NAVAL police combined forces with a Victoria Police highway patrol to carry out a road safety operation at HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point. Operation Adiona — named for the Roman goddess of travel and safe return — saw military police and civilian police conduct roadside breath testing and mobile drug testing of both defence members and civilians entering the base as well as registration and roadworthiness checks. Warrant Officer Darren Lonergan said the operation strengthened the relationship between the military and civilian police “in many practical ways and will be followed by more joint operations”. “Working alongside our colleagues from the…
Author: MP News Group
AN exciting new residential project in Hastings was officially launched on Tuesday 13 March by award-winning developer Defence Housing Australia (DHA). The 3.78-hectare site will comprise 68 land lots, including 30 new homes for Defence members and their families, supporting the local Navy base, HMAS Cerberus. Ten medium density lots are already under offer to a prominent local builder for private development with another 12 lots in stage one selling out in six weeks. DHA Chairman, the Hon J.A.L. (Sandy) Macdonald, said the new $16 million development would create a sustainable residential community while making a significant contribution to the…
RARE and classic cars dating back to the early 1900s will be on show at the Flinders Motoring Heritage show, 10am-4pm, Sunday 1 April (Easter Sunday). Around 100 vehicles are registered to appear, including those carrying such badges as Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Triumph, Jaguar, Holden, Ford, Porsche, Austin Healey, Daimler, Bentley, Mercedes Benz, Renault, Tesla, Vauxhall and Cadillac. The verhicles will displayed at the corner of Cook and Norman streets, Flinders, as well as in the park on Cook Street. Trophies will be awarded to the best vehicle in each category. The $5 entry includes a ticket in the raffle.…
THE councillor who successfully moved to limit spending on the proposed Rosebud Aquatic Centre at $43.57 million admits his hand would have been only “halfway up” without the cap. Cr David Gill told last week’s meeting at the Rosebud Memorial Hall, which adopted the larger pool option, that he was “putting my hand up for a 50-metre pool. Yes I want a 50-metre pool”. But, he said later, he was concerned the shire was neglecting other issues, such as pressing social needs in Somerville and Hastings, low cost housing, halls in disrepair and “community houses going bankrupt”, such as Mornington…
A GROUP of Mornington residents are celebrating a “victory” in their fight against a 371-unit retirement village development in Roberts Road. This comes after developer Steller Estates withdrew its application for appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after the project was earlier knocked back by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. As a result of the withdrawal, VCAT has cancelled a compulsory conference set down for 5 April and a hearing date listed for 21 May. Opponent Christine Pingiaro, who lives nearby, described the developer’s appeal withdrawal as a “temporary victory”. First published in the Mornington News – 20 March…
BERG Mt Martha, a bushland friends group for the Balcombe Estuary, is gearing up for its biannual family day on Sunday 25 March with an emphasis on art and crafts. The free fun activities are designed to help youngsters understand the environment and the creatures who live in it at the old camping ground in Mirang Avenue from 10am to 2pm. There will be art and craft activities for children (including face painting) and Indigenous artists from Baluk Arts will run workshops to create bush critters from hay and wool. Other activities will include bird watching with Birdlife Australia, model…
A BOOK launched in Mornington last week comes about after a chat between an author and a Main Street book seller. Patrick Guest got the idea for his children’s book Rabby the Brave from a conversation he had with Ann Briggs, who has worked at Farrell’s bookshop for the past six years. While chatting, Ms Brigg’s revealed she was soon to have a “small surgical procedure”. Being naturally curious, Mr Guest asked what it was all about and was told she was getting ready to donate a kidney to her husband, Garry, whose kidney function had fallen by 93 per…
AIRCRAFT of many shapes and sizes took to the skies over Tyabb (and beyond) during the Tyabb Air Show on Sunday 11 March. Peninsula Aero Club president Jack Vevers said the “pretty busy day went off without any hiccups”, with a record crowd thrilling to the sound of Rolls Royce Merlins and the roar of heavy radial engines. Nicknamed “War & Peace” the show featured planes from WWI, such as Tiger Moths and Spitfires, as well as a WWII-era Mustang fighter, a Melbourne-built A68-199, and the world’s only airworthy Lockheed Hudson bomber. Other drawcards included high powered military machines, like…
A “50 Shades of Grey” adoption promotion ending next Sunday (25 March) is aimed at finding new homes for 30 greyhounds from the RSPCA Victoria’s Animal Care Centres. RSPCA Victoria animal care manager Liz Walker said the dogs had distinct personalities. “We have excitable, attention-seeking greys through to docile, shy gentle giants,” Ms Walker said. Most are exempt from having to wear muzzles in public and come with a reduced $50 adoption fee. “Greyhounds are intelligent, friendly dogs with a gentle and sensitive temperament. They are well suited to a variety of different lifestyles and homes, which is why they…
CRISIS accommodation is now available for women, children and their pets fleeing family violence. The Eastern Domestic Violence Service (EDVOS) says pets can play a significant role in family dynamics and it is importance to also support them when women and children are fleeing family violence. EDVOS now has accommodation available at three crisis properties in Melbourne’s eastern metropolitan area that can safely accommodate women, children and their pets – each equipped with kennels, pet food and other animal amenities. The service is also working with Women’s Liberation Halfway House (WLHH) to provide the first specialist pet-friendly women’s refuge in…
AS part of its commitment to become “carbon neutral” Mornington Peninsula Shire is trying out electric cars with a view to having them become part of vehicle fleet. “Electric vehicles can have zero tailpipe emissions when powered by renewable energy and will be considered in our efforts to lead the way on tackling the climate change challenge,” the mayor Cr Bryan Payne said. The acting manager climate change, energy and water Melissa Burrage said all staff and counciullors had been invited to participate in the one-week trial of the electric Renault Zoe and Kangoo. Other ways of minimising carbon emissions…
CLOSE friends and family of Joel Hawkins gathered on a Dromana roadside last Saturday near where the 17-year-old cyclist was hit by a car in June 2015. Joel, who had already notched up a long list of cycling achievements, died after spending more than a week on life support at the Alfred hospital. A white ghost bike was placed in his memory near the corner of Marine Parade and Nepean Highway and now his former coach, Chris Savage, is taking the White Bike Foundation’s safety message to Canberra. Savage left Mornington for Canberra on Saturday and is due to end…
An off-duty police officer fought off a man armed with a knife in an attempted aggravated carjacking in Frankston. The incident took place on Ashleigh Avenue when the man, armed with a knife allegedly tried to steal a car which was parked in a car space at the local shops just after 8pm on Tuesday evening (13 March). The driver of the car, an 82-year-old Frankston man, was attempting to start the car when he was approached by the armed man. The off-duty officer, understood to be a Dandenong area police officer, was walking on Ashleigh Avenue when he saw…
HASTINGS volunteer Sue King is out to encourage more people to be involved with Peninsula Health’s community advisory group. “I was coming up to retirement and thought I needed to do some voluntary work,” she said. “I’d done some social voluntary work through sporting clubs over the years and I thought I want something to do so I came to the Western Port Community Advisory Group meeting and found it quite interesting.” Now, years later, Ms King is encouraging others to join the group. “We need more members from a diverse range of backgrounds across Western Port so we can…
STATE opposition MPs have been told that the Mornington Peninsula needs an overall roads strategy. A delegation from Mornington Peninsula Shire last week met with Liberal Party MPS, including roads and infrastructure spokesman David Hodgett. Cr David Gill said the shire also intended to meet with members of the Labor government to press the need for safer roads. “We had a good hearing [from the opposition] and they basically said they were interested and would look into it,” Cr Gill told The News. “They’re local MPs and want to do something and they could possibly be part of the next…
IN an entertaining double-header, Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black will speak at Rosebud Uniting Church on Judaism, faith and the environment before the screening of Al Gore’s new film, An Inconvenient Sequel. Truth to Power. The events are being held from 5-8pm, Sunday 18 March. Rabbi Keren-Black says the Mornington Peninsula, like islands in the Pacific Ocean, are in peril from the rising seas. He believes people of faith have a religious obligation to act. Australian Religious Response to Climate Change is hosting this event with the cooperation of the church at 6 Murray-Anderson Road, Rosebud. Light refreshments will be followed by question time afterwards.
A SELL-OUT exhibition at Oak Hill Gallery, Mornington, was the first held by 92-year-old Chris Colquhoun. As a result of her first solo show the Merricks-based artist has received three commissions – including one from Copenhagen, Denmark. “A love of maps led Chris to a career at a drawing desk and, after studying technical drawing at RMIT, she worked at the Titles Office and later at the Division of National Mapping,” gallery director Yvonne Watson said. “Travel, marriage and children followed, and then, in retirement at Merricks, she began drawing and painting as a hobby. The lovely bushland and coastal…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council will continue childcare services formerly offered by Mornington Community Contact. Parents were left wondering where to take their children last week after liquidators moved in and closed the centre (“Parents baffled by childcare loss” The News 6/3/18). The shire, in a news release sent at 5pm Friday, says it is working “to support the childcare programs on a temporary basis to ensure continuity of services for the community and staff while exploring longer term options with the community and other stakeholders regarding ongoing management of the centre”. As from today (Tuesday 13 March) the shire will…
ALTERNATIVE car parking spaces will be made available to commuters while Frankston train station is redeveloped. Works will see 120 spaces at the Beach Street end of the station car park unavailable from last Sunday (10 March) until late this year. The Old Law Courts car park, at the corner of Playne and Young streets, will have 120 free all-day parking spaces and Frankston Council will make 50 free all-day spaces at the Mechanic’s Institute car park available. The Level Crossing Removal Authority will lease 50 parking spaces at Bayside Shopping Centre for construction workers and LXRA staff. LXRA has…
POLICE fired three shots at a stolen car during a dramatic pursuit along back roads in Red Hill, Dromana and Teurong, Friday 2 March. Two men in the car – and two others arrested earlier – were believed to have been involved in a carjacking and robbery the day before as well as another robbery, both in Rosebud. In the first incident, two teenage boys were allegedly run off Waterfall Gully Road by a stolen Toyota four-wheel-drive about midnight, Thursday 1 March. They were chased away and their car, as well as wallets, phones and power tools were stolen. The…
KANGAROOS and wallabies may be more safely crossing Mornington Peninsula roads at night thanks to a trial of electronic signs warning road users to their presence. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s traffic transport office has agreed to install temporary signs at high risk zones on Purves Road, Arthurs Seat and Jetty Road, Boneo. Similar speed indicator signs are being used for the second year running to caution motorists on the Esplanade, Mt Martha about pedestrians visiting The Pillars rock jumping site. Results of the wildlife trial will be evaluated and, if acknowledged as a success, may lead to permanent and more informative…
A TOOTGAROOK mother with a sick daughter is training for a gruelling 120 kilometre walk to raise money for the charity Ronald McDonald House. Barb Hilder, coincidentally of Ronald Street, will take part in the five-day El Camino Trek for the Kids, Spain, 10-19 May, in support of the service which provides emergency accommodation for seriously ill children and their families. Ms Hilder’s daughter Katelyn, 17 next week, was unwell from birth. “At five weeks we had a call to say she had cystic fibrosis – an incurable, life shortening chronic disease. “We lived at Kyabram and had to attend…
Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of an 8-year-old boy in Tootgarook this afternoon. Police attended the Alma Street address and located the boy’s body shortly after 1.30pm. A 41-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and is currently assisting police with their enquiries. It is believed that both parties were known to each other. Homicide Squad detectives are en route to the scene. Police are yet to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the death however it is being treated as suspicious at this stage. Investigators are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident. Anyone with…
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing Rosebud woman Alanna Johnstone. The 20-year-old was last seen at a Mount Martha address on 13 February but hasn’t made contact with anyone since. Police and family members hold concerns for Alanna’s welfare due to a medical condition. She is described as having a medium build and short dark brown hair. Police have released an image of Alanna in the hope someone recognises her and can provide information on her current whereabouts. Alanna is known to frequent the Frankston and Melbourne areas. Anyone with information is urged to contact Rosebud…
THE metal sculpture, pictured, representing the nest of Bundjil, the creator of the Boon Wurrung people, can now be seen as the incubator for knowledge about Aboriginal culture. The growth of interest in learning about the history and lives of the Boon Wurrung can be traced back to 2015 when teachers from Balnarring Pre-school, Balnarring Primary school and Balnarring early learning centre recognised the importance of the children learning about first peoples’ culture. “In the first year of the project a metal sculpture was created that represents Bundjil’s nest,” Karen Anderson of Balnarring Pre-School said. “The children spent time with…
PLANNING is underway to link the existing Red Hill Rail Trail to a new trail running through Merricks, Balnarring and Bittern. Three concept designs have been drawn for a walkers, cyclists and horse riders to share a path between Bittern station and Merricks Station Reserve connecting with the existing seven-kilometre track. Mornington Peninsula Shire is holding an “interactive drop in session” to gather community feedback on the proposed route and design of the trail, including signs, pedestrian crossings, furniture, planting and materials. The mayor Cr Bryan Payne said council is committed to “developing a connected and mobile community through council’s…
MUSICIANS, comedians and circus performers will perform at The Briars historic property, Mt Martha at the end of March in the second annual Peninsula Buskers Festival. “We had about 20,000 people come through last year over three days, probably around 40 performers, 25 food trucks, kids amusements and an outdoor cinema,” organiser Scott Hollow said. “This year we’re looking to have more than 100 performers, with those same outdoor cinemas and kids amusements.” Hollow expects at least 25,000 people will come along to watch the shows. “The Briars is really an untapped resource when it comes to events and we…
There will be no love lost between these two brothers after one allegedly tried to impersonate the other after being caught drink driving in Frankston South Friday 2 March. Frankston police intercepted the 23-year-old driver on Frankston Flinders Road after the vehicle he was driving was found to be unregistered about 5pm. Upon inspection, the vehicle was found to be unroadworthy and the driver was unlicensed. During the intercept, the driver initially tried to convince police that he was actually his brother. The Hastings man provided a positive roadside breath test but refused to accompany police to gauge just how…
Don’t miss Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges USA on his Australian blues “Hold On A little Bit Longer’ Tour. This masterful Memphis Blues performer pays homage to his blues roots and the likes of Sam Cooke & BB King in his one off Mornington show! Eugene ‘Hideaway Bridges’ returns to Australia this year to perform Bluesfest for the eighth time. With a brand new album, Hold On A Little Bit Longer and already nominated for two W.C. Handy awards, Eugene’s tour also marks his fiftieth anniversary as a performer – he started playing at the age of three with his father, bluesman…
HE coaches of Frankston YCW and Sorrento football clubs, Wayne Capp and Tony Blackford, presented the inaugural Toe Punt Shield to Andrew ‘Toe Punt’ Kelly this week. The shield will be awarded to the winner of the clash between the two sides in the opening round of the season. Andrew, who is currently in hospital undergoing treatment for cancer, will also have a medal named in his honour for the best player on the ground. Frankston YCW president Michael Lamb, with the support of his committee, came up with the idea of playing the annual blockbuster, starting this season with…