PORTSEA Surf Life Saving Club has put 600 Nippers through their paces at the back beach and at the Point Nepean Quarantine Station. The Nippers program, the largest of its kind in the state, introduces children aged 6-13 to lifesaving and water safety skills. The nipper’s last week participated in water and beach activities aimed at providing them with the skills to be confident and proficient in the surf. Activities included beach sprinting, beach flags, swimming, surf wading, board paddling and surf safety theory. “It’s wonderful to see so many youngsters learn vital surf safety lessons and develop their surf…
Author: MP News Group
SEVEN high achievers have cemented their places in Mornington Secondary College’s Dreamcatcher program run over the past 15 years. The year 12 students, who all achieved 90-plus ATARs, now await their tertiary offers later this month. Deputy principal Jim Pappas said the Dreamcatcher program was geared for students who choose to aim for 90-plus ATARs. “The students are selected based on their previous academic achievements and work with a teacher-mentor during their final year,” he said. “Over these years, our 90-plus achievers have been Dreamcatchers with this year being no exception.” First published in the Mornington News – 12 January…
SILVERS Circus will start its next tour at Mornington with the Sesame Street Circus Spectacular, from Wednesday 6 January. This 90-minute show features Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Bert and Ernie, Super Grover and Big Bird as they find their place in the circus – from clowns to daredevils. The show was developed for the tour and includes the original Sesame Street voices recorded in New York. Tickets at ticketmaster.com.au/artist/837678 First published in the Mornington News – 22 December 2020
By Tony Duboudin THREE members of Balnarring Men’s Probus Clubs book group came up with a novel idea to keep minds occupied during the pandemic lockdown – a short story writing competition. The original idea was the brainchild of Bernie Gittins who was then joined by Peter Gerdsen and Dan Hourigan to form an organising group to suggest to club members that might be interested in contributing to a short story competition. The contest would not only keep club members in contact but provide a diversional activity while stuck indoors. It was agreed to have two sections: One up to…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s aim of introducing an effective recycling policy is being hampered by apathy, experts say. Some residents are unsure of what can and can’t be recycled, while others couldn’t care less what goes into their bin as long as they get rid of it. As a result, contaminated recycling rates on the peninsula are 5 per cent higher than the state average. Birte Molier, of Waste Wise Peninsula, supports the shire’s efforts to introduce a three-strike process. “If residents continue to deliberately and significantly contaminate their recycling bin, they will receive official notices or warnings and eventually get…
TWO new speed cameras on the Peninsula Link freeway are zooming in on north and south-bound traffic. The cameras, on the Ballarto Road bridge, are instantaneous and point-to-point fixed speed cameras. Also, in the lead up to the cameras being installed, drivers on the freeway were being monitored by specialist cameras designed to detect mobile phone use and “dangerous driving activities”. The cameras in the three-month study, which assessed 200,000 drivers and identified 4000 possible offences in their first four weeks “on the job”, were not set up to fine drivers so no infringements will be issued. Early results showed…
FORMER Continental Hotel developer Julian Gerner is believed to be facing serious drink-driving charges. The Sorrento restaurateur reportedly crashed into a pole in Sorrento on Sunday 13 December before leaving the scene. A police spokesperson said: “It’s believed the driver of a Range Rover travelling south along Hotham Road lost control at the roundabout at the intersection of Melbourne Road about 11pm. “The driver … allegedly fled the scene prior to police attendance.” The spokesperson said police later attended a Sorrento residence where the 47-year-old driver underwent a preliminary breath test. “The man accompanied officers to a nearby police station…
SPEEDING boats and jet skis being driven too close to other vessels and swimmers from Mount Martha to Sorrento have alarmed Water Police. They warn that due to an “increase in dangerous behaviour and, in some cases, serious marine incidents” they will have a “highly visible presence” on Port Phillip towards year’s end. As part of Operation Southend last weekend the Water Police as well as Mornington Peninsula police were out enforcing water safety on boat ramps and beaches, focusing on “compliance with water safety rules to reduce the number of marine incidents and collisions caused by unsafe behaviour”. Police…
A CLOSE encounter with a koala has prompted a plea for drivers to watch out for the ungainly-on-the-ground tree dwellers. Sheree Stewart contacted The News to warn that a koala had been on the road between McCrae and Mornington during the morning of Friday 12 December. “They are an endangered species and I’m not sure if he got away, but people need to be aware on the highway that this is happening and that perhaps we should look at animal-proof fencing to protect the shire’s wildlife from 100 kilometre and hour speeding vehicles. “Western Australia uses animal-proof fencing and wildlife…
MORNINGTON Peninsula musicians are emerging from an COVID-enforced break from performing before live audiences. They were not always quiet during this year’s lockdowns, but most agree that streaming live over the internet is not the same as receiving feedback from an audience. One of the live music venues set to go with a series of concerts is the Pig and Whistle Tavern at main Ridge. Music was again being played late last month when the tavern hosted a private entertainment industry networking event ahead of a series of live shows leading into Christmas and for the following 12 months. The…
PHOTOGRAPHS at the entrance to the new Yawa Aquatic Centre, Rosebud will reflect its connection to the waters surrounding the Mornington Peninsula. Hastings photographer Matt Burgess was chosen for the job after an expressions of interest process in November. His works will be at the Rosebud pool from March for 12 months. “Yawa means‘to swim’ in the local Indigenous language and the new aquatic centre draws inspiration from the waterways surrounding the peninsula,” the mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said. Growing up on the mid-north coast of NSW, Burgess started surfing at a young age, joined the Australian Army at 17…
MORNINGTON Secondary College student Taleah Cameron did her school proud in the Victorian Interschool State Championships, Saturday and Sunday 5-6 December. The year 11 student representing Mornington Secondary College won both elementary tests on her mount Black Jack which resulted in her being named Overall Interschool Elementary State Dressage Champion. She then competed in the medium level, again on Black Jack, and finished sixth overall. On her second mount, Impeccable, which she has only partnered with for a short time, she finished second in the preliminary section. “This is a huge achievement, and she represented the college for an outstanding…
IN a jubilant moment last week organisers of the fundraising exhibition Art is in Our Nature met with members of the Save Westernport committee to hand over $87,000 raised from their campaign in October. The handover took place at Woolley’s Beach at Crib Point, the site of AGL’s proposed gas import terminal. The online exhibition was hosted by Silver Leaf Art Box and Merricks General Wine Store. “It’s been our great privilege to bring this project together and support the important work of the Save Westernport committee and the Western Port community,” exhibition curator Penelope Gebhardt said. “The exceptional calibre…
HASTINGS celebrated being named Sustainable Community – Tidy Town 2020 at a special awards presentation, Friday 4 December. Dr Jacqueline Salter joined the festivities and received the trophy for Dame Phyllis Frost Award Winner 2020. On the day, certificates were presented to all Hastings entries who assisted in the township’s success. AT the award ceremony are former Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Kate Roper, Cr Antonella Celi, Young Legend Award winner Harrison Hansen, Tricia Folvig, Michelle McCready, Dame Phyllis Frost Award Winner Dr Jacqueline Salter, and Cr Lisa Dixon. Second row: James Bryan, Sabina Wills CEO Keep Victoria Beautiful, David Maddocks,…
OBITUARY Margaret Jacqueline Crittenden 18 October 1942 – 26 November 2020 WELL known Mornington Peninsula vigneron and restaurateur Margaret Crittenden died at George Vowell Aged Care facility on Thursday, 26 November. She was 78. Her funeral service was held at Tobin Brothers, Mt. Martha, on Friday, 4 December. Her husband, Garry, compiled the eulogy on which this obituary is based. *** Marg, as she was generally known, was an only child, born at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Hospital, East Melbourne, to Jack and Marion Down, on 18 October 1942. Jack, a trained accountant, originally from Warrnambool, met Marion in the…
PENINSULA Health is saying thank you to its more than 6500 staff across the Frankston Mornington Peninsula as 2020 draws to a close. “We know that many people in our health service and in our community were impacted by the pandemic, in a multitude of complicated and difficult ways,” says Felicity Topp, Chief Executive Peninsula Health. “Each and every staff member at Peninsula Health went above and beyond to ensure we could provide outstanding care to our community. I’d like to give my heartfelt thanks to all of our people for their wonderful contribution this year.” As part of the…
A HASTINGS man was attacked and robbed during an aggravated burglary in Hastings in September. Police issued an identikit of the offender last week. They said the man forced his way into an Elisa Place house and assaulted the victim with a metal pole, 1.30pm, Wednesday 2 September. The man demanded money and forced his victim to drive him in his own car, a 2007 Mercedes Benz sedan, to an ATM to withdraw cash. En route, the offender realised his victim’s injuries were so serious he returned him to his home before stealing his car. The 41-year-old was later taken…
A BURST water pipe gouged a hole in the road “big enough to park a bus in” and caused flooding at McCrae, 5.30am, Monday 7 December. The water had still not been connected by 1.30pm. South East Water acting general manager customer service delivery Charlie Littlefair said the pipe on the corner of Coburn Avenue and Point Nepean Road was repaired and the water back on later that day. “Our crews finished up the rest of the works, including a temporary road reinstatement, by Wednesday morning,” he said. “Unfortunately, these works were a little more complicated than usual, with a…
MORNINGTON Peninsula-based builder Brynor Constructions has won the 2020 HIA Eastern Victoria Home of the Year Award for the second year running. The custom-built home at Blairgowrie was praised by HIA judges as being an “architectural masterpiece”, “built to a very high standard” and “simply spectacular”. It will now become a finalist in the overall Victorian Housing and Kitchen and Bathroom Awards in the Custom Built Home $2-$3 million and Outdoor Project categories. The expansive home is said to have abundant natural light. The judges said the “layout flows beautifully, and the use of granite, charred hardwood timber cladding and…
THIS summer recycle bins on the Mornington Peninsula will be collected every week from Monday 14 December until Friday 29 January. The normal 240-litre recycle bins with the blue lid will be collected weekly on the same day as the usual fortnightly recycling service, including public holidays. Items that can be recycled include clean aluminium and steel cans and foil, rigid and solid plastic items, such as kids toys, bottles (lids off), clean take-away containers and cups, pizza boxes (with only small amounts of grease), pots and pans, wrapping paper and envelopes, cardboard, newspapers and magazines, empty milk, juice and…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Veterans Cricket Club had mixed results last weekend with the Over 50 team easily winning its first ever match and the Over 60 team going down in a close finish. The Over 50s played their historic first game at the picturesque Nyora ground against South Gippsland. They batted first and made 6/245 from their 40 overs. Henry Dolphin, Stella Jackson and Brian Parton all retired at the compulsory 40 runs. They were well supported by Simon McEvoy 22, Al Davie 15, captain Dave Martin with 29 and Dave Hunter, 14. The bowling was excellent with John Harrison and…
MORNINGTON Yacht Club last week christened a further six Opti junior sailing dinghies which are ideal for children aged 8-10 learning to sail in the club’s Try Sailing program. The free sessions will be held on four consecutive Sunday mornings. The purchase of the dinghies was made possible by donations to the Mornington Yacht Club Foundation with the boats named after significant boats in the club’s history: Morning Mist was a leading keel boat sailed by Alf Neate in 12 Sydney-to-Hobart races, three Melbourne-to-Hobarts, and nine Queenscliff-to-Devonport races. Flying Cloud was Max Rodd’s catamaran used as a stable platform to…
WORKS to provide temporary vehicle access to the property cut off during the landslip at the Esplanade, Mount Martha, in October were set to begin last week and take two days. (“Landslip closes Esplanade” The News 5/10/20). This week, residents will see further activity with the drilling of three bores near the service road above the Esplanade. The bores will obtain samples to determine the strength properties of the rock and soil and determine the depth of groundwater. These works are expected to take three days. Two further bores, lower down the hillside nearer the Esplanade, are also planned before…
LUCY (12) and Alyssa (11) have just had the haircut to beat all haircuts, lopping off around 35 centimetres to donate for the making of wigs. Going into grade six at the start of the year at St Macartan’s Parish Primary School, the students are allocated a “prep buddy”. Lucy’s “prep buddy” was Ava. In the midst of her battle with leukaemia, Lucy was inspired by Ava’s courage, bravery and zest for life. Teaming up with friend Alyssa, the two girls decided to grow their hair all year to enable them to donate the hair at the end of the…
POLICE are seeking public assistance in identifying two men after a criminal damage spree at Somerville several weeks back. The pair was reported loitering at an Eramosa Road primary school, 2.30am, Monday 26 October. Around that time, quadbikes were seen entering the school grounds and damaging the sports oval. The men are Caucasian in appearance. One was wearing a hoodie, tracksuit pants, and a baseball cap. The other had facial hair and was wearing jeans, a hoodie and jacket. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or report confidentially online quoting reference CSV4062. First published…
FRANKSTON Arts Centre welcomed back its first live audience in 258 days on Saturday 28 November for a musical performance of Spirit Lines: A Musical Reconciliation. Frankston City Manager Arts and Culture Andrew Moon said it was fantastic to welcome an audience of close to 100 invited guests as Centre staff trialled new COVID-safe practices. “The guests were socially distanced throughout the 800 seat theatre. Other safety measures included all audience members wearing masks, regular cleaning of touch points and new layout of the foyer space to improve traffic flow and encourage physical distancing,” he said. Originally programmed as part…
TREATMENT for head and neck cancers affecting his face as well as his eating, drinking and speech have been life-changing for Steve Mahoney, of Mornington. Unlike other types of cancers, the visible scars and side effects of his treatment have changed the way he looks and can’t be hidden. On top of this, basic things like going on outings, attending functions, mowing the lawn, gardening, or even washing the car, take a huge toll on Mr Mahoney as the side effects include being extremely tired after even basic activities. Despite this, there are so many things that will remain the…
“WE are all connected to food that is local, healthy and abundant” is the ethos, or “Community Aspiration” of The Community Plate (TCP). This collective of Frankston and Mornington Peninsula people is working together to bring the best of the peninsula’s produce to the tables of everyone. Over an 18 month period TCP held discussions with a wide range of interested parties to develop an authentic, local vision that will guide all of its future work. Community Plate’s Rodney Mackintosh said: “We spent a lot of time ensuring that we got our Community Aspiration right. “We spoke with many, many…
THE “Spoonville travels to Bethlehem” scene in the garden of the Mornington and Mt Martha Anglican Church allows children to be part of the original story of Christmas: the journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus, in a fun, crafty way. Liz Rankin, the deacon of the Queen Street church, said the scene aimed to bring “joy and Christmas spirit to families and the town as a whole”. And she is keen on getting everyone involved. “We’d like to have people place their own crafted spoon decorated with Christmas characters in the lead up to Christmas,” she said. “During…
“HOON” riding near Rye pier cost three motorbike riders dearly, Monday afternoon 30 November. Rosebud police rounded up the trio allegedly performing “monos” on their motorcycles resulting in them all being impounded at a cost of $1200 each. The riders are expected to be charged with a range of traffic offences, including failing to maintain proper control of their vehicles. They will be summonsed to appear at, probably, Dromana Magistrates’ Court at a later date. Police thanked members of the public for reporting the hoons. They say they will “not tolerate this type of behaviour putting members of the community…