HASTINGS State Emergency Service has advanced its training facilities by installing a sound-absorbing acoustic wall in its training room, thanks to a placemaking grant from the Mornington Peninsula Shire. The upgrade will allow volunteers to conduct multiple training sessions simultaneously by dividing the room into two separate areas, without disruption from other activities. Unit Controller Dutchy Holland said it significantly increased the facility’s versatility, supporting both operational needs and broader community use. “This upgrade will not only enhance our emergency response capabilities but also provide a valuable resource for other community groups,” he said.“SES Hastings is incredibly grateful for the…
Author: mpnews
Compiled by Cameron McCullough FOR a long time past the maintenance of the Hastings road – the principal route to Flinders – and the expense incurred thereby, has been agitating the minds of the local Council.Upon several occasions, it was alleged at the monthly sitting that the heavy wagon loads of the Defence Department, en route to the Naval Base, did not tend to improve matters, and it was deemed the powers behind the scenes might feel disposed to make a grant towards the upkeep of the road in question.When the Prime Minister (the Hon. S. M. Bruce) came to…
Electioneering heats up Wandering through Dromana community market on Saturday (29 March), I was disappointed to see a Young Liberal Party campaigner and a Labour Party campaigner in a heated argument at the station where they were handing out flyers and tote bags. Accusations of “well you’re not doing this” and “you’re doing terribly at that” went back and forth – it was like watching my kids argue over Lego.I remarked “This isn’t a good look you two, no wonder people are sick of your parties when you can’t even be civil to each other at a community market. No…
LANDCARE volunteers will be able to apply for project grants of up to $20,000 through Melbourne Water’s 2025 Landcare grants program. More than 500 volunteer conservation groups across the Port Phillip and Westernport region are eligible to apply for financial support. The grants, which close 16 April, can be applied to fund on-ground works, capacity-building activities, and community education about native vegetation, waterways, and wetlands. Support grants of up to $500 are also available to help with administration and running costs like taking out insurance or holding events. Last year the Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network received support from Melbourne Water…
AN important announcement appears elsewhere in this issue to the effect that after Wednesday next (April 1, 1925) “The Standard” will be enlarged to eight pages, and published on Fridays (only).In short, the 1st of April will constitute the final Wednesday’s edition of this old-established journal – the reputed and distinctive local paper of the town and district.Advertisers are advised to note that matter intended for insertion each Friday should reach this office not later than Thursday evening.Late advertisement will be accepted on Friday mornings up to 10 o’clock. After that hour insertion cannot be guaranteed.Correspondents and other contributors, are…
A Verse for the ‘The Parties’ For goodness sake, don’t vote Independent.We have a two party system, we have to defend it.The rich from both sides, we must hold the power.We’re under attack at this critical hour. At stake is our very way of life.The helicopters, the polo, they’ll all be in strife.How will hospitality survive without corporate lunches?Labor and Libs, we must pull out all the punches! We must work together, have a planning retreat.Let’s head to Sorrento, to a clifftop, and meet.Labor bring caviar, Libs bring champagne.We’ll make up a plan, and start a campaign. The time has…
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating after a ute was set on fire in Hastings last month. It is understood two males attended the driveway of a service station on Frankston-Flinders Road about 4.45am on 4 February. One of the males slid underneath the unoccupied parked ute and pierced the fuel tank. He returned to the ute moments later to light the leaked fuel on fire, causing the vehicle to catch on fire. The pair fled the scene and were last seen on Frankston-Flinders Road. Detectives have released an image and CCTV of two males who may be…
SORRENTO’S new “world class” ferry terminal has made significant progression with construction reaching its highest point last week.The new $25 million passenger terminal is being touted as one of the “most significant private sector tourism investments” on the Mornington Peninsula. Once complete it will include a glass floor providing a “peek” into the bay, a “state-of-the-art” passenger lounge, a pier-level café and restaurant, and an upstairs lounge and bar, “transforming it into a premier waterfront destination”.A topping out ceremony was recently held with dignitaries to celebrate the highest construction phase as works were on track to be completed by the…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Greens have preselected Indigenous man Adam Frogley as their candidate for Flinders in the upcoming federal election. “I’m a Taungurung (torn-a-rong) man, born and raised on Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) country in the Yarra Valley. I’ve worked in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs for over two decades, holding many different roles in the Aboriginal community, vocational, higher education and government sectors,” said Frogley.“You know what is at stake in this election. The cost of living, climate and housing crises are being experienced by our community now and the old parties are failing to address them.“Over the course of my…
WHILE electricity prices continue to skyrocket across the Peninsula, independent candidate for Flinders Ben Smith has unveiled a practical plan to reduce household power bills and end dependence on corporate energy giants.“Peninsula families are paying far too much for power while energy companies rake in record profits,” Smith said. “The major parties have had years to fix this problem but have failed to act because they’re too busy playing political games or answering to their donors. We know that smart climate action means lower power bills, more jobs, and a secure future for our peninsula.”Ben’s plan includes:- Supporting local households…
TOOTGAROOK Primary School provides a comprehensive and innovative education program for local families, has a strong and supportive community, and has access to a brand new kindergarten beside the school. Sarah Race, Labor candidate for Flinders toured the facility with Principal Leigh McQuillen and Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh to hear about the school.Tootgarook PS has a vision to enhance learning for the children through empowerment, small class sizes, a buddy program, community involvement, and a strong focus on achieving personal excellence. Tootgarook and schools across the Peninsula are celebrating the announcement that they will receive more funding through…
THE Mornington Peninsula rightly holds the spot as the premier cycling and walking destination in the state. Filling in the final missing links on the Peninsula Link Trail will cement our region’s place, attracting more tourists to enjoy our beautiful environment and local businesses.That’s why an elected Coalition government will commit $5m towards the construction of a 5km path along the Mornington Tourist Railway, to connect Mornington to the Peninsula Link Trail at Moorooduc.According to the Mornington Peninsula Shire, the construction of the path would directly create 12 full-time equivalent jobs, and contribute $5.95 million in direct economic output.A Mornington…
LABOR People in Somerville and surrounding towns will get the free urgent care they need, fully bulk billed, without waiting hours in a busy hospital emergency department, if the Albanese Labor government is re-elected.Foreign Minister and Leader of the Government in the Senate Penny Wong joined Labor candidate for Flinders, Sarah Race, at Tyabb Village Children’s Centre to celebrate the news with local families. If Labor is re-elected, the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Somerville will begin operating in the 2025-26 financial year, providing bulk billed care for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions, seven days a week, for extended hours, and…
INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENT for Flinders, Ben Smith, announced plans to unlock millions of funding for roads, services and hospitals if he is elected, as data shows residents in Geelong receive ten times the funding of residents on the peninsula.Due to a bizarre bureaucratic quirk, the peninsula is currently classified as metropolitan Melbourne, despite being 70% Green Wedge and having more in common with regional areas than city suburbs.“It just doesn’t make sense. We have 40 distinct townships spread across 800 square kilometres, limited public transport, and significant agricultural areas. Yet because we’re classified as ‘metropolitan,’ we miss out on funding programs…
LIBERAL This past summer, everyone had a story of crime – from car theft, to home invasion and robbery.At the start of the summer, there was a shooting in Rye; at the end of summer a woman and an 18-month-old baby were confronted with a gun in a shopping centre – although fake, it was allegedly stolen from a nearby store, and allegedly wielded against passersby at the Target in Somerville by teenagers.At both a state and federal level the Labor government has completely dropped the ball. Data released by the Crime Statistics Agency in September of last year revealed…
Frankston Crime Investigation Unit detectives have arrested two men in Port Melbourne this afternoon as part of an ongoing investigation into a series of offending in Melbourne’s southern and eastern suburbs between December 2024 and March 2025. Officers intercepted an allegedly stolen Lexus on Salmon Street about 12.35pm on 11 March. Three police cars were used to prevent the stolen car from driving away, before the Lexus allegedly rammed two of the police cars and a civilian’s vehicle. Detectives extracted the driver and the passenger from the Lexus. A taser and OC spray was deployed to effect the arrest of…
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughON Saturday the Somerville Tennis Club was entertained by the members of the Naval Base tennis team. For some time this trip had been awaited with interest by our tennis enthusiasts, twenty-five of whom were able to avail themselves of a day’s enjoyment among the Navy players.The weather was all that could be desired, and the motor trip of thirteen miles proved a most interesting journey.On either side of the road the blushing Jonathans on the trees spoke of a bounteous ingathering, while the undulating country, with the beautiful Westernport Bay, forming a background, made a delightful…
THE Mornington Peninsula Shire has teamed up with four other local councils to address high drowning rates. Mornington Peninsula Shire and Bass Coast Shire have joined forces to form the Bass Coast and Mornington Peninsula Cross Council Working Group Water Safety Framework. Through that initiative, they are collaborating with Cardinia Shire, City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey, and Belgravia Leisure to work on anti-drowning measures.There were more deaths in Mornington Peninsula coastal areas between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024 than there were in any other Victorian municipality. Surf Life Saving Australia’s annual National Coastal Safety Report showed…
A cross–generation take on IWD WHEN Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN) member Maureen Donelly and 83-year-old Marg Madge joined ten young people to prepare for an International Women’s Day (IWD) craft activity at Mornington Peninsula Shire Youth Services “Corner Youth Hub” in Mornington, it soon emerged that an intergenerational approach was the way to go.The two groups came together over an IWD community consultation project conducted by SWAN’s Women Against Gender-based Violence group. For the craft component of the project the young people created the letters EQUALITY in the IWD theme colours: green, purple and white.“During this activity we exchanged…
MEALS on Wheels will keep on rolling in the community after the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Rosebud-based kitchen reached the end of its life. The current kitchen needs significant investment, but the council announced last week it would seek to partner with a “quality food service provider” experienced in producing meals that meet the stringent requirements of the aged care and health sector.“Council has been delivering Meals on Wheels for almost 50 years. Outsourcing the preparation of meals will allow council to continue to be a Meals on Wheels provider without spending significant capital funds on upgrading infrastructure,” said mayor Cr…
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughJust as we go to press a reputable ratepayer advises us that this morning he witnessed the man in charge of the sanitary cart make use of the water trough on the Hastings road, near Addicott’s corner, in a manner that should not be tolerated in any well-governed community.It is alleged that the empty sanitary pans were taken from the cart, dipped in the trough and when filled with water replaced in the cart.If the above statement is correct, it is time that stringent action was taken against the offender. Mornington News. Marine Drive.The work of completing…
HUNDREDS of disgruntled locals joined Independent candidate for Flinders, Ben Smith, on Sunday to demand urgent action to save Rosebud Hospital. “The Rosebud Hospital is the only public hospital serving the entire peninsula, and it’s quite literally falling apart while both major parties have failed to secure the funding we desperately need,” Smith said.“Peninsula residents should not be forced to travel up to 80 kms away to Melbourne for urgent treatment. The neglect of the Rosebud hospital is just another example of our region being out of sight and out of mind for too long. We urgently need to change…
ABACUS Learning Centre in Hastings, which provides invaluable therapy and support for children with autism, is in desperate need of a shade sail for their students. That’s why an elected Coalition Government will provide $20,000 for the purchase and installation of a shade sail at Abacus Learning Centre.Our kids deserve safe outdoor play, without exposure to harmful UV rays. Australians suffer skin cancer at greater rates than any other country in the world, and the Mornington Peninsula has the highest rate of melanoma in Melbourne. At least two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.…
A FULL house attended the campaign launch of Labor Candidate for Flinders Sarah Race at the Hastings Bowling Club on Sunday.Race was officially introduced by Assistant Minister for Women, Ageing, and Social Security, Kate Thwaites MP, as Labor mounts its biggest-ever campaign for the seat of Flinders. Thwaites fired up the crowd, describing how Labor has supported working families and highlighted how a re-elected Labor government would continue to Build Australia’s Future. Thwaites spoke of the investments Labor is making for local families, including in Child Care, Aged Care, and Medicare – reforms that are making it easier for families…
Cat o’ nine tails? Victoria’s current crime epidemic is out of control. Premier Allan and the Victorian government must urgently stop it. Our police and judiciary need much stronger powers than they currently have to help them deal with this epidemic. Our current bail laws are quite inadequate. So bring back something really strong. Bring back corporal punishment. Bring back flogging. “What a really cruel thought” some might say. But are such punishments as cruel as having family members killed or maimed for life by unlicenced teenaged thugs causing major car accidents in stolen cars? The answer is a very…
Mornington Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man with reckless conduct endangering life and other offences following an investigation into an alleged assault and separate aggravated burglary. Officers were called to Simon Street, Hastings about 8.30am on 2 November 2024 after reports a man had been doused in flammable liquid and was chased by two men with a blow torch. The victim suffered minor injuries in the incident. Investigators believe one of the offenders was also involved in an alleged aggravated burglary on Stump Gully Road, Tuernong on 4 February. Investigators have been told a man broke into the…
Frankston Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man following alleged assaults and attempted carjackings in Frankston yesterday morning. Officers responded to reports of a woman being assaulted near the intersection of Cranbourne and Lindrum roads about 11am. It is alleged a man threatened several people in a carpark. He allegedly approached a woman and made demands for her car keys, before assaulting her. Passers-by assisted the woman, who was not seriously injured, and the man fled the scene on foot. Police will allege the same man attended a nearby shop and assaulted a second woman, after making demands for…
By Dr Sarah Russell AFTER the heart-breaking revelations of the Aged Care Royal Commission, many of us hoped stories of neglect and poor treatment of older people were behind us. Not so on the Mornington Peninsula, thanks to our council leaving aged care.Mornington Peninsula Shire Council stopped providing aged care services in 2022 because of changes in the way the Federal Government funded aged care. Thousands of vulnerable older people were left without home care – some for several months. Then mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said the council wanted “to ensure our residents had a choice and the advantage of…
HELICOPTERS are scanning powerlines across the Mornington Peninsula over the next fortnight, as part of United Energy’s year-round bushfire mitigation and vegetation management program.People may see and hear the choppers, which fly about 300 metres above the ground and use technology known as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to scan the distance between tree branches and powerlines. Using the LiDAR data, United Energy teams create 3D models of powerlines and their surroundings, helping to inform what vegetation needs to be cut.United Energy’s Head of Vegetation Management, Ayce Cordy, said it was important that accurate measurements were taken of all vegetation…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough SHORTLY after seven o’clock on Friday night last, a storm of more than average violence swept over Frankston.During the afternoon the heavy clouds presaged that an abnormal change in the weather was imminent, but beyond an occasional shower, nothing transpired until later, as already stated.Then, and almost without premonition, the storm burst in all its fury. Dust, which had been lying dormant for days, was swept along the thoroughfares of usually peaceful Frankston; doors in houses banged in unison; open windows rattled ominously and cleanly people rushed to close them.The gale continued to increase in velocity,…