Author: MP News Group

DETECTIVES from Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit are investigating a stabbing that occurred in Dromana on Saturday 13 November. A 17-year-old boy from Tootgarook was at an outdoor gathering on Boundary Road when he was stabbed by an unknown male about 10.30pm. He was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still being investigated and no arrests have been made at this stage. Investigators are keen to speak to anyone who was at the gathering and urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime…

AFTER the hard months of lockdown Rye Community House is celebrating its reopening with an art and craft show. The community house has been offering activities to meet local needs and bring the community together since 1984. It aims to create community connections and address social isolation by offering sessions in painting, drawing, craft, cooking for men and health and fitness activities. The grand opening, from 5.30-8pm, Friday 26 November, will feature the Rye Primary school choir, ukulele players, food and drinks. Call 5985 4462 to register. The show will then be held 10am-3pm over the weekend 27-28 November with…

By Geraldine Bilston* IN a world where politics and leadership are so often characterised by misogyny, power over and patriarchy I am so happy to tell you that my mayor is my hero. I have nothing but appreciation and admiration for Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Cr Despi O’Connor. Five years ago I escaped an abusive relationship. The Mornington Peninsula is my home. It is part of my past; it’s where my daughter and I were abused. But this place is also our future and I want a future where women are respected and safe. Since that time in my life I…

SOUTHERN Peninsula Food for All is seeking support for its 2021 Christmas appeal. Now in its 30th year the service has raised $3530 thanks to generous donations from Rosebud Bethany Lutheran Church and Hillview Quarries. More help is needed to enable it to give joy and encouragement to families and individuals in need within the community this festive season. Christmas food items together with new toys will again be distributed this year. All donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible and can be sent by cheque to Food for All, PO Box 440, Rosebud 3939. Donations can also be made…

AT 11am on 11 November 1918, the guns of Europe fell silent. After four years of bitter fighting the Great War was finally over. That date is now observed as Remembrance Day, and this year, members of Rye RSL again paused to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served in Australia’s Defence Forces over the years. For more than a century the RSL has served its members, the nation’s veterans and their families, and strongly supported the defence and wellbeing of Australia. As guests paused for a minute’s silence on Thursday, they acknowledged the service of veterans and…

Police have this afternoon arrested two men following an alleged hit-run collision that occurred in Carrum Downs earlier this week. A 30-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested at a property on Boundary Road in Carrum Downs just after 2pm. He was taken to Frankston Police Station where he will be interviewed by detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit in relation to the collision that occurred on Hall Road on Tuesday morning. A second man was arrested after he attended Frankston Police Station just after 3pm. The 25-year-old Carrum Downs man remains in custody and the investigation is…

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have released images of two men and a vehicle wanted in relation to a fatal hit-run collision that occurred in Carrum Downs this morning. The driver of a red Holden crashed into a number of road workers on Hall Road near the intersection of Lats Avenue about 7.15am. The man fled on foot and got into a black Hyundai SUV on Rowellyn Avenue a short time after the collision. Sadly a 44-year-old Bayswater man died at the scene. A 38-year-old Traralgon man was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Images of two men, one which…

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating following a fatal hit-run in Carrum Downs this morning. Investigators have been told a red Holden was travelling on Hall Road when the driver struck a number of people near the intersection of Lats Avenue about 7.15am. One person, who is yet to be formally identified, sustained fatal injuries and a second person was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene on foot and police, with the assistance of the Air Wing are searching for the offender, perceived to be Caucasian in appearance and aged in…

Woolworths is a proud supporter of local Mornington Peninsula suppliers like Mornington Peninsula Eggs. Peter Kambouris and his family from Mornington Peninsula Eggs have been producing premium free range eggs, with no antibiotics or chemicals, for Woolies for the past five years. Their hens are free to roam in natural grasslands, which results in eggs that are flavourful and full of nutrition. The eggs are then delivered fresh from the farm to all Woolworths stores across the Mornington Peninsula. Peter from Mornington Peninsula Eggs believes in allowing hens to naturally forage in open fields looking for food. He supplements the hens’ natural diet of grass, bugs…

MORNINGTON Peninsula artist Brodie Alserda had a successful inaugural art exhibition at Lotus Chiropractic, Mount Eliza. Not only did she sell 70 works but was also given a $5000 art grant from Frankston Council. Now in the planning stages, Alserda’s exhibition will be at Cube 37, Frankston Art Gallery, “sometime in 2022”. The grant will cover the cost of the hire of the space, preparing digital files, printing and framing. Alserda, 27, is unique in that no one else in the world has presented with the same genetic sequence. (“Unique view on art and life” The News 26/7/21). She was…

ARTIST Vicki Sullivan did not have to search too long to find inspiration for the portrait that won her a top award from the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors. The model for Wild One is a “cousin’s cousin” who had previously sat “many times” for Sullivan at her Rye studio. “One of the paintings I have painted of her was bought by a collector in the United States recently,” she said. “Originally from Ethiopia, she has an amazing strength and beauty which I find inspiring. For the painting which won the Annie Davison Oliver Award I chose to…

THE route 788 bus from Frankston to Portsea will run more frequently from Sunday 14 November. The service will run every 30 minutes on weekdays while, on weekends, it will run every 40 minutes for most of the day and every 60 minutes at night. Every second route 788 service will run from Frankston to Sorrento. Others will run to Portsea. The service will run to a six-week summer timetable during the last two weeks of December and over January. Weekend services will have the same frequency as weekdays to cater for tourists and changed traffic conditions over summer. Route…

DETECTIVES are keen to find the owner of a necklace, pictured, recovered after an offender was charged with burglaries at holiday homes in Rye and Tootgarook in September. Detective Senior Sergeant Eddie Logonder, of Somerville CIU, said the necklace would have “significant personal value” to the owner. Any claims can be directed to Detective Senior Constable Michael Forgham on 5978 1427. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 9 November 2021

A CAPEL Sound woman died in hospital last week after the car in which she was a passenger crashed into a pole at Rosebud. The 61-year-old was in the car being driven by a 38-year-old Capel Sound woman when the incident occurred at the intersection of Boneo Road and McCombe Street, about 5pm, Thursday 4 November. The older woman was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, but later died. The driver was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the crash. Anyone who saw it, or who has dash-cam footage or further information, is…

GREEN waste can be dumped for free during Mornington Peninsula Shire’s no charge green waste long weekend, Saturday 6 to Monday 8 November. Shire residents or ratepayers can dump green waste after showing proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or rates notice. No commercial vehicles or commercial green waste will allowed. Delays should be expected in the morning and at the end of the day. Green waste includes all types of garden waste and untreated timber. Mornington transfer station will accept a maximum three cubic metres of green waste each trip. Ratepayers who regularly take green waste to…

Woolworths is a proud supporter of local Mornington Peninsula suppliers like Pure Peninsula Honey. Pure Peninsula Honey’s apiarist John Winkels has been producing honey for more than 25 years. After starting out with two beehives on his Moorooduc farm, John’s hobby has grown into a full-time business producing more than 20 varieties of honey and numerous honey-related products.  Pure Peninsula honey is cold-extracted to retain flavour and goodness and a number of their products are available in Woolworths stores across the Mornington Peninsula. In the bee-themed gift shop at the Moorooduc farm you’ll find beauty products made with honey or beeswax. There’s no waste…

IN January 2022 Mornington Rotary Club is set to celebrate its 50th annual art exhibition. Despite COVID restrictions organisers are confident the show will go ahead “in a very similar format to previous years”. Money raised from this 50th anniversary art show will go towards several Mornington Rotary Club projects including the Bay Trail being developed by Mornington Peninsula Shire and other Rotary clubs; completing a shelter over the Rotary long table in Mornington Park; and helping provide accommodation for homeless families. Mornington Rotary, with the shire, has recently installed a women’s bathroom in the Fusion building at Mount Martha. …

THE whole neighbourhood was invited to Lisa Rick’s street party. Each year the Mornington resident celebrates her birthday on Halloween, 31 October, by combining the fun and frivolity of trick or treat with her own birthday festivities in a massive event. On Sunday Ms Rick, of Jacana Street, put on a display on her front lawn with the bash even more special as it was also her 50th. It featured an ice cream truck and sausage sizzle with neighbours helping out with special treats for the children. “It is worth the effort just to see the looks on the children’s…

By Hugh Fraser* DYSFUNCTIONAL silliness at Mornington Peninsula Shire Council continues with the startling admission by the mayor Cr Despi O’Connor that she deliberately kept from five councillors the amendments she wished to effect to council’s proposed meeting procedure Governance Rules and the advice and guidance she had sought and received from shire CEO John Baker and the head of governance and democratic support Amanda Sapolu. Further concealing her initiative from five councillors, the mayor privately asked deputy mayor Cr Sarah Race to introduce the proposed amendments to the public council meeting. This Cr Race did one hour into debate…

VOTERS in four Mornington Peninsula towns have been moved from one state electoral district to another. The Electoral Boundaries Commission last week released a map showing that Merricks Beach, Balnarring, Balnarring Breach and Somers from the next state election will be included in the Hastings district, now held by Liberal MP Neale Burgess. The four towns are now in Nepean, held my Labor’s Chris Brayne. Cranbourne South, Devon Meadows Pearcedale, Canons Creek and Warneet in the northern section of the Hastings district have been moved into Bass. Boundaries for the seat of Mornington held by Liberal David Morris are unchanged.…

DEVILBEND Fun Run and Walk will be held at Devilbend Natural Features Reserve, Sunday 7 November, after being cancelled in 2020 and postponed in August. COVID-safety protocols will be followed and participants, volunteers and spectators must be double vaccinated. There is a cap of 500 runners. The 44th fun run will be over seven kilometre or 12 kilometre courses, or a 21.1km half marathon. A magic mile event is for younger competitors. Money raised will go towards buying equipment for the Mornington Athletic Track at Civic Reserve. Director Craig Mahony said it was a “relief and a pleasure” to be…

Armed Crime Squad detectives are investigating reports of an attempted armed robbery and shooting in Tootgarook this morning. The male victim heard noises coming from the front of his Kareela Drive property and went outside to investigate about 4am on Tuesday, 26 October. He was confronted by an offender who demanded the victim hand over keys to his vehicle. The victim refused to comply and returned inside. A short time later a shot was fired through the front of the house. Broken glass struck the victim, who was treated at the scene for minor injuries. The offender fled on foot.…

MORNINGTON Yacht Club’s James Jackson has won the Youth Sailor of the Year award. Jackson was one of three Mornington sailors to make the shortlist of the Australian Sailing – Victoria Youth Sailor of the Year awards alongside Jack Eickmeyer and Lachie Weber. With crew Harrison Chapman, from Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Jackson won the Victorian 420 State Championships in March, followed by the Australian 420 National Championships on Sydney Harbour in April, again with crew Chapman. This win would have seen the pair selected to represent Australia at the Youth World Championships had Australian been able to send a…

A WOMAN escaped without serious injury after crashing into a shop’s front window and power pole at Baxter Plaza, last week. However, her husband in the passenger seat was not so lucky as he was trapped for a time before being freed by emergency services, Monday 18 October. Both were taken to hospital with minor injuries and for observation. Baxter Fire Brigade, along with Langwarrin Fire Rescue, Frankston SES, the police and ambulance, rushed to the scene about 11.30am after the driver accidentally mounted the footpath and hit a support before coming to rest against the Hungry Zaks window. “Rescue…

POLICE who intercepted a silver VW van at Tootgarook last week had no idea it contained $20,000 in goods allegedly stolen from holiday homes at the southern end of the Mornington Peninsula. Detectives called to the scene arrested a 42-year-old Frankston South woman and a 49-year-old Capel Sound man, 5.40am, Thursday 21 October. Detective Acting Sergeant Steve Reidy, of Somerville CIU, said the alleged burglaries had been committed from July to October. The woman was charged with burglary, handling stolen goods, possessing the proceeds of crime, theft, committing an indictable offence while on bail, and breaching bail conditions. She was…

TWO entertainment venues on the Mornington Peninsula have received grants as part of the federal government’s $2.5 million Live Music Australia Program. The Pig and Whistle Tavern at Main Ridge will get $58,925 to host live Australian music gigs and workshops in The Shed Theatre. Westernport Yacht Club will get $30,390 for modifications to the venue, and equipment upgrades to support, establish, and promote COVID-normal live original music. Flinders MP Greg Hunt said the money would “reinvigorate the local music scene as vaccination rates continue to increase and state government restrictions ease”. “This funding is vital to not only boost…

THE McCrae, Rosebud, Rye and Sorrento camp grounds will open for summer on Friday 5 November. The opening is subject to any changes in government restrictions at the time and any advice received from the Department of Health and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. COVID-19 signs will in amenity blocks will advise campers of density limits and QR codes. Campers in each section (or “bubble”) will use their designated amenity block in an effort to make contact tracing easier. Amenity block codes will be issued on a section-by-section basis with a different code for each block. The…

KATE Briscoe’s art exhibition Geologica – Rockfaces opens at & Gallery in Sorrento, 5-22 November. “We have kept the exhibition by Kate [over lockdown] so visitors can see all the gorgeous textures of this magnificent body of work,” director Julie Collins said. Ms Collins described lockdown as having been a “long hard slog but was “super happy” to be reopening”. “We have been busy doing some minor renovations and giving the gallery a fresh look. We have also been having fun curating our windows to the street with changing mini exhibitions for those lucky enough to live in the area,”…

Police are investigating a fatal crash which occurred in Rosebud this evening. Emergency services were called to Hove Road about 5.15pm after reports a motorcycle had left the road and crashed. The yet to be identified rider, believed to be a man in his 30s, died at the scene. Anyone who witnessed the crash or with dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Police responded to reports of an erratic driver after they received numerous calls to Triple Zero (000) that a red Toyota Yaris had crashed into a number of street signs in Hastings about 8.40pm last night. A registration was provided to police who subsequently paid the registered owner a visit in nearby Crib Point. The 21-year-old woman who was the holder of a probationary licence returned an evidentiary breath test of 0.141. She is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving and traffic related offences. He car had also sustained significant damage as a result of incident. Anyone…