NEW opportunities for Mornington Peninsula businesses are predicted to stem from the trade agreement (FTA) between Australia and the United Kingdom. The UK Consul-General Steph Lysaght visited the peninsula last week to brief businesses about what they could expect when the FTA becomes operative. The briefing, organised by the Committee for Mornington Peninsula, included benefits that could be expected, including visas, jobs, and the removal of trade barriers. Also attending during the day were the federal MP for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie, state MPs Paul Mercurio (Hastings) and Sam Groth (Nepean), Cr Antonella Celi and Roger Lancia and Angela Cleland from…
Author: MP News Group
GRACING the stage in Frankston Arts Centre’s Cube 37 next month is internationally renowned comedian Damien Warren-Smith. Garry Starr Performs Everything is a one-hour show combining different theatre styles, as Damien’s character and clown, Garry Starr takes it upon himself to ‘save’ the theatre industry. At times wearing not much other than an Elizabethan ruff, Damien described Garry Starr as the most embarrassing form of himself. Jokes translate differently from audience to audience, but there is something fun for everyone to enjoy. “I’m just wanting people to have a really good time, it’s not in any way divisive or political,…
THE widely-acclaimed ROLLING THUNDER VIETNAM is set to take Frankston by storm in June as part of the show’s eagerly-awaited 2023 national tour. Hailed “a musical and dramatic triumph”, the stunning Australian production will play Frankston Arts Centre on Thursday 8 June and a just announced second show on Friday 9 June. Tickets are now on sale at rollingthundervietnam.com The electrifying show vibrantly awakens the pulse and tumult of the Vietnam War era. It showcases many of the great rock classics of the ‘60s and ‘70s, brilliantly arranged by musical director Chong Lim AM, Inspired by the true stories of…
By Vic Jeremiah* AT the John Coleman Coterie luncheon held on 19 March the Hastings Football/Netball Club again recognized the contribution of past players and officials with the induction of five people to the Club’s Hall of Fame and the elevation of Bob Stone to the status of “Legend”. Bob Stone (pictured), a member of a well known Somers family, was a prominent footballer from an early age, playing eight senior games for the Melbourne Football Club in 1942 as a 16 year-old. Post-war he played 165 senior games with Hastings and was a member of the 1946-’47 and ’48…
Police are investigating an assault at a Mornington shopping centre last month that left a security guard injured. Investigators have been told security staff told a man to leave the centre on 11 March around 9pm for unruly behaviour. The man initially complied, walking toward the exit with the security guard behind him. The offender turned when he reached the exit and punched the security guard multiple times to the face before walking away. The guard was treated for swelling, bruising and cuts to his face. Investigators have released an image of a man they believe can assist with their…
THE word is spreading about the fun and inclusivity of wheelchair basketball, as the sport makes inroads on the Mornington Peninsula. A pilot wheelchair basketball program at Somerville Recreation Centre gave able-bodied students a change to gain understanding and empathy around the challenges of others and have fun on the court at the same time. Gabe Peck from the Western Port Basketball Association said the recreation centre teamed up with Somerville Secondary School students who came to play wheelchair basketball in a trial run of the pilot program, The agenda for the day included court time with a qualified wheelchair…
BALNARRING Beach is one of the Victorian beaches where horses can be ridden for recreation, rehabilitation and training. Photographer for The News, Gary Sissons was up early on Friday 31 March when these two horses, above, were being exercised at the beach. Riding permits are issued annually by the Balnarring foreshore management committee with allocations for families, local recreational riders and horse trainers. There are no casual riding permits. Riders must wear a numbered horse permit vest and follow rules designed to protect the environment (including beach nesting birds and the dune vegetation) as well as people on the beach.…
Stop selfish car parking It’s great that we have tourists come to the Mornington Peninsula and support our local shops. However, the attitude and selfish behaviour when shopping at the local supermarkets is appalling. How many times do they drive into the car park lanes the wrong way then, when challenged, just laugh it off or tell us to mind our own business? I wish someone in authority would book these selfish people. When backing out or driving in these lanes the correct way, we do not expect to be collected by another car coming the wrong way. Would they…
THE international known Australian Welsh Male Choir will present a concert at the Mt Martha Bowls and Petanque Club at 45 Watsons road Mt Martha on Sunday 7 May at 2pm. The choir regularly tours Victoria, and other states and has recently returned from a concert tour of Western Australia. International tours have included the United Kingdom, Ireland, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and New Zealand. The Australian Welsh Male Choir (AWMC) is a choir of approximately 50 members singing in the spirit of the great male choirs of Wales. Singing in four-part harmony in the traditional format, the choir recently…
A RARE late 19th century watercolour of Mornington has recently come on the market for $17,500 through Hordern House, dealers of rare books, manuscripts and paintings. English-born artist John Clifford Rowland Clark (1860-1908) painted the picture after he and his New Zealand-born wife moved to Victoria around 1883. The couple lived at Sorrento before moving to Grey Street, St Kilda. The painting, Schnapper Point: the jetty at Mornington, is a mood-filled watercolour that the sellers Hordern House describes as resonating with “rich Australian historical context”. “It captures a fleeting moment in a place now forever changed”. Visited by explorer Matthew…
THE team at the Dolphin Research Institute has a lot to celebrate, with the beginning of its research “fellow” program, measurable success of its programs to protect and monitor dolphins, and the continued expansions of its ambassador program with schools. The institute was formed in 1991, with a focus on research on dolphins and whales, conservation in education, environmental leadership for the community, and being a strong and sustainable organisation. A registered charity, it is self-financed from the community, foundations, the corporate sector and government grants, and is about to release its Impact report, documenting key data it has collected.…
POLICE have warned shoppers not to leave bags or wallets unattended after a wallet was snatched from a trolley at Woolworths, Mount Eliza on Tuesday 4 April. A woman has told police she was shopping at the store around 2.40pm when she discovered a red wallet was missing from her trolley – ironically the woman’s elderly mother had left it with her daughter for safe keeping. After checking store CCTV, police said a man could be seen allegedly circling the aisles and following the woman while he appeared to look for items on the shelves. He is then seen taking…
A NEW path with mosaic and memorial tiles has been completed at Sorrento RSL in time for Anzac Day, Tuesday 25 April. The work around the memorial was a combined effort by teachers and students at St Joseph’s School, Sorrento, members of Point Nepean Men’s Shed and Sorrento RSL. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 11 April 2023
Police are appealing for public assistance following a theft in Mornington last month. It is understood a man entered a store on Nepean Highway with two empty shopping bags about 5.30pm on 8 March. Police were told the man placed multiple computer items into the bag, believed to be worth around $1400, before walking out of the store without paying. He is described medium build with short brown hair and distinct dark tattoos on his arms and hands. Investigators have released images of a man they believe can assist with their enquiries. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime…
MORE than 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander secondary students from 30 schools attended this year’s annual Koorie Youth Summit at the Willum Warrain Aboriginal gathering place in Hastings. The Friday 31 March Culture Matters-themed summit was co-sponsored by the South East Metro Aboriginal Suicide Prevention and Healing Network and financed by Youth Justice as well as long term supporters, the Willum Buckland Foundation. It was the third summit and had “the key aim of connecting young mob around culture”, Willum Warrain CEO Peter Aldenhoven said. “This exciting event involved entertainment, cultural activities, yarning circles, show bags and refreshments,” he…
A LIVE music event at Westernport Yacht Club this month will feature three hours of entertainment, with all proceeds going to research into diet and cancer. The event has been organised by non-for-profit Nutrition Biomed Research Institute, a research organisation that aims to bring diet to the forefront in the fight against cancer. Spokesperson Dr Maree Brinkman said that diet was generally not part of the standard overall management and care of a patient’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, despite links between diet and illness. “While it can vary according to different body sites, it has been estimated that diet contributes…
Dim view of drastic prune This picture, below, is an example of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s and its arborists incredibly caring approach to tree management. Sadly, Balnarring Beach koalas and residents have lost their battle to save this 70 to 100-year-old manna gum. On Tuesday (28 March) morning council contractors and a platoon of police blockaded Balnarring Beach Road and proceeded to destroy another of the peninsulas koala food trees. Residents had given alternatives to destroying this tree, but the shire chose to ignore them all. Vale Manny the manna gum. Rupert Steiner, Balnarring Koala habitat lost I am absolutely disgusted…
A SOIL turning ceremony marked the beginning last week of work on a new cancer care centre at The Bays Hospital, Mornington. Once completed, the centre will include radiation therapy and procedure rooms, consulting suites, a wellness and education centre, research facilities for clinical trials and a garden. “Having treatment locally available will mean family and friends will not need to travel significant distances to support patients during their treatment,” The Bays Healthcare Group CEO Jade Phelan said. The group’s chairman Brett Gallagher said the cancer care centre “is the most significant project in more than 20 years”. Phelan said…
ELECTRIC powered homes, businesses and vehicles were the main topic at an electric vehicle fair held in a public car park at Mount Martha on Saturday 18 March. Organised by Repower – a “not-for-profit association of volunteers” – the fair was part of the group’s ongoing bid to “decarbonise” the Mornington Peninsula by cutting carbon emissions by 70 per cent by 2030 (from 2018 levels). “As a developed nation we have contributed more than our fair share of fossil fuel emissions to the world’s limited carbon budget, and so we need to do more than the average and show leadership,”…
AFTER 29 years Peninsula Surf Riders are again the Victorian teams titles champions. Westerly winds and a moderate swell saw the event held at Smiths Beach, Phillip Island which president Sean McDebitt said was a “weird call”. However, it was a call that worked well as surfers maintained focus and embraced the challenging conditions. The main draw had the Fingal-based club in the second semi-final with Torquay and Point Lonsdale. Lachy McDonald started off with a 7.17, while Will Watson “smashed” three big turns on a sub-par wave for a 9.5, which McDebitt described as “unbelievable stuff”. From there the…
EVA Barnes is a 19-year-old, who spent time in the Royal Children’s Hospital when she was young. Over the past 10 years she has raised $22,000, because she wanted to give back to the hospital that had helped her. Supported by her grandmother (who taught her how to bake cakes) and inspired by seeing the children in need of care at the hospital Barnes raised the money by selling cakes, potpourri and jams at markets. On 1 April the Sorrento Activity Centre (SPSSC) supported Barnes with a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party-themed afternoon, raising $3100 for the hospital. Artist John Bredl,…
THE Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is encouraging locals to “help preserve a slice of the Western Port foreshore on Bunurong Country”. The department has opened nominations for volunteers to join the Crib Point Stony Point Foreshore Reserve management committee. “This unique opportunity is open to anyone who has an interest in preserving and protecting our stunning coastal foreshores,” DEECA regional director Port Phillip Stephen Chapple said. The committee was responsible for the day-to-day management, care and protection of the foreshore reserve, caravan park and boat ramp “and plays a vital role in protecting our coast for…
THIS year’s Womin Djeka Balnarring Ngargee on the weekend was a family festival that celebrated First Peoples cultures and joined communities together. The festival, held for the first time at the Emu Plains Reserve, Balnarring (Boon Wurrung Country), on Saturday 25 March, is in its sixth year and has continued its vision to be an event where the community can gather to share, begin conversations and walk with First Peoples. The festival is presented by Balnarring Pre-School, joint winners of the 2021 Narragunnawali Award, which recognises outstanding reconciliation initiatives in schools and early learning centres. First Peoples cultures are shared…
‘Respect what we have, take your rubbish home’ The residents of Blairgowrie recognise that we occupy a very special place sitting between Port Phillip and Mornington Peninsula National Park. Our neighbourhood character is greatly enhanced by considerable roadside native vegetation and a number of bushland reserves and beautiful beaches. This character is under attack by excessive clearing for residential development, graffiti on public infrastructure and rubbish dumped or left on our beaches. I wish to acknowledge the efforts of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, the Whitecliffs foreshore management and Parks Victoria to address these problems. We would like to appeal to…
PLANS for a new Bungower Road tech park have been adapted after community feedback and have entered phase two. The proposal, first put to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council in 2020, is predicted to provide up to 1100 jobs and create a business park with green space and ancillary facilities. The founders of the navigation technology company Sealite are the major players behind plans for the $540 million technology park at Somerville. Lead proponent Chris Proctor says it is “future-proofing” local employment through innovation and community growth. He said the park would be safeguarded from potential heavy industrial use and was expected…
AFTER a few difficult years following COVID-19, staff changes and finding a new home in Davies Avenue, Mount Eliza, Baluk Arts has returned to members’ workshops with public access sessions to follow soon. The program series will feature some of the biggest names in Victorian Aboriginal art, including the first session which was with Maree Clarke, a pivotal figure in the reclamation and revival of southeast Aboriginal arts and recent recipient of the 2023 Yalingwa Fellowship. Artforms to be explored in the series include painting, sculpture, weaving, possum skin pyrography, and jewellery-making. There is also a weekly weaving circle which…
MORNINGTON Peninsula residents can dispose of green waste at no cost during the shire’s No Charge Green Waste event from 28 to 30 April. The no charge weekend is for shire residents or ratepayers only, with green waste to be delivered only from residential vehicles and trailers. The popularity of previous free waste days has led to delays at transfers stations, especially in the morning and at the end of the day. Proof of residency (driver’s license, rates notice) needs to be shown at the transfer station. Green waste includes all types of garden waste and untreated timber. The Mornington…
VOLUNTEERS who clean up rubbish left by others at Mornington Peninsula beaches are calling for help to do their job even better. As part of BeachPatrol Australia – the umbrella organisation concerned about the plastic that is ending up on beaches – volunteers at Rye, Safety Beach, Dromana, Mornington, Rosebud, McCrae, Blairgowrie, Mount Eliza and Mount Martha are removing litter, one plastic wrapper and disposable coffee cup at a time. In the collective effort to keep streets clean and stop plastic litter entering the creeks, canals, beach or ocean, BeachPatrol has teamed with inland groups of Love Our Street to…
BAYSIDE Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team detectives have charged a 34-year-old Baxter man with alleged sex offences. It is alleged the offences against three victims took place between January and March this year in Waterways and online. The man was arrested on Thursday 16 March. Police searched his vehicle and two properties and seized various electronic devices. He has been charged with 10 offences, including sexual penetration of a child under 16, sexual assault of a child under 16 and grooming. He has been remanded and will next appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 7 July. First published…
THE Lions Flinders Motoring Heritage event over Easter is in its seventh year and promises four hours of “revving”, music, food vans and a festival atmosphere. The show will be held 10am to 2pm Sunday 9 April, and includes classic, veteran, vintage and neo-classic cars parked around the town. Proceeds will support the refurbishment of an interactive garden at the Peninsula Health Mornington Centre in Separation Street. The garden – the first of its kind in a dementia ward within a public health system in Victoria – is designed as to reduce symptoms and contribute to the quality of life…