By Jane ByrneSANDY beaches, rugged cliffs and the twisting, somewhat haunting Moonah trees are natural features many imagine when they visualise the southern Mornington Peninsula, an area loved by holidaymakers and residents.Not only are coastal moonah woodland areas visually stunning, but they perform an important function. They help stabilise dune systems and prevent erosion caused by climate and sea level changes that threaten our coastal communities. Many of the moonah trees and adjacent vegetation communities are extremely old.With less than eight per cent of its original distribution remaining, coastal moonah woodlands are listed as a threatened community under the Flora…
Author: mpnews
MORNINGTON Peninsula Regional Gallery has three new exhibitions on display until 12 May. Contemporary art, design and fashion come together in the JamFactory travelling exhibition New Exuberance: Contemporary Australian Textile Design, that celebrates creative collaboration, sustainability and the versatility of textile craft through storytelling and conceptual ideas. There are more than 30 creatives and 10 commissioned works including from Ikuntji Artists, Iordanes Spyridon Gogos, Grace Lillian Lee and Romance Was Born.New Wave 24, is an annual showcase of incredibly talented local VCE and VCE VET students, and an important platform to support our next generation of emerging artists. There is…
A THREE-day Guitar Fest will be held at the Peninsula Beer Garden, Boneo over the 9 to 11 March long weekend.The brainchild of peninsula-based musician Steve Myles, who has spearheaded a program to revive live music on the peninsula and give seasoned and aspiring musicians a platform, the event will feature local, interstate and international guitarists and support musicians.The line-up includes Geoff Achison, blues player Anna Sconti and peninsula-based Ocean Pulse, a group that takes inspiration from vintage surf music and the peninsula’s surf vibe. Myles says the band plays surf music “like Jimi Hendrix”.Frankston-based guitar maker Jim Cargill, whose…
SOUTH East Water’s annual community grants program is now open for groups to apply for up to $10,000 available for community projects.Now in its fifth year, the program has granted more than $320,000 to 66 community groups across Melbourne’s south-east. “Last year we were thrilled to support 16 community groups with a range of community and environmental projects, from emergency food relief and crisis essentials for children entering out-of-home care, to rainwater tanks and recycled water systems, and a cultural meeting place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students,” South East Water managing director Lara Olsen said.Applications are now open…
PENINSULA Health has joined the lobbying group Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula as a community partner.The membership of the health service comes at the same that the committee “welcome” the state government’s $1.1 billion “investment into Frankston Hospital”. The committee, which said it would continue to lobby “for better health outcomes for our region” works at the hospital would “deliver a multi-storey tower with additional bed capacity, new operating theatres, enhanced mental health and oncology services and expanded maternity and paediatric services”. The committee’s CEO Josh Sinclair said the hospital project was “being delivered under a public-private partnership and…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is being accused of not “staying in its lane” after revealing a proposal to charge higher rates for homeowners who do not go solar.Social media pages have been flooded with posts calling the plan “discriminatory” and “unfair”. Under the plan suggested by council officers, ratepayers who do not install new solar panels would pay more to subsidise those who go solar.The council is seeking feedback on its proposal to introduce a 20 per cent rate discount to households that install, replace or upgrade solar systems over 5kw after 1 July. The discount would be applied for…
By Will Jeffares VFL DESPITE a promising fightback, Frankston fell to a four-point defeat to the Northern Bullants as part of the VFL’s Standalones Practice Match Carnival on Saturday afternoon at Kinetic Stadium.A slow start, in which the visitors opened a 23-point buffer at quarter time, and inaccuracy in front of goal proved costly for the Dolphins despite more than doubling the Bullants’ scoring shots and getting the game back on their terms after the first break.After quarter time, Frankston were able to move the ball much quicker, with an intent to link up from defence to attack as they…
Elector selectors can change team in October Wonderful to recall the halcyon days of the Mornington Peninsula Shire with “Captain Brian” leading the First Eleven and getting the job done in an honourable and non-political way (History repeats, Letters 27/2/24).It’s more like the Second Eleven with this latest crop of inexperienced batters and under arm bowlers.One of the current crop has been dropped already for upsetting the leadership team last year over the use of flags beyond the boundaries (Suspended without apology, The News 27/2/24). That poor member has had to sit it out in the pavilion probably having to…
MEMBERS of Somerville Highway Patrol are investigating an accident that occurred on Monday 26 February at 10.18 pm on Koetong Parade, Mount Eliza, near Bambra Street.A white Toyota Landcruiser was reported as travelling at high speed before losing control and hitting a brick wall. The three female occupants were taken to hospital for treatment.Anyone who witnessed the collision, or has CCTV or information, is urged to contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au