Author: MP News Group

THE Habitat Restoration Fund will receive $6600 to help eradicate woody weeds in Red Hill South’s remnant forests this year. The grant is among a $250,000 program of community environmental projects in the Port Phillip and Western Port region. The grants were announced just before Christmas. The Western Port Swamp Landcare group will receive $8680 for its Cardinia Creeks Nature Link Plan and the Safety Beach Foreshore Landscape Committee $6046 for habitat rehabilitation work on the Safety Beach foreshore. Up to 15 community organisations will receive a share of $250,000 from the National Landcare Program for environmental projects in the…

The legendary Elvis Presley has been celebrated worldwide – he was one of the biggest and most important stars of the 20th Century pop culture. A cultural Icon who was often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll” and now direct from the U.S comes the Ultimate return Australian Concert Tour 2018 of “ELVIS – AN AMERICAN TRILOGY” – the Complete Story that takes three of the World’s leading Elvis Tribute artists starring in one of the most spectacular live concert production that takes you on a journey through the music of the “The King” in the history…

TOOL tribute act, “THIRD EYE’’ from Melbourne, Australia have been praised for not only the musical likeness of TOOL, but also for their re-creation of TOOL’s live show. The band incorporates breathtaking lighting and laser effects, Visual displays incorporating video clips and other TOOL related artwork, and musicianship unlike any other TOOL tribute band you have seen. This combination of aural and visual stimuli result in complete immersion into the TOOL experience. It is understandable then that they have quickly emerged as ‘Austalia’s Premier Tool Tribute Show’. TOOL fan or not, the “Third Eye” show is one not to be…

Compiled by Brodie Cowburn A CHILD of five years has been missing from Frankston since Saturday afternoon. The foster mother, Mrs Rose Priest of Gwynne Avenue, Frankston Heights, states that the child was taken away in a buggy by a soldier from Broadmeadows camp and no trace of him had since been obtained. He was in no way related to the child but had been boarding with Mrs Priest. He is supposed to be a deserter from the camp, as on inquiry there it was ascertained that he should have returned last week. His wife resides at Carlton but he…

NEW Mornington Yacht Club CEO Wayne Holdsworth has spent the past 10 years leading sports, shooting and motorcycling associations. He also has an AFL background through AFL Victoria, as CEO of the Southern League. “My experience is largely in governance and management within the sports market,” he said. “I have consulted to the corporate sector, including Coles-Myer, Toll and Colonial First State.” And, although he does not have an extensive yachting background he says he is “learning very fast”. Mr Holdsworth described the 72-year-old club – awarded the 2012 Victorian Yacht Club of the Year and 2012 Yachting Australia’s Training…

A FRANTIC mother whose toddler was locked inside her car with the keys at Mornington was overjoyed by the quick response from emergency crews, 11am, Thursday 18 January,    “We were there within three minutes of her call,” Mornington Fire Brigade operations officer Stuart Walker said last week. The woman had parked above Fishermans Beach on the Esplanade when she realised her child was alone in the locked. The temperature was in the mid-20s – meaning it could quickly rise to the mid-30s inside the car. A passer-by said rescue crews covered the roof of the car with sheets and…

HOT weather over the holidays has prompted Life Saving Victoria to urge beachgoers to keep water safety “front of mind” at beaches and in pools. “It’s important people realise just how dangerous all waterways can be, even in calm conditions,” lifesaving operations manager Greg Scott said. “Whether you plan to cool down with a swim, paddle or surf, make sure you’re with a friend.” Mr Scott said water users should “be prepared before heading to the water, and to read and obey safety signs when they get there”. “It’s also important drink plenty of water and keep an eye on…

KAREN Fankhauser has been named Mornington Peninsula Shire’s 2018 Citizen of the Year. The shire’s Young Citizen of the Year is Matthew Mayne. The Australia Day winners were presented with their awards at a ceremony on Friday at Rosebud Memorial Hall. Ms Fankhauser was born with muscular dystrophy and started using a wheelchair four years ago. She grew up in Main Ridge but now leads an active and independent life in McCrae. She is an inclusion advocate, qualified tax accountant, and vice-chairperson of the shire’s All Abilities Consultative Committee (AACC). As part of her AACC role, Ms Fankhauser is involved…

A P1 probationary driver was at the wheel of a car allegedly travelling at 107kph in a 70kph zone on Nepean Highway, Mornington, 3am, Sunday 21 January. Somerville Highway Patrol police found four passengers on board – one tucked into the front passenger foot well. The police were left shaking their heads when the 18-year-old returned an alleged blood alcohol reading of 0.155 per cent. Police media officer Natalie Butler said the Mornington man’s licence was immediately suspended – just days after he received it. He is expected to be charged on summons with speeding, drink driving, exceeding number of…

Compiled by Brodie Cowburn JOHN Stewart, of Carrum Vale Farm, Seaford, was shot on Sunday, through the foot, by a pea rifle carried by a youth named Shoall, the weapon accidently going off. The bullet entered Stewart’s foot above the ankle, coming out under the heel and lodged in his boot. Stewart is progressing favorably. *** WHEN the letter from Mr Jas Grice was read at the last meeting of the Shire Council, re the Crimean veteran J. Coleman, being well looked after at the asylum. Cr Longmuir said that he had been notified a few days ago that the…

Flying through the air with the greatest of ease, Those daring young men (and women) on the flying trapeze THE song lyrics were the perfect description for young daredevils at the Fly Factory’s flying trapeze summer school outside Silvers Circus, Nepean Highway, Mornington, last week. Instructor Steen Shoar said his sold-out beginners’ classes for those aged seven and up proved the popularity of the flying trapeze among young people. Many participants get the bug and turn up multiple times. Over the three weeks of the trapeze course he says he taught about 140 enthusiasts in four two-hour lessons each day.…

A TEENAGE girl suffered two fractured ankles when she jumped into a rock pool at Blairgowrie back beach, Tuesday 16 January. The Surrey Hills girl – who is reportedly an elite diver – told Channel 7 news she was attempting a strata jump into a pin drop at the rock pool when she hit the sand hard. “I managed to swim up using my arms and screamed that my ankle was dislocated,” she said. “It was lucky I didn’t go head first.” Her family at the scene made an emergency call to the Air Ambulance. Paramedics winched her up to…

NEWLY arrived asylum seekers got into the spirit of an Australian beach holiday at Camp Manyung, Mt Eliza, last week. They took to the camp’s adventure-based activities, including the flying fox, giant swing and high ropes course. The refugee families were also taught water safety so they would feel safer and more confident at the beach. YMCA Victoria and the Department of Health and Human Services partnered with community group Life Without Barriers to host the asylum seekers in a fun, safe and engaging program, 15-17 January. About 100 campers stayed for the three-day program, with family members ranging in…

CELEBRATIONS are planned right across the Mornington Peninsula for Australia Day on Friday. The national day will be bookended by barbecues and breakfasts at Mt Eliza, Hastings, Dromana and Rosebud and ending at night with fireworks at Rye and Mornington. In between those times there will be entertainment, food stalls and children’s activities at Mornington Park and a walk or run event at Rosebud, before breakfast. Members of the biggest mosque in Melbourne, the Baitul Salam Mosque (House of Peace) at Langwarrin have issued an invitation for the public to tour the mosque and meet local Muslims while enjoying a…

SHOREHAM House, Balnarring, was overflowing with family and friends of Beryl Sheedy who celebrated her 105th birthday, Sunday 14 January. Congratulatory messages were received from Queen Elizabeth, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Flinders MP Greg Hunt, who dropped by to wish her a happy birthday. Ms Sheedy gave a speech and circulated among four generations of family and many friends. Four generations of her big family celebrated her birthday, including her five children, 14 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Born on 14 January 1913, Ms Sheedy says she owes her good health to a happy home life,…

THE views of residents and road users are being sought on speed limit reductions proposed in Bittern, Mornington, Mt Martha, Rosebud and Tootgarook. Roads under review are South Beach Rd, Bittern (Trafalgar St to Urquart Crescent); Davies Rd, Bittern; Bruce Rd, Mt Martha (Nepean Highway to east of Martha Cove Blvd); Watt Rd, Mornington; Truemans Rd; Tootgarook (south of Karella Drive to Belar Rd) and Jetty Rd, Rosebud (Old Cape Schanck Rd to Duells Rd). Factors such as the number of crashes, road environment, traffic volumes, abutting land uses, driveways and intersecting roads and the volume of complaints or requests…

By Barry Irving History was made at the Rye Gift run on Saturday. In a male dominated event Maddie Coates became the first ever female athlete to win the prestigious race. Maddie won the 120 metre open event  in 12.279 off a handicap of 15.00 metres. The Ladies Diamond120 metre event was won by Holly Dobbyn in 14.190 off a handicap of 3.75 metres. In another first Rye Football Club won both the junior and the senior footballers events. Despite the inclement weather the gift was well supported by leading VAL athletes and supporters and spectators. This annual event is…

Compiled by Brodie Cowburn AN OFFICIAL WARNING. With the dry weather and high winds serious losses through fire have occurred in several country districts of Victoria. A warning notice against careless use of fire was circulated by the Lands department in November last and the Minister of Lands is again publishing this warning and appealing to all persons to exercise the utmost care. *** PRIVATES Jerry O’Neill and Slocombe have been invalided home to Australia, after a long time on active service. *** FREDERICK Albert Gould, youngest son of Mr and Mrs T. M. Gould, Nolan Street Frankston has enlisted…

Art that stands out on a wall DUTCH born John Vanderwerf, above, arrived in Australia with his family in 1953 and has lived in Mt Evelyn for most of his life. He has worked as a visual merchandiser since he was 18, managing his own business for the past 28 years, including designing and building Christmas sets and exhibitions in major shopping centres and at trade fairs. Vanderwerf says he has experimented with painting as a hobby throughout his working life. In 2002 he began water colour lessons. Since then he has exhibited and sold some of his artwork in…

MORE than 140 students took part in the Peninsula Youth Music Society’s 38th Summer Music School at Mt Erin College in Frankston South last week. They enjoyed making music with their new friends, with some having just begun exploring sounds and creating music. Others expanded their skills in improvisation or tried out instruments that best suited their talents. The week-long program on 9-13 January aimed to provide those aged five-18 with an “enjoyable and rewarding” musical experience. Organiser Nora Morrisroe said activities ranged from Rhythm ‘n’ Beat, Movement and Dance, Try an Instrument, Sing a Song and Percussive Beat for…

THIS long-stay camper went all out to feel at home on the Rye foreshore by establishing his own garden. The camper is among a small number who, perhaps unthinkingly, dig up the foreshore, introduce weeds, and prune indigenous vegetation so they have a better view of the water. Others throw exotic pot plants into the bush when they leave. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s buildings and facilities manager Davey Smith said foreshore camping was renowned a family-friendly experience where campers create a homey environment. “While management doesn’t allow any planting into the ground, some campers do choose to decorate their sites with…

THE Mornington Racecourse Sunset Cinema experience returns to the Peninsula this summer in January. Popping up on Thursday 25th January, Sunset Cinema at Mornington Racecourse is a one night only outdoor cinema event perfect for the whole family. In addition to the feature film, Despicable me 3, screening from 7pm, there’ll also be rides and activities for the kids, catering and snack bar options from the Mornington Racecourse team, and a stocked beer and wine bar for the parents. Supported by local businesses Jacobs & Lowe, Steller and Peninsula Kids, and set upon the lush grounds of the racecourse, it…

FOR over 200 years, the Mornington Peninsula has been a muse and haven for artists.  Attracting a stellar roll call of some of the most recognisable names in Australian art, the wild and rugged coast has inspired works from artists such as Eugene von Guérard, Nicholas Chevalier, Louis Buvelot, Violet Teague, John Perceval and Albert Tucker.    This ambitious exhibition brings together masterpieces from these iconic artists as the basis of an extended conversation, considering our relationship to the coast, to the Australian landscape and our environment.  Newly commissioned works from GW Bot, Megan Cope, Raafat Ishak, Euan Macleod and…

Compiled by Brodie Cowburn DURING the early hours of Wednesday morning (Boxing Day) 4 boys, who were amongst the lads detained at the training farm on Tortoise Head Island, escaped to the mainland. One lad swam out to a boat which was anchored some hundreds of yards from the shore. He then picked up his companions and they sailed to Stony Point, a distance of five miles. One of the lads William Hennessy, aged 16 years made his way as far as Frankston where he was promptly arrested, as the police had been warned of the boy’s escape. So far…

SOMERVILLE Highway Patrol members nabbed a speedster allegedly travelling 88km/h over the speed limit on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway overnight Friday, 29 December. The car was allegedly detected travelling at 188kph in a 100 zone just north of the Nepean Highway near Dromana shortly after 1am. The driver, a 32-year-old Rowville man, was intercepted and his vehicle impounded. He is expected to be charged on summons with speeding. The intercept was made as part of the Victoria-wide 15 December – 7 January Roadwise campaign aimed at reducing road trauma and improving road user behaviour. During the “high risk” time police…

A HANDBOOK produced by Mornington Peninsula Post Polio Support Group to help polio survivors, has turned out to be the best seller for 2017 for Random Harvest e-library. “We have sold downloads of ‘Life Skills for Polios’ to Djakarta, Harare, Wales, various states of America and hard copies all around Australia,” its author Fran Henke said. “When postage turned out to be twice the cost of the book, we were relieved that Random Harvest based in New Jersey, US, offered to include it on the International Centre for Polio Education’s e-list.” Mrs Henke, of Hastings, said Random’s editor-in-chief “advised last…

KAYAKS and canoes can be fitted with small electric motors without being registered. The trial aims to reduce red tape for low-powered vessels travelling up to five knots and ends 31 December. The exemption is for kayaks and canoes with electric motors of up to 40 pounds thrust (or one horsepower or 750 watts). “If the trial period shows that the safety of paddlers is not compromised in any way, this exemption is likely to become permanent,” Maritime Safety Victoria director Peter Corcoran. “This will also enable an easier process for people taking their paddle craft interstate.” The trial is…

THANKFULLY it took less than 1001 nights to build the latest attraction on Frankston’s foreshore telling the tales of Aladdin, Sinbad the Sailor, Ali Baba and the forty thieves and other Arabian Nights stories. Twenty skilled sculptors put in more than 5000 carving hours over 30 days using 3500 tonnes of brickies’ loam sand to build the Sand Sculpting Australia exhibition illustrating the stories of the Arabian Nights. Sandstorm Events director Sharon Redmond says the exhibition is open to visitors until 25 April. “Our aim is to capture the imagination and provide a unique experience that reappropriates the natural environment…

POLICE are warning potential buyers of online goods to be wary of scams involving items advertised on widely used social media sites and common online auction websites. The warning follows a number of robberies reported to police after several victims had arranged to meet with fake online sellers to pay for and receive goods. On Christmas Eve police arrested three men after they allegedly attempted to rob two men, in separate incidents, who they had arranged to sell smart phones to. Detectives are investigating two similar incidents reported in December. “If the price seems too good to be true, it…

WHILE local laws officers are warning dog owners about regulations for walking their pets on beaches throughout the Mornington Peninsula, a survey is underway to gauge opinions about dogs at McCrae. The current controls vary at McCrae beach depending on the location and the time of year. The shire has been asked to increase the length of the leash-free area to the west of the Margaret St car park, improving access to the leash-free area for people accessing the foreshore from the Beverly St crossing on Point Nepean Rd, McCrae. It has also received requests to consider removing controls outside…