Day: December 7, 2015

SUB-DISTRICT DROMANA and Hastings are locked together at the top of the MPCA Sub District ladder after round five wrapped up on Saturday. In a very even 2015-16 competition, a buffer at the top of the table and early wins before Christmas are just what the clubs are looking for. The Blues weren’t overly impressive in their match against Balnarring, however they still scraped together enough for the 12 points. Dromana proved just how tight the competition was, humiliated by Frankston YCW. The Stonecats are just outside of third place on percentage after picking up the very important win against…

DISTRICT BADEN Powell and Red Hill remain clear at the top of the MPCA District ladder after recording easy victories on Saturday. The Braves and Hillmen are 12 points clear of their nearest rivals Pearcedale, who also recovered to win comfortably. Flinders and Heatherhill round out the top five. There are four teams all on 24 points, just one game outside of the top four. Red Hill was just 71 runs short of victory with 10 wickets in hand against Seaford Tigers when play resumed at Red Hill Reserve. Whilst the Tigers tried to make life difficult for the home…

PROVINCIAL PENINSULA Old Boys shot to the top of the MPCA Provincial ladder on Saturday after picking up an outright victory over Pines. The Old Boys already had the win on week one of the match after bowling out the visitors for 87 before declaring their innings on 7/104. Pines resumed on Saturday in a reasonable position of 2/52 with Nick Wilcox and Rhys Chalkley at the crease. Chalkley went quickly for one and Wilcox followed shortly after, making 49. The Pines’ middle order was resilient before POB eventually bowled them out for 189. Needing about 170 to pick up…

Now in its second year, the Sorrento Spiegel Zelt is celebrating with a show that is even bigger and more spectacular! This summer, the very special Spiegeltent is presenting a hit show that has wowed audiences in more than a dozen countries around the world – LIMBO UP CLOSE! After a sell out season last year, make sure you book early and secure your tickets for this amazing night of theatre.  You are guaranteed to be blown away by the world of cabaret, burlesque, circus, music, dancers, acrobats and singers, all contained in a fast-moving show in the glorious and…

A wire has been received by the friends of Sergeant Alex O. Kerr, that he is sick, and was removed to Malta by the hospital ship, on the 29th November. *** MISS Beatrice Andrews has succeeded in passing the junior division of the Trinity College of Music, London. This is the second examination Miss Andrews has passed this year. *** INTENDING competitors at the Frankston New Year’s Day Sports are reminded that entries for the wood chops close on Monday next, 13th inst. and for the Pedestrian and Wheel events on Thursday December 16th. *** IN the latest casualty list…

THE Beleura cliff path, Mornington, remains officially closed, despite being used by many people each day. Safety barriers erected by Mornington Peninsula Shire have been pushed aside, providing access to the cracked and crumbling bitumen path up the steep cliff. Its use is expected to increase over summer but the shire has yet to say when, or if, the seriously eroded path will be repaired and made safe. The previous mayor Cr Bev Colomb has praised the state government for a $50,000 grant, although Mornington MP David Morris says the amount falls well short of the amount needed. A public…

LEADERS from six major religions went to a mosque in Langwarrin to explain the role their faith was taking to promote peace. President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of Australia Inam-ul-Haq Kauser said “the majority” of Muslims were peaceful and that terrorist attacks had nothing to do with Islam. “There are only a handful of [Muslims] who are troublemakers, who are creating the whole trouble,” Imam Kauser said in his keynote address at the Conference of World Religions at the Bait-ul-Salam (House of Peace) Mosque on Sunday 29 November. The theme of the conference – attended by 350 community leaders, including…

WE take for granted that water will flow from the tap when it’s turned on. It’s a welcome blessing in a first world country. But that luxury is unknown to impoverished villagers in Ethiopia, leading to a daily chore for women and girls who must fetch water for their families from the nearest well. The task can be dangerous and exhausting as the wells can be far from the safety of home. The time taken means girls are often forced to neglect their schooling and leading to them missing opportunities open only to those with an education. Health is also…

BEACHGOERS and boaters are being warned to take care around water in the summer months ahead. The 2014-15 Drowning Report released last week by the state government highlighted some disturbing trends. Overall the number of drowning deaths fell to 39 compared to 47 in 2013-14 and 35 men died with alcohol and risky behaviour contributing factors in several deaths. Nine deaths were boating related drownings. Most drownings occurred off coastal areas (49 per cent) compared to inland waterways (31 per cent). Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett said “the loss of a loved one through drowning is a tragedy”. “Thousands of…

THE flowers were well and truly blooming and gardeners smiling at Mornington’s Botanical Rose Gardens when receiving an international award on Thursday 12 November. The World Federation of Rose Societies’ Award of Garden Excellence recognises exceptional standard of the rose gardens from a historical, educational and visual point of view. Mornington’s award is just the third presented in Australia since the awards began in 1995 and places Mornington among 60 rose gardens world to receive it in the world. At the presentation, World Federation of Rose Societies president Kelvin Trimper predicted the Mornington gardens would see a rise in the…

SILVIE Paladino will perform at Mornington Carols in the Park, 6-8.30pm, Saturday 12 December, at Mornington Park, Schnapper Point Drive (Melway 104 D10). She will sing her Christmas favourites at the fun, free event for the whole family. Carols start at 6.30pm. Attractions include a children’s animal farm, face painting, balloon artists and roving performers, colouring competition and letters to Santa. There will be heaps of prizes and giveaways and a visit from Santa in his very own vintage sleigh. BYO picnic and a blanket, or enjoy a tasty treat from one of the many food vendors. Battery operated candles…

NEXT year’s The News Mornington Art Show will open with the atmosphere of a “razzle dazzle party”. The jazz will be played by the Balnarring Bakery group, gourmet food and refreshments will be served throughout the night and more than 800 paintings will be available for sale. John Renowden of Mornington Rotary Club said the paintings covered all media and were priced from “a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand dollars”. The show opens 7pm Thursday 21 January. “The quality of artwork already entered is very high,” Mr Renowden said. “Entries range from traditional landscapes, seascapes and still life…

Words and picture: Barry Irving THIRTY-three Mornington Peninsula war veterans gathered at Rye RSL on Saturday to take part in a photographic record of surviving World War II veterans. The event recognised 100 years of the ANZAC spirit. Hundreds of veterans had their portraits taken by volunteer photographers on the day which was organised by the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers. The veterans were given copies of their portrait. The portraits will be presented to the RSL and the Australian War Museum where they will be exhibited as part of a remembrance work to honour the service that this generation…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s first All Abilities Come and Try Sports Day, Wednesday, at Civic Reserve Recreation Centre, Mornington, was a big success. People with disabilities, carers, families and friends attended the free event to celebrate International Day of People with a Disability. It aimed to make the most of the facilities at the leisure centre as well as feature a range of accessible activities. “The shire acknowledges the tremendous support of local sports clubs and associations, disability groups and the community,” said Cr Antonella Celi, who is the council’s representative on the All Abilities Consultative Committee. The theme of the…

WILDLIFE authorities are on the lookout for the person who harpooned a seal found wounded at Chinaman’s Hat, a resting platform in Port Phillip between Sorrento and Queenscliff. The harpoon was still lodged in the seal’s back and a second wound near its shoulder blades indicated it had been hit twice. The badly bleeding seal was first spotted at about 10am on Saturday 28 November by Troy Muir while conducting a tour with his family company Polperro Dolphin Swims. David Donnelly, a marine wildlife consultant with the Dolphin Research Institute was first on the scene and called in Melbourne Zoo’s…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Graham Pittock and his council colleague Hugh Fraser have backed Australia’s stand at the Paris climate talks. Mingling with world leaders at the United Nations climate change conference (COP 21), the two councillors have “thrown their support behind” a strategy outlined to the conference by Environment Minister and Flinders MP, Greg Hunt. Cr Pittock said the National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy was “invaluable” to local government and, in particular, to the shire which has 10 per cent of Victoria’s coastline. The shire is one of 10 Australian municipalities invited to send representatives to the talks…

A SIEGE at a Rye cafe ended on Saturday afternoon with the surrender of a 69-year-old who had allegedly held two women hostage for almost eight hours. Police said the two women were released through the front door at about 3.20pm, followed shortly after by their alleged captor. The man, allegedly armed with two low calibre handguns, was later charged by police and remanded to appear in Frankston Court on Monday, charged with two counts of unlawful imprisonment and firearm offences. Police said the outcome, achieved without any injuries, showed the value of patience and negotiation in hostage situations. “The…

A ROSEBUD mother “went into panic mode” on 11 November when she feared her autistic son had been left on the school bus unattended – again. Belinda Hunt, whose son, Kaileb, 9, attends Peninsula Specialist College, Dromana and was being picked up and dropped off by a private school bus each day, says she now does the job herself. In March, he was “missed” by the driver of the Westernport Road Lines at school drop-off and spent either 50 minutes or several hours – depending on who’s asked – alone at the back of the bus parked at the depot.…

MAYGAN Garland is 19. She has just completed year 12 and loves fashion and writing. However, unlike many others her age Maygan has always faced challenges. “It was the happiest day of my life when I gave birth to a healthy baby girl. She grew and did all the things you would expect and people would stop me in the street to tell me what a beautiful baby she was,” Maygan’s mother Fiona Garland says. “One night she got sick and my baby girl’s whole life changed. By morning, Maygan was in an induced coma fighting for her life. “She…

A MT MARTHA woman who came to the aid of a fellow motorcyclist seriously injured in a collision was honoured for her bravery at Parliament House last week. The rider lost his leg, but Pamela Boyle’s actions in stemming his blood loss – using her husband’s belt as a tourniquet – almost certainly saved his life. She was among 13 Victorians to receive awards out of 155 nominations. Ambulance Services minister Jill Hennessy presented them with Community Hero medals and certificates in the ceremony which was also attended by the patients  they helped in their time of need. Ms Boyle…