MORNINGTON Secondary College student Taleah Cameron did her school proud in the Victorian Interschool State Championships, Saturday and Sunday 5-6 December. The year 11 student representing Mornington Secondary College won both elementary tests on her mount Black Jack which resulted in her being named Overall Interschool Elementary State Dressage Champion. She then competed in the medium level, again on Black Jack, and finished sixth overall. On her second mount, Impeccable, which she has only partnered with for a short time, she finished second in the preliminary section. “This is a huge achievement, and she represented the college for an outstanding…
Author: MP News Group
IN a jubilant moment last week organisers of the fundraising exhibition Art is in Our Nature met with members of the Save Westernport committee to hand over $87,000 raised from their campaign in October. The handover took place at Woolley’s Beach at Crib Point, the site of AGL’s proposed gas import terminal. The online exhibition was hosted by Silver Leaf Art Box and Merricks General Wine Store. “It’s been our great privilege to bring this project together and support the important work of the Save Westernport committee and the Western Port community,” exhibition curator Penelope Gebhardt said. “The exceptional calibre…
HASTINGS celebrated being named Sustainable Community – Tidy Town 2020 at a special awards presentation, Friday 4 December. Dr Jacqueline Salter joined the festivities and received the trophy for Dame Phyllis Frost Award Winner 2020. On the day, certificates were presented to all Hastings entries who assisted in the township’s success. AT the award ceremony are former Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Kate Roper, Cr Antonella Celi, Young Legend Award winner Harrison Hansen, Tricia Folvig, Michelle McCready, Dame Phyllis Frost Award Winner Dr Jacqueline Salter, and Cr Lisa Dixon. Second row: James Bryan, Sabina Wills CEO Keep Victoria Beautiful, David Maddocks,…
OBITUARY Margaret Jacqueline Crittenden 18 October 1942 – 26 November 2020 WELL known Mornington Peninsula vigneron and restaurateur Margaret Crittenden died at George Vowell Aged Care facility on Thursday, 26 November. She was 78. Her funeral service was held at Tobin Brothers, Mt. Martha, on Friday, 4 December. Her husband, Garry, compiled the eulogy on which this obituary is based. *** Marg, as she was generally known, was an only child, born at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Hospital, East Melbourne, to Jack and Marion Down, on 18 October 1942. Jack, a trained accountant, originally from Warrnambool, met Marion in the…
PENINSULA Health is saying thank you to its more than 6500 staff across the Frankston Mornington Peninsula as 2020 draws to a close. “We know that many people in our health service and in our community were impacted by the pandemic, in a multitude of complicated and difficult ways,” says Felicity Topp, Chief Executive Peninsula Health. “Each and every staff member at Peninsula Health went above and beyond to ensure we could provide outstanding care to our community. I’d like to give my heartfelt thanks to all of our people for their wonderful contribution this year.” As part of the…
A HASTINGS man was attacked and robbed during an aggravated burglary in Hastings in September. Police issued an identikit of the offender last week. They said the man forced his way into an Elisa Place house and assaulted the victim with a metal pole, 1.30pm, Wednesday 2 September. The man demanded money and forced his victim to drive him in his own car, a 2007 Mercedes Benz sedan, to an ATM to withdraw cash. En route, the offender realised his victim’s injuries were so serious he returned him to his home before stealing his car. The 41-year-old was later taken…
A BURST water pipe gouged a hole in the road “big enough to park a bus in” and caused flooding at McCrae, 5.30am, Monday 7 December. The water had still not been connected by 1.30pm. South East Water acting general manager customer service delivery Charlie Littlefair said the pipe on the corner of Coburn Avenue and Point Nepean Road was repaired and the water back on later that day. “Our crews finished up the rest of the works, including a temporary road reinstatement, by Wednesday morning,” he said. “Unfortunately, these works were a little more complicated than usual, with a…
MORNINGTON Peninsula-based builder Brynor Constructions has won the 2020 HIA Eastern Victoria Home of the Year Award for the second year running. The custom-built home at Blairgowrie was praised by HIA judges as being an “architectural masterpiece”, “built to a very high standard” and “simply spectacular”. It will now become a finalist in the overall Victorian Housing and Kitchen and Bathroom Awards in the Custom Built Home $2-$3 million and Outdoor Project categories. The expansive home is said to have abundant natural light. The judges said the “layout flows beautifully, and the use of granite, charred hardwood timber cladding and…
THIS summer recycle bins on the Mornington Peninsula will be collected every week from Monday 14 December until Friday 29 January. The normal 240-litre recycle bins with the blue lid will be collected weekly on the same day as the usual fortnightly recycling service, including public holidays. Items that can be recycled include clean aluminium and steel cans and foil, rigid and solid plastic items, such as kids toys, bottles (lids off), clean take-away containers and cups, pizza boxes (with only small amounts of grease), pots and pans, wrapping paper and envelopes, cardboard, newspapers and magazines, empty milk, juice and…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Veterans Cricket Club had mixed results last weekend with the Over 50 team easily winning its first ever match and the Over 60 team going down in a close finish. The Over 50s played their historic first game at the picturesque Nyora ground against South Gippsland. They batted first and made 6/245 from their 40 overs. Henry Dolphin, Stella Jackson and Brian Parton all retired at the compulsory 40 runs. They were well supported by Simon McEvoy 22, Al Davie 15, captain Dave Martin with 29 and Dave Hunter, 14. The bowling was excellent with John Harrison and…
MORNINGTON Yacht Club last week christened a further six Opti junior sailing dinghies which are ideal for children aged 8-10 learning to sail in the club’s Try Sailing program. The free sessions will be held on four consecutive Sunday mornings. The purchase of the dinghies was made possible by donations to the Mornington Yacht Club Foundation with the boats named after significant boats in the club’s history: Morning Mist was a leading keel boat sailed by Alf Neate in 12 Sydney-to-Hobart races, three Melbourne-to-Hobarts, and nine Queenscliff-to-Devonport races. Flying Cloud was Max Rodd’s catamaran used as a stable platform to…
WORKS to provide temporary vehicle access to the property cut off during the landslip at the Esplanade, Mount Martha, in October were set to begin last week and take two days. (“Landslip closes Esplanade” The News 5/10/20). This week, residents will see further activity with the drilling of three bores near the service road above the Esplanade. The bores will obtain samples to determine the strength properties of the rock and soil and determine the depth of groundwater. These works are expected to take three days. Two further bores, lower down the hillside nearer the Esplanade, are also planned before…
LUCY (12) and Alyssa (11) have just had the haircut to beat all haircuts, lopping off around 35 centimetres to donate for the making of wigs. Going into grade six at the start of the year at St Macartan’s Parish Primary School, the students are allocated a “prep buddy”. Lucy’s “prep buddy” was Ava. In the midst of her battle with leukaemia, Lucy was inspired by Ava’s courage, bravery and zest for life. Teaming up with friend Alyssa, the two girls decided to grow their hair all year to enable them to donate the hair at the end of the…
POLICE are seeking public assistance in identifying two men after a criminal damage spree at Somerville several weeks back. The pair was reported loitering at an Eramosa Road primary school, 2.30am, Monday 26 October. Around that time, quadbikes were seen entering the school grounds and damaging the sports oval. The men are Caucasian in appearance. One was wearing a hoodie, tracksuit pants, and a baseball cap. The other had facial hair and was wearing jeans, a hoodie and jacket. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or report confidentially online quoting reference CSV4062. First published…
FRANKSTON Arts Centre welcomed back its first live audience in 258 days on Saturday 28 November for a musical performance of Spirit Lines: A Musical Reconciliation. Frankston City Manager Arts and Culture Andrew Moon said it was fantastic to welcome an audience of close to 100 invited guests as Centre staff trialled new COVID-safe practices. “The guests were socially distanced throughout the 800 seat theatre. Other safety measures included all audience members wearing masks, regular cleaning of touch points and new layout of the foyer space to improve traffic flow and encourage physical distancing,” he said. Originally programmed as part…
TREATMENT for head and neck cancers affecting his face as well as his eating, drinking and speech have been life-changing for Steve Mahoney, of Mornington. Unlike other types of cancers, the visible scars and side effects of his treatment have changed the way he looks and can’t be hidden. On top of this, basic things like going on outings, attending functions, mowing the lawn, gardening, or even washing the car, take a huge toll on Mr Mahoney as the side effects include being extremely tired after even basic activities. Despite this, there are so many things that will remain the…
“WE are all connected to food that is local, healthy and abundant” is the ethos, or “Community Aspiration” of The Community Plate (TCP). This collective of Frankston and Mornington Peninsula people is working together to bring the best of the peninsula’s produce to the tables of everyone. Over an 18 month period TCP held discussions with a wide range of interested parties to develop an authentic, local vision that will guide all of its future work. Community Plate’s Rodney Mackintosh said: “We spent a lot of time ensuring that we got our Community Aspiration right. “We spoke with many, many…
THE “Spoonville travels to Bethlehem” scene in the garden of the Mornington and Mt Martha Anglican Church allows children to be part of the original story of Christmas: the journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus, in a fun, crafty way. Liz Rankin, the deacon of the Queen Street church, said the scene aimed to bring “joy and Christmas spirit to families and the town as a whole”. And she is keen on getting everyone involved. “We’d like to have people place their own crafted spoon decorated with Christmas characters in the lead up to Christmas,” she said. “During…
“HOON” riding near Rye pier cost three motorbike riders dearly, Monday afternoon 30 November. Rosebud police rounded up the trio allegedly performing “monos” on their motorcycles resulting in them all being impounded at a cost of $1200 each. The riders are expected to be charged with a range of traffic offences, including failing to maintain proper control of their vehicles. They will be summonsed to appear at, probably, Dromana Magistrates’ Court at a later date. Police thanked members of the public for reporting the hoons. They say they will “not tolerate this type of behaviour putting members of the community…
MISSING Persons Squad detectives are continuing to appeal for public assistance in relation to the disappearance of Safety Beach man Jacob Horton. Horton was last seen leaving a property in Drum Close, Frankston, on Thursday 27 June 2019. Police are treating the 28-year-old’s disappearance as suspicious. They believe Horton met with foul play and are keen to speak to anyone with information about his movements on the morning he went missing. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 8 December 2020
AN 86-year-old man was allegedly assaulted when he confronted an intruder at Mornington last week. Detective Sergeant Alan Paxton, of Somerville CIU, said the man awoke when he heard a noise inside his Mariners Retreat home, 7.30am, Wednesday 2 December. He was not badly injured in the incident but was later taken to Frankston Hospital for assessment. The intruder allegedly entered the house through an unlocked door. A 26-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested nearby soon afterwards and charged with aggravated burglary and assault. He appeared at Frankston Magistrates’ Court last Friday and was further remanded to appear…
THE 100,000 swab tests conducted by Peninsula Health for COVID-19 are being described as a “significant milestone for everyone involved”. The “milestone” patient visited the drive-through screening clinic at the Frankston Hospital campus, corner of Hastings Road and Yuille Street, last week. “Thank you to every single person who has come forward and done the right thing – getting that test at the earliest sign of any COVID-19 symptom,” the operations director of Peninsula Health’s Screening Clinics Jodi Foley said. “We’ve come a long way since March. As the coronavirus situation evolved in Victoria over these past eight months, so…
AN injured pelican rescued from Rosebud beach last month was reportedly still in a weak condition last week. (“Beach attraction” The News 25/11/20.) Staff at Aware Wildlife Rescue, Pearcedale, are still caring for the stressed bird which was handed over by Brenda Marmion, of Crystal Ocean Wildlife Shelter, Rye. They point out seals, pelicans, penguins, or any seabirds which allow people to get close to them are either injured or ill and must not be approached. Also, that it is against the law to interfere with sea birds or other marine animals in Victoria. Ms Marmion said: “The juvenile pelican…
DOGS have a good run on most Mornington Peninsula beaches, but not all. At some beaches they are prohibited and at others they must be leashed. Mornington Peninsula Shire is working with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and local committees-of-management to encourage residents to better manage their dogs’ behaviour at certain beaches and foreshore and parks reserves. These include those at Balnarring, Capel Sound, Dromana, Point King, Point Leo, Shoreham, Somers, and Whitecliffs-to-Camerons Bight. Signs there aim to educate dog owners on their responsibilities. The shire says its officers will be patrolling regularly to ensure dogs are…
Story and photo by Barry Irving THE Rye Gift and family gathering held annually on the second Saturday in January has had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings. The 2021 gift was to have been the 47th running of the annual event which started back in 1975. The board of the Rye Sports and Social Club, along with the six sporting clubs which run the event, are said to be “extremely disappointed to have had to make this decision”. Sponsors, advertisers and members of the public have been the backbone of the popular event which has…
THIS Christmas looked like being a sad affair when the first and second COVID-19 lockdowns caused the Southern Peninsula Woodworkers workshop to close for 29 weeks. But nothing could deter the enthusiasm and dedication of Gaven Davis and his team of toy makers. For more than 20 years the Woodworkers have made toys for charities on the peninsula and, despite being without the extensive facilities of the club’s workshop, they decided to make toys at home. When the club reopened recently the toy makers and their wives had produced 631 toys, including mattresses and blankets for cradles and prams. Other…
RENOVATORS of holiday houses and beach boxes on the Mornington Peninsula need to be aware not to disturb dangerous asbestos particles in the process. They should engage a professional to properly assess the risks. Gordon Legal senior associate Tess Dickie said most structures built before 1987 contained asbestos – especially holiday shacks and beach boxes. The substance was used in bathrooms and kitchens, laundries, meter boxes, eaves and under cladding, tiles and linoleum flooring and in sheds, fences and chicken coops. “Any amount of asbestos is dangerous and, while it won’t always cause asbestos-related conditions, even brief exposure could result…
PENINSULA Community Legal Centre has received extra funding to fight rising levels of family violence on the Mornington Peninsula. This comes as the United Nations declares the global increase in domestic violence for women and children a “shadow pandemic”. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 will be remembered by many of those working in the family violence sector as the worst on record,” PCLC’s CEO Jackie Galloway said. “Our family violence team has not only seen an increase in the frequency and severity of family violence across the Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne’s south east, but also a surge in people…
BALNARRING Picnic Races are on this Saturday (5 December), although spectator tickets are limited due to COVID-19 regulations. Catering will be minimal, so it is a BYO day for food, drinks and chairs. The TAB will not be operating, and bookmakers may not be on course. However, there will be room for social distancing and face masks must be worn. For further information or to buy tickets go to balnarringraces.com or email balnarringraces@hotmail.com First published in the Western Port News – 2 December 2020
MARG D’Arcy has a burning passion that cannot be extinguished. Decades since she first worked in a refuge for women and children escaping family violence, Marg is no less passionate about advocating for a society free from violence. Having moved to the Peninsula last year following the passing of her husband, Marg has quickly developed a strong local connection. “I love the Peninsula. It gives me the open space I crave – perfect for establishing my garden, reading and taking long walks along the beach with my dog, not to mention discovering the region’s wineries! I have also become a…