MORNINGTON’S Afghan Marcopolo Restaurant last week had an “overwhelming” response and raised $8680 to help those in desperate need in Afghanistan. Proprietor Nadir Shakoor said customers had jumped on board the campaign after he explained that due to the war-like conditions in the country, many people had been displaced from their homes and had little to eat. “As Afghan Australians my family took refuge in Australia after going through a lot of difficulty getting here and I cannot imagine what the Afghan people would be going through right now,” he said later. He asked customers to place their orders as…
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GETTING on in years, but still active, this male koala was recently released at Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve where he will “live out his time” in his favourite gum tree. Animalia Animal Rescue’s Michelle Thomas said the “old boy” was brought in for a check-up after being found on the ground by a walker concerned that he was staying in the one place and not moving around as much as he should be. “There was nothing wrong with him, though”, Ms Thomas said. “He was happy and healthy. “Koalas are in every reserve and they are always on the move.”…
SCARECROWS have always been associated with taking care of food crops and numbers of a much friendlier version, carecrows, are popping up across the Mornington Peninsula. A peninsula-based Carecrow Club formed during the state’s sixth COVID lockdown is urging householders to make and display a carecrow in their front yard to lift spirits and provide support for mental health. “It is hoped that the Carecrow campaign will lift our spirits, offer a sense of fun and community for all, and is not intended to be a competition,” Heather Forbes-McKeon, of McCrae, said. The carecrows can be made from anything around…
THE 100 Meals on Wheels volunteers who deliver up to 1600 meals a week on the Mornington Peninsula were honoured on National Meals on Wheels Day, Wednesday 25 August. Mornington Peninsula Shire acknowledged the dedication, commitment, and resilience of the volunteers who over a year collectively travel 125,000 kilometres which is equivalent to a trip around Australia. “National Meals on Wheels Day acknowledges and celebrates the tremendous impact our Meals on Wheels volunteers have on our local communities,” the mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said. “I thank our local volunteers for their passion and time.” The shire acknowledges that the Meals…
TO an outsider it may look like a group of friends getting together and sharing sandwiches on the foreshore at Rosebud. And while it’s true that there is a feeling of welcome and no shortage of kind words, these twice-weekly get togethers are full of purpose and highlight a part of what life can be on the Mornington Peninsula. People sleeping rough on the foreshore or experiencing other kinds of homelessness are participating in the southern peninsula shower and laundry program (SPLaSh) at Rosebud on Mondays and Thursdays. The program at the foreshore allows them to shower, do their laundry,…
MUSICIANS and other performers who have done it tough over the past 18 months can see a spotlight at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel with plans for an artist’s hub and performance space at Main Ridge. The driving force behind the project is Mornington Peninsula Music Network president Heidi Luckhurst, who also leads the Frankston Music Community Network. “I feel as though it is my obligation to spread the voices and concerns of what I hear directly and pass it on,” she told The News last week. “Musicians, entertainers and venues are struggling. Hospitality is struggling. I’m sure the…
IT would be fair to say that without COVID-19 Brett Sutton would be able to walk down the street unnoticed. That is not the case anymore. Never has a state’s chief medical officer been such a highly regarded, recognisable figure. His almost daily appearances on TV news bulletins alongside Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and references to his advice have made Professor Sutton a familiar figure (and voice) to anyone following the progress of the pandemic. St Andrews-based artist Vicki Sullivan was casting around for a subject to paint for this year’s Archibald Prize when a friend suggested Prof Sutton. “I…
Mornington couple Erin and Fay Alexander will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary next week. “There won’t be much happening on 2 September, though,” Mr Alexander said, tongue-in-cheek, referring to restrictions imposed by the extended COVID-19 lockdowns. “We had planned 80th birthday celebrations in October last year but they were scrubbed; hopefully we will be all right this time.” The Alexanders, who have lived around Mornington since 1974, met and married in Sydney in 1961. Erin was from the Latrobe Valley and Fay from Tamworth, NSW. “Dad was a Navy man and loved it and he encouraged me to join and…
COLOURED ribbons will be tied on the chain link fence on the Esplanade at Mornington Park to mark year’s World Suicide Prevention Day. The is held to raise mental health awareness as well as acknowledge those that have been lost to suicide. This year’s theme, Creating Hope Through Action, is a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and that the actions of individuals, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to someone who is struggling. Preventing suicide is often possible and community is a key player in its prevention. Organiser Rebecca Tyler said, “our community can…
TWO Mount Eliza men are taking adventure racing to a new level as competitors in XPD events. XPD is expedition-style adventure racing in which international teams of four hike, mountain bike, and kayak for three to six days over all types of terrain, usually far from medical assistance. Racing day and night over a 500 kilometre course they push themselves to the limits of their endurance – just for the thrill of competing. Under race rules all team members must complete all sections of the course and they must never be more than 100 metres apart. Courses are inspired by…
IN these times of lockdown and restrictions designed to prevent the spread of COVID, it is nice to know that nature continues its merry way. This echidna was out and about late last week (as was legally entitled photographer Yanni) foraging for food, and no doubt enjoying the relative quiet, at Flinders. Not adverse to taking advantage of the situation, the echidna (an egg-laying mammal) made good use of the steps down (or up) the steep cliff. It would be fair to assume that the species, estimated to have evolved 20 to 50 million years ago, has weathered some changes…
UP to 12 people a week are getting a free hot lunch and dessert at the Holy Trinity Hastings Anglican Church hall. The meal, dubbed Trinity Tucker, is served between midday and 1pm every Tuesday, with the doors opening at 11.30am. No bookings are necessary. The service has been running since the start of May, with the church paying for the meals with the help of donations from local businesses. Volunteers from the church are preparing the food for those doing it tough, in need, or just lonely and who want to meet new friends. “Church Warden Sandra Gould, the…
MORNINGTON police rolled up their sleeves to the Red Cross blood donation drive as part of the Emergency Services Blood Challenge, Tuesday 4 August. The police say they understand the importance of blood donations and are prepared to help the community any way they can. Victoria Police are hoping to retain the state title in the number of donations. The Frankston donor centre is at 20 Davey Street. Donors are asked to say they are donating on behalf of Victoria Police. First published in the Mornington News – 10 August 2021
MORNINGTON Peninsula lifesavers have been recognised in Life Saving Victoria’s 2021 excellence awards. LSV chief executive officer Catherine Greaves applauded their commitment to lifesaving. Life Saver of the Year Chris Perrott, of Portsea Surf Life Saving Club, made an “outstanding contribution to lifesaving as a patrolling lifesaver”. This award remembers John Wishart, of Sorrento-Portsea SLSC, who was taken by a shark off Portsea in 1956. Youth Lifesaver of the Year Andrew May, also of Portsea SLSC, made an “outstanding contribution to the delivery of lifesaving frontline services”. May is the club’s director of general and operation committees, chief instructor of…
TO celebrate their 100 days of learning, foundation students at Eastbourne Primary School, Rosebud dressed up as if they were 100 years old. The milestone day was one for the memory books as students brought in collections of “100’things”, including buttons, Lego pieces, marbles and stickers. The played games which were popular a century ago along with making necklaces with 100 Cheerios. “The celebration was an important day for children to reflect on their achievements and growth over the past 100 days,” foundation teacher Shae Haney said. “Together, the students reflected back on their first day, making comparisons to their…
ONE of the highlights of Melbourne Whisky Week is a self-drive tour of Mornington Peninsula that includes distilleries, a winery and brewery. Venues include Saint Felix, at Mordialloc, Chief’s Son, Somerville, JimmyRum, Dromana, Red Hill Estate and St Andrew’s Beach Brewery. First stop on the Lexus of Brighton Whisky, Spirits and Barrels Driving Tour of the Mornington Peninsula is Saint Felix Distillery. It offers tastings, masterclasses as well as food and spirit pairings all made on site. Bartender Orlando Marzocan will give cocktail-making lessons. The second stop is the family Chief’s Son Distillery that specialises in small-batch, single malt whiskies.…
A SPECIALIST surgeon has performed the Mornington Peninsula’s first liver resection using a surgical robot. Associate Professor Charles Pilgrim performed the surgical-first earlier this month at Peninsula Private Hospital. The patient was a 49-year-old woman whose bowel cancer had spread to her liver. Dr Pilgrim, the first surgeon in Victoria to use the da Vinci Xi robot for liver resections, said the cutting edge technology was great news for the hospital. “Using the da Vinci Xi robot means we can perform surgery with the minimally invasive approach more often, expanding what is possible using the keyhole approach,” Dr Pilgrim said.…
THE onset of the latest COVID-19 restrictions proved heartbreaking for two “outsider artists” who were looking forward to staging a joint exhibition at & Gallery, Sorrento. The outsider artists – or artists with disabilities – Robert Croft and Jonathan Thompson had been working hard to prepare works for the exhibition which closed just one day after being open to the public. Neither got to see their works on display. “The gallery is looking at its calendar of future exhibitions with a view to shifting dates so this exhibition can be extended and the opening event can be held when safe…
A PILOT Climate Change Community Action Grants program is being set up by Mornington Peninsula Shire to help it achieve net zero emissions by 2040. “Reaching that target is a huge challenge and we cannot achieve it alone,” the shire said last week. “We need our community to work with us to foster behaviour change, share knowledge and reduce carbon emissions across the peninsula.” The pilot Climate Change Community Action Grants program will fund not-for-profit community groups, charities, schools, business associations, social enterprises and small businesses working on innovative projects that help the shire reach its climate emergency goals. It offers…
A MORNINGTON schoolgirl has been selected to dance in the Australian Ballet’s 2021 production of Harlequinade. Ava del Rosario, 11, and in grade 5 at St Macartens Catholic Primary School, is a junior cast member in the production described as a “lively romp based on commedia dell’arte” written in 1900. “Harlequin and Columbine are in love, but her father, who wants her to marry a rich older man, has her locked up by Pierrot, his loyal servant. Pierrot’s wife, sympathetic to the young couple, helps her escape, and a Good Fairy gives Harlequin a magical slap stick that helps him…
MOUNT Eliza Fire Brigade has appointed its first female officer, Lieutenant Petyka “Tyk” Slattery. Members of the brigade, headquartered in Canadian Bay Road, elected her to the position of Third Lieutenant earlier this month. Lieutenant Slattery is pictured with Captain Andrew Whitehead after her appointment. While many female members have performed office-bearer roles in the brigade’s management team over the years, “Tyk” is the first woman to take up an operational leadership role. She is set to bring her “enthusiasm and dedication to serving the community in her new role”. First published in the Mornington News – 27 July 2021
OVER the past year, 390 young people on the Mornington Peninsula sought help because they had nowhere to stay. Mornington Peninsula Shire is encouraging residents to try sleeping in their cars for one night to help draw attention to the homeless. “It takes a village” is the theme of this year’s Sleep In Your Car event organised by Fusion Mornington Peninsula as part of Homelessness Week 1-7 August. The event will go virtual from 5.30pm, Saturday 7 August as residents give up their beds for a night to sleep in their cars at home or in a tent in the…
CAMPERS will be able to savour the delights of a night under the stars at the Old Quarantine Station at Point Nepean from mid-next year. A camp ground is being prepared among the moonah trees as part of the latest phase of the Point Nepean National Park masterplan approved in 2018. (“Plan for Pt Nepean’s future” The News 22/1/18) Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said at the time that the plan was about “better protecting and conserving the Point Nepean National Park – but also making sure visitors can make the most out of this incredible…
TACKLING the Simpson Desert in a Porsche might seem a daunting challenge, but a group mates from Flinders believe the cause makes it all worthwhile. They are hoping to raise $100,000 for research – and, more importantly, greater awareness – of the fight against motor neuron disease. Tom Barr Smith, his son Tom, and five old friends, took off at the crack of a cold Flinders dawn, Saturday 10 July, in the 2003 C4S Porsche knowing it was a mad cap idea but oh so exciting for the 80-year-old Tom Barr Smith and his team of seven. They did…
POINT Nepean Men’s Shed members are using their woodworking skills to make 100 shelter and nesting boxes for wildlife impacted by bushfires in Gippsland. In the picture, above, men’s shed president John Stevenson and members Laurie Oliver and Leigh Norrie add final details to the boxes which were the last of a batch going to Kalimna West, inland from Lakes Entrance. The bushfire recovery program aims to help the animals in their long-term recovery. Birdlife Australia provided a design template, Studio57F1 provided the boxes in kit form, Bunnings Rosebud provided the paint and the Men’s Shed provided the hardware as…
A WOMAN described as a “national treasure” has celebrated her 100th birthday at Somerville Community House. Marjorie Darling Ward was surrounded by family, friends and the Mornington Peninsula’s writing community to celebrate her birthday, career and contribution to the arts, Saturday 10 July. “Of course, Marjorie is more than just a writer,” Rob Clarke Mornington Peninsula Writers said. “She is, or has been, a wife, a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She’s also been a one-time working partner on three country newspapers, hotelier, Riverina farmer, real estate agent, and so much more beside.” Ms Ward has written fiction, non-fiction, poetry and…
A MOUNT Eliza children’s book illustrator is playing a role in helping children overcome the ordeals they experienced during the East Gippsland region’s terrifying 2019-20 bushfires. The Heroes of Black Summer picture book tells the stories of the “heroes” who helped protect them and, through this, aims to help children process the trauma without suffering stress, anxiety or depression. Karen Erasmus, who has lived in Mount Eliza for 15 years, drew 16 full-page illustrations in the book which was written by Kylie Miller and Craig Sheather and published by Australian Geographic. It was published with a One Good Community Wellbeing…
FLYERS Swimming Club members will be, well, flying after coaching by dual Olympian Samantha Purvis. Purvis, who lives in Mornington, has been appointed primary swim coach at the club, which is based at the Yawa Aquatic Centre, Rosebud. A free community celebration will mark the opening of the aquatic centre, 11am-4pm, Sunday 18 July. Purvis will take up her role full time from this month and will be the point of contact for families living on the peninsula who wish to be involved in squad training and competitive swimming. With more than 25 years coaching experience at a state and…
THE wonders of the natural world were the focus at Flinders last week when environmentalist Sir David Attenborough stepped in to bat for Victoria’s marine emblem: the weedy sea dragon. The legendary eco-warrior joined members of the Flinders Community Association in their quest to save the threatened 180-metre section of the old timber pier whose demolition, the locals fear, will threaten the endangered creature’s survival (“Heritage pier faces partial demolition” The News 23/3/21). Reportedly more than 15,000 people have signed an online petition urging the state government to repair the Western Port pier’s damaged piles, with the support of a…
THE opening of the long-awaited community shed at Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association last week will provide a space for year round, weather-proof activities for everyone who comes to visit. The new space includes a kitchen, toilet and shower, and a large open area suitable for cultural programs and tours, as well as public events. The shed, which was opened Thursday 1 July, was initially paid for by the now-Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Gandel Philanthropy and Erica Foundation, Mornington Peninsula Shire and public donations. The Aboriginal Gathering Place in Pound Road, Hastings has grown over the past seven years.…