Helping hands I am 92-years-old, disabled, and living alone in Rosebud with no family I can call on in times of need. I thought it was terrible when the bush rats moved into my garden, but then came the wind! On 1 September, the howling gale brought a huge ivy covered pine tree down into my back garden. It lay across the roof of my shed, my clothesline and back window. I rang the SES and they were helpful, removing it from my back window, chopped it up, but then had to go to another job, as they were flat…
Browsing: Letters
Thanks to Keith Platt for being a ‘truth seeker I would like to express my sincere thanks to editor Keith Platt for all his work at Mornington Peninsula News Group (Retirement marks the end of an era, The News 4/9/2024). His commitment to the truth and reporting the facts on issues around the Mornington Peninsula has been outstanding.We are very, very fortunate to have an independent newspaper that puts our community first, gives a voice to the people and shines a torch on individuals or organisations who require investigation.Best wishes to Keith on his retirement – he will be greatly…
Gatehouse’s mismanagement Whoever is responsible for the upkeep of this heritage listed and protected building should be ashamed (Demolition order issued for historic gatehouse, The News 20/8/24). The people of the Mornington Peninsula, together with all Australians, trust you to preserve our history especially the old buildings, and we have been let down.I pass the gatehouse at least three times a week and over the past 20 years have noticed the gatehouse, surrounding entrance, including the adjacent period fencing has deteriorated to its present condition.A couple of kilometres down the highway towards Mornington an historic iron fence was damaged when…
Toilet closures unacceptable I was flabbergasted to read the article (Cr Holland creates stink with toilet motion, The News, 7/8/24) outlining Cr David Gill’s attempt to raise the issue of closed toilet facilities on the Mornington Peninsula. This seems a perfectly reasonable motion from Cr Gill, yet not one councillor supported the motion. And for Cr Steve Holland to consider an amendment to the motion accusing Cr Gill of wasting everybody’s time, is extraordinary. For Cr Holland’s information, there are many people who read our local newspaper – sometimes that is the only way we find out what is going…
Trust: easily lost, hard to regain The relocation of the Harry Potter Experience to a less sensitive location at The Briars will come as a great relief to those who pressured Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to reconsider its decision. A new ecological report for this community forest (dog walking park) will be published on the shire website soon. This new location is 500 metres from the nearest point of the wildlife sanctuary and, we are told, will have minimal effect on the fauna and flora. CEO John Baker acknowledged that the community backlash definitely influenced this decision to change the…
Peta Murphy: fondly remembered … as an exceptional role model I am writing to express our sincere condolences concerning the tragic passing of Dunkley MP Peta Murphy. She was much loved and deeply admired by all the members of The Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN). Peta was a woman of great integrity, strong convictions, kindness and compassion. Like so many others who met her, we truly appreciated Peta’s warm and engaging personality, her willingness to listen and delightful sense of humour. Most especially we admired her determination to advocate for justice, particularly in support of those who were marginalised. Peta’s…
Vandalising Yes signs is anti-democratic Many community members have been saddened by vandalism to vote Yes signs across the Mornington Peninsula. This vandalism is not just random tagging by kids, it seems to be an organised campaign by people who, for some reason, are angered by the democratic process and the right of everyone to express their opinion. This has ranged from painting No across the signs to actually cutting the Yes from real estate type boards. This process would take some time and effort and property owners report feeling unsafe and violated by such a concerted effort to deface…
Parking questions Cr David Gill valiantly tried to get the Flinders pier paid parking pilot removed, but seven of the nine [Mornington Peninsula Shire] councillors preferred the “not in my backyard” principle and thought Flinders was an ideal site (“Flinders keeps its spot in paid parking trial” The News 15/8/23). How the parking fees for 90 spaces is going to make much of a contribution to the $1,000,000 cost to the rate paying residents beats me. And how meaningful will the data be and relevant to the rest of Western Port? We have asked the shire if sailing visitors who…
I have been made aware that Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association is concerned by my reference to them when addressing the Indigenous Voice to Parliament in my speech in parliament on 22 May (“Elders ‘misrepresented’” Letters 6/6/23). In my speech, I said: “Today, the Indigenous people of the Mornington Peninsula include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from across the nation. It makes for a warm, inclusive, wise, curious and open community with remarkable cultural leaders, like Peter Aldenhoven and Lionel Lauch, and those who embody that warmth and welcome in their every breath, like Uncle John McLean and Aunty Helen Bnads.…