DIAGNOSED with multiple sclerosis (MS) at 13, Bobby Bajram, pictured above, knows what it means to face difficulties in life. But being a determined type, he’s now created another peak that has to be reached: climbing Mt Everest. “I promised myself that MS would not beat me, and that one day I would walk to the top of the world,” the now 48-year-old last week explained to Rosebud Secondary College students. Mr Bajram’s visit followed a chance meeting with a group of the college’s students while hiking near Mt Bogong last month. “Our paths literally crossed,” he said. “The students…
Author: MP News Group
BUILDING on the success of their inaugural summer lantern event, Boneo Maze is hosting a school holiday program to promote well-being, relaxation and connection for families. Commencing on Good Friday with kid’s yoga and nature craft activities, the program also includes a chocolate Easter egg hunt and indigenous cultural tours. Held in the heart of the park, the kid’s yoga is aimed at children from 5 to 10 years as a fun, mind-body activity. Available every day from Good Friday until Sunday April 3rd, the yoga is being offered free of charge (park entry fee required). The craft and chocolate…
A STUDY will be held to identify sites for new boat ramps on the Mornington Peninsula. The Mornington Peninsula Marine Alliance says a steering committee will hire consultants to undertake the $40,000 feasibility study. The state government-financed study will also investigate improving existing boat ramps. Head of the marine alliance Stefan Borzeki, who operates Yaringa boat harbour near Somerville, said 60 per cent of the state’s recreational boating took place on Western Port and Port Phillip. He said there had been “little renewal or replacement of marine infrastructure in the past 25 years … This under investment is a grave…
A MOTORCYCLIST pulled up at an Operation Wasp roadblock at Peninsula Link Bungower Rd exit at 11.30pm Friday 11 March ran off while being questioned by police. The 28-year-old Frankston North man was caught after a short pursuit and remanded in custody to appear at Frankston Magistrates Court Monday 14 March. Police said the man outstanding warrants and was wanted for several burglaries. Sergeant Steve Duffee of Mornington police said all Peninsula Link off ramps were blocked during Operation Wasp. “It is a road police operation where we set up off the exits on Friday at the start of the…
CRIME on the Mornington Peninsula has bucked the rising statewide trend according to the latest figures released by the Crime Statistics Agency. While reported offences across Victoria in 2015 jumped by 8.1 per cent compared to 2014, crime on the peninsula remained “stable”, in the CSA’s opinion, with a 5.4 per cent rise between 2014 and 2015. Crimes against the person, including assault, fell on the peninsula from 1579 in 2014 to 1410 last year. There were eight homicides last year and seven in 2014. There were 10,997 reported crimes across the peninsula last year compared to 10,303 in 2014.…
LIFESAVING Victoria has issued a list of safety measures for rock fishing which it sees as one of the most dangerous aquatic sports in Australia. The rocky shorelines of Mornington Peninsula facing Bass Strait are as much a lure to anglers as their baits are to fish, and just as deadly. On 10 January a 67-year-old man died after being swept from rocks while fishing at Sorrento. One week later a 26-year-old fisherman was washed off the rocks at Bridgewater Bay in Portland. The two deaths sparked an appeal from Life Saving Victoria for anglers to take more precautions. Top…
OVER the next 12 months Tyabb reservoir will be turned into two independently operating water basins. The works will allow workers from Melbourne Water to install two linings and covers while the old cover and lining is removed. The covers and linings are designed to protect the quality of the drinking water piped from Cardinia Reservoir or Tarago treatment plant. Melbourne Water has warned there will be extensive truck movements 7am-6pm, Monday to Friday. Approval is being sought for the trucks to operate 7am-1pm on Saturdays. Bulk earthworks during what’s described as “an intensive period of 60-100 truck movements each…
THEY may be noisy and, technically, outdated and slow, but there’s no doubting the fascination of old warplanes. Thousands of spectators flocked to Tyabb airfield on Sunday to watch a collection of “Winged Warriors” take to the sky in a display that’s part showmanship (stunt planes blowing smoke) and part aeronautical genius. However, while many of the planes at the Peninsula Aero Club’s biennial event are privately owned, the RAAF sent down a modern C-17A Globemaster III which put on a dramatic display of low flying and a final flypast at 300 knots. But it wasn’t all eyes skyward all…
FORMER students of Dromana College are planning a variety of celebrations for the college’s 50th anniversary this time next year. Parent liaison officer Theresa Stelling and past teacher Doug Smith are heading up the steering committee for the event on Sunday 12 March 2017. It will have a carnival atmosphere with rides, bands, stalls and myriad attractions. A highlight for the pair has been getting in touch with the first technical school student in the roll book – Trevor Birch. The school has an interesting history. It began when former Flinders Shire Councillor George Bishop, a policeman stationed at Dromana,…
RYE pier is well known among locals, divers and underwater photographers for its role in the annual migration of spider crabs that come in, on mass, from Bass Strait. The phenomenon is a popular YouTube topic. Some years thousands wander under, and around, the pier forming what looks like a giant rugby scrum. No one is sure why the crabs do this, but it has been suggested it is to moult while the scrum protects them. The crabs are a bit thin for eating, and look like small crabs on stilts. The phenomenon made spider crabs an obvious choice for the…
DROMANA sailor Mark Bulka, above right, had a busy time on the water last week… He was a member of the winning crew at the Australian SB20 championships sailed off Blairgowrie. Alongside him were boat owner Robert Jefferies, above middle, and helmsman Glenn Bourke, above left. Their boat, Red, sailed a consistent and competitive regatta over the four days taking the title from Tasmanians Nick Rogers, Col Dabner and Simon Burrows on Karabos, second, and Michael Cooper, David Chapman and Matt Johnston, on Export Roo, third. Presentations were held at the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron to finish off an excellent week…
FOUR Rosebud Secondary College students proved that they are willing to give the hair on their heads in to support those suffering from blood cancers like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Abbey Jordan, Stella Tomasello, Lachlan Huxtable and Hannah Clayton had their locks chopped as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s annual World’s Greatest Shave which sees participants being sponsored to shave, wax or colour their hair. “I knew because my hair was so long that people would be surprised I was willing to have it cut off, and that was a good way to raise awareness,” Hannah said. “She was born…
The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV) have supported a review of the current structure of marine safety activities in Victoria to strengthen the organisation and sustainability of the volunteer marine rescue services. In a meeting with the Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett and Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley, both the BIAV and the Volunteer Coast Guard raised the importance of having a coordinated approach with all marine rescue services and the development of an efficient interface between volunteer services and government agencies. “The meeting with Minister Garrett and Craig Lapsley, responsible for…
AN outstanding presentation has helped Mt Eliza Secondary College captain Ikeylia Cowan win the regional Lions Youth of the Year quest, held at Mt Martha. Ikeylia, sponsored by Mt Eliza Lions Club, was one of six secondary school students to represent Lions clubs from Dromana, Frankston, Mornington, Mt Martha, and Rye. She now advances to the district competition on Sunday 20 March at Trafalgar. The judges assessed each student’s leadership abilities, along with community and school activities and academic performance. Each presented a five-minute speech and answered two impromptu questions. Mt Eliza Club president Neil Wingrave said Ikeylia’s presentation demonstrated…
UBUNTU is a group of singers, musicians and dancers from the former renowned African Children’s Choir. Touring the world as small children they performed at Carnegie Hall and the London Palladium, for US presidents and Nobel Prize winners, alongside celebrities such as Will Smith, Bob Geldorf, Alicia Keys and Annie Lennox. Now, having graduated from high school through African Children’s Choir sponsorships, the talented 18-20 year olds are hoping to fulfill their promise of making a difference in their own villages. They will share their stories with Australian audiences on a tour starting on the Mornington Peninsula and travelling through…
PENINSULA Community Legal Centre commemorated International Women’s Day last Tuesday (8 March) by signing a statement of its intention to commit to creating a community that is safe and accessible for women and their children. Donned in white, purple and green, the centre’s staff took a break from their day to meet in the boardroom to witness the centre’s signing of The Peninsula Model’s ‘Creating Safety, Equality and Respect in our Community: a Catchment Wide Strategy to Prevent Violence against Women and their Children’. Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Primary Care Partnership prevention and community engagement coordinator John Baker said The…
GET ready Mornington, the Easter Bunny is about to hit town and he’s bringing with him a whole stash of Cadbury Easter eggs which he will hide so you can go seek. Harcourts Mornington and Mornington Chamber of Commerce are delighted to bring you the very first and biggest ever Easter egg hunt to hit the Mornington Peninsula. Festivities will take place in Mornington Park on Sunday 20 March 2016 from 10am – 2pm. Yes that’s right, a week before the Easter long weekend to make sure we can treat as many families as possible to a fun filled day…
THE past five years have been a challenge for Kerrie Knight and her family. As a mother of four teenagers she was always going to feel stressed, but these natural feelings paled into insignificance when the realisation dawned that her daughter, Indya, was an ice addict. Although Indya’s future is anything but certain, she has worked through two stints of extensive drug rehabilitation, and is now making a new life for herself in the Northern Territory. Mrs Knight first spoke publicly at a forum held by Peninsula Voice and Mornington Peninsula Shire attended by 450 guests. The forum generated huge…
A CAMPAIGN to find new homes for lost cats is in full swing, with Mornington Peninsula Shire launching PURRfect Match at the animal shelter in Watts Rd. “We are constantly looking for ways to increase pet adoption and, to this end, work closely with other animal management and adoption agencies like the RSPCA,” Environment Protection manager David Dobroszczyk said. “PURRfect Match is designed to find new homes for the many cats – around 700 – that find their way into our animal shelter each year.” Mr Dobroszczyk said the number had remained static in recent times, with most lost pets…
By Jason Banks MAIN Ridge under-12 cricketers have won the premiership for the second year in a row. Their bowling and fielding performance over the last weekend in February limited Sorrento’s potent batting line-up to 122, with Will Jewell knocking up another 30 runs before retiring. Main Ridge batsmen Louis Bisogni and Lochie Davies both retired on 30, setting up a thrilling last-over win. Finn Emile-Brennan clipped one off his toes to force the winning single with his batting partner Amerlie Obrien scampering through to take the win. The Main Ridge under-14s also won their grand final. Under pressure from great…
PROPERTY owners and residents of the Mornington Peninsula are being urged to prepare for climate change. The recently-launched Climate Ready website explains how global warming is caused by people “adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere more quickly than in the past” and provides details on how to create a “climate ready action plan”. The website is the result on a partnership between the peninsula, Bayside and Kingston councils and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). Climate Ready – a website designed to help you better understand how to adapt to the likely impacts and risks of climate…
Don’t miss out on getting your entries in to this years Red Hill Show, Easter Saturday, March 26th from 8.30am to 5pm. Our show is one for the whole family! All categories are open from Art, Craft, Cooking, Photography, Flowers, Fruit & Vegetables, Cattle, Dogs High Scramble, Heavy Horses, Miniature Goats, Sheep, Poultry and Rats. Children from our local schools are already busy working on their art & craft projects. The Totem Pole competition is always a favourite. Visit our website and download your entry forms now. Time is running out! Along with the hundreds of exhibitors there will be…
By TERRI LEE FATOUROS With Liam Kealy on Hammond keys rocking it and Dean James producing first-class riffs on lead, the four originals of Nicholas Pearce (sax), Jason Nehill (bass), Neil Richardson (percussion) and Nicole Nehemia (vocals) are paramount in sound. Their panache is making waves at the Heritage 3059 on Sunday, 13th March. Safari Motel are seeped in soul, funk and blues and combined with their big band sound is really rocking it. Over the past two years they have been playing regularly at festivals around the state and have attracted a huge and loyal fan base. Their mix…
PARENTS of children with disabilities, developmental delays or a chronic medical condition are being encouraged to make contact with Biala Peninsula based in Mornington. The free group, in Elizabeth St, allows parents to unwind and talk about their experiences. A trained facilitator helps guide the discussion, share experiences and connect parents with support services. A skilled play helper engages children below school age so parents and carers are free to chat with each other. “Research tells us that many parents of children with disabilities struggle to find time to look after themselves, and that social isolation is a real danger,”…
BUSES will replace trains on a section of the Frankston line from Friday 25 March until Monday 4 April as part of the Labor state government’s commitment to remove eleven level crossings along the line. Premier Daniel Andrews says an “Easter blitz” to remove three level crossings – at Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh – means the works at those three sites will be completed ahead of the original schedule of mid-2017. Buses will shuttle passengers between Mordialloc and Caulfield stations. Ormond and McKinnon Stations will also be closed for up to five months so they can be demolished and completely rebuilt…
BENTON Junior College pupils were active on National Ride 2 School Day last week. There was plenty of action as 234 pupils rode, 156 skated or scooted, 219 walked, three took public transport and 136 rode in the car, Friday. The aim of the day was to encourage more pupils to be more active more of the time. And that includes parents and teachers as well. It’s is reported that 80 per cent of children aged five-17 don’t complete the recommended number of hours of exercise each day, and 81 per cent have more than two hours of screen time…
SARAH Wooding is representing Mornington in the Miss Teen Galaxy Australia contest – and she is the only Victorian representative chasing the title. The Mornington Secondary College year 10 student, 15, is studying science and hoping it will lead into medical science and gene research. Modelling with Bettina Modelling Agency since she was 13, Sarah has also done various catalogues, film shoots, billboards and even appeared as an extra in the film Emo the Musical, to screen next year. “Miss Teen Galaxy will be by far Sarah’s biggest journey,” mum Fiona Wooding said last week. “The national finals are in…
STUDENTS at Balcombe Grammar School will gain an international perspective when they host an Australia-Indonesia Muslim exchange program on Wednesday (9 March) and 13 April. The visit by some of Indonesia’s brightest emerging leaders aims to improve cultural and educational exchanges – and bring on a few selfies – among students in years 7 and 10. Principal Matthew Dodd is all for forging community collaborations and learning opportunities beyond the school’s grounds. “We embrace programs like the Muslim exchange program because of the mutual learning that is ignited by face to face, cross-cultural interactions,” he said. The visit is backed…
DESTINATION Rosebud will be the topic of discussion at the Rosebud Kite Festival, Sunday 13 March. The project is aimed at invigorating the township by bringing in investment, jobs and opportunities for the community. Six key elements include: streetscape works, Jetty Rd forecourt, lighting, Village Green and Soundshell, township entrance features and a foreshore “playspace”. Streetscape works include footpath renewal along Point Nepean Rd (Chinaman’s Creek to Sixth Av), bin renewal and garden bed implementation; Jetty Rd forecourt includes shared zones, upgrades to the toilet and public plaza, including shelters and barbecues; Lighting includes improved safety and amenity to Rosebud…
MORNINGTON Peninsula-grown produce has a new identity with the launch of the Mornington Peninsula Produce food provenance brand. The certified trade mark, developed by Mornington Peninsula Shire and its Food Industry Advisory Body, will help consumers confirm the provenance of fresh produce when buying from the farm gate, farmers’ markets and retail outlets. Launching the new initiative last week at The Briars, the mayor Cr Graham Pittock, said local agribusiness was integral to the region’s economy. “Around one third of our land is devoted to agricultural production, and the Mornington Peninsula is the second most valuable agricultural region in Victoria,…