Month: October 2016

A RYE woman has won the Dame Phyllis Frost Award for her project The One Tonne Challenge, which focuses on “giving back to the ocean by encouraging people to pick up rubbish at our beaches”. Josie Jones collected the award at Horsham, Saturday 15 October, in the annual Tidy Towns competition in which three Mornington Peninsula townships – Mornington, Hastings and Crib Point – were finalists in their categories. Horsham won the 48th Tidy Town Awards which are run by the Keep Australia Beautiful Council. Media personality Mark Mitchell was master of ceremonies. Ms Jones has a strong passion for…

IT is a stark statistic; 91 per cent of all women hate their bodies. That was the finding of Taryn Brumfitt who interviewed more than 5000 women on the subject while making her landmark film on body image, Embrace. The statistic was no surprise to one Mount Martha mother, Yasmin Chandler, who has suffered from a lifelong negative body image, and is only now breaking free from its effects. “It has taken up far too much of my life,” Yasmin said. “If I am raw about this, if I put myself out there, maybe other people will benefit from my…

A VOLUNTEER transport service which goes out of its way to get seniors out and about on the Mornington Peninsula has won an Age-Friendly Victoria award. Peninsula Transport Assist president Neil Toyne accepted the honour at a ceremony at Government House earlier this month. The service was formed to overcome two issues affecting peninsula residents without transport: the second highest proportion of elderlies in Victoria and the second lowest level of public transport. Added to this is the low proportion of taxis to residents. These factors combine to make getting around a tall order for a significant proportion of the…

ART lovers or anyone looking for a unique Christmas gift can enjoy two consecutive weekends of creative expression when 18 artists showcase their work for the Peninsula Studio Trail. About 20 artists from Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula will display their artwork, covering a range of mediums including painting, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, jewellery and printmaking. Some artists will demonstrate their techniques and take questions from visitors. One of the artists participating in the event, Mt Eliza author and publisher, designer, silk painter, printmaker, card designer and teacher Lorna Gerard, said the event was a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors…

VICTORIA’S longest serving police officers were honoured at a special morning tea at Parliament House last week. Police Minister Lisa Neville and Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton hosted the event in Queen’s Hall – where they thanked the officers for their dedication and service in keeping the community safe. Over their time the officers have witnessed changes in crime fighting techniques, including the introduction of random breath testing, drug testing and DNA profiling. It’s a whole new world. Among the 50 police honoured were Highway Patrol Sergeant Bruce Buchan, who has served at – among others stations – Frankston and the…

FENCES, trimming trees and erecting new warning signs are seen as the solution to crowd control at the Pillars diving and swimming spot on the cliffs at Mt Martha. Mornington Peninsula Shire has teamed up with the state government to spend $50,000 to lessen risks faced by the hundreds of mainly young people who flock to perch on the cliff faces on any sunny day. Police and shire rangers last summer booked hundreds of illegally parked cars on the Esplanade and surrounding streets, but the result has done little to counter the appeal of the Pillars. The scenic spot -…

NEW councillors elected to Mornington Peninsula Shire council will have half the support staff available to their predecessors. Council CEO Carl Cowie told councillors last week, just before council elections, that two councillor support positions will be made redundant. In an email, seen by The News, Mr Cowie said he had made a judgement call to make the council support team “even better” despite the loss of two jobs from a team of four female employees. All four positions were made redundant and the staff involved have been told they can apply for the two new jobs. “We have a…

NEW councillors elected this weekend who have never served on council may get a helping hand from mentorship services provided by a former Kingston councillor and mayor. Topsy Petchey, a four-time Kingston mayor and councillor for eight years until 2008, has been a consultant for hire to both Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Shire councils in the past few years. Her TePee Pty Ltd business offers mentorship, mediation and consultation advice and help for councils and companies. Frankston Council confirmed $59,695 was paid to Ms Petchey over two council terms, totalling eight years, for work done to assist council and councillors.…

AN exciting month is coming up for Mornington-based Aboriginal art group, Baluk Arts, as artists prepare to show off their works for the ‘On the MAP’ (Mornington Arts Precinct) project 10am-4pm Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 November. The event is dedicated to showcasing the region’s creative talents and offers the chance for weekend visitors to the peninsula to view the artwork, meet the artists and even have a go at making a weaving or painting a boomerang. Baluk Arts’s newest recruit, administration officer Tallara Gray, a descendant of the Yadhaigana People of Cape York, will also present her work for…

RAIN was the only winner in MPCA cricket on Saturday. There was some cricket played throughout the competition and there were some results, however most games ended in draws. Provincial In Provincial cricket, all matches ended in draws despite a few overs being bowled throughout the afternoon. Langwarrin got out in the middle against Baxter, chasing down 256 for victory. Play was ended with the home side 4/93, Simon McEvoy top scoring for the Kangas with 42. Dale Irving picked up a couple of wickets for Baxter while Chris Brittain and Justin Bridgeman snagged one each. The only other play…

The following letter has been received from W. L. Gregory by his parents: Just a line to tell you I am getting on as good as gold since I got smacked. I dare say you have got my card by this from the Convalescent Camp at Boulogne. I told you I would give you a description of what it was like when I wrote. To sum the whole thing up it was just like hell let loose. Anyone that reads about it at home cannot imagine what it was like. One division of Australians went in (I cannot name the…

SOMERVILLE student Ruby Stubbs, pictured, placed second in the CT60 combined training section at the State Interschool Equestrian Championships at the Victorian Equestrian Centre, Werribee, during the second term holidays in April. This earned her a spot in the Victorian Inter-school Equestrian team to compete at the national level in the event, which involves both dressage and show jumping. The Australian Equestrian Godolphin Championships were held during the September school holidays at the Sydney Olympic Equestrian Centre. Ruby, who attends Mornington Secondary School, prepared her horse Aljerrer Park Emirra to look its best for the trials. She rode exceptionally well…

SOME people have a goal in life they’re willing to work hard for, to give it their all, until it’s finally within their grasp. For 11 indigenous young men and women, that goal was achieved on Thursday 13 October when they graduated from recruit training in front of family, friends and the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC, RAN. For Seaman Star Marine Technician Jeff Andrews, the hard work was worth the effort. Awarded Recruit of the Intake and Sportsperson of the Intake, Andrews impressed with his performance, attitude, skill at motivating others and in helping fellow…

SOMERVILLE Primary School mum Leah Sherrin entered a competition to win the school a fully equipped mobile teaching kitchen valued at $25,000 – and she won. The national competition prize, donated by Nestle as part of its Healthy Active Kids program, was presented last week. The kitchen has a commercial convection oven for fast baking and cooking and an induction stove-top. It has a kitchen sink, clean and grey water tanks, lockable cupboards and drawers, child safe kitchen tools and utensils, and sturdy, lockable castor wheels. It allows cooking classes to be held anywhere in the school. Principal Sue Goodall…

Mornington police are investigating the theft of a television from a Mornington supermarket last month. Investigators have been told a man and a woman attended the Bungower Road shopping centre on Friday 9 September just after 12pm. Whilst in the store, the man selected a 55 inch television and placed it near the front entrance. The man waited until a customer walked through the entrance and opened the automatic doors before picking up the television and exited through the entrance. Police have released images of a man and a woman that they believe may be able to assist with their…

A COUNCILLOR running for re-election in Nepean ward says he spends most of his time in Rye despite also owning a property in Toorak. Cr Hugh Fraser said he spends most weeks on the peninsula and heads to Toorak “most weekends”. “I live at Rye. It’s a family house that my parents built in 1971,” Cr Fraser said. “My wife and I bought it from my parents in 1995.” The News asked Cr Fraser about his Toorak address after being contacted by several people in the lead up to council elections on 22 October claiming Cr Fraser lived in Toorak.…

TOUGH new dog bans in the Mornington Peninsula National Park from Tuesday 1 November aim to help endangered hooded plovers, Parks Victoria says. In March the Environment and Climate Change Minister announced that dogs would be banned across the entire Mornington Peninsula National Park to provide greater protection for vulnerable fauna species, including the endangered hooded plover. “The hooded plover population in the Mornington Peninsula National Park is one of the largest in Victoria, however, they have had one of the lowest levels of breeding success, compared to populations in other Victorian coastal areas largely due to the presence of…

PROVINCIAL MORNINGTON are just seven wickets away from a comprehensive victory against Pines in MPCA Provincial cricket after 13 wickets fell on the first day. The Doggies had the Piners reeling at 3/8 at the close of play after the visitors had to face the final six overs of the afternoon. The only good news for the Piners is that of the three wickets that fell, only one was a recognised batsman (Jarred Coad). Rhys Chalkley remains at the crease with Harley Peace-Stirling while Craig Entwistle and Damien Lawrence are still to come. The visitors will be chasing down 193…

DISTRICT RYE were taken back to the horrors of last season when they came up against Red Hill in MPCA District cricket on Saturday. Despite coming down a grade after being humiliated last season, the Demons wound back the clock a full year when it lost 16 wickets in a day for just 64 runs. The Demons were sent in to bat on the opening day of their match at Red Hill Reserve, lasting just 21.4 overs as they were bowled out for 32. Jarrod Saw with 14 was the only Rye bat to score double figures. Glen Collett was…

SUB-DISTRICT HASTINGS is on the verge of losing its round two match against Tootgarook in MPCA Sub District cricket. The day started alright when the Blues won the toss and elected to bat in good conditions. However, when skipper Robbie Hearn was dismissed for just one by AJ King, things didn’t get a lot better. Jake Hewitt was superb again for the home side in the middle order with 48 while Ashley Coles hit a very timely 61 after scoring 84 in the Seconds the week before. The Blues were eventually rolled for 164 in the 51st over. Matt Whelan…

A GUN accident, which resulted fatally, occurred at Mornington Junction on Saturday last. It appears that Mr H. Smith, a well known resident, took the gun from its place, saying that he would just have one shot. He went about 50 yards from the house, and on getting through a fence that was there must have caught the trigger in the wire, as the inmates heard a shot and on going to ascertain what was shot, found the unfortunate man quite dead, lying close to the fence. Death must have been instantaneous, as there were no signs of a struggle.…

STORM surges battered the much-maligned Mornington pier into submission again last week – causing more damage and forcing closure of the end section. Parks Victoria spokesman Lachlan Quick said during the severe weather on Monday 10 October, 10 wave panels were dislodged – with others still connected but damaged and likely to be removed. “This has impacted some of the timber decking as well,” he said. “The outer section of the pier has been closed to protect visitor safety and engineering inspections are continuing today and in coming days.” Divers were in the water Friday assessing the latest damage. New…

A $US12,000 basketball shooting machine at Mornington Secondary College is taking students’ skills to new heights. The imported US equipment, donated by former student Martin Scanlon, is a focal point at the morning Basketball Academy training sessions. It can be adjusted for speed, different angles, and ball returns giving students a range of shooting experiences in pre-set timeframes. “I grew up in Mornington and went to the school here and saw the kids training in the morning and wondered how I could support them,” Mr Scanlon said. “I think there is a real opportunity for the kids to improve using…

SIX of the Mornington Peninsula’s most striking gardens will be showcased next month during the Garden Design Fest. The event will be held over two weekends with the peninsula gardens open 10am-5pm on the first weekend: 12-13 November. The event, which will feature more than 30 gardens across the state, is organised by the Rotary Clubs of Kew, Brighton North and Central Melbourne, and raises money for charity while encouraging innovation and responsible gardening. Mornington landscape gardener Steve Taylor, who will open his garden in Tallis Drive, said the peninsula was renowned for its magnificent gardens, many of which complemented…

FRANKSTON and the Mornington Peninsula have emerged as “hot spots” for a flesh-eating bacteria that leaves sufferers disfigured and has doctors baffled. Variously known as the Bairnsdale ulcer, the Daintree ulcer and the Baruli ulcer, the infectious disease is affecting up to four residents a week in the Frankston and on the peninsula. Data from the Department of Health shows that 42 cases have been reported in Mornington so far this year, up from 33 last year. In Frankston, there have been 12 cases, up from seven last year. State-wide there were 106 cases of the infection last year while…

LIKE many mums, Mornington’s Michelle Bendell held her breath when her son Sidney started school this year. And just like thousands of parents, she was anxious – but hopeful – that education would give her son the chance to grow, learn, make friends and become independent. But, without the early learning intervention that was provided to her son, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, that first day at a mainstream school may never have happened. Ms Bendell and her husband Justin realised as soon as their son was diagnosed that early intervention was the key to helping the family deal with…

A DRUG conviction for a crime committed nearly 40 years ago has become an election issue for one of the three vacant Briars ward seats on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. However, judging by comments posted to social media, an obvious attempt to smear candidate Leigh Eustace (pictured) may have backfired. Most people involved in the online debate since last Wednesday’s revelations of Mr Eustace’s conviction for trafficking heroin have argued that he has paid his dues and his three years spent in jail should not be held against him. “This is a sad day for local government. A lovely guy…

AUSTRALIA’s favourite beach son and multi-award winning author Tim Winton enthralled a sold-out crowd at Safety Beach Sailing Club last week when he chatted with the ABC’s Paul Kennedy. The launch event was part of Winton’s national tour of his newly released non-fiction book, The Boy Behind the Curtain, which gives a rare insight into the man behind 28 books, written over a 34-year period. An autobiographical account of his upbringing in Western Australia, the book also reveals the characters and events behind some of his bestselling novels. At the Safety Beach launch, Winton spoke candidly about some of the…

THE creepy clown phenomenon is concerning police, with their antics alarming motorists and passers-by. Reports of the clowns holding fake knives and cap guns and terrifying motorists along Frankston-Dandenong Rd, Carrum Downs, came to light Monday afternoon last week. The trio was said to be standing on the side of the road in full view of passing motorists. They ran off before police arrived. Senior Sergeant Kim Young, of Frankston police, said wearing a clown outfit was not necessarily against the law – it “has to be taken in context and depends on what they are doing”, she said.   …

WORKS to build a 97-metre rock revetment to protect Craigie beach’s ageing seawall have begun. The six-week works are part of the state government’s coastal environment program, which oversees protection and repair of the coastline. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s coastal project officer Jacky Priestley said the works would help protect the Craigie beach seawall from strong waves. He said the original stone seawall was about 50 years old. “The seawall was designed to protect the cliff faces from large, powerful waves which, over time, can erode the cliffs and compromise the road, walking trails, and assets above,”…