An electrical fault is being blamed for a fire in a Balnarring Village shop, early Monday 4 September. Balnarring CFA captain Graeme Briggs said crews from Somers and Bittern helped put out the blaze at Peninsula Mapping and Laminating shop which they traced back to a power board. The 4am fire was contained to the Frankston-Flinders Rd shop which will probably need a full fit-out. Damage is estimated at $100,000. First published in the Western Port News – 5 September 2017
Author: MP News Group
SWIMMING coach and water safety expert Laurie Lawrence launched the Kids Alive – Do the Five water safety app with Flinders MP Greg Hunt at Pelican Park, Hastings. “Children need constant and active supervision when they’re in, on or around the water. With the summer months approaching, vigilance is the key to keeping young children safe around water,” Mr Hunt, who is also health minister, said. “Kids Alive is a great program and the new app provides more useful and practical tips to help us keep our kids safe around any body of water – whether it’s the bathtub or…
WITCHES, princesses, super heroes and even a duck brought Hastings’ second annual Book Day to life, Tuesday 29 August. Shop fronts were decorated to represent favourite books and traders dressed as book characters. Pre-school pupils and their teachers and parents also dressed as their favourite book characters. The focus of the day was to demonstrate to youngsters the excitement and joy of reading as they made their way down High St listening to stories. The book day was organised by the Hastings’ Linking School and Early Years (LSEY) partnership, now in its 11th year. The latest three-yearly Australian Early Development…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie LANGWARRIN clinched the State 1 South-East championship with a 3-1 win over Clifton Hill at Lawton Park on Saturday. It was an historic moment as Langy became the first local club to win the right to compete in Victoria’s elite National Premier League competition. Langy started the day two points clear of title challenger Mornington but Langy’s win and Mornington’s 0-0 draw at home to Malvern City clinched Gus Macleod’s first title triumph since 2004 and ended Mornington’s chances of an unprecedented State 1 threepeat. Nerves were eased at Lawton Park when Alex Metcalfe’s shot was…
Pierce Brothers have taken their music from busking on the streets of Melbourne to the world. Their irresistible energy and world-class live show has generated a word of mouth buzz not seen for some time. Comprising of twin brothers Jack and Pat Pierce, the multi-instrumentalists have been shaking dance floors and selling out rooms across UK, Europe, Canada, USA & their native Australia. Latest EP ‘The Records Were Ours’ came in at #9 on the ARIA chart after topping the iTunes charts across the globe. To celebrate the brothers are embarking on a mega World tour across Europe/UK, Australia/NZ and…
A SERIES of overnight burglaries in Mornington and Mt Martha last week may have been committed by the same offenders, police say. They occurred 27-29 August. In the first incident a passer-by may have “spooked” burglars attempting to break into a Wilsons Rd cafe by smashing glass door panels. They sped off in what’s described as a red hatch. A short time later, a cafe and a milk bar in Dava Drive were broken into and their tills taken – as well as a bag of lollies. A Safety Beach pizza shop and wok restaurant also had tills stolen. Cash…
UPDATE: Monday, 04 September 2017 Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the shooting of a 31-year-old man in Rosebud last night. The Glen Waverley man was located in the passenger seat of a green coloured Mitsubishi 4WD on Eastbourne Road with a gunshot wound to his head shortly after 8pm. He was airlifted to hospital but died this afternoon. Detectives have spoken to the driver of the Mitsubishi who has been released pending further enquiries. Investigators have been told the man was dropped off at a milk bar in Dundas Street, Rye about 5.30pm yesterday evening and was going to be…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie SOUTHERN United’s under-13s clinched the NPLW championship with a 2-0 win over Geelong Galaxy United at Monterey Reserve on Saturday and are zeroing in on a finals campaign that could end in glory. Southern’s title success with two league games remaining has secured a home final and a win in that match on Saturday 16 September will take Debbie Nichols’ and Emma Bracken’s charges into the 2017 Grand Final on Sunday 1 October. Ace predator and leading league scorer Rhys McKenna missed Saturday’s success due to trials for the State cricket squad and Nichols and Bracken…
ALCOHOL will be banned at The Pillars diving rocks at Mt Martha if a push by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is successful. The shire’s amended Consumption of Liquor Local Law will go on exhibition “in coming weeks” in the wake of a six-month trial ban. The council is now advertising to make the bans – which extend several blocks inland – permanent, with increased powers to be given to police to seize alcohol from visitors. The Mt Martha coastal hot-spot attracts visitors due to its appealing cliff face and pristine waters, but excessive drinking, discarded rubbish and abuse of parking…
MORNINGTON detectives last week charged three youths following an alleged theft and series of deceptions. The trio allegedly stole a car on 21 August which they used to evade police. A credit card in the car was allegedly used in a number of deceptions in the Mornington area. A 16-year-old from Mornington was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of obtaining property by deception and drug-related offences. A 15-year-old, also from Mornington, was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, committing an indictable offence while on bail and drug-related offences. A 15-year-old from Hastings was charged with…
NON-profit group Mentis Assist has its sights on age-friendly Mornington Peninsula as it works to provide support to older people in the community. The 30-year-old group last week received the Age Friendly Local Business Award at the Mornington Peninsula Delys Sargeant Age-Friendly Awards. The awards recognise individuals, clubs, services or businesses that contribute towards a supportive community for older people. They aim to shine a light on older people, promoting respect and an age-friendly community. “Mentis Assist is the only organisation on the peninsula that provides a range of social group services for over 50s to support their mental and…
Police say their vehicles fitted with Stalker Mobile Radar Units can measure the speeds of vehicles travelling in both directions – even while they are moving. Somerville Highway Patrol detected a blue Holden sedan approaching at 113kph in an 80kph zone on Balnarring Rd, Tuerong, 11.20pm, Sunday 13 August. The 59-year-old male driver, of Merricks Beach, told police he “thought it was a 100 zone”. Police quipped this would have meant he thought he was “only going 13kph over the limit instead of 33”. The driver was issued with an on-the-spot $436 fine with four demerit points and one month’s…
EIGHTY friends and family from all parts of Victoria and interstate gathered at Rye RSL recently for a surprise party to celebrate Meryl Taylor’s 100th Birthday. Born in Torrita, a small farming town north-west of Ouyen in the Mallee, Ms Taylor was the first child of pioneers Heber and Doris Smith. She has outlived her four siblings. She attended the local one-room school where her mother was the teacher. After leaving school she trained as a nurse at the Ouyen Hospital and, after the war, moved to Maryborough in central Victoria with her husband Victor, a New Guinea veteran, and…
SOMERVILLE’S Genevieve Beacom this month achieved her dream of playing in the Cal Ripken World Series of Baseball in Missouri, US. Genevieve became the first female starting pitcher in the 16-year history of the tournament and the first female to make a mixed-gender team playing for Australia. The Cal Ripken World Series is described as the place “where the world comes to play – the Ripken Way”. The Year 7 Flinders College student toured Japan with the Victorian Mavericks women’s team in the lead up to the tournament before heading to the US. She had a week’s training with her…
EMMA Coles was only able to eat her first full meal of solid foods when she was 11 years old. And that was years after she began working with Peninsula Health speech pathologist Danielle Surwald to overcome a case of severe food aversion. “You always get people saying they’ve got a fussy eater at home but it’s not quite the same,” mum Roz Coles said. Emma could only tolerate liquids until she was seven years old and then progressed to purees. Until recently, her diet consisted of just soup and yoghurt. In a milestone event last month, Emma ate her…
HUNDREDS of firearms have been handed in for registration, sale or destruction in Victoria in the first month of National Firearms Amnesty. As of the end of July, 751 firearms had been surrendered in Victoria. Other items handed in include swords, a crossbow, ammunition and imitation firearms. Victorians have until 30 September to surrender unregistered and unwanted firearms, ammunition and weapons to Licensed Firearms Dealers without fear of prosecution. Anyone surrendering firearms, weapons or ammunition during the amnesty should surrender to a licensed firearms dealer, not to police. Explosives should not be surrendered during the amnesty. Any person wanting to…
CRIB Point Primary School pupils are “counting down the days” until they get to perform at next month’s Victorian State Schools’ Spectacular at Hi Sense arena. The theme for this year’s show on 16 September is: Anything is Possible. “The [pupils] have been practicing since February and will perform seven dances,” fundraising co-ordinator Rae McCracken said. “They practice once a week and have also been part of four group rehearsals with other schools at Officer Secondary College. “They have just received their costumes and are counting down the days until they get to perform.” The 13 Crib Point pupils, in…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie THE race for the State 1 South-East title and a spot in the 2018 NPL is on in earnest after Mornington’s 4-2 win over Langwarrin at Lawton Park on Saturday. The result cuts Langwarrin’s lead at the top of the table to just two points but Gus Macleod’s men still have their fate in their own hands while second-placed Mornington has to win its last two matches and hope that Langy slips up in the process. Langy is at home to Clifton Hill then finishes the season away to Malvern City while Mornington is at home…
A KAYAK found washed up on Mt Martha beach last week prompted police to mount a search over the bay for its owner. The yellow and red Seak Swift kayak was spotted at the southern end of the beach on Tuesday 15 August. Police released an image in the hope someone may recognise the kayak and identify its owner. Anyone with information is urged to call the Water Police, 9399 7500. First published in the Mornington News – 22 August 2017
MORNINGTON police searched a car in Fleet St early Thursday morning and allegedly found eight grams of the drug ice, 80 ice pipes, several mobile phones and $15,000 cash. Acting Senior Sergeant Steven Duffee said the night shift van “did well” in intercepting the 30-year-old Mornington woman, 2am, Thursday 17 August. “Due to their diligent patrolling this arrest has removed a large quantity of drugs from the street,” he said. “Mornington police will continue to patrol at all hours and if you are doing wrong you will be caught.” The woman was taken to the police station for interview and…
MORNINGTON police last week executed four search warrants resulting in six arrests and the laying of 80 graffiti-related charges. Police recently joined forces with Mornington Peninsula Shire officers to identify those responsible for the graffiti that Acting Senior Sergeant Steven Duffee said was becoming prevalent in the area. “But we still need people’s help to identify some of the graffiti,” he said. “If any of these photographs seem familiar, or you know who has committed these offences, please contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or Mornington police 5970 4900,” he said. First published in the Mornington News – 22 August…
THE rider of a Yamaha R1 sports motorbike performed a “mono” near the Bungower Rd on-ramp on Peninsula Link, Moorooduc, by lifting the front wheel. After slowing down for the speed camera at Eramosa Rd, he accelerated to 173 kph, 9pm, Thursday 10 August. Somerville Highway Patrol police manning their radar said the motorcycle then accelerated again to more than 200 kph approaching Golf Links Rd, with the windy weather visibly blowing the bike around. The 25-year-old rider, of Skye, was intercepted and is expected to be charged on summons with driving at a dangerous speed, improper use (loss of…
POINT Nepean is one of 11 national parks where food trucks will be allowed for a six-month trial. The summer trial in the Quarantine precinct will be followed next year by a winter trial starting in June. “The trial will provide an opportunity to test food and beverage services in appropriate parks without leaving a permanent footprint in the park,” Parks Victoria chief operating officer Simon Talbot said. “Mobile traders will need to meet certain criteria including environmental considerations, social benefits to the community and the ability to strategically align with Parks Victoria and the Victorian governments’ healthy choices guidelines.”…
NEPEAN MP Martin Dixon wants Roads and Road Safety Minister Luke Donnellan to build a noise attenuation wall at the same time wire rope barriers are installed along the Mornington Peninsula Freeway. Mr Dixon told state parliament last week he supported the wire rope barriers beside the freeway all the way to Rosebud. “The section of the freeway between Safety Beach and Rosebud has been tested over numerous years, and the whole section of freeway, which has many homes abutting it, exceeds the allowable noise limits for freeways,” he said. “We have run a long campaign to have the noise walls…
ERONI’S Circus is returning to the Mornington Peninsula with an all new show for 2017! Relive the magic and wonder of traditional circuses of yesteryear, with lively original music, incredible costumes and traditional circus acts including gorgeous showgirls, magnificent palomino horses, stunning trapeze artists, hilarious clown antics, impeccable juggling performances, amazing acrobats, contortion, family favourite Jack Russell dogs, and more. Eroni’s Circus aims to bring back the atmosphere of old world, vintage circus charm for modern day audiences. This year’s edition of Eroni’s Circus is proud to present, 2016 Australia’s Got Talent finalist Jessie Daley illusionist and his lovely assistants…
LIFESEARCH 2017 gives citizen scientists the opportunity to discover the plants, birds, insects, and other animals in the Western Port Biosphere Reserve. Lifesearch, the biosphere’s annual citizen science event for schools, individuals, families and community groups, runs throughout September to coincide with Biodiversity Month. All Lifesearch participants can make a contribution to the understanding of life in the Western Port Biosphere, as well as to the national Atlas of Living Australia database. There are prizes for the school, individual and team or group that record the most sightings during Lifesearch. Prizes include a family pass to Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation…
THE world-renowned Targa Florio vintage car rally will, for the first time, race outside of Italy and through the Mornington Peninsula later this year. More than 200 classic cars will travel across 1200 kilometres of Victoria and make their way from the Bellarine Peninsula to the Mornington Peninsula via ferry on Friday 1 December. The prestigious road race is scheduled to travel through Mornington’s wine region and up through Red Hill before heading towards San Remo and onto Healesville on the Saturday. The four-day event which is set to begin on Thursday 30 November will mark the 101st anniversary of…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie LANGWARRIN and Mornington go head-to-head on Saturday at Lawton Park in the most anticipated contest on the peninsula for years. At stake is a place in next season’s National Premier League second division and the honour of becoming the first local outfit to gain entry to Victoria’s elite club competition. Langy’s lead in the race for the State 1 South-East title was cut to five points over Mornington last weekend. While Gus Macleod’s side had to settle for a point in a controversial 0-0 draw away to Manningham United, Adam Jamieson’s men were engineering a stunning…
Following her 2015 triumphant sell-out concert performances, Scotland’s legendary singer-songwriter ISLA GRANT returns to Australia with exciting new songs from her latest album release “I’m A Survivor” – plus her extensive repertoire of most loved music. The ever-popular singer will be touring with her equally talented husband AL GRANT and singer and multi-instrumentalist GLEN FLYNN. As an Internationally acclaimed recording artist ISLA GRANT’s distinctive voice encompasses all genres from country folk songs to easy listening compliments an evening of old favourites to new songs – this has established her as a major recording artist in the USA, Canada, U.K, Australia and…
By Bob Simpson* I SAT at last Wednesday’s Peninsula Voice event, hearing Les Twentyman’s experiences. This man “loves” disengaged young people with whom he engages. Could I genuinely “love” five homeless kids, causing trouble by sleeping in a council tip? That idea of a village raising a child constantly surfaced. MC Roberta Orton raised the ante – this is about disengaged children gaining an enduring sense of identity, meaning and purpose, connection, and belonging in our common world. My highlight was the “thanks” given by Cr Sam Hearn. He applauded Les Twentyman’s well-earned reputation; but thanked him for not coming…