A BIG crowd is expected to attend the Mornington Coast Walk, 9am, Saturday 15 February, which raises money for FightMND. The not-for-profit event run by Mornington resident Sarah Quigley came about after her mother, Marie Lewis, was diagnosed with MND in 2017. “I decided to organise a walk to raise money to fight this debilitating disease,” she said. “Every day two people are diagnosed. There is no effective treatment or cure. “It slowly robs you of your speech, movement, ability to eat, breathe and eventually kills you – all in an average 27 months. The first walk in 2018 raised…
Author: MP News Group
A NEW year, new decade and a new era have begun at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery as it enters its 50th anniversary year. The 2020 program celebrates the development, growth, complexity and richness of the collection, kicking off with three exhibitions from 6 March-26 April and a newly commissioned large scale mural. A Collection of Stranger Things, curated by New Zealand-born, Melbourne–based artist Patrick Pound, reveals a hidden microcosm of objects and artworks that have rarely been displayed before. As an avid collector interested in systems and the ordering of objects, Pound will pair photos from his own collection with…
The Sorrento foreshore was full of activity when the Sorrento Bay Swim was held on Sunday 19 January. There was a full program across the morning, with over 550 people entering the open water swim, which included 600m, 2,000m, and 4,000m courses. Entrants ranged from 8 to 89 years of age! The male and female winners of the 2,000m Open Category Tommy Hafey medals presented by Maureen Hafey were Darius Schultz and Sophie Caldwell, with times of 00:23:08.343 and 00:24:30.343 respectively. Ayden Coates and Rebecca Henderson took out the Elite 4,000m event, which for the first time was a straight-line…
Cafe Thirteen83 are partnering with HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies), to bring a morning raising awareness of anxiety, depression and general well being in the tradie community. All tradies are welcomed to a free coffee on the day. This event will be happening on Tuesday the 11th February 2020 between 6:00am & 8:00am at Cafe Thirteen83, 13/81 Watt Road, Mornington. “Cafe Thirteen83, management & staff believe that mens mental health has an increased prevalence on the Mornington Peninsula – and with your help we want to help open the conversation to assist men suffering. We hope to see you all…
PENINSULA-born playwright, Joanna Murray-Smith, tackles the confronting and heartbreaking issue of gun violence in American Song. Originally commissioned by Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, the play tackles the confronting and heartbreaking issue of gun violence, reaching beyond national or cultural borders in an intimate exploration of love, forgiveness and parental responsibility. With playwright Mur¬ray-Smith’s characteristically deft wit and compassion American Song makes a difficult topic thoroughly gripping, wryly humorous and deeply moving. “My biggest fear was writing a play that wore its political heart on its sleeve, that proclaimed its allegiances and set the audience on alert. Regardless of my view on…
WHAT are the odds of two players scoring holes-in-one on the same hole in consecutive shots? Hundreds of millions-to-one, no doubt. But that’s what happened when Mornington Golf Club members Jun Park and Bob Packham, pictured, scored the notable double on the 127 metre par three 10th hole on Wednesday 22 January. Park, who plays off a handicap of 16, teed off first and watched his ace roll in, followed by Packham, off 17, who did the same thing moments later. Club general manager Craig Murdoch said the men were playing partners in the daily competition. “Stunned players in the…
COMMUNITY projects being considered by Mornington Rotary Club in the wake of this year’s Mornington Art Show include building a roof over a “long table” and developing a park. Money raised by the annual art show is used to finance Rotary projects, mainly in Mornington but also internationally. The long table in Mornington Park seats about 34 and is often used by school groups. It was also the venue for Mornington Rotary’s first meeting for this year on 6 January. The park likely to be improved by Rotary is at the corner of Barkly and Gordon streets, Mornington. This year’s…
PENINSULA Chamber Musicians starts its eighth concert season playing Haydn’s Cello Concerto No 2 with Serbian born virtuoso Svetlana Bogosavljevic. Ingrid Martin, pictured, will return as guest conductor. Mark Fitzpatrick, principal trumpet with Orchestra Victoria along with David Macfarlane (harpsichord), Aaron Barnden (violin), Marney Pope (flute) and Michael Powell (oboe) will perform Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, Mozart’s Symphony No 21 and Haydn’s Overture to L’isola disabitata. Tickets for performances by Peninsula Chamber Musicians are $30 adults, $22 concession and primary and secondary students’ free and will be held 2pm Saturday 29 February at All Saints Anglican Church, Rosebud (www.trybooking.com/581121) and 2pm…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker and his family celebrated Australia Day this year in a patriotic way – they became Australian citizens. The family, originally from England, now proudly call themselves Australians. “We were all very excited to be taking the plunge,” Mr Baker said. “We absolutely love it here. Australia is an incredible country and the Mornington Peninsula is the best bit as far as we’re concerned.” He said his family – wife Tess and children Kasia, 23, Henry, 20, and Molly, 18, had taken to the Australian way of life with enthusiasm. “We love the Aussie attitude…
PREDICTED smoke pollution failed to eventuate for the Saturday 18 January beach day organised by the Disabled Surfers Association Mornington Peninsula at Point Leo. “After our concerns about air quality the day was fine, air quality good and we had fun waves,” DSAMP president John Bowers said. He said the decision to go ahead with the day after the air quality was passed by Point Leo Surf Life Saving Club “based on the distance you can see”. “The club also provides invaluable facilities and assistance on our event days,” Mr Bowers said. Preparations for surf day began on the Friday,…
ROSEBUD police allegedly clocked an 18-year-old P1 probationary driver at 163kph on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway last week. The Cranbourne North man had only had his licence for three months when intercepted in the early hours of Saturday 25 January. His car was impounded. His was one of three vehicles spotted on Arthurs Seat Road and followed onto the freeway where police say they all “accelerated heavily to speeds well in excess of the 100kph limit”. The intercepted driver will be summonsed to appear at court where he faces a minimum 12 months’ loss of licence. The registered owners of…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillor Hugh Fraser has added to the national debate over Australia Day being 26 January by pointing out the date’s significance to Sorrento. In his Australia Day address Cr Fraser noted that the first European settlement in Victoria, at Sorrento, was abandoned on 26 January 1804, just four months after in was established. Cr Fraser said Lt Governor David Collins arrived at Sorrento in October 1803, with two ships, officers, marines, convicts, free settlers, a public service and a printing press to print his general orders and garrison orders. “I think the really important point is that…
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a fatal collision in Tuerong this afternoon. A collision occurred between tow truck and car on Balnarring Road, near Gillett Road, about 3pm, causing both vehicles to run off the road and down an embankment. The female rear-seat passenger in the car died at the scene. The female driver and male front-seat passenger were both cut from the car and airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The truck driver, a 39-year-old Lyndhurst man, is currently in custody and assisting police with their enquiries. Anyone who witnessed the crash, with further information or dash…
Officers from Southern Metro Crime Team have arrested a 19-year-old Patterson Lakes man over an aggravated burglary and a string of car thefts. Members were investigating a car theft in Armadale where a Jeep was stolen from an address on Monday night. Detectives believe the same offender then attended an address in Pleasant Road, Hawthorn East early Tuesday morning, broke into the premises and stole the keys to a Mercedes sedan. The Mercedes was then stolen from the property. Police allege the same offender was seen in another Mercedes, again believed to be stolen, driving along the Monash Freeway at…
Police from Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula have arrested five people, Tuesday 29 January, in relation to a number of alleged vehicle crime offences as part of Operation Night Eagle Detectives from Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit executed two search warrants in Hastings following an ongoing investigation into vehicle crime and drug-related offending. Detectives arrested four people at a property on Curlew Court, Hastings. This includes: • 34-year-old man of no fixed address • 29-year-old man from Hastings • 31-year-old woman from Hastings • 16-year-old boy from Hastings Police also seized a pen pistol, drugs and cash from the Curlew…
THE state government has outlined an initial $17.5 million rescue package to protect and restore wildlife and biodiversity in the wake of this month’s bushfires. The money will be spent on restoring habitat, controlling predators and pests as well as aerial drops of food for animals. Wildlife experts say 185 of Victoria’s species, many of them rare and threatened, have already been impacted by the fire emergency. The first animals to benefit will be those species judged most at risk, including the brush-tailed rock wallaby, long-footed potaroo and large brown tree frog. “These fires have had a devastating effect on…
THE Federal government is spending $9 million over four years to “build public confidence” in the safety of telecommunications networks. The move follows public concern over health problems allegedly caused by 5G mobile networks and “misinformation about electromagnetic energy emissions (EME)” (“Hands reflect concern over 5G” The News 26/8/19). Flinders MP and health Minister Greg Hunt said “new initiatives” included scientific research and public education “building on the existing and long standing EME safety program”. “The enhanced EME program will make sure all Australians have access to clear, reliable and reputable information so they can take advantage of new technologies…
A FLOCK of magpies – the footballing kind rather than the feathered variety – invaded the Sorrento Bowls Club greens last week. A game of barefoot bowls was part of a relaxing pre-season break for Collingwood Football Club’s new season recruits and leadership team. “It was a sunny day so my visors were in demand,” the club’s Judith Mordech said. “Brodie Grundy and Jordan Roughead wanted to buy them but I was delighted to donate them because of their exemplary behaviour on the greens.” Groups can book private barefoot bowls event to celebrate a special occasion; gather family or friends…
A MAN involved in an altercation with security staff at a Mornington licensed venue was later found by police at the intersection of Main Street and the Eastern Ring Road, Thursday 16 January. The 34-year-old, of Mornington, allegedly returned a positive breath test of 0.166 per cent. His vehicle was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1075 and his licence was immediately suspended. He will be charged on summons with drink-driving and traffic-related offences. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 29 January 2020
ITEMS including money, handbags, computers, iPads, iPhones, electronic devices and cables should never be left in cars, police say. They continue to take calls from residents and visitors reporting their cars being broken into and valuables stolen – a costly crime easily preventable. Police from General Duties, Highway Patrol, Crime Investigation and Proactive units ask people to ensure their car is locked when they walk away from it – especially in beach carparks and neighbouring streets. They say residents should report any unusual activity as often offenders walk the streets and carparks, checking car door handles and looking in car…
ABOUT 10,000 cubic metres of sand will be pumped onto Rosebud beach this week. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is replacing sand which has eroded over time due to wind, waves and tidal flow. High tides to the east of Rosebud pier have resulted in waves overtopping foreshore vegetation and the Bay Trail boardwalk. Sand will be dredged from offshore sand bars adjacent to the beach and pumped ashore, DELWP Land and Built Environment Program Manager John Downs said. “By bringing sand back to the beach we are protecting the foreshore from further erosion. It is a…
MORNINGTON Peninsula artists are doing their bit to help those affected by the devastating East Gippsland bushfires. They are taking part in Art Aid Gippsland which brings together hundreds of artworks that have been donated from all parts of Australia and internationally for a four-week exhibition and auction. The exhibition will be held at Gippsland Art Gallery, Saturday 15 February to Sunday 15 March. An auction of art works will be held at The Wedge Performing Arts Centre, Sunday 15 March with all money raised going to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund to help those who have lost homes and…
RESIDENTS have only a few days left to provide input on whether they’d benefit from a Cross Peninsula bus service and an on-demand bus service on the Mornington Peninsula. “Since the launch of the council’s Better Buses campaign in August, about 70,000 people have told us how public transport plays a vital role for many on the peninsula,” the mayor Cr Sam Hearn said. “Public transport connects young people with education and employment. It allows our ageing population to live independently and go to medical appointments and social activities. During the peninsula’s busiest periods, public transport benefits visitors who are…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is likely to come under pressure to adopt an emblem featuring a koala. The idea will be floated at a public meeting in March, along with a plan to use the shire’s planning powers to protect koalas. Cr David Gill is holding the 26 March meeting and says having a koala-based flora and faunal-based emblem is a good idea, although changing the planning rules “is a long process which needs ministerial approval”. However, he says advocating using planning laws to protect koalas “would generate much needed publicity on the lack of state government action”. Craig Thomson, director…
BURGLARS who stole a large quantity of alcohol from Mornington Golf Course last week also made off with a tin containing members’ bushfire donations. Detective Senior Sergeant Miro Majstorovic, of Somerville CIU, said the two men “did lots of damage” smashing a window to gain entry to the club on Tallis Drive after walking from the car park, 1.38am, Tuesday 21 January. They also smashed a window to the pro-shop. Staff on Tuesday were tallying details of stock lost in the raid which included spirits and pre-mixed drinks. The donations tin contained about $400. CCTV showed one of the men…
IF you had tried to plan it, it never would of happened. Rated by Rolling Stone Magazine as the best group of all time, The Traveling Wilburys unexpectedly carved their way to success in the late 1980s. Superstars Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty made their mark on music history as part of The Traveling Wilburys, with timeless hits including End Of The Line, Last Night, Handle With Care, She’s My Baby and many more. Their debut album “Volume 1” won the 1990 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance although the band never performed live.…
NOT ones for sitting around doing nothing in an emergency, the musical group Good Old Boys entertained shoppers at the IGA supermarket, Dromana, and raised $500 for the bushfire appeal, Saturday 4 January. Musicians Jack Kirby, of Balnarring, Bruce Mitchell and Jim Rogers – all in their 80s – performed Bluegrass and “other old songs” at their morning gig. “We’ve been playing a long time,” Mr Kirby said. “We are very pleased shoppers responded to the call. The money was handed over to the Bendigo Bank for distribution to the fire fight.” Mr Kirby said the group was motivated to…
THERE are some truly beautiful entertainment bromances. Bert and Ernie, Lenny and Carl, Tyrion and Varys, Howard and Raj and then there is Brian and Russell. The lifelong friendship of Brian Cadd and Russell Morris should have its own name … Brussell. Brussell’s history has heritage. Both Brian Cadd and Russell Morris had their first hits in the ‘60s. Both Brian Cadd and Russell Morris endured through the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and into the 21 century. Both Brian Cadd and Russell Morris are still delivering relevant new music in the ‘10s and now both Brian Cadd and Russell Morris are…
ARTHURS Seat could have been engulfed last week when vandals fired a flare setting fire to long grass, 2.50am, Friday 17 January. Detective Senior Sergeant Eddie Logonder, of Somerville CIU, said the flare damaged the sign at Chapmans Point Lookout, Arthurs Seat Road, and then burnt 30 square metres of grass. “The act was reckless,” he said. “The damage could have been far greater. Luckily no trees caught alight.” Three crime units attended the scene: two from Rosebud as well as detectives from Somerville. Police are waiting on CCTV footage to identify the culprits. Anyone with information is urged to…
LAST Thursday’s Mornington Art Show opening has been hailed “a resounding success” by one of its organisers. Mornington Rotary Club member John Renowden said more than 400 people attended the opening at Mornington Community Theatre, with “record sales” being made of artwork and items in a silent auction. “The silent auction alone raised more than $8000 for bushfire relief,” Mr Renowden said. The money follows $10,000 already pledged by the club for bushfire relief. Individual artists have also made donations. “The art show has continued to achieve high numbers attending in its first weekend,” Mr Renowden said. The exhibition of…