BATA Shoes in Mornington is offering a free pair of $50 work shoes to aged care and health care workers during May. The company’s graphic design and marketing manager Brad Rayson said the offer was influenced by the valuable role these workers are playing during the current COVID-19 pandemic. “The sign went up [outside the factory] today and we are starting to get lots of calls,” he said, Thursday 7 May. “To take advantage of the offer workers can come in and flash their employer ID.” First published in the Mornington News – 12 May 2020
Author: MP News Group
By Muriel Cooper* “Weird” is a common way of describing our circumstances during the coronavirus lockdown. With this “weirdness” can come a sense of being adrift, not tethered to anything, a sense of unreality; being disconnected. Our ancestors, European or Indigenous, often had to endure long periods of isolation on extended sea voyages or overland treks, and we could do worse than follow their example. How did they remain grounded? Here are a few ways in which I think they kept their sense of place and purpose: They were stoic; they did not expect life to be easy. They expected…
Mornington Community Information and Support Centre, Southern Peninsula Community Support, Information Centre and Western Port Community Support and Community Support Frankston will receive more than $500,000 from the federal government’s new Community Support Package. “This is such a different time with so many moving and changing challenges for emergency relief charities like ours, we have lost some important income streams just when they are most needed,” Southern Peninsula Community Support and Information Centre CEO Jeremy Maxwell said Stuart Davis-Meehan of the Mornington Community Information and Support Centre said the extra money would “enable us to expand the range of support…
THEFTS of, and from, cars on the Mornington Peninsula have “dramatically dropped” after the arrest of four suspects last week. Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Tony Henry, of Somerville CIU, said the men, all in their late teens, were nabbed at Morwell but were originally from the Hastings area. The group is alleged to have stolen three cars and broken into 12 others on the peninsula as well as at Frankston, Dandenong and Croydon over a three-week period. The alleged ringleader, 18, formerly of Hastings, is facing 10 charges which include driving offences. The alleged offenders faced Frankston Magistrates’ Court last…
ONE WEEK after its sister site opened at Rosebud, headspace Hastings will provide early intervention mental health support and assistance for young people experiencing complex mental health issues in the Western Port area. Sited at the Atticus Regional Medicentre, headspace Hastings was established under a $1.5 million federal government grant to set up youth services hubs on the Mornington Peninsula. “We know headspace is a service trusted by young people, and it’s great that headspace Hastings will be able to provide help and support to young people across the region to help them get through tough times, and get back…
HASTINGS police are seeking public help in identifying a couple in relation to the alleged theft of alcohol from a shop in Baxter-Tooradin Road, Baxter, 4.40pm, Sunday 29 March. Police released a CCTV image (below) of two people they believe can assist with their enquiries. The woman, aged in her 30s, is described as Caucasian, 168cm tall, with a medium build and blonde hair. The man, also aged in his 30s, is Caucasian, 175cm tall, with a medium build. Anyone with information is urged to contact Hastings police, 5970 7800, or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillor and Victoria Police officer Julie Morris said the deaths of four police in a horror crash on the Eastern Freeway, Wednesday 22 April, had “been felt in police stations right across the state”. “I’d like to thank our local community for the flowers, cards and messages of support,” she said. “The kindness we’ve seen and your words of support are encouraging and we thank you for standing beside us at this difficult time, as we mourn and reflect on the loss of our colleagues and friends.” Cr Morris was speaking after Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor…
DETECTIVES are searching for a white Ford work ute and trailer stolen from the driveway of a Balnarring house, 1am, Thursday 23 April. Detective Senior Constable Rohan Brock, of Somerville CIU, said another vehicle was broken into at the property earlier in which a spare key for the missing ute was found. A credit card in the ute was later used at a McDonald’s restaurant at Officer. Anyone with information can call Detective Brock, 5978 1300, or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Western Port News – 29 April 2020
THE Pantry House, at Benton’s Square shopping centre, has been overwhelmed with support for its pay-it-forward board for emergency services and frontline emergency staff which is “getting huge every day”. “We would love more of those people to come and collect the free coffees the community have paid forward,” proprietor Emily Cook, said. “We always have over 50 coffees paid forward and if you check out our Instagram and Facebook I have posted photos of some of the front-liners that got the coffees.” First published in the Mornington News – 28 April 2020
THE number of animals being adopted from Mornington Peninsula Shire’s pound in Watt Road, Mornington has remained steady so far during COVID-19 pandemic. “They are about the same as they were prior to social distancing,” the shire’s environment protection manager John Rankine said. The number of animals being impounded was decreasing. The compatibility of pets and prospective owners is of primary concern to staff at the pound, who list animal profiles online with descriptions of their personalities and photographs. Interested applicants inquire online and staff send out an adoption form. Mr Rankine said the shelter team judged an applicant’s suitability…
VOLUNTEER members of Sorrento State Emergency Service unit are on standby to help during the COVID-19 crisis, but are unable to visit schools, kindergartens, clubs and attend events. “With the winter weather here and people spending time at home we would like the community to think about their home maintenance to reduce the event of injury to themselves and damage to their property,” deputy controller – community education/events Margaret Davis said. Preparing for winter included clearing gutters and downpipes; making sure roofs and fences were in good repair; and securing such outdoor items as trampolines. Ms Davis said it was…
FLOWERS and condolence messages delivered to police stations across the Mornington Peninsula illustrate the widespread sense of sadness over the deaths of four officers in Kew, Wednesday 22 April. Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Glen Humphris and Constable Josh Prestney died when they were struck by a truck in the emergency lane of the Eastern Freeway, 4.30pm. Truck driver Mohinder Singh Bajwa, 47, of Cranbourne, was due to face court yesterday (Monday 27 April) charged with four counts of culpable driving over the crash. The driver of the car the police were booking, Richard Pusey, 41,…
GRATITUDE for the dedication of frontline medical staff has prompted a Mornington Peninsula group to spring into action. Hearing that nurses at Rosebud Hospital needed more scrubs, volunteers from Mt Martha’s Boomerang Bags group decided to do something about it. So far, they have made 30 set of scrubs in an array of colourful patterns. News spread and the group was recently asked to make scrubs for Frankston Hospital nurses as well. Coordinator Robyn Ruhl said the job was a challenge for the group’s 10 members. “We normally make fabric shopping bags to reduce people’s use of plastic bags and…
THE mental health support organisation headspace has opened a satellite service in Rosebud. While offering three of the four core headspace streams the Rosebud service will also provide outreach support to young people and their families on the Mornington Peninsula. “Right now, Australians are facing a once in a century challenge,” federal Health Minister and Flinders MP Greg Hunt said. “It is not only important during the coronavirus to focus on our physical wellbeing, but also our mental wellbeing”. Financed by the federal government through the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN), the new service will be delivered by…
Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad are appealing for public assistance as part of their investigation into the disappearance of Safety Beach man Jacob Horton in June last year. Jacob was last seen leaving a residential premises in Drum Close, Frankston on the morning of Thursday, 27 June 2019. At the time of the 28-year-old’s disappearance he was not in possession of a mobile phone or motor vehicle. Detectives believe that on the morning Jacob vanished, he was attempting to source transport to travel back towards the Rosebud area. Jacob was well known in the Rosebud area and often travelled…
A FREE online service has been launched to help individuals, businesses and community organisations to easily identify and access government funding, as well as philanthropic grant programs. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Funding Finder website includes a page dedicated to gathering the many COVID-19 funding opportunities into one place. This one-stop-shop approach aims to save time and effort on research. Users can create favourites lists, receive direct email alerts from their areas of interest and keep abreast of all funding opportunities and deadlines. The website also offers advice and tips for finding and applying for grants to maximise the chances of success.…
LIKE galleries and museums across the country, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery is closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, content from its exhibitions can be viewed online, including a free publication of A Collection of Stranger Things. In this showing artist and collector Patrick Pound drew out works from the MPRG collection and displayed them alongside his own collection of photographs and objects. In a podcast, Pound explains his collection methodology and how the collection became the medium. An online publication of With a Little Help from our Friends showcases works acquired by the Friends of MPRG since 1996.…
A MORNINGTON man said he was just trying to get to Western Australia to see his sister who was sick with coronavirus when picked up by members of Somerville Highway Patrol over Easter. The 63-year-old’s white Daewoo Lanos had some “slight safety issues” police said, pointing to the replacement door made of board held on by sticky tape, 10.30am, Monday 13 April. The man was issued with a defect notice and his vehicle grounded. The incident was part of state-wide road policing Operation Nexus which ran Thursday 9-Monday 13 April. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 21 April…
THREE men have been charged following an alleged home invasion in Moorhead Avenue, Mornington, 3am, Friday 10 April. Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Steve Reidy, of Somerville CIU, said the residents were awoken and confronted by the offenders, one of whom was allegedly armed with a firearm. The house was ransacked before the offenders fled in a car which was later found crashed and abandoned at Merricks North. Police searching the area arrested and charged a Rosebud man, 18, and a Safety Beach man, 24, with aggravated burglary. Both were remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court at a later date.…
THE 53rd Flinders Art Show in June has been cancelled due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. This is the first time the event has missed its Queen’s Birthday showing since its inception in 1967. The event gives artists the opportunity to market their work. Last year 350 works were exhibited. “In keeping with the current regulations, and after careful consideration of COVID-19 by the committee, and the uncertainty surrounding future months, this very popular community event has been cancelled,” Flinders Art Show vice-president Barbara Higgins said. Proceeds usually go to the CFA, Flinders Cricket Club, Flinders Pre-School, Southern Peninsula Community…
PEOPLE are taking a tipple more frequently as a result of COVID-19. The Alcohol and Drug Foundation is urging restraint as new national data shows 20 per cent of households report buying more alcohol than usual. The YouGov Galaxy poll for the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education shows that in these households 70 per cent said they were drinking more than usual while 34 per cent said they were now drinking every day. A third were “concerned” with how much alcohol they were drinking, or someone else in their household was drinking, and 28 per cent said they were…
Six youths were arrested following a pursuit on the Mornington Peninsula early this morning. Police on patrol spotted a Holden Captiva displaying false number plates on the Nepean Highway, Mount Martha about 1.20am The vehicle was observed driving erratically and police continued to monitor the car until a pursuit was initiated on Peninsula Link. Police disabled the car using stop sticks and the six occupants, aged between 14 and 16-years-old, were arrested when their vehicle came to a stop on the freeway near Derril Road, Moorooduc. Two 16-year-old Narre Warren boys, a 15-year-old boy of no fixed address and a…
IT was pre-Easter drinks in the time of the coronavirus last Thursday (9 April) for a community of apartment dwellers in Mornington. Residents of the former Sisters of Mercy Convent, in Tanti Avenue, toasted and cheered each other from their balconies. John Scott said the “coming out” was organised by Helen Begg, who has lived in the heritage listed building for the past 11 years. “She arranged for us to come out onto our balconies for a drink and a chat, at a distance, of course,” Mr Scott said. “Easter to some is church or a holiday break with family,…
ALL public Anzac Day events on the Mornington Peninsula, including services and marches, have been cancelled due to COVID-19. The decision was made in line with Returned Services League Victoria and the state government’s decision to cancel Anzac Day commemorative services and marches, Saturday 25 April. The RSL is asking that people stand in their yards, driveways, or on their balconies and observe a minute’s silence as the Last Post is played during the Anzac Day dawn service. The service will be streamed online at RSL Victoria’s Facebook page at 6am, and those taking part are encouraged to share a…
THE federal government is giving the Western Port Biosphere $300,000 over the next three years, matching the money provided by the organisation’s five member municipalities: Mornington Peninsula, Frankston, Casey, Bass and Cardinia. The Western Port Biosphere Reserve is recognised by UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program and the money will support the its aim of “balancing conservation and sustainable development within the region”. The biosphere’s new chair, Jo McCoy, said the federal government money “shows a real partnership between these levels of government”. “Few Australians can say that they live in a UNESCO biosphere reserve, but we can. The peninsula…
ALTHOUGH wildlife parks are closed, children should not forget they are surrounded by wildlife. A competition being run by Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, Pearcedale asks school-aged students to look around their backyard, home or balcony to discover and photograph wildlife. For a chance to win one of four $100 Moonlit Sanctuary gift vouchers children should go to the website and upload their best photos along with one fact about the creature in their picture. The competition runs until 5pm, Friday 24 April. Winners will be announced Monday 27 April. Details: moonlitsanctuary.com.au/backyard-wildlife-photo-competition First published in the Southern Peninsula News -…
Mornington Peninsula Shire library staff have created online opportunities to read, watch, learn and have fun. A social hub on its website features activities for those spending more time at home. Links connect to such things as the Social Distance Festival, which publishes a calendar of free online concerts, plays, readings and live theatre performances from around the world. The hub offers those working from home links to training and resources to help move and improve businesses online. The hub also has wellness advice and ideas for keeping children busy. New content is uploaded regularly and school holiday competitions include…
While the Mornington Peninsula Shire have said it’s okay to head back to the beach for a variety of activities, Mother Nature had other ideas today (Saturday 5 April). Below are a collection of photos from this mornings storms. Pictures: Cameron McCullough
TEDDY bears are universal symbol of all that is good and wholesome about happy, healthy childhoods. Cute and cuddly, they provide comfort and a sense of security. They’re non-judgemental and, of course, can be a child’s “secret friend”, someone to confide in. Evie and Matilda Pentland, of Rye, wanted to share their teddies with passers-by last week, knowing that a state of social distancing had changed day-to-day interaction between neighbours. While it’s early days of what promises to be a drawn-out time of social isolation, it was heartening to see a youthful reaction to the community’s shared time of trouble.…
TEN multiple-birth families from Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula met at Angus and Rose at The Briars, Mount Martha, Sunday 15 March. The families are members of the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Multiple Birth Association which provides peer support for parents of multiple birth children (twins, triplets or more). Families expecting twins or more babies are encouraged to connect with others as multiple-birth parents are at increased risk of perinatal health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Services provided by the association include subsidised playgroups in conjunction with Chisholm TAFE, library, equipment hire, in-home support, and meals for families with…