A DEDICATED team of Peninsula Health doctors and nurses have returned from a journey to Papua New Guinea as part an eight-day medical expedition led by the ‘No Roads Expeditions Foundation’.As one of the world’s most underdeveloped nations, Papua New Guinea grapples with some of the world’s worst health statistics. The country’s fragile health system, compounded by extremely poor health and immunisation outcomes, means there are difficulties accessing adequate health services and facilities.“I was eager to join in on another health expedition in Papua New Guinea as a way of giving to communities that I know are in desperate need,”…
Author: mpnews
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughUNDER very tragic circumstances, the death of Mr. Walter Victor Fitzsimmons, fish merchant, of Bay street, Frankston, occurred on Sunday morning last. The deceased was a young, returned soldier of 27, and served five years in the war.About 10.15 o’clock on the morning in question, the deceased left his house in company with Mr. George Whittingham, also a local resident of the town, with the intention of going out to fish.When they reached the Kananook creek, the boat was half-full of water. After bailing the water out of the craft, they dragged it through the sand for…
Gatehouse’s mismanagement Whoever is responsible for the upkeep of this heritage listed and protected building should be ashamed (Demolition order issued for historic gatehouse, The News 20/8/24). The people of the Mornington Peninsula, together with all Australians, trust you to preserve our history especially the old buildings, and we have been let down.I pass the gatehouse at least three times a week and over the past 20 years have noticed the gatehouse, surrounding entrance, including the adjacent period fencing has deteriorated to its present condition.A couple of kilometres down the highway towards Mornington an historic iron fence was damaged when…
DEVOTED Dad and CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre Ben Smith was awarded the 2024 Victorian Father of the Year honour at a special ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall on Friday (30 August). The Mornington resident was honoured for his community advocacy and deep love for his family.Every day, Smith’s team hosts meals and provides support for those in need. The team strives to understand each person’s challenges and support them towards finding stability and long-term solutions. The current financial climate has seen more people through the doors at Mornington Community Support Centre than ever before. “I am sincerely…
ROSEBUD has been named as one of Australia’s top ten places to retire.Financial technical company Citro says research into retirement destinations showed Rosebud came sixth out of 30 based on such “key factors” as affordability, access to quality health care and a range of lifestyle options. Citro said that with a population of more than 14,000, Rosebud offered “a laidback allure, beachside living and a busy and welcoming community”.Armidale in New South Wales, Ingham, Queensland and Maryborough, Victoria top the rankings as potential retirement destinations.Citro predicted that “regional lifestyle property markets will flourish as more Australians than ever hit retirement…
NEW mum Jessica Baguley was pleased to learn that her newborn daughter Poppy’s birth will help save the life of a helpless baby in Uganda. Jessica’s obstetrician Dr Natalie Elphinstone makes a donation to a charity called Baby Watoto for each baby that she delivers, after discovering the plight of orphaned babies and vulnerable mothers in Watoto, Uganda.Dr Elphinstone gave Jessica a hippopotamus toy, handmade in the Watoto Village, as a keepsake and reminder of this special gift. “I feel so good knowing that my daughter’s birth has helped another pregnant woman and baby who are less fortunate,” said Baguley.…
Police have arrested a woman from Carrum Downs and a woman from Mornington in relation to an alleged stabbing in Cranbourne.Police allege that at around 8.40pm on 25 August, a pair tried and failed to carjack a woman on Sladen Street. The duo then allegedly stabbed a 35-year-old man on Lurline Street before stealing his car and driving it to Pakenham.The stabbing victim sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital.Police arrested two women later that night. In a statement, Victoria Police said detectives “are currently speaking to a 33-year-old Mornington woman and a 28-year-old Carrum Downs woman in relation…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough “HULLO! Earth!” was the startling greeting received by the writer who had established himself with a wireless set in the Baxter hills during the weekend. Then ensued the following dialogue:“Who’s speaking?”“Mars!” came the reply.“How are things going on with you up there?”“Good-o!” replied Mars, who was then asked to give a Martian opinion on the earth’s affairs, with which he proved himself to be in close touch.In the course of a long reply, he said:“From our viewpoint; up here, the most-notable recent event on earth was the real attempt to settle the vexed questions in Europe.…
The Briars ‘deals’ continue despite review Never mind the ‘review’, it seems Harry Potter’s spell remains on deals at The Briars! As some will know, a proposal to conduct a pilot at The Briars has been pushed in a public petition. There has been no public consultation, no open market process, and a report was tabled at last night’s meeting (20 August) as yet another ‘confidential’ item, bound in secrecy.After I called a division on the vote to consider this item in secret (division means to record how people vote), I’m stoked that most councillors rejected this attempt to push…
POLICE have experienced a rise in aggravated burglaries across the Mornington Peninsula and are pleading with residents to lock their doors. Local police intelligence indicates almost 65 per cent of peninsula homes targeted by offenders this year were unlocked. A further 20 per cent were unsuccessful attempts, when would-be thieves tried doors and windows, but realised they were secured.Police across the Mornington Peninsula are targeting burglars in the area, who are taking advantage of both unlocked homes and unoccupied holiday homes in the cooler months. A man accused of 16 home and commercial burglaries, as well as stealing and breaking…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors are backing moves to reduce speed limits on roads surrounding a “hidden gem of the peninsula”. Four of the five roads – Hodgins, Derril, Graydens and Stumpy Gully – either border or traverse Devilbend Reserve, while the fifth road, Tuerong leads to the reserve from Old Moorooduc Road.At their public meeting on 6 August councillors agreed with 226 signatories to a petition calling for speed limits on the five roads to be reduced to 60kph. Traffic and transport team leader Brett Whitwam said the five roads were included in an investigation already underway into speed limits…
THE Hastings-based Dolphin Research Centre says there is a growing need for understanding the presence and absence of whales along the Victorian coastline to help inform decisions on proposed offshore developments.The DRI hosts the citizen science Two Bays Whale Project to record sightings of whales in Victorian waters and in 2020, started the Two Bays Tracker program to monitor whales, or their absence, through timed surveys. “Data collected in this program can help provide up-to-date information on the movement of whales, particularly providing a better understanding of the seasonality of humpback whale migration,” research fellow at the DRI Ella Hutchinson…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s Music Industry Summit on Monday 12 August was a day of collaboration and connection for our music industry. The event, held across five venues in Mornington, brought together prominent musicians, music venues, and industry professionals who shared their invaluable insights and expertise in workshops and panel discussions throughout the day.Attracting some heavy hitters from the Australian music industry, such as Frontier Touring director Gerard Schlaghake, Brad Hinds from OzTix, singer-songwriter Katie Noonan, rocker Dallas Frasca, and Something for Kate’s Clint Hyndman, delegates learned about current trends and opportunities.Panel discussions were lively and centred on various issues currently…
It was a grand homecoming for Dromana’s Olympic bronze medallist, Caitlin Parker on Saturday (18 August).There was plenty of green and gold during a street parade in her honour, followed by a luncheon, and capped off with her tossing the coin at Dromana Football Club’s last home game for the season.Parker has cemented her place in history by being the first Australian medallist in female boxing. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 21 August 2024
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughABOUT 3 o’clock on Sunday afternoon, Mr. John Sloan, J.P., of Orrong Road, Toorak, was driving a Benz car along Playne street, Frankston, in a westerly direction, when he observed another car, driven by Mr. Kenneth Harper, from Mordialloc, proceeding eastwards on the Melbourne road.At the somewhat dangerous intersection the cars collided head on. Both were badly smashed, the estimated damage being £170.Fortunately, the occupants of the respective cars escaped without sustaining injury.Later, Mr. Sloan, J.P., made the following signed statement to the local police. “At about 3pm, I was driving along Playne Street in a westerly…
Toilet closures unacceptable I was flabbergasted to read the article (Cr Holland creates stink with toilet motion, The News, 7/8/24) outlining Cr David Gill’s attempt to raise the issue of closed toilet facilities on the Mornington Peninsula. This seems a perfectly reasonable motion from Cr Gill, yet not one councillor supported the motion. And for Cr Steve Holland to consider an amendment to the motion accusing Cr Gill of wasting everybody’s time, is extraordinary. For Cr Holland’s information, there are many people who read our local newspaper – sometimes that is the only way we find out what is going…
MOOROODUC Fire Brigade last week took delivery of a heavy tanker and an ultra heavy tanker to increase its firefighting capabilities.MP for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh joined brigade members and representatives from the Country Fire Authority to handover the tankers and thank volunteers for their service to the community.Valued at $460,000, the heavy tanker is one of 48 being rolled out by the state government to brigades across the state. The heavy tanker includes features to help reduce firefighter fatigue, including electronic monitors and electric rewind hose reels.The government also provided 29 ultra heavy tankers, including the one at Moorooduc,…
JANE Edmanson, a presenter on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia, handed out cuttings from her own garden when speaking to members of the Peninsula Parkinson’s Peer Support Group at Mount Martha last Tuesday (6 August). The cuttings, delivered in time for spring planting, were made as Edmanson acknowledged the problems of planting coastal areas.“I love coming to the Mornington Peninsula, but I know gardening here can be a challenge,” she said when speaking at Mount Martha Community House. “There are lots of vagaries. It’s often very windy, and salt spray can be damaging to plants. Sandy soil can also be a…
SKATEBOARD and scooter riders are being invited to have a say on designs for a $1 million upgrade to the Rye skate park. Skate park design company Playce has been hired by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to improve the existing design. The design was drawn up after skaters met with shire officers and the Playce team during several workshops last year. The resulting design is open for public comment until 4 September.The first stage of the upgrade includes making the skate park suitable for beginners, including such street skate elements as mini ramps, banks, blocks, manual pads and rails. The…
THE latest in advanced radiation therapy treatment will soon be available closer to home for cancer patients on the Mornington Peninsula, with leading cancer care provider, Icon Cancer Centre announcing it will provide radiation oncology services at The Bays Cancer Care Centre. It will be the first in the Mornington Peninsula Shire to provide radiation therapy services.Currently under construction, the centre will be equipped with a state-of-the-art Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator (linac), providing stereotactic radiation therapy, tattoo-less radiation therapy for breast cancer patients, along with world-leading HyperArc technology for patients with secondary brain tumours.These cutting-edge radiation therapy techniques will deliver…
Non-equal rights for shire voters In federal and state elections, those enrolled may vote in only one seat, the one in which they reside. The Victorian Parliament has enacted a new law which ensures that residents on the roll of any of its electorates are also automatically placed on the voters list of the municipality within it, where they live, but proprietors of businesses and owners of properties such as holiday homes in that municipality are required to make their own arrangements to be placed on the voters roll.This means that all federal voters have equal opportunity to influence federal…
MORNINGTON Peninsula boxer Caitlin Parker is bringing home a bronze medal after making it to the final four in the women’s 75kg division at the Paris Olympic Games. The win makes Parker the first ever Australian medallist in female boxing.Parker began her campaign in the round of 16 with a unanimous points decision over Mexican boxer Citlalli Ortíz.In her round of eight bout, she fought Moroccan boxer Khadija Mardi. The Moroccan was taller than Parker with an impressive reach, but Parker held her own and ended up taking the bout in a split decision. The win propelled Parker into the…
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughON Friday last at about 12.45, W. McTaggart, son of Seaford’s popular butcher, was driving a horse and cart along Seaford road, when the animal suddenly took fright and bolted with the lad.On turning into Railway Parade the lad was horrified to notice that the midday express train was running parallel to him, and the horse was actually keeping level.The lad realised that if he could not manage the horse before the Station Street crossing was reached, a serious collision must occur. However, his efforts were unavailing, and there was a grave possibility of an accident, until…
STORIES about the kidnapping of Aboriginal women by sealers at Point Nepean and their being taken to islands in Bass Strait were recounted last month for about 50 members of Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN).The presentations by Bunurong woman and community educator Aunty Jillian West and Aunty Deb Mellett, a Gurindji woman from the Northern Territory were made a week after this year’s NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee ) Week at SWAN’s 21 July meeting at Mount Martha Community House.“Aunty Jillian is a descendent from Point Nepean, and Palawa from the Islands of Bass Strait. Her address,…
THE future of foreshore camping is being considered by the Mornington Peninsula Shire. The shire has begun its first round of consultation to draft a “foreshore camping strategy”. The strategy is expected to assess preferred accommodation options, payment methods, accessibility measures, and other potential improvements.The mayor Cr Simon Brooks said that drafting a new strategy would help improve the foreshore camping experience. “Our foreshore camping areas are a treasured asset, and we want to ensure they remain accessible and enjoyable for everyone. I encourage all community members to share their ideas and help us develop a draft strategy that benefits…
Road madness with untenable conditions I’ve just driven my car from Mornington to Red Hill South, a journey involving avoiding a number of deep and dangerous potholes. Then, on Arthur’s Seat Road, I was stopped by a work crew installing an enormous length of road safety barriers on the border of a picturesque winery and the focus centre. Why? Have there been instances of cars running off this road? The speed limit has just been reduced to 60kph. Do we not wait to see the effect of this before spending massive amounts of money on a potentially unnecessary structure which…
UNDER the legendary banner of The Great Moscow Circus, death-defying acts from around the globe are being presented throughout Victoria in 2024. Covid grounded the Circus in 2021 and due to the sensitive political world situation, these carefully chosen superstars have come together for the first time in a brand new show performing throughout Victoria.The Great Moscow Circus first visited Australia in 1965 under the auspices of the Edgley Organisation and has continued every three to five years in Australia and New Zealand ever since.When the Soviet Union collapsed in December 1991, the Edgley family purchased (Trademarks) on the ownership…
MARINE biologist Dr Sue Mason has launched an educational program to support and inspire female secondary school students who want to be scientists.Mason, former research director at the Hastings-based Dolphin Research Institute, said female students faced barriers to studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).While remaining involved with research at Deakin University, Mason has started Cetacean Sisters to help secondary school students connect with other like-minded girls. “The program aims to advance the scientific skills and knowledge of cetaceans — whales and dolphins — of the participants,” she said.“Set against the picturesque shores of Port Phillip, these five, two-hour sessions…
ONLY one third of residents on the Mornington Peninsula are registered as organ donors. Australian Organ Donor Register data shows that 33 per cent of residents in the Mornington Peninsula Shire local government area are registered organ donors. There were 1254 registrations in 2023, down from 1393 in 2022.In the neighbouring Frankston municipality only 28 per cent of residents are registered organ donors. The Kingston municipality fared even worse, with only 24 per cent of residents signed up.This week is DonateLife Week – to mark the occasion, DonateLife is encouraging people to sign up as organ donors and potentially save…
DESKS will line Shoreham Beach next week as part of an interactive performance work. Artist Janenne Willis will host Nature Obituary at the beach on 3 August. She will invite audience members to sit down at the desks to pen obituaries to Mother Earth. Select pieces will then be read aloud by performers Willis, Tariro Mavondo, and Felicity Mashuro.Willis said the performance will be an “opportunity to collectively honour the natural world, to collectively record natural history and to collectively grieve our environment lost”. “I’m deeply curious about what will come through when humans sit together in nature and write…