MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s conservation park The Briars has donated 950 bales of hay to the Need for Feed disaster relief program. Need for Feed provides fodder to farmers affected by drought, fire and flood emergencies. In 2018, 800 bales of hay from The Briars broad-acre paddocks were donated to farmers hit by drought. Last year 950 bales were donated. The mayor Cr Sam Hearn said the small gesture would give some relief to bushfire affected communities and farmers. The Lions Club project the Need for Feed coordinates the pick-up and delivery of hay. See needforfeed.org. First published in the Mornington…
Author: MP News Group
OWNERS must register their swimming pools and spas with Mornington Peninsula Shire by 1 June. This is in line with tougher standards introduced by the state government to improve pool and spa barrier safety. To ensure safe and compliant pool or spa barriers, owners must register their pool or spa; have the barrier checked by a qualified surveyor; undertake required works to make it compliant and then have their pool or spa barrier certified. A one-off registration fee set by the state government is $79 for pools and spas built before 1 December 2019, and $31.80 for those built after…
A TARNEIT man will appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 8 July over a series of roadside concrete dumps on the Mornington Peninsula. The EPA’s southern metro regional acting manager Megan Vallas said the waste caused “serious road safety concerns and cost the community thousands of dollars to remove” (“Concrete dumper set on avoiding tip fees” The News 21/10/19). At the time, builders and plumbers across the peninsula were asked to help track down the alleged concrete dumper after at least eight solid clues were left on peninsula roadsides. Authorities believed the concrete was most likely leftovers from a building…
A SMART-parking trial aimed at easing traffic congestion at Rye will feature in-ground and camera parking bay sensors, mobile electronic parking availability signs, and a smart parking availability App. In the trial, drivers approaching Rye will be able to see the number of available parking spaces on the foreshore and commercial precinct and be directed to those spaces. “The trial aims to make accessing the Rye precinct easier and more convenient, while providing a better parking experience for both residents and tourists,” the mayor Cr Sam Hearn said. “By using this innovative technology, visitors and residents can drive straight to…
Police and emergency services were called to Rosebud this morning following reports of a collision between a car and a mobility scooter. It is believed the collision occurred on Boneo Road near Grenfell Way just before 10.20am. The male rider of the mobility scooter was treated at the scene but could not be revived. The driver and sole occupant of the car was uninjured and stopped to assist at the scene. Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are attending the scene and will investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Anyone who witnessed the crash or with further information or dash cam…
ROSEBUD Junior Football Club will host a junior girls’ football “Come and Try” session at Olympic Oval, 4.30pm, Tuesday 18 February. Girls aged 10-17 are invited to join in, and have a free sausage sizzle and drink. The club also welcomes current players to come along, too. Mel Peterson who is the Junior Girl’s Football Co-ordinator says: “Footy is a great way to meet new friends, get active and be part of a fantastic, strong local community club. At Rosebud, we are all about development, fitness, teamwork, meeting new friends and most of all having fun! The girls have also…
HERONSWOOD Harvest Festival will be held at the Diggers Club, Dromana, over the weekend 29 February-1 March. Heronswood is seen as one of Australia’s finest gardens and the country’s first organically certified public garden. It houses a living catalogue of rare plants and heirloom fruits and vegetables. Keen gardeners can get tips at free workshops, join free garden tours with expert gardeners and take part in the harvest taste test. They’ll enjoy lunch on the pool lawn and explore the famous vegetable parterre, the mini-plot – an example of high-density growing – and a kitchen garden which services the award…
ONE day, plastic drinking straws may be gone from the Mornington Peninsula. When that day comes, nobody will be happier than outgoing Citizen of the Year Josie Jones. It’s been a busy 12 months for the Rye resident, who helps run the Peninsula’s Last Straw campaign. Since becoming Citizen of the Year, her anti-litter campaigns have gained national attention, including TV coverage and support from National Geographic and the University of Tasmania. The Peninsula’s Last Straw began at a workshop run by Mornington Peninsula Shire and is now in 11 towns. “So far we have started in Sorrento, Dromana, Mount…
Mornington Peninsula Shire residents are being urged to reduce bushfire risk by disposing of green waste for free this weekend. The mayor Cr Sam Hearn said the severity of this year’s bushfire season had prompted the council to bring forward the bi-annual event and extend it by one day. It will take place at all the shire’s transfer stations from Friday 14 February-Monday 17 February. “If you’re concerned about dangerous vegetation in the middle of this fire season this is a chance to clear your property of anything that might be a fire risk,” he said. Green waste includes all…
ENDURING 1990s band Chocolate Starfish and the Nola Lauch Band, pictured, will perform in Rosebud on 21 February at a bushfire relief concert. “The need for bushfire relief is still great and many are struggling for immediate needs,” Starfish lead singer Adam Thompson said. Chocolate Starfish became known in the early 1990s with their cover of Carly Simon’s You’re So Vain and original hit Mountain. Nola Lauch is a Kirrae-wurrung woman who has lived on the Mornington Peninsula for most of her life. She received a regional 2017 NAIDOC Artist of the Year award for her songwriting and live performances.…
THE Rye Township Plan with $3.25 million is one of three Mornington Peninsula Shire Council projects to receive a share of $4.7 million from the state government. The others are Somerville Active Recreation Hub, $742,000 and the Tyabb Kindergarten, $727,000. Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek said the grants were among 32 across the state to share $50m through the Growing Suburbs Fund in 10 rapidly growing municipalities. The Rye announcement on Wednesday 22 January under the clock tower was attended by Nepean MP Chris Brayne, the mayor Cr Sam Hearn, shire CEO John Baker, Crs Bryan Payne and Hugh Fraser,…
A BIG crowd is expected to attend the Mornington Coast Walk, 9am, Saturday 15 February, which raises money for FightMND. The not-for-profit event run by Mornington resident Sarah Quigley came about after her mother, Marie Lewis, was diagnosed with MND in 2017. “I decided to organise a walk to raise money to fight this debilitating disease,” she said. “Every day two people are diagnosed. There is no effective treatment or cure. “It slowly robs you of your speech, movement, ability to eat, breathe and eventually kills you – all in an average 27 months. The first walk in 2018 raised…
A NEW year, new decade and a new era have begun at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery as it enters its 50th anniversary year. The 2020 program celebrates the development, growth, complexity and richness of the collection, kicking off with three exhibitions from 6 March-26 April and a newly commissioned large scale mural. A Collection of Stranger Things, curated by New Zealand-born, Melbourne–based artist Patrick Pound, reveals a hidden microcosm of objects and artworks that have rarely been displayed before. As an avid collector interested in systems and the ordering of objects, Pound will pair photos from his own collection with…
The Sorrento foreshore was full of activity when the Sorrento Bay Swim was held on Sunday 19 January. There was a full program across the morning, with over 550 people entering the open water swim, which included 600m, 2,000m, and 4,000m courses. Entrants ranged from 8 to 89 years of age! The male and female winners of the 2,000m Open Category Tommy Hafey medals presented by Maureen Hafey were Darius Schultz and Sophie Caldwell, with times of 00:23:08.343 and 00:24:30.343 respectively. Ayden Coates and Rebecca Henderson took out the Elite 4,000m event, which for the first time was a straight-line…
Cafe Thirteen83 are partnering with HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies), to bring a morning raising awareness of anxiety, depression and general well being in the tradie community. All tradies are welcomed to a free coffee on the day. This event will be happening on Tuesday the 11th February 2020 between 6:00am & 8:00am at Cafe Thirteen83, 13/81 Watt Road, Mornington. “Cafe Thirteen83, management & staff believe that mens mental health has an increased prevalence on the Mornington Peninsula – and with your help we want to help open the conversation to assist men suffering. We hope to see you all…
PENINSULA-born playwright, Joanna Murray-Smith, tackles the confronting and heartbreaking issue of gun violence in American Song. Originally commissioned by Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, the play tackles the confronting and heartbreaking issue of gun violence, reaching beyond national or cultural borders in an intimate exploration of love, forgiveness and parental responsibility. With playwright Mur¬ray-Smith’s characteristically deft wit and compassion American Song makes a difficult topic thoroughly gripping, wryly humorous and deeply moving. “My biggest fear was writing a play that wore its political heart on its sleeve, that proclaimed its allegiances and set the audience on alert. Regardless of my view on…
WHAT are the odds of two players scoring holes-in-one on the same hole in consecutive shots? Hundreds of millions-to-one, no doubt. But that’s what happened when Mornington Golf Club members Jun Park and Bob Packham, pictured, scored the notable double on the 127 metre par three 10th hole on Wednesday 22 January. Park, who plays off a handicap of 16, teed off first and watched his ace roll in, followed by Packham, off 17, who did the same thing moments later. Club general manager Craig Murdoch said the men were playing partners in the daily competition. “Stunned players in the…
COMMUNITY projects being considered by Mornington Rotary Club in the wake of this year’s Mornington Art Show include building a roof over a “long table” and developing a park. Money raised by the annual art show is used to finance Rotary projects, mainly in Mornington but also internationally. The long table in Mornington Park seats about 34 and is often used by school groups. It was also the venue for Mornington Rotary’s first meeting for this year on 6 January. The park likely to be improved by Rotary is at the corner of Barkly and Gordon streets, Mornington. This year’s…
PENINSULA Chamber Musicians starts its eighth concert season playing Haydn’s Cello Concerto No 2 with Serbian born virtuoso Svetlana Bogosavljevic. Ingrid Martin, pictured, will return as guest conductor. Mark Fitzpatrick, principal trumpet with Orchestra Victoria along with David Macfarlane (harpsichord), Aaron Barnden (violin), Marney Pope (flute) and Michael Powell (oboe) will perform Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, Mozart’s Symphony No 21 and Haydn’s Overture to L’isola disabitata. Tickets for performances by Peninsula Chamber Musicians are $30 adults, $22 concession and primary and secondary students’ free and will be held 2pm Saturday 29 February at All Saints Anglican Church, Rosebud (www.trybooking.com/581121) and 2pm…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker and his family celebrated Australia Day this year in a patriotic way – they became Australian citizens. The family, originally from England, now proudly call themselves Australians. “We were all very excited to be taking the plunge,” Mr Baker said. “We absolutely love it here. Australia is an incredible country and the Mornington Peninsula is the best bit as far as we’re concerned.” He said his family – wife Tess and children Kasia, 23, Henry, 20, and Molly, 18, had taken to the Australian way of life with enthusiasm. “We love the Aussie attitude…
PREDICTED smoke pollution failed to eventuate for the Saturday 18 January beach day organised by the Disabled Surfers Association Mornington Peninsula at Point Leo. “After our concerns about air quality the day was fine, air quality good and we had fun waves,” DSAMP president John Bowers said. He said the decision to go ahead with the day after the air quality was passed by Point Leo Surf Life Saving Club “based on the distance you can see”. “The club also provides invaluable facilities and assistance on our event days,” Mr Bowers said. Preparations for surf day began on the Friday,…
ROSEBUD police allegedly clocked an 18-year-old P1 probationary driver at 163kph on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway last week. The Cranbourne North man had only had his licence for three months when intercepted in the early hours of Saturday 25 January. His car was impounded. His was one of three vehicles spotted on Arthurs Seat Road and followed onto the freeway where police say they all “accelerated heavily to speeds well in excess of the 100kph limit”. The intercepted driver will be summonsed to appear at court where he faces a minimum 12 months’ loss of licence. The registered owners of…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillor Hugh Fraser has added to the national debate over Australia Day being 26 January by pointing out the date’s significance to Sorrento. In his Australia Day address Cr Fraser noted that the first European settlement in Victoria, at Sorrento, was abandoned on 26 January 1804, just four months after in was established. Cr Fraser said Lt Governor David Collins arrived at Sorrento in October 1803, with two ships, officers, marines, convicts, free settlers, a public service and a printing press to print his general orders and garrison orders. “I think the really important point is that…
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a fatal collision in Tuerong this afternoon. A collision occurred between tow truck and car on Balnarring Road, near Gillett Road, about 3pm, causing both vehicles to run off the road and down an embankment. The female rear-seat passenger in the car died at the scene. The female driver and male front-seat passenger were both cut from the car and airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The truck driver, a 39-year-old Lyndhurst man, is currently in custody and assisting police with their enquiries. Anyone who witnessed the crash, with further information or dash…
Officers from Southern Metro Crime Team have arrested a 19-year-old Patterson Lakes man over an aggravated burglary and a string of car thefts. Members were investigating a car theft in Armadale where a Jeep was stolen from an address on Monday night. Detectives believe the same offender then attended an address in Pleasant Road, Hawthorn East early Tuesday morning, broke into the premises and stole the keys to a Mercedes sedan. The Mercedes was then stolen from the property. Police allege the same offender was seen in another Mercedes, again believed to be stolen, driving along the Monash Freeway at…
Police from Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula have arrested five people, Tuesday 29 January, in relation to a number of alleged vehicle crime offences as part of Operation Night Eagle Detectives from Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit executed two search warrants in Hastings following an ongoing investigation into vehicle crime and drug-related offending. Detectives arrested four people at a property on Curlew Court, Hastings. This includes: • 34-year-old man of no fixed address • 29-year-old man from Hastings • 31-year-old woman from Hastings • 16-year-old boy from Hastings Police also seized a pen pistol, drugs and cash from the Curlew…
THE state government has outlined an initial $17.5 million rescue package to protect and restore wildlife and biodiversity in the wake of this month’s bushfires. The money will be spent on restoring habitat, controlling predators and pests as well as aerial drops of food for animals. Wildlife experts say 185 of Victoria’s species, many of them rare and threatened, have already been impacted by the fire emergency. The first animals to benefit will be those species judged most at risk, including the brush-tailed rock wallaby, long-footed potaroo and large brown tree frog. “These fires have had a devastating effect on…
THE Federal government is spending $9 million over four years to “build public confidence” in the safety of telecommunications networks. The move follows public concern over health problems allegedly caused by 5G mobile networks and “misinformation about electromagnetic energy emissions (EME)” (“Hands reflect concern over 5G” The News 26/8/19). Flinders MP and health Minister Greg Hunt said “new initiatives” included scientific research and public education “building on the existing and long standing EME safety program”. “The enhanced EME program will make sure all Australians have access to clear, reliable and reputable information so they can take advantage of new technologies…
A FLOCK of magpies – the footballing kind rather than the feathered variety – invaded the Sorrento Bowls Club greens last week. A game of barefoot bowls was part of a relaxing pre-season break for Collingwood Football Club’s new season recruits and leadership team. “It was a sunny day so my visors were in demand,” the club’s Judith Mordech said. “Brodie Grundy and Jordan Roughead wanted to buy them but I was delighted to donate them because of their exemplary behaviour on the greens.” Groups can book private barefoot bowls event to celebrate a special occasion; gather family or friends…
A MAN involved in an altercation with security staff at a Mornington licensed venue was later found by police at the intersection of Main Street and the Eastern Ring Road, Thursday 16 January. The 34-year-old, of Mornington, allegedly returned a positive breath test of 0.166 per cent. His vehicle was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1075 and his licence was immediately suspended. He will be charged on summons with drink-driving and traffic-related offences. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 29 January 2020