THE 35-member Peninsula Studio Trail is getting longer with the addition of several new members who will be opening their studios to the public later this month. This year’s two weekends of open days follow the annual exhibition at Mornington last month (September) by PST artists. Now operating for 14 years, the artist-run PST is a not-for-profit organisation supporting and promoting the work of artists living and working on the Mornington Peninsula. New additions to the group include photographer Nathan “Natti” Miller, of Rye; previous Archibald Prize finalist and Salon De Refuse winner and winner of People’s Choice in this…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
RSPCA Victoria has announced its Mornington Peninsula vet clinic is operating at “full capacity” after expanding its Pearcedale site. The clinic has a team of veterinarians, of which four out of five live on the peninsula, including Dr Victoria Collins, a vet for the past seven years. Collins said she relished the variety in her work as an RSPCA veterinarian, and while she enjoyed working with all species, including “pocket pets” like rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice and ferrets, she tried to avoid snakes as much as possible. “I love seeing the positive impact we make on the lives of…
THE founding president of Balnarring Men’s Probus Club in 1985, Dr Eric Kings, OBE, celebrated his 100th birthday with fellow club members on his birthday 27 October. Kings, who now lives in Somers, enjoyed his day with club members meeting at Balnarring Bowls Club and one of the club’s members, Bernie Poll, a retired pastrycook, baked a beautiful cake for Eric to enjoy. Kings, who grew up in Richmond, had a long career as a dentist in the city and at least one club member recalls being treated by him. As well as providing a guiding hand to the club,…
CONCERN over a parcel of Crown land being allegedly incorporated into a privately-owned beachside block in Mount Martha has prompted Mornington MP Chris Crewther to ask for state government intervention. Crewther, who is acting on complaints from a neighbour, said he believed the issue of land encroachment could set a precedent and was potentially causing a financial loss to Mornington Peninsula Shire ratepayers. The case involves the owner of a house on the Esplanade who has added three stone retaining walls, a stone letter box, stone edging, landscaping and an extensive paved area for parking to 277 square metres of…
Decorate Main Street to ‘cheer up’ Christmas It’s almost Christmas, so please can Mornington Peninsula Shire Council make an effort this year? Most people head down Main Street, Mornington at holiday time. We are the gateway to the peninsula, can we please have some cheer with lights in the trees and cheerful, bright decorations down Main Street [and] getting rid of the awful Happy Holiday signs hanging from lamp posts that do nothing to cheer us up. Another suggestion would be to plant brightly coloured flowers around every roundabout. How good would that make us all feel when driving down…
DROMANA Secondary College students have teamed up with the Australian Conservation Foundation’s Mornington group to raise awareness of the need to protect threatened animals and habitats. ACF’s Dr Jodi Vermaas said the Mornington group was championing the southern brown bandicoot through an art project, and believed involving young people was one of the ways to get people to think of threatened species and how strong laws and enforcement are needed to protect them. “I approached the school and the school’s head of arts, Jyoti Funston, agreed that this project would fit with their curriculum and is open to all students…
THE Food For All Christmas Appeal is in full swing as the charity seeks donations to help its support within the community. The volunteer-run charity is calling on businesses and residents on the Mornington Peninsula to give generously, with the need for support increasing and Christmas often being the hardest time of the year for those in need. The Southern Peninsula Food For All began in 1991 and this year has delivered more than 4000 food parcels with pantry staples, fresh fruit and vegetables and tinned food. At Christmas it provides toys for children who may not otherwise receive a…
NOBODY was more surprised and elated than 36-year-old Gemma Maini from Mount Eliza when she was the first woman runner to cross the line in the Melbourne Marathon on 15 October. Not only was Maini a new mum, having given birth to son Ollie less than 12 months ago, but it was her first official marathon. The coach and secondary teacher, who has determination, good training practices, and a naturally athletic stamina on her side, beat the competition by close to five minutes. “I’m still pinching myself; it was an amazing race; a big challenge but an amazing experience,” she…
IN 2019 and at just 44, Shelley Christie had a headache and kept dropping what she was holding in her left hand. Not feeling well, she sat on her bed talking at their Mount Martha home to her husband Craig, who was finding it difficult to understand her speech and noticed her face had “dropped”. It was pretty obvious to them by then that something serious was happening. Medical tests followed quickly, and it was confirmed that Shelley had suffered a stroke, something she had not expected to hear and something that has made her look at her own mortality…
SURFBOARDS and an assortment of vehicles used to chase the often elusive waves drew hundreds of onlookers to this year’s Vintage Surf Day at Pt Leo. Mingling in the crowd and swapping surf tales were surfers of all ages, including some that could be classed as pioneers in what is now regarded as a respectable industry. Surfboard maker Paul Trigger, of Trigger Bros Surfboards, said the vintage day was always “a great opportunity to renew acquaintances from yesteryear”. Notables at this year’s event included George Rice, 89, Tui Wordley, 88, Clem, Rod Sly, Garth McIntyre and Rob Lippiatt. Serving up…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Regional Gallery is holding four exhibitions of works by women artists from across Australia. Know My Name: Australian Women Artists is a National Gallery of Australia touring exhibition which will make the first stop of a two-year tour in Mornington. The exhibition features more than 60 works by 56 female artists including Margaret Preston, Janet-Cumbrae Stewart and Emily Kam Kngwarray. Brisbane-based Natalya Hughes recreates The Interior – an immersive installation at MPRG, transforming the space and combining sculptural seating, patterned soft furnishings and collectors’ pieces around a hand-painted mural. Known for her book sculptures and woodcarvings, Kylie Stillman’s…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors want Indigenous names for the 11 new municipal wards being created on the peninsula by the Victorian Electoral Commission. A majority of the shire’s 11 councillors last week agreed to ask the Local Government Minister Melissa Horne to “implement” and a local government municipal panel to “consider” Boon Wurrung language place names for the wards. Councillors at the Tuesday 31 October public meeting agreed to “seek advice” about Boon Wurrung ward names from the Bunurong Land Council. The Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation is locked in a legal dispute with the Boon Wurrung Land and Sea…
But the force will be with you – on patrol COUNTER hours at police stations in Mornington and Hastings will be reduced due to statewide staff shortages and a plan to “focus on the frontline”. In a move announced late on Friday 3 November, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner regional operations Neil Paterson said Victoria Police would temporarily reduce reception counter hours at 43 stations across the state. Counter hours at Mornington will be reduced from 24 hours to 16 from Sunday to Wednesday and remain 24 hours the rest of the week. At Hastings, a 24-hour manned station, counter hours…
FRESH doubts have been expressed over the future of $225 million set aside for the stalled train line extension from Frankston to Baxter. The money for the extension was committed by the previous Coalition federal government and later supported by then opposition leader Anthony Albanese in the lead up to the 2018 election. The cost to electrify and duplicate the Stony Point line to Baxter was quoted at up to $1.5 billion in a business case completed before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the planned extension has failed to progress any further than a business case and the state government has…
ALTHOUGH its influence and interests are national and International, Clean Ocean Foundation remains a part of the Flinders community, where it started more than 20 years ago. “The Flinders community supported us in our first 10 years of campaigning and now we’re giving back,” president Pete Smith said when announcing the foundation would sponsor Flinders Cricket Club’s women’s team.” The foundation is also hoping the wider community of the Mornington Peninsula will get behind its continuing efforts to finally clean up the sewage outfall at Gunnamatta (“Taxpayers’ cash ‘pours into the ocean’” The News 29/8/22). Successful in its early campaign…
THE Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League will launch a women’s division in 2024. The establishment of the MPFNL’s women’s football league was announced last week. The league’s creation was approved by a majority of the MPFNL’s member clubs. A statement from the MPFNL read that the creation of the new league would help football grow. “The MPFNL Board & AFL South East administration are hopeful this will see further growth of other MPFNL clubs participating in this competition in 2024 and beyond. The MPFNL has a proud football history dating back to 1908 through various competition iterations and in 2024…
FOLLOWING the huge success of the inaugural Heritage Motor show in 2022, the Rotary Club of Sorrento is once again hosting the event at the historic Point Nepean Quarantine Station on Sunday 5 November from 10am – 2pm. A perfect activity and venue for the family over the Melbourne Cup “long” weekend. Last year’s event attracted 400 cars and in excess of 2000 patrons, this year is already strongly supported by local entries and interest from interstate. Information and entry for exhibits is on the website www.pointnepeanmotorshow.com.au. Entries will be accepted online up until Wednesday 1 November and late entries…
THE “witch of Rye” returns this Halloween to haunt the streets for a spectacular 10th Halloween celebration. Karren Fleming, of Rye, transforms into a fan-favourite witch to bring Halloween magic to the southern peninsula, in readiness for the Tuesday 31 October’s trick or treating. District nurse Fleming, a mother of four and grandparent to 12 grandchildren, has been weaving her magic as the witch of Rye for 10 years. With a background in the local theatre scene and a love for portraying the witch character in the renowned Wicked musical, Fleming has become a beloved icon in the community. Last…
Council’s ‘discriminatory’ choice of flags to fly Our Mornington Peninsula Shire offices and council should remain apolitical and not promote any legislation that our government promotes (“Councillor to undergo ‘development training’” The News 24/10/23). Why is it that this shire bows down to the government of this day on many issues and particularly with the LGBTQIA+ agenda? Let’s celebrate diversity and inclusion, shall we? Why not fly a flag with a fish celebrating Christians? They are a minority. Or why not a People with Disability flag or an aged flag? Or why not design a flag for the homeless? Since…
A SELF-confessed latecomer to hiking, Red Hill artist Michael Leeworthy managed to turn the restrictions of COVID-19 into positives: publishing three books on walking around the Mornington Peninsula. Weaving narratives derived from his own observations and research Leeworthy has colourfully illustrated each book with his own paintings, many featuring creatures that can be encountered on the various trails. “What started as something to do during COVID-19 became a true labour of love. Having so many walking trails at my front door was a blessing,” Leeworthy said. “When we were allowed to go further than five kilometres, I took the opportunity…
THE click, pop and hum of a PA system starting up is soon joined by the sound of guitars tuning, drumbeats and scales on trumpet and saxophone. General chit-chat about the week just past melds with microphone checks. A basic 12-bar blues line on bass guitar is soon joined by a rhythmic drum backbeat and then guitar chords. Soon the room is filled with music and then laughter, friendly banter and eager chatter. These are the sounds of the Headmasters Apprentices, a pop band of eight school principals and assistant principals from the Frankston area and the Mornington Peninsula. Some…
RYE foreshore has again been given official approval for Schoolies Week celebrations. Hosted by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, the week-long “schoolies hub” will run from Saturday 25 November to Friday 1 December The shire says the hub will provide a place for schoolies to dance the night away in a supportive and age-appropriate environment. Each night will feature a different line-up of local DJs and party themes. Support teams, including the shire’s youth services team, DanceWize and Red Frog volunteers, will also attend. Peninsula Schoolies 2023 tickets cost $50 for a week-long pass that gives entry to the schoolies hub…
ROSEBUD based charity Clothes4U is taking the stress out of looking professional on a budget, providing students and people looking for work with quality clothes at low or no cost. Prices are low, but quality is not. There are suits, race day wear and hats, dresses, designer brands and clothes for most occasions. Charity president Tina Donahue said buying new clothes that were suitable for employment situations was sometimes out of reach for students or people looking to join the workforce. Donahue said clients who come to Clothes4U were given a one-on-one consultation, taking into account their body shape, likes…
DETECTIVES have made a fresh appeal to try to identify a woman’s body found on the beach at Sorrento 57 years ago. A digitally generated image has been released of the unknown woman, along with a photograph of a woman believed to be linked to her. The woman’s body was discovered floating in the water off Sorrento beach on the evening of 25 February 1966. She is described as being between 65 and 70 years old, about 164cm tall, with a slight build. She had grey hair, no teeth, brown eyes with a blue periphery in her iris, and a…
THE Archibald Prize 2023 Regional Tour at Mornington is winding up for its last day on 5 November, but it has created long lasting memories for at least one family. Mornington grandmother Monica Hughes has turned the portrait exhibition into a family tradition that has so far spanned three generations. “Every year for the past 10 years that it has been on we go as an extended family to wherever it is being held, and we have our very own competition to try and enhance the experience for the young ones,” she said. “It all started a decade ago when…
THE Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation group is preparing for the 2024 stage of its biolink project and is keen to hear from landholders from Cerberus to Tyabb who would like to take part. The project, now in its fourth year, aims to help the peninsula’s koalas by strengthening existing indigenous vegetation in the region. So far, the group has planted more than 70,000 plants, with 25,000 planned for 2024. President Dirk Jansen said the main reason for the decline in koala numbers on the peninsula was the loss of indigenous vegetation, and one of the keys to improving that was…
A MOOROODUC land owner living in green wedge zoning is calling for stronger enforcement of protections following the allegedly illegal development of a neighbouring property. The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council acknowledged it is looking into the alleged non-compliance of use and development of the land at a property in Males Road, but was unable to comment because the investigation is underway. Moorooduc resident Susan Bell accused the council of being a “toothless tiger” after being told by the council it was “working with” the neighbouring land owner and it could take 12 months to resolve. Bell said she believed the…
FIVE councillors and 99 objectors have failed to convince Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to reject a planning application to erect a temporary religious marquee on green wedge land in Pearcedale. In a close vote at last Tuesday’s (17 October) meeting, six of the 11 councillors agreed with principal planner Ersi Ni’s recommendation to allow the remedial Hindu pooja ceremony to purify the land at 1915 Hastings-Dandenong Road, where the applicants want to build the largest Hindu temple in Australia. That separate planning application is due to be heard at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in February. Nine objectors to…
WESTERN Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation and OzFish Unlimited have formed a partnership to “build awareness of the reserve’s environmental significance and encourage behaviours that will protect its marine ecosystems for future generations”. The partnership between the not for profit OzFish will extend the biosphere foundation’s reach beyond its resident communities and deliver important environmental information and advice to millions of boating enthusiasts and recreational fishers who annually visit the reserve, according to biosphere CEO Mel Barker. She said the organisations shared similar values, “founded on a shared vision to ensure local communities and visitors are well informed and equipped to…
SUMMER may be just around the corner, but users of Sunnyside Beach North, Mount Eliza fear they are being left out in the cold by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. The beach is renowned for being the only one on Port Phillip where public nudity is legal, but the shire has been accused of ignoring safety in making the beach difficult to access and is about to introduce paid parking. Sunnyside, an isolated beach between Mount Eliza and Mornington, is one of three peninsula foreshore parking areas chosen for this summer’s paid parking trial (“Permanent paid parking to depend on trial…