THE temporary concrete and wire fence erected at The Pillars cliff jumping site at Mt Martha in December has gone. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council contracted out its removal early last week. Infrastructure services manager Jessica Wingad said the council will “seek feedback on the community’s experiences over the summer period”. “Council will be considering [its] options over coming months to determine long-term management of the site,” she said. The fence, on the Esplanade, cost $140,000 which covered its hire, construction, traffic management and daily maintenance of damage and graffiti. The fence is credited with cutting down the number of people…
Author: MP News Group
BOATERS, fishers and other recreational water users can look forward to safer and easier access at Rye Pier. Nepean MP Chris Brayne said the state government would spend $500,000 to restore the low-landing, build a ramp to improve access, install more casual public berths and upgrade berthing facilities for larger commercial fishing charter operators. “The new low landing will make it easier for all recreational water users to enjoy the rich marine life and calm waters off Rye pier,” he said. “The recently upgraded boat ramp, kids’ playground and numerous shops and eateries make Rye a popular destination for visitors.…
ELDERLY residents in particular are being urged to avoid dealing with a company or staff representing M&M Greenworks Tree Services. A spate of government warnings about the company stemming from 2007 up to the present relate to what are described as “illegal” business practices. Staff members are reportedly intimidating and often demand payment upfront and then fail to carry out the work. Police said they target vulnerable members of the community – mainly the elderly. The M&M Greenworks Tree Services vehicle picture was taken on Thursday 16 May. Anyone seeing it, or company representatives, is asked to call police at…
THE role and contribution of volunteers was celebrated at a morning tea held at Sorrento Community Centre, Thursday 23 May. Aimed to coincide with National Volunteering Week, the event was part of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea campaign. Last week, $305 has been raised for the Cancer Council. Sorrento Community Centre says it could not function without its volunteers. “We salute these generous people and acknowledge their contribution,” chairman Shane McMahon said. “Each week they come to share their time and talents so that we can … develop a healthy, connected and vibrant local community of all ages. “Thank you all…
WOMEN taking part in the Coastrek walks on the Mornington Peninsula on Friday 24 May had a clear “vision” – to raise money to tackle blindness. Demonstrating fitness and endurance, hundreds trekked 30 or 60 kilometres to raise money for the Fred Hollows Foundation. The route from Cape Schanck to Point Nepean, or around Point Nepean, took in scenic coastlines, rugged clifftops, rough bush trails and thigh burning soft sand. Participants knew that their efforts were making a difference to those less fortunate. The Fred Hollows Foundation estimates women make up 55 per cent of the world’s blind – and…
Detectives from Mornington Crime Investigation Unit have arrested two people following an assault that occurred in Mornington earlier this month. A 20-year-old Mount Martha man was interviewed and released. He is expected to be charged on summons with a weapons offence. A 17-year-old teenage boy from Mornington was also interviewed and released. He is expected to be charged on summons with criminal damage, assault and using a false document. The men were walking through the car park on Railway Grove after leaving a nearby hotel. They became involved in an altercation with a group of men about 3am. Both were…
On Sunday the 26th of May, Monique Wardley from Sydney’s Northern Beaches will be bringing her social enterprise The Bloom Movement to her home town of Melbourne. After going through one of the hardest times of her life in the beginning of 2018 with Mental Health, Monique decided that she needed to do something to combat this, so taking her love of beautiful blooms and a background in floristry, she would create 9 bouquets & gift them to ladies playing with their children in a park. It was this simple, random act of kindness in the form of flowers and…
A MAN distracted a bottle shop attendant in Hastings before stealing a four-pack of mixed spirits, Monday 6 May. The man, wearing a grey hoodie, shorts and sunglasses, hid the bottles in his shorts before leaving the High Street store without paying. He reportedly has a distinctive tattoo below his right knee. Anyone with information is urged to contact Senior Constable David Kennedy 5970 7800 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or make a report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Western Port Times – 22 May 2019
MAJOR Collision Investigation Unit detectives were last week investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of an elderly Chinese couple when a car driven by their son collided with a truck at Bittern, Monday 13 May. Police said the car was travelling towards Hastings along Myers Road after a brief sightseeing tour of the peninsula when the collision occurred, 1.30pm. The couple, in the back seat, died at the scene. Their son, 52, of Carrum Downs, was taken to Frankston Hospital by air ambulance with unspecified injuries. The driver of the truck was not injured. Detective Sergeant Colin Schmidt, of the…
A MAN whose dog attacked a swan at Sorrento beach, 10am, Sunday 19 May, is being sought by police. Onlookers said the man encouraged his dog to attack the swan which was later taken to a vet for treatment. He is described Caucasian and wearing a white/grey jacket and dark shorts. Anyone who has information is urged to call Rosebud police 5986 0444. First published in the Western Port Times – 22 May 2019
MORNINGTON Breakers junior program is going from strength to strength with a number of young players recently being selected for the Basketball Victoria metropolitan and country programs. “We have had a total of 17 boys and girls recently selected for the Basketball Victoria Showcase in July 2019 and the Basketball Victoria Country Regional Academy,” said Mornington District Basketball Association’s general manager Samantha Browne. “These programs provide the pathway for the ultimate selection into Victorian State teams. “Our program continues to strengthen as more players are being selected year on year into these programs. With the appointment last year of a…
MORNINGTON heats up over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend with a full program of LIVE MUSIC in over 20 venues and three days of STREET ENTERTAINMENT! “There is a fantastic vibe surrounding this year’s event”, commented Festival Director, Bec Davis. “It’s great to see so many cafes, restaurants, bars and venues hosting live music. We are thrilled to have so many wonderful performers including local Singer/Songerwriter, Simon Imrei; Award winning Celtic band, Sugatree and Arandu, Melbourne Latin Jazz all joining us as part of the FREE STREET PROGRAM. Main Street will be full of festivities on Saturday with an artist,…
FROM 17 May until 21 July Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery is presenting two unique exhibitions. Ross Manning is a Brisbane-based artist and musician who uses everyday objects to create mesmerising light and sound experiences for audiences. His exhibition ‘Dissonant Rhythms’ transforms the space at MPRG and visitors can be amazed at kinetic forces at play. Also on display at MPRG is ‘Craftivism. Dissident Objects and Subversive Forms’. This exhibition presents 17 contemporary Australian artists who utilise craft based materialities with a political intent. ‘Craftivism’ addresses ‘the personal as political’ and explores gender representation and identity, Visit mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au to find out…
MORNINGTON Peninsula’s own International Cool Climate Wine Show (ICCWS), now in its 19th year, is an acclaimed wine show for wineries, industry, and the public. The ICCWS is recognised as one of Australia’s foremost shows for inspirational cool climate wines, and each year attracts more than 650 wines from around the world in competition classes including Sparkling wines & Champagnes, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Italian Varietals both from Northern Italy and local, along with many more. A feature of the show each year is the opportunity given to wine lovers to sample the cool climate…
A SAFETY warning has been issued for property owners to check and maintain their fireplaces, chimneys, fireboxes and flues. The CFA says there has been a rise in the number of chimney fires from both fireplaces and wood heaters. CFA’s manager community safety Jude Kennedy said over time there could be a build-up of creosote, a black tar-like residue, which is highly flammable and could clog up chimneys. “Creosote is not only caused by general use, but it can also build up quicker if you are using incorrect fuels, such as green wood or treated timbers,” he said. To reduce…
A woman loading groceries into her car at Rosebud on Mother’s Day was punched to the head by a man who stole her handbag. The woman told police the man approached her on a bicycle in the McCoomb Street car park, 3.30pm, Sunday 12 May. The man asked for directions and then reached into the car and grabbed her bag containing $120 cash and credit cards. During a short physical altercation the woman said the man punched her and she fell to the ground. The man rode off via the McCoomb Street exit. Anyone with information is urged to contact…
SPORTS ovals at Hastings and Red Hill as well as the Olympic Park soccer pitch and senior oval at Rosebud will light up in a staged program starting later this year. The grounds are among 10 sporting reserves across the Mornington Peninsula to be earmarked as part of a $2.1 million lighting upgrade. The cost will be split between the state government and the shire. Other reserves to receive lighting upgrades in stage two (September 2020-February 2021) include Dromana Recreation Reserve, Dromana; Civic Reserve Athletics Track, Mornington; RM Hooper Reserve, Tuerong; Barber Reserve, Somerville; and AR and F Ditterich Reserve,…
TABLES will be groaning under the weight of “much-loved second hand books” at Mt Eliza Rotary Club’s “book bonanza”. The books will be on 35 tables at the 1st Ranelagh Scout Hall, Butler Reserve (off Ranelagh Drive), Mt Eliza on 10am-3pm Saturday 25 May, and 10am-2pm Sunday 26 May. Organisers say there is an “incredible diversity” among the books, ranging from biographies to illustrated coffee table books and hundreds of paperbacks and novels. Categories include the arts (theatre, film, music, Australian artists; antiques; cooking; gardening; interior design; history (explorers, colonial history, travellers tales, military, aviation, maritime and transport, archeology and…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Citizen of the Year Josie Jones opened last week’s waste forum with presentations from community groups, waste industry representatives and shire officers sharing ideas on making their own beeswax wraps, joining a Beach Patrol Group, composting at home, and the upcoming electronic waste ban. This second Waste Forum, held on Saturday 11 May, attracted more than 400 participants to Peninsula Community Theatre to hear what’s happening in the waste industry and how the council was working to address and improve current waste issues. They heard how they could connect with local community groups and how they could…
RIDERS from Toorak College, Mt Eliza has regained the Equestrian Victoria Champion School title. The school won state titles in 2017 but came in as reserve champions in 2018. This year’s win came after a five-day event at Werribee which saw more than 500 riders from 172 schools competing on 640 horses. Toorak had 26 junior and senior riders competing, with Stephanie Ivanovic, Bella Warner, Emma Hercules and Theodora Newman being among the school’s top four riders in dressage, show jumping, combined training, games and novelties events. The four will be presented with the Equestrian Victorian trophy and horse rugs.…
PENINSULA Ballet Ensemble students got an insight into the life of a professional dance company during a Sydney Dance Company in-studio workshop at Somerville. The workshop delivered by the company’s teaching artists was designed to support students’ live-performance experience of the company’s current nationally touring work: Bonachela/Nankivell/Lane. It included a contemporary technique warm-up and repertoire with a composition task used by the company to generate new movement for Rafael Bonachela’s work Cinco. Through this composition task, students experienced the process used by the company to create and perform new and original movement. PBE teacher and former Sydney Dance Company principal…
RECYCLED items are once again being collected from Mornington Peninsula households after the shock shutdown of processing services. But the shire says a continued service from contractor SKM will “rely on a combined effort, including policy change from all levels of government, and correct recycling habits from the community”. The mayor Cr David Gill welcomed the resumption of services but said the council had been “strongly advocating for urgent policy change in the recycling industry”. He urged residents to be careful what they placed in the kerbside bins. “It’s great to have our recycling back on the right track but,…
A BRUTAL murder is committed in a small town in France. The dismembered corpse is dropped from a railway viaduct onto passing trains below. All except the head. Based upon an actual event, L’amante Anglaise is a beautifully poignant and emotionally powerful portrait of lost passion. This modern classic psychological thriller from celebrated French author, Marguerite Duras, takes you right inside the heart and mind of the perpetrator and is a fascinating and compelling true crime story. Pierre (Rob Meldrum) and Claire Lannes (Jillian Murray) are ordinary human beings leading everyday lives until catastrophe occurs. Over the course of the…
ALYCE Welbourne opened her exhibition at Oak Hill Gallery in Mornington last week with her first series of paintings entitled Static. Her works feature several nude life drawings she completed at the gallery’s Thursday life drawing sessions. In 2013 and 2014, Welbourne, 22, of Mt Martha, won the Lady Potter Young Australian Artist of the Year award, and these pieces are also on display. “Oil painting and drawing is a hobby of mine,” Welbourne said. “I went to Mornington Secondary College and did VCE art, graduating in 2015.” However, her future may have a different focus: “I aspire to become…
SOUTH Mornington footballers have a new home with the official opening of the pavilion at Mt Martha’s Citation Recreation Reserve. The single level pavilion was opened on Sunday 28 April by the mayor Cr David Gill and Crs Bev Colomb and Rosie Clark. It will be used by both junior and senior players. The building was designed to meet the needs of local sporting and community groups with its social room, multi-purpose change rooms, unisex toilets and showers, office space and store rooms, kitchen/kiosk, first-aid room, accessible toilets and external public toilets. The building has low-energy lighting, heating and cooling…
Police and other emergency services are currently at the scene of a collision which has claimed the lives of two people in Balnarring this afternoon. Police believe a car has collided with a truck near the intersection of Myers Road and Coolart Road just after 1.30pm. The driver of the truck was uninjured. The two rear passengers of the car died at the scene. It is believed they are Chinese nationals visiting a family member in Australia. The 52-year-old driver of the car was transported to hospital with minor injuries and is currently assisting police with their enquiries. Anyone with…
A LYNDHURST man handed himself in to police after an incident in Mornington’s Centro car park in which two brothers were allegedly assaulted, early Saturday 4 May. Detective Alex Montgomery, of Somerville CIU, said the man was interviewed by officers at Cranbourne police station but no charges had been laid, Wednesday. He said the brothers, aged 17 and 20, of Mornington and Mt Martha, were walking through a car park after leaving a nearby hotel when a fight started with a group of men about 3am. They were punched and knocked to the ground in the melee which stopped when…
SOMERVILLE Highway patrol’s Leading Senior Constable Greg Wolfe has a simple answer when asked why police bother doing breath tests in the middle of the day: “It’s because we keep detecting people like the 56-year-old Mt Martha woman pulled over in Osborne Drive at 1.45pm, Thursday 2 May, who blew 0.233 per cent and the 41-year-old Cranbourne West man detected in Frankston at 11.30am, Tuesday 7 May who blew 0.238 per cent.” “Remember, you can be tested for alcohol and drugs while driving anywhere, anytime.” First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 14 May 2019
A MOTORBIKE rider wearing a purple Ellesse leisure suit with matching shoes and scarf showed plenty of attitude while speeding along Peninsula Link Frankston on 22 April. Detectives are keen to speak with him over a range of “high range and excessive speed offences”. The rider with a tattoo on the back of his left hand was colour coordinated, too: his bike is believed to be a purple Harley Davidson V-ROD. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 14 May 2019
THE Access All Terrain program co-designed by YMCA Mt Eliza project coordinator Jason Ellery is a finalist in the VicHealth Initiative of the Year Award. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the awards, which celebrate the achievements of sportspeople with disabilities, as well as the coaches, organisations, officials and volunteers who support them. Mr Ellery has a spinal cord injury and, as a wheelchair user, is able to show the perspective of a person with a disability as well as advocate for them. As a lover of the outdoors and being active, Mr Ellery previously played wheelchair rugby for…