MCCRAE artist and jeweller Katrina Newman is the first Australian to be selected to participate on the Canadian Wilderness Artist Residency in the Yukon Territory this July and August. Newman was chosen from 42 applicants for the trip in which she and nine other artists will paddle 735 kilometres on the Yukon River from Whitehorse to Dawson City, in sub-arctic Canada, arriving in time for the Riverside Arts Festival. Newman will exhibit her work and provide a short training course for young people at the Riverside Arts Festival in Dawson City. “I’ve always understood that to create great work or…
Author: MP News Group
A LONG-AWAITED dream came true for members of Mornington Peninsula Chorale when they sang at New York’s Carnegie Hall earlier this year. About 50 members of the 100-member chorale made the trip to perform in the Sir Karl Jenkins Requiem as part of the Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY), in January. Alongside them were combined international choirs from Finland, Spain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, UK and US. The invitation to sing came about after the chorale performed Sir Karl’s Armed Man at Frankston Arts Centre in 2015 for the Anzac Day centenary celebrations. Senior chorister Judi McKee wrote to…
By Teresa Murphy THE wild, elemental beauty of Point Nepean, on the tip of the Mornington Peninsula is an awe-inspiring experience for any visitor. For the creatively inclined, it must be particularly intense – especially if they are lucky enough to live within the landscape for a while. Balnarring Beach artist Amanda Nelson was one so fortunate early last month (May) when she was artist-in-residence at Police Point for two weeks, staying at the historic gatekeeper’s cottage. But before luxuriating in and interpreting the dramatic surrounds, her immediate reaction was rather more prosaic. “After 18 years of housework, it was…
THE death of David Cassai in Rye on New Year’s Eve 2012 was the catalyst for the installation of street CCTV cameras last week. Flinders MP Greg Hunt met with community leaders on Friday 19 May to announce that the federal government had provided $200,000 for six CCTV cameras covering the foreshore and shopping precinct. “That fatal one-punch hit took the life of an innocent young man and sent a ripple-effect through an entire community,” he said. “The installation of CCTVs will assist in reducing anti-social behaviour, deterring would-be offenders and helping people to feel safe.” Mr Cassai’s mother Caterina…
WHILE many people plan a huge party when they reach the milestone age of 60, it’s not something Somerville grandmother Margaret Caffyn contemplated. She had a calling to walk solo the 800 kilometre Camino trail in Spain. So what makes a successful career woman pack it all up and walk alone on one of the most historical pilgrim paths in the world? At first it was to find herself after all those years being “everyone’s someone” – mother, wife, daughter, friend and employee. “I felt I had lost myself,” Caffyn said. However, the more she delved into the journey, the…
By David Gill* NEW planning provisions have been introduced state wide by the Planning Minister, Richard Wynne, without meaningful consultation. This may lead to further degrading of town and rural character on the Mornington Peninsula. The changes seek to avoid excessive site coverage of buildings and sealed surfaces but there is a stinging trade-off that allows new height “limits” of 11 metres in a general residential zone (GRZ). This could mean three-storey houses. The GRZ applies to all of our residential areas including coastal villages. Our planning scheme protective overlays may still apply, limiting houses to two storeys, but in…
By Ben Triandafillou A MORNINGTON Peninsula-based Gridiron club is looking to provide the area with the first and only Gridiron club on the Peninsula since 2009. Currently based in Carrum Downs, the Peninsula Sharks was formed in early-January and is currently in a recruitment phase. The Peninsula Sharks are hoping to have teams entered in the 2018 Gridiron Victoria league, but co-founder Garry Smith said, that the club will have a different ‘feel’. “We want to start fresh and put new games in place because some teams have the stigma that it’s just a boys club but being a young…
By Ben Triandafillou IT’S been a year since the Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League announced their smoke-free initiative and now local football clubs along the Mornington Peninsula will be following in their footsteps. Football clubs along the Peninsula will stand together to remove smoking at both junior and senior levels ahead of the ‘World No Tobacco Day’ on 31 May. Working towards becoming smoke free, AFL South East and its leagues, Frankston District Junior Football League (FDJFL) and Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League (MPNFL), have teamed up with Peninsula Health, St Kilda Football Club, Good Sports, Frankston City Council and…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie TWO goals in the final two minutes gave Langwarrin a stunning 2-1 win over Mornington in Saturday’s derby at Dallas Brooks Park. Connor Belger’s 91st minute strike was a goal for the ages and left Mornington players and fans gobsmacked. Langwarrin had equalised in the 90th minute after Alex Metcalfe’s curled strike from the left. The ball eluded Liam Baxter’s attempted header and deflected off Mornington stopper Steve Elliott before sneaking inside the far post. A minute later Langy keeper Robbie Acs gathered then launched a long kick downfield. Belger trapped the ball inside his attacking…
A MOTORCYCLIST died after crashing into a kerb at Pearcedale, Sunday 28 May. The male rider lost control near the intersection of Pearcedale and Robinsons roads about 3.30pm. Emergency service crews began treatment but he died at the scene. No one else was injured in the incident. The rider had not been identified by Monday afternoon. Witnesses are urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
A SURFER died at Gunnamatta beach on Saturday 27 May after being hit on the head by his board. Des Watson, 65, of Armstrong Creek, had been competing in a Kneeboard Victoria event when he was found unconscious in the water about 11am. Fellow competitors helped drag him ashore. Emergency services were unable to resuscitate Mr Watson who died on the beach. Police are preparing a report for the coroner.
JOB ConneXions is a new pilot project to help Rosebud Secondary College VCAL students make the transition from school to work. Over the next 10 weeks mentors from local businesses will share their knowledge and skills with students, helping them to access community networks and career opportunities. The year 11 VCAL students are matched with a mentor who has experience in their chosen industry. “This real world mentor experience is helping the students to understand the practicalities of their initial career choice, and the potential to gain local employment in a particular industry, extending their skills and knowledge beyond the…
OFFENDERS smashed a display case and stole distinctive jewellery and figurines from a market store on Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Tyabb, earlier this month. Police are not sure of the number of offenders who jemmied open the front door to the store and robbed the stall sometime between 4.30pm, Friday 12 May and 10am, Saturday 13 May. They smashed a display case to steal the jewellery, including a “yawning” figurine and distinctive cross. Sergeant Kim Bramwell, of police media, said images of the jewellery had been released in the hope someone may recognise the pieces or come forward with their whereabouts. Anyone…
PUPILS at Somerville Rise Primary School have been given an insight into Aboriginal culture as part of the school’s respectful relationships program. Adam McGuiness of the Bunurong community was at the school on Friday to perform a welcome to country and smoking ceremony. “Respectful relationships is at the forefront of [our] school values,” teacher and course co-ordinator Di Wheeler said. Mr McGuiness had been asked to the school as “recognition of the Indigenous people as the first Australians and to promote an awareness of the history and culture of the Indigenous people in the area”. The pupils had been “delighted”…
Detectives from Casey Crime Investigation Unit have seized a number of vehicles following a warrant in Pearcedale last week. Officers attended a property on Pearcedale Road on 18 May to execute a stolen goods warrant. Once on the property police recovered 31 allegedly stolen vehicles that had been stolen over the last 10 years. The investigation into the theft of the cars is ongoing and at this stage no charges have been laid. Anyone with further information is urged to contact Casey CIU on 9705 3114 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Source: Victoria Police News – 22 May…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie FRANKSTON Pines sacked Billy Rae as head coach last week and appointed assistant Paul Williams in his place. When Rae took over at the end of the 2015 season he worked hard to bring Williams and goalkeeping coach Lee Davies to the club as his support staff. Rae and the club also agreed to a two-year succession plan which would see Williams take over at the end of the current season. Rae mentored Williams giving him a more hands-on role than that usually given to assistants. But with Pines lying second bottom in State 2 South-East…
A YOUTH Environmental Forum at The Briars last week gave students from schools in the region the chance to learn more about human environmental impacts and solutions. Arranged by Frankston Council, with help from the Frankston High School eco team, the day was about educating students to become better environmental leaders to educate their own school communities. Students from Mount Erin, McClelland, Padua, Monterey and John Paul colleges and Frankston High School enjoyed the day funded by Frankston Council, ethical fashion brand Etiko and toilet tissue company Who Gives a Crap? that donates 50 per cent of its profits to building toilets in the developing…
FIVE medical clinics in the Dunkley electorate will be part of a nationwide trial of a Health Care Home program enabling people with difficult and complex health problems to remain at home rather than be forced to stay in a hospital. The program was announced as part of this month’s federal budget. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said Health Care Homes services will tailor care to individual patients’ health circumstances in consultation with GPs. “This is an Australian first and although I will be guided by our GPs and those patients taking part, I am hopeful that if the program…
THIRTY tables of used books on a variety of subjects make up the main attraction at this year’s Book Bonanza being run by Mt Eliza Rotary Club. The donated books range from the 1880s and include Shakespeare, Dickens and Agatha Christie sets, to illustrated coffee table books and biographies. Categories include the arts (theatre, film, music, Australian artists, birds and plants and photography); antiques (dolls houses, Matchbox cars); interior design; cooking; gardening; handicrafts; military history (aviation, maritime and transport- air, land and sea); political history (Australia, US, UK); literature (including Penguin classics, crime – fact and fiction); nature and pets;…
THE Warringinee group of the Mornington Peninsula, which supports cultural diversity and promotes understanding of issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, will make a presentation at the public council meeting at Rosebud Memorial Hall, 5pm, tonight (Tuesday 23 May). This is regarded as an important night for the group to showcase what has been achieved by the shire’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the past year. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend this event featuring a smoking ceremony, traditional welcome-to-country, a performance by Dardee Balagamdail Aboriginal Dance Group, as well as guest speakers. The presentation is…
FIVE weeks on, WorkSafe Victoria is still investigating a Rye Easter carnival tragedy in which a six-year-old boy was killed. Eugene Mahauariki, of Dromana, died when he fell from the Cha Cha ride, 5.15pm, Monday 17 April. WorkSafe last week made the call for witnesses as their investigation into his death continues. They have been told the boy fell from a ride that was operating after the carnival had closed to the public. He suffered serious head injuries and was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital where he died four days later. Anyone with information should call 1800 136 089…
A DREAM held by many local Rosebud residents to have a community men’s shed is closer to becoming a reality with the turning of the first sod ceremony, Tuesday 9 May. Earthworks were due to start last week and it is expected that the 24 metres by 12 metres shed shell will soon follow, Seawinds Community Hub CEO Heather Barton said. The men’s shed project started two years ago with a grant from the state government. A federal government grant came last year to help with the internal fit out, and Mornington Peninsula Shire also contributed. Fundraising by volunteers included…
Detectives from Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit have charged three men following an alleged assault in Mornington last weekend. A 26-year-old Mornington man and two 24-year-old men from Mount Martha have all been charged with affray. The trio have been bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrate’s Court at a later date. The incident is alleged to have occurred about 1.50am on Sunday, 14 May on Main Street. A 34-year-old South Australian man was taken to hospital following the incident with facial injuries. Source: Victoria Police News – 16 May 2017
HASTINGS FNC AFTER a bye in round one, the Hastings Women’s Football team got to pull on the Hastings jumper for the season proper. They arrived at Officer for an early start on Saturday morning keen to put their best foot forward. What a privilege it would have been for Hastings to pull on the royal blue for the inaugural game of Women’s footy. For many girls it would be their first game of senior footy, for some their first ever. They took to the ground, and got off to a tentative start, but after the quarter time break you…
A HASTINGS woman is desperate for the return of a $2000 mobility scooter stolen from outside her bedroom window in Edward St. Ms Kathleen Poulson’s red Invacare Auriga mobility scooter went missing overnight in March and has still not been found. Hastings police are investigating the theft which would have left the pensioner house bound if not for the generosity of Mornington Legacy. The service club has loaned her a replacement scooter until the old one is found. The problem has been compounded by an insurance slip up. Ms Poulson did not separately insure the scooter and her policy’s excess…
A BALNARRING real estate agent is happy about changes to the Underquoting Act which came into effect last week. “We’ve been pushing for the changes since 2008,” Coast Real Estate agent David Wright said. “We’ve been in direct communication with the Minister for Consumer Affairs about them. “We think it’s about time those agents who are manipulating the price by using price plus, negotiable over, offers over, or buyers starting at, get hauled in. “We’ve been using a trusted and compliant Price Ranger strategy since we started selling around the Western Port area 10 years ago.” The new laws apply…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie LANGWARRIN made a statement of intent on Saturday when it spanked Caulfield United Cobras 5-2 in their State 1 South-East top-of-the-table clash at Victory Park. Langy’s opening goal was all about the timing and angle of Liam Baxter’s off-the-ball run and Mat “Yaya” Luak’s ability to pick him out with a perfectly directed and weighted pass and once the quicksilver Invernesian was in the clear there could only be one result. From the left of the area Baxter slotted the ball low past advancing Caulfield keeper Jayden Allan and Langy was 1-0 up after six minutes.…
By Ben Triandafillou PENINSULA boxer, Jayde Mitchell, has added another notch to his belt with a technical knock-out at his latest outing on Saturday 22 April. Fighting in the semi-main event on a stacked card at the Melbourne Pavilion, Mitchell defeated a late replacement boxer, Roland Oroszlan, to make it eight straight wins. Mitchell took out the fight in the second round to notch up his seventh knock-out victory from 14 fights. But the highlight of the night was being on the same card as the legendary Sam “King” Soliman, Mitchell says. “Sam Soliman has been a hero of mine…
The exhibition Max & Olive focuses on the work of two photographers who shared their lives and studio for much of the 1930s and 1940s before going their separate ways. Max Dupain and Olive Cotton contributed enormously to 20th century Australian photography with Dupain ultimately being regarded as ‘Australia’s most respected and influential black and white photographer’ of this period. His famous 1937 work Sunbaker features in this exhibition. Looking at their work together between 1934 and 1945 provides an insight into the creative process of this unique partnership. Often shooting the same subjects, or pursuing subjects and pictorial effects…
From Burlesque Blues To The Icons of Australian Jazz, The 2017 Mornington Winter Jazz & Blues Festival Has It All…. With the Mornington Winter Jazz and Blues Festival now just weeks away excitement is starting to build as Mornington gets set to welcome some of Australia’s finest musicians and artists to the Peninsula for one very special long weekend. As always Mornington bars and restaurants will come alive with the sound of swingin’ jazz and smooth blues from Friday 9th June to Sunday 11th across the Queens Birthday Long Weekend. In addition this year sees a return of the ever…