WHAT do you want life to look like on the Mornington Peninsula in 2040? That’s the question Mornington Peninsula Shire has been asking the community throughout May with the help of a team of dedicated local community ambassadors. It’s the biggest community engagement project the Shire has ever done and it’s going to help shape our future for the next 20 years. The Shire is literally handing the pen to the community to write their own vision. The ambassadors have been out and about across the Peninsula, chatting with people and collecting their thoughts and ideas about what is important…
Author: MP News Group
SILVER Leaf Art Box at Merricks will present a solo exhibition of new works on paper and a project-box installation by Mornington Peninsula artist Rosie Weiss, 22 May-13 June. The exhibition will coincide with Rosie Weiss – Collected Works showing at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, highlighting a suite of recently acquired pieces that provide an overview of her work 1979-2018. Weiss completed a Police Point artist’s residency in 2015, and in 2019 exhibited a large-scale installation titled On the Edge 1979-2019. It was part of In the Valley, a group exhibition about climate change at MPRG. Weiss has exhibited widely…
ONLINE gambling is now regarded as a major player in the gambling industry. National advocate The Alliance for Gambling Reform says that statistics show online gambling has risen 80 per cent since the COVID-19 pandemic. “The speed of this shift to online gambling is simply breathtaking,” Peninsula Voice chairperson Peter Orton said. “It is uncommon to discernibly notice how local culture can be changed so dramatically, as we are seeing with the rise of digital gambling. “Most people are becoming aware of the sheer number of ads which pervade most sporting media coverage. The advertisements are so seamlessly weaved into…
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigations Unit officers are investigating the theft of a jewellery case containing bespoke jewellery worth $20,000. A woman was packing up her stall at the Red Hill market on Arthurs Seat Road about 2pm on Saturday 1 May. A jewellery case containing approximately 300 rings, 20 bangles, 300 pairs of earrings and 20 necklaces was stolen whilst she was packing her car nearby. The case is described as olive green with black trays inside. Investigators have released images of some of the jewellery the case contained. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800…
A SOMERVILLE man was airlifted to hospital following an alleged assault, Sunday, 9 May. Police were told the victim got out of his car on Station Street, Somerville, early and approached two men who appeared to have a “gripe” against him, 1.30am. During an argument the victim, 50, was allegedly struck to the head. He fell to the ground and hit his head on the road. The other men left the scene. The victim is believed to be in a stable condition. Mornington Peninsula detectives are investigating and say they have a number of inquiries to make in relation to…
A TRUCK rollover closed the left-hand lane of Peninsula Link south-bound for four hours, Monday 3 May. The cement mixer, loaded with 13 cubic metres of concrete weighing 13 tonnes, flipped after the driver tried to correct a drift into the inside lane. Sergeant Bruce Buchan, of Somerville Highway Patrol, said the truck veered into shrubbery and ploughed through a light pole, 2pm. The driver, a Springvale man, 56, was not injured in the incident and did not require hospital treatment. Sergeant Buchan said two heavy haulage trucks were required to right the mixer near the Golf Links Road entry…
A P-PLATER who obtained her driver’s licence in December had it suspended for 11 months last week on drink-driving counts. The 18-year-old, who was driving south along Point Nepean Road, Rosebud, without lights, will be summonsed to appear at Dromana Magistrates’ Court at a later date. Rosebud Police spotted the white Ford Festiva at 3.30am, Saturday 1 May. The driver, of Mount Martha, was taken to Rosebud Police Station where she allegedly returned a breath test reading of 0.115 per cent. Her car was impounded for 28 days. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 11 May 2021
ARTISTS along the Peninsula Studio Trail are opening their doors at the end of this month for an open studios weekend (29, 30 May). Visitors are invited to visit the studios, speak with the artists about their creative process, see new artworks and satisfy curiosity about what goes on in the creative artist’s mind. The group has new branding with signs showing the way along the trail designed by portrait and graphic artist, Marta Gola. A website map makes it easy to plan a trip to the three art zones. There are 30 artists along the Peninsula Studio Trail, which…
IT seemed that former Australian chess champion Doug Hamilton appeared to be everywhere at once when playing simultaneous exhibition matches against Mount Martha Chess Club members last week. Unfazed by the challenge, Hamilton was able to analyse the situation and gauge his next move as he went seamlessly from game to game. About 10 regular players took on the challenge at the Mount Martha House Community Centre, Monday 3 May. Chess club members challenge each other to games and enjoy quality social time on Monday afternoons. The friendly club welcomes players of all ages and strengths. First published in the…
FIRE crews fought a house fire in Maxwell Street, Mornington, Friday afternoon 7 May. Two trucks from the Mornington brigade arrived within minutes of being alerted by multiple calls to 000. They found the rear of the house alight and were concerned the fire might spread to neighbouring properties. The blaze took 27 minutes to bring under control. Fire Rescue Victoria’s investigation unit is probing the fire’s cause. CFA crews on three fire trucks assisted in fighting the fire. First published in the Mornington News – 11 May 2021
THE state government has given Mornington Peninsula Shire money to hire 41 temporary staff as part of its Working for Victoria campaign. The new jobs are in volunteering, community houses, business liaison, health and wellbeing, events, seniors’ inclusion, township activation, community engagement, youth employment and creative industries. They come under a $500 million program which aims to help jobseekers find work and employers find workers. Economic and social impacts of the pandemic across the peninsula have been severe, with 2205 jobs lost at its peak in August, and pre-existing social and health issues worsening. The new roles include a creative…
BORN and bred French Island resident Rose Scott has done it again. The 90-year-old was delighted to cut the ribbon to open the island’s new Coast Road bridge, Saturday 24 April, after opening the first bridge on almost the same spot near Tankerton Road about 30 years ago. Afterwards she enjoyed a glass of champagne. French Island Community Association president Noel Thompson said about 60 well-wishers turned up to watch Ms Scott do the honours and eat lunch afterwards. Ms Scott – nee Thompson – who usually lives on Coast Road, came across by barge as she is living with…
STUDENTS at Mornington Park Primary School helped choose bike riding routes to school at a workshop run by the Bicycle Network. The Ride2School ActivePaths program area ages signed routes to schools that help children and parents ride on easy and direct paths and trails. The routes are designed by students, local councils and the Ride2School team. More than 30 students from Mornington Park Primary attended the workshop on Thursday 29 April, providing information about the routes they take to school and streets they prefer to ride a bike on. “Many students and parents want to ride to school, however they…
MOUNT ELIZA’s Geena Davy has won gold at the under-15s national heptathlon in Melbourne and the national triple jump at the Australian Track and Field Nationals in Sydney. Like many young athletes Geena was unable to compete in 2020 and did not see her friends at events or feel the excitement of the competition. A Little Athletics competitor since she was 10, Geena during the season trains twice a week with coach, Jason Hodson. Hodson suggested that Geena enter the state heptathlon at Bendigo, where she came second and qualified for the two-day nationals at Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne. The heptathlon…
MORNINGTON’S Jaksen Daddo, pictured, must have thought he had the weight of the world on his shoulders while training for Sunday’s Mother’s Day Classic and raising money for breast cancer research. The 26-year-old, who has been competing in strongman events and powerlifting for five years, was training hard outside the Mornington athletics track last Sunday. He was on a mission to carry 100 kilograms over the 10 kilometres as part of his fundraising activities. By mid-last week he had raised about $4000. Daddo is doing the challenge to support mate James Beischer, whose mum is going through breast cancer. He…
A $55,000 speed boat and trailer, pictured above, were stolen from the driveway of a Blairgowrie property, overnight Saturday 24 April. It is unknown how the offenders were able to connect the trailer to a tow vehicle in Fawkner Avenue as the folding drawbar connection was padlocked. Owner Nick Beveridge said Somerville detectives had put out a state-wide alert on the 7.5 metre boat which had recently received a new motor, gearbox and propeller at a cost of $30,000. Mr Beveridge said there was no CCTV coverage of the raid and few people lived in the area of mainly by…
THREE men have been arrested over a series of aggravated burglaries last week at Mount Martha, Mount Eliza, Glen Iris, Toorak, Camberwell and Malvern. Detectives from the Southern Metro Crime Team executed two warrants at addresses in Frankston, Friday 30 April, seizing items allegedly linking those arrested with the break-ins. A 21-year-old Frankston man has been charged with 13 offences, including aggravated burglary, burglary, theft of motor vehicles and theft. An 18-year-old Frankston man has been charged with 18 offences, including aggravated burglary, burglary, theft, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, possessing a drug of dependence, theft of motor vehicles and…
Officers from Mornington Police have suspended the licence of a man after he was caught drink driving early this morning. The man was driving on Canadian Bay Road, Mount Eliza, when he hit two parked cars and a fence, around 4.30am. The driver then walked away from the crash prior to police arriving. A short time later police were called following reports a man had been seen walking around looking lost in a dressing gown. The 32-year-old Mornington man was found nearby and returned a positive preliminary breath test. He was taken back to a local police station where he…
BASEBALL THE Mornington Baseball Club has come out the other side of COVID-19 stronger than ever. After being recognised as Club Champions in the Dandenong Baseball Association for the 2019 winter season, not being able to take the field in 2020 was a disappointing blow for Baseball fans across the Peninsula. The dedicated Pirates committee members’ focus quickly shifted to putting teams on the field for the summer season, making it the first time Summer baseball has been offered on the Mornington Peninsula for the junior and senior competitions in the Victorian Summer Baseball League. “What wasn’t anticipated, yet overwhelmingly…
THE former Hastings Senior Citizens Centre has been refurbished and extended in a $1.4 million redevelopment to provide a new home for seniors and Hastings U3A. Work on the multi-purpose community hub in Herring Street was supported by $546,000 from the state government. It now offers adult education classes, learning programs and an IT room, as well as indoor and outdoor recreation and social spaces. The mayor Cr Despi O’Connor described the hub as a “fabulous transformation”. “We’ve turned a rather dated facility that was not fit for purpose into a wonderful community resource,” she said. “We all know how…
BREE-ANNE Pagonis, of Somerville, has won the Luminary Tech Visionary Award in the 2021 Victorian Young Achiever Awards. The award recognises her “vision in creating an accessible platform that enhances food experiences for women”. Ms Pagonis co-founded WIRL (Wellness in Real Life), a social enterprise that holds workshops and cooking classes, provides online tools, offers corporate programs, virtual masterclasses and coaching, school courses and keynote speaking. WIRL is creating an app that aims to help women create beneficial behaviours, such as mindful eating, takes the emphasis away from worrying about calories or weight loss, into a more intuitive style of…
EMERGENCY services rushed to assist an elderly man trapped inside his car after driving over an embankment at Two Bays Road, Mount Eliza last week. Baxter Fire Brigade captain Damien Willmott said the station was among the first to respond, 3pm, Tuesday 20 April. They were assisted by Moorooduc CFA, Fire Rescue Victoria Frankston and other brigades, the High Angle Rescue Team, SES Frankston Unit, police and Ambulance Victoria. The high-angle team rescued the 82-year-old driver, of McCrae, who had been visiting friends whose house, with gravel driveway, is at the top of a steep hill. He failed to take…
IN stark contrast to last year, crowds started arriving before dawn to attend Anzac Day ceremonies across the Mornington Peninsula. The Dawn services were followed later in the morning by marches and ceremonies like this one at Mornington, at Hastings, Rosebud and Rye. Pictures by Yanni, Gary Sissons and Barry Irving. First published in the Mornington News – 27 April 2021
PORTSEA Surf Life Saving Club’s masters men’s beach relay team won a silver medal at the 2021 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Team members Brett Croft, Darren Kerr, Henry Kiss and Jim Unkles, pictured, also participated in events on the sand, with Kiss coming fifth in the 50-54 years men’s beach sprint and Unkles placed sixth in the 30-34 men’s beach sprint. The team was also named the Life Saving Victoria Open/Masters Team of the Year in 2020 for its results at the state and national level. “To win a medal at The Aussies is…
ROSEBUD Girl Guide Liesel Male was presented with her Queen’s Guide Award at a ceremony at the Rosebud Guide Hall, Jetty Road, Saturday 17 April. Leisel, who is also a Bentleigh Ranger Guide, received the highest award from Assistant State Commissioner Deb Abbs. This follows on from a Bravery Award she received at Government House in February last year. Girl Guides Mornington Peninsula District manager Heather Barton said from the time Liesel started at Rosebud she had “systematically set herself the many new and varied goals and challenges, all the while making a significant contribution to the life of Rosebud…
CAMPERS in sections 11 and 12 at the Rosebud foreshore have complained about thefts from their tents and caravans during the February lockdown. The campers last week sent a petition with 56 signatures to Mornington Peninsula Shire saying the “scale of intrusions and thievery has increased significantly and at an earlier time of the year compared to past years”. They said “most camps in Section 12” had been targeted by thieves. Access was gained by unzipping the doors of annexes and tents, or forcing doors or windows, and slashing canvas. The campers have requested the shire consider imposing extra measures…
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives have arrested a male teenager following an attempted armed robbery in Capel Sound earlier this month. Detectives arrested the 15-year-old boy yesterday and seized an imitation firearm. The Rye boy was charged with attempted armed robbery and possess imitation firearm and was bailed to appear before a children’s court at a later date. The charges follow an incident at a food store on Illaroo Street where a male allegedly produced an imitation firearm and demanded cash about 12pm on 2 April. Police would like to thank the community and the media with their assistance…
MOTORING buffs were in top gear at the Flinders Motoring Heritage event on Easter Sunday, 4 April. After missing out last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, more than 1000 fans were able to admire prestige, vintage, unique and collector vehicles at the event which raised $28,000 for Peninsula Health. Lions Club of Flinders event organiser Mary Iles said: “We were really excited to be back this year because this event already means so much to the exhibitors and the hundreds of people who attend. “We understand public safety continues to be a priority at this stage of the coronavirus pandemic,…
A man has died following a two-car collision in Somerville this afternoon. It’s believed the driver of a Daihatsu travelling on Western Port Highway has veered onto the wrong side of the road and collided head on with a Mitsubishi just before 2.30pm. The sole occupant of the Daihatsu, a yet to be formally identified man, died at the scene. The sole occupant of the Mitsubishi was not injured but taken to hospital for observation as a precaution. The exact cause of the collision is yet to be determined at this stage. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage…
ALTHOUGH gambling has become part of mainstream society, deeply entrenched within the Aussie culture, it has many losers. “For most, gambling is fun, but for others a loss can be devastating,” Peninsula Voice chairperson Peter Orton said. In a bid to highlight gambling’s downside Peninsula Voice has organised a forum next month called Is gambling harm our blind spot? “Gambling has a built-in addictive component and to break the cycle can be extremely challenging,” Mr Orton said. “The glib advertising statement that you should gamble responsibly is grossly inadequate for some and illustrates a lack of accountability by betting organisations.”…