THE Rev Father Geoffrey McIlroy will be swapping his priestly vestments for motorbike leathers when he joins an estimated 2000 fellow riders converging on Canberra in September. McIlroy plans to join the annual Wall-to-Wall Ride for Remembrance to honour fallen colleagues, raise money for police legacies and promote safe and lawful motorcycling.A priest at St Macartan’s Catholic Church, Mornington, McIlroy is also chaplain to police stations from Mornington to Sorrento. “I feel privileged in both roles – to serve the parishioners as their shepherd and to serve the police who serve us, as their multi-denominational padre,” McIlroy said.A motorbike rider…
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RYE Pier is back open to the public. After months of anticipation and dedicated work by Parks Victoria, the iconic pier has been beautifully restored and is now ready to welcome visitors again.The restoration has revived the pier’s historic charm and introduced several exciting new features. Among the highlights are the interpretive signs installed along the pier, which showcase the area’s rich marine life. These signs provide fascinating information about the local sea creatures, making your visit enjoyable and educational.In addition to the interpretive signage, new benches crafted by the Point Nepean Men’s Shed have been strategically placed along the…
NEW 4K video cameras will help doctors at The Bays Hospital in Mornington perform keyhole surgeries and endoscopies.The hospital has spent $1.2 million upgrading its theatre complex this year. Its two new portable 4K cameras will allow doctors to take better images for diagnostic purposes and to show patients afterwards.A new fleet of endoscopes, including gastroscopes and colonoscopes, were purchased by the hospital this year for the upgrade. In a statement, The Bays Hospital said “endoscopes now feature artificial intelligence functionality, which aids in the early detection and identification of polyps.”The Bays Healthcare Group CEO Jade Phelan said the upgrades…
MISSING dogs are not an unusual occurrence on the Mornington Peninsula, as any look at local social media attests to. But some pull at the heart strings more than others.The case of lost dog Fifi has another layer of sadness, with the pooches’ owner Nicole Kenyon finding out about the dog’s escape on 14 June, when she was stuck in hospital for several weeks and helplessly unable to do anything. Kenyon had placed her beloved Maltese x Shitzu dog in the hands of a dog minder, but as often happens when dogs miss their human, the 11-year-old pet escaped an…
THE life, times and environmental benefits of bandicoots will be explained at the next meeting of the Red Hill South Landcare Group.Eilish Roberts, southern brown bandicoot outreach officer at Cranbourne Royal Botanic Gardens, works to help protect this once widespread marsupial and support local communities in creating bandicoot-friendly suburbs.When digging and scratching while foraging for food bandicoots make “beds” for seeds to germinate and help break down organic matter in which other organisms can live.The public is invited to attend the bandicoot talk which will precede the Landcare group’s annual general meeting, starting at 2pm on Saturday 20 July at…
MOONLIT Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park in Pearcedale opened its new reptile centre on Thursday, 4 July. The sanctuary’s newest attraction includes venomous snakes, pythons, a freshwater crocodile, green tree frogs, and a range of lizards in purpose-built reptile habitats.Each habitat in the new reptile centre has been designed to cater to the specific needs of its inhabitants, with precise requirements for temperature, humidity, water quality, and lighting. The centre has seven climate-controlled zones that provide basking, climbing, and camouflage areas. The enclosures replicate south-eastern bushland, Central Australia, and the scrubland of Western Australia.The sanctuary’s owner and director Michael Johnson said…
A RARE and endangered orchid once found in parts of the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston was last week given a helping hand to return, thanks to a team of experts and passionate volunteers. The Frankston spider orchid, Caladenia robinsonii, is regarded as being critically endangered, with 347 plants remaining in Frankston, Rosebud and Rye as a result of habitat destruction.Laboratory-raised plants from the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria nursery have been reintroduced to their natural habitat on the peninsula with the assistance of staff, and volunteers from the La Trobe Botany Society and ANOS Vic.Lead researcher Dr Noushka Reiter, senior research…
DROMANA engineering apprentice, Callum Robertson, was named Apprentice of the Year at the 10th annual Chisholm Award on Tuesday 25 June for his work with STEG Engineering and his mechanical engineering studies at TAFE’s Dandenong campus.Robertson’s TAFE teachers said he had a passion for engineering, always tried to achieve and had invented some engineering tools to solve problems. They described his technical skills and proficiency with machinery as excellent.“I just go about doing what I’m trained to do … but if I’m going to do a job, I’ll give it my best shot,” Robertson said.Chisholm communications spokesperson Allison Troth said…
THE Western Port Biosphere Foundation and Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park are seeking public support for a three-year joint project to ensure healthier and more resilient wildlife populations.The two organisations aim to build a network of naturelinks, or wildlife corridors, within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The links will provide safe pathways for native animals through and between significant areas of native ecosystems, and will build on the work done by the Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation group, and the Mornington Peninsula, Western Port and Bass Coast Landcare Networks and other Landcare and Friends groups, as well as councils. Naturelinks help native…
THREE environmentally aware entrepreneurs with a shared vision are quietly spearheading an innovative ‘superfood’ business that is taking the culinary world by storm.Mornington Peninsula‐born entrepreneur Cameron Hines, who co launched his first business Mountain Goat Brewery in 1997 while in his 20s, started Southern Seagreens with his partners in 2022 with the grand vision of seeing seaweed products become a staple of every Australian pantry, and potentially feeding the world.The fledgling Dromana‐based business is just two years in, but its seaweed products are already being incorporated into the dishes of some of the best chefs in Victoria, including the team…
A TRAINING program at Rye Community House is training dozens of people to work in the hospitality industry and creating a network of employment paths for those seeking work. The Coffee Connection program is an example of community groups and businesses working together to strengthen employment prospects for young people through targeted training.Dale Newman heads the program which started as a three-month trial last year supported by a grant from Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. Since April last year the program has trained 30 people of all ages and backgrounds. “We are so pleased with the way it’s evolved and is…
DOG ownership in Australia is at an all‐time high, with more than two million households getting a pooch since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. But with the increase in dogs comes the inevitable increase in dog‐related issues, such as lost dogs, barking dogs, naughty dogs, roaming dogs and bored dogs. Animal trainers say dog training has never been more important for both the enjoyment of the owner and the happiness and security of the dog.Mornington Obedience Dog Club secretary Irene Scott is one of the many volunteers from dog clubs around the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston who help to…
TWELVE-year-old Zoe Whitbourne and her father Craig will be walking more than 80 kilometres to raise money and awareness for the type 1 diabetes research being carried out at St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research (SVI) in Fitzroy.Craig Whitbourne was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 25 years ago when he was 15 and was devastated when Zoe received her diagnosis in 2022 at the age of nine. “Type 1 diabetes can be unpredictable and time-consuming. Despite my experience living with this disease, watching Zoe navigate the grief, anger and sadness of this diagnosis is very difficult,” Mr Whitbourne said.Type 1…
THE reality of life for people doing it tough can be unseen and unimaginable to those in warm homes and with food in the fridge.Georgia Hourn, CEO at Western Port Community Support ‐ the largest provider of emergency relief in the Western Port region ‐ said the centre was seeing a massive increase in people needing support. “We have just witnessed the worst six months on record in terms of demand in our agency’s 43-year history and we don’t expect things to improve any time soon,” she said. “But as an agency we are a strong team of five paid…
THE Wednesday market in Main Street, Mornington has drawn hundreds of visitors every week for close to 40 years but, like many businesses since COVID-19, it is feeling the pinch of post‐pandemic consumer habits. Organisers hope all that is about to change, with a renewed push to make the market great again and entice consumers back to Victoria’s longest‐running street market.Mornington Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Alex Levy said the market had seen a change of faces in recent years, with some traders retiring or simply moving on, and consumers being more cautious with their cash. From its peak of around…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council’s draft Our Urban Forest strategy is aimed at reducing the loss of trees on the peninsula. The strategy – on public exhibition until 10 July – follows a move by Cr Steve Holland in 2022 that called for action to stop “tree recession”. Holland said tree removal and loss was a significant issue on the peninsula, an area loved by most residents for its rich and thriving flora.The draft strategy sets an evidence-based target that 45 per cent of the public streets and parks in urban areas are shaded by tree canopy by 2034. The peninsula…
THREE years after concerns were raised about hundreds of kangaroos trapped on a Cape Schanck property, animal welfare advocates have ramped up their campaign to educate communities about kangaroos and the importance of protecting them.The Save Kangaroos on the Mornington Peninsula (SKOMP) group is running a series of kangaroo “walks and talks” around the peninsula and other parts of Victoria to educate people on how to coexist with the native animals and the “national icon”.Spokesperson Craig Thomson said it was appalling that the kangaroos on the Cape Schanck property were still stuck behind fencing, with wildlife advocates unable to check…
STUDENTS at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Primary School, Rosebud, have been using their textile lessons to create an undersea wonderland.The completion of the colourful masterpiece, created with a lot of love and pricked fingers, is to celebrate World Ocean Day on 8 June. The school’s Dolphin Research Centre ambassadors are using the display to highlight the danger of foil plastic, which is commonly used as lolly or biscuit wrappers.Students learned that the inside of foil plastic packages is shiny silver and glitters like a fish and, when ingested by marine animals, causes illness and death. The students also produced…
BOATERS are being asked to watch out for southern right whales which have made their seasonal return to Victorian coastal waters. The Conservation Regulator says southern right whales visit Victoria’s coast from May to October to give birth and raise their young.Restrictions on boats include lowering engine noises which can interrupt whispering between mothers and calves to avoid predators. It is believed there are about 300 southern rights left in the south-east population. The endangered whales are vulnerable to vessel strikes, and boaters are being encouraged to watch out for the whales as they have no dorsal fin and can…
WHEN Blairgowrie woman Pippa McPherson became a new mum six years ago, the lack of training and job opportunities for young people on the Mornington Peninsula became much more of a reality for her family. But instead of expecting someone else to fix it, McPherson has taken steps to make a difference and is calling for volunteers to help her achieve her goals.While studying for her Bachelor of Counselling, McPherson is completing her work placement with the Rye Community House and has started a gardening club for young people that will hopefully lead to a mentoring program. “As a mum,…
HIKERS of all ages and from all walks of life enjoyed the spectacular coastal scenery of Mornington Peninsula last Friday (24 May) as they took part in Coastrek in support of the Heart Foundation.More than 2400 trekkers in various locations around the country participated in the 50km, 30km or 20km challenge to highlight the benefits of walking for heart health, while aiming to raise $800,000 in support of the Heart Foundation’s research into heart disease. Money raised will also support the foundation’s initiatives to end rheumatic heart disease in Australia – a preventable disease that is particularly prevalent in remote…
IT’S cold outside, and the perfect time to think about how the community can help others to stay warm, dry, and fed.Mornington Community Support Centre’s annual winter appeal has started with a target of $75000. The winter appeal, the support group’s major money-raising campaign of the year, will feature an event at Commonfolk Cafe in Progress Street, Mornington on Friday 21 June.This year MPCS is highlighting its Fresh Food Program partners – SecondBite, OZHarvest and Food for Change, who deliver fresh food each week that is either collected by people in need in the community or used to provide meals…
PENINSULA Quarries is inviting applications for a share of $5000 it will distribute this year through its community grants program. The program is open to not-for-profit organisations in the Somerville, Tyabb and Mornington areas.Last year, grants were allocated to a family day event, two primary schools and a recreation reserve. Somerville Family Day received $2500 to provide first aid for the the event, Tyabb Primary School received $1500 for improvements to its environment centre, Somerville Rise Primary School received $1500 to upgrade its courtyard and the Emu Plains Racecourse and Recreation Reserve received $2800 for repairs to its roads and…
IT was a sight to behold for Kombi lovers and classic VW fans on Saturday (18 May), as more than 100 of the iconic vehicles were on display at Dromana 3 Drive-in.The car show was part of a celebration of the Kombi and a screening of the Kombi Man movie. The event was a sell-out, with about 150 people arriving for the display, live music, the movie screening (which included Bob Marley One Love) and the inspirational story of the Kombi Man told by film maker Jeff Bird and others.Kombi and “beetle” owner and organiser Amber-May Jukes said she and…
PELICANS always seem to attract attention. They waddle along beaches, gracefully paddle in the water and fly overhead following the thermals. But while they appear to be common, especially when looking for scraps around piers and jetties, pelican numbers are declining.The Westernport Pelican Study Group reports that just two of a previously known 10 Victorian breeding sites remain.A breeding site on French Island “went extinct” in 2001, according to the group, and pelican numbers in Western Port have been declining ever since.Study group members look for and photograph banded pelicans and have also appealed for members of the public to…
A MORNINGTON Peninsula diver has made a remarkable underwater discovery that is sending ripples of excitement through the marine world.Emily May, of Tootgarook, had a recent encounter with a rare frilled pygmy octopus (Octopus superciliossuss) on Portsea West Reef, and was able to capture some video and photos of her amazing find. Her footage has been confirmed as the first taken of this species in the wild and only the second viewing in the wild. All other footage was taken at the aquarium at Queenscliff Discovery Centre in the late 1990s. May said this was confirmed by Dr Julian Finn…
YOUNG environmental warriors from Rye Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary, Sorrento had the opportunity to learn about biodiversity and environmental protection under the tutelage of Mornington Peninsula ecologist Gidja Walker OAM. More than 60 children across three sessions attended the walk and talk about the formation of the bay, and the geology of the area and how that influenced vegetation that grows there.The Rye school’s principal Lachlan Featherstone said it had been inspiring to see the children listen intensely to what Walker was saying and ask pertinent questions. “They have certainly learnt a lot from this session”, he said.…
RSPCA Victoria inspectors will join pet owners at the Mornington Peninsula Million Paws Walk in Hastings on Sunday 26 May.Last year, 808 walkers and 518 dogs took part in the peninsula walk, raising more than $24,200 to help the RSPCA end cruelty to animals.Each year the organisation investigates more than 3000 animal cruelty reports across the south east region, with 508 animals being seized or surrendered to inspectors. Peninsula-based senior inspector Maree Crabtree said there would be several inspectors on the walk available to speak to residents and answer questions. “If you are wanting to know what a day in…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Koala Conservation Group volunteers dug into the season’s tree planting program on Friday (3 May).The tree planting day in Balnarring also marked Wild Koala Day with animal enthusiasts and conservationists from around the world raising awareness of the pressures on koala habitat and health.The volunteer peninsula koala group is dedicated to increasing the tree canopy on the peninsula and protecting koalas and other wildlife. First published in the Mornington News – 7th May 2024
SOUTHERN Peninsula Community Support centre director Jeremy Maxwell was last week visited by Rosebud police officers Sergeant Daniel Patton and Senior Constable Melissa Daly who wanted to hear about the centre’s work in supporting low income families and individuals.The support centre is one of three on the Mornington Peninsula dedicated to supporting people in need in a warm and non judgmental environment. The trained and experienced staff at the Rosebud based centre can help people in financial hardship with food vouchers, financial aid, pantry staples, fresh food bags, transport, medical needs and advice.To donate or support the centre call 5986…