A SPECIAL tree planting day was held at Somerville Community House last week in recognition of the passing and long service of the late Queen Elizabeth II. As an expansion of the Planting Trees for the Queen’s Jubilee grant program, the community house received $10,000 for trees, enabling it to expand a garden at the community centre. Apple trees, pear trees and a range of native and indigenous fruit trees were planted to make the garden enjoyable and edible. One of the first trees – a contemporary cross between an apricot and a pear, fitted well with the theme of…
Author: Liz Bell
MORNINGTON Men’s Shed have generously used a grant received from the Mornington Peninsula Shire to make a table to present to the council. Men’s shed workshop manager Tony Sinclair said the grant made it possible for the shed volunteers to purchase some new wood working equipment, and the table was a kind of ‘thank you’ gift. Sinclair said the men’s shed was involved in a range of projects for the council, and was grateful for the support. “At the moment we are using the timbers from the old Rye Pier to make a seat and an upstand for the solar…
PEOPLE defecating in bushes, dogs injured by discarded fishing hooks, rubbish everywhere and abuse hurled at boat owners passing fishing lines in the boating channel. This is the new reality for the hundreds of people who own properties at the exclusive Martha Cove marina development. Owners and nearby residents have had enough, with 1000 signing a petition started a week ago to enforce a ban on fishing in the Martha Cove marina. The News understands that an environmental management plan for Martha Cove stipulates that there can be no fishing within the marina (the land and waterway at the marina…
THE unexpected closure of a popular walking path in Mornington has angered users, who say “mismanagement” of long-running drainage problems prevented erosion issues not being remedied decades ago. The 750-metre Beleura cliff path, which snakes its way down from the Mornington cliffs to Mills beach, was closed by council workers last week and barriers erected. Regular path users and residents whose properties access the path say its closure is an “act of mismanagement” and a “slap in the face to volunteers” who have spent years revegetating the path to reduce erosion and keep it safe and open. Convenor of the…
THE HMAS Otama Submarine was expected to take its final voyage on Monday (19 September) to be literally scooped from its resting place at Crib Point and shipped off to be scrapped. Supporters of the submarine have labelled the move “devastating”, but their desperate pleas to Park Victoria were unheard and the submarine was loaded onto a semi-submersible in the early hours of Friday morning. Max Bryant, president of the volunteer-run Western Port Oberon Association, Victorian Maritime Centre – which took ownership of the vessel 22 years ago to be the centrepiece of a tourism attraction – said it was…
AN application to amend a permit for a 140-site camping/tourist park in Boneo has been approved, despite concerns from a neighbouring organic farmer and community fears the park could be used as “defacto” permanent accommodation. The owner of the land at 161 and 189 Old Cape Schanck Road, Richard Merigan – who was fined $9000 in 2018 for the illegal removal of 46 trees and vegetation at the site – wants to reconfigure the park layout over the 10-acre and five-aces sites, enlarging some pitch sites and removing existing buildings and additional trees. At last Tuesday’s Planning Services Committee (12…
SEPTEMBER is national biodiversity month, and community groups around the peninsula are playing their part in rehabilitating local environments. The Mornington Rotary Club is involved in a project to help rehabilitate the indigenous vegetation at Hunters Crossing, a busy pedestrian bridge over Tanti Creek in Mornington. The project was funded by a South East Water community grant and enabled by Tanti Creek Friends Group and local residents, who all pitched in for the recent mulching, spreading and planting of 300 plants two weeks ago. Mornington Rotary Club president Brian Mann said the project was a great example of what Rotary…
AT just nine Mount Eliza’s Josh Berry knew he wanted to do something for people in need, so he did something a little different – he started collecting socks. Fast forward seven years and the industrious year 10 student has collected 38,000 pairs of new socks and is still counting. Berry says he came up with the idea when he was thinking about ways to help homeless people, and realised warm socks were something everyone needed. “I did some research and warm socks was apparently the second biggest needed clothing item,” he said. His initial aim was to collect 50,000…
STAN Fear, of Somerville, has been inducted into the Equestrian Victoria Hall of Fame. Now 88 and retired, Fear was one of a pioneering class of riders who was part of the introduction of jumping as a sport in Australia. Having been involved in international competitions, Fear has rubbed shoulders with the best horse people in the world, including Princess Anne who he counts as a friend, the Roycroft family, and even Queen Elizabeth 11. “I feel lucky to have been given recognition, it means a lot to be considered in the same ranks as some of the best horse…
THE independent candidate for Mornington Kate Lardner has rejected claims that she can’t be independent, following revelations she has received financial backing from climate activist Simon Holmes a Court. Earlier this month the Frankston Hospital doctor told The News that despite having had “discussions” with ‘Teal’ supporter Holmes a Court, she would not be influenced. The businessman’s social media accounts show he is keeping Lardner close, with his Twitter page spruiking for donations for her campaign and asking followers to “please help her win”. But Lardner, who launched her campaign in Mornington on Saturday (17 September) said Climate 200 “does…
RESIDENTS plagued by bad telecommunications around Somerville have accused the federal government of ignoring the issue and say the lack of reception is affecting every aspect of their lives. Robin Kent, who lives in the Hedgeley Dean Estate, off Bungower Road, said anyone living in the area had to deal with phone calls dropping out and, sometimes, no reception. Kent said her complaints to the former MP for Flinders Greg Hunt went nowhere after he tabled a residents’ petition in Parliament in 2019. “You can’t live like this, it affects every aspect of your life, work, social connections, everything. Some…
OWNERS of investment residential properties on the Mornington Peninsula are being urged to rent them out. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council meeting will use social media to raise awareness of the housing “crisis”, ask for community input and publicise how people “might assist”. Ratepayers who own properties in a residential zone other than their primary home, along with real estate agents, will be emailed to ask how they can help, particularly through releasing properties for long-term rental. A flyer will also be delivered with the 2023 rates notice. The council is grappling with a rapidly worsening homelessness problem, recently calling on…
PETER Scott says he was “kissed by an angel” one day eight years ago when he was in the middle of a routine work test he never got to finish. That was in 2014, the day the “reasonably fit” 65-year-old suffered a stroke, completely unaware that his blood pressure was “through the roof” and work-related pressures had taken their toll on his health. “Wednesday the 4th of June 2014, in the midst of a routine skills test for work, I started to show physical signs of being unwell,” Scott said. “Thankfully, my colleague insisted I stop immediately, and we go…
AN election promise of $3.5 million to restore Flinders pier has buoyed hopes that repairs to the deteriorating structure can be completed. Liberal candidate for Nepean Sam Groth met with Save Our Pier representatives in Flinders on Wednesday to commit to the “full restoration” of the historic timber pier. The promised money adds to $1.5 million committed by the state government in May to repair the first 180 metres of the pier. Save Our Pier spokesman Charles Ries said a “piecemeal approach” to managing maritime infrastructure was not efficient, and Groth’s pledge of $3.5m to restore the full pier “makes…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has rejected a plan to allow affordable, or social, housing to be built in Allambi Avenue, Capel Sound. Bettyanne Foster of the Capel Sound Community Group said the community was feeling relief and elation about the turn-around and was grateful to the councillors who “took the time to visit the site and listen to our concerns”. The 2.2 hectare site at 11A Allambi Avenue is used as de facto public parkland but was nominated by the council for an affordable housing development. Foster said the group was working to build a community “that cares for each…
THE six-day public hearing for the C270Morn planning scheme amendment started on Monday 5 September, with an officer from Mornington Peninsula Shire Council one of the first speakers, followed by Ryman Healthcare on Tuesday. Amendment C270morn proposes to protect the Mornington Peninsula Green Wedge from inappropriate development by rezoning several sites across the shire, including Kunyung Road’s Moondah Mansion site in Mount Eliza which is the subject of a planning bid by Ryman Healthcare. Ryman wants to build a retirement/aged care centre that includes apartments across four new four-storey buildings, and an extension to the existing mansion. If C270Morn is…
THERE’S a ball game that’s putting the Mornington Peninsula on the national sports map. For the first time the Pétanque Federation of Australia held its interstate championships on the peninsula last weekend, drawing players from all over the country to Mount Martha. Victoria won the 60+ Inter State Pétanque Championships, beating the ACT, Western Australia, South Australia, NSW and Tasmania. Victoria came second in the Open Inter State Pétanque Championships, with three members of Mount Martha Pétanque Club playing. The Mount Martha Pétanque Club has only been operating for two years but was built to international standards complete with a…
THREE Mornington fire fighters will participate in the ninth annual Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb. The stair climbing challenge, held at the Crown Metropol, raises money to fight depression, PTSI and suicide. The Mornington fire station is currently the second highest fundraising brigade for the event and team members are hoping to take it further. Chris Davey, 33, is the only one of the trio who has completed the stair climb before but is confident all three will make it to the top. Hoping to better his own previous time of around 4.5 minutes, Davey says he has been putting some…
ESMERELDA the ewe has felt untold pain in her two years of life, but that hasn’t stopped her being the best mum she can be to her three-week-old lamb, Maisie. The heavily pregnant sheep was discarded from a farm two months ago because of severe and untreated injuries to her legs, with the weight of her unborn baby exacerbating the difficulties she faced walking. Thankfully for Esmerelda (also known as Essie), charity Til The Cows Come Home came to the rescue and placed her with Moorooduc foster carer Sarah Rollinson, who three weeks ago helped the gentle sheep give birth.…
ROSEBUD’S Sarah Wallace has achieved Girl Guides Australia’s highest achievement award for a youth member, the Queen’s Guide Award. Since becoming a girl scout cub in 2011 as a seven-year-old, Wallace has fully embraced the movement as a way to build confidence and skills, and gone on to achieve the Junior BP Award, the BP badge, and now the Queens Guide Award. She is now the first person in her Rosebud unit to have ever achieved the top award in each section of guiding. On Saturday, 3 September, Wallace was presented with her certificate at a ceremony at the Rosebud…
ROSEBUD Theatre Group will perform The Golden Age, a play inspired by a true story of a family lost in time. The play centres on a group of people who were discovered in the wilds of Tasmania in 1939, isolated from society for four generations. Having lost most of their language and suffering from disabilities and deformities brought on my generations of inbreeding, their return to civilisation at a time of political and social turmoil – the beginning of World War II has disastrous consequences for them and those around them. Director Tatiana Croft said the play comes to life…
A MORNINGTON Peninsula dog rescue group is bursting at the seams with animals in need but is in need itself to ensure it can continue its work. Founded by Capel Sound resident and support worker Erin Shaw two years ago, Mornington Peninsula Dog Rescue Incorporated’s mission is providing a solution to the number of homeless dogs. Shaw says the rescue is currently inundated with surrendered dogs as well as trying to help out rural pounds with excess strays and lost dogs. It recently received 11 Rhodesian ridgeback/Labrador cross puppies from an overwhelmed dog owner who was giving the pets away…
HOSPITALITY businesses that use the offer of “trial” work to skip out on paying young workers are being warned to understand their obligations or risk investigation. The Fair Work Commission says trial work periods can be no longer that two hours and can only involve the tasks that the job requires. However, Mount Eliza mother Louise Payne says that regulation is not being adhered to by some employers. Four weeks ago, her 17-year-old son was asked to do trial at a Mornington Peninsula cafe and willingly worked from 7am to 3pm. Payne said her son worked hard, which she observed…
DISABILITY service Wallara wants state election candidates to commit to providing $750,000 for a “jobs hub” project based at Sages Cottage Farm, Baxter. However, the project can only reach fruition if the money is matched by the federal government. Liberal Finders MP Zoe McKenzie promised the farm $750,000 in the lead-up to the May federal election, but she is now in opposition, not government. CEO Phil Hayes-Brown says the future of jobs for people with predominantly intellectual disabilities on the Mornington Peninsula is in limbo unless the state and federal governments match McKenzie’s campaign commitment. Hayes-Brown says Sages Cottage Farm…
SPARK Youth Dance Company’s new production Granuaile hits the stage this month to tell the true story of Grace O’Malley, a rebellious leader and pirate queen who challenged the political waves of 16th century Ireland. Featuring a collaboration of contemporary dance and live orchestra, Granuaile’s story can be seen as an inspiration to a new generation of young women and girls to follow in O’Malley’s footsteps. Company director Alexandra Dellaportas said it was a story about empowered women, based on an old story of Grace O’Malley, who was a courageous, independent woman who challenged stereotypes. “I became fascinated in Grace’s…
A GROUP of angry car owners whose vehicles have been damaged by potholes on Mornington Peninsula roads want the state government to change the Road Management Act. Under section 110 of the act road authorities such as municipalities are released from paying the first $1460 of damage caused by potholes and other road hazards, thereby invalidating most claims. Car owner Louise Page says Mornington Peninsula Shire Council was too slow to fix a large pothole in Graydens Road, Hastings last November, and should cover the cost of repairs for the many vehicles that were damaged over several weeks. Her repair…
TWO Mornington Peninsula centenarians celebrated their 100th birthdays in style with family and friends last week. Elaine Wills, who lives at the Mornington Bay Care Community, Mount Martha, enjoyed the occasion over lunch at Steeples restaurant with about 30 family members from all over Australia and friends. Willis moved to Mount Martha at 97, but before that lived in the Caulfield/Balaclava area with her husband and four children. Now with six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, the former home economics teacher said the secret to her youthful looks and longevity was eating “good healthy food”. “I have had a fortunate…
MORNINGTON Peninsula doctor and mother-of-two Kate Lardner has stepped up as an independent candidate for the state seat of Mornington, in a political environment that’s favouring anyone with a climate change focus. While Lardner has had discussions with Climate 200 – a community crowd-funded initiative that supports candidates committed to climate action – she says her independence has not been compromised. Lardner is a founding member of the Voices for Mornington Peninsula group that backed Flinders candidate Dr Sarah Russell in the May federal election won by Liberal Zoe McKenzie. The Liberals candidate for Mornington is Chris Crewther, the former…
WHEN you pick up Mornington Peninsula author Andrea Rowe’s new book Jetty Jumping, it’s instantly apparent why it has won the early childhood category of the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year. The book uses imaginative and lyrical language and timeless themes of friendship, bravery, and the importance of place, with illustrations by Hannah Sommerville that capture the essence of youthful seaside summers. Set in a coastal town that could be anywhere on the peninsula, the jetty plays a starring role in the book, alongside young girl Milla, who is afraid of jumping into the water. Rowe…
TEN-year-old Mornington Primary School student Hanna Glynn was born with cerebral palsy, but that has been no obstacle to her grit and determination as she gears up for the STEPtember walk for charity. Hannah, who wears splints on her legs, did the walk last year, and this year has signed up as an organisation so family and friends can join her in raising money and getting active. Already she has raised more than $1600, despite the walk yet to start. Hannah said she was excited that so many people, including classmates, had decided to join her efforts, with 15 signed…