising activities. By mid-last week he had raised about $4000. Daddo is doing the challenge to support mate James Beischer, whose mum is going through breast cancer. He…
Author: MP News Group
A $55,000 speed boat and trailer, pictured above, were stolen from the driveway of a Blairgowrie property, overnight Saturday 24 April. It is unknown how the offenders were able to connect the trailer to a tow vehicle in Fawkner Avenue as the folding drawbar connection was padlocked. Owner Nick Beveridge said Somerville detectives had put out a state-wide alert on the 7.5 metre boat which had recently received a new motor, gearbox and propeller at a cost of $30,000. Mr Beveridge said there was no CCTV coverage of the raid and few people lived in the area of mainly by…
THREE men have been arrested over a series of aggravated burglaries last week at Mount Martha, Mount Eliza, Glen Iris, Toorak, Camberwell and Malvern. Detectives from the Southern Metro Crime Team executed two warrants at addresses in Frankston, Friday 30 April, seizing items allegedly linking those arrested with the break-ins. A 21-year-old Frankston man has been charged with 13 offences, including aggravated burglary, burglary, theft of motor vehicles and theft. An 18-year-old Frankston man has been charged with 18 offences, including aggravated burglary, burglary, theft, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, possessing a drug of dependence, theft of motor vehicles and…
Officers from Mornington Police have suspended the licence of a man after he was caught drink driving early this morning. The man was driving on Canadian Bay Road, Mount Eliza, when he hit two parked cars and a fence, around 4.30am. The driver then walked away from the crash prior to police arriving. A short time later police were called following reports a man had been seen walking around looking lost in a dressing gown. The 32-year-old Mornington man was found nearby and returned a positive preliminary breath test. He was taken back to a local police station where he…
BASEBALL THE Mornington Baseball Club has come out the other side of COVID-19 stronger than ever. After being recognised as Club Champions in the Dandenong Baseball Association for the 2019 winter season, not being able to take the field in 2020 was a disappointing blow for Baseball fans across the Peninsula. The dedicated Pirates committee members’ focus quickly shifted to putting teams on the field for the summer season, making it the first time Summer baseball has been offered on the Mornington Peninsula for the junior and senior competitions in the Victorian Summer Baseball League. “What wasn’t anticipated, yet overwhelmingly…
THE former Hastings Senior Citizens Centre has been refurbished and extended in a $1.4 million redevelopment to provide a new home for seniors and Hastings U3A. Work on the multi-purpose community hub in Herring Street was supported by $546,000 from the state government. It now offers adult education classes, learning programs and an IT room, as well as indoor and outdoor recreation and social spaces. The mayor Cr Despi O’Connor described the hub as a “fabulous transformation”. “We’ve turned a rather dated facility that was not fit for purpose into a wonderful community resource,” she said. “We all know how…
BREE-ANNE Pagonis, of Somerville, has won the Luminary Tech Visionary Award in the 2021 Victorian Young Achiever Awards. The award recognises her “vision in creating an accessible platform that enhances food experiences for women”. Ms Pagonis co-founded WIRL (Wellness in Real Life), a social enterprise that holds workshops and cooking classes, provides online tools, offers corporate programs, virtual masterclasses and coaching, school courses and keynote speaking. WIRL is creating an app that aims to help women create beneficial behaviours, such as mindful eating, takes the emphasis away from worrying about calories or weight loss, into a more intuitive style of…
EMERGENCY services rushed to assist an elderly man trapped inside his car after driving over an embankment at Two Bays Road, Mount Eliza last week. Baxter Fire Brigade captain Damien Willmott said the station was among the first to respond, 3pm, Tuesday 20 April. They were assisted by Moorooduc CFA, Fire Rescue Victoria Frankston and other brigades, the High Angle Rescue Team, SES Frankston Unit, police and Ambulance Victoria. The high-angle team rescued the 82-year-old driver, of McCrae, who had been visiting friends whose house, with gravel driveway, is at the top of a steep hill. He failed to take…
IN stark contrast to last year, crowds started arriving before dawn to attend Anzac Day ceremonies across the Mornington Peninsula. The Dawn services were followed later in the morning by marches and ceremonies like this one at Mornington, at Hastings, Rosebud and Rye. Pictures by Yanni, Gary Sissons and Barry Irving. First published in the Mornington News – 27 April 2021
PORTSEA Surf Life Saving Club’s masters men’s beach relay team won a silver medal at the 2021 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Team members Brett Croft, Darren Kerr, Henry Kiss and Jim Unkles, pictured, also participated in events on the sand, with Kiss coming fifth in the 50-54 years men’s beach sprint and Unkles placed sixth in the 30-34 men’s beach sprint. The team was also named the Life Saving Victoria Open/Masters Team of the Year in 2020 for its results at the state and national level. “To win a medal at The Aussies is…
ROSEBUD Girl Guide Liesel Male was presented with her Queen’s Guide Award at a ceremony at the Rosebud Guide Hall, Jetty Road, Saturday 17 April. Leisel, who is also a Bentleigh Ranger Guide, received the highest award from Assistant State Commissioner Deb Abbs. This follows on from a Bravery Award she received at Government House in February last year. Girl Guides Mornington Peninsula District manager Heather Barton said from the time Liesel started at Rosebud she had “systematically set herself the many new and varied goals and challenges, all the while making a significant contribution to the life of Rosebud…
CAMPERS in sections 11 and 12 at the Rosebud foreshore have complained about thefts from their tents and caravans during the February lockdown. The campers last week sent a petition with 56 signatures to Mornington Peninsula Shire saying the “scale of intrusions and thievery has increased significantly and at an earlier time of the year compared to past years”. They said “most camps in Section 12” had been targeted by thieves. Access was gained by unzipping the doors of annexes and tents, or forcing doors or windows, and slashing canvas. The campers have requested the shire consider imposing extra measures…
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives have arrested a male teenager following an attempted armed robbery in Capel Sound earlier this month. Detectives arrested the 15-year-old boy yesterday and seized an imitation firearm. The Rye boy was charged with attempted armed robbery and possess imitation firearm and was bailed to appear before a children’s court at a later date. The charges follow an incident at a food store on Illaroo Street where a male allegedly produced an imitation firearm and demanded cash about 12pm on 2 April. Police would like to thank the community and the media with their assistance…
MOTORING buffs were in top gear at the Flinders Motoring Heritage event on Easter Sunday, 4 April. After missing out last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, more than 1000 fans were able to admire prestige, vintage, unique and collector vehicles at the event which raised $28,000 for Peninsula Health. Lions Club of Flinders event organiser Mary Iles said: “We were really excited to be back this year because this event already means so much to the exhibitors and the hundreds of people who attend. “We understand public safety continues to be a priority at this stage of the coronavirus pandemic,…
A man has died following a two-car collision in Somerville this afternoon. It’s believed the driver of a Daihatsu travelling on Western Port Highway has veered onto the wrong side of the road and collided head on with a Mitsubishi just before 2.30pm. The sole occupant of the Daihatsu, a yet to be formally identified man, died at the scene. The sole occupant of the Mitsubishi was not injured but taken to hospital for observation as a precaution. The exact cause of the collision is yet to be determined at this stage. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage…
ALTHOUGH gambling has become part of mainstream society, deeply entrenched within the Aussie culture, it has many losers. “For most, gambling is fun, but for others a loss can be devastating,” Peninsula Voice chairperson Peter Orton said. In a bid to highlight gambling’s downside Peninsula Voice has organised a forum next month called Is gambling harm our blind spot? “Gambling has a built-in addictive component and to break the cycle can be extremely challenging,” Mr Orton said. “The glib advertising statement that you should gamble responsibly is grossly inadequate for some and illustrates a lack of accountability by betting organisations.”…
BIKES are a great way to get around, but they can be costly. A few simple security measures can help protect bikes from thieves and make them easier to track it down if they are stolen. One way is to engrave an ID number into the frame, such as a driver’s licence number for easy recognition, such as V12345678, with the V standing for Victoria. Keep a record of the serial number somewhere safe, such as online at bddy.me/2PuSvoN. Always park your bike with a strong and secure lock, ensuring both the frame and at least one wheel are locked.…
DETECTIVES are seeking a man, pictured, who pointed a handgun at a shop-keeper at Capel Sound, earlier this month. The attempted armed robbery occurred at a food store on Illaroo Street about 12pm, Friday 2 April. The man was last seen walking south along Boneo Road, Rosebud, about 10 minutes later. Anyone who knows him or who has more information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers, 1800 333 000. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 20 April 2021
SUBMISSIONS to Mornington Peninsula Shire’s plans for a Recreational Mountain Bike and BMX Facilities Strategy close 31 May. The need for a strategy followed the unauthorised building of BMX jumps and courses on public land. The shire hired consultants @leisure Planners after complaints about the number of BMX tracks springing up on public land throughout the peninsula, particularly during COVID restrictions. The consultants have been told to prepare a strategy to “ensure dirt jumps, skills parks and pump tracks are in appropriate locations and designed together with the community”. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 20 April 2021
WORKS by 76 contemporary artists come together in Holding Ground, an online art exhibition and fundraiser being held to stop the proposed expansion of a contentious granite quarry at Arthurs Seat. Charitable organisation the Ross Trust, and the company it owns, Hillview Quarries, plan to dig the quarry on the north face of Arthurs Seat which would destroy remnant old-growth bushland that is home to koalas and 27 threatened or endangered species. The 23 April-14 May Holding Ground exhibition curated by Penelope Gebhardt features a selection of Mornington Peninsula-based, Melbourne and interstate artists working across sculpture, painting, drawing, jewellery, ceramics,…
AN exhibition of photos taken in Argentina is on display at the Frankston Arts Centre. Photographer Osvaldo Civetta was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He emigrated to Melbourne when he was 15. At the invitation of a friend he returned to his country of birth, where he shot photographs of Indigenous Argentinian people. He is now displaying his work at the Arts Centre as part of an exhibition titled Roots, Raices. “The exhibition was inspired through an invitation by friend and artist Jaime Torres, Argentine musician and world-renowned interpreter of charango, to visit his cultural centre in his native province…
TWELVE Mornington Peninsula towns will host Anzac Day services on Sunday 25 April 2021. This year marks the 106th anniversary of the 1915 Gallipoli landing in Turkey. Mornington Peninsula Shire has issued a news release urging “our community to commemorate Anzac Day safely” by following COVID-safe guidelines at the various dawn services, marches and remembrance services. The dawn service and march in Melbourne will be live-streamed from 5.40am at shrine.org.au The peninsula’s Anzac Day program: Crib Point: March 10.40am; Crib Point RSL service 11am. Dromana: dawn service 6.15am Peninsula Club; march 9.15am, service 9.45am, Dromana Cenotaph. Flinders: service 10am Flinders…
FIRE restrictions end this week, but the CFA is urging landowners to exercise “extreme caution” when burning off. CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the fire danger period across Victoria ended at 1am, Monday 12 April. “This marks the official end to a much milder bushfire season than the unprecedented fire season that ravaged East Gippsland and North Victoria in 2019/20,” he said. Mr Heffernan said it was still important to check local conditions on the day of any burn-off for safety’s sake. “Fires can get out of control within minutes in dry and windy conditions, and the effects can…
THE state government is spending $33.7 million on technology that can detect drivers using their mobile phones. Legislation will also be introduced to back up the methods being used to detect “distracted” drivers. A three-month trial assessed 679,438 vehicles and found that one in 42 drivers were illegally using a mobile phone while driving. The trial was conducted while stage four coronavirus restrictions were in place, leading authorities to believe the rate of offending could be higher when roads are busier and movement is not restricted. Using two portable cameras across several metropolitan and regional locations, the trial found the…
By Simon Brooks* With Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s declaration of a climate emergency in mid-2019, and the August 2020 adoption of the climate emergency plan there is an expectation by many that the shire clearly communicates a position on some of the big energy infrastructure projects planned for our country, state and in particular within the municipality. I was privileged to be a councillor who was able to help drive these initiatives and I’m hopeful the new group of councillors will keep up the momentum with support from the shire staff and senior officers. Climate change is placing us at…
WORK is underway rebuilding the rock barricade to prevent erosion on the Safety Beach foreshore near the sailing club. The Bay Trail has been diverted around the site, with a temporary fence maintaining pedestrian access and safety. Heavy machinery will be on site for the next six weeks. The mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said Mornington Peninsula Shire was rebuilding the rock wall as “part of council’s commitment to protecting our coastal environments from the impacts of climate change”. Cr Debra Mar said the rock revetment “will help protect our foreshore for years to come”. Cr Kerri McCafferty said the work…
THE Victorian Maritime Centre museum in Crib Point now includes an exhibition dedicated to those who served on HMAS Australia 11. The exhibition was opened on Saturday 27 March by Victoria’s Chief of Navy, Commodore Greg Yorke. The exhibition includes a background painting by maritime artist Randall Wilson and a documentary by Wayne Gibbs. Two veterans that served on the ship, Petty Officer Des Shinkfield and Signalman Bruce Crowlmong, were among the 60 people at the opening. Mr Crowlmong recited a poem written by fellow crewman Alan Fenton about his wartime experiences aboard the ship. Hiram Ristrom, a coxswain who…
A BRONZE statue has been unveiled at Point Nepean National Park to commemorate former graduates of the Portsea officer cadet school who died during active service. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions the 18 March unveiling by former graduates Major General David J McLachlan AO and Lieutenant Colonel Robin A McBride, was broadcast online. Of the 22 names on the statue’s plaque fixed to a granite base, 15 lost their lives in south Vietnam, four in the Philippines, two in Malaysia and one on the Thai-Laos border. The statue faces the former parade ground close to Badcoe Hall, named after…
COMMUNITY groups and sporting clubs are being offered grants to buy such things as bottles and crockery to lessen their dependence on single-use plastics. Up to $50,000 will be distributed in $1000 to $5000 grants by Mornington Peninsula Shire to organisation’s based in buildings or spaces. “Single-use plastics are a massive problem globally and right here on the peninsula. Plastic litter doesn’t belong on our beaches, in our bays or creeks, yet we see it everywhere we go,” the mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said. “As a coastal community, the protection of our bays, creeks and ocean is integral to ensuring…
THE driver of a truck delivering timber to a Dromana building site received an electric shock when the boom of the crane he was operating struck power lines about 8.20am yesterday (Monday 12 April). Co-workers at the unit site in Palmerston Avenue, near Jetty Road, heard a loud bang and rushed to help the driver aged in his 60s. They applied CPR until ambulance crews arrived. The driver was taken to The Alfred hospital. His condition was not known when The News went to press. Sergeant Wayne Wood, of Hastings police, said police were investigating the incident. It is believed…