AN aversion to litter and a desire to do something about it prompted a group of Mornington Peninsula residents to down tools and spend two months picking up empty bottles and cans along the Stuart Highway from Port Augusta in South Australia to Darwin. The trip for the five mates – who all have links to Boneo Cricket Club (the Boneo Pandas) – was financed entirely by collecting the 10c refunds paid for each item at six deposit points in towns on their 3000km journey. Their haul of 100,000 bottles and cans picked up along the roadside from early August…
Author: Stephen Taylor
A MORNINGTON Aldi supermarket appears to have settled its dispute with Mornington Secondary College over claims of students’ shoplifting and disruptive behaviour. Although neither the store manager nor the school would comment, Friday, it appears the store’s ban on students has been lifted. A social media storm erupted when student Jai Duesterhaus filmed himself being refused service and shown the door by the manager of the Peninsula Homemaker Centre store on Nepean Highway. “You’re telling me I can’t come in because I’m from Mornington Secondary College?” he asks the manager, known as Dom, in his recording. The manager replies, “Yes,…
ABOUT 40 pet lovers rallied outside Mornington Peninsula Shire’s offices in Queen St, Mornington last week to protest at the number of animals being killed by the shire’s animal shelter. The Save Mornington Pound Pets rally, Sunday 19 November, expressed concern about the running of the pound, and pushed for changes that would see more animals put up for adoption rather than being put down. The group heard that since the opening of the shire’s new $900,000 shelter in Watt Rd last month, adoption rates have declined and kill rates risen. “This is a public concern as the shire’s decision…
A SHIFT in priorities leading to a realisation that they were fed up with the “go, go, go” of modern life has instilled a yearning for travel into the lives of Rosebud couple Sheree and Lance Steele. “We’ve worked so hard renovating and at full time jobs that there was no time left for living,” Ms Steele said. “After losing dad [with cancer] and with the kids being young enough to travel, we came to the conclusion that we were done with the grind and wanted to relax.” After 11 years in Rosebud, Mr Steele, a truck driver, and Ms…
THE effects of tourism on the Mornington Peninsula residents is reaching critical levels, according to a researcher Monash University honours student Pallavi Shridhar is upfront in saying increased levels of tourism can reduce a community’s quality of life. Also, that increased exposure to the impacts of tourism reduces residents’ ability to cope with the changes it brings. It also increases their sensitivity to these impacts. In her year-long study overseen by senior Monash Business School lecturer Glen Croy, Ms Shridhar highlights “low levels of community resilience” among the 161 peninsula residents as indicating that an increase in tourism “will have…
NEW Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Bryan Payne last week defended proposed laws regulating short stay rental accommodation on the Mornington Peninsula. Under the tough new law property owners could face fines of up to $3100. The draft local law, open for comment until Friday 7 December, centres around a registration system listing the property owner’s name and address, as well as an appointed agent who must respond within two hours to neighbours’ complaints. It also establishes a code of conduct limiting the number of occupants, outlining expectations of behaviour of occupants, and controls over car parking and rubbish disposal.…
AN “emotional and proud” Bridget O’Toole found it hard to describe her feelings after accepting the Star of Courage medal on behalf of her murdered husband, Hastings jeweller Dermot O’Toole. The honour was awarded by the Governor Linda Dessau at Government House on Friday 17 November which she attended with her sons Christian, Dale and Trent and Christian’s wife Sally. Dale had flown in from New Zealand for the presentation. The Star of Courage is awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril and is the second highest Australian bravery award. Ms O’Toole is clearly still grieving…
WHILE the federal government repeatedly refuses New Zealand’s offer to provide a home for 150 Manus Island refugees, activists have staged a protest over the Hastings office of Flinders Liberal MP Greg Hunt. Refugee Action Collective members climbed onto the office roof displaying banners with the words “Hey Hunt! Health = food, water, medicine and safety. Evacuate Manus!” Mr Hunt’s spokesman Mathew Langdon said: “All Australians have a right to protest, however there’s always a responsibility to do so within the law.” Watched by police, the protesters came down voluntarily after two hours. No arrests were made. “We are here…
THE decision to lease out the running of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s aquatic and leisure centres to Belgravia Leisure has been blasted as “disgraceful” by a union official in a letter sent to all shire councillors. The official, organiser Ty Lockwood, represents staff involved in the transition which took place on 1 November. The lease arrangement affects staff at Pelican Park Recreation Centre, Crib Point pool, Somerville Health & Fitness Studio, Civic Reserve Recreation Centre in Mornington, and Westernport Gymnastics at Hastings Community Hub. The shire’s best practice facilitator Vicki Bishop notified Mr Lockwood beforehand that all leisure centre staff, including…
FORMER deputy mayor Cr Bryan Payne, of Nepean ward, is the new mayor of Mornington Peninsula Shire. The now retired Cr Payne, whose previous jobs included being CEO of several municipalities, was elected at the Tuesday 14 November council meeting, with Cerberus ward’s Cr Kate Roper named deputy mayor. Councillors Hugh Fraser and Antonella Celi nominated themselves for the mayoralty but were passed over for Cr Payne. Cr Simon Brooks, who is in Germany at a conference, was nominated for deputy mayor but lost out to Cr Roper. In his acceptance speech, Cr Payne thanked his colleagues for their “vote…
SHORT-TERM rental provider Stayz wants proposed local laws regulating “party houses” on the Mornington Peninsula to be rescinded once the state government introduces blanket controls. Under the shire’s proposed laws, which it says are the first of their kind in the state, a registration system will be introduced for owners of short stay rental accommodation. Property owners will be required to nominate an appointed agent who must respond to neighbours’ complaints within two hours. A code of conduct will govern the number of occupants and establish expectations for their behaviour, as well as setting rules on car parking and rubbish…
PIPING in the haggis was a highlight of the 60-year celebration party put on by the Rydels of Dromana and Rosebud. The family of proud Scottish migrants commemorated their arrival in Australia with a function for about 60 family and friends at the Masonic Hall in Barkly St, Mornington, on Sunday 22 October. Reminiscing about the event, 75-year-old Stanley Rydel said he was 14 when he arrived on the Sitmar shipping line’s Fair Sea with his parents Stanley (senior), mother Isabel, both deceased, and brother John in 1957 from Arbroath on the east coast, near Dundee, which is famous for…
LIBRARY users are being invited to have their say on proposed new opening hours at Hastings, Mornington, Rosebud and Somerville branches. This comes after a painful restructure of the Mornington Peninsula Shire library service mid-last year which sought to reduce back-office staff and part-time roles amid complaints of a lack of consultation with staff. The shire’s communities director Robin Adams said at the time the library service was “undergoing the most significant renewal and reform process since its inception”. “This began with the major refurbishment of the mobile library to a state of the art facility for our isolated townships,”…
A CARER information and support advocate will work two days a week at the Uniting Church, Rosebud, to assist those with disabilities and their parents/carers to receive the information and support they need from the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Catherine Trevorrow was appointed by Community Lifestyle Accommodation (CLA) after it received funding and support for her role from a range of groups. These included the Department of Health and Human Services, Southern Mornington Peninsula Uniting Church and Southern Peninsula Community Fund as well as a local philanthropic trust. CLA also contributed. CLA secretary Marie Hell said pre-planning was important before…
CONTINENTAL Hotel proprietor Julian Gerner has put the historic Sorrento pub back on the market after “coming to the conclusion that [its redevelopment] is too big a project to handle alone”. He now wants to sell the 1875 icon for “north of $20 million” and then lease it back from the new owner and run it as his own business. Asked why he had changed his mind and listed the hotel after confirming to The News last month that he was determined to see its transformation through, he said: “There were a couple of reasons [but] it was a financial…
OWNERS of so-called “party houses” on the Mornington Peninsula will be in for a tougher time if a new local law gets the nod. The proposal, which the shire says is the first of its kind in the state, will introduce a registration system for owners of short stay rental accommodation and requires them to nominate an appointed agent who must respond to neighbours’ complaints within two hours. A code of conduct will govern the number of occupants and establish expectations for their behaviour, as well as setting rules on car parking and rubbish disposal. The aim of the proposed…
HUMAN remains found washed up on the beach at Fingal are thought to be those of a 78-year-old fisherman who was swept off rocks at Blairgowrie, Sunday 29 October. A woman walking along Gunnamatta beach found a fishing boot with a man’s foot inside near the end of Truemans Rd, 11.05am, Tuesday 7 November, and called police. The fibia and tibia were protruding. Police and emergency service crews last week scaled down their search for Wantirna man Yik Sua Hong who was last seen standing on rocks at one of his regular fishing spots at noon. A surfer told police…
A SECOND rally to Save Mornington Pound Animals’ Lives will be held outside the Mornington Shire Offices, Queen St, later this month. The first rally in July attracted 70 people, several dogs and one cat. The rally aims to make the Community Animal Shelter and Pound in Watt Rd a no-kill facility; to increase pet adoption rates and to compel the pound to open to the public without an appointment at least three hours each day. Organiser Rosy Fischer said the rally would push for the pound to list animals for adoption on Petrescue, in local newspapers, libraries and on…
THE sale of the final parcel of land held by the trustees of the late Sir Reginald Ansett estate in Mt Eliza next month is being described by the selling agents as having potential for “redevelopment and a range of uses”. That potential includes commercial uses, leisure, hospitality, healthcare, education and a clifftop dwelling, the brochure says. While the future development of the 90 Kunyung Rd site is subject to approvals, any subdivision or overuse of the 22.3-hectare site next to the Urban Growth Boundary will generate angst among those determined to preserve its Green Wedge zoning. Ernst and Young,…
HOW many people really understand what they have in their township – virtually on their doorstep – or, indeed, how their community really works? Seawinds Community Hub CEO Heather Barton was speaking about the launch of Discover Capel Sound – an initiative aimed at encouraging residents to develop a Pride of Place in their suburb. “Most of us have a narrow view of our local community, often shaped by limited experiences and long-held habits,” she said. “With the renaming of Postcode 3940 from Rosebud West to Capel Sound last year, the Capel Sound Community Group – formerly known as Rosebud…
EYE emergencies can now be treated on the southern peninsula, thanks to the installation of an eyeConnect device at Rosebud Hospital. Described as “world-class healthcare on your doorstep” by Peninsula Health acting CEO David Anderson, the device is expected to treat 60-100 people over the next 12 months. Peninsula Health clinical director of emergency Dr Shyaman Menon said the new addition was a “game-changer” for patients. “It comes just in time for the busy summer season when we get double the number of people presenting at Rosebud Hospital’s emergency department,” he said. The eyeConnect device allows emergency doctors, who are…
UNITED Terminals Pty Ltd has been fined almost $16,000 for two breaches of the Environment Protection Act over a diesel spill at its Barclay Cr, Hastings, site that flowed into nearby Oliver’s Creek. The company notified the EPA of a fuel spill of up to 1000 litres on Monday 31 July, saying that the leak, from a damaged pipeline flange, had been stopped. EPA officers attended and found that a significant volume of lost fuel was captured by interceptor drains and a trap onsite, but a small unknown volume was lost into the creek. The officers saw that a clean-up…
THERE are concerns the proposed Hastings Foreshore Precinct Plan will bring an end to Hastings Yacht Club’s 15-year-old Sailability program and “even threaten the future of the club as a whole”. Secretary Martin Jones said the club had “invested a lot of time and money into making our facility accessible to sailors of all abilities, including our junior program that is open to the Hastings community, and our Sailability program, which is the only one on the eastern side of the Peninsula. “Unlike other Sailability programs in Victoria and around the country, ours is a free service.” Mr Jones said…
A SCHOOL project in which pupils choose a community problem and then decide on an action took Kunyung Primary School’s Nathan Beckley to the beach last week. The grade sixer was on a mission: he enlisted the help of 18 family and friends and set about collecting litter – and boy there was a lot of it. Nathan, 12, got the idea for his project: “Exhibition”, from a story in The News about the good work of a Dromana beach clean-up crew and thought the same could be done at Mothers and Shire Hall beaches, Mornington. Nathan, a Cub at…
A Mt MARTHA-based animal rights group has protested to the state government over what it calls “unethical” kangaroo culls at a Cape Schanck property. Australian Wildlife Protection Council secretary Eve Kelly wrote to Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio saying an Authority to Control Wildlife permit to kill kangaroos at a property on Patterson Rd was causing kangaroos to “injure themselves and die horribly fleeing the gunfire [while] trapped in sections of the land”. Ms Kelly included photographs of large holes in fences – said to have been cut by vandals – which allow the kangaroos to access…
THE centenary of long-time Balnarring resident Janet Watt on Monday 9 October was marked with a variety of functions by family and friends. The main affair was at Balnarring Hall, Saturday 14 October, where about 70 family and friends gathered to celebrate the milestone. Two Uniting Church events were held at Balnarring, as well as a senior citizens’ function at the Balnarring hall, and a small family party at her house at Balnarring on her birthday. Mrs Watt, who also visited Government House on 10 October, is regarded as a woman imbued with a strong sense of family and loyalty…
WESTERN Port residents are awaiting the results of the second stage of a detailed environmental investigation into the presence of carcinogenic chemicals in surface water at HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point. If the tests prove positive to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a health and ecological risk assessment “may” be required, a defence spokesman said. “This assessment will evaluate potential risks to the human population and ecology, and inform actions to mitigate risks.” The second round of testing follows the first stage which reviewed the historic use of firefighting foams at the base to identify PFAS sources, possible runoff routes and…
UP to 40 SES volunteers were called in by Homicide Squad detectives to line search a Tyabb property for clues after a man’s body was found in a shallow grave on Sunday 22 October. The 11.7ha property on Dandenong-Hastings Rd was recently sold, and it is believed the new owner found the body of the man, in his late 30s, in grass at the rear about 9pm. It is unclear how the man died but his death is being treated as suspicious. Forensics police yesterday laid down yellow markers pointing to possible evidence found at the scene, including a black…
CONDITIONS attached to a Sorrento planning application are aimed at making sure the former Mitre 10 site retains the “heritage values of the historic town precinct”. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has attached 16 conditions to the redevelopment permit for the 2600 square metre 80-98 Ocean Beach Rd site which sold in March last year for $11.46 million. Selling agents CBRE at the time said the site had “unprecedented potential to design and deliver an iconic mixed use project comprising prime retail and high-end residential product, subject to council approvals”. Conditions imposed by the planning services committee on Monday 16 October…
THE knock back of a funding application to build a Wellness Pavilion at Rosebud Secondary College was “disappointing”, assistant principal and advisory council member Geoff Seletto said. The Victorian School Building Authority shortlisted the funding application in February. The Wellness Advisory Council wanted the money to build the venue for young people experiencing personal challenges and needing enhanced mental health and wellbeing support. The project will still go ahead but with a greater emphasis on seeking community support. Described as a Mornington Peninsula “first” the Wellness Pavilion will aim to “empower youth to better address life’s challenges, develop personal resilience,…