TOOTGAROOK’S McCann family have a lot to smile about thanks to the special care nursery at Frankston Hospital. Both of the McCann’s babies spent time at the hospital’s special care nursery after birth difficulties, and are now happy and healthy young boys. The McCann’s are encouraging people to support Mt Eliza’s Rotary Club’s Kids Fun Run with K163 for the hospital in March at Moorooduc. First child Harrison, now 18 months, was born at 34 weeks, while second baby, Leo, came into the world at just 31 weeks and spent six days in January at Frankston Hospital. “Because he was…
Author: MP News Group
FARMERS near Buckleys Reserve, Merricks North, are being trained to kill foxes and rabbits. The training is part of a feral control project by members of Merricks Coolart Catchment Landcare Group. Dismayed by the high rates of native wildlife loss on the Mornington Peninsula, the group has received approval to implement feral controls, including culling. The project is being funded by the Port Phillip & Western Port Catchment Management Authority through the federal government’s National Landcare Program. “This is a great chance for landholders to work together to take positive action that will benefit local indigenous animals,” Landcare group president…
BERG Mount Martha – Sunday working bee information – Sunday 12 February 9am – 12pm WHERE: Meet in carpark at end of Seppelt Ave, as working on hillside above 1st oval. WHEN: Anytime between 9.00am and 12.00pm. Come for the whole morning or for an hour or so. ACTIVITIES: We shall be removing Rock Rose (Cistus Psilosepalus) and a bit of Flax-leaf Broom from the Kotor hillside down towards lower reaches of Hopetoun Creek and if time, from the slope below Hilton Crt. As usual you can choose an activity that suits you: Weeding cut & paint, hand-weed, stacking removed plants and/or bagging…
By Ben Triandafillou THE Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League has been hard at work upgrading the BlueScope Reserve, including the installation of an infield irrigation system, which was greatly assisted by volunteers within the community. Contributing to the improvements at BlueScope Reserve, the Federal Government’s $150,000 Stronger Communities Program, the outstanding support from the Asset Manager of BlueScope Steel, Ron Bange, and the various volunteers that lent their time, has helped provide another great facility for the community to utilise. “I am delighted the Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League has received $9,519 funding that will support a number of local…
By Ben Triandafillou NOW in its third year, The Little Jetstar’s competition has expanded to allow entrants from Melbourne’s Eastern Metropolitan region a chance to meet some “Big Heroes”, including sporting icon, Western Bulldog’s premiership player and 2016 Norm Smith Medallist, Jason Johannisen. The local Little Athletics clubs will have the opportunity to enter into the competition with five lucky winners receiving an exclusive training session for them and 15 other friends, led by a Jetstar “Big Hero”, who are some of Australia’s most well-known athletes. Participants also go into the running for a monthly prize, a $200 Jetstar travel…
By Ben Triandafillou THE Red Hill Junior Football Club has announced an exciting three year partnership with the exceptional Coaching Development program, Dynamic Footy Skills. The program will be delivered by highly experienced AFL, VFL and current TAC Cup coaches whose extensive knowledge in junior football development will help the club reach their goal of providing the best coaching experience on the Mornington Peninsula. Dynamic Footy Skills are currently working with an AFL Club Junior Academy to ensure that the latest AFL training techniques and tips are being bought to Red Hill. The Red Hill Junior Football Club is grateful…
A SECTION of Buckley Reserve in Merricks has been cordoned off after asbestos was found to have been illegally dumped. The 40cm section of asbestos roofing was uncovered while workmen were clearing a fuel break. They believe it has been there for many years. It is not known if the piece is part of a larger dump nearby, but protocols mean the area must be cordoned off with tape. “This small sample is at the low end of risk to the public but the area has been cordoned off to exclude public access and minimise any potential risk to visitors,”…
A JEEP Cherokee, Audi sedan and a Ducati motorcycle were stolen from a Mt Martha house during a series of break-ins overnight Saturday 4 February. Thieves broke into the Cornwall Crescent house and stole keys to the vehicles before driving off. Another car, of unknown make, was stolen from Somerset Drive. Detective Senior Sergeant Allan Paxton said up to 10 cars were broken into during the raids in Sherwood Crescent and Somerset Drive, from 11pm Saturday to 6am Sunday. At this stage it is not known what items were stolen. First published in the Western Port News – 7 February…
FIRE crews fought a “small” blaze at the Somerville Recreation and Community Centre on Sunday 5 February. Detectives from the Somerville CIU are investigating the blaze which started in the kitchen and office area of the Edward St premises about 4.55pm. Incident controller Jason Fevola said two officers used breathing apparatus to enter the building. He said office materials may have been used to light the fire which was restricted to benchtops. The recreation centre and basketball stadium is being rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in May 2016. A 14-year-old Somerville girl was charged with lighting the fire which…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie THE match of the day in the opening round of the local league season between Rosebud Heart and Baxter has been transferred to Baxter Park. Originally scheduled as a Heart home game the unavailability of Truemans Road Reserve due to cricket and council work has forced the switch of the Saturday 25 March showdown. Heart has the better derby record having won three of the four clashes highlighted by a thumping 7-1 demolition of its arch rival in 2015 with hat-tricks to Dave Greening and Simon O’Donnell. Baxter’s one win came in the same season, a…
Mt Martha will be playing the blues again on February 25th. What could be better than sunshine, the beautiful setting of The Briars homestead, the very best local food and drink, plus awesome fun stuff for the kids for a family day out? World class blues music– that’s what! Back for a fantastic fifth year, Blues At The Briars in Mount Martha on Saturday February 25 will be the biggest and best to date with a jaw-dropping, toe-tapping line-up. Watch out for Owen Campbell who captured the nation’s heart with his run on Australia’s Got Talent and Gail Page who…
Australia’s foremost jazz vocalist, Vince Jones, is heading to the peninsula on March 9, leading a celebration of one of rock’s greatest music performers, Van Morrison. With his reputation as a remarkable interpreter of jazz songs, Jones will lead the specially formed seven-piece Astral Orchestra, spearheaded by musical director, Matt McMahon, as they bring to life two of Van’s most cherished albums, Astral Weeks and Moondance. “The first of Van Morrison’s albums I had access to was Astral Weeks when I was 17, and it intrigued me that he used jazz guys for that album,” said Jones. “I thought he…
MT ELIZA Anglican Church on Nepean Highway, Mt Eliza, will hold its annual fete, 9.30am-1.30pm, Saturday 25 February. On offer will be homemade treats, trash and treasure, barbecue and café, plants, jewellery, gifts and pony rides at the church on the corner of Koetong Parade. Last October the St James The Less congregation celebrated 150 years since the laying of the cornerstone of the small white church. The site was given by a Captain Edward Lintott. A committee was formed, money raised, and an architect appointed. Clay for the bricks came from the site of Peninsula School. The original building…
A RISE in the number of flying fox deaths and injuries has prompted a plea for residents to use smaller aperture wildlife-safe netting to protect fruit trees. Flying foxes play an important ecological role by pollinating native trees. “Delayed eucalypt flowering this season may mean fruit bats and birds are more likely to seek food and nectar from fruit trees, leading them to become entrapped,” Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning manager Suriya Vij said. “Deaths and injuries caused by fruit netting can easily be prevented through the use of the right net type which has five millimetre by…
RESIDENTS and visitors to the Mornington Peninsula are being asked to help native wildlife affected by high temperatures. Prolonged heat can makes animals appear lethargic, disorientated or unresponsive, so it’s important to take care when helping them. Tree-dwelling and nocturnal animals, such as possums and koalas, which are suffering from heat stress, may be seen on the ground during the day searching for water. Birds will often pant and stretch their wings to cool down. To help, place bowls of water around shady areas and spray mist into trees and shrubs from a garden hose. Place small animals which appear…
ROSEBUD and Mornington libraries are holding weekly baby time sessions. The sessions at the four peninsula libraries are designed to help a baby’s mind grow by learning new words, singing songs and developing language and concentration. The 30-minute baby time sessions are for children aged up to 12 months. Baby time will be held at 2pm on Thursdays at Hastings; 11am Mondays at Rosebud; 11am Fridays, Mornington; and 2pm on the first Thursday of the month at Somerville. Sessions are free and no bookings are required, details ourlibrary.mornpen.vic.gov.au First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 7 February 2017
THERE’S Magic in the Air. That’s the name of an upcoming concert to showcase the talents of peninsula children and teens, and, in the long run, inspiring them to dream and achieve. In the lead-up to the concert, 10-19 year olds who can dance, sing, play an instrument, juggle or MC, are invited to apply to audition on stage before their schools and families at Mornington radio station RPP FM, 1-5pm, Sunday 19 February. A maximum 20 places are available and bookings are essential. The audition will lead on to the Can Do Kids family event at the Peninsula Community…
TWO recent jet-ski collisions have prompted a plea from police for riders to be extra careful. Last week, a 16-year-old girl received serious injuries and was taken to hospital after a collision at Rye, at about 3pm on Thursday 26 January, while a teenage boy was arrested after a jet ski incident at Portarlington on Thursday 12 January. Water Police Acting Sergeant Mark Helyer said police were keen to see jet ski riders enjoy their craft without incident. “Everyone loves to have fun on the water but the number one consideration needs to be safety,” he said. “Make sure your…
POLICE are appealing for help in finding missing Somerville man Mark Anderson. Mr Anderson, 38, was last seen leaving a house in Bernard St, Somerville, about 12.10pm Thursday. He was driving his Holden twin-cab utility, registration number UUS 420. Leading Senior Constable Lee Thomson said police and family are concerned for his welfare as he suffers from a medical condition. Mr Anderson has a shaved head, no facial hair and is of medium build. He is a regular visitor to the Toolangi state forest and other bush camping areas. Anyone with information is urged to call Hastings police on 5970…
THIEVES stole a car parked outside a house in Leon Av, Rosebud, overnight on Thursday 26 January. The 2002 Ford sedan, registration TSE 278, was on the nature strip. A 2008 Hyundai was stolen from the driveway of a house in Tootgarook, overnight on Wednesday 25 January. The red car, registration YYL858, was in the driveway of the house in McAlpine St with its window open. Anyone with information should call 1800 333 000. First published in the Western Port News – 31 January 2017
By Ben Triandafillou THE Western Port Steelers have some promising young talent going through their club with junior basketballers, Beau Greenbury, Tyrone Wilk and Marley Thompson. With 13 Grand Final victories and six Most Valuable Player Award’s between them, the boys have clustered together an impressive cabinet of awards. The juniors, who will be playing in the under-16 Boys division, are incredibly dedicated, training four to five times a week in hopes to eventually make it into the Big V Youth League. Tyrone and Beau moved to the Western Port Steelers not long ago, playing their first season for the…
MORNINGTON Peninsula residents have received an illustration of the danger of leaving kids, pets – and even eggs – in their cars on hot days. Rye Fire Brigade received a photo from a visiting Queenslander who left a dozen eggs on the backseat of her Holden SVZ for an hour. Temperatures soared to more than 30 degrees and, when the woman returned to her car, she found the eggs cooking away on the backseat. The brigade’s Kelly Stoner said it was amazing how quickly the eggs had cooked in the car, which had tinted windows. “The temperature inside would need…
MOST respondents to a Peninsula Speaks online survey believe that man-made climate change is real and that it will affect life on the Mornington Peninsula. “Although Mornington Peninsula Shire is to be congratulated on its recently announced roof top solar initiative on shire owned and operated buildings, 64 per cent of people believe that the shire should be placing more emphasis on climate change,” organiser Peter Avery said. “While support for renewable wind initiatives appears to be marginal at 58 per cent, renewable wave technology is supported by 71 per cent and an overwhelming 93 per cent would support solar…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie SKYE United gaffer Billy Armour has his sights set on more new signings as he prepares for the upcoming State 3 South-East campaign. Armour already has enticed Johnny Andrinopoulos and Jason Nowakowski to join last year’s State 4 South champion and has a number of triallists under the microscope. Andrinopoulos last played with Kingston City in 2015 and can play in central defence or as a defensive midfielder. “Johnny’s locked in which is good. His fitness levels are getting there and as soon as he gets his touch back he’ll be a really good signing for…
BEACHGOERS and swimmers are still being urged to check water quality updates before going for a dip off bayside beaches this summer amid risks of illness from bacteria and faecal matter swept into Port Phillip Bay during stormy weather. Water quality is being monitored daily by the Environment Protection Authority until March. Earlier this month EPA applied sciences group manager Dr Anthony Boxshall said there is a higher risk of illnesses such as gastro to swimmers from higher bacterial levels after flash flooding. “Heavy rain and storms can create a risk to the public as they can flood stormwater systems…
A MORNINGTON man drowned in chest-deep water on Wednesday 25 January. The 39-year-old was found by another swimmer at Mills Beach and unsuccessfully treated with CPR in the car park. Police, Mornington CFA crews and ambulance officers attended the scene and comforted the man’s wife. Mornington Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Stock said a health issue may have contributed to the man’s death. He was unsure whether alcohol was a factor. First published in the Mornington News – 31 January 2017
THE Miss Western Port Community Pageant is based on confidence, team building, making friends, and “getting out there in the community”. Contestants are encouraged to speak up for the causes they are passionate about. Miss Western Port director Hannah Swinnerton, 22, is a passionate anti-bullying campaigner. She is mentoring “eight beautiful ladies that have hearts of gold and are passionate about their community and keen to work for local charities”. The Miss Western Port preliminaries begin on Saturday 28 January 2017 at Hastings hall. Doors open at 6pm and the preliminary finals start at 7pm. Tickets are $15 online. Contact…
A YOUNG woman was bleeding out internally when she was rushed to Rosebud Hospital and into the care of Emergency Department Nurse Sue Simpson. “The lady was suffering an ectopic pregnancy – which is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside the womb, usually in the fallopian tubes. This can cause the fallopian tube to split open which can cause life-threatening internal bleeding, which is what had happened to this patient,” recalled Sue. “Her blood pressure was dropping and we were pumping blood into her. We had to work so quickly, under pressure, to try and stabilise her for theatre.”…
A JOGGER found a man in a Warrandyte Rd, Langwarrin, bus stop bleeding from a stab wound to the lower back, 9pm, Sunday 22 January. An ambulance took the 45-year-old victim, of Frankston North, to The Alfred Hospital for treatment. Police said he was unwilling to assist with their inquiries. The incident occurred between Tyrone St and Bayport Drive. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Western Port News – 24 January 2017
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie IF there was a local coach of the year award for 2016 Seaford United supremo Paulo Pinheiro would be a valid candidate. Sure he may not have beaten Scott Morrison whose Rosebud Heart side won every game in a once-in-a-generation season and Adam Jamieson whose Mornington outfit created history with back-to-back State 1 championships but what Pinheiro achieved last year is worthy of recognition. When Darren Roberts surprisingly quit a couple of weeks out from the start of last season and half a dozen senior players followed suit assistant coach Pinheiro had suddenly inherited a basket…