THERE’S lots of good learning at Hastings Primary School, but fun is also on the agenda. On Friday (28 July) the school held a maths Olympics to get students engaged and help them see the fun side of improving their numeracy skills. School council president Hannah Mendelson said the Olympic event ran all day and was one example of the education-focussed fun events being run at the school. “We are doing many exciting things this term, and we love to share some of the great things about our school with the wider community,” she said. First published in the Western…
Author: MP News Group
A GIFT from an anonymous donor to Ambulance Victoria has seen an extra 20 automated external defibrillators installed across the Mornington Peninsula over the past two years. The AEDs are located at sporting clubs, community group venues and individual properties. Ambulance Victoria acting area manager Metro 10, Jo Wilton, said the donation was a significant health boost for the peninsula. “Every day, around 20 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest and only one in 10 survive,” she said. “Minutes matter in cardiac arrests and when a patient receives CPR and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, the person’s chance…
RED Hill South and Sorrento have won silver and gold medals in their respective categories at this year’s Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards. The Victoria Tourism Industry Council awards highlight tourism businesses and the value they bring to their towns and communities in regional destinations across Victoria. Thursday (27 July) night’s wins confirms that Sorrento and Red Hill are popular for such things as their natural beauty, dining and accommodation, outdoor activities and art. Sorrento will now represent Victoria in the Top Small Tourism Town category at the national awards. Red Hill South’s entry in the Top Tiny Tourism Town…
COMMUNITY decarbonisation organisation Repower Mornington Peninsula held a lunch on Sunday 23 July to celebrate its achievements over the past couple of years. Members of the core committee and the postcode-based satellite groups from across the peninsula met to share their plans and activities and communication strategies for spreading the word on how to reduce emissions and transition to a more energy efficient future. Attendees included representatives from Flinders, Mount Martha, Red Hill, Main Ridge, Balnarring, Rosebud, Rye, Mount Eliza, Shoreham, Sorrento, and Mornington. Repower committee member Belinda Rodman said that shortly after the meeting Repower was notified that the…
Protection needed from harm caused by poker machines The issue of poker machines and their impact on society has been neglected for far too long by authorities (“New rules aimed at cutting pokies losses” The News 25/7/23). There is a growing demand to address the issue of addiction and financial ruin caused by this form of gambling. Recognising that those struggling with addiction are not lesser individuals and require support to overcome their struggles is essential. The machines are designed to entice players with the possibility of winning, which is not fair or kind. Taking action to prevent further harm…
THE Department of Transport and Planning says it is making weekly inspections of Balnarring Road, following complaints that overhanging and fallen trees are creating hazards for drivers. The department’s comments follow three cars crashing into a fallen tree near Tuerong this month (“Call for more pruning after cars hit fallen tree” The News 12/7/23). The cars are believed to have hit the fallen tree in Balnarring Road during wet conditions, around 6pm in early July, with emergency services then responding and clearing the road. A department spokesperson said the road network was inspected regularly for potential hazards, including vegetation and…
STEEL cages are again being used to protect turtle nests at Devilbend Natural Features Reserve, at Tuerong, near Moorooduc. The cages are put in place each turtle breeding season by volunteer members of a citizen science group. The reserve includes a reservoir, the largest inland water body on the Mornington Peninsula, and is home to eastern long necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis). The nests of the carnivorous, fresh water, snake-necked turtles are covered with wire to stop them being raided by foxes. The Crew at Daangean group citizen science project to protect the turtles has been running since 2018. The reserve…
STEPHEN “Wilko” Wilkinson, principal of Eastbourne Primary School, Rosebud West, for the past 18 years, will finish 43 years in education this month. “It’s been a difficult decision,” Wilkinson, pictured, said. “I still love the job, I love this school and its community and, most of all, I love the kids. We have completed many successful projects and introduced heaps of programs over this period, and always had our students at the fore when any decision is made.” He described the school’s “current team” as being “awesome, dedicated, hard-working, energetic … and go out of their way to engage students…
POLICE have charged a 51-year-old man with 95 counts of historical child sex offences related to multiple victims between 2006 and 2014. The man, who lives in Myrtleford but is believed to have connections to Mornington, Mount Eliza and the Mount Hotham areas, was charged on 18 July after a police investigation that began in July 2021. The man will appear on summons at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 4 August. First published in the Western Port News – 26th July 2023
Detectives from Mitchell Crime Investigation Unit are seeking information into the final movements of Jodus Murphy. The 18-year-old went missing from Frankston on 12 May and investigators believe he made his way to Seymour shortly after. Jodus was located deceased beside the Goulburn River on 14 June. Investigators are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen or had any interaction with Jodus between 13 May and 14 June. His death is not believed to be suspicious. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
MEMBERS of Hastings-Western Port Historical Society celebrated its 50th anniversary with lunch on Sunday 16 July at the Hastings Club. Original members, Valda Cole OAM and Shirley Davies OAM (president for 14 years) gave speeches before cutting the cake. Also at the celebration were Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors, including the mayor Steve Holland, Kate Roper, Debra Mar, David Gill and Lisa Dixon. Holland spoke about the council’s commitment of $75,000 as an initial allocation to restore and improve the society’s building. Dixon spoke about the importance to the community of volunteer organisations. The society’s secretary Karen Taylor gave a presentation…
By Cheryl Brodie VOLUNTEERS have handmade material bags for homeless people across Melbourne to replace the plastic bags they use to carry their self-care packs of toiletries. “A person experiencing homelessness often does not have the money to buy extras and it is important to be able to show them thoughtfulness and kindness,” Debbie Taylor, of the Salvation Army, Mornington Corps (Church), said. “The homemade bag gives a little more dignity to the receiver and shows that someone cares about them. Each self-care pack contains basic toiletries, as many people present to our services with nothing.” A call out by…
EIGHT scouts from the Mornington Peninsula are part of an Australian contingent of 910 going to the 25th World Jamboree in South Korea, 1 to 12 August. The scouts have saved their own money to make the journey and are excited about representing the region on an international stage. Assistant scout leader Nigel Dewar from 1st Red Hill Scout Group said the scouts going to the jamboree had shown commitment and dedication to the scouting movement and were keen to meet other members from around the world. Their preparations for the jamboree had been “quite intense”. “The weather forecast predicts…
JOIN volunteers and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council representatives at The Briars, Mount Martha on Sunday (30 July) for the annual National Tree Day planting. This year trees will be planted in the expanded sanctuary area in preparation for the reintroduction of locally extinct species. The Ark Program at The Briars aims to bring locally endangered and extinct species back to the peninsula. To return species to the site, the council’s conservation team has eradicated rabbits and foxes and is working with recovery groups across Victoria to confirm which species will be included. The mayor Cr Steve Holland said the return…
POLICE arrested two males last Thursday (20 July) after searching a house in Hastings and allegedly finding drugs, an imitation firearm and other weapons. The two males were arrested and will appear at the Frankston Magistrates Court at a later date. Anyone with information relating to illegal activity can phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppers.com.au First published in the Western Port News – 26th July 2023
THE state government has committed $1.7 million towards projects that support and care for Victoria’s marine and coastal environments affected by climate change. Grants under the Victoria’s Resilient Coast and Sea Country schemes and the implementation of coastal and marine management plans are aimed at tackling current and future coastal issues. Projects on the Mornington Peninsula include developing a coastal and marine management plan for Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to widen and enhance native vegetation buffer at the Flinders car park, foreshore picnic area and playground. The money will also help the council work with Parks Victoria to manage watercraft…
AFL player Adam Treloar made his mark at Somerville Junior Football Club on Wednesday (19 July), when speaking about the importance of talking about men’s mental health, particularly in sport. In partnership with Left & Right Counselling, the Western Bulldogs player and Left & Right’s CEO Daniel Lennon encouraged young players “to talk before they act”. Treloar said he was passionate about supporting young men to find the courage to speak up. “While the conversations around mental health are improving, the culture of men not talking about their emotions in sport continues to be a problem,” he said. “I want…
MORNINGTON Peninsula’s first ever Small Business Festival is right around the corner, with an exciting calendar of events in store. The month-long program consists of a blend of practical and hands-on workshops, networking events, training sessions, inspiring presentations and more. The festival’s theme of Connect. Grow. Achieve speaks to the driving force behind the initiative which is to support small businesses and foster a business environment for learning, connecting, upskilling and knowledge-sharing. The festival aims to energise businesses with new, inspired ways of thinking and shine light on innovative solutions needed for an evolving business landscape. Businesses are encouraged to…
Survey shows satisfaction with city’s overall performance At Frankston, we pride ourselves on being welcoming and inclusive with a longstanding commitment to public safety. Figures published regarding residents’ perceptions of public safety – as captured in our annual community satisfaction survey – don’t reflect the full story (“Survey says safety a serious concern” The Times 18/7/23). While there were small declines in perceptions of safety in comparison to last year, it’s worth noting that overall perceptions of safety and people feeling very safe are all up compared to two years ago. The data also shows that Frankston residents feeling very…
A PUBLIC electric vehicle (EV) charging station has been opened in Flinders. The charging station in the roadside car bays outside the Wood Street shopping centre can charge a standard EV from zero to about 80 per cent charge within one hour. The station was paid for through the state government’s Destination Charging Across Victoria program and Evie Networks. Evie Networks has committed to power the charger from 100 per cent renewable electricity sources. Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor David Gill said the charger at Flinders was a “terrific initiative, with council, community and the state government working together to implement…
A CRANBOURNE man has been ordered to remove building waste illegally dumped in Tuerong and issued with two fines totalling $3700. Officers from Mornington Peninsula Shire booked the man when he returned to the building site to collect more waste. The man had been hired by the builder to remove waste from the site. The shire issued a news release – Shire solves illegal dumping case – stating that “legitimate waste removal businesses” include the cost of disposing of legally into their fees. “With more and more companies and individuals advertising cheap rubbish removal services on social media and the…
INTERNATIONALLY renowned Spanish sculpture artist Jaume Plensa will be visiting Pt Leo Estate in September as part of a two-day “celebration” of art, food, and wine. Plensa, known for his large-scale figurative works featured in major public spaces around the world such as London, New York, Seoul, Montreal, and Barcelona, is in Australia for the first time and will talk about his work Laura, which is located at Pt Leo Estate. The cast in iron, seven metre high Laura – created in 2013 and unveiled in 2018 – is regarded as being typical of Plensa’s series of monumental female heads…
‘Only green hydrogen from renewables makes sense’ I am not surprised that Friends of the Earth has launched a petition opposing the use of brown coal from the Latrobe Valley to make hydrogen gas, liquify it at Hastings and ship it to Japan (“Friends’ petition aims to stop hydrogen project” The News 27/6/23). The use of energy in all stages is enormous. The coal would be dug from the ground using energy, and transported to the gasification plant where more energy would be needed to provide heat and steam creating brown hydrogen. The waste CO2 would then have to be…
RESIDENTS have been invited to give their views on outdoor burning, incinerators and chimneys on the Mornington Peninsula. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s draft amenity local law has already received feedback from more than 2000 people and residents can comment at three community meetings: Tuesday 18 July, 10am, Capel Sound Community Hub; Thursday 20 July, 10am, Merricks General Store; and Sunday 23 July, 9am, Bittern Market. The mayor Cr Steve Holland said the council had a legislative obligation to review and prepare a new community amenity local law every 10 years. “It empowers us to respond to local issues and protect public…
THE Mornington Community Support Centre (MCSC) operates fresh food programs throughout the week to support locals who are experiencing hardship. Most days there is fresh food available from a range of sources at the Main St Centre, and at St Marks Church on Barkley St Mornington, with volunteers collecting food from a variety of stores, farms, and suppliers, together with Second Bite and Oz Harvest deliveries. Each week MCSC provides food assistance to over 300 people without judgement or question. The cost of coordination, staff, and other elements of the program are not covered by any government department, and we…
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Danyn Maddern. The 26-year-old is wanted on warrants in relation to aggravated burglary and firearms offences. Danyn is Caucasian, of solid build, approximately 180cm tall with short light brown hair and beard. He is known to frequent the Mornington Peninsula area. Investigators have released an image of Danyn in the hope someone may be able to provide information on his current whereabouts. Anyone who sights Danyn is urged not to approach him and to contact triple zero (000) immediately. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333…
UPLIFTING and heartbreaking true stories of Timor-Leste (East Timor) will be heard at a book reading at Mornington in early August as part of Library Week. The readings will come from the book From Timor-Leste to Australia – Seven families, three generations tell their stories, a collection of recollections and poems of seven Timor-Leste families who left their homeland to make new lives in Melbourne. Readers will include Maria Napoleon and Jose Florindo from two of the seven families, and Jan Trezise and Lynne Moller, of Gleneagles Secondary College in Endeavour Hills who, along with 25 students, interviewed families and…
MPJFL ROUND 10 of the MPJFL season saw an exciting new initiative come to life, with the launch of an International Exchange Program between the Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League and AFL New Zealand. New Zealand born Cooper Clark represented the South Mornington Junior Football Club in a historic moment for the relationship between the MPJFL and AFL New Zealand, kicking two goals in a win against Sorrento over the weekend. Earlier this year, Cooper represented the AFL New Zealand Academy against the MPJFL, competing against a side that featured five of his newly formed teammates at South Mornington. The…
MORNINGTON Community Support Centre has reopened its doors on Main Street, Mornington after nearly eight months being closed due to flood damage. Mornington Peninsula Shire has coordinated repair works since the flooding to ensure the centre can return to providing support and services to the community (“Repairs, clean-up after deluge” The News 21/11/22). The centre provides material aid and support services to people experiencing personal and financial difficulties in Mornington, Moorooduc, Mount Eliza and Mount Martha. “I’m so proud of our team for their resilience and determination over the past eight months,” the centre’s CEO Ben Smith said. “Without missing…
FOREST Fire Management is looking for people who are keen to work outdoors, learn new skills, and help protect the community and the environment. Applications are now open for project firefighter roles at nine locations in Melbourne’s north, east and the Mornington Peninsula, including Rosebud, Knoxfield, Olinda, Greenvale, and Powelltown. “These fixed-term positions are a fantastic opportunity for people from all walks of life, who are physically fit, to get out in the bush, protect our region from bushfires and help manage public land,” Forest Fire Management’s deputy chief fire officer Tamara Beckett said. New recruits would be involved in…