By Hugh Fraser* A DIVIDED and dysfunctional Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has voted down a motion by Cr David Gill to restore the right of councillors to transparently question council officers during public council meetings. Gill was right to bring this issue to the attention of council and the community. In a democratic, functional and responsible council, his motion ought to have succeeded. The democratic right of councillors to question council officers and senior management in council meetings is an essential council and transparent process. It assists in making a CEO, shire officers and management accountable to council and the…
Author: MP News Group
Carrum Downs artist Jaq Grantford has been named as the Archibald Prize 2023 ‘People’s Choice’ winner for her winning portrait of former Playschool presenter and beloved Australian personality Noni Hazlehurst. This month, the highly anticipated Archibald Prize 2023 opens at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery – the only Victorian destination for this popular event. Thousands of art lovers and curious cultural adventurers will head to Mornington to see the 57 portraits hanging side-by-side, including Jaq’s now famous portrait and this year’s winning work of Montaigne by Julia Gutman. Portraits have always intrigued the viewer: the eyeline, the position of the…
The Voice: Residents look to councillors for leadership I attended the 5 September public meeting of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council meeting with the expectation that councillors would debate whether they should support a Yes vote in the forthcoming referendum. I was deeply shocked and disappointed that questions regarding the referendum were dismissed, with the CEO advising that council would not be taking a position on this matter. Local councils play a pivotal role in representing and reflecting the sentiments of their community. The shire has previously shown its support for Indigenous rights and reconciliation in its Reconciliation Action Plan, so…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is calling for nominations for its 2024 Australia Day awards. Nominations of a friend, family member or colleague in the categories of Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year until Friday 17 November if they have made an outstanding contribution to the community. Last year’s Citizen of the Year was Jack Van Der Zwart, in recognition of his work caring for foster children, cooking for the homeless in Rosebud and providing meals for the needy. There is also an opportunity to recognise events, through the category of community event of the year. The…
THE St Andrews Beach Brewery is on the market, with agents calling it a “significant coastal land-banking” opportunity and say they expect interest from throughout Australia. The former horse training centre once owned by the Freeman brothers is on 37.2 hectares and includes a wholesale business as well as restaurant and bar. The property is being offered for sale and expressions of interest are being sought by J L L Hotels and Hospitality’s Will Connolly, Peter Harper and Lachlan Persley. Formerly known as Markdel, the Fingal property was redefined in 2017 to create a hospitality venue and on-site brewery. It…
A SPRING cold front caused havoc across the Mornington Peninsula overnight Thursday (8 September) and into Friday (9 September), bringing rain and strong winds, as well as general misery for football fans ahead of the AFL finals. Gale force winds downed trees and dislodged anything not tied down as blasts swept across the southeast and the peninsula over Friday and Saturday. On Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology issued wind warnings for Western Port and Port Phillip, but for some boat owners they came too late. The extreme weather also saw emergency service volunteers, and CFA and SES teams clearing trees…
ARTISTS who regularly open their studios along the Peninsula Studio Trail are holding their annual combined art exhibition at Mornington. The annual studio trail started 15 years ago and includes about 30 artists working in a variety of mediums, including painting, textiles, ceramics, printmaking and sculpture. New works will be displayed at this month’s exhibition and visitors will have a chance to meet and speak with the artists. The exhibition is being held at The Studio, 91 Wilson’s Road, Mornington. Tickets to the opening night on Friday 22 September are $15 a person and include food and wine and entertainment…
RISING food bills, vet bills and the surrender of dogs and cats “adopted” during the COVID pandemic have created a “sad situation”, according to Rosy Fischer. Fischer, of Mornington, has compiled a list of pet organisations that may help pet owners who are struggling to keep their pets. “Many people are surrendering their pets with most shelters and rescue groups overwhelmed with pets,” she said. “I regularly see people posting online pets for rehoming and asking for pet food, or assistance with vet bills. “Financial constraints due to increased costs of living, vet fees, lack of pet friendly rentals, COVID…
THE removal of at least five trees at Tyabb Primary School has left some residents distraught at the loss of a piece of the area’s heritage. Contractors for the Department of Education removed the trees from the school yard, including English oak, Norfolk pine and desert ash. Former student Alden Collins said he was devastated to see that the Norfolk Island pine gifted to the school by Harriet Benton, a sewing mistress for the school and part of an early pioneering family, had been razed. The tree was planted with Benton’s class in 1908 as she was leaving to go…
AN application for a second electronic billboard on Nepean Highway Mornington has been recommended for approval by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council officers, despite concerns about neon signs providing the peninsula with a Las Vegas-like landscape. The proposal is for a billboard-style sign at 1002-1004 Nepean Highway, several doors up from one erected earlier this year at 988 Nepean Highway. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal had overturned the council’s 2020 refusal of the application, prompting Cr Anthony Marsh to call for change. At the 8 August council meeting, Marsh successfully moved that the council “explore options for a strategic planning…
Municipal rates: Are we being overcharged? Just received my annual rates notice – just the 9.1 per cent increase for me this year, notwithstanding the apparent state government’s 3.5 per cent cap. It is not clear to me how the cap can be met when the dollar rate is increased by 7.55 per cent. Perhaps someone could explain, as the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s website and employees certainly could not? The glossy brochure I received along with my rates bill entitled Your rates explained, boasts that “Our shire has the eighth lowest rates in Victoria out of 79 councils”, a…
A DECISION to change courses has paid off for Leela Subramaniam who has been named Apprentice of the Year at the 2023 Victorian Training Awards. The former Chisholm Institute student was studying a double degree in commerce and law before switching to cooking. After completing a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery at Chisholm’s Mornington Peninsula campus, Subramaniam now works as a full-time junior sous-chef at Flinders Hotel, Flinders. As well as the training awards win she was named Apprentice of the Year at the 2023 Chisholm Education Awards and was the Victorian winner and national bronze medallist at the 2022…
THE Fair Work Ombudsman has started legal action against a Boneo celery farm – one of Australia’s largest celery producers – alleging it underpaid three visa holders $91,907 across one year. The FWO says it investigated A & G Lamattina & Sons Pty Ltd after receiving requests for assistance from three farmhands who alleged they had not been paid during extended periods of their employment. It is alleged that Lamattina underpaid the farmhands between February 2020 and February 2021. One of the farmhands was allegedly underpaid more than $37,000 while the other two were each underpaid more than $27,000, respectively.…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council’s community animal shelter and pound will desex dogs and cats for pet owners over 60. Under the new initiative, Seniors Card holders who have a dog or cat registered with the shire can get their pets desexed for free. The mayor Cr Steve Holland said the program would enhance the wellbeing of both pets and their owners, but also aimed to encourage responsible pet ownership and reduce the number of stray animals. Holland said the community animal shelter and pound had been caring for animals for more than 30 years, and understood the role pets play…
SORRENTO Cricket Club is focussing on child safety in the lead up to National Child Protection Week (3-9 September) and is raising awareness of how sports clubs can help. Child safety officer Ella McConnell said the club’s leadership team had implemented the Victorian Child Safe Standards and improved safeguarding practices and culture over the past 12 months. “At Sorrento Cricket Club we are committed to promoting child safety awareness and protecting our children and young people on the peninsula from harm and abuse,” she said. “With National Child Protection Week approaching, it is the perfect time to raise awareness and…
A LITERARY event especially for poetry enthusiasts is being held from 2pm on Sunday 10 September at the Rosebud Country Club Bowls Club. The Poets Corner event will bring together poets and spoken word artists from across the Mornington Peninsula and elsewhere. Poets Corner, a community organisation dedicated to poetry and spoken word arts, has been operating on the peninsula since 2017. The organisation adapted and continued its activities through virtual platforms during the COVID pandemic and is now returning to in-person events. The bowls club meeting will feature academic, storyteller, and counter-narrative poet Dr Denise Chapman, who is known…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has come to the aid of Rye Repair Cafe with a $10,000 climate action grant. The volunteer-run service operates out of Rye Community House on the first Sunday of each month, offering help to anyone who has something to mend or repair. By repairing household items, the group is taking on the war on waste one item at a time. Manager of Rye Community House, Marg D’Arcy, said the Repair Cafe dwindled during the pandemic and needed a financial boost to get it back up and running. “This grant has enabled us to establish a repair…
A SMOKE alarm in a rear bedroom contributed to an elderly homeowner escaping a fire that destroyed the rear quarter of a house in Mornington’s Dava Estate mid-afternoon on Monday 28 August. Firefighters said initial investigations showed the fire started due to an electrical wiring fault. No heaters were on at the time. Trucks from Mornington fire brigade attended, followed by police and paramedics, who checked the distraught homeowner as well as fire fighters in breathing apparatus. The house was extensively damaged and will have to be demolished. A CFA spokesman urged all householders to check smoke alarms at least…
MOUNT Martha tennis courts are in line for a major revamp, with reconstruction work about to begin. The courts on the Esplanade near Mount Martha Community House, are in poor condition and will be brought up to Tennis Australia club competition standards. Mornington Peninsula Shire said work starting this week will include improving court surfaces, lighting, fencing and adding a booking system. The shire is contributing $878,417 to the works, the state government $300,000 and Mount Martha Tennis Club $80,000. The courts are expected to be finished by end of February 2024. The tennis club, the biggest on the peninsula,…
MORNINGTON Peninsula hospitality venues are being urged to be plastic free in support of a litter and waste-free summer. The Boomerang Alliance program Plastic Free Mornington Peninsula is inviting food businesses and events to commit to lowering their carbon footprint while reducing packaging costs over the next six to 12 months. Mornington Peninsula facilitator Birte Moliere said much of the waste in the hospitality sector could be avoided by using alternatives and going plastic free. “Through our One.Change Campaign, people are being encouraged to start with one simple step – reusable takeaways. In particular, making the switch to reusable cups,…
SEVERAL Mornington Peninsula students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their talents at the Victorian State Schools Spectacular on Saturday 9 September. The show, at John Cain Arena, Melbourne and broadcast on television later in the year, is an invaluable performing arts opportunity for government primary and secondary school students. Students get the chance to perform or gain behind the scenes experiences across all creative disciplines guided by industry professionals in a non-competitive environment. Event publicist Sonja McGill said it could often be the experience of a lifetime for the students with the chance to perform in a world class…
THE MPFNL will not be expanded in 2024. Earlier this year, the MPFNL sought expressions of interest from clubs who wished to join the league in 2024. The expansion proposal was rejected by the incumbent MPFNL clubs last week. Cranbourne, Frankston Dolphins, Narre Warren, Pakenham, South Mornington, and Carrum Patterson Lakes are understood to be the teams which had their bids for MPFNL acceptance rejected. Frankston Dolphins released a statement on its Facebook page last week after the decision was made. “The Committee was informed last night that Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League club presidents had voted for no further…
FOLLOWING their 2022 performances of “Swan Lake”, THE ROYAL CZECH BALLET returns with their presentation of the classic masterpiece, “SLEEPING BEAUTY” in September – November 2023 “SLEEPING BEAUTY” follows the story of Princess Aurora. When the bad fairy Carabosse is not invited by the King to the Princess’ christening, she casts a spell on the Princess that will mean she will die if pricked by a needle from the age of 16. The King tries to protect his daughter by banning all needles in the Kingdom, however Princess Aurora accidentally pricks her finger on her 16th birthday. 100 years later,…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council will grant a permit for a restaurant, winery and cellar door on green wedge land in Tuerong. The $6 million project on 45 hectares at 111 Old Moorooduc Road, will include the cultivation of 14.21 hectares of vines, a double-storey restaurant open seven days a week from 11am to 11pm, and a separate winery production building. An officer’s report found the proposed use and development of the winery and restaurant were supported by the shire’s planning policy, which supports the agricultural development of the land and the broader viticultural and tourism industry of the peninsula. It…
THE tempo has increased in the push to establish the Mornington Peninsula as a major player on the live music scene within three years. Musicians, promoters, studio owners and industry professionals were this week meeting with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council representatives to discuss the way forward. Organiser Steve Myles said the forum’s objective was to start development of a strategy, key performance Indicators and associated actions. He said the objective aligned with and supports the vision stated in the council’s 2025 music plan. “The Mornington Peninsula fosters a strong and vibrant music culture, recognised as one of the country’s premier…
WORK will start next month (September) on renovating and improving the pavilion at Red Hill Recreation Reserve. Red Hill clubs using the reserve are junior football, junior netball, football netball and cricket. The planned upgrade includes updating the change rooms, adding unisex change rooms with cubicles for changing and showering, new home and away change rooms, new umpire change rooms and extra storage. The gas hot water service will be replaced with electrical heat pumps and all light globes will be switched to LED lights. Mornington Peninsula Shire is paying $1.58 million and the state government $2 million. The first…
THE Mornington Peninsula Welsh Ladies Choir is off to Wales. But before they depart the concert, Perfectly Five, featuring Welsh Soprano Carly Owen and the Australian Welsh Male Choir, will be held at 7.30pm on Saturday 2 September. The choir, celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, will tour throughout Wales and finish with two concerts in London. The farewell concert will be at the George Jenkins Theatre, Monash University, 47-49 Moorooduc Highway, Frankston. Details: monash.edu/performing-arts-centres/event/perfectly-five/ First published in the Mornington News – 29 August 2023
Parking questions Cr David Gill valiantly tried to get the Flinders pier paid parking pilot removed, but seven of the nine [Mornington Peninsula Shire] councillors preferred the “not in my backyard” principle and thought Flinders was an ideal site (“Flinders keeps its spot in paid parking trial” The News 15/8/23). How the parking fees for 90 spaces is going to make much of a contribution to the $1,000,000 cost to the rate paying residents beats me. And how meaningful will the data be and relevant to the rest of Western Port? We have asked the shire if sailing visitors who…
THE Australian Shakespeare Company is returning to the Mornington Peninsula over the school holidays with its new show, Captain Jack’s Pirate Party. In addition to four shows at The Briars, Mount Martha, there will be two shows at the Police Point Shire Park, Portsea. Billed as the craziest and colourful pirates of the Caribbean, Captain Jack’s Pirate Party battles for booty from passing merchant ships and living the pirate life to the full. The interactive theatre performance incudes pirate talk, pirate songs and a hunt for lost treasure. The 70-minute production has sword fights, songs and hearty pirate action. The…
IN a first time collaboration between Dreamhouse Theatre Company and playwright Lachlan Ervin, 30 youth ensemble members and young creatives present The Amber and the Ant at The Southern Peninsula Arts Centre. After an unexpected internet glitch, a group of gamers find themselves on the strange island of Paseus. Is it a mythical place or a constructed game world? With no known passage of return, the gamers must strike unlikely allegiances, try to outsmart the Moon and learn the most unlikely of hominids can be bold. The Amber and the Ant is described as an expedition into loyalty, the nature…