Mornington Peninsula Shire has employed two investigators and two prosecutors in a crackdown on illegal buildings. Seven owners or builders have been prosecuted in the past five months and a further 15 cases are already listed with the Magistrates Court or are under investigation. The investigators and prosecutors make up a “compliance arm” in the shire’s statutory building unit. The team is responsible for the investigation, enforcement and prosecution of breaches of the Building Act 1993 and the Building Regulations 2018. The court has imposed fines of up to $25,000 for works done without a building permit as well as…
Author: MP News Group
National under-16 long jump champion Aiden Hinson on Saturday made the first jump on Western Port Little Athletics Club’s new long jump track to open the season. The club member took to the air after Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Kate Roper and Flinders MP Greg Hunt cut the ribbon to declare the runway open. Mr Hunt also tried the jump and was quickly followed by club member, Kayla Trezise. The new track – step up from the old asphalt runway – was paid for by the the shire, the federal government and Western Port Secondary College. “Aiden has shown how…
Police are investigating after a dog was attacked and left with serious slash injuries at Capel Sound last month. The incident happened on Point Nepean Road just before midnight on 29 September. A witness told police that he saw two men attacking the dog, Bear, after it had been involved in a fight with their dog. The witness said that following the fight, one of the men put their dog into their car before both men were involved in attacking Bear with a sharp instrument. Police are appealing for anyone with information or any householders who may have CCTV footage…
THE Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is excited to bring its finest players, and a gorgeous repertoire, to Frankston Arts Centre for a wondrous evening of classical music. Celebrate Beethoven’s gleaming diamond of the chamber repertory in this special program which also features works by Ravel and Richard Strauss, highlighting the strength of the orchestra’s strings, woodwind and brass. The program will feature Richard Strauss’ Hasenöhrl Till Eulenspiegel (einmal anders), Ravel’s Duo for violin and cello and Beethoven’s Septet. Enjoy an evening of classical music with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, November 3, at 8pm. There will also be a pre-show…
GREEN waste can be dumped for free at Mornington Peninsula Shire’s transfer stations on 19, 20 and 21 October. The stations are at Truemans Road Rye, McKirdys Road Tyabb, and Watt Road Mornington. Opening hours are 8am-4pm Friday and 8am-5pm Saturday and Sunday. Residents or ratepayers may dispose of waste using residential vehicles and trailers, with no commercial vehicles or commercial green waste accepted. Green waste includes all types of garden waste and untreated timber. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s licence with a current address or current rates notice, will be requested. Residents can opt-in to receive a…
BOOMERANG bag volunteers on the southern peninsula played host to the originators of the recyclable cloth bag movement at a breakfast at the Cooee cafe, Capel Sound, last week. Founders Tania Potts and Jordyn de Boer, as well as Anthony Hill, of Plastic Pollution Solutions, came from Queensland to meet and acknowledge the work of their southern counterparts in making the bags and spreading the word. “They came to meet us because we have such great Boomerang bag support here on the peninsula,” Seawinds Capel Sound Boomerang bag coordinator Val Rowe said. “It was a meeting for all of the…
HART Marine staff treated their newest creation with kid gloves as it was driven slowly down Main Street, Mornington for its launching at the public club boat ramp last week. The 15.6 metre fibreglass Queensland police boat will operate out of Hervey Bay. Its French ORC Pantocarene design wave-piercing hull is powered by two MTU Series 60 engines producing 615kw of power at 2300 rpm. The ORC hull is said to provide fast and fuel efficient running, combined with excellent sea-keeping. Fuel capacity is 3500 litres. The vessel sleeps four people and is fitted with Garmin navigational aids. This is…
THE Victorian Seniors Festival got off to a flying start with a Get Active Expo at YMCA Camp Manyung last week. Pam Platter, above, was just one of the seniors took the opportunity to get active on the giant swing and ropes courses, while enjoying other activities and stalls. The festival aims to celebrate the lives of seniors and arrange activities that normally would not be available. The YMCA program encourages seniors to not let their age restrict them and get active in the great outdoors. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 9 October 2018
A MAN died when his car hit a tree leaving White Hill Road, Red Hill, on the weekend. The incident occurred about 150 metres from Arthurs Seat Road, 10.50pm, Saturday 29 September. The driver, a 20-year-old Mornington man, died at the scene. He appears to have been the sole occupant of the car. CFA, police and ambulance crews attended. Senior Constable Stuart Anderson, of Somerville Highway Patrol, said White Hill Road was closed between Arthurs Seat Road and Sheehans Road for several hours after the crash and again on Sunday, to allow police to take photographs and measure skid marks…
TASTY eucalyptus leaves, lots of naps, cuddles from mum – welcome to the world of Banjo, the first koala joey born at Moonlit Sanctuary, Pearcedale. Banjo arrived after months of suspense for sanctuary staff. Now, energised by his mother’s nourishing pap, Banjo is ready to ride on her back and see the world through the leaves of the gum trees. In his first days, Banjo spent a long time in his mother’s pouch attached to her teat. As he grew bigger he would appear from time to time, occasionally poking out a leg, then an arm, or his head. Some…
FIRE which damaged the Somerville Salvos store in Eramosa Road last week is believed to have started in bundles of donated goods piled up outside. The items were in a lane between the Salvos shop and a tobacconist. Somerville CFA members put out the blaze which was hot enough to cause two windows at the rear of the shop to blow out. The shop also suffered water damage. CFA crews worked hard to prevent the fire spreading to other shops. Police described the cause of the blaze as suspicious. Investigations are continuing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime…
A 34-YEAR-OLD Somerville woman who tested positive to methamphetamines while driving her three young children to school on Tuesday morning 18 September had to leave the car and walk her children to school. Suspecting that the message “might not have sunk in”, Somerville Highway Patrol police sat off the same spot before school the next day (Wednesday) and saw someone come out of the house twice to look up and down the street. Police believe they may have been spotted because, a short time later, a taxi arrived to collect the children. To check that the Don’t-Drug-Drive message had sunk…
A LITTLE girl ran into her mother’s bedroom at their home in Seaford and told her a man was in the house who “shouldn’t be there”, 4.15am, Wednesday 26 September. The woman told police she confronted the man who turned and calmly walked off along Seaford Road. Police arrived with the Dog Squad who arrested a Mt Martha man, 46, nearby. He was allegedly found with items from the house, including a handbag and keys. He may have entered through an unlocked internal door from the garage. Detective Senior Constable Peter Morris, of Frankston CIU, said the man was facing…
By Barry Morris Illustrator and children’s author Terry Denton stepped out as the new patron of environment group BERG Mt Martha last week to teach youngsters aspects of the art of drawing. On a crisp, autumn day, in a marquee at the old campground at Balcombe Estuary, the illustrator of the Treehouse series of books had the children thinking about the estuary’s birds and animals before committing them to paper. The old master conducted two 45-minute workshops – one in the morning and one in the afternoon – for children aged seven to 14. Before and after each workshop, Denton signed…
Water birds, calm on top and paddling madly underneath, appear happy and healthy in the clear water of two small lakes at Civic Reserve, Mornington. Bobbing around in small wind-driven waves, the birds pass two fountains installed by Mornington Peninsula Shire to aerate the water. Eighteen months ago the lake presented a different picture. Hundreds of birds died in and around the lake from bacteria-produced toxins. The four aerators appear to have done the trick, with Australian Wildlife Protection Council members reporting on the hatching and survival of many birds at the lakes. On Thursday last a variety of water…
SILVIE Paladino and David Hobson are seen together when they appear on Carols by Candlelight each year but are seldom seen performing in their own show together. They will perform classical hits from musicals theatre and their stellar careers at Frankston Arts Centre on Saturday 13 October, 2pm and 7.30pm. Silvie has performed throughout Australia, Asia and London’s West End. Her first theatrical role was Eponine in the Australasian tour of Les Misérables. She was then invited to perform the same role in the London production. Her other performances include lead roles inCats, Miss Saigon, Mamma Mia!, The King &…
POISONOUS fumes from an LPG heater are being blamed for the deaths of a man and his pets asleep in a campervan at Rye last week. The man, 57, was living in the van behind a friend’s house in Sydney Street with his kelpie dog and pet bird. The friend told police he had spoken to the man about the need for proper ventilation if he was using the heater in the days leading up to his death. However, all were found dead when he checked on them, 10.30am, Monday 24 September. Leading Senior Constable Brendan Richardson, of Dromana police,…
By Barry Morris Emerging artists at Chisholm Institute, Frankston are showing off their talents and their works by mounting an exhibition at Frankston Arts Centre. The exhibition, called Drawing on Nature, features the work of eight artists who are completing their Advanced Diploma in Visual Arts – Fine Art at the institute. It includes painting, sculpture, photography and crafted work with more than 60 exhibits of eight artists on display. The students organised the exhibition themselves, with support from the arts centre. Exhibits will be on display in the Upper Curved Wall space from 11 October until 5 January. Entry…
HUNDREDS of police, residents and well-wishers attended the police Remembrance Day ceremony at Rosebud RSL, Eastbourne Road, Rosebud, Thursday 27 September. Leading Senior Constable Ian Huxtable, below, was among the many uniformed police at the commemoration. The event held for the Southern Metro Region Division 4 Southern Peninsula/Frankston commemorated the 2Oth anniversary of the murders of Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rod Miller in 1998. Pictures: Yanni First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 2 October 2018
A $15,000 grant to Cerberus Cottage will enable it to deliver courses, gatherings, events and services for Australian Defence Force families. The money for the HMAS Cerberus-based centre is part of $1.4 million provided by the federal government for not-for-profit organisations to deliver community programs for Defence families. “The family support funding will enable [us] to provide a multitude of programs, including our youth connection program, fire safety program, cooking and budget courses, AUSLAN, swimming lessons, gymnastics classes, coffee mornings, playgroups and group fitness training just to name a few,” coordinator Julie Prentice said. Flinders MP Greg Hunt said the…
CRIME Statistics Agency figures released last week show a 6.5 per cent drop in crime on the Mornington Peninsula in the 12 months to June. Local Area Commander Inspector Janene Denton said while there was “still a lot of work to be done, it is positive to see the number of recorded offences on the peninsula area has started to decrease”. “Thanks to the hard work of local police we’ve seen significant decreases in aggravated burglaries (25.3 per cent) and residential burglaries (18.8 per cent),” she said. “We know this type of offending has been a real concern for the…
A POLICE car responding to an “urgent job” last week collided with another car injuring an elderly woman. Both cars sustained significant damage. The Mornington-based Ford Territory police vehicle was travelling along Nepean Highway at the Bungower Road intersection when it ran into the woman’s car as it turned onto Nepean Highway, noon, Wednesday 19 September. Acting Senior Sergeant Brett Cooke, of Mornington police, said the patrol car, with “lights flashing and siren sounding”, had slowed as it entered the intersection. “The middle and right-hand-lane traffic had stopped but the elderly driver, in her 80s, may not have seen the…
RAMSAY House, at Rendlesham Avenue, Mt Eliza, has won this year’s Mornington Peninsula Heritage Awards in the category: Restoration of a Heritage Place. The house was designed and built by Roy Grounds in 1937 as a family holiday house on the cliff overlooking Ranelagh Beach. The small cottage is one of the few remaining early houses built at Ranelagh. The restoration was overseen by his daughter, Victoria Grounds. Roy Grounds also designed the round house at the bottom of Olivers Hill at Frankston South; the National Gallery of Victoria, St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 1959–68; and the Arts Centre Melbourne, also…
A SPATE of barbecue fires has prompted the CFA to urge Mornington Peninsula residents to “look before you cook”. Mornington station officer Geoff Barker said spring weather had prompted residents to get out and fire up their barbecues – without being aware of gas leaks which have caused fires. “One resident was lucky to escape with just singed hairs after a gas leak ignited by barbecue flames caused a gas cylinder to catch fire in their alfresco area,” officer Barker said. “Firefighters were on the scene within four minutes. They cooled and protected the cylinder prior to closing the valve…
MORNINGTON father-of-three Ian Thompson felt his head go “cloudy”, couldn’t think straight and became disoriented; to make matters worse, he began to lose his vision. Although the 64-year-old did not know it at the time, he was having a stroke. “After meeting other stroke survivors I feel lucky, as if I had dodged a bullet,” he said last week. “Thankfully, the staff at Frankston Hospital’s emergency department recognised the signs and responded so quickly.” The stroke hit while he was working on his arrows at Frankston Archery Club. “I was using this new solvent to repair the arrows and it’s…
WHEN generations come together, good things happen. That’s the message being learned through a social program at CraigCare Mornington in which youngsters from the Pelican Child Care Early Learning Centre visit the elderly residents to talk, read and sing. “Each week the children spend time with residents playing, reading stories, singing and making arts and crafts together,” manager Sarah Mitchel said. “This brings great joy to both the children and the residents and they look forward to it each week.” The youngsters absorb traditions and wisdom, while developing respect and empathy. At the same time, the elderly residents expand their…
THE policeman killed when hit by a car during a memorial motorcycle ride in Gippsland last week was serving at Somerville. Detective Senior Sergeant Vic Kostiuk, 59, was a member of the Mornington Peninsula family violence unit based in Eramosa Road West. He died when his motorbike collided with a car on the Princes Highway, near Orbost, Friday 14 September. The driver of the car, Jesse Reid, 21, of Botanic Ridge, later appeared in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court charged with culpable driving and dangerous driving causing death. He was remanded in custody to appear at the Bairnsdale Magistrates’ Court…
A NUMBER plate recognition camera, pictured, set up in Mornington-Tyabb Road, Mornington scanned 2506 sets of plates, 10.30am-1.30pm, Monday 17 September. The operation, run by Mornington and Somerville highway police, detected plates which were unregistered or stolen, as well as registered owners who are unlicensed or required to have alcohol interlock devices fitted. It also advises if the vehicle, or owner, is linked to outstanding sheriff’s fines. Nine drivers were fined for unlicensed or unregistered driving and two will be summonsed to appear at court for driving while suspended. Acting Sergeant Sarah Blackmore, of Mornington police, was pleased with the…
FOUR Mornington Peninsula cyclists will ride 1200km in Western Australia next month to raise $5000 for road safety programs for peninsula school children. Hayden Fenn, 35, of Frankston South, Scott Lovegreen, 43, of Mt Martha, Rhys Buzza, 42, of Mt Martha and Gregory Pratt, 48, of Mornington, plan to take 90 hours to complete the Perth-Albany-Perth ride, 1-4 October, organised by Audax Australia Cycling Club. The men are using the ride to prepare for the world-famous Paris-Brest-Paris epic next year. Fifteen peninsula students from 13 schools met up with The White Bike Foundation founder Chris Savage last week to wish…