WHEN life gives you lemons, make lemonade – that’s the motto Mornington’s Julie Cowley has chosen to live her life by. It came about when her husband, Mark, was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 54. The cancer returned six years later and has spread throughout his body. Ms Cowley is showing her support for Mark, and to all men impacted by prostate cancer, by joining the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s Sit-Up 45 challenge. She is doing 45 sit-ups a day during Men’s Health Week (14-20 June) to raise money to support the 45 men diagnosed with the disease each…
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FORMER Liberal Leader John Hewson and former Independent MP for Indi Cathy McGowan will join forces this Saturday (19 June) in a free online forum to support the launch of Voices of Mornington Peninsula. The organisation aims to find a candidate to stand as an independent against sitting Liberal Flinders MP, Greg Hunt. Voices of Mornington Peninsula (VMP) is a not-for-profit organisation whose members “believe in the strength of community to effect positive change and, like many, are tired if the inaction of party politics and seek true independent representation at all political levels”. “Voices of Mornington Peninsula is an…
FORMER Commonwealth Games archer Dawn Nelson-Furnell is on target to prove age is no barrier in sport at the Australian Masters Games in Perth in October. The 56-year-old of Crib Point, has done things differently than most after “retiring” to have a daughter in 1984 and then, aged 42, reigniting her passion for archery and picking up her bow again in 2006. Despite those around her saying she was “too old” she powered on and has experienced great success ever since. Within a year of resuming, Nelson-Furnell was chosen to represent Australia at various world field championships and world cups.…
A MORNINGTON man is in the running to become Australia’s Local Hero in the Community Achievement Awards for Regional Victoria. The awards are linked to the Australian of The Year Awards with nominations closing on 31 July. Self-employed builder Wayne Hinton has been nominated by his wife Alina for the Southside Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Community Hero Award which acknowledges those making a significant contribution at a local level in regional and rural Victoria. The award recognises those “many selfless people who, through their actions, have positively impacted the lives of others and their community”. Mr Hinton, who is best…
THE $37 million Yawa Aquatic Centre at Rosebud will be open to the public on Friday 25 June. To celebrate the opening, Mornington Peninsula Shire and operator Belgravia Leisure will hold a community open day of activities, Sunday 4 July. Those attending will see what Yawa has to offer, such as its 50-metre indoor pool, group fitness activities, such as yoga, Pilates, body pump, spin classes, and Elements Eatery cafe. The new centre in Besgrove Street has a 50-metre indoor pool, learn-to-swim pool, warm water program pool, spa, sauna, and steam room. Other features are multi-purpose rooms for health and…
THIRTY years ago, 24 Mornington Peninsula artists decided to open an art gallery, with enthusiasm easily exceeding experience. Now, The Guild Art Gallery, Tyabb, run by its member artists as a collective, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The gallery sells framed and unframed paintings by many award-winning artists. They are of various subject matters and different styles. As the artists oversee the gallery, the paintings are said to be “reasonably priced”. The gallery is at the rear of Tyabb Packing House Antique Centre in The Village. It is open 10am-5pm, Thursday to Sunday and public holidays. Entry is free. First…
ZOE the Giant Spider Crab had a big day out on Monday 24 May, meeting up with the mayor Cr Despi O’Connor and Crs Susan Bissinger and Sarah Race. Along with the rest of their Mornington Peninsula Shire Council colleagues, the councillors want an exclusion zone around piers to prevent fishing for spider crabs, from May to July. The decision rests with the Victorian Fisheries Authority. Members of Save Our Spidercrabs (SOS) thanked the council for its support in working to protect the coming aggregations of spider crabs, with Zoe (SOS committee member Zoe McKenzie) offering hugs all round. Four…
MOTOR sport runs in the blood of the Davison family, of Flinders. Three generations have made their names hurtling around various race tracks over the past 70 years, with the family last month honoured for its service to motor sport at Australia’s longest-running event, Historic Winton. They were awarded the Firth Motors Family Trophy for their “significant contribution” to Winton, and to motorsport in general over 45 years, Saturday and Sunday 22-23 May. Richard Davison, 67, the son of four time Australian Grand Prix winner Lex, said it was “always wonderful to be recognised” in one’s chosen sport. Enthusiasts will…
THE Volunteer Marine Rescue Service’s 40th anniversary awards night last week commended the thousands of marine rescues the service has performed since it began in 1980. The gathering of Mornington and Hastings VMR members at The Royal Hotel, Saturday 22 May, was also a chance to honour the operational and support volunteers that make all of the search and rescues possible. It was to have been celebrated last year, however, due to COVID-19 was delayed until this year. The service was grateful that Sue Darbyshire and her family could attend to be part of the celebration and hand out awards…
SIX Mornington Youth Club gymnasts are on the Gold Coast representing Victoria at the Australian Gymnastic Championships, 13-26 May. Jordan Liang, Phoenix Petrovic, Jackson Findlay, Tom Hall and Will Shurey are competing in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics and Haylee Whitehead in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. The club’s Sarah Waterland and Ben Pocklington are coaches for the event. The club’s gymnasts, competing in national level 7 through to senior level, are eligible for selection onto state teams representing Victoria at national events. They compete at several trial events in March and April where the best are chosen to represent the state. COVID…
BLAIRGOWRIE Community Garden is thriving and so is the interest of members who visit to enjoy its serenity and natural beauty and also share in its bounty. The garden was the idea of nearby resident Anne van Veen, who believed there was demand for a community garden in Blairgowrie. In August 2018 Mornington Peninsula Shire Council leased the group two unused tennis courts and the pavilion at Stringer Reserve. Garden designer Fiona Brockhoff prepared a master plan and became a “generous supporter”. Since then, the tennis courts have been transformed into garden beds with an array of produce, including strawberries,…
THE rainbow flag was flown at Mornington Peninsula Shire offices to celebrate International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), Monday 17 May. The gesture was a show of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTIQA+) residents, community, friends, family and colleagues. The mayor Despi O’Connor and Crs Sarah Race, Lisa Dixon, David Gill, Anthony Marsh, Kerri McCafferty and Paul Mercurio, as well as shire staff and members of the community, gathered in front of the Hastings office to mark the occasion and raise the flag together. A shire statement said: “As an organisation, we…
MCCRAE lighthouse turned orange last week as a tribute to SES volunteers who turn out in their signature orange uniforms to help the community day and night in all kinds of weather. Wear Orange Wednesday, celebrated with the assistance of McCrae Lions, Wednesday 19 May, honoured the SES’s essential role come storms, floods, search-and-rescues and at serious road crashes. Sorrento SES unit’s Margaret Davis said members spent an average 150 hours on operational time over 12 months plus training and activities. Training was one night a week with extra time spent with chainsaws or working at heights. “All members have…
MORNINGTON Yacht Club’s James Jackson and crew Harrison Chapman, of Royal Brighton Yacht Club, won the delayed 420 National Sailing Championships on Sydney Harbour, 9-13 April. Their victory gives Mornington Yacht Club its 35th National Title in 75 years. The 420 Nationals are one of the few national championships to be held this year after a difficult 16 months of COVID-19 restrictions. James and Harrison sailed in a wide range of conditions – from large swells inside Sydney Heads against inconsistent light winds, to 30 knot westerlies, and then typical sea-breezes. The pair had to use all their sailing skills…
VOLUNTEER Marine Rescue Mornington will farewell one of its longest serving and most dedicated members when Timothy Warner hangs up his wet weather gear this week. The 73-year-old spent 41 years serving the community, often on wet, cold nights and in raging seas, always regarding it as “an honour” to help protect those in danger on Port Phillip. Mr Warner joined VMR Mornington (formerly Mornington Community Bay Rescue Service) in 1980 and has been involved in “several thousand rescues” in that time. An interest in the service began when he was “10 or 11”.“I was riding my bike with a…
NOT many people claim to have broken three “world records” in their chosen sport, but pro-skateboarder Nick Buchanan does. Buchanan says he set his first two records in 2003. “I set the world record for the longest distance ridden on a skateboard in a night: from Port Melbourne to Mornington, a distance of 70 kilometres in nine hours,” he said. “I also covered the longest distance on a skateboard in a day over the same route in 10 hours, with both records lasting 10 years.” Buchanan says he set his third world record last year for the “most kilometres ridden…
TWO entries from the Mornington Peninsula are finalists in the search by the Victoria Tourism Industry Council to find the state’s top tourist towns. Online voting ends 27 May, although voters wanting to physically visit the entries will have trouble finding one of the peninsula’s “towns”. There is no mistaking Dromana, which is easily found between Safety Beach and McCrae, but the other entry, Fingal, is not so obvious. There is no town named Fingal on the peninsula and a search of the internet will show a Fingal village in Tasmania and Fingal Head (commonly known as Fingal) in NSW.…
THE coronavirus pandemic may have put a firm brake on international travel for many people, but it has had no effect on the flights of migratory birds. The birds continued their annual hazardous 25,000 kilometre round trips from the northern to the southern hemisphere. Western Port and Port Phillip bays are the favoured destinations for many species and more than 300 artists have contributed to an exhibition that highlights the tenuous existence faced by these intrepid international travellers. A family day was held at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, Mornington last weekend for World Migratory Bird Day and The Overwintering Project-Westernport…
A MORNINGTON resident described as a “very fit lady who is completely independent” is about to turn 100. Norwegian-born Olga Viken, who will reach the milestone on 19 May, is well regarded by her many friends and has no shortage of admirers. Indeed, her native country’s former Consul General Tomm Paulsen describes her as the “wonder woman from Mornington”. “In my 45 years in business and 22 years as Consul General in Melbourne and Victoria, I have met a number of royals, dignitaries and famous people from all over the world,” Mr Paulsen said. “I have rarely been more impressed…
KUNYUNG Primary School students have put on an art display to show their gratitude to the “wonderful frontline workers” at Frankston Hospital. Art teacher Arlene Drummond had earlier invited the “hospital heroes” from the emergency department, ICU and the COVID ward to send in head-and-shoulders photos of themselves. Grade 1-2 students then discussed how artists can express their feelings and ideas through their art. The hospital’s medical staff featured in the portraits visited the school last week to see the show and voice their appreciation. “We decided to draw a portrait of a hospital hero and the students had to…
IT seemed that former Australian chess champion Doug Hamilton appeared to be everywhere at once when playing simultaneous exhibition matches against Mount Martha Chess Club members last week. Unfazed by the challenge, Hamilton was able to analyse the situation and gauge his next move as he went seamlessly from game to game. About 10 regular players took on the challenge at the Mount Martha House Community Centre, Monday 3 May. Chess club members challenge each other to games and enjoy quality social time on Monday afternoons. The friendly club welcomes players of all ages and strengths. First published in the…
CHILDREN frolicking in playgrounds in Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Nepal and soon the Philippines can thank an initiative by Rotary clubs, including Mount Martha, for their equipment. The project, called Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds, sends old, redundant playgrounds overseas when they are no longer wanted and destined for landfill, providing a newfound world of fun for children in the Third World who often do not have even a swing or slide to enjoy. On Saturday 1 May the Rotarians loaded playgrounds from Alameda Avenue, Mornington, Barber Reserve, Somerville, Robertson Reserve, Balnarring and Iluka Road, Tyabb, into containers.…
STUDENTS at Mornington Park Primary School helped choose bike riding routes to school at a workshop run by the Bicycle Network. The Ride2School ActivePaths program area ages signed routes to schools that help children and parents ride on easy and direct paths and trails. The routes are designed by students, local councils and the Ride2School team. More than 30 students from Mornington Park Primary attended the workshop on Thursday 29 April, providing information about the routes they take to school and streets they prefer to ride a bike on. “Many students and parents want to ride to school, however they…
MORNINGTON’S Jaksen Daddo, pictured, must have thought he had the weight of the world on his shoulders while training for Sunday’s Mother’s Day Classic and raising money for breast cancer research. The 26-year-old, who has been competing in strongman events and powerlifting for five years, was training hard outside the Mornington athletics track last Sunday. He was on a mission to carry 100 kilograms over the 10 kilometres as part of his fundraising activities. By mid-last week he had raised about $4000. Daddo is doing the challenge to support mate James Beischer, whose mum is going through breast cancer. He…
THE Australasian 12-hole Hickory Cup played at The Valley Golf Club, Safety Beach, last week celebrated the best of golf using the equipment the game grew up on. About 40 players teed off with old fashioned hickory clubs or replicas in the 12-hole format on Friday 30 April for prize money of $1000, with professionals encouraged to compete. One of the top players was Dave Good, of Mornington, a previous winner of the Australian Senior Order of Merit, who has played professionally in Europe. The event was replicated on courses in Queensland, Sydney, Adelaide, and New Zealand, as well as…
BREE-ANNE Pagonis, of Somerville, has won the Luminary Tech Visionary Award in the 2021 Victorian Young Achiever Awards. The award recognises her “vision in creating an accessible platform that enhances food experiences for women”. Ms Pagonis co-founded WIRL (Wellness in Real Life), a social enterprise that holds workshops and cooking classes, provides online tools, offers corporate programs, virtual masterclasses and coaching, school courses and keynote speaking. WIRL is creating an app that aims to help women create beneficial behaviours, such as mindful eating, takes the emphasis away from worrying about calories or weight loss, into a more intuitive style of…
IN stark contrast to last year, crowds started arriving before dawn to attend Anzac Day ceremonies across the Mornington Peninsula. The Dawn services were followed later in the morning by marches and ceremonies like this one at Mornington, at Hastings, Rosebud and Rye. Pictures by Yanni, Gary Sissons and Barry Irving. First published in the Mornington News – 27 April 2021
THERE is no shortage of descriptions or writings about the perceived benefits of humans interacting or moving about within nature, or the great outdoors. The term biophilia is used to describe the hypothesis that humans have an innate tendency to connect with nature, including other living creatures. Diversional therapist Michelle Lowe has no doubts about these benefits and says she sees the positive effects on visitors to her “social and emotional wellbeing centre” in Balnarring. Visitors can stroll around the 2.6 hectare property, which has trees and flowers for the picking. Its paddocks can be very peaceful and calming. But…
JIMMY’S Youth Wellbeing Sanctuary nearing completion at Rosebud is designed around the concept of “physiological architecture”, where tranquility and stillness arouse “positive emotional responses” in its clients. A central courtyard and bay views at the site in Point Nepean Road are calming, while the timber deck winding its way up to the front door and internal garden adds to a sense of wellbeing and openness. Jimmy’s Foundation is a registered charity which came about through the determination of Sarah Darling whose 33-year-old son Jimmy died in 2014. It is being managed and fostered by YMCA Peninsula Youth Services which has…
ROSEBUD Girl Guide Liesel Male was presented with her Queen’s Guide Award at a ceremony at the Rosebud Guide Hall, Jetty Road, Saturday 17 April. Leisel, who is also a Bentleigh Ranger Guide, received the highest award from Assistant State Commissioner Deb Abbs. This follows on from a Bravery Award she received at Government House in February last year. Girl Guides Mornington Peninsula District manager Heather Barton said from the time Liesel started at Rosebud she had “systematically set herself the many new and varied goals and challenges, all the while making a significant contribution to the life of Rosebud…