WOMEN facing family violence or homelessness are waiting up to 17 months for crisis accommodation as demand surges on the Mornington Peninsula and across the state. Providers say women victims are the hidden faces of the accommodation and cost-of-living crisis and are often forced to stay in dangerous relationships. The peninsula has one small crisis accommodation centre in Mornington, but Southern Peninsula Community Support CEO Jeremy Maxwell says it is mainly used for rough sleepers and not suitable for women escaping unsafe situations. He says many women are forced to stay in violent and unsafe homes because they have nowhere…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
THE time-worn adage that it “takes a village to raise a child” is the unofficial motto of youth specialist officers on the Mornington Peninsula who are leading the way in proactive policing and initiative based support of young people. Along with youth resource officers, specialist officers like Somerville’s Senior Constable Trent Delaney work directly with young offenders to prevent recidivism and get them back on track. They work mainly with 10 to 20 year old offenders involved in serious crimes and network offending, including evading police, assaults, aggravated burglaries, carjackings and anti-social behaviour. Delaney says he has a genuine and…
PENINSULA Aero Club wants to widen the north/south runway at Tyabb Airport. In a planning application to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council PAC asks permission to add three metre wide constructed shoulders to either side of the 10 metre wide runway. Long time airport watcher Brewis Atkinson believes the widened and strengthened runway will lead to more commercial and training aircraft using the airport. Atkinson wants objectors to the plan to urge the shire to impose curfews on the use of the airport by non-emergency flights; set an annual cap of 18,000 take-offs and landings (with touch-and-go counting as two movements);…
A 21-year-old man has his car immediately impounded after he was caught speeding more then 80km/h over the speed limit in Dromana this morning. Somerville Highway Patrol officers clocked a Hyundai i30 sedan travelling at 181km/h in a 100km zone on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway about 3.30am. Officers spoke to the driver, who holds a probationary licence, and immediately impounded his car. The Prahran man is expected to be charged on summons with speed dangerous, exceed speed and other related traffic offences. Victoria Police News – Wednesday 4 October 2023
A FRIDGE magnet is being used to let vulnerable people and families know where to get help. The magnets being distributed to all households in Capel Sound are designed for those “struggling with social isolation, ageing, mental health issues and economic concerns”. A small sub-group within the Capel Sound Community Group identified people facing those issues as being the most vulnerable and also the most likely to not know where to find help. “Our local community centres can help with that, but people needed support to even find who to ask,” group secretary Bettyanne Foster said. “We had lots of…
DROMANA Community House is running a program to lighten the load for families and individuals struggling to make ends meet. The weekly Grab and Go program turns donated food into hot meals for the needy, with time-poor families able to “grab and go” from 4pm to 4.30pm. Community house manager Tracey Trueman services had been ramped up at the house as food poverty grew locally. “Over 70 families are collecting weekly on Thursdays from 10 am to 10.30am and our pop-up cart is stocked and well visited by the community seven days a week,” she said. In addition, the pop-up…
SOCCER THE longest serving president in Seaford United’s history will step down at the club’s AGM next month. Willie Lynn and wife Liz have been involved with Seaford since 1978 and Willie is in the 16th year of a second stint as president having previously served for 10 years. Liz has served several terms on the committee and has turned her hand to almost every volunteer job at the club. The Lynns arrived in Melbourne from their native Scotland in August 1977 and North Seaford Reserve became their home away from home just a few months later. It’s been like…
Permit solution a remedy for peninsula’s housing shortage Our Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor, Cr Steve Holland, laments the proposed 7.5 per cent tax on short stay accommodation and adds that it will do nothing to fix the housing crisis (“Overnight tax ‘bad for business’” The News 26/9/23). Of course not. Short stay accommodation is an easy and lucrative way of making money out of tourism and the state, which contributes to tourism, is simply getting in on the act and raising revenue. Tourists are there for no other reason than to be exploited. On the other hand, the mayor is…
A 24-year-old man has his car immediately impounded after he was caught speeding more then 80km/h over the speed limit in Mount Martha this morning. Somerville Highway Patrol officers clocked a Mitsubishi sedan travelling at 185km/h in a 100km zone on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway about 2.45am. Officers spoke to the driver and immediately impounded his car. A Clyde man is expected to be charged on summons with speed dangerous, exceed speed and other related traffic offences. Victoria Police News – Tuesday 3 October 2023
THE Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula wasted no time last week in congratulating Jacinta Allan on her new job as state premier. The lobby group said Allan’s appointment was an opportunity to “collaborate” with the government on a “long list of major advocacy projects” for Frankston and the peninsula. “The committee seeks a renewed focus and consultative approach by the state government on addressing the major challenges and opportunities within our region, including better connectivity and public transport, more funding for housing on the peninsula, unlocking port-zoned land to create local jobs, better access to health and education opportunities,…
ALONG with the warmer weather, snakes are emerging from months of inactivity to search for food and a mate. Many snakes stop eating over winter and conserve energy by not moving around as much, although they may come out and bask on a warm sunny day in the middle of winter. The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) last week said snakes were more visible during warmer months but were rarely a threat. “Snakes prefer to keep away from people. They rely on external sources like the sun to give them energy,” senior wildlife projects officer, Katherine Whittaker…
MEMBERS of the Progressives of the Peninsula group have launched their Just Ask campaign as a way to “engage the disengaged, the undecideds and the No voters” before the 14 October Voice to Parliament referendum. “Our democracy relies on informed voters. Rather than push a Yes or No position, we merely provide people with information,” the group’s chair Dr Sarah Russell said after the campaign launch outside Dromana Community Market on 23 September. Members of the Progressives display If You Don’t Know, Ask Here signs and wear If You Don’t Know, Just Ask t-shirts. “Although I believe informed and compassionate…
POLICE are appealing for anyone with dash cam footage to come forward following a cyclist incident on Sunday 1 October. It is believed that about 11.10am a 70-year-old male cyclist was travelling west on Point Nepean Road in Blairgowrie, near the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, and has fallen headfirst over the handle bars of his bicycle. He sustained serious injuries. Anyone with dashcam footage or information about the incident is urged to contact Sergeant Michelle Bradley at the Rosebud Police Station on 5986 0444. First published in the Mornington News – 3 October 2023
MANY Mornington Peninsula cyclists are gearing up for the Around the Bay bike ride on Sunday 8 October. Some, like Carly and Rob Jordan and their daughter, have signed on because of the enjoyment they get from completing as a family. Carly and now 11-year-old daughter Laila completed the 50-kilometre ride last year, while dad Dan completed the 300km ride. This year is Laila’s third ride, after she completed the 20-kilometre distance with her dad and older sister Mia in 2019. Next month, Carly and Laila will do it all again on the 50-kilometre ride with family friends Kady and…
U3A Mornington art show committee will hold a visual art show on Friday 13 October, to be opened by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council mayor Cr Steve Holland and Mornington MP Chris Crewther. Other councillors, U3A tutors, exhibiting artists and members from the art and other classes have been invited to attend. Selected pieces of art, including photographic art, will be on sale, and there will be opportunities to chat with artists and have morning or afternoon tea. The show is open 10am to 3pm on 13 and 14 October, during the National Seniors Festival, at Currawong Community Centre, Currawong Street,…
ROSEBUD skater Lenny Richardson wants help to get back to the business of helping others and supporting young people in and around Rosebud. The former skate shop owner and competition organiser’s life has taken a tumble since he was evicted from the shop he ran at Rosebud Plaza, forcing his not-for-profit business into limbo. Richardson operated the Janice Earth Community, which ran free skate events at Rosebud skate park and put through more than $50,000 in prizes and money over the past 10 years. Through his advocacy and financial support, he has been able to have the skate park upgraded…
Victoria Police is promising a major crackdown on drink and drug driving over the AFL Grand Final long weekend. Operation Scoreboard, which kicks off tomorrow, will see police conducting widespread roadside alcohol and drug testing across the state. Victorians celebrating the AFL Grand Final are being warned there will be zero tolerance for drink and drug driving, and motorists should expect to be tested while out on the roads this weekend. It comes as the number of lives lost on Victorian roads has soared to a seven-year high, with 210 fatalities to date in 2023, 27 higher than the same…
THE Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has raised competition concerns if the Rye Hotel is bought by the Endeavour Group, which also owns liquor retailers BWS and Dan Murphy’s. The Rye Hotel includes a hotel and adjoining independent drive-through liquor store operating under the Thirsty Camel brand. Endeavour operates BWS Rye, the other major liquor store in the area. The ACCC is concerned that the proposed acquisition would likely substantially lessen competition in the supply of takeaway liquor in the Rye area. It is believed that in July Endeavour agreed to pay long-time owner Peter Houghton around $50 million for…
A PROMINENT Liberal Party leader and the CEO of the Hastings-based Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association joined forces last week in urging a Yes vote in next month’s Voice to Parliament referendum. Former Liberal ACT Chief Minister, Kate Carnell AO, said it was “a very Liberal thing to do, to vote Yes on 14 October”. Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association CEO Peter Aldenhoven said the referendum offered “hope, change, opportunity and possibility”. Carnell and Aldenhoven spoke at the second Voice public forum held at Rosebud by the Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN). SWAN member Judith Graley said all speakers at the forum…
A NEW cycling program that uses two-seater bicycles is helping to giving aged-care residents at Balnarring Arcare a fun and supported way to get outdoors and back into the community. Cycling Without Age is a not-for-profit group that provides a community service that connects older or less mobile people with their community by giving them free rides on trishaw ebikes, piloted by volunteer cyclists. The program started at Balnarring earlier this month and was clearly enjoyed by all involved, said activities coordinator Gail Perry. Perry said the program was helped by volunteers and provided safe, free and universal access to…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has reacted with caution to the state government’s decision to remove the requirement for planning permits on second homes or granny flats. Under the changes, granny flats will be allowed in large backyards without a permit, with some restrictions. Hastings MP Paul Mercurio said the new rules meant people would have extra space for a growing family or somewhere “when the kids visit”. In comments posted to Facebook on Friday 22 September, Mercurio said there were some restrictions, with the permit-free granny flat only permitted it if was less than 60 square metres. It is believed…
SOCCER STATE 4 South outfit Chelsea has lured high-profile coaching guru Stuart Munro to its ranks. The local club announced his arrival as technical director late last week. Munro boasts a celebrated career both as a professional footballer and coach. The Scot played with St Mirren and Alloa before establishing himself with Glasgow giant Rangers where he played for seven and a half years. He also played with Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City before coming to Australia in 1997 to join Sydney United. Munro’s coaching CV includes stints at Gippsland Falcons, Carlton, Parramatta Power, South Melbourne, Oakleigh Cannons, Dandenong Thunder,…
AT just 12 years old, Jackson Martin from Arthurs Seat is already a hit in the world of squash. The talented young sport star will next week represent Victoria at the Australian Individual and Teams Championships in Brisbane. Jackson has set his sights on finishing in the top 10 of the more than 250 competitors from all over Australia. The grade six student at Red Hill Consolidated School has been honing his skills at Tonic Squash and Gym in Dromana under the eye of his mother, Amelia Pittock, who was once world-ranked number 26. She describes Jackson’s journey into the…
THE Mount Martha women took on a Yarraville side that had only conceded four goals all season to decide who would be crowned State 5 Metropolitan champions at the home of the Matilda’s. Two long range goals from Indie Jowett saw Mount Martha go in at half time 2-0 up. As expected, Yarraville came out in the second half with a point to prove and clawed a goal back in the 48th minute. Not to be denied a two goal buffer Mount Martha scored straight from kick off. Yarraville could not deal with a delightful long ball from Indie Jowett…
Shire officers’ reports should be open to scrutiny If and when [Mornington Peninsula Shire Council] officers write a report, irrespective if it highlights misconduct, waste of resources, incompetence and, if allowed constructive criticism of procedures, office mismanagement and the like, from the CEO down to lower ranks of employees, they should all be subject to scrutiny and KPI performances. These officers reports should and must be able to be questioned and face scrutiny without fear or favour in an open public meeting. As paid officers of the shire their wages are paid out of ratepayers’ funds, and indeed from CEO…
OFTEN referred to as the men’s shed on wheels, the Sorrento Bay Riders and their cycling mates from around the Mornington Peninsula are leading the charge to raise money to support the Making a Difference programs at Victoria’s The Portsea Camp. Led by philanthropist Max Beck, the riders will hit the road on Sunday 1 October for the annual Sorrento Bay Riders Portsea Camp Challenge. The 65km for 65 children charity ride around some of peninsula’s most picturesque roads aims to raise $50,000 for inclusive wellness and camping programs, which work to build confidence, promote healthy bodies, healthy minds, and…
GRAFFITI removal and building maintenance contractors are being sought by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. The three-tender process is part of the council’s efforts to ensure peninsula residents and visitors enjoy “safe, clean and efficient buildings”. The council’s infrastructure maintenance services contract ends on 30 June 2024, with the council saying it is moving to working more directly with suppliers and contractors in a “shared risk” approach to the maintenance of more than 500 habitable buildings and 600 other structures like sheds, shelters and public toilets. Successful tenders will cover building maintenance across a range of services, including graffiti management. Graffiti…
Tony Duboudin A NEWLY formed quartet will feature works by Haydn, Beethoven and Schubert in a concert to be presented by Somers Chamber Music Society at Saint Mark’s Anglican Church, Balnarring, at 2.30pm on Sunday 8 October. The Hakea Quartet was formed by young musicians who are embarking on their performing careers. This group of performers – Fergus Ascot, Emma Amery, Sandra Ionescu and Sara Barbagallo – are graduates of, or finalising their studies at, the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and perform regularly in youth orchestras and teach. Several have won awards and studied overseas. The Hakea Quartet’s 8 October…
Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Steve Holland says that Premier Dan Andrews’ plan to introduce a 7.5 per cent short stay accommodation tax will do “nothing” to fix the housing crisis. Holland said last Monday’s (20 September) announcement was a “huge disappointment” and would severely impact the “struggling tourism and hospitality sectors”. He said the levy would override the shire’s short stay rental local law and fail to solve the housing and rental affordability problem. The 7.5 per cent levy could add an estimated $42 a night for stays on the peninsula. “That’s $42 a night not contributing to our…
MOUNT Martha man Sebastian “Sabe” Saitta has been recognised for his selfless act of bravery 27 years ago when he stepped in to protect two female prison officers taken hostage by two offenders at Townsville Correctional Centre. On the day in question, Saitta – a former member of the Defence force and known as Sammy to his corrections’ colleagues – was a 34-year-old officer in charge of the maximum division, with experience in negotiation and de-escalation. Taking on the role of main hostage negotiator, Saitta disarmed one of the offenders who was holding a makeshift knife to a female prison…