By Dr Alan Nelsen* INSTEAD of apologising for its incompetence and the debacle with the aged care services, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has disgracefully attempted to apportion its share of the blame to others. More than four years ago, the then CEO indicated that the shire could not compete on cost against private aged care providers and was considering outsourcing. Then two years ago the council itself appointed mecwacare following a rigorous tender process “which explored all options available to deliver certain aged and disability services to new clients under an aged care partner provider model”. The current CEO, John…
Author: MP News Group
MORNINGTON man Alan Girling used his time during COVID lockdowns to make use of his interest in fishing to qualify as an instructor and volunteer with Fish Care. An outdoors enthusiast and fisherman, Girling lost nearly all of his vision due to optic atrophy but did not let that stop him from rugged terrain or choppy waters. He is now helping others enjoy what he likes as the first blind or low vision volunteer with Fish Care. “Through my local walking club I’ve been able to maintain a good outdoor lifestyle with help from friends and other club members” Girling…
DETECTIVES from Frankston CIU arrested one man and seized several 3D printed hand guns last week as part of an investigation into firearm trafficking and manufacturing across Melbourne’s south-east. The investigation began after police apprehended a 24-year-old male in Langwarrin on 23 March. After a search, the man was allegedly found in possession of an imitation handgun. Following this arrest, police searched a factory in Carrum Downs on 11 May, recovering two hand guns, including one manufactured by a 3D printer. A 32-year-old Carrum Downs man was arrested and charged with prohibited person in charge of firearms and possess a…
A NEW recycling service has been started for such items as cables, mobile phones and cameras, DVDs, CDs, floppy disks and cases, videos, cassettes and cases, x-rays, light globes and fluorescent tubes. The move is part of Mornington Peninsula Shire commitment to sending no waste to landfill by 2030. Recovery stations for the previously hard-to-recycle items will be located at Mornington, Rosebud and Hastings and Somerville libraries. The items will be collected by social enterprise Green Collect and taken to Braybook centre to be recycled. Green Collect says 60 per cent of Items get re-used while 35 per cent are…
MOTORISTS may soon be paying to park their vehicles on the Mornington Peninsula, but not those issued with a residents’ permit. “Parking management services” will be invited to submit expressions of interest to Mornington Peninsula Shire covering resident permits, paid parking and smart parking technology. The mayor Cr Anthony Marsh says call for submissions “does not mean council has decided to introduce paid parking and there is no intention to introduce paid parking for residents”. The shire says for two years it has been “exploring all available options to better manage parking” around beaches, town centres “and across the peninsula…
AFL MORNINGTON’S 144 win over Tyabb on 6 August had football historians running for their record books, and not because of the size of the win. Despite being only ten minutes or so apart, it was the first time in 107 years the two teams had met. By Doug Dyall SEASON 2022 brought together for the first time since Round 8 1915, Tyabb versus Mornington in senior football. It is the longest gap in local football history and probably country football where two teams in the one area having had a 107 year-gap playing against each other in Senior Football.…
WITH time ticking away until the state election, the Liberals have still not announced a candidate for Frankston and Labor has yet to announce who will stand for Mornington. Frankston has been held by Labor’s Paul Edbrooke since 2014 and former Dunkley MP Chris Crewther is running for the state seat of Mornington, now held by long term Liberal MP David Morris. The state election is scheduled to be held Saturday 26 November. The Liberals have been announcing candidates for state seats throughout the year but have yet to declare candidates in the key seats of Frankston of Carrum. The…
THE annual Wakkakiri Story-Dance performance festival comes to Frankston Arts Centre next week. Wakkakirri is a long-running program featuring performances from school children. The performances align with the theme “great stories inspire change”. Performances will be held at the Frankston Arts Centre on 23, 24, and 25 August. To buy tickets and see which school is performing on each night visit artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au/Whats-On/Events-directory/Wakakirri-2022 First published in the Western Port News – 16 August 2022
AN artist has been commissioned to create a new sculpture to replace the Love Flower. The Love Flower currently sits by the Cranbourne Road exit ramp of the Peninsula Link freeway. The site is the former home of Reflective Lullaby, the ginormous chrome gnome. Natasha Johns-Messenger, an installation artist, has been handed a $300,000 commission for a “dynamic sculpture” project. The new artwork, titled Compass 23, will feature 12-metre high powder coated and stainless steel geometric structures. It will be installed in October next year. Johns-Messenger said that her work “responds to site – its scale, topography, light and spatial…
THE Lost Dogs’ Home is calling on Victorians to open their hearts and homes to dogs as capacity has officially hit its North Melbourne and Cranbourne shelters. Dog adoption fee will be reduced for a week from Friday 12 August. The home’s spokesperson Suzana Talevski said although winter was usually a slower time for adoptions, there appeared to be several reasons for more dogs being available for adoption this year. ‘’It appears it’s a combination of the winter chill keeping people away, the rising cost of living and the owners no longer having the time to care for their animals.…
WORK to make the west jetty at Rye boat ramp safe is expected to be completed by late September. The jetty is being upgraded with a $100,000 grant from Better Boating Victoria and $50,000 from Mornington Peninsula Shire. Safety concerns were raised when an inspection showed the extent of rotting timbers, including supporting piles and decking. Work was scheduled to begin this week with the jetty being closed to the public, although the boat ramp remains open. The repairs will also include securing the solar lights, new handrails and painting. The mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said the safety upgrades will…
A PROGRAM run by Peninsula Health has helped more than 100,000 people who tested positive for COVID-19 but did not need to be hospitalised. COVID Positive Pathways started in March 2020 to provide clinical care and support to Frankston and Mornington Peninsula residents. The program started after the first people in the community tested positive for COVID-19 and staff from Peninsula Health’s community care department banded together with volunteers to ensure they were able to receive care at home. The COVID Positive Pathways team makes daily phone calls, delivers medication and clinical consultations, as well as offering social support and…
GAMBLERS have lost $45 million to poker machines on the Mornington Peninsula in the past six months, eight per cent more than before the COVID pandemic. The escalating losses and high number of machines within the municipality will be discussed and analysed at a free forum headed by the Rev Dr Tim Costello and Rose O’Leary, advocacy and policy manager of the Alliance for Gambling Reform Committee. The Progress in Pokies Reform on the Peninsula forum will coincide with an announcement about the state government’s adoption of recommendations stemming from the recent Crown Casino Royal Commission. The Mornington Peninsula Shire…
CESARE Bonacini turns 100 on Wednesday this week (17 August) and sees Main Ridge Bowls and Petanque Club as his “spiritual bowls home, his palace”. “This diminutive, always affable Italian migrant, affectionately known by all in the Mornington Peninsula bowls community as ‘Caesar’, is indeed hailed by all who have been fortunate to know him on the greens or off,” club member Sue Brown said. On 17 August club members will “salute a unique and beautiful human being”. “He remains a vital component of the bowls team and in 2009-10 secured the club’s pair’s title, a feat he achieved again…
SORRENTO Police are investigating an incident that occurred in St Andrews Beach about 1.30am on Friday 5 August. Police said a Toyota Landcruiser allegedly lost control on a corner of road causing extensive damage to the front fence of a house, vegetation and the vehicle. Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for a Toyota Landcruiser with extensive damage, including a smashed window, a damaged roof rack, damage to a bull bar and smashed indicator and headlights. All information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. First published in the Mornington News – 9 August 2022
THE Mornington Peninsula Toastmasters have been toasting new members but are still keen to welcome more. For nearly 100 years the organisation has encouraged and supported people from diverse backgrounds in becoming more confident speakers, communicators and leaders. Member Jacky Howgate said public speaking could be nerve wracking, but the support of Toastmasters made it a much less daunting activity that had boosted her confidence. Club president Sue Macdonald said being part of Toastmasters was also good for meeting new people from all walks of life. “It’s a great way to learn how to speak confidently in public, in a…
MORE Victorians can receive bill relief and cut their energy costs with the state government’s $250 power saving bonus, already taken up by one million households. Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio announced an extra $205 million for the program, where every Victorian household can receive $250 to find a better energy deal on Victoria’s Energy Compare website. Since 1 July, one million Victorians have applied for the one-off payment. All Victorian households are eligible for the $250 payment, including the nearly 400,000 concession card holders who previously claimed the payment under an earlier phase of the program. The $250 power saving…
Cr Anthony Marsh* AGED care is a complex issue with no easy answers and Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors share Dr Sarah Russell’s concern for the wellbeing of our older residents and are deeply committed to supporting our older population and ensuring the peninsula is a place where people can age well. Since we became aware of the federal government’s aged care reforms in 2016, we have worked hard to determine the best approach and outcomes for our community. It was disappointing to see the many inaccuracies in Russell’s opinion piece regarding recent changes to in-home aged care on the peninsula…
DROMANA resident Ceberio “Cebby” Johnson has won this year’s Frankston Arts Centre’s open exhibition competition with his self-portrait photograph, Ceb and Early. Johnson’s photograph was recognised for its depiction of optimism and happiness. Guest judge Suzette Wearne said the self-portrait stood out for the joy and spontaneity of its subjects—a young blind man and his dog. “It captures Ceberio Johnson’s remarkable fortitude and optimism,” she said. Johnson took the picture in his garden using a remote with a cord and a tripod. He said it had been difficult because his dog, Early, kept chewing the cord and knocked over the…
CHRISTINE Gorman, trading as Calmer Farmer, established her business after seeing a need to provide expert advice to tree changers who want to get the maximum benefit from their new lifestyles but are not sure where to start, or how to go about it. Christine offers farm coaching and tutelage over six or twelve months, focussing on providing individualised and comprehensive assistance in all areas of farming – from the ground up. With school-age children herself, she takes a family-friendly approach that incorporates all family member needs when helping clients to develop the skills they need, understand their resources, and…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is overseeing opportunities for entrepreneurs to provide coffee and snacks from one fixed and multiple mobile venues. Expressions of interest are being sought for the lease of the cafe attached to the Mornington library and comments are being sought from the public on mobile food vans. Proposed changes to the shire’s food truck policy proposes increasing permits from one to three years (with extra winter-only permits); providing electricity to mobile food van site; adding new sites and increasing “residential roving” permits from two to four; and “asking food truck vendors to demonstrate how they will benefit the…
By Dr Sarah Russell* A MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillor claims the federal government “forced” the shire to outsource its aged care services to private providers. Really? This contradicts advice from the Department of Health and Aged Care. The department states that it encourages councils to deliver aged care services: “[Councils] have been consulted, encouraged and supported and may be eligible for a grant to assist with their higher costs.” Furthermore, as a result of the outsourcing, the personal details of thousands of people were given to private providers: 1554 client records were given to Bolton Clarke; 2063 were given to…
PORTSEA Surf Life Saving Club’s under-23 men’s tube rescue team – Finn Nicholas, Andrew May and Sophie Courtney – won the Australian IRB (inflatable rescue boat) championships at Mollymook, New South Wales. Courtney and Nicholas teamed up with Sas McNamara to take out the silver medal in the open women’s tube rescue. As well as their efforts at the Australian Championships, Courtney, May, McNamara and Nicholas were selected in the Victorian team against Australia’s best drivers, crews and patients. “Victorian lifesavers have a fantastic record of outstanding results at the Australian IRB championships and I am thrilled to say in…
AVA Holland is making waves in the world of competitive surfing and left some of Australia’s best surfers in her wake at the recent Skullcandy Oz Grom Open Event at Lennox Head. The goofy-footer (a surfer who stands with their right foot facing the front of the board) from Dromana – who turns 14 this month – showed her style during the six-day event to win the under-16 division with a 13.80 two-wave heat total. Holland, who took up surfing three years ago, said the Skullcandy was one of the most prestigious surfing events in the world. It includes a…
A MURDER on the waters of Port Phillip is the mystery inside a new fiction novel. Death on the Ferry Hygeia is a new novel by Langwarrin author Will Spokes. The murder mystery is set just after World War I during a charity event aboard the Port Phillip excursion ferry Hygeia. Spokes said that the novel is inspired by the works of legendary author Agatha Christie. “I’m a fan of crime and murder mysteries like most people. One of the great titles in this genre is Murder on the Orient Express. Because of my interest in the old ferries, I…
POLICE are calling for witnesses to a collision on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway in Moorooduc on Saturday 16 July with one vehicle being forced from the freeway. Investigators say the collision happened about 3.30pm between a grey Holden Captiva and a white Mitsubishi Magna which left the road and came to rest about 150 metres south of the Loders Road Bridge. Anyone with information should phone the Frontline Tasking Unit at Somerville on 5978 1300 (quote incident number T20220016200). First published in the Mornington News – 26 July 2022
SOMERVILLE Highway Patrol officers are appealing for public help after a woman was hit by a car in Hastings on Tuesday 20 July. Investigators have been told a Ringwood woman, 28, was on the road talking to the driver of a silver Volvo which was pulled over on the side of Boes Road about 6pm. A south-bound, light-coloured Toyota Landcruiser collided with the woman as it was driving past. The male driver allegedly stopped and checked on the woman before driving off before police arrived. The driver of the Toyota is described as being Caucasian, 40-50-years-old with grey hair and…
MOUNT Martha teenager Harry Geary has been selected to represent Australia as part of the world skate inline speed skating team at this year’s world skate games in Argentina. Geary, 17, is one of three inline speed skaters in Australia selected for the games. Being held in Buenos Aires later this year, the skate games will run events in rink hockey, skateboarding, roller derby, inline downhill, artistic skating and inline speed skating. Geary’s place at the games was cemented two weeks ago in Brisbane, when he won two gold medals and two silver medals at the 2022 National Inline Speed…
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a fatal collision that has claimed the life of a motorcyclist in Baxter this morning. It is believed a 4WD and a motorcycle collided at the intersection of Frankston-Flinders and Coolart roads about 5.45am. The rider, a 67-year-old Tyabb man, sadly died at the scene. The driver of the 4WD stopped at the scene and is assisting police with their enquiries. The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential…
VICTORIAN Liberal leader Matthew Guy says he has not spoken to Hastings MP Neale Burgess about allegations of alleged inappropriate behaviour because “it is a legal matter being handled through the parliament”. Guy told a news conference on Saturday (16 July) that he did not know what conversations “presiding officers” of the parliament had had with Burgess of who had been subject to the alleged inappropriate behaviour. Guy was speaking after newspapers revealed that Burgess had been banned from parliament for one month and told by his own Liberal Party leaders not to attend party issues events or be involved…