Police are investigating following a fatal crash in Pearcedale yesterday afternoon. Emergency services were called to Baxter-Tooradin Road to reports a car had struck a tree about 1.20pm The driver, a 64-year-old Frankston man, was transported to hospital where he sadly died. It is believed the vehicle was travelling east prior to the crash, which occurred shortly after West Road. The cause of the crash is yet to be determined and anyone who witnessed the crash, or who has dashcam footage, is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au. For the current…
Author: MP News Group
Police are investigating after a car crashed into a tree at Rye early this morning. It is believed a vehicle was travelling along Melbourne Road when the driver lost control and crashed into a tree about 12.15am. Sadly, the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, died at the scene. The driver is yet to be formally identified. Anyone with dashcam footage or further information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au. For the current provisional lives lost tally please see police.vic.gov.au/news Victoria Police News – Thursday 31 March 2022
VOLUNTEER group Save the Kangaroos says discussion “is ongoing” for the early release of the 500-plus kangaroos trapped on private property at Cape Schanck. Spokesperson Mary Waterman said the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning had agreed that no permits were required if one-way gates were put in place to allow the kangaroos to leave the property of their own volition. “Discussion is now occurring between the people involved and we hope to see this safe form of release happening very soon, returning the kangaroos to Greens Bush,” she said. “We are very anxious that the release of the…
THE inaugural Hastings Art Show in April will host a huge collection of paintings and photographs from local and Victorian artists. The art show is to raise money for the Holy Trinity Church in Hastings, which lost its op shop when the old church burned down in 2017. The old church operated as an opportunity shop, and was adjoined to the new church, which firefighters were able to save. Church volunteer Sandra Brown said people could view the works at the gala opening night on Thursday 21 April, which will include refreshments and food, and there will be early-bird purchase…
THE executive director of Heritage Victoria has announced his recommendation that the Heritage Council of Victoria include the Flinders Pier on the Victorian Heritage Register. The move is a significant step in the campaign to save Flinders Pier. As part of the consideration process, Heritage Victoria will invite submissions from the public and interested parties who support (or oppose) the recommendation. There may also be public hearings. It is expected the assessment process will take around two months, and if it gets listed it must be protected and any work will require a permit from Heritage Victoria. Flinders Community Association…
MALCOLM Gordon’s new book ‘A Never Ending Journey’ was officially launched at Crittenden Estate Wine Centre on Friday 25 March. The Member for Flinders, Greg Hunt, launched the book, speaking on the importance of recording history for generations to come. The book is a history of the Mornington Peninsula and in fact a sequel to his earlier publication ‘Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula’ which first appeared in 1997. Readers of the new book will find pre-history, geology, natural systems, cultural landscapes, visitor attractions, conservation and expanding development, rural and coastal townships and their distinctive characters, alongside entertaining local anecdotes. Throughout there is…
A FREE, multi-arts and culture gathering aiming to lift community spirits and raise awareness of the local, not-for-profit arts and cultural scene will be held over two days in Dromana. LIFT, presented by the Peninsula Culture Collective, will give people the chance to explore artistic self-expression and discover the talents within not-for-profit arts and culture organisations. From 30 April to 1 May, the old Dromana Community Hall shire offices and surrounding gardens will be transformed into a creative and cultural arts studio and performance pop-up precinct. Inspired by the theme that the arts can promote positive change and ‘lift’ communities,…
MAJOR developers Trenerry Property will develop the former aged care home Sorrento Lodge into affordable accommodation for local workers if it gets the go ahead at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The company, which will join Victor Smorgon Group and the Kanat Group on the Sorrento project, has a track record in investment and development, recently purchasing the mid-century Burnham Beeches in the Dandenongs, and the Continental Hotel in Sorrento in 2020. Sorrento Lodge, a 34-bedroom property on Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento, once operated as an aged care facility, but has been closed for three years and is ripe…
RED Hill CFA has urged people wanting to burn off on their properties to be mindful of local vineyards with before burning off. Despite fire restrictions being lifted on 29 March, the brigade’s Sam Hill has asked land owners to consider holding off their clean up until Easter. “We understand everyone will be keen to keep cleaning up and getting rid of burn piles,” he said on social media. “If we could please ask that we be mindful that all our local vineyards are still picking fruit up until Easter approximately and they, like the rest of us, have had…
PATROLS were kept bust on Sunday 21 March, when a vehicle was intercepted at 5pm on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway in Mount Martha. The male driver in his 20’s allegedly used a false name and was found to be unlicensed. The man, who also failed a roadside drug test., had his vehicle impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1075. He will be summonsed for traffic matters at a later date. At 6.30pm, a female driver in her 20’s was intercepted on the Nepean Highway, Mornington, driving with a suspended licence. Her vehicle is expected to be impounded and…
SOMERVILLE Highway Patrol were left shaking their heads on March 18 when they intercepted an18-year-old driver in the Hastings area allegedly travelling at 138 kmh in an 80kmh zone. The teenager was detected on Frankston Flinders Road about 7.20pm, when he was stopped by police. Police said the driver, who gave no reason for travelling 58km/h over the speed limit, had his vehicle impounded for 30 days at a cost of $895. He is expected to be charged on summons at a later date for traffic offences. First published in the Mornington News – 29 March 2022
A TOUCHING tribute to Mt Eliza’s Percy the peacock, who was hit by a car and died late last year, has been made by a local couple who the injured bird hiding in grass off Kunyung Road. The couple, Teresa and David Quinn, have mounted a beautiful and colourful peacock image on the front of their house to commemorate the importance of the bird’s presence to the community. Neighbour Dawn Whittaker, whose home was often visited by Percy, said the plaque was a beautiful celebration of Percy’s life and a reminder of how much he was loved by those who…
RESIDENTS and users of optional clothing beach, Sunnyside North Beach in Mount Eliza, are encouraged to have their say on the beach’s future before 21 April. The beach has been a clothing optional beach and popular with naturists since 1986, and is the only nudist beach along Port Phillip Bay. However, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council reports say on-and-off-lockdowns and travel restrictions over the past two years had changed visitorship, with more locals exploring their 5km radius rediscovering the beach. The shire and is now asking the wider Mornington Peninsula community and all visitors who use the beach to register their…
MORNINGTON Park Primary School is celebrating its results, which shows concerted efforts to lift reading rates have achieved remarkable improvements compared to previous years. Principal Beverley Dadds said the school was “incredibly proud” to be recognised for the results achieved in Naplan, after ‘whole school community’ efforts during the difficult lockdown periods of the past two years. Ms Dadds said teachers had worked hard to improve literacy, with lots of one-on-one support, and the school moving away from levelled readers. She said classrooms were happy places of learning, now only filled with quality literature to engage students in reading. Feedback…
MEMBERS of the Flinders Zero Carbon Community proudly attended the unveiling of the new town entry signs on Friday, which are part of the move to net zero emissions by 2030. Spokesperson Mark Aarons said Flinders Zero Carbon Community was a group of volunteer community members taking local action to make a difference to climate change. FZCC formed as a sub-committee of the Flinders Community Association in early 2021 to promote action at a grass-roots level. Its mission is to support Flinders to reach net zero energy and net zero emissions by 2030, and to see a future where all…
ESSO Australia has applied for a development licence to build three power generators on Bayview Road, Hastings. According to the application, production of LPG is declining and with it the levels of excess ethane being produced. Esso anticipates the power generation plants would only be required until 2033. The energy giant’s application to the Environment Protection Authority states the three generators will be built on Bayview Rd, Hastings, next to the Esso liquid petroleum gas processing plant and using the excess ethane gas by-product of the LPG manufacturing process to fuel the generators. The EPA says it will assess the…
THE winners of the 2022 Peninsula Film Festival have been announced, with The News photographer Yanni Dellaportas making the list. The festival evolved eleven years ago, beginning at the Rosebud Bazaar, then moving to the Rosebud Village Green and the eventually the Dromana Drive-In. Nifty Roadshow by Cameralla took out top prize at the Short Film Festival on Saturday night at the Dromana Drive-In. Second prize went to City of Salt by James Dr Martino, who also walked away with best director, and third prize went to Healing Country by Tracee Hutchison. Best cinematography went to Skin by Jarid Seymour.…
WILDLIFE advocates are confident the fate of hundreds of kangaroos trapped at Cape Schanck is closer to being resolved after a meeting with Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning officers on Wednesday. Mary Waterman from Save Mornington Peninsula Kangaroos said members concerned about the safety of the kangaroos, which were behind a locked gate on private property and could not escape, believed Delwp seemed responsive to their calls for the kangaroos to be released. Ms Waterman said a permit application to control the wildlife through lethal means had been rejected, and SMPK was hopeful that Delwp would now follow…
By Lulu THE heroic life of Jeff Williams of Somerville has left an indelible footprint on Mornington Peninsula artists. The 57-year-old who died recently was one of the mainstays of the Mornington Peninsula Painting and Drawing Group Inc which is understood to have originally been an offshoot of the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery. In spite of being in a wheelchair and attached to an oxygen bottle, Mr Williams held the roles of president and treasurer during his long association with the 50-year-old group. After Mr Williams was hospitalised with complications from life-long muscular dystrophy and heart/lung issues the group was…
VISITORS to the Oak Hill Gallery in Mornington have the opportunity to explore Antarctica visually and learn about the changing environment. With Antarctica containing 90 per cent of the Earth’s ice, the region is a major cooling factor for the Earth. Artist Glenda Pitt, who says the Antarctica is also under threat from climate change and warming weather, has put together a fascinating exhibition showcasing her interpretations of parts of Antarctica as she imagines them to be; vast, desolate and freezing – down to minus 40 degrees celsius. Her exhibition has a strong environmental message, and is a stark waring…
A WYNDHAM Vale man has been charged with intentionally cause serious injury over the alleged stabbing of an 18-year-old Safety Beach man in Federation Square on March 11 about 11.40pm. The Safety Beach man was taken to hospital in a critical condition, but was stabilised and is now recovering from his wounds. Police also arrested seven other males, aged between 14 and 17, who were interviewed and released. All are expected to be charged on summons with affray. The parties are believed to be known to each other. Investigations remain ongoing and witnesses or anyone with any vision is urged…
PRESERVATION work on a Mornington monument commemorating the landing of English navigator Matthew Flinders has been recognised by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. Work to restore the Matthew Flinders monument at Schnapper Point began in 2019, and the Mornington and District Historical Society and other community groups were so impressed by the result, they nominated the restorer Simon Lyne from Ventia for the award in recognition of his outstanding skills and commitment to local heritage. Mr Lyne said restoring the monument work involved securing it with new mortar and applying gold leaf lettering to…
OSBORNE Primary School students are being encouraged to embrace the joys of walking, cycling or skating to school, and are gearing up for the National Ride2School Day on 25 March. They will join 350,000 students across Australia taking part in the Bicycle Network campaign on Friday. Grade four teacher Nick Drysdale said the school encouraged student participation because the benefits of getting more exercise were clear. “Often classmates arrange to ride to and from school together, and there are the obvious exercise benefits that flow on to better concentration and better overall health,” he said. Mr Drysdale said walking or…
ON Saturday 26 March, Hastings Primary School will celebrate it’s 150th year. The school was established formally in 1872, the same year the Victorian Government introduced the 1872 Education Act, providing free, secular and compulsory education for children. Hastings Primary School has a long and continuous history in Hastings, and takes pride in the ongoing connection with families, volunteers, community groups and organisations, businesses and surrounding schools. The school invites the entire Hastings community, past and present, to come along and celebrate 150 years of providing outstanding education to the families of Hastings. Come along and enjoy the nostalgia and…
THE state government has given the green light to the upgrade of the intersection of Forest Drive and Nepean Highway, Mount Martha three years after the federal government offered to pay for it. Flinders MP Greg Hunt said the federal government had committed more than $20 million to the intersection, with work now scheduled to start in 2023. The work will include traffic lights across Nepean Highway, a signalised pedestrian crossing, footpaths connecting the intersection’s bus stops and realignment of the driveway opposite Forest Drive. Mr Hunt said calls to Improve the intersection had been the subject of “countless community…
THE Federal Labor Party has made an election promise to commit $10 million towards upgrading Emil Madsen Reserve in Mount Eliza. The reserve is the largest sports precinct in Mornington Peninsula Shire and services Mount Eliza and neighbouring areas. It is home to the Mount Eliza Junior Football Club, Mount Eliza Soccer Club, Mount Eliza Football Netball Club and Mount Eliza Cricket Club – some of the biggest sporting clubs in the region, Emil Madsen Reserve has almost 2000 people who use it on a regular basis. Shadow Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Catherine King said the facilities were…
POLICE are seeking public help to identify three males who may be able to assist with inquiries into an assault on 14 January. It is alleged three men approached a person sitting alone on the footpath on McLaren Place, Mornington at 10.55pm. Police say that without provocation the person was assaulted and sustained a fractured nose and facial injuries. Investigators are hoping to identify the three men captured on CCTV. Anyone with information is urged to contact Senior Constable Avion at Mornington Police on 5970 4900, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report at bddy.me/34FTHx2. First…
SOMERVILLE Highway Patrol was kept busy over the long weekend as part of Operation ARID. Before members could grab a morning coffee on Saturday they had already impounded three vehicles in under four hours. Around 7am a 36-year-old man was intercepted on Mornington-Tyabb Road, Moorooduc, and found to be suspended from driving after a drink-driving incident last month. His vehicle was impounded, and he will face a charge of driving while suspended. At 8.40am the same highway patrol unit intercepted a 29-year-old man on Hodgins Road, Hastings. He was found to have been unlicenced since 2013. He further tested positive…
WORK has started on a $4.5 million camp ground at Point Nepean National Park on the lawn outside the historic Quarantine Station and will be designed for people new to camping. The camp ground will include pre-pitched tents on platforms, with facilities including a camp kitchen and toilets to be provided in existing Quarantine Station buildings. Parks Victoria is also seeking tenders for a project to provide visitors with “stories of the park”. One option being considered is for interpretive trails and audio and video installations at park buildings to explain its “living” Aboriginal culture and natural, military and quarantine…
RISING costs have led to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council entering into a $1 million meals on wheels service partnership with Frankston Council. The shire has run a meals on wheels program for more than 30 years, producing around 75,000 meals annually, while supporting welfare and independent living. Community services manager Jo Bradshaw said costs had been rising due to a steady increase in new clients and so the shire joined forces with Frankston in a joint tender for the service. “This is expected to make the service more cost-effective and ensure a more competitive outcome for both councils,” she said.…