RSPCA Victoria’s first Healthy Pet Day event on the Mornington Peninsula is on Wednesday 31 January in Crib Point, with RSPCA experts providing free check-ups, dog vaccines, pet food, and advice on pet behaviours. RSPCA Victoria community outreach manager Dr Lauren Roberts said Healthy Pet Days were a great way to provide pets with health checks. “Our expert animal care team provides pet check-ups, dog vaccines, microchipping, flea and worm prevention treatment, behavioural advice, resources and pet food,” she said. “We want to keep our pets happy and healthy for years to come, and local pet owners will have access…
Author: MP News Group
Nature seen as a mere asset to be plundered The spectre of the Harry Potter experience being held in the sanctuary at The Briars, Mount Martha for several months has many questioning the genuine commitment of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to its documented standards of transparency in governance, due diligence in decision making, and its actual care for our precious and delicate ecological systems. Highly credentialed and professional people with very deep ties to the community have consequently rallied together to protect the community’s sanctuary at The Briars, bringing to the cause their considerable resources – personal and professional networks,…
RESIDENTS of coastal areas are being encouraged to take precautions against mosquito bites and Buruli ulcers over summer. Acting Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said 363 cases had been reported in 2023, the highest number since the infection emerged in Victoria in 2004. Buruli ulcer is a bacterial infection linked to mosquitos that can cause significant skin damage. The condition can be treated with antibiotics, making early diagnosis and treatment vital. Symptoms for the infection include spots that look like insect bites, ulcers, painful lumps, limb swelling, redness of the skin and is sometimes accompanied by severe pain and fever. State…
TEN years ago, Australian Academy of Cinema and Televised Arts-nominated cinematographer Anthony Littlechild met filmmaking students, Liam Kelly and Riley Sugars, at the Peninsula Film Festival workshop. Today, between them they have been nominated for two ARIA awards, two AACTAs and multiple international awards. Kelly is an awarded director known best as one of the creatives behind Tones and I’s music videos, including Dance Monkey and Fly Away. “The Peninsula Film Festival is the perfect bridge between a local festival and one that’s also internationally recognised,” Kelly said. “It fosters up-and-coming talent and highlights the best of Australia’s filmmaking community.…
THE Mornington Peninsula-based Australian Welsh Male Choir is celebrating its 50th birthday. Since it began the choir has been overseas – to the United Kingdom seven times, including performances at the Royal Albert Hall, London, to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. However, the choir is staying home for its 50th, with a concert at Frankston Arts Centre on Friday 1 March 1 and in September will tour outback pubs. “This is going to be an amazing year for our choir. For our 50th birthday concert we have invited guest artists from Wales and it’s going to be a sellout performance,”…
ART on the Pier is coming to Rosebud on 1 February, with an exhibition of about 100 art and photographic works by artists across Australia. The works will be installed down the length of the pier, with Port Phillip as a backdrop. The outdoor exhibition will run for four months until 30 May. All works are produced on canvas and sandwiched between two clear sheets of polycarbonate to seal them against the elements, these will then be locked to the railings of the pier. The concept of showing art on a pier was launched in late 2021 on the Queenscliff…
Police have arrested a second teenager following an alleged assault in Mornington earlier this week. A 17-year-old Hastings boy was arrested last night. He’s been interviewed, released and is expected to be charged on summons. Officers were called to reports a man was allegedly assaulted and pushed off a pier into water near Schnapper Point Drive about 11.30pm on Sunday, 14 January. The man was pulled from the water and has not reported the incident to police at this stage. A 14-year-old Crib Point boy was arrested on Tuesday, 15 January and will be charged on summons. Both teenagers will…
By Barry Irving THE Rye Gift continues to go from strength to strength as crowds flock back to the family day after Covid. This year we were blessed with cooler weather ideal for an athletic carnival. A couple of sprinkles of light rain, but there were no complaints from the runners. Again, there were many compliments from the competitors and the Victorian Athletic League officials with regards to the preparation of the running surfaces. Thanks once again to the Mornington Peninsula Shire team of contractors who prepared an excellent surface. The Junior Gift was conducted by the Little Athletics Southern…
AFTER a ten-year hiatus the Peninsula Sotheby’s Portsea Celebrity Pro Am made a huge comeback in 2023, winning Metropolitan Pro Am of the Year at the Victorian Golf Industry Awards. A major event on the PGA Tour of Australasia’s Golfing Calendar, the 2024 event was also touted as one of the best social outings of the summer. Proceedings kicked off on 2 January where a crowd of 320 filled the Continental Sorrento. The room included familiar names across the sporting, celebrity and corporate worlds. Pommery champagne, Stone and Wood, and Sticks wines were flowing throughout, as attendees dialled in their…
Police have charged a teenager following an alleged assault in Mornington earlier this week. Officers were called to reports a man was allegedly assaulted and pushed into the water off a pier near Schnapper Point Drive about 11.30pm on 14 January. He was not seriously injured and was pulled from the water by onlookers. Police have today charged a 14-year-old boy from Crib Point on summons with reckless endangerment and unlawful assault. He will appear before a children’s court at a later date. Victoria Police News – Tuesday 16 January 2024
By David Gill* HAVING one person in charge of boundaries and names for wards on the Mornington Peninsula leads to the possibility of the first political gerrymander in Australian history. The electoral structure review panel which is about to announce details of 11 wards on the peninsula was appointed by and is accountable only to the Local Government Minister, Melissa Horne. The new wards will replace the six existing wards and be in place for the October council elections. There is no apparent way of splitting the shire into 11 wards that improves the existing boundaries in the best interests…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Police are ramping up their “lock and leave” message following the many car break-ins at holiday hot spots over the Christmas and New Year period. Acting Sergeant Matthew Young of Mornington police said Acting Sergeant Matthew Young at Mornington police station said that there had been 115 thefts from motor vehicles on the peninsula in December. All vehicles were had been unlocked. Most of the increased offending was occurring in the Rosebud area due to a sharp rise in visitor numbers over summer and increased occupancy of holiday homes and short-stay rental properties. “This increases the number of…
Council ‘a joke’ over Potter show secrecy What an absolute joke the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has become (All clear for transparency hub and Thumbs down for Potter Performance, The News 9/1/24). Clearly, the planning for the Potter event has been underway for some time, shrouded in secrecy, involving details disclosed at a closed council meeting with councillors being asked to sign non-disclosure agreements. Many residents will be totally opposed to The Briars wildlife sanctuary being used in this manner, rightly so and no doubt the reason for the secrecy. If it was good enough for the people in Brussels…
A MORNINGTON teenager was among a group arrested and charged over an aggravated burglary and series of thefts in Beaumaris overnight on Monday 8 January. On Tuesday 9 January, detectives from Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit arrested four people over an alleged aggravated burglary at a home on Haydens Road, where it is alleged an Audi was stolen. The vehicle was later found in the Carrum area by police. Detectives with assistance from Caulfield DRU and local stations arrested the four at a Station Street, Carrum address a short time later. Police recovered allegedly stolen car keys, wallets and IDs from…
By Anthony Albanese* THIS week I was back in Frankston to ask Jodie Belyea to be Labor’s candidate for Dunkley. Jodie is a local Frankston mum who has put her hand up after the late Peta Murphy’s passing. I know that for many of us, not just in the Labor family, but in the local community, the loss of Peta Murphy has been devastating. It meant a lot that Rod, Peta’s husband, joined us on Thursday at the Frankston Bowling Club to help launch Jodie’s campaign. Because of Peta’s work, Jodie Belyea was inspired to join the Labor Party. I’m…
POLICE are urging visitors to the Pillars at Mount Martha to be aware of the dangers of jumping from the rocks after a man was injured on Friday 5 January. The man, in his 20s, is believed to have been injured while jumping off rocks into the sea at the Pillars, a popular tourist spot that was once closed due to the risks involved and the high number of accidents. Emergency services and paramedics rushed to the scene about 4.40pm where they treated the man for neck pain and took him to Frankston Hospital. He was believed to be in…
By Barry Irving BELLA Pasquale winner of last years 120m Stawell Gift will compete again at the Rye Gift on Saturday 13 January. Bella will be trying to go back to back after also winning the 2023 Womens 120m Gift at Rye. Bella will also contest the Open 70m and the Womens 400m. Coming from a strong running family Bella’s mother was winner at the Rye Gift taking out the Women’s Diamond for three consecutive years 2003, 2004 and 2005. Nicholas Antonio took out the Men’s 120m Gift in 2023 and then went on to make the final in Stawell…
Secrecy over Potter show highlights council failings There is no doubt about the huge public opposition to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council secretly giving The Briars wildlife reserve over to Warner Brothers/Fever for two months to conduct their Harry Potter show. Secretly doing a deal with a multinational entertainment group to stage a major event that will dramatically affect Mount Martha residents and pose huge environmental problems for The Briars slaps in the face of the “transparency and consultation” that we expect from our councillors and council executive. The public only found out about it when tickets went on sale four…
DIVISIONAL Response Unit members from Southern Metro Region have seized firearms and drugs from a rural property on French Island. Detectives went to the Mosquito Creek Road property on Thursday 4 January at about 8.30am, as part of an investigation into the illegal possession and use of firearms. A 36-year-old man was arrested before warrants were executed by detectives with support from the Dog Squad and Water Police. A search of the property uncovered 11 firearms, a large quantity of ammunition and alleged methylamphetamine and cannabis. The French Island man has been charged with various offences including unlicensed person possess…
POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding an assault in Sorrento on Saturday 23 December 2023. It is believed a male victim outside a venue on Ocean Beach Road was “coward” punched and knocked to the ground about 12.11am. It is also believed that the victim may have sustained a mild concussion and other potential facial injuries. Police are hoping to locate the victim to assist with further investigation into the matter as no reports were made on the evening. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in…
POLICE are investigating an incident in Tootgarook involving illegal fireworks and flares on New Year’s Eve that caused significant damage to a house and left a 57-year-old woman trapped inside. Tootgarook carpenter Jon Croft is being hailed a “hero” after he raced to the burning house in Alma Street just after midnight to help the disabled occupant escape through a front window. Croft was walking with his wife Amy just after midnight when he heard fireworks and flares being let off and soon after heard calls for help coming from a house. Croft told the media he could see a…
The North and South lifts located at the Marine Drive Underpass, Safety Beach have been closed due to mechanical issues and will remain closed until mechanical repair works and/or replacement can be completed. The upper-level glass foyer doors have also been locked and relevant signage has been positioned. Pedestrians are asked to seek alternative options. Should you have any concerns please email Cambridge Management Services via email at – customercare@cambridgems.com.au or afterhours Martha Cove Security, 03 5987 1010.
An alleged thief has been arrested after speeding away from police only to have a little snooze in the middle of a Mornington intersection overnight. Officers first spotted the white Hyundai SUV which was bearing stolen number plates, on the Nepean Highway at Mornington about 1am. Police attempted to intercept the car but the driver sped off erratically. The Hyundai was then found blocking lanes at the intersection of Bentons and Racecourse roads about 2.45am. Responding officers quickly realised the driver was asleep at the wheel. Police struggled to hold in their laughter as they cordoned the vehicle, placed stop…
WESTERN Port Community Support has sent a big “thanks” for the support from the community for its annual Christmas Giving Program. CEO Georgie Hourn said the planning and preparation for the program started mid-year and behind the scenes staff worked hard to ensure there was money for hamper contents and gifts for the children. Hourn said the program required hours of work and administration, in particular by volunteers. “We had hundreds of toys and packing hampers ready for collection on Thursday. Our other staff have been out in the community picking up the toy donations from various businesses and community…
Paid parking trial unfair to non-resident carers I have a disability and require carers daily. I’ve been a resident of Mornington for 35 years and a social member of the yacht club for 23 years. It’s one of my few joys. On a regular basis I go to Schnapper Point for a coffee at the cafe or up to the club, however yesterday my disability carer got a warning on her car that she would now have to pay for parking (for taking a disabled resident to their favourite space where they have been going for years). They are driving…
THE Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will not oppose the Endeavour Group buying the Rye Hotel, despite initial concerns that the proposed acquisition could lessen competition in the supply of takeaway liquor in the area (Competition concerns raised over Rye Hotel sale, The News 27/9/23). The hotel includes accommodation and an adjoining independent drive-through liquor store operating under the Thirsty Camel brand. Endeavour operates BWS Rye and stores in Rosebud and Sorrento. “The ACCC did not have any concerns in relation to accommodation, gaming or meals, given the number of competitors in the area offering these services and Endeavour’s…
NOT-for-profit skate shop Janice Earth is back up and running in Rosebud, months after owner Lenny Richardson found himself “homeless”. The skate enthusiast and competition organiser said a generous supporter and local businessman reached out to him after reading about his plight in The News and offered a shared premises at 1355 Point Nepean Road (Skate ‘promoter’ wants to return, 28/9/23). Richardson says he can now get back to his business of helping others and supporting young people in and around Rosebud, including 14-year-old skater Gil Shachar. Richardson has operated the Janice Earth Community for around 10 years, including organising…
KEEN observers of changes to the environment, especially near the homes and where they are regularly taken for walks, five-year-old groodle Olive seemed particularly aware of Christmas lights. These decorative lights in Rollings Close, Rosebud created just the right atmosphere to take the weight off for a bit and appreciate the ambience. The next notable stop, of course, will be Christmas Day, when, in the past, Olive’s “family” has included her in the festive celebrations. Picture: Yanni First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 19 December 2023
MOUNT Eliza, Peninsula Bridge Club members Peter and Suzanne Schuster took their seat at the table for an historic bridge game at Victoria’s Government House, in Kings Domain, Melbourne. The grand ballroom’s transformation into a card house for 160 players and guests was the first time the Ballroom, with a length surpassing the ballroom at Buckingham Palace, had been set up for bridge. “This wonderful game of bridge in the ballroom event aimed to celebrate Victoria’s bridge community and to showcase Victoria’s contribution to the game worldwide,” event organiser Laura Ginnan said. The strategy-based card game is recognised as a…
THE newly formed small boat team, part of the Water Police Squad, will be on the water over summer. To deal with some of the state’s most complex marine emergencies, the team will use a mix of smaller and more maneuverable vessels including jet skis and inflatable rescue boats, both inland and along the coast. Water Police Squad and small boat team Acting Sergeant Kristina Clappison says jet skis and inflatable rescue boats are able to go where bigger vessels can’t, meaning police can get to people more swiftly when seconds matter. The newly formed team will make it easier…