Author: Brodie Cowburn

RISING sea levels will pose a huge risk to the coastlines of the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston this century, according to a state government-commissioned report. The Port Phillip Bay Coastal Hazard Assessment report published last week assessed potential damage to the bay’s coastlines if sea levels rise by 1.4 metres. It listed the area around Martha Cove, the Balcombe Estuary recreation reserve at Mount Martha and the foreshore from Rosebud to Dromana as being at risk of inundation once sea levels rose. Patterson Lakes is one of the areas most at risk on the eastern side of Port Phillip, according…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL MPCA CRICKET returned after the Christmas break on Saturday. The first day of two-day matches were played across the peninsula. At Bruce Park, the travelling Red Hill are off to a good start against Heatherhill. Red Hill batted all day long on Saturday. An excellent middle order partnership between Will Cooper and Andy Restein helped them reach a final total of 9/177. Restein scored 50 from 79 deliveries. Cooper played an important supporting role, scoring 33 from 140 deliveries. Heatherhill’s Brett Maxwell was the pick of the bowlers. He took 4/35 from 19 overs, wiping out most of…

THE major parties have locked in their candidates for the Dunkley by-election. The death of sitting Labor MP Peta Murphy in December left the seat of Dunkley vacant. On Thursday 11 January, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Jodie Belyea would be Labor’s candidate and on Sunday the Liberal Party chose Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy as its candidate. Belyea is the founder of the Women’s Spirit Project, an organisation offering a free 11-week program for women who have experienced family violence, mental health issues, poverty, and unemployment. The program has run on the Mornington Peninsula and in Carrum. Albanese, backed…

MORE than 600 cats and nearly 100 dogs were euthanased by Frankston Council’s contracted animal shelter in the first six months of 2023. Between 1 January and 30 June, RSPCA Peninsula in Pearcedale admitted 874 cats and 160 dogs resulting in 69 cats and 21 dogs being euthanased. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s animal shelter and pound put down 38 cats and four dogs – it admitted 210 cats and 228 dogs. The latest statistics on the fate of animals who enter shelters and pounds released by Animal Welfare Victoria show the Lost Dogs Home Casey, which provides animal shelter services for…

CANDIDATES from the major parties for the Dunkley by-election are expected to be announced soon. Incumbent Dunkley MP Peta Murphy died from metastatic breast cancer in December. She won the seat for Labor in 2019, and retained it at the 2022 federal election. A by-election will be held to install a new federal MP. Speaker Milton Dick has yet to announce a date for the by-election which is not expected to be held until February at the earliest. Labor has yet to announce a candidate and the Liberals are expected to preselect a candidate for the seat in the next…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL AFTER a frustrating two consecutive weekends of rain interruptions and cancellations, MPCA weekend cricket returned with one-day action on Saturday. In the Provincial division, Pines won a tight one against Heatherhill. After winning the toss, Heatherhill chose to bat first. Captain Kristian Miller was the star for his side, scoring an unbeaten 96 from 104 deliveries. Miller didn’t get much support from his batting partners. Heatherhill ended up scoring 9/181 from their 40 overs. Pines openers Kane Hawkins and Nick Christides made good starts during the run chase, scoring 30 and 45 respectively before being sent back to…

PETA Murphy’s first speech as federal member for Dunkley quoted her literary hero, Pippi Longstocking. Pippi was being warned by her friend Annika to refrain from competing against “the world’s strongest man”. “Man, yes,” said Pippi. “But I am the world’s strongest girl, remember that!” The speech came just weeks after Murphy received a devastating cancer re-diagnosis. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, and again in 2019 around the time she was elected the first ever female member for Dunkley. Murphy carried Pippi Longstocking’s attitude with her during her four years in parliament. In spite of deteriorating…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL SOME good bowling has put Sorrento in pole position for a win over Langwarrin on the first day of their two-day clash. Langwarrin chose to bat first on what was a wet and dreary day of cricket on Saturday. Their first three batters made starts, but were sent back to the sheds without converting them into big totals. Luke Kranzbuhler bowled well for Sorrento. He took 3/27 from his 11 overs, including the important wicket of opener Sam Prosser. Langwarrin ended the day on 6/80 after a long rain delay. Old Peninsula and Red Hill had better luck…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL A MASSIVE century by Harley Peace-Stirling has secured an important win for Pines. Sorrento set Pines a target of 113 to score to win. Pines looked shaky batting on day one, and finished up at 5/51 at stumps. Pines looked much more comfortable on day two. On the back of a brilliant knock of 109 not out by Peace-Stirling, they easily surpassed their target. Some excellent bowling saw Long Island get a win over Old Peninsula last Saturday. Long Island were in a good position coming into day two – they scored 261 runs on day one. A…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL A MASSIVE 132 run opening stand between Aiden McKenna and Thomas Matson has put Long Island in a strong position against Old Peninsula. McKenna and Matson batted for most of the day. McKenna scored 70 from 161 deliveries, and Matson scored 92 from 199. A late knock of 33 from 29 by Chris Hay helped Long Island reach a final total of 6/260 from their 80 overs. Play restarts at Ballam Park this Saturday. At Pat Rollo Reserve, Sorrento will have to fight hard to defend their total. Sorrento are taking on Pines in two-day action. The Sharks…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL RED Hill bowled well to defend a total of 172 against Heatherhill last weekend. Red Hill hosted the one day clash. They batted first and scored 9/172 – Luke Jackson top scored with 36 runs from 33 deliveries. Heatherhill opener Neil Barfuss got his side off to a good start early with a knock of 32 from 37 deliveries. Unfortunately he lost his first two batting partners for scores of 0 and 5. After Barfuss’ dismissal, Heatherhill struggled to keep up with the required run rate. A late 38 run innings at a run a ball from Daniel…

FRESH doubts have been expressed over the future of $225 million set aside for the stalled train line extension from Frankston to Baxter. The money for the extension was committed by the previous Coalition federal government and later supported by then opposition leader Anthony Albanese in the lead up to the 2018 election. The cost to electrify and duplicate the Stony Point line to Baxter was quoted at up to $1.5 billion in a business case completed before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the planned extension has failed to progress any further than a business case and the state government has…

FRANKSTON serial killer Paul Denyer will remain in jail for life under proposed state government legislation. Denyer murdered Elizabeth Stevens, Deborah Fream, and Natalie Russell in the surrounding suburbs of Frankston in 1993. He was handed a life sentence with a non-parole period of 30 years, which expired this year. Denyer, now 51-years-old, had a parole application knocked back by the Adult Parole Board in May. The News understands that on 31 October, the state government will announce that it intends to change the law to keep Denyer in jail until he is approaching death. Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke has welcomed the…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL PINES had to work for it but managed to score a win over Old Peninsula on day two of their clash at Peninsula Grammar. Old Peninsula was bowled out for just 145 on day one, giving Pines an attractive target to chase down. Pines struggled to take control of the game, and looked in trouble until Pat Jackson came in at number eight. Jackson scored an unbeaten 39 to get his side over the line. Pines won with just two wickets to spare. A brilliant century from captain Kristian Miller saw Heatherhill score a win over Long Island.…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL LANGWARRIN has victory in their sights after a strong showing on the first day of their two-day clash with Red Hill. Red Hill hosted Langwarrin on Saturday. The home side won the toss and chose to bat first. Red Hill opener Riley Shaw was dismissed for just two runs to start their innings. They struggled to recapture momentum from there. Captain Chris Weeks scored 34 from 63 to help salvage something for his side. Red Hill was eventually bowled out for 133 after 55 overs. Matthew Prosser and Jackson Mockett did most of the work for Langwarrin with…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL A MASSIVE opening stand between Dale Elmi and Luke Long has helped Baden Powell score an impressive win over Pines. Baden Powell was sent in to bat first on Saturday at Pat Rollo Reserve. Elmi and Long were awesome, scoring 166 runs between them before the first wicket fell. Dale Elmi fell agonisingly short of a century – he was dismissed first for 97. Soon after, Long managed to pass his century. He scored 103 before being caught out off the bowling of Ricky Ramsdale. A tail order collapse prevented Baden Powell from scoring an enormous total. They…

AFTER eight years on public display, the infamous Reflective Lullaby sculpture is set to return to McClelland Gallery. Gregor Kregar’s Reflective Lullaby, a giant chrome gnome, was installed at Peninsula Link’s Cranbourne Road exit eight years ago. Four years later the gnome was moved to the corner of Moorooduc Highway and Hastings Road in Frankston. Last week, Reflective Lullaby was removed from its site and taken to McClelland Gallery in Langwarrin. The 10 metre tall artwork will be permanently installed in the gallery’s sculpture park. As revealed earlier this month, the Love Flower sculpture which replaced the chrome gnome near…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL MPCA cricket returned last weekend with one-day action. Reigning Provincial division champions Old Peninsula got their 2023/2024 campaign off to a good start at home against Peninsula division premiers Heatherhill. The Pirates chose to bat first. Their best performers were Dylan O’Malley and captain Justin Grant – O’Malley scored 53 from the opening position and Grant scored 51 runs batting at number five. Old Peninsula finished their innings after 40 overs with 175 runs on the board. Heatherhill skipper Kristian Miller led from the front, but he didn’t get enough help from his teammates for a successful run…

THE message of conservation will be spread at a communal colouring event later this month. The Australian Conservation Fund Mornington branch is holding a Community for Creatures day at Frankston foreshore on 22 October. Visitors will colour in a large banner adorned with endangered animals to raise awareness. Australian Conservation Fund Mornington member Sue Miles said she hopes the event will engage younger people in conservation efforts. “For Community for Creatures we’re getting people to colour in a banner with endangered species and we are presenting it to our MP Peta Murphy,” she said. “We are going to head down…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE DROMANA comfortably defeated Frankston YCW to claim the 2023 MPFNL Division One premiership last weekend. Kinetic Stadium hosted the Grand Final last Sunday, 17 September. The Tigers have been the team to beat all season – Dromana came into the match with just one loss to their name all year. Frankston YCW finished the home-and-away season in second place. On Sunday, Dromana continued their good form. It was comfortable for the Tigers in the end. Frankston YCW had no answers for Dromana, who kept up the pressure all day. Dromana went on to win by 55 points…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE FRANKSTON YCW will play Dromana in the MPFNL Division One Grand Final this Sunday. To book their Grand Final spot, Frankston YCW had to withstand a challenge from Mt Eliza at Rosebud’s Olympic Park. Mt Eliza booted five goals in the opening term to get out to a 13-point lead at the first break. By half-time Frankston YCW managed to get ahead by two points. Heading into the final quarter, the Stonecats led by just four points. They held their nerve, and went on to score a hard-fought ten point win 16.9 (105) to 14.11 (95). Joshua…

AFLW ESSENDON spoiled Hawthorn’s return to Frankston last weekend. Kinetic Stadium hosted the two sides under lights on Saturday. A huge crowd turned out to see a tightly contested game. The Hawks went into the half-time break ahead by a point. The Bombers pulled ahead in the third term, and managed to hold on to win by 19 points 4.6 (30) to 7.7 (49). Bonnie Toogood was the most influential player on the day. The Bombers star booted two goals and recorded 23 disposals. The Hawks return to Frankston on 22 September to play Melbourne. First published in the Mornington…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE DROMANA will cap off a brilliant 2023 season with a grand final appearance. The Tigers have had a brilliant year, losing just once during the home-and-away season. They finished top of the ladder, earning passage directly into the second week of finals. Dromana played Frankston YCW at Rosebud on Saturday, with the winner progressing to the big dance. The Tigers were impressive all day. They defeated Frankston YCW 17.14 (116) to 12.7 (79). Jordan Andrews, Jayden Tooth, Terry Wheeler, Ethan Johnstone, and Billy Quigley were Dromana’s best. Frankston YCW will play Mt Eliza in the preliminary final…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE MT Eliza knocked Frankston Bombers out of the finals on Sunday. It was a cagey affair at Olympic Park. The Bombers went into the half-time break ahead by ten points. Mt Eliza broke the game open in the third term. A four-goals-to-zero quarter saw Mt Eliza go ahead by 15. The Redlegs held onto their lead in the final term, and went on to claim an 11 point win 8.7 (55) to 6.8 (44). Nicholas MacDonald Girolami, Nathan Jones, and Finlay Bayne were Mt Eliza’s best. Frankston YCW won the qualifying final at Baxter Park last Saturday.…

A JUNIOR doctor leading a class action case against Peninsula Health for underpayment says a recent court ruling is a turning point for the industry. Dr Gaby Bolton was the lead applicant in the case against Peninsula Health. Earlier this month the Federal Court ruled that Peninsula Health had breached the Fair Work Act by not paying her correctly. Dr Bolton began her employment at Peninsula Health on 8 January 2019, working primarily at Frankston Hospital. Her claims for unpaid overtime related to four rotations undertaken between January 2019 and January 2021. The Federal Court ruling read that Dr Bolton…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE PINES had no problems on Saturday against cellar-dwellers Bonbeach. The Pythons led at every break and kept Bonbeach to just two majors until the fourth quarter. The margin was greatest at three-quarter time when Pines were 84 points up before Bonbeach came back a little with four goals in the final quarter. The final score was 18.11 (119) to Pines’ 6.11 (47). The Pythons ending the regular season third on the ladder. Sorrento had a tough task at home against ladder leaders Dromana. The Tigers only lost one game for the season and would not be coming…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE SORRENTO picked up a good win last weekend to finish Round 17 in fifth place, but they may need to beat the premiership favourites to secure their finals spot. The Sharks travelled to play last-place Bonbeach on Saturday. Both sides were all square after the first term, but Sorrento soon showed their quality. Sorrento established a ten point lead in the second term, then put the game to bed with a five-goals-to-one third quarter. Sorrento won the battle of the Sharks 8.7 (55) to 14.14 (98). Unfortunately for Bonbeach, the loss means they cannot move off the…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE LANGWARRIN scored the upset of the season against undefeated Dromana at Lloyd Park last Saturday. Dromana has been dominant this season. The premiership favourites came into the match 15-0 for the year. Langwarrin on the other hand have struggled, and sit in ninth place with just two wins to their name. The Kangaroos were up for the fight all day long. Dromana led at the half-time and three-quarter-time breaks, but never by more than five points. Langwarrin were relentless in the final term. They managed to sneak ahead, and were rewarded for their hard work with a…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE RED Hill picked up a thrilling upset win over Frankston YCW on Saturday. The Hillmen hosted the second-placed Stonecats at Red Hill Recreation Reserve. They desperately needed a win to remain in finals contention. The Stonecats were in control throughout most of the day. After a dominant third term Frankston YCW looked on track to win, leading by six goals at the final break of play. A six-goals-to-zero final term sealed the Stonecats’ fate. The Hillmen bravely surged home, and ended up getting the win by a point. Red Hill claimed the narrowest of come-from-behind victories 9.7…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE FRANKSTON YCW has a secure hold on second place after a good win over Pines on Saturday. Both sides came into the game equal on 40 points for the season, although YCW have a big percentage advantage. Pines hosted the heavyweight clash at Eric Bell Reserve. Pines looked the better side during the first half. The Pythons took a 17 point lead into the half-time break. The Stonecats played much better in the second half. They piled on six goals in the third quarter to take the lead, then kicked away in the final quarter. Frankston YCW…