POLICE numbers will still be bolstered on the Mornington Peninsula for up to four weeks during schoolies celebrations, despite crowds expected to be down this year. But with public drunkenness no longer being a criminal offence in Victoria and police now having to arrange safe options for drunken revellers, could be plenty to keep them busy. Superintendent Fiona Bock, above right, said all indications were that the peninsula would not be the top choice for school leavers this year, with many headed interstate or overseas. “But we will still have a strong police presence because our aim is to allow…
Author: MP News Group
SIXTY-five truckies were intercepted on Peninsula Link and around the Mornington Peninsula on Monday (13 November) and 58 driving offences recorded in a crackdown on heavy vehicle driver behaviour. Operation Hauler involved the Somerville Highway Patrol, Victoria Police heavy vehicle unit and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator between Carrum Downs, Hastings and Rosebud and surrounding industrial estates. Senior Constable Travis Perkins from Mornington police said the peninsula had seen an increase in heavy vehicle collisions causing road trauma. This year has recorded the highest quarterly collisions involving collisions with heavy vehicles in the past five years. Already this year there…
MORNINGTON Community Support Centre has celebrated 40 years of service to the local community and paid tribute to its founders at a special event at the Main Street centre. Established as a citizen’s advice bureau, the centre evolved into the broader community-focussed Mornington Community Support Centre, providing practical and personal support for people in need. The centre’s scope ranges from a coffee and toast in the meeting room cafe to advice and help on financial matters, finding somewhere to live, or handing over groceries under its fresh food program. The inaugural centre manager, the late Helen Hendry OAM, was represented…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is reminding residents they will not have to pay for parking at foreshore car parks during summer’s paid parking trial. Visitors to foreshore car parks at Schnapper Point, Mornington Sunnyside Beach, Mount Eliza and Flinders pier will have to pay for parking as part of a trail. If judged successful by the shire, permanent paid parking will be introduced at other foreshore car parks. The council has said the trial is an opportunity to more fairly distribute the cost of maintaining the sites, but residents will need to apply for an e-permit to ensure their vehicles…
THE Mount Martha property Creeting Lodge, designed in 1926 by Melbourne architect Marcus Martin, will open for the first time with Open Gardens Victoria on Saturday and Sunday 25 and 26 November. Named after a village in Suffolk, United Kingdom, the garden of Creeting Lodge was created in collaboration with the award-winning team at Myles Baldwin Design and blends European and Mediterranean plants. “As the gates open, you are greeted by a regal guard of towering golden cypress pines, standing tall and proud for over 150 years,” owner Paul Bonnici said. “Heritage meets botany in the most divine way, with…
OVER the weekend of 3 and 4 November more than 40 walkers took to the streets and bushland trails of the Mornington Peninsula in a two-day White Ribbon walk that has so far raised more than $2500. The route of the inaugural walk went from Mount Eliza to Portsea and was supported by the Uniting churches of the Port Philip region and a Mornington Peninsula Shire flexi grant. Walkers covered 50 kilometres to make a stand against violence towards women. Organiser Peter Hough described the experience as “truly humbling”, as the walkers promoted their cause to residents and campers along…
MORE than 160 CFA called to the Crib Point refinery over the weekend to improve their firefighting skills ahead of a predicted “challenging summer”. The volunteers from more than 20 brigades across the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port worked through a vegetation fire simulation involving more than 30 vehicles and aircraft. “We’re getting ready for the fast-moving intense grassfires that will come as a result of the abundance of grass we are now seeing across the state,” Deputy Chief Officer South East Trevor Owen said. “The crews engaged in a range of activities, from grassfire techniques to operating bushland firefighting…
Shire’s less than perfect approach to road repairs How come the Romans, with no qualified engineers, could build roads that last 2000 years and are still going strong? [Mornington Peninsula Shire Council] can’t even fill a pothole that lasts one day. I watched a team of four, including one woman, fill a pothole the other day. Three stood around, doing nothing. One tossed a bit of hot mix in the hole then flipped the spade over and whacked it in once and then they all drove away. Elizabeth Drive in Rosebud is shocking. [The council] had a repair team in…
THE Mornington Peninsula and Frankston are two of the nine-member South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA) to adopt a new blueprint to change the way climate impacts are managed south east of Melbourne. Climate Action Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, who attended the official launch of the strategy at the SECCCA annual leaders’ breakfast on Wednesday 8 November, said the Victorian government was “decarbonising at the fastest rate in the country to get us to net-zero by 2045”. D’Ambrosio’s speech was followed by a panel discussion featuring John Bradley, secretary of the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Tom…
A BOY was so inspired by a luxury car, a Rolls Royce, on the esplanade at Dromana in 1914 that it led to him becoming America’s most celebrated motor car illustrator. A new book The Larger Than Life of Melbourne Brindle being launched at Dromana Primary School on Friday traces Ewart Melbourne Brindle’s career after seeing that Rolls Royce on the esplanade. Arthur and Grace Brindle settled in Dromana in 1905 with their young family and built Sunnyside, not far from the school which the children attended. A renowned decorator and artist Arthur sailed to America to work on the…
POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fight at a gathering in Mount Martha on 14 October. It is alleged a fight broke out when a group of males who arrived at the gathering at about 10.30pm were told to leave. One of the victims, a 19-year-old male was taken to hospital, where he required surgery for his injuries. Anyone with information, who has CCTV of the incident, mobile phone video recorded footage, or who may have witness the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au First published…
A SMALL crowd gathered at Memorial Park, Mornington on Saturday to observe one minute’s silence at 11am and participate in the Remembrance Day commemoration organised by Mornington RSL. Speakers included the RSL’s president, Meryn Cooper, vice-president Paul Patulovic and membership officer Graeme Savige. The bagpipes were played by Lindsay Burgess and the Last Post by trumpeter Joseph Tobias. Remembrance Day (formerly Armistice Day), also known as Poppy Day, has been held since the end of World War I to honour members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty. The one minute’s silence marks the 11th hour…
THE 35-member Peninsula Studio Trail is getting longer with the addition of several new members who will be opening their studios to the public later this month. This year’s two weekends of open days follow the annual exhibition at Mornington last month (September) by PST artists. Now operating for 14 years, the artist-run PST is a not-for-profit organisation supporting and promoting the work of artists living and working on the Mornington Peninsula. New additions to the group include photographer Nathan “Natti” Miller, of Rye; previous Archibald Prize finalist and Salon De Refuse winner and winner of People’s Choice in this…
THE founding president of Balnarring Men’s Probus Club in 1985, Dr Eric Kings, OBE, celebrated his 100th birthday with fellow club members on his birthday 27 October. Kings, who now lives in Somers, enjoyed his day with club members meeting at Balnarring Bowls Club and one of the club’s members, Bernie Poll, a retired pastrycook, baked a beautiful cake for Eric to enjoy. Kings, who grew up in Richmond, had a long career as a dentist in the city and at least one club member recalls being treated by him. As well as providing a guiding hand to the club,…
BAXTER residents have good reason to be proud of their hall, now almost completed, for quite apart from the fact that it is an extremely substantial and sightly building – large enough to provide for the needs of the district for many years to come – its presence, bears eloquent testimony to the public spirit and enthusiasm of the greater portion of the residents. For the past five months, “working bees” have been carried on every Saturday afternoon, the average attendance being about ten, while the families have never once failed to provide the much appreciated refreshments. In addition to…
Decorate Main Street to ‘cheer up’ Christmas It’s almost Christmas, so please can Mornington Peninsula Shire Council make an effort this year? Most people head down Main Street, Mornington at holiday time. We are the gateway to the peninsula, can we please have some cheer with lights in the trees and cheerful, bright decorations down Main Street [and] getting rid of the awful Happy Holiday signs hanging from lamp posts that do nothing to cheer us up. Another suggestion would be to plant brightly coloured flowers around every roundabout. How good would that make us all feel when driving down…
DROMANA Secondary College students have teamed up with the Australian Conservation Foundation’s Mornington group to raise awareness of the need to protect threatened animals and habitats. ACF’s Dr Jodi Vermaas said the Mornington group was championing the southern brown bandicoot through an art project, and believed involving young people was one of the ways to get people to think of threatened species and how strong laws and enforcement are needed to protect them. “I approached the school and the school’s head of arts, Jyoti Funston, agreed that this project would fit with their curriculum and is open to all students…
THE Food For All Christmas Appeal is in full swing as the charity seeks donations to help its support within the community. The volunteer-run charity is calling on businesses and residents on the Mornington Peninsula to give generously, with the need for support increasing and Christmas often being the hardest time of the year for those in need. The Southern Peninsula Food For All began in 1991 and this year has delivered more than 4000 food parcels with pantry staples, fresh fruit and vegetables and tinned food. At Christmas it provides toys for children who may not otherwise receive a…
IN 2019 and at just 44, Shelley Christie had a headache and kept dropping what she was holding in her left hand. Not feeling well, she sat on her bed talking at their Mount Martha home to her husband Craig, who was finding it difficult to understand her speech and noticed her face had “dropped”. It was pretty obvious to them by then that something serious was happening. Medical tests followed quickly, and it was confirmed that Shelley had suffered a stroke, something she had not expected to hear and something that has made her look at her own mortality…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Regional Gallery is holding four exhibitions of works by women artists from across Australia. Know My Name: Australian Women Artists is a National Gallery of Australia touring exhibition which will make the first stop of a two-year tour in Mornington. The exhibition features more than 60 works by 56 female artists including Margaret Preston, Janet-Cumbrae Stewart and Emily Kam Kngwarray. Brisbane-based Natalya Hughes recreates The Interior – an immersive installation at MPRG, transforming the space and combining sculptural seating, patterned soft furnishings and collectors’ pieces around a hand-painted mural. Known for her book sculptures and woodcarvings, Kylie Stillman’s…
THE Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League will launch a women’s division in 2024. The establishment of the MPFNL’s women’s football league was announced last week. The league’s creation was approved by a majority of the MPFNL’s member clubs. A statement from the MPFNL read that the creation of the new league would help football grow. “The MPFNL Board & AFL South East administration are hopeful this will see further growth of other MPFNL clubs participating in this competition in 2024 and beyond. The MPFNL has a proud football history dating back to 1908 through various competition iterations and in 2024…
FOLLOWING the huge success of the inaugural Heritage Motor show in 2022, the Rotary Club of Sorrento is once again hosting the event at the historic Point Nepean Quarantine Station on Sunday 5 November from 10am – 2pm. A perfect activity and venue for the family over the Melbourne Cup “long” weekend. Last year’s event attracted 400 cars and in excess of 2000 patrons, this year is already strongly supported by local entries and interest from interstate. Information and entry for exhibits is on the website www.pointnepeanmotorshow.com.au. Entries will be accepted online up until Wednesday 1 November and late entries…
Council’s ‘discriminatory’ choice of flags to fly Our Mornington Peninsula Shire offices and council should remain apolitical and not promote any legislation that our government promotes (“Councillor to undergo ‘development training’” The News 24/10/23). Why is it that this shire bows down to the government of this day on many issues and particularly with the LGBTQIA+ agenda? Let’s celebrate diversity and inclusion, shall we? Why not fly a flag with a fish celebrating Christians? They are a minority. Or why not a People with Disability flag or an aged flag? Or why not design a flag for the homeless? Since…
THE click, pop and hum of a PA system starting up is soon joined by the sound of guitars tuning, drumbeats and scales on trumpet and saxophone. General chit-chat about the week just past melds with microphone checks. A basic 12-bar blues line on bass guitar is soon joined by a rhythmic drum backbeat and then guitar chords. Soon the room is filled with music and then laughter, friendly banter and eager chatter. These are the sounds of the Headmasters Apprentices, a pop band of eight school principals and assistant principals from the Frankston area and the Mornington Peninsula. Some…
RYE foreshore has again been given official approval for Schoolies Week celebrations. Hosted by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, the week-long “schoolies hub” will run from Saturday 25 November to Friday 1 December The shire says the hub will provide a place for schoolies to dance the night away in a supportive and age-appropriate environment. Each night will feature a different line-up of local DJs and party themes. Support teams, including the shire’s youth services team, DanceWize and Red Frog volunteers, will also attend. Peninsula Schoolies 2023 tickets cost $50 for a week-long pass that gives entry to the schoolies hub…
DETECTIVES have made a fresh appeal to try to identify a woman’s body found on the beach at Sorrento 57 years ago. A digitally generated image has been released of the unknown woman, along with a photograph of a woman believed to be linked to her. The woman’s body was discovered floating in the water off Sorrento beach on the evening of 25 February 1966. She is described as being between 65 and 70 years old, about 164cm tall, with a slight build. She had grey hair, no teeth, brown eyes with a blue periphery in her iris, and a…
THE Archibald Prize 2023 Regional Tour at Mornington is winding up for its last day on 5 November, but it has created long lasting memories for at least one family. Mornington grandmother Monica Hughes has turned the portrait exhibition into a family tradition that has so far spanned three generations. “Every year for the past 10 years that it has been on we go as an extended family to wherever it is being held, and we have our very own competition to try and enhance the experience for the young ones,” she said. “It all started a decade ago when…
ANGRY car owners out of pocket thousands of dollars are demanding compensation after their engines were damaged by contaminated diesel fuel at a Hastings service station. Several vehicle owners have told The News that their vehicles either stopped working or malfunctioned after buying fuel in the past two weeks from the United petrol station at 1996 Frankston-Flinders Road. The petrol station franchisee Ram Vidiyala has acknowledged there was a water contamination and that the outlet had shut down the diesel pumps as soon as he was made aware until repairs are made. Vidiyala said he had received the first report…
Water needed to flush away dog urine at shops Mount Martha village has several eateries/coffee establishments. One seems to be very popular, with patrons eating food, and their dogs filling the tables and footpath – a very pleasant scene. However, there are the shop’s corners and a post holding up the roof and the dog owners let their dogs urinate in these areas. The stench of dog urine running down the shop corners and along the footpath with people having to walk through this, is disgusting, while food is served. Some dogs are on their owner’s laps, with the dogs…
Words and pictures by Barry Irving RYE RSL was the venue for the annual dinner and presentation night for 100 Rye CFA members and guests on Saturday 14 October. Hosted by Paul Biaguerra, the evening featured the presentation of a framed certificate to Rye captain Eddy Matt by assistant chief fire officer Jamie Hansen, recognising the 75 years of the brigade’s service to the Rye community. A life membership medal was presented to former captain Glenn Diamond, who was a member for 20 years after joining in 2003 as a firefighter and becoming deputy group officer from 2021 to 2022.…