The Mavis’s announce a special 20th anniversary tour for those much loved Pink Pills. Darlings of a time when Rage and Recovery were a staple in the TV diet and Triple J was the on speed-dial… The Mavis’s rode the radio waves with their singles ‘Naughty Boy’ and ‘Cry’ on high rotation while they frequented the Hey Hey it’s Saturday stage. From Ballarat babes to national treasures, a tour with Kylie – the Impossible Princess and headliners of the summer festival circuit, The Mavis’s were a force to be reckoned with… Their sound was like ABBA through a Rock N’…
Author: MP News Group
POLICE are searching for a thirsty thief who used a stolen bank card to make a number of purchases, including a strawberry milk drink. Investigators have been told an offender entered the female change rooms of a soccer club on Monterey Boulevard, Frankston sometime between 3-4.15pm on Sunday 25 March. It is believed they went through a bag and took a number of items, including a black Mimco wallet, Tiffany necklace, bank cards, ID cards and a small amount of cash. A bank card was used later that day between 4.15-4.40pm at a number of locations in Frankston, including a…
By Michael Cummings* AS Geoff Nyssen, a towering figure in a bright orange t-shirt with a loud hailer in hand, marshalled hundreds of walkers and runners near the start line, no one would have suspected his cancer has returned. The organiser of the MY Mt Eliza Run & Fun Festival on Sunday 25 March was a ball of enthusiastic energy at the event he founded in 2017 to raise funds for the battle against myeloma, the terminal blood cancer he was diagnosed with four years ago. The event – attended by about 800 with 600 registered participants – is a…
EXTRA spending on capital works and community services are features of the proposed Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s 2018-19 budget released last week. The document, which is on public exhibition until Thursday 26 April, reflects the priorities identified by members of the community, the mayor Cr Bryan Payne said. “It provides ongoing service improvements and infrastructure enhancements within the current financial environment”. The state government has again capped rate rises at 2.25 per cent. The mayor said the waste service charge, based on full cost recovery, was proposed to increase by 10 per cent – to $217 – driven by an…
ART enthusiasts flocked to hear British antiques expert Paul Atterbury speak at the March meeting of the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society in Mornington. About 230 members and guests enjoyed a fascinating and well-illustrated presentation on The Canal Age, Mornington branch chairman Peter McGinley said. Mr Atterbury gave insights into the development of the network of canals in Britain, 1760s-1840s, that he said was at the heart of the Industrial Revolution. Their development was said to have had a major impact on artists such as John Constable and manufacturers such as Josiah Wedgwood. The talk looked at those who…
PET Therapy Pals are making hospital and nursing home stays more enjoyable for elderly patients on the Mornington Peninsula. One patient, Alan Wardley, describes his therapy pal, Spotless, as a “wonderful, wonderful friend”. Mr Wardley, who has dementia, was a patient at The Mornington Centre when staff realised he would benefit from Peninsula Health’s Pet Therapy Pal program. The weighted stuffed animals remind patients of the feeling they enjoyed holding and caring for their real pets. They keep patients company and – like real pets – are ready for a cuddle at any time. “Patients who are very confused, who…
UP to 500 southern Mornington Peninsula residents will benefit from yet another piece of world-class medical equipment supplied to Rosebud Hospital through the support of Rye Op shop. The new orthopantomogram (OPG) will be added to the hospital’s suite of medical imaging tools thanks to the op shop’s $225,000 donation. “This machine is a huge boost for the community,” the hospital’s head radiologist Damien Barbour said. “It means [patients will not need to take] more trips to Frankston Hospital or inconvenient drives to private providers on the peninsula; it will help considerably in speeding up treatment times in the emergency…
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing 11-year-old Ben Hodson. Ben was last seen on 25th March 2018 in the Mount Eliza area. Police have concerns for his welfare due to his age and the length of time he has been missing. Ben is 155cm tall with a skinny build, fair complexion and blonde hair. Ben is known to frequent the Hastings and Frankston areas. Police have also released an image of Ben in the hope someone recognises him and can provide information regarding his current whereabouts. Anyone with information about Ben is asked to contact Mornington…
THE Royal Australian Navy’s largest warship HMAS Adelaide arrived in Port Melbourne on Friday after steaming from a temporary berth at HMAS Cerberus in Western Port. The Sydney-based frigate is 230 metres long and can transport 100 vehicles, 18 helicopters and 1000 troops. Captain Jonathan Earley skippered the vessel in her first return to Melbourne since she was assembled at Williamstown in 2012. The visit allowed the navy to resupply the vessel and give its crew some shore leave at a time when the city was hosting the Formula One Grand Prix, AFL round one and International Flower and Garden…
THE crew of a catamaran which capsized on Western Port Bay on Sunday 25 March were assisted by members of Pt Leo Surf Life Saving Club who saw the boat in trouble from the shore. The three crewmen, who had sailed the 5.8 metre craft from Phillip Island, were all wearing lifejackets and were in the water for only a short time before the club’s rubber ducky arrived at 12.30pm. A lifesaver jumped in to help get them get their craft upright and they then sailed it back to Ventnor. Sergeant John Cannon, of Hastings police, said “extremely strong winds”…
A SMOKING ceremony at Somerville Primary School last week was “one piece of a much larger picture at the school”, acting principal Andrew Haley said. Adam Magennis, of the Bunurong Land Council, conducted the ceremony at a special assembly with pupils’ involvement, Friday 23 March. “As a school we are focusing on acknowledging the traditional land owners, both past and present,” Mr Haley said. “It is vital as a school that we continue to raise awareness within our school community and acknowledge the Aboriginal people. “It is powerful for our students to know the customs and traditions of our traditional…
A MOTORBIKE rider came a cropper while fleeing coppers after clipping the wheel of a 4 wheel drive on Frankston-Flinders Road near Balnarring on Tuesday 20 March. The 33-year-old Bittern rider decided to avoid a police roadside testing operation at Hodgins Road and “booted it” on a Harley Davidson bike. His bike crossed the road line and clipped the 4WD travelling in the opposite direction along Frankston-Flinders Road. The rider, believed to be unlicensed, was airlifted to The Alfred hospital with a broken arm and leg and facial injuries. The driver of the 4WD was unharmed. First published in the…
A MAN was treated for the after effects of smoke inhalation in the wake of a fire at Volitans Avenue, Mt Eliza on Tuesday 20 March. The 47-year-old heard “a crackling noise” and discovered the rear deck and fence on fire. CFA firefighters brought the blaze, described by police as “potentially suspicious” under control, and the fire caused about $20,000 worth of damage to the deck, fence, BBQ and deck furniture. Anyone with any information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppersvic.com.au online. First published in the Mornington News – 27 March…
SIXTEEN graduates from the African Children’s Choir will sing in Mt Martha next month. As members of Ubuntu Africa they will spend a week on the Mornington Peninsula as part of a “grass roots cultural exchange” arranged by Mornington Church of Christ, Two Bays Choir and Mornington Community Singers. “Watching participants from both sides learn about each other’s cultures is one of the highlights of the tour,” Kwaya Australia president and founder Marsha Gusti said. The singers will eat at an Aussie barbecue, eat fish and chips at the beach, visit The Briars and shop at the Wednesday Mornington market.…
By Barry Morris IT was a windy day with reptiles slithering, veggies growing, insects, bugs and spiders crawling, poo composting, water and plastic recycling and the sounds of frogs croaking. But there was nothing to fear or complain about as it was all part of the 35th Mornington Peninsula Schools Environment Week at The Briars historic property, Mt Martha. Teachers and volunteers over the week (19-22 March) were instilling in more than 2000 schoolchildren the belief that they can make a difference to the world by living a sustainable life. Indigenous leaders taught children about Victorian Aboriginal culture and the…
THE 1ST TOOTGAROOK scouts group used Clean Up Australia Day to spread the message on reducing beach litter – and in the process won a photo competition beating scouts from all over Australia. The 24 children in the group cleaned one kilometre of foreshore over three hours, collecting 32kg of rubbish. They chose 555 pieces to create a colourful map of Australia which won them a digital camera. Joey scout leader Noel Bangs received an email from Clean Up Australia praised the photograph for its “presentation of the wide range of items collected, and the creativity and effort involved”. The…
THE federal government is partnering with Moon lit Sanctuary, Pearcedale to build an aviary for young orange-bellied parrots to survive their first winter. Research has shown that a high proportion of the endangered parrots born in the wild fail to survive their first migration across Bass Strait to Tasmania. “With only 50 adults left in the wild, and around 350 adult birds in captivity, we need to increase the breeding population – every bird matters here,” Flinders MP Greg Hunt said. “Using this technique, known as ranching, the birds will be released back into the wild population in Tasmania next…
THE Easter weekend is starting indoors for a group of Mornington Peninsula artists who like to paint outdoors. Members of Peninsula Plein Air Painters begin their holiday weekend early with their annual exhibition opening on Thursday, March 29. Artist Miodrag Jankovic will officially open the exhibition being held at the Sorrento Activity Centre daily until Easter Monday. Members of the group can be seen on any Thursday at such scenic places as Mothers Beach, Mornington, Millionaires Walk, Portsea, Arthurs Seat or Cape Schanck. Plein air painting originated through the French impressionists and notable Australian plein air landscape artists include McCubbin,…
A BOMB scare this morning (Tuesday 20 March) saw part of Fletcher Road near Frankston Magistrates’ Court cordoned off between about 8am and 10am. Police gave the “all clear” and reopened the road after the bomb squad was called in to investigate using a robot to get close to “suspicious devices” outside the courthouse building. Eyewitnesses said it appeared a fuel container had been wired and taped up to look like an incendiary device in what seemed to be “a hoax”. Anyone with information about the incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime…
NAVAL police combined forces with a Victoria Police highway patrol to carry out a road safety operation at HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point. Operation Adiona — named for the Roman goddess of travel and safe return — saw military police and civilian police conduct roadside breath testing and mobile drug testing of both defence members and civilians entering the base as well as registration and roadworthiness checks. Warrant Officer Darren Lonergan said the operation strengthened the relationship between the military and civilian police “in many practical ways and will be followed by more joint operations”. “Working alongside our colleagues from the…
AN exciting new residential project in Hastings was officially launched on Tuesday 13 March by award-winning developer Defence Housing Australia (DHA). The 3.78-hectare site will comprise 68 land lots, including 30 new homes for Defence members and their families, supporting the local Navy base, HMAS Cerberus. Ten medium density lots are already under offer to a prominent local builder for private development with another 12 lots in stage one selling out in six weeks. DHA Chairman, the Hon J.A.L. (Sandy) Macdonald, said the new $16 million development would create a sustainable residential community while making a significant contribution to the…
RARE and classic cars dating back to the early 1900s will be on show at the Flinders Motoring Heritage show, 10am-4pm, Sunday 1 April (Easter Sunday). Around 100 vehicles are registered to appear, including those carrying such badges as Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Triumph, Jaguar, Holden, Ford, Porsche, Austin Healey, Daimler, Bentley, Mercedes Benz, Renault, Tesla, Vauxhall and Cadillac. The verhicles will displayed at the corner of Cook and Norman streets, Flinders, as well as in the park on Cook Street. Trophies will be awarded to the best vehicle in each category. The $5 entry includes a ticket in the raffle.…
THE councillor who successfully moved to limit spending on the proposed Rosebud Aquatic Centre at $43.57 million admits his hand would have been only “halfway up” without the cap. Cr David Gill told last week’s meeting at the Rosebud Memorial Hall, which adopted the larger pool option, that he was “putting my hand up for a 50-metre pool. Yes I want a 50-metre pool”. But, he said later, he was concerned the shire was neglecting other issues, such as pressing social needs in Somerville and Hastings, low cost housing, halls in disrepair and “community houses going bankrupt”, such as Mornington…
A GROUP of Mornington residents are celebrating a “victory” in their fight against a 371-unit retirement village development in Roberts Road. This comes after developer Steller Estates withdrew its application for appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after the project was earlier knocked back by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. As a result of the withdrawal, VCAT has cancelled a compulsory conference set down for 5 April and a hearing date listed for 21 May. Opponent Christine Pingiaro, who lives nearby, described the developer’s appeal withdrawal as a “temporary victory”. First published in the Mornington News – 20 March…
BERG Mt Martha, a bushland friends group for the Balcombe Estuary, is gearing up for its biannual family day on Sunday 25 March with an emphasis on art and crafts. The free fun activities are designed to help youngsters understand the environment and the creatures who live in it at the old camping ground in Mirang Avenue from 10am to 2pm. There will be art and craft activities for children (including face painting) and Indigenous artists from Baluk Arts will run workshops to create bush critters from hay and wool. Other activities will include bird watching with Birdlife Australia, model…
A BOOK launched in Mornington last week comes about after a chat between an author and a Main Street book seller. Patrick Guest got the idea for his children’s book Rabby the Brave from a conversation he had with Ann Briggs, who has worked at Farrell’s bookshop for the past six years. While chatting, Ms Brigg’s revealed she was soon to have a “small surgical procedure”. Being naturally curious, Mr Guest asked what it was all about and was told she was getting ready to donate a kidney to her husband, Garry, whose kidney function had fallen by 93 per…
AIRCRAFT of many shapes and sizes took to the skies over Tyabb (and beyond) during the Tyabb Air Show on Sunday 11 March. Peninsula Aero Club president Jack Vevers said the “pretty busy day went off without any hiccups”, with a record crowd thrilling to the sound of Rolls Royce Merlins and the roar of heavy radial engines. Nicknamed “War & Peace” the show featured planes from WWI, such as Tiger Moths and Spitfires, as well as a WWII-era Mustang fighter, a Melbourne-built A68-199, and the world’s only airworthy Lockheed Hudson bomber. Other drawcards included high powered military machines, like…
A “50 Shades of Grey” adoption promotion ending next Sunday (25 March) is aimed at finding new homes for 30 greyhounds from the RSPCA Victoria’s Animal Care Centres. RSPCA Victoria animal care manager Liz Walker said the dogs had distinct personalities. “We have excitable, attention-seeking greys through to docile, shy gentle giants,” Ms Walker said. Most are exempt from having to wear muzzles in public and come with a reduced $50 adoption fee. “Greyhounds are intelligent, friendly dogs with a gentle and sensitive temperament. They are well suited to a variety of different lifestyles and homes, which is why they…
CRISIS accommodation is now available for women, children and their pets fleeing family violence. The Eastern Domestic Violence Service (EDVOS) says pets can play a significant role in family dynamics and it is importance to also support them when women and children are fleeing family violence. EDVOS now has accommodation available at three crisis properties in Melbourne’s eastern metropolitan area that can safely accommodate women, children and their pets – each equipped with kennels, pet food and other animal amenities. The service is also working with Women’s Liberation Halfway House (WLHH) to provide the first specialist pet-friendly women’s refuge in…
AS part of its commitment to become “carbon neutral” Mornington Peninsula Shire is trying out electric cars with a view to having them become part of vehicle fleet. “Electric vehicles can have zero tailpipe emissions when powered by renewable energy and will be considered in our efforts to lead the way on tackling the climate change challenge,” the mayor Cr Bryan Payne said. The acting manager climate change, energy and water Melissa Burrage said all staff and counciullors had been invited to participate in the one-week trial of the electric Renault Zoe and Kangoo. Other ways of minimising carbon emissions…