WORK is nearing completion inside the Yawa Aquatic Centre, Rosebud, with pool tiling finished and a floating pool (boom) installed for the 50 metre pool to be divided into two. The play area has three slides, water cannons and a tipping bucket. The steam room and sauna will be completed, and equipment added to the gym over the next few weeks. Early May has been set as the new completion target date with the centre opened to the public before the end of the month. Belgravia Leisure, which manages the centre, is recruiting swimming teachers and qualified fitness experts to…
Author: MP News Group
A man has died and two others were seriously injured following a single-vehicle crash in Tootgarook early this morning.The vehicle was travelling along Point Nepean Road when it veered off the road and struck a brick fence shortly before 2am.The male driver was declared deceased at the scene.His two male passengers were airlifted to hospital in a serious condition.Police will prepare a report for the coroner.For the current provisional lives lost tally please see https://www.police.vic.gov.au/road-safety-0Victoria Police News – 10 April 2021
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives are hoping to identify a man who produced a firearm during an attempted armed robbery in Capel Sound on Friday. The incident occurred at a food store on Illaroo Street about 12pm on 2 April. It’s believed an unknown man approached the front counter and produced a dark-coloured firearm that was concealed in his pants. The man pointed the firearm at the staff attendant and made demands for cash. The male victim then triggered an audible alarm and the offender put the firearm back in his pants before fleeing empty handed. The man was…
A BIODIVERSITY and sustainability forum being held at Flinders on Sunday 11 April will hear from a range of speakers about issues vital to the health and preservation of the Mornington Peninsula’s natural environment. Organised by the Friends of Flinders Coastline group, the forum in Flinders Hall will also provide a venue for community groups to share details about their activities with the public. Speakers at the forum are: Maxwell Campbell, president of the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, will speak about how humans effect biodiversity, especially among invertebrates. A biologist and educator, Mr Campbell is a macro photographer and…
IT was a labour of love that spanned 27 years. Margaret Crittenden’s collection of clippings and cuttings from all sources documenting the growth of the Mornington Peninsula wine industry from its embryonic state to the powerhouse it is today. Eventually the collection became too important to preside in simple scrap books, and the Crittenden family had each page photographed and assembled into “The Big Red Book”. And after Margaret’s death in November, the Crittenden’s recognised the importance of her work in documenting this important industry. “We only produced six of these books,” said Garry Crittenden. “We felt it was essential…
A FEMALE-only pink patrol was looking out for the safety of swimmers and other beach users at Point Leo on Saturday (27 March). The Point Leo patrol was one of 10 across the state celebrating female leadership in lifesaving for International Women’s Day (IWD) and Women’s History Month. According to, the special Pink Patrols were among 10 hosted across Victoria this month. “Pink Patrols are made up of all female personnel or female-led patrols and symbolise how integral women are in lifesaving,” Life Saving Victoria membership and leadership development director Angela Malan said. “Their goal is to build female operational…
OWNERS of cats and dogs on the Mornington Peninsula must renew pet registrations by Saturday 10 April. All cats and dogs over the age of three months must also be microchipped. Services for pets provided by Mornington Peninsula Shire financed from the registration fees include: off-leash dog areas (mornpen.vic.gov.au/leashfree); the Community Animal Shelter and Pound which cares for lost pets and finds new homes for unclaimed cats and dogs (mornpen.vic.gov.au/lostpets); and rangers who respond to dog attacks and nuisance complaints. Cats must be de-sexed to be registered within the shire unless the cat and owner are a member of the…
By David Gill* I AM disappointed with the way my mostly newly-elected fellow councillors have allowed Mornington Peninsula Shire Council officers to continue to dominate the budget process, despite my advocacy on transparency and accountability. The budget is prepared by management without any opportunity for the community-elected representatives to vote on its contents until the draft budget is presented. At the draft budget meeting CEO John Baker even said that it is not best practice to change the draft budget and that we should wait for the final budget declaration meeting. Unfortunately, we missed an opportunity to be transparent and…
THREE of the most recognisable artworks along the 39 kilometres of the EastLink tollway have been renovated and restored. The collection of public artworks includes 12 artworks along the tollway and shared use path. EastLink says the artworks set among 480 hectares of landscaping are “arguably [form] Australia’s largest sculpture park”. “EastLink’s much-loved art collection cost $5 million when the artworks were commissioned and acquired shortly before EastLink opened in 2008, so it’s important they are maintained properly,” The company’s corporate affairs manager Doug Spencer-Roy said. “Three of the artworks needed maintenance recently, and with renovation works now complete, they…
A road trauma survivor joined police and a forensic pathologist to share his story on video about how “one second” driving on a road changed his life, and many other lives, forever. The video, part of Victoria Police’s road safety campaign launched ahead of the Easter long weekend, includes the father of a road trauma victim telling of his grief after attending the roadside where his daughter died. Victoria Police is highlighting the long lasting impact intentional high-risk behaviour behind the wheel can have and the ripple effect on those who are left behind. On 27 May 2019, two people…
THE sporting community of Tuerong has a new home with the completion of the new RM Hooper Pavilion. The new fit-for-purpose centre has female change rooms and amenities, new kitchen and kiosk, first-aid room and additional storage space. The modern, modular assembly was a first for the shire and took only a few months to build. RM Hooper Reserve hosts 2100 footballers, soccer players and cricketers. The upgrade will allow more sports at the reserve through additional programming, as well as easing the way for female participants through more-inclusive facilities. The pavilion was built using $760,000 from the shire’s capital…
PATIENTS are growing and picking a variety of fruit and vegetables at The Mornington Centre thanks to a nearby hardware chain. Bunnings Warehouse Mornington staff dropped by recently to donate seedlings and help out in the centre’s three sensory gardens. Peninsula Health’s 90-bed geriatric evaluation and management centre in Separation Street, provides specialist medical, nursing and allied health services mainly for people with health care conditions associated with ageing, memory and thinking problems, chronic illness or disability. Working alongside the Bunnings staff, patients Allan Brilliant and Melissa Schaller turned over the soil with fresh mulch and watered the Flinders Ward…
MOUNT Martha Boulodrome is the rather grand sounding for of a 24-lane international standard petanque rink. The rink was built as a result of Mount Martha Petanque Club and Mount Martha Bowls Club joining forces to turn an old bowling green into a world-class rink which, hopefully, will attract players from all over Victoria and Australia. Mornington MP David Morris and Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Despi O’Connor threw the first boules to open the club on Friday 12 March. The following week the petanque players held their first event, The Jennifer Shaw Memorial Tournament, contested by 28 teams from…
THE Stroke Foundation wants Mornington Peninsula residents to learn how to recognise signs of a stroke and to immediately call triple zero (000) for help. The foundation uses the acronym the FAST (face arms speech and time) to highlight the signs of stroke and what to do about them. Stroke survivor Lindy Cooke, of Flinders, said stroke was always a time-critical medical emergency that needed urgent intervention. “By learning the FAST signs of stroke, you could save the life of a friend, family member or neighbour,” Ms Cooke said. Ms Cooke was born with a hole in her heart and…
THE Victorian Electoral Commission will conduct a countback of votes on Tuesday 13 April to fill the vacancy on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council caused by the resignation of Hugh Fraser. Mr Fraser was reelected last November and his position will be filled by one of five candidates who unsuccessfully stood against him in Nepean Ward (“Fraser bows out after ‘differences’ with CEO” The News 15/3/21). The five candidates in the running are Susan Bissinger, Mechelle Cheers, Mark Davis, Simon Mulvany and Gary Naughton. The VEC says the vacancy will be filled by a countback of all formal votes from the…
PUBLIC sector aged care residents and staff on the Mornington Peninsula have started receiving their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Residents at Peninsula Health’s Carinya Aged Care Centre at Capel Sound rolled up their sleeves last week, as phase 1a of the vaccine rollout is expanded across the region after beginning with frontline healthcare staff at Frankston Hospital. Carinya nurse unit manager Michelle Paine says Carinya’s staff, residents and their families are keen to receive the first of their two vaccine doses, as they see the vaccine program as an important step towards protecting themselves and each other. “The last…
WATCHING the main 50-metre pool at the Yawa Aquatic Centre slowly being filled with water was a highlight for Nepean MP Chris Brayne as he toured the centre earlier this month. Mr Brayne and Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker were shown over the $37 million complex in Besgrove Street by the shire’s project manager David Hampton. The community hub is expected to attract about 400,000 visits a year to its gym, group fitness and learn-to-swim classes, cafe and wellness suites. An aqua play area has three slides and a splash pad and a boom to allow the pool to…
REFLECTING on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on so many people prompted Devilbend Foundation secretary Jill McIver to ponder how they can recruit new volunteers for worthwhile projects. This came during National Volunteer Week 17-24 March. “We all had to deal with the restrictions in different ways and the after-effects of what we do next,” she said. “After volunteering for over 25 years in various forms – children’s kindergarten, school, sports clubs, lifesaving and environmental groups – I’m calling on the next generation to step up!” Ms McIver, who stepped down as secretary of Mornington Environment Association last October…
WESTERNPORT Tourism, which runs the visitor information centre at the Old Fish Shed at Hastings pier, is looking for volunteers to help visitors. Manager Del Skinner said while Westernport Tourism had been around for decades, interest had been “waxing and waning”. “[The service] was re-invigorated in about 2012 with a number of interested businesses,” Ms Skinner said. “The main focus now is to run the visitor information centre.” Ms Skinner praised the work of Lisa Dixon, now a Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor, who had been “tireless in helping to establish the VIC”. “When we gained the lease to The Fish…
By Steve Taylor CRICKET PENINSULA Veterans Over 50s Cricket team capped off an exciting first year by defeating Garfield/Tynong in their grand final at Frankston on Sunday 21 March. Batting first the peninsula team scored 3/223 in their 40 overs. Henry Dolphin, Chris Lanting and Al Davie all retired at the compulsory 40 runs. They were backed up by Brendon Gardner, 18, David Martin, 26, John Harrison, 23 not out and Brian Parton, 17 not out. In reply Garfield only managed 97 with all bowlers playing their part backed by some excellent fielding. John Harrison, 1/11, and Craig Burch, 2/25,…
By Brosnan Kelly HASTINGS GIFT SATURDAY 13 March saw the third running of the Hastings Gift carnival. After a tough and trying 2020, not even saturating conditions could deter athletes from around the country from flocking to the Thomas Barclay Oval for a display of competitive professional athletics. “We would like to thank our sponsors Mornington Peninsula Shire, AGL, Port of Hastings Development Authority, Tuckett Tyrepower Hastings, Jack Engineering P/L, Westernport Innate Chiropractic and Peninsula Heating, Cooling & Electrical for their continued support,” said event organiser, Terry Kelly. The Hastings Gift is organised by a local community based group, ‘Peninsula…
A VISITOR to the Mornington Peninsula won the major prize in the Hello Again Giveaway competition drawn on Saturday 6 March. Nitin Jayswal, of Hawthorn, who has never owned a car before, won a Mazda 3 Pure G20 auto from Mornington Mazda. The winning entry was one of 30,000 in the giveaway sponsored by Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism, Easy Music 3MP, Mornington Mazda, Mornington Peninsula News Group, RBK Advisory, Searoad Ferries, Samsonite and Eastlink. Other prizes included Peninsula Hot Springs Experiences, Mornington Cup Experiences, $1000 worth of wine from Crittenden Estate and two nights in a penthouse apartment (plus personal…
ANYONE wanting to discuss an idea or other municipal matters can apply to meet the Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Despi O’Connor and CEO John Baker. The once-a-month 25-minute meetings start this week and will rotate across the shire’s Rosebud, Mornington and Hastings offices. All applications will be reviewed and, if a meeting request relates to operational matters, the applicant may be referred to a shire officer. Meeting times are limited and not confirmed until a response is received from the shire’s councillor support team. Confirmed times may be subject to change. Those attending will receive follow-up correspondence after each…
A MAN is expected to face court after crashing his car at Tootgarook last week while allegedly being almost five times over the legal alcohol limit. Police were called to Burdett Street following reports that a blue BMW sedan had crashed into a tree, 7pm, Thursday 11 March (above). The driver had left the scene and the unregistered car, with false plates, was abandoned. Police later arrested a 60-year-old man at a nearby house. At the police station he allegedly returned a positive oral fluid test and breath-test reading of 0.233 per cent. The man’s licence was suspended and he…
POLICE have warned against scammers impersonating authorities, including police and the Australian Tax Office (ATO). They say scammers will claim that your ATO tax file number has been hacked and that your ATO account has been involved in criminal activity. Others say they are calling from the local police station and to deposit money into an account over the phone, or to hand money over to “authorities” in person at a meet-up point. Victims are told to verify their personal and banking information over the phone and that they can pay “debts” with online gift cards and other methods. Police…
YOUNG people on the Mornington Peninsula will soon have a new place to seek help for their mental health. This comes as work begins on the Rosebud Secondary College youth wellness pavilion to support the mental health and wellbeing of its students and the wider community. The pavilion will house the college’s wellbeing team and provide office space for mental health and community services. The concept was developed following the suicides of two Rosebud students in 2013. The pavilion came about through community-wide efforts to support young people living on the peninsula. Since then, the work of college staff, including…
CITY racing comes to the Mornington Peninsula for Neds Mornington Cup Day this Saturday 20 March. It is one of the most stunning days trackside you’ll ever experience on the Peninsula. From the rolling front lawn, to the deck with Winning Post views or three-course dining, there is a space and an experience for everyone. For a relaxed day on the lawn, set yourself up trackside with the Squealing Pig Spritz Bar dedicated to keeping you hydrated across the day and an array of food trucks with a selection of snacks and meals to keep your hunger pangs at…
A SEVEN metre long humpback whale found dead on a Mount Martha beach last Thursday (11 March) is unlikely to have died of natural causes. However, the cause of its death may never be known as authorities were unable to arrange a necropsy, or post mortem examination. To avoid contamination of popular beaches the whale’s carcass was towed to Safety Beach from where it was taken to a tip. “Samples, measurements and photographs taken from the whale before it was removed from the beach will help assess possible causal factors and support scientific research,” Department of Environment, Land, Water and…
Arthurs Seat Eagle is taking love to new heights with its ‘Cupid Cabins’ for Valentine’s Day. Lovers, pal-entines and gal-entines will be able to indulge in a special twilight experience for two aboard a private gondola over the Mornington Peninsula. Waiting onboard, guests will discover two glasses of T’Gallant sparkling (or alternate beverage), a gourmet grazing platter, a sweet treat from Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie and a single red rose by local florist, Artful Blooms. This is the first time guests can enjoy a glass of sparkling for Valentine’s day while gliding in one of the Eagle’s aerial gondolas, taking in…
SOME residents living in a group of streets at Rosebud are upset that roads have been resurfaced despite appearing to be in good condition. The work involved “microsurfacing” the roads with “graded aggregates and bituminous polymer modified emulsion”. Residents were asked by the Mornington Peninsula Shire to not use the roads after 7am and warned that driveways could be blocked for up to four hours once the work started. Streets affected by the works were Curlew Drive, and Currawong, Sanderling, Dotterel, Whimbrel. Egret and Sandpiper courts. However, at least one street, Sandpiper Court, was blocked for six and a half…