Browsing: Mornington Peninsula

Buses are replacing trains on the Stony Point line today (Saturday 21 December) after the Hastings Railway Station building was destroyed by fire overnight. Fire crews were called to the structure before 4am to find it fully engulfed by flames. The station has been the subject of recent discussion with Brian Stahl calling for the improvement of the rail precinct and the possible repurposing of the disused building for a social enterprise (Call for railway station renewal hosed down, The News 13/11/24). Stahl said at the time “As a significant public transport arrival point it leaves a lot to be…

Homicide Squad detectives have charged a man following the death of two people in Rye on 2 December. Emergency services were called to a property on Parson Street shortly after 4am following reports of an alleged altercation. It’s alleged a man and a woman had attended the address and became involved in an altercation with the residents of the property. A male resident of the property and the female who attended the property were allegedly located with gunshot wounds. Medical treatment was provided, however a 29-year-old Rye man and a 19-year-old Mornington woman passed away at the scene. It’s alleged…

THE Mornington Community Support Centre is making sure everyone has a Christmas to look forward to through a range of programs to help families doing it tough, including a toy and gift program, a steam train ride, and Christmas lunch, supported through a $50k Christmas Appeal fundraising campaign.As part of the Christmas programs, the centre transformed the Mornington Pavilion into a giant toy and gift shop, where clients with children or grandchildren could choose from hundreds of gifts donated by the community. Donations came from families, businesses and organisations who collected gifts through Giving Trees in a range of community…

A MEMORY support program helping residents with dementia introduced at Calvary’s aged care homes across Mornington Peninsula and bayside areas has won an award. The program, based on the Montessori approach by providing meaningful, tailored, small-group activities and support for residents living with dementia, won the healthcare provider’s national quality and safety Star award 2024.Calvary Aged Care general manager Dana Ieraci said the memory support program tailored residents’ interests and past lives which was also improving clinical outcomes and more settled behaviours. “Dementia can impact memory, speech, cognition, personality, and mobility. Unfortunately, it can also affect behaviour,” Leraci said. “Having…

Mornington Peninsula mayor Anthony Marsh was joined by the Member for Hastings Paul Mercurio yesterday to celebrate construction starting on the Somerville to Baxter Trail. This much-anticipated new shared path is a vital missing link in the grand vision for the Peninsula Trails project, a 170km network of connected trails traversing the Mornington Peninsula. Once the Somerville-Baxter section is complete, walkers and cyclists will be able to travel off road from central Melbourne all the way to Balnarring. “The Somerville-Baxter Trail was council’s first priority in terms of filling in the missing links of the Peninsula Trails project, and we…

THERE’S not much Georgie Gibbs can’t do – she rides horses up to three times a week, sings in a choir, is a member of a French speaking group, and plays tennis. And she’s about to turn 90.While the Balnarring woman is showing no signs of slowing down, she is quick to concede, “I’m very lucky to be as healthy as I am”. Just last week she spent a morning equestrian riding at Merricks Saddle Club before a few hours later joining a choir at Flinders Probus Club to sing Christmas carols. “I do indeed [love it],” she said.Born in…

THE Labor Party has named ex-Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Sarah Race as its candidate for the seat of Flinders at the 2025 federal election, selecting her unopposed.“I am a local volunteer and advocate – from my kids’ kinder committee to sports clubs and business groups, I have been putting my hand up for our community,” said Race. “We’ve had the same Liberal politicians for 40 years, but I’m here to change that. Protecting the peninsula lifestyle and making life easier and more affordable for locals are my key priorities.”Race lives in Tootgarook with her husband Andy and two kids Nellie…

IN a significant move to support cancer patients and their families, Community Bank Mt Martha has partnered with The Bays Hospital to fund the wellness centre within the new Bays Cancer Care Centre. The wellness centre will offer essential support services, pre and post treatment, for those affected by cancer. The partnership will see the bank contribute $600,000 over the next five years, funding the dedicated wellness centre.The Community Bank Mt Martha Wellness Centre will provide a range of services designed to complement traditional medical care, addressing the physical, emotional, and mental needs of patients. Services for patients living with…

BEN Smith has been named as the “Independent 4 Flinders” candidate for the upcoming federal election.Smith, of Cape Schanck, is a small business owner, and has been the CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre since 2022. He was also awarded the 2024 Victorian Father of the Year award in August, being honoured for his “community advocacy and deep love for his family”.“The Peninsula community has been taken for granted by the major parties for far too long,” said Smith. “It is time to send an independent to Canberra to fight for the services and infrastructure we need.” Smith told…

BEN Smith has been named as the “Independent 4 Flinders” candidate for the upcoming federal election. Smith, of Cape Schanck, is a small business owner, and has been the CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre since 2022. He was also awarded the 2024 Victorian Father of the Year award in August, being honoured for his “community advocacy and deep love for his family”. “The Peninsula community has been taken for granted by the major parties for far too long,” said Smith. “It is time to send an independent to Canberra to fight for the services and infrastructure we need.”…

THE Fire Danger Period (FDP) for Mornington Peninsula Shire will begin at 1am on Monday 9 December. Residents are encouraged to use the time before the FDP to prepare their properties. This includes cleaning up dry grass, leaves, and other flammable materials, as well as completing safe private burn-offs while they are still permitted.CFA Deputy Chief Officer Trevor Owen (Southeast) stressed the importance of taking early action as conditions continue to dry across the region. “Now is the time for residents to act by clearing around their homes and ensuring any private burn-offs are completed safely before restrictions come into…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is seeking community input on the three options it has put forward for repairing The Briars’ section of the Balcombe Creek boardwalk. “This popular trail is a beautiful walk that meanders through the natural bushland and creek from Mount Martha beach to The Briars, and connects with the Wildlife Sanctuary and Harrap Creek walking trails,” said a statement from the shire.“Unfortunately, back in November 2022 the boardwalk was severely damaged in a storm. The extreme weather event brought on a flood that destroyed and relocated the boardwalk in some areas. Since the flooding, this section of the…

TWO people are dead after a shooting in Rye in the early hours of 2 December. Police allege that a group of people were involved in an altercation at a Parson Street property just after 4am on Monday. Police arrived at the scene later that morning and found a man and woman with gunshot wounds. Emergency services attended to treat the victims, but they were declared dead at the scene. Investigators believe that a second man may have fled the scene. In a statement, Victoria Police said “it’s believed the parties were known to each other”. Detectives have established a…

THE Mornington Peninsula’s Dolphin Research Institute (DRI) has been awarded a prestigious honour in recognition of its primary school ambassador program at the 2024 Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards. The Institute was awarded the Inspiring Community Engagement and Education category during the awards ceremony held on 7 November at the Showtime Events Centre in South Wharf.Since 2001, the DRI’s I sea, I care program has developed senior primary school students into Victorian coastal and marine ambassadors, who have engaged nearly two million people across Melbourne. By peer teaching junior grades about Victoria’s environment, the program provides a platform to engage…

PRIMARY schools have gathered for a block of fun in an inaugural Lego competition hosted by the Lions Club of Mornington. Teams of grade 4-5 students from Mornington Park Primary School, Moorooduc Primary School, and Mt Martha Primary School put their skills to the test after being set a challenge to build the sturdiest Lego road bridge within 90 minutes.The event, held at Mornington Park Primary School hall on 15 November, was part of a Perpetual Lego Bridge Building competition developed by Lions members Graham Read and Denise Tsotras as part of their community support plans. “The idea was to…

THE Mornington Peninsula Shire has emerged as one of the top performers in Victoria’s container deposit scheme (CDS) with residents and community groups pocketing more than $2 million in refunds. The scheme allows people to return eligible drink containers for a 10-cent refund at participating collection points. Returned drink containers can be transformed into all kinds of new things, reducing litter and promoting recycling.Eastern Victoria MP Tom McIntosh announced last week that the Mornington Peninsula Shire was among the highest local government areas (LGA) statewide for total numbers of containers recycled, with 27,117,810 containers returned in the past 12 months.…

A SECTION of the historic Beleura Cliff Path in Mornington will finally reopen to the public in early December for the first time in two years after landslips created a safety risk to walkers.Mornington Peninsula Shire announced it would reopen the top section of the 102-year-old walking route, which hugs the cliffs between Mills Beach and Caraar Creek Lane overlooking Port Phillip Bay. Its reopening marks the return of a beloved attraction, much to the relief of residents who have campaigned tirelessly to save the path since its closure, with many having expressed frustrations that the delay was unnecessarily long.“In…

DOCTOR Geoff Wicks had 100 reasons to celebrate last week when he notched up his century. Born on 11 November 1924, Wicks has lived in Mornington for over 63 years. Wicks, who served in the Air Force in World War Two, first arrived as a locum GP to work at the Mornington Main Street Clinic in 1954, before heading to England to further his studies. He returned to work as the first obstetrician and gynaecologist on the Mornington Peninsula, based in Mornington, from 1959. Many of his patients were cared for at The Bays (previously known as Mornington Bush Nursing…

DROMANA sisters Mia, Rose, and Ava Holland are about to take on a wave of a lifetime when they compete in the Australian Junior Surfing Titles in NSW this month. The teenagers, who have been surfing on the Mornington Peninsula nearly every day for the past six years, will be among the more than 250 surfers to battle it out on Wollongong’s beaches when the big event is held from 24 November to 1 December.It will be a milestone moment for the trio whose love for the ocean and drive to succeed have propelled them to rise through the ranks…

THE 10th consecutive Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia Toy Run will be held at Tyabb Airport on Saturday 7 December.Last year over 800 toys were donated to the Foods for All charity, to be distributed to the less privileged kids on the peninsula. Around 1000 people visited the airport during the day. This year Western Port Community Support will be the recipient of the donated toys. All toys are gratefully received, and particularly those appealing to the age range of eight to 14 year olds.The Peninsula Aero Club will provide a display of warbird and antique vintage aircraft, open to…

ELEVEN new councillors will be sworn in this week to face a four year term that could end up being the most testing in the shire’s history.Fundamental challenges face the new council, including a reduction in federal government funding, rate capping at below CPI, and a cost-shifting crisis expected to cost the shire $234m over the next five years (Financial crisis looms for shire, The News 22/10/24). They will also have to contend with the controversial paid-parking decision that was delayed into the new councillor’s term by the last term councillors (Paid beach parking ‘mayhem’ not over yet, The News…

COMMUNITIES across the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston have honoured the sacrifices of fallen Australian soldiers during Remembrance Day services on 11 November. Hundreds observed a minute’s silence at 11am as this year marked the 106th anniversary of the Armistice that ended World World I, with locals paying their respects at a series of ceremonies.In Mornington, a large crowd, many of whom wore red poppies pinned to their chests, gathered at the Mornington and District Memorial Park, which included schools and community groups laying wreaths. Unfortunately, the Mornington RSL Sub-Branch officially closed its doors and ceased its operations last month after…

FIVE footy mates have completed an epic journey cycling across Australia with the aim to raise money and awareness for mental health. Break the Cycle consists of five middle aged men – Tim Allen, Guy Stringer, Brent Loughrey, Ben Adam and Tony Lockett, who have pushed through physical and mental boundaries, riding 3,500km from Perth to Melbourne in 19 days. “Our challenge aims to support our community and make a difference by fundraising for not-for-profit organisations Speak & Share, It’s okay not to be okay, and Peninsula Health network,” said participant Brent Loughrey “Together, we can create a community that…

HASTINGS’ stalwart Brian Stahl has called on the state government to take action to remedy the “deplorable state” of the Hastings railway station. In a letter to Hastings MP Paul Mercurio, Stahl said “As a significant public transport arrival point it leaves a lot to be desired”. “Surely this is not an acceptable situation and certainly not a welcoming place for those who regularly use the station or visit Hastings for the first time by public transport. “On behalf of our community I appeal to have this unacceptable situation dealt with promptly and properly maintained in the future.”Nearly all stations…

THE community animal shelter and animal pound in Mornington is set for a $6 million revamp, with work under way to deliver new animal kennels and ancillary buildings. The project will redevelop the existing shelter at 130 Watt Rd, with works scheduled for completion by September 2025.“This refurbishment will ensure the shelter meets the highest standards of care, providing a comfortable and stress-free environment for all animals in our care,” the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s community safety, health and compliance manager Dale Gilliatte said.Works began this month with the current shelter to stay open as usual during the renovation. The council…

PHIL Mapleback has expressed excitement at taking helm as Mt Martha fire brigade’s newly elected captain as the station undergoes a significant revamp. Mapleback, a seasoned firefighter with almost 19 years of experience, said he was incredibly proud and honoured to step into the new role two months ago, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to serving the community.“It’s challenging but quite rewarding,” he told The News, adding he looked forward to leading a dedicated team of volunteers during an exciting time of renewal for the station, marking a milestone in the station’s 73-year history.The 1951-built station…

MOUNT Martha Rotary Club is spearheading a renewed effort to restore a vital section of the Balcombe Creek Estuary boardwalk after it was partly closed two years ago. Part of the boardwalk, near Nepean Hwy and Uralla Rd in Mt Martha, was significantly damaged after an intense storm hit the peninsula in November 2022, causing Balcombe Creek to flood. This caused the wooden boardwalk’s structure to collapse and break, making it unsafe for public use. The boardwalk, which has a network of walking trails spanning 3.5km through the scenic estuary, was built by the Mount Martha Rotary Club in the…

A SOMERVILLE woman has been granted a two-year personal safety intervention order protecting her from a Somerville businessman who she says stalked and harassed her. The order was issued at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 7 November, which heard the victim endured months of persistent harassment including derogatory behaviour, sexually demeaning behaviour, repeated visits to her workplace, and physical intimidation.The man whom the order was made against, Jamie (Jay) Scicluna, is the founder and editor of the Somerville Times and Peninsula Local community newspapers. The Magistrate found that Scicluna had referred to the victim as a “c**t”, that he stated…

All 11 wards that make up the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council have now been decided.Already declared last week were Kate Roper in Beek Beek Ward, Anthony Marsh in Briars Ward, Stephen Batty in Kackeraboite Ward, and Bruce Ranken in Moorooduc Ward. Last Friday (8 November), preferences were distributed for a further five wards where no single candidate polled greater than fifty percent of the primary votes. That resulted in the declaration of Max Patton in Benbenjie Ward, Patrick Binyon in Brokil Ward, David Gill in Coolart Ward, Paul Pingiaro in Tanti Ward and Cam Williams in Tootgarook Ward.On Monday (11…

THIS November, Australia’s leading swim school GOswim at Yawa Aquatic Centre has partnered with Bondi Rescue lifeguard Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins for the nation’s largest water safety and learn to swim campaign of the year. The ‘Float to Survive with GOswim’ initiative aims to spread the message on how to stay afloat in emergency aquatic situations ahead of summer, starting with 60,000 GOswim students across Australia.The campaign comes in response to alarming figures from the 2024 National Drowning Report, which shows drownings have increased by 16% over the past year compared to the 10-year average, with the Mornington Peninsula LGA also…