POLICE have praised the behaviour of boat and jet ski operators after a drug and alcohol testing operation at boat ramps and Rye and Safety Beach on Saturday 22 January. No offences were detected with police administering 30 alcohol tests and 29 drug tests after checking 22 boats and eight jet skis. Four infringements were issued however, including for having an unregistered vessel, out-of-date flares and two for people not wearing a life jacket. Police spoke with 58 people and were pleased with behaviour on the water generally, especially boat and jet ski operators adhering to the rules and carrying…
Author: MP News Group
MELBOURNE-based artist Hayden Dewar has combined imagination and his love of nature to create a colourful and symbolic mural in Rosebud. Taking his inspiration from native Australian flora and fauna and incorporating elements of the Mornington Peninsula, Dewar’s Magic of the Peninsula mural has transformed a previously unattractive wall on Ninth Avenue, facing the end of Wannanue Place. Dewar, who has completed murals around the state, said he is passionate about transforming and enhancing public spaces through mural art and thrives on the positivity and public engagement that results from letting his creativity off the leash. The former illustration and…
GOLF By Martin Blake BIG golf is coming back to Rosebud Country Club this week as the Mornington Peninsula gets ready to celebrate some of the best players in Australia on one of the region’s favourite courses. TPS Victoria, hosted by Geoff Ogilvy, is returning after its stunning debut at Rosebud in 2021, with its innovative format mixing men and women, professionals and amateurs in the same field. Male pros include 2006 US Open and all-time great Ogilvy, accomplished stars like Matt Griffin and Brett Rumford and recent tournament winners Jack Thompson and Anthony Quayle. The women who could contend…
LORNA Grant turned 100 on 18 October last year but, because of a broken wrist resulting from a fall, had to quietly celebrate the milestone in hospital. A resident of St Johns Retirement Village, Somerville for the past 23 years, the real celebration was delayed until she came back home and COVID restrictions were eased. But the lateness did not make her birthday lunch – with her requested “party food” – any less enjoyable. Now living in the village’s serviced apartment, Ms Grant was born in Caulfield. She had a bother 18 months older and a sister 10 years older,…
LIFE Saving Victoria has confirmed four sharks were spotted at an unpatrolled section of Sorrento front beach on Sunday. A siren was sounded to alert beachgoers, but it is believed there were no swimmers there at the time. It was the second shark report in one week, after a two metre shark was spotted off Fishermans Beach, Mornington on Friday. Life Saving Victoria has reminded swimmers to swim between the flags on patrolled beaches and avoid entering the water after dusk or before dawn. First publsihed in the Southern Peninsula News – 25 January 2022
ATTENDANCE numbers were down at last Thursday’s opening of the 50th Mornington Art Show, but sales have kept pace with past years. The numbers were restricted because of COVID protocols but a “warm, balmy evening with gentle jazz music, cool refreshments and quality finger food helped provide a warm, friendly atmosphere for those sponsors, artists and guests” who did come along, organiser John Renowden said. He said the natural light in the new studio and community house building at the corner of Nepean Highway and Wilsons Road, Mornington was ideal for displaying “the quality art work for all to enjoy”.…
CO-FOUNDER of the Mornington Botanical Rose Gardens, Laurie Taylor, has been commended by Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh for his contribution to the gardens and the thousands of hours he has given over the past 20 years. With the rose garden committee and volunteers in attendance, Cr Despi O’Connor stepped in for Cr Marsh to present Laurie Taylor with his mayoral commendation, at the Christmas function held at the garden on 14 December. Guests heard about Mr Taylor’s 20-year journey with co-founder Don Gordon, whose tireless contribution has enabled the garden to grow to more than 100 garden…
ROSEBUD police are seeking information about an accident on 25 November last year where an elderly woman in a mobility scooter was hit by a car. At about 3.20pm a small red or orange hatchback was travelling east on Campbell Lane, Rye. As the vehicle approached the intersection of Campbell Lane and Lyons Street the driver is alleged to having failed to give way before colliding with the mobility scooter (there are clear signs to give way). The driver stopped and helped the woman before getting back in the vehicle and driving away, failing to exchange details or ascertaining if…
TWO teenage paddle boarders who got swept out to sea on Tuesday were rescued at Mount Eliza by Frankston SES volunteers, Ambulance Victoria, the Police Airwing and marine rescue volunteers. The two girls had been on stand-up paddle boards when strong offshore winds prevented them from paddling back to shore and took them three kilometres out to sea. One of the teenagers used her Apple Watch about 9pm to call for help, and the Police Airwing was able to locate the stricken pair and drop a flare to guide rescue vessels which were conducting a training session nearby. A Volunteer…
FOR a brief moment in time on Saturday, as swimmers leapt into the water for the 36th Portsea Ocean Swim Classic, the world’s pandemic woes were forgotten. Masks were off, at least in the water, and perfect conditions and the thrill of the competition dominated conversations. About 2000 entrants flocked to Portsea to try their luck. Defending champion Jesse Coulson, from Anglesea, won the shorter 1.5 km classic with a time of 14:01, while fastest female was Torquay surf life saver Sophie Thomas with 14:20. Thomas said it was great to see a club implement so many extra precautions to…
ABOUT 1500 people in a remote Papua New Guinea village can drink water from a tap for the first time, thanks to money raised by several community groups, including Mount Martha Rotary Club. Previously, women and children from Sigri, in the highlands near Mount Hagen, had to walk more than one kilometre to bring home water in buckets. Several of the village’s building had metal roofing but, without gutters, no water was being collected and stored. Mount Martha Rotary set up a project through Rotary Australia World Community Service to raise money to provide Sigri with a reliable water source.…
A FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD boy was left shaken and bruised after allegedly being attacked by an unknown man who attempted to steal his unicycle in Somerville on Sunday night. Mornington Peninsula CIU is seeking information about the attempted robbery, which happened about 9pm on the Eramosa Road West, beside the Claremont Close playground. Detective Senior Sergeant Eddi Lagonda said the incident was concerning as the attack was unprovoked and brazen. He said the victim received minor injuries but was shaken by the incident. The teenager told detectives he was riding his unicycle about 9pm when a white sedan pulled up alongside him.…
CRIB Point residents and holidays makers hoping to cool off at the Crib Point swimming pool this summer will have to seek alternatives, with the 25 metre outdoor pool remaining closed. The pool was closed in November due to leaks in the pool shell and underground pipework that have prevented water levels and water quality from being maintained. It is thought the pipes may have been damaged by an earthquake last year. In late December, a specialist leak detection company used sonic testing to detect the location and extent of the leaks. However, Mornington Peninsula Shire is waiting on reports…
FOOTBALL THE 2022 AFLW season kicked off in Frankston on Friday night with a big win for Richmond. Played under lights at Skybus Stadium, Richmond were trailing by a point at quarter-time. They then put the foot to the floor, denying St Kilda momentum and keeping them goalless in the second and third quarters. Richmond racked up nine consecutive goals in a clinical performance, walking away 38-point winners. Richmond’s dual code athlete, Monique Conti, starred with 29 disposals, nine clearances and 17 contested possessions. The talented Conti also plays for the Southside Flyers in the Women’s National Basketball League. First…
STRICT fire restrictions came into force across the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston on Monday (10 January), with high fuel loads, recent rainfall and warm conditions causing a concern for firefighters. The CFA declares the fire danger period for each municipality depending on the amount of rain, grassland curing rate and other local conditions. Western Port CFA Group Captain David Breadmore said it was important for residents as well as visitors to keep abreast of CFA fire ratings. He said visitors to the peninsula often inadvertently breached fire restrictions by lighting incinerators or burning off because they were not aware of…
MORNINGTON Peninsula and bayside businesses are experiencing the fallout from increasing COVID-19 infections, with some having to close at their busiest time of the year due to staff shortages. Hotel Sorrento closed its restaurant and bar on New Year’s Eve “due to health and safety reasons” scheduled to reopen on 7 January. The hotel was impacted due to a positive COVID-19 case on Thursday, December 30. Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club has suffered a similar fate, with nine staff testing positive, along with several members. However, instead of closing the club will reduce its restaurant operations and has halted sailing…
PORTSEA Surf Life Saving Club’s Nippers Program due to finish last Thursday and Friday (6 and 7 January) became the latest victim of COVID cancellations on Wednesday. The club announced that the last two days of the Nippers program would not go ahead because many families and volunteers had been impacted by the rapid rise in COVID infections across the Mornington Peninsula. A spokesperson said the “tough” decision was made to cancel the rest of the seven-day program because all available volunteers would be required for beach patrol, and some had already been forced to isolate due to positive cases,…
Divisional Response Unit detectives have charged a man and seized drugs and other items following an ongoing investigation. A warrant was executed at an address on Clarinda Street early yesterday morning. Police seized cannabis plants, methylamphetamine, bikes, an electric scooter, ammunition, and a jet ski. A 55-year-old Somerville man has been charged with several drug related offences including cultivating a drug of dependence, trafficking a drug of dependence, theft, dealing with the proceeds of crime, possession of ammunition and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. He was remanded to appear before the Frankston Magistrates’ court today, 22 December. Anyone…
FIVE Mornington Secondary College students achieved ATARs over 90, including members of the school’s high achieving Dreamcatchers. Dux of the college is Tynan Bressan, above left, with a score of 96.8. Kiralee Turver, above right, scored 91.8. Among other high achievers at the college were Olivia Stuart (90.2) who will do a science/arts degree, Ellie Jenkins-Perry (94.5) who will do a public health course, and Jessica Pinkett (91.3) who will do nursing/psychology as a double degree. First published in the Mornington News – 21 December 2021
DUX and school captain Amy Uren with a score of 99.1 was among the 19 per cent of students at Toorak College with ATARs over 95 in the 2021 VCE results. The dux proximus (or next best) was international student Alina Xia, who has been unable to return home to see her family since the pandem-ic began. Her 98.65 is described as a “fitting reward for the hard work and sacrifices she has made to complete her VCE in Australia”. Almost one third of Toorak students received ATARS above 90, placing them in the top 10 per cent in the…
THE 50th anniversary Mornington Art show will feature about 700 paintings, work from glass artist Roberta Easton, artist and sculpture Neil Uren and coastal art hangings by Amber Skehan. “Glass blowing is such a captivating medium, a truly worthwhile and satisfying art form,” said Easton, who has been a professional glass blower for more than 20 years. “In 1990 I was introduced to glass and immediately formed a strong attraction. From this was born a commitment to pursue glass as my chosen career.” A regular contributor to the show, Uren will be exhibiting some of his nearly one metre high…
DROMANA Drive-In has become a popular venue for school communities getting together to celebrate end-of-year functions. This has come about as, over the past two years, the pandemic has forced many schools to think outside the square and to capitalise on the space and opportunities offered there. It is a trend that has pleased drive-in proprietor Paul Whitaker. “Some schools filmed their annual play, as they could not present it to parents, and we screened it here on the three big screens, with parents and the actors in the cars,” Mr Whitaker said. “Others did a live-to-screen-graduation presentation with a…
ROSEBUD Italian Club president Lorenzo “Laurie” D’Alia has been named Elder of the Year in the Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor’s senior achiever award 2021. The award to Mr D’Alia was among several presented as part of the shire’s Delys Sargeant Age-Friendly Awards announced Tuesday 14 December. The awards recognise individuals, clubs, services or businesses that contribute to building a stronger community for older people on the peninsula. Mr D’Alia was described as a “tireless volunteer”. His citation said that during the pandemic lockdowns, he “visited many older, isolated members of the community, and assisted with care and transport for medical…
THE speed limit on Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento, and surrounding streets has been cut to 40kph. This comes after Mornington Peninsula Shire received $2.5 million from the state government for improved traffic management works, as well as road upgrades near the ferry terminal. The shire is working with Searoad Ferries, Department of Transport (VicRoads) and the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions on the works and upgrades. “Keeping our community safe in high traffic areas is essential, particularly during the peak season,” the mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said. Other works due to begin next year include a roundabout at the…
About 18 FRV and CFA firefighters fought a house fire in Mornington on Sunday afternoon, 12 December. They were called to the Craigrossie Road fire about 1.30pm after a 000 caller reported flames and smoke coming from the vacant house The firefighters were on the scene within five minutes and quickly extinguished the flames, bringing the fire under control within seven minutes. The police are investigating the fire which they regard as being suspicious. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 21 December 2021
JANUARY’S Portsea Classic will be held over two days and include running and swimming events. The open water Blazer Portsea Swim Classic had been expanded to include the new Portsea Bay to Surf Adventure Run. The Portsea Classic will be held over the weekend of 14, 15 January, opening on the Friday with the Portsea Bay to Surf Adventure Run: two twilight runs and a walk through Point Nepean National Park. On the Saturday, the 36th Portsea Swim Classic will be held at the national park’s Quarantine Station. The Bay to Surf will see 1000 competitors each tackle a 4.5km…
YOUNG people feeling challenged by their teenage years, life circumstances, or want to find somewhere they can just be themselves are welcome to visit Jimmy’s at Rosebud. The sanctuary for marginalised, disengaged, and disadvantaged youth on the Mornington Peninsula is the creation of philanthropist Sarah Darling and the Jimmy’s Foundation board. It was opened by Flinders MP Greg Hunt on Monday 13 December and will be managed and fostered by the YMCA Peninsula Youth Services. About 75 per cent of mental health problems are said to occur before a person turns 25; one in 10 of those aged 12-17 years…
Ho ho ho! Santa Claus is coming to Mornington We’re getting closer to Christmas and all across the Shire children are very excited to meet Santa! We have good news! Santa’s helpful elves have told us he will be coming in for landing in his sled on Monday 20 December in Mornington. So, bring your little ones to Main Street to watch the very special Christmas Parade and meet Santa. Santa will also be strolling up and down Main Street on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday leading into Christmas. Like last year, from 17 December – 1 February Mornington Main Street (between Barkly Street…
Although Ms McKenzie must wait until the new year to find out if she has been preselected by the Liberal Party, she has stood down from several boards and her own company, Trade & Investment Advisory, to concentrate on securing that position. “I have not taken the decision lightly to throw my hat into the political ring, but believe my business, legal and public policy experience, as well as my various community and volunteer related roles, ideally positions me to make a significant contribution on behalf of this beautiful region, and its remarkable people, in our federal parliament,” she wrote…
A YEAR 6 student from Toorak College has finished second in her age group in the BMX Victoria state titles. Julijana Vrapcenjak trains most days, sometimes twice a day. Her mother, Zoe Vrapcenjak, said Julijana’s “hard work, grit and determination” had helped prepare her for the challenges of competitive BMX racing. As well as from her family, she gets a lot of support from her teachers and the wider school community. “Toorak has provided me with the platform and encouragement to pursue my passions, no matter what they may be,” Julijana said. “Not many girls compete in BMX racing so…