THE state government is warning Victorians about a coming spike in the number of dodgy door-to-door tradespeople trying to rip off people. Consumer affairs minister Jane Garrett said summer was the peak time for con men offering cheap “today only” cash deals on jobs such as painting, roof and driveway repairs. In 2014-15, Consumer Affairs Victoria received 486 reports of travelling con men, with reported losses totalling $1.35 million. Reports spike between January and March. Ms Garrett said con men often ask for cash payments up front, then take the money and run. They leave behind unfinished or poor quality…
Author: MP News Group
MEMBERS of a Somers yoga class are hoping to convince Environment Minister and Flinders MP Greg Hunt to overturn his decision to approve a massive coal mine in central Queensland. On Monday they joined the list of groups and organisations that have used Mr Hunt’s office as a focus for their protests against the federal government and, in particular, its environmental policies. Last week it was protesters dressed as angels climbing onto the roof of the office and before that deliveries of bags of coal. In May, police arrested leaders of a group of Christians occupying Mr Hunt’s offices in protest at…
THE search is on again for the next Miss Western Port. The pageant is open to young women aged 15-28 in the Western Port area wanting to gain self-confidence and become actively involved in the community to make a difference to the lives of others. At this stage there are six contesting the 2016 crown – and all have sponsors from local businesses. Preliminary judging will be held in January and the winner will be crowned on the main stage at the Western Port Festival, Saturday 20 February. Candidates are judged on their community involvement, confidence, poise and grace. This…
THE former Annie Sage centre in Blacks Camp Rd, Somerville, will be refurbished as the new home of Somerville Community House. This follows a $270,000 grant from the state government’s Interface Growth Fund. The mayor Cr Bev Colomb said the Mornington Peninsula Shire was thrilled to receive funding for the project that will help create a real community hub for the town. “Mornington Peninsula Shire Council appreciates the state government’s funding support,” she said. “The Interface Growth Fund is supporting real contributions to communities of interface councils – councils like the Mornington Peninsula that are just on the outside of…
THE skipper of a boat which accidentally backed over a passenger causing his death in December, 2013, has been placed on an 18-month community correction order, which includes performing 200 hours of unpaid community work. Justice Croucher made the order in the Supreme Court, Friday. Tori Mackinnon, 31, who had pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a vessel in a dangerous manner causing death, was told her profound remorse, previous good character, excellent prospects of rehabilitation, guilty plea, and the fact prison could worsen her fragile mental state, had influenced his decision. Paul McVeigh, 60, was killed when he…
PLAYING in a cricket match with his father, two brothers and brother-in-law is a career highlight of Mornington Cricket Club 300-gamer Michael Voss. Padding up for his first game in the 1987/88 season at age 12, Voss played his 300th senior game against Delacombe Park in B2 grade on the weekend. This makes him only the seventh club member to play 300 games in its 152 year history. Others include George Keys, Jeff Calder, Paul Brown, Stephen Voss, Terry O’Keefe and one other. His best batting performance is 63no and his best bowling figures are 5/31. Another highlight was a…
A WALKING and running event is the main financial force behind a driver education program for thousands of year 11 students across the Mornington Peninsula. The annual Arthurs Seat Challenge raises money for the Fit2Drive program to help students become safer road users by focusing on better decision making when faced with risky situations. The program also increases community support, sharing knowledge with parents and schools in our local area. “It has been remarkable to see the growth and expansion of road safety education across the peninsula, and the shared response to reducing road fatality and injury involving young people…
WATCHING goldfish in a bowl can be restful or compared to waiting for grass to appear. But that won’t be the outcome for hundreds of divers and snorkelers in the water at Rye and Flinders this summer as part of the biggest citizen science event on Victoria’s marine calendar, the Great Victorian Fish Count. “The huge amount of enthusiasm volunteers have for the Great Victorian Fish Count reflects the deep knowledge and passion that exists in local communities for our marine life,” Caitlin Griffith from the Victorian National Parks Association said. “This enthusiasm makes it possible to contribute large amounts…
WORK on the long-awaited shared path down the steep southern slope of Mt Eliza to Emil Madsen Reserve is set to begin next month. The nearly two-kilometre Wooralla Drive path from Tower Rd to the reserve will cost $500,000 plus an unspecified amount for a crossing of the tourist railway line at the bottom of the hill. The rail crossing is likely to add a significant amount to the project. It will be done under a different contract and must meet VicTrack requirements for a normal suburban rail line even though tourist trains only run three times a month. The…
FIVE private gardens in Mt Eliza and Frankston South will be open to the public over the weekend 7-8 November. The 5 Gardeners’ Gardens is an initiative of the Anglican Parish of Mt Eliza which is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the historic “little white church” on the corner of Koetong Pd and Nepean Highway, Mt Eliza. The parish held the event in 2009, 2011 and 2013 and, according to coordinator Lyn Whelan, it was a great success. “What better way to spend a spring weekend on the Mornington Peninsula than by rambling around Mt Eliza visiting five delightful private…
ORGANISERS of the annual Peninsula Health and Sustainability Expo say their perspective on health and wellbeing practices can help people pause to try out mindfulness techniques. Now in its fifth year, the expo provides tips and demonstrations on environmentally friendly practices and wellbeing techniques. Fiona Redding, nicknamed the Happiness Hunter, is one of 60 Mornington Peninsula businesses, health practitioners, nutritionists and wellness operators who “care passionately about living in a holistic and happy way”. “It doesn’t take much to change your own lifestyle – but sometimes it can be overwhelming to know where to start, and who to turn to,”…
FISHERIES officers are out to make sure anglers follow snapper bag and size limits in Western Port and Port Phillip bays. Anyone caught over the limit will face $433 on-the-spot fines for each offence, have their boats seized or be banned from fishing. Fisheries Victoria executive director Travis Dowling said officers would enforce catch limits, check fishing licences and educate anglers about fishing responsibly under Operation Billit. “Snapper are an icon fish so it is important anglers fish sustainably by obeying the rules, knowing their limits and taking only what they need,” Mr Dowling said. “Officers will be undertaking patrols…
BACTERIA and contaminants are flowing into ground and surface waters from more than 30,000 unsewered properties across the Mornington Peninsula. The problem is compounded by inadequately maintained septic tank systems. The shire is undertaking a septic monitoring program in unsewered areas, including Arthurs Seat, Red Hill and Point Leo, and looking at options to provide sewerage. The program includes electronic monitoring and barcoding of septic tank systems in high-risk areas as well as providing advice to septic system owners through the Smart Septics program. The shire’s new Domestic Wastewater Management Plan aims to prevent contamination from septic tanks along with…
NOMINATIONS are open for next year’s Mornington Peninsula citizen and young citizen of the year and the year’s best community event. “Right across the shire, we have so many ordinary people doing extraordinary things. These awards help to make sure these individuals are rewarded for their generosity, selflessness and community spirit,” the mayor Cr Bev Colomb said. “If you know a friend, family member, school mate, community leader or any person or community event that helps make our community a better place to live, help us to recognise their efforts by nominating them for an award! Nominating is easy and…
WHALE watchers, tourism operators and environmentalists are marvelling the record number of whale sightings this year in Western Port. Sightings of more than 110 humpbacks, one southern right and four orcas in the region have encouraged whale watching cruises to extend their schedules. The apparent increasing numbers of whale is also providing ammunition for those opposed to an international container port being built at Hastings. While off the state government’s agenda at the moment, the port expansion could be added to the state’s major infrasturcture list if Western Port is designated as the most appropriate site by Infrastructure Victoria. Conservationists…
ROSEBUD Secondary College has won this year’s Wakakirri Challenge for Secondary School Story of the Year. There were 247 entries in the event which has categories for primary and secondary schools. Rosebud’s entry One Of Us, with teacher Brea Low, tells the story of two Jewish sisters who are taken to the Warsaw ghetto after the infamous Kristallnacht riots. Death slowly consumes them at a concentration camp. One sister gets a new identity and survives to tell their story. The performance was described as “incredibly powerful” by critic Petra Glieson. Established in 1992, Wakakirri is reportedly Australia’s largest performing arts…
THE state government is offering “a new tool” to help users save money on their power bills, following the release of figures showing that nine out of 10 Victorians are paying too much for electricity. Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio says the Victorian Energy Compare independent price comparison tool lets Victorians enter data online from their smart meter or power bill to find the best offer. The average Victorian household spends about $2800 on energy bills every year, which represents about 2.3 per cent of the average household income and up to about seven per cent of income for lower income…
AN event to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of mental illness will be held Saturday 7 November, at Southern Peninsula Arts Centre. Blue Dog Night will kick off with a barbecue at 6pm and show at 7pm. Tickets are $20 at the door with those under 16 free. Artists and photographers will display work in the foyer for a silent auction. Entertainment will be by bands The Warrains, Ling Marra and SugaTree, and Melbourne band Lasseter’s Reef, and Isla Ka from Tasmania. Organiser Erin Watkins will play original tunes. The event drew inspiration from a night of live music,…
THE new Women’s National Premier League soccer consortium Southern United is interviewing prospective coaches and plans to announce appointees soon. Its policy is that, if a male candidate is successful, then the best female candidate will be offered an assistant-coaching role. The consortium represents one of the largest catchment areas in Victoria. It is an amalgam of Casey Comets, Mornington, Langwarrin, Seaford United and Peninsula Strikers juniors. The interim board consists of Michael Woodward (Strikers and ex-local zone representative), Rob Harrington (Strikers), Rosemary Meeds (Mornington), Dawn Stone (Casey Comets), Stuart McLeod (Casey Comets), James Honey (Langwarrin) and Willie Lynn (Seaford…
ARTIFICIAL tree hollows – although not the real thing – are still important to the conservation of Australian hollow-nesting animals. They complement the diminishing number of old, natural hollows, which take many years to form, but which are often lost when mature trees are chopped or fall down. This time of year there is much competition for the few available nesting spots. Bats, possums, gliders, owls, parrots, ducks, kookaburras, rosellas and kingfishers, as well as various species of frogs, snakes and skinks, are all searching for homes. Students at Mt Eliza Secondary College’s Real Time Learning program decided to help. …
THE state government is pouring money into Rosebud to both make it a “destination” and to bridge the gap between the infrastructure of Melbourne’s inner and outer suburbs. In a statement issued last Friday Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Bev Colomb enthusiastically supports the government’s $4.15 million grant for the shire’s the Destination Rosebud project. The total value of the project is $5,501,713 with council contributing $1.35m in this year’s budget. Council says it will “inject” 33 jobs and $10.6 million into the local economy “and will provide opportunities for our young people to re-engage in employment, and to reconnect…
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Nathan Murray. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the 27-year-old, who also goes by the name of Nathan Rogers, for failing to appear at court in relation to drug, theft and arson related offences. Murray is known to frequent the Mornington, Frankston, Leongatha and Cranbourne areas. Investigators have released an image of Murray in the hope that someone may have information on his current whereabouts. He is described as being approximately 175cm tall with a medium build, fair complexion and brown hair. Anyone who sees Murray is urged…
A HOST of Mornington Peninsula primary schools are taking part in VicHealth’s Walk to School activities this month. The mayor Cr Bev Colomb joined pupils at Mt Martha’s Osborne Primary School on Wednesday, while Cr Antonella Celi took part in festivities on Thursday at Our Lady of Fatima Primary School, Rosebud. Walk to School’s month of activities encourages pupils to walk – or ride, scoot or skate – to and from school throughout October. It improves health and fitness, increases social connections and confidence – and helps care of the environment by reducing car emissions. “Mornington Peninsula is pleased to…
THE “age-friendliness” of the Mornington Peninsula was a major topic at the shire’s first Positive Ageing Community Summit held on International Day of Older Persons, Thursday 1 October. That “friendliness” relates to transport, housing, social participation, respect, volunteering and employment, communication and information, community and health services, and outdoor spaces and buildings. About 60 attended the summit which brought together residents to reflect on the progress of the shire’s Positive Ageing Strategy 2013 – 2018: A Community for All Ages. A highlight was a comedy act by Evelyn Krape. It aimed to consider new and emerging issues in creating an…
THE Peninsula Dragonflys are encouraging breast cancer survivors to row, row, row a boat. The colourful dragon boat cruises along Patterson River at Carrum most Saturday mornings crewed by a team of women rowers. The Dragonflys, part of the Dragons Abreast organisation, offer breast cancer survivors a chance to meet others with similar experiences and have fun while exercising. The women are putting the call out for new crew members to head along and give rowing a go later this month during National Paddle Month. Peninsula Dragonflys vice-president Linda Young said the club will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year…
THE international Clothesline Project in Frankston was launched Monday to raise awareness of family violence. A clothesline on show at Cube 37, Frankston Arts Centre, 10-13 October, is being used to illustrate the Week Without Violence campaign. It will then be displayed at different parts of the Mornington Peninsula over the next year. T-shirts with anti-violence messages will be on show made by women and children impacted by family violence. Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Family Violence Network is concerned about the high rates of family violence and believes the humble clothesline is a great way of raising awareness in the…
IN a wonderful twist of fate for the Western Port area, Norma Carew’s love of art collecting has resulted in the opening of a brand new gallery, Crib 208 Art Studio. Norma’s life experiences have been many and varied from being a beauty therapist through to attending the “School of Entrepreneurs” with the National Enterprise Development Scheme. She has a passion for all things beautiful that you see the moment you walk into the stunning gallery. “I’ve always been a collector of art and always appreciated things of beauty, so my studio reflects that,” said Norma sitting among her bevy…
There is reported fire activity in the Deham Rd Tyabb area near Bluescope Steel and the fire is currently under control. Fire fighters will be on scene for several hours mopping up the fire and monitoring the area. There is currently no threat to communities. Updates will continue throughout the day. Smoke will be visible from nearby communities and roads. Safety Information: Review your bushfire survival plan. If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes. If you have time check your neighbours to see if they are monitoring conditions. If you are experiencing smoke exposure,…
HOLIDAY home owners in the Flinders area are being advised to check for lost property after up to six homes and six cars were broken into Wednesday night. One of the cars was stolen but later recovered. Rosebud detectives arrested and charged a Hastings man, 34, with burglary and theft on Friday. He was bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 9 December. Another man is believed to be involved but he had not been apprehended when The News went to press. Detectives said absentee owners may not even be aware their homes had been raided. Items known to…
UNSEASONABLY hot weather and north winds over the weekend had everyone alert for fires in the Western Port region. The sight of a large grass fire in Boes Rd, Tyabb, between Graydens and Mornington-Tyabb roads, Sunday, prompted several calls from residents to Tyabb and Hastings CFA brigades, but the controlled burn was deemed safe by fire crews. Some were worried that the fire was unsupervised; others that it was out of control. Others called in simply to check that nothing was amiss. An appreciative Tyabb captain Stephen Birkinshaw said the fire “looked a bit larger than it was” but did…