A TRAINING program at Rye Community House is training dozens of people to work in the hospitality industry and creating a network of employment paths for those seeking work. The Coffee Connection program is an example of community groups and businesses working together to strengthen employment prospects for young people through targeted training.Dale Newman heads the program which started as a three-month trial last year supported by a grant from Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. Since April last year the program has trained 30 people of all ages and backgrounds. “We are so pleased with the way it’s evolved and is…
Author: mpnews
TWELVE-year-old Zoe Whitbourne and her father Craig will be walking more than 80 kilometres to raise money and awareness for the type 1 diabetes research being carried out at St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research (SVI) in Fitzroy.Craig Whitbourne was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 25 years ago when he was 15 and was devastated when Zoe received her diagnosis in 2022 at the age of nine. “Type 1 diabetes can be unpredictable and time-consuming. Despite my experience living with this disease, watching Zoe navigate the grief, anger and sadness of this diagnosis is very difficult,” Mr Whitbourne said.Type 1…
GUNNAMATTA Surf Life Saving Club member Joseph Watt, above, has received the Emergency Services Medal as part of King’s Birthday Honours for his service to the lifesaving movement.Watt has been a patrol member at Gunnamatta for more than 32 years and has held many volunteer and professional positions at club, regional and state levels including regional lifeguard, inflatable rescue boat (IRB) instructor and lifesaving patrol service assessor.He was among a team of lifesavers that rescued eight people who were swept out to sea at Gunnamatta in 1998. Following the incident, which resulted in three deaths, he played an integral role…
Landowners can help meet shire’s tree target Mornington Peninsula Shire council is to be commended on the quality of its draft Urban Forest Strategy (Bid to avoid tree ‘recession’, The News, 4/6/24). The strategy reports that tree canopy cover in the shire ranges from 14 per cent at Safety Beach to 50 per cent at Arthurs Seat; that areas with more canopy cover are cooler and have higher levels of community health; and that properties in tree-lined streets are valued up to 30 per cent higher than those without.The goal to raise average tree canopy cover from 37 per cent…
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughAT a late hour on Friday night last during the sitting of the council, Cr. Oates moved his famous resolution, that the services of the Shire Engineer be dispensed with, giving him one month’s notice, and, if carried, applications for a consulting engineer be invited.In speaking to his motion, Cr. Oates said he regretted the leading article which had appeared in the local paper (“The Standard”).He did not think it should have been printed, especially as that paper was the official organ of the council.His reason for moving in such a direction was that, today, the very…
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following a spate of burglaries across the southern suburbs. Police are investigating after small businesses were targeted in 15 incidents between 15 May and 8 June. In each instance two unknown offenders have forced entry to a business, usually by smashing a glass door. The offenders appear to have been solely focused on stealing cash, usually going directly to the register before fleeing the scene. Each of the businesses targeted was located along or in the vicinity of Point Nepean Road in either Dromana, Rosebud, Capel Sound or Rye.…
A STORM is brewing in Safety Beach and Dromana, and it’s got nothing to do with the weather.Renewed concern that a McDonalds fast food restaurant could take up residence in the redeveloped Dromana BP complex in Marine Drive has reignited a debate about whether the area needs more fast food franchises. A planning application is now before the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council for the development of a petrol station/fast food complex on a corner site bordering Safety Beach and Dromana, despite a similar application being knocked back at the Victoria Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in 2021.The council, which will…
Southern Metro Crime Squad detectives have charged three teenagers following a series of fifteen alleged armed robberies across Melbourne’s southern and eastern suburbs. The alleged incidents which occurred over a 10-day period include: – A series of armed robberies at service stations in Kew, Burwood, Noble Park, Rowville & The Basin on 25 May. – A series of armed robberies at service stations in Lyndhurst, Mount Eliza, Mornington, Rosebud & Red Hill on 28 May. – A series of armed robberies at service stations in Highett, Mentone, Patterson Lakes, Murrumbeena & Burwood on 3 June. Detectives executed search warrants in…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough CR. OATES has given written notice of his intention to move at next Friday’s meeting of the Shire Council that the services of the engineer be dispensed with.Coming from the source it does, ratepayers will look askance at the motives prompting such a proposal.It can be taken for granted that the mover will attempt to put forward many plausible arguments in an endeavour to gain his ends. Plausibility is his strong point, but it should not be difficult for reasonably astute men to penetrate the veneer and expose the apparent rancour and bitterness underlying the whole…
Stand together and help the homeless I experienced homelessness as a young woman (Women’s group targets housing crisis, The News 6/6/24). Unless you have that lived experience, you cannot know how debilitating it is to not have a space of one’s own. Each day was a fight for survival, simply maintaining hygiene, enough food and a relatively safe place to sleep. Add the social, economic and personal impacts and it is very difficult to maintain motivation and any sense of self.I was appalled to read that homelessness especially among older women is such a big a problem on the Mornington…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council’s draft Our Urban Forest strategy is aimed at reducing the loss of trees on the peninsula. The strategy – on public exhibition until 10 July – follows a move by Cr Steve Holland in 2022 that called for action to stop “tree recession”. Holland said tree removal and loss was a significant issue on the peninsula, an area loved by most residents for its rich and thriving flora.The draft strategy sets an evidence-based target that 45 per cent of the public streets and parks in urban areas are shaded by tree canopy by 2034. The peninsula…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has released its quarterly report, revealing a net operating position of $86.2 million for the year to end of March.The report states $6.1 million was spent on capital works, and $3.4 million on grants, subsidies and sponsorships. The amount spent on materials and services was 47 per cent of the annual forecast.Highlights included adopting a pedestrian access strategy, completing the Flinders Civic Hall redevelopment, a climate action grant to a kelp nursery in Dromana, and the Womin Djeka – Balnarring Ngargee (festival).Sponsorship highlights included the Sorrento Writers and the Flinders Fringe festivals. The projects leave $7…
THREE years after concerns were raised about hundreds of kangaroos trapped on a Cape Schanck property, animal welfare advocates have ramped up their campaign to educate communities about kangaroos and the importance of protecting them.The Save Kangaroos on the Mornington Peninsula (SKOMP) group is running a series of kangaroo “walks and talks” around the peninsula and other parts of Victoria to educate people on how to coexist with the native animals and the “national icon”.Spokesperson Craig Thomson said it was appalling that the kangaroos on the Cape Schanck property were still stuck behind fencing, with wildlife advocates unable to check…
STUDENTS at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Primary School, Rosebud, have been using their textile lessons to create an undersea wonderland.The completion of the colourful masterpiece, created with a lot of love and pricked fingers, is to celebrate World Ocean Day on 8 June. The school’s Dolphin Research Centre ambassadors are using the display to highlight the danger of foil plastic, which is commonly used as lolly or biscuit wrappers.Students learned that the inside of foil plastic packages is shiny silver and glitters like a fish and, when ingested by marine animals, causes illness and death. The students also produced…
Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man and two boys after an extended follow in two allegedly stolen vehicles yesterday afternoon. Police were called to reports of a suspicious loiter at a carpark on Katandra Road in Ormond about 2.45pm. Three people in a Ford Mondeo, which was allegedly stolen from Wheelers Hill, fled the scene. Officers followed the vehicle through Glen Huntly and Caulfield to Keys Road in Moorabbin, where the trio dumped the Ford. They allegedly then stole a Hyundai sedan, which was parked outside a business, and fled. With assistance from the Air Wing, police…
Potter review needed to restore faith in shire Thanks Cr Anthony Marsh for continuing the push for scrutiny on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s decision making processes about the Harry Potter: A forbidden Forest Experience being held at the wildlife sanctuary at The Briars.At the January Save Briars Sanctuary public meeting the mayor Cr Simon Brooks advised the packed venue that councillors were in favour of undertaking an analysis of the process that led to the approval of the largest event in the peninsula’s history being held in the sensitive and precious wildlife sanctuary at The Briars. This commitment was well…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough A DISGRACEFUL disturbance is alleged to have taken place on Sunday night last, when the congregation of the Hastings Methodist Church were subjected to a great deal of annoyance by some hooligans, who, not content with mocking the minister from outside the church, deliberately threw a length of spouting into the church amongst the congregation.This caused great consternation amongst the worshippers and a couple of the members of the church went out from the church and pursued the perpetrators of this wanton outrage.However, they were unable to come up with the culprits, as the pursuers were…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council may consider increasing the number of waste bins at popular foreshore campsites and is reminding residents and visitors not to use them to dump household waste.The mayor Cr Simon Brooks said anyone with concerns about an overflowing bin should report it as soon as they can, either by using the QR code on the bin, visiting the council’s website or by calling the customer service desk. “We will then arrange for the bins to be emptied and, if it appears to be an ongoing issue, consider installing extra bins,” he said. “Sometimes people use bins ……
A THIEF has stolen a vintage model train from a Mornington man who has spent much of his life trying to help others.Geoff Woods, a former stonemason who now runs a scaffolding business, has a generous nature that has seen him provide employment to many local people, as well as the less fortunate, while also helping out in the community.He’s also a life member of South Mornington Football Club, and a foundation member at Mornington Football Club.But what happened last week has left the 64-year-old saddened and lamenting the loss of his pride and joy – an American made 80-year-old…
Shire officers’ reports lack ‘depth and quality ’Congratulations Cr Anthony Marsh for having the intestinal fortitude to publicly record the honest assessment as to the quality and effectiveness of management reports that are provided by Mornington Peninsula Shire officers to enable councillors to make informed decisions (Potter review takes centre stage, The News 21/5/24).I, like many other observers of the shire’s operational activities, have over the past three to four years noticed a marked reduction in the depth of analysis and quality of advice contained in management reports. It appears to my observation that the shire’s management consider their elected…
PENINSULA Quarries is inviting applications for a share of $5000 it will distribute this year through its community grants program. The program is open to not-for-profit organisations in the Somerville, Tyabb and Mornington areas.Last year, grants were allocated to a family day event, two primary schools and a recreation reserve. Somerville Family Day received $2500 to provide first aid for the the event, Tyabb Primary School received $1500 for improvements to its environment centre, Somerville Rise Primary School received $1500 to upgrade its courtyard and the Emu Plains Racecourse and Recreation Reserve received $2800 for repairs to its roads and…
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughSTANLEY Rupert Brett, 23, motor driver, was charged at the City Watchhouse on Wednesday with the manslaughter of Perry Clarke, 55, carpenter, who was knocked down by a fast travelling car on the Point Nepean road, near Mornington, at 6pm on May 11.Allegations have been made that the driver of the car did not stop after he struck the man, and that the car, at the time, had no lights burning.Senior-Detective Piggott, Detective Ethell and Plain-clothes Constable Burns, who were detailed to make enquiries, arrested Brett at Caulfield at 3pm on Wednesday.His car – a double-seated Chandler…
Public golf course is there for all to use I am writing to correct and give some perspective to a recent front page headline and, in particular, the subsequent comments from Cr David Gill stating that Mornington Peninsula Shire was effectively subsidising $9000 to each member of the Mount Martha Golf Club (MMGC) (Market call to end golf losses, The News 7/5/24 and Questions over golf ‘shire subsidy’ claim, 14/5/24).Mount Martha Public Golf Course (MMPGC) exists to make the game of golf accessible to all members of the community. Historically, much of the land was donated for this use and…
PELICANS always seem to attract attention. They waddle along beaches, gracefully paddle in the water and fly overhead following the thermals. But while they appear to be common, especially when looking for scraps around piers and jetties, pelican numbers are declining.The Westernport Pelican Study Group reports that just two of a previously known 10 Victorian breeding sites remain.A breeding site on French Island “went extinct” in 2001, according to the group, and pelican numbers in Western Port have been declining ever since.Study group members look for and photograph banded pelicans and have also appealed for members of the public to…
POLICE investigating a series of copper thefts from Mornington Peninsula sports clubs are urging anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers.Football clubs at Balnarring, Hastings and South Mornington have been hit in recent months, with some hit more than once as thieves target copper wires and copper water pumps.Two weeks ago, Hastings Tennis Club was hit for the second time, with thieves taking copper from three lights poles.Coach Reece Driscoll said it was a sad blow to the club and the community. “It’s terrible that community clubs are being targeted like this, it’s costly, and for us it means we can’t…
WORK is continuing at Rye pier as designs are underway for the new jetty at Mornington and Dromana pier. The state government said the three projects are part of its plan “to make popular piers and jetties safer and stronger across the state”.“We know ports and piers are places where families and friends come together to enjoy the best of what bayside communities have to offer and we’re making sure these landmarks can be enjoyed for years to come,” Ports and Freight Minister Melissa Horne said. “Designs are underway for not one, but three new piers and jetties in Port…
Development levy would only add to housing costs Mornington Peninsula Shire’s proposed building development levy of 3.3 per cent should not be introduced (Views sought on 3.3% development levy, The News 23/4/24). Rental housing or assistance with housing is not a council responsibility. Social housing is a state government and federal government responsibility. The federal government already provides rent assistance for low-income renters.The need for accommodation is common across the country and has largely been created by federal govt immigration policies – it is the responsibility of government to fix. A council impost of a development levy would add to…
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughA SMOKE social was held on Tuesday evening last, in the Frankston Mechanics’ Institute, at which a large section of the residents of Frankston and representatives of the travelling public were present, not withstanding the wet state of the weather, to bid farewell to Constable and Mrs Graham, he having being transferred to Goornong after a residence here of two years.Cr. Oates occupied the chair. After the usual loyal toast had been sung, Mr. Dodd gave a recitative song, which was well received, and for encore gave a humorous description of Frankston and its environs.Mr. R. Tait…
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a two-vehicle collision in Tuerong last night. It is believed the driver of a Mazda hatchback was travelling along the Mornington Peninsula Freeway when they collided with another vehicle on the Nepean Highway about 9pm. The driver of the Mazda hatchback, a 33-year-old Mt Waverley woman, sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to hospital for treatment. Her passenger, 27-year-old Bundoora man, also sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. The driver of the Toyota Camry, 37-year-old Oakleigh South man, sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital for observation. His…
THE Master Chefs of Portsea Sorrento event returns to The Portsea Camp on Sunday 26 May to raise money to support Victorian children experiencing social and economic disadvantage.The event is always day of gourmet delights, Mornington Peninsula wines and celebrity guests. There will be culinary creations from The Continental Sorrento’s executive chef Julian Robert Shaw, Itali.co Sorrento, Sardo Private, The Koonya Hotel, Pompette and Le Capucin of Portsea, and deserts by Mubble, paired with Sorrento Moon and Portsea Sun Limoncello from host winery Rahona Valley.Marita Fayle, of The Portsea Camp, said the camp was thrilled to be joined by Cath…