FOR the first time in its 120-year history, Sorrento Cricket Club has fielded a girls’ team. Junior coordinator and coach Kane Gordon, along with his 13-year-old daughter Tammy, gathered girls aged 10-17 for the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association’s 2020/21 season. With only basic cricket knowledge but a thirst to learn, the girls played two games. In the first game against Balnarring the opposition showed exceptional sportsmanship and camaraderie. Team members believe that with assistance from Rob and Will Dunball at training and at matches, success awaits just around the corner. Mr Gordon said: “This year the only goal is enjoyment,…
Author: MP News Group
SOMERVILLE Highway Patrol is reminding drivers to slow down at school zones as the school year resumes. Police will strictly enforce the 40kph speed limits and be on the lookout for unsafe driving behaviour on the Mornington Peninsula. They say students could be distracted as they catch up with friends after the holidays and their road safety skills “could be a bit rusty”. Police will be working with Local Laws officers to reinforce parking rules at drop-off and pick-up times. They say parents “should be aware of their local parking restrictions”. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 2…
TRIBUTES flowed on social media for Frankston Bombers footballer Ben Tournier, pictured, who died after his car struck power poles and rolled in Mornington, 12.15am on Australia Day. Police believe Tournier, 29, was heading south on Nepean Highway when he lost control near the corner of Weber Drive and flipped his car. Frankston Bombers teammates gathered at the club at Baxter later that day to remember him. Tournier played with the Bombers for more than a decade and was a regular member of the senior side before more recently playing in the reserves. Nepean Highway was closed between Strachans and…
THREE teenagers have been arrested following a series of alleged incidents on the Mornington Peninsula as well as at Carrum Downs, Bendigo, Bentleigh, Blackburn, and Toorak, from 1-5 January. The three boys, one aged 14 and two aged 15, have been charged under Operation Gully with a range of offences, including aggravated burglary and robbery. They have been remanded in custody. The boys were among a group of 11 alleged offenders arrested by detectives from the Southern Metro Region crime team who have been cracking down on aggravated burglaries, car thefts, robbery and driving offences throughout January. Detective Inspector Peter…
HAVING no marine-related injuries or collisions between boats or jet-skis over the Australia Day weekend proved the success of Operation Unity, police say. Peninsula police teamed up with the Water Police in the three-day foreshore and beach operation focusing on water safety, marine compliance and public order. This followed several weeks of increased and serious marine-related incidents in waters from Mount Martha to Portsea. Police, supported by other government and volunteer agencies, detected 588 offences and issued 66 infringement notices to jet-ski riders and boaters, with about half relating to speeding or irregular operation within five-knot zones. Rosebud Acting Sergeant…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Citizen of the Year Julie Saunders puts her community first. Like others named in the shire’s Australia Day Local Awards last week, she has spent years working to improve the lives of others. Ms Saunders was honoured alongside Young Citizen of the Year: Phoebe McShane, Community Event of the Year: Senior’s High Tea, Crib Point Community House, Community Spirit Award (accepted by Mary Budd): Josie D’Alia, and Lifetime Achievement Award winners Michael Wunderly and Colin Blythe. When the COVID-19 crisis hit in March, Ms Saunders, of Crib Point, knew straight away how she could help. During the lockdown…
VOLUNTEERING Victoria has given Mornington Peninsula Shire $23,000 to “strengthen volunteer connections on the peninsula”. The shire says it will use the money to help community groups recruit more volunteers in a COVID-safe environment. The mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said: “Volunteering allows people to connect with and make a difference in their communities. “Dedicating your time as a volunteer not only helps the cause they choose to volunteer for, it is also a good opportunity to make new connections and friends.” The shire says it can can help recruit and screen volunteers in a COVID-19 safe way. Resources include the…
THIRTEEN young skaters competed in a skateboard competition on Australia Day. These included four in the under-12s, eight in the under-18s and lone girl Holly. Jemison Watkins reports that a skater identified only as Ed won the under-18s with “two solid, trick filled runs that made use of the whole park”. “It was extremely close between first and second, but Ed pulled through with his consistency and skill. “Holly competed with huge enthusiasm, making full use of the park in both her runs. She was especially brave being in a competition full of boys.” He said Rex Wheeler “fully shone”…
A “BOUTIQUE” refurbishment of the Boneo Lions Op Shop has turned the old and tired Rosebud shop into a light, bright, open and welcoming space where customers can browse and buy quality pre-owned goods. Last week’s Cupcake and Cuppa Day opening, followed the shop’s “soft” opening in December aimed at capitalising on the tourist trade and working out the early teething problems. Since then, feedback has been positive at the shop which opened in 2000 as Rosebud Primary School Op Shop and which Boneo Lions took over in early 2020. Looking back, president Terry Cook admitted: “Although we saw the…
IT’S a fair bet that Red Hill Tennis Club players felt Sam Groth’s serve was a little too fast for them to return – after all the former Australian pro player has the fastest-recorded serve in the world. At 263kph the former world-ranked No. 53 (singles) and (24) doubles can serve a little bit faster than the average club player. Groth was at Red Hill last week as a member of the Australian Open Men’s and Women’s Grand Slam Trophy tour around regional Victoria. He currently works for the Nine Network, with regular appearances on ‘Wide World of Sports’ and…
MATTING has been laid down at Mount Martha beach to help those in wheelchairs or with limited mobility get across the sand to the water. The matting is available at the beach daily and two MobiChairs are available on weekends until Easter Monday 5 April. Mornington Peninsula Shire has laid the matting as part of its Disability Inclusion Plan with help from Mount Martha Life Saving Club. The mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said: “COVID-19 has created some challenges for us this year, but we’re working within the guidelines to give access for all to enjoy our beaches this summer. It’s…
A man has died after his vehicle lost control and rolled in Mornington overnight. Police believe the vehicle, which was travelling south on Nepean Highway, lost control near Webber Street and struck two light poles before it rolled about 12.15am. The male driver, believed aged in his 20s, was ejected from the vehicle and sadly died at the scene. Nepean Highway was closed between Strachans and Bentons Roads, both north and south bound, while police processed and rehabilitated the scene. Police are investigating whether speed was a factor in the crash. A report will also be prepared for consideration of…
THE third and final stage of the Bentons Road upgrade at Moorooduc – one of the Mornington Peninsula’s busiest east-west roads – will be completed soon. The final stage is designed to improve the section from Moorooduc Highway to Derril Road and follows the widening of Loders Road, and construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Bentons and Derril roads. Mornington Peninsula Shire is doing the work as part of the federal government’s Roads to Recovery program. Stage three will include widening the existing road, laying new, and upgrading existing, drains, installing crash barriers and upgrading the intersection of…
FLINDERS Golf Club’s youngest member has won one of the club’s oldest trophies. Harry Tiesdell-Smith, 14, earlier this month competed against 75 golfers to take out the 82nd Warrant Officers Cup with a par score of six-up. Since joining the club aged 10, Tiesdell-Smith has played off a handicap of 11. The 36-hole Warrant Officers Cup is held on the first Saturday of January each year and is conducted as a “par” competition over two full rounds, separated by a 45-minute break for lunch. Originally known as the Naval Challenge Cup, the trophy was presented to the club in 1939…
EMERGING ocean water swimmer Jesse Coulson blitzed the field to claim his first victory in the 1.5km Blazer Portsea Swim Classic on the weekend. Coulson, 20, of Williamstown, sprinted home to win in 15 minutes and 51 seconds. “I’m stoked to win it. I was hoping for a podium finish, but this is pretty amazing,” Coulson said. Thomas Hay took silver in 16.06 and Josh Doherty claimed bronze in 16.21. First over the line in the Women’s 1.5km Classic was 19-year-old Dominique Hart. The science student claimed the double, winning the 2.5km Gold race earlier in the day. “It was…
THE blue-banded bee has buzzed its way to top spot in a poll to find a mascot to represent the Mornington Peninsula’s Gardens for Wildlife program. The brightly coloured bee, pictured, gets its name from the striking turquoise bands running across its fluffy gold and white body. This little creature is a big help in the veggie garden, performing a particular type of pollination known as buzz pollination, or sonication, in which it holds onto the flower and shakes its body rapidly. Certain plants, including tomatoes, will only release their pollen when buzzed in this way. The blue-banded bee…
HUNDREDS of volunteers and surfers will have to wait until March to find out if the next scheduled Disables Surfers Association Mornington Peninsula beach day will go ahead. The 16 January event was cancelled because of COVID-19 restrictions. The Point Leo Foreshore Committee told the DSAMP that it was against any events being held at the beach during the month. The DSAMP said the March event will go ahead “should this be feasible considering the state of the environment at that point”. “Obviously, nobody wants to hear this as the decision. We only want surfers in the water and for…
THE Frankston Dolphins Football Club has a new president. Board member David Friend has been appointed to the role. He takes over from club-champion Peter Geddes, who finished up in December. Mr Geddes oversaw the club during a period of renewed optimism for the Dolphins. He was part of the team that worked to reinstate the club to the VFL after it was booted out of the competition in 2016, and took over as president in 2017. In 2020 the club announced that it was able to pay off its debt after going into voluntary administration in August 2016 owing…
PENINSULA Health has welcomed 39 medical interns who have wasted no time learning the ropes in preparation for their one-year placements. The doctors will immerse themselves into the day-to-day life of caring for patients and working alongside medical and healthcare staff during their rotations across Frankston and Rosebud hospitals and other Peninsula Health sites. A small number of interns will also rotate throughout the year in the emergency department at Warragul Hospital. As part of their week-long orientation, the new doctors stepped into the simulation centre to refresh their basic life-support training. Peninsula Health Medical Workforce Unit director Mr Andrew…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is extending its range of community and business grants to “support our community in the recovery phase” of the COVID-19 pandemic. To be launched next week, the grants will be available to eligible business associations, bushland and foreshore friends groups, Landcare groups, not-for-profit organisations, community groups and “creatives” (individuals, organisations and groups). The grants follow help to peninsula businesses in which the shire offered rent relief, waived outdoor trading fees, launched a Funding Finder website and Support Local campaign, as well as extended outdoor dining areas for food businesses. “I encourage anyone in our community looking…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Despi O’Connor took to the streets last week to promote responsible recycling. She staffed a pop-up stall at Rosebud on Wednesday 13 January and again at Mornington the next day to encourage residents to fill in a shire survey which asked what they think needs to be done to encourage everyone to recycle correctly and to put only suitable items in the bin. The survey finished on Sunday and the results will start to be collated this week as part of the shire’s draft waste contamination policy. “As a community we need to get better…
BOATERS and paddlers are being urged to practice getting back on their craft so they will be better prepared to save themselves this summer. Maritime Safety Victoria acting director Gareth Johnson says he expects a surge of water activity as boaters and paddlers make the most of free time from the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. “With increased activity comes the possibility of increased incidents, injuries and fatalities,” he said. “In 2018-19 there were 717 incidents in Port Phillip (excluding Corio) and 219 in Western Port and we don’t want to see those numbers increase. “Our critical safety message for boaters…
A MAN who was kicked in the head during an unprovoked attack at Devilbend reservoir was last week at home and confined to bed for months after being treated for a broken neck at The Alfred hospital. The 19-year-old was walking back to the car park after swimming with friends at the reservoir, off Graydens Road, Tuerong, when they came across a group of 10 youths sunbathing by the water’s edge. One of the youths threw a rock at the victim, of East Bentleigh, narrowly missing him. The offender then walked up and after a brief exchange of words, punched…
A POLICEMAN stripped to his underwear to rescue a woman after she was left her stranded on a boat anchored off Capel Sound after an alleged attempted alcohol raid. Police were called to reports of two intoxicated people swimming out to a boat moored 200 metres offshore, 7.30pm, Thursday 14 January. It is alleged the pair ransacked the boat looking for alcohol but then, after coming up empty-handed, the man swam back to the beach. The 46-year-old Rosebud woman, deciding she was too drunk to make it back to shore, stayed aboard. After being told the woman had been seen…
Police impounded a P-plater’s vehicle after he was allegedly detected travelling at 215km/h in Dromana early this morning. Somerville Highway Patrol members were conducting speed checks in the north-bound lanes of the Mornington Peninsula Freeway when the sound of a speeding vehicle approaching south-bound caught their attention shortly after midnight. Officers clocked the Volkswagen Golf GTI allegedly travelling at more than double the 100km/h speed limit. The driver, an 18-year-old man from Mill Park, offered no explanation for the excessive speed. His vehicle has been impounded for 30 days and he is expected to be charged on summons with speeding.…
Mornington Peninsula Shire has collaborated with NBN Co and six Aboriginal groups on a project to wrap 16 NBN street cabinets, or nodes, in art. The project promotes the relationship between the shire and the traditional owners through its arts and culture and reconciliation action plans. The mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said the pieces “beautify the streetscapes and give the First People living on, or visiting the peninsula, visibility as they see their culture proudly on display”. “Art is what shapes us,” she said. “It takes us on a journey of discovery and is an important part of our everyday…
TWO Mornington police officers jumped in to rescue an unconscious man and a woman struggling into the water off The Pillars cliff jumping spot at Mount Martha 3.40pm, Wednesday 23 December. A passer-by had called 000 to report the man unconscious in the water and his partner struggling to bring him ashore. The man, 33, of unknown address, and the woman, 43, of Pakenham – reportedly “skinny dipping” – were battling a heavy swell and strong currents when Constables Jarryd Buntine and Douglas Smith plunged in to rescue them and then drag them over rocks to a small beach. The…
WATER Police issued about 20 infringements to boaties and jet-ski riders during Operation Southend in the lead-up to Christmas. The operation ran Saturday 19 to Sunday 20 December and aimed to curb dangerous behaviour and prevent serious marine incidents from Mount Martha to Sorrento. Despite fewer craft being out on the water because of the poor weather, police said they were “concerned to see more than 20 vessels receive fines for speeding and not wearing lifejackets”, among other offences. Water Police Sergeant Dave McHenry said: “Overall we saw good behaviour from a lot of boaties and PWC users. That said,…
SOUTHERN Peninsula Basketball Association has teamed up with Sorrento Community Centre to make the sport more accessible to players and to upgrade the community centre’s basketball facilities. “Domestic games and programs will be run out of the one court at Sorrento,” association general manager Ben White said. “Initially this will see the addition of this court to our Saturday domestic competition, which will act as the home court for a number of Sorrento and Rye games.” The long distances between some venues was a catalyst for the agreement. “Currently some participants have to make an 80-minute round trip if they…
ROSEBUD Fire Rescue senior station officer Neil Schlipalius blamed illegal fireworks for a “good proportion” of the nine fires reported on New Year’s Eve. At one fire, near the entrance to Rosebud Country Club, in Lockhart Drive, the brigade found boxes containing hundreds of illegal commercial grade fireworks ready for letting off and later destroyed them. “I’ve never seen so many,” Mr Schlipalius said. “And these aren’t just kids letting them off, they are all age groups with access to money to buy them because they are not cheap.” Fireworks are also regularly being let off on the Esplanade, Safety…