INSTEAD of holding its annual seniors high tea Crib Point Community House is distributing “goodie bags”, loaded with tea and coffee sachets, biscuits and cake and “some extra surprises”. Community house manager Mary Budd said the free “goodie bags” would enable seniors to “have high tea at home to share with their other half or maybe invite a friend, if COVID-19 regulations allow”. The community house also hosted a virtual high tea on Monday 12 October. “Some of our wonderful volunteers helped deliver to those that were outside the five kilometre radius,” Ms Budd said. She said 65 bags had…
Author: MP News Group
RADIO station RPP FM turned to television to hold a virtual gala ball that raised $75,000 for the Children First Foundation. Realising restrictions caused by COVID-19 would destroy its major 2020 event, foundation executive officer Elizabeth Lodge approached RPP breakfast host John Shore who arranged a TV broadcast of the big night. “We dared to dream, took a risk, and the outcome was awesome,” she said. Observing strict COVID protocols, the RPP crew of MC John Shore, co-host Amy Campion and technical producer Steve Meyers, used RPP’s TV broadcasting ability to stream the event live to a national audience. The…
KAREN Alija says horses can help people learn about themselves in much the same way that they have helped shape her new outlook on business during the coronavirus pandemic. Ms Alija, director of Gunnamatta Trail Rides, said lessons learned from horses’ survival instincts enabled her to accept the changes caused by COVID-19 and bring the family business back on track. The business virtually shut down in March but has since developed a new outlook on the way things are done. Ms Alija said businesses needed to become more resilient and flexible. “This is not an easy task, and pivot strategies…
A CLEANER got a fright when tidying up a West Park, Hastings property earlier this month. Going through drawers in the garage he uncovered a military hand grenade with the pin inserted making it, technically, still “alive”. Senior Constable Rob Gillson, of Hastings police, said the cleaner had been called in by the wife of a World War II veteran, aged 92, who had been moved to a nursing home. The grenade was taken to the rear of the house and police called, Sunday 11 October. Senior Constable Gillson said he notified the police bomb response crew who called in…
POLICE say a trend that has emerged this year in the Rosebud area of thieves stealing pots, ornaments, urns and statues from verandas, porches and front gardens of houses, especially holiday houses. Victims of these thefts are encouraged to report it on the police assistance line 131 444. Anyone with information on these thefts is urged to call Acting Sergeant Loughlin at the Rosebud police station, or call Crimestoppers 1800 333 000 or visit bddy.me/3kut29f Police urge anyone with these items, especially at a holiday house, to store them securely before you go back home. “Together, we can weed out…
A BITTERN man will face counts of affray, assault-related charges, weapons offences and criminal damage after an incident at Frankston two months ago. The 21-year-old was charged last week and remanded to appear at Frankston Magistrates Court, Wednesday 28 October. Detectives will allege three men drove to a Corlett Street house in a white van, 3pm, 15 August. The men, allegedly armed with weapons, smashed the windows of a house and vehicle, causing extensive damage, before they fought with a fourth man who was allegedly armed with a weapon. The driver of the van and the two unidentified suspects fled…
DEVILBEND reservoir was the place to be during National Water Week from 19-25 October. The week – themed “Reimagining our Water Future” – aimed to inspire an awareness of the value of water. As part of the week, Mornington Peninsula Shire encouraged people to discover a waterway and also to take advantage of coastal and bushland walks. A map highlighted 30 peninsula walks, including those suited to a stroll, as well as listing more advanced and dog friendly walks. National Water Week also offered advice on how you can protect waterways: Dispose of litter responsibly, pick up after pets, don’t…
PORT Phillip Ferries last week would not say if it intends to include Mornington in its service to Melbourne. The company’s Geelong Flyer was seen cruising around Mornington, Friday 16 October, perhaps scoping the pier and harbour for a Mornington Peninsula service. Other seaside havens, such as Rosebud, Rye, Sorrento and Portsea, could also be considered. A Port Phillip Ferries’ spokesperson last week said its “long-term vision remains unaltered, that is, to introduce safe and reliable ferry travel within Port Phillip Bay and provide a totally relaxing travel experience for those seeking regular commuting and/or leisure travel”. “We are always…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has officially welcomed federal government promises to increase infrastructure spending despite having no guarantee that any projects planned for the peninsula will get off the ground. Although the shire has $320 million worth of “shovel ready projects” and the federal government has offered $80m towards three of nine on the list, they all depend on the state government providing more money. None of the major projects are likely to be started unless co-funding arrangements are agreed by the state and federal governments. Shire CEO John Baker said adding $1 billion to the $500 million local roads and…
A MAN who twice stole firewood from a Blairgowrie house is being sought by police. The man, above, is captured on CCTV walking down the side of the holiday house on Melbourne Road, 4pm, Wednesday 30 September, and taking an armful of firewood. He carried the load to the front and hid it under bushes. Police believe he left on foot and came back later. This follows a similar theft of firewood by the man on 27 July when he was seen loading firewood into a dark coloured Land Rover Freelander, registration unknown. The man is described as Caucasian or…
A MOUNT Martha man has been charged with possessing cannabis and GHB, two counts of possessing the proceeds of crime, handling stolen goods and breaching the Chief Health Officer’s directions. The charges follow a raid by Frankston CIU detectives on a Rosemary Crescent, Frankston North short-term rental house, 1.20am, Thursday 15 October. The 27-year-old was bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 7 July 2021. Officers also arrested a Frankston North man and woman after allegedly finding the drugs as well as mobile phones and a large number of tools thought to be stolen. First published in the Southern…
A MORNINGTON man had an expensive trip to the shops, early Wednesday 14 October. The 31-year-old pulled over at 2.50am in Rosebud told police he was on his way to buy cigarettes. A preliminary breath test indicated alcohol on his breath. He was taken to Rosebud police station where he returned a reading of 0.316 per cent. The man will be summonsed to appear at Dromana Magistrates’ Court at a later date. His car was impounded at a cost of $1145 and he was issued a $1652 infringement notice for breaching the Chief Health Officer’s directions. First published in the…
THIEVES stole 10 speakers and eight drivers from a shipping container behind the Crib Point Football Club, in Colin Parade, from 8-11 October. The drivers are used to amplify sound through the speakers. Eight of the speakers, collectively valued at $1352, were to be installed on the lighting towers around the football ground and are designed for outside use only. Two smaller speakers, valued at $159 each and white in colour, were also taken. Anyone with information can contact Senior Constable Tim Jamieson at Mornington Peninsula CIU, 5978 1400. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 20 October 2020
SNAKES are starting to emerge from their winter hibernation to bask in the sun and search for food and a mate. However, there is nothing to fear provided precautions are taken, according to Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) senior wildlife management officer, Rebecca Dixon. Her tips for living safely and close to snakes include leaving them alone and not attempting to capture or harm them. Ms Dixon said all snakes were considered venomous and highly dangerous and urged property owners to maintain lawns and clean up around houses “as snakes are attracted to shelter such as piles…
AFTER more than three months of remote learning, foundation to year 2 students at Eastbourne Primary School, Rosebud started the new term with a teddy bears picnic. “We wanted to reduce the anxiety and relax all the children and remind them of how much fun school life can be,” Shae Haney, the foundation teacher who organised the day, said. She said the event saw students and teachers “enjoy school as it should be, plenty of learning, excitement and relationship building and fun”. “Remote learning has been difficult for everyone and our school community has been sensational at providing the best…
WALLS at The Bays Hospital, Mornington, are brighter and more colourful thanks to thoughtful contributions from students at St Macartans Primary School. Visual arts teacher Kristy Hayes said that at the beginning of term 3 she called the hospital to ask if she could send in some artwork to cheer healthcare workers and patients. “We were aware minimal visitors were allowed,” she said. “Hospital reception loved the idea and invited us to drop off some work.” Ms Hayes and foundation to year 2 visual arts teacher Andrea Kirkpatrick collected some of the works of leaves and beach boxes completed at…
WESTERN Port almost scooped the pool at this year’s Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns Awards which were announced at a virtual event in Beechworth on Saturday night. Hastings was crowned overall Tidy Town winner while the region won various awards as well as receiving high commendations in two key projects. The Keep Victoria Beautiful event aims to recognise and celebrate grassroots initiatives and positive actions taken by individuals, community groups, schools, businesses and councils across rural and regional Victoria. These include initiatives that protect the environment, reduce waste, preserve heritage, change behaviours, increase social wellbeing, celebrate indigenous culture and encourage…
NEIL Armstrong, above, has been appointed CEO for the next two years of the Western Port Oberon Association. A justice of the peace and a former Mornington Shire councillor and a board member of Metropolitan Ambulance Service and other non-profit organisations Mr Armstrong was awarded an Order Of Australia Medal in 2019. Western Port Oberon Association president Max Bryant said Mr Armstrong had an “amazing background as an administrator and will bring a strong strategic focus to our current operations and long term plans”. He said the association’s “key projects to be completed over the next 24 months” were finding…
THE discovery of an illegal eastern corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) at Hastings has prompted police to ask if anyone has information about it or any other exotic species of reptile. The white snake was found in a backyard on Hodgins Road, between Marine Parade and Victoria Street, Sunday 13 September. Witnesses had reported numerous sightings of a white snake loose in the area several months before its capture. The albino-like reptile – an exotic pest – was probably kept as a pet before its escape. Police said it was illegal to import, keep, breed, trade or release the snakes in…
EXPERIENCED drivers are being sought to help supervise learner drivers as part of the Transport Accident Commission’s L2P Program on the southern Mornington Peninsula. The program is paid for by the TAC and managed by the Department of Transport. Volunteers from across the peninsula have been assisting learner drivers who do not have access to a supervising driver or a vehicle since 2009. Mornington Peninsula Shire wants to recruit 10 mentors to help the learners achieve their 120 hours of driving as required for their test. An L2P mentor is described as someone who is “enthusiastic about contributing to the…
THE demise of suburban bank branches is continuing with the Rosebud branch of the ANZ shutting its doors on 18 March 2021. The bank’s general manager for Victoria Michael Wake reeled off what have now become standard responses to bank branch closures (“ANZ withdraws from Mount Eliza” The News 28/9/20). “Every year we see 10 per cent less transactions at our branches because our customers no longer use them for everyday banking like they used to,” he said. “While branch activity has declined, we’ve seen a spike in demand for many of our non-branch roles, such as customer contact centres…
APART from national issues, the federal budget contained few specific finance packages for the Mornington Peninsula. The largest was nearly $1.5 million for Stopping Buruli ulcer in Victoria, the flesh eating ulcer that in 2019 became prevalent on the southern peninsula. The budget also included $300,000 for “pedestrian safety upgrades” at Arthurs Seat. The Buruli money will support 22 research projects under Professor Tim Stinear at University of Melbourne. Buruli ulcer (BU) is described as a destructive skin and soft tissue infection that can cause permanent deformity. The National Health and Medical Research Council says the ulcer is caused by…
MORNINGTON police are planning to step up patrols against flashers on the foreshore between Mount Eliza and Mount Martha this summer. Senior Sergeant Paul Edwards said the problem was “not of epidemic proportions, but it does rear its head from time to time and we want to stamp it out”. Senior Sergeant Edwards said flashers were known to frequent narrow and winding tracks and trails leading to and from beaches and near beach boxes. “It’s a seasonal thing and we will be mobilising police on foot and on bike patrols, especially near the Balcombe estuary,” he said. A Southbank man…
STRONG winds brought down a gum tree in Esperance Court, Mount Martha last week. “The tree narrowly missed a child when it fell, 5.30pm, Thursday 8 October,” resident Klaas Kalma said. “It could have been deadly if a car had been coming up or down the court.” Mr Kalma said last year he discussed the inherent danger of having large eucalypts on nature strips with a Mornington Peninsula Shire arborist. “I think they are inappropriate for that purpose when other smaller native Australian trees are plentiful,” he said. “The shire tested the tree on our nature strip and considered it…
A ROSEBUD man has been charged with aggravated carjacking, false imprisonment and a raft of driving offences after he allegedly stole a taxi at knife point and forced the driver to sit in the passenger seat while he drove to Mornington, early hours Friday 2 October. On arrival he shook the driver’s hand and said they were “mates”. Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Henry, of Somerville CIU, said the 18-year-old, who had allegedly been armed with a box cutter, turned himself in to Rosebud police later in the day and was “remorseful and made full admissions”. Detective Henry said the man…
A BLACK Jeep was stolen from a property in Balnarring last week. Hastings Senior Sergeant Warren Francis-Pester said the thief entered the back door of the Balnarring Beach Road house and stole the car’s keys and a mobile phone from a kitchen bench, 3am, Wednesday 30 September. The owner said he heard a car start but thought it must be his neighbour’s. He realised the keys, and car, were missing when he awoke later in the morning. His son’s laptop was in the back seat. Council staff reportedly found the man’s personal papers, picnic table and a roof rack in…
BURNING-OFF restrictions will be eased on small properties during October. Open air burning is permitted 9am-4pm, Fridays and Saturdays, on blocks between 500-1500 square metres, provided that the property is within Mornington Peninsula Shire’s bushfire prone area; the burn-off is for fire prevention; no more than one cubic metre of vegetation is burnt at any one time; the fire is not within 10 metres of any neighbouring dwelling, and the general fire safety provisions are followed at all times. The easing of restrictions on land less than 1500 square metres aims to assist owners reduce fine fuel in the lead…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire says it is paving the way for more footpath trading and a new “parklets” program to support restaurants and cafes as COVID-19 restrictions ease over spring and summer. It says additional outdoor dining spaces are crucial for food businesses to re-open and remain profitable while complying with social distancing measures and space restrictions. Streamlining the permit process required by business to boost outdoor dining space and making it quicker, easier and cheaper for businesses to apply, are keys to the process. Affected businesses can apply for grants of up to $5000 from the state government’s $87.5 million…
By Zoe McKenzie MANY Mornington Peninsula residents look forward to the annual mid-year arrival of tens of thousands of spider crabs around Rye, Blairgowrie and Sorrento piers. Around the full moon in June, masses of the slightly creepy, tall, brown, Australian giant spider crabs march into the southern peninsula shallows. No one really knows why they like this area so much, but we know what happens when they arrive. They gather in giant mounds and, using the safety of numbers, throw off their hard shells and grow new ones. The creatures that gather to feed on those who find themselves…
KAREN Langdon made the most of a supply of cloth left over from the temporary closure of Boomerang Bags’ Rye branch to make face masks for the homeless. The Rye resident last week presented up to 60 masks to Vinnies’ Kitchen in the band hall, Point Nepean Road, Rosebud. “We can’t deliver the Boomerang Bags because of COVID-19 but we are still happy to help,” Ms Langdon said. “Everyone is looking for masks; it’s a huge problem for the volunteers and the homeless at the kitchen.” Ms Langdon made three designs to Department of Health and Human Services’ standards: one…