MORE than 600 cats and nearly 100 dogs were euthanased by Frankston Council’s contracted animal shelter in the first six months of 2023. Between 1 January and 30 June, RSPCA Peninsula in Pearcedale admitted 874 cats and 160 dogs resulting in 69 cats and 21 dogs being euthanased. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s animal shelter and pound put down 38 cats and four dogs – it admitted 210 cats and 228 dogs. The latest statistics on the fate of animals who enter shelters and pounds released by Animal Welfare Victoria show the Lost Dogs Home Casey, which provides animal shelter services for…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
Secrecy over Potter show highlights council failings There is no doubt about the huge public opposition to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council secretly giving The Briars wildlife reserve over to Warner Brothers/Fever for two months to conduct their Harry Potter show. Secretly doing a deal with a multinational entertainment group to stage a major event that will dramatically affect Mount Martha residents and pose huge environmental problems for The Briars slaps in the face of the “transparency and consultation” that we expect from our councillors and council executive. The public only found out about it when tickets went on sale four…
THE sound of singing is ringing through halls around the Mornington Peninsula as more people seek social connection through community choirs after years of COVID-related withdrawal. Singing together has long been recognised as a way to facilitate social bonding, but it is also known for improving mental health and happiness. The musical director conductor of new community choir, Vox Peninsula’s Jill Linley, said singing together had many health benefits and gave singers a social outlet some might otherwise not have. “It’s great for the soul, and people get so much joy out of it – plus we perform in the…
MORE than 13,000 people had signed a petition by last weekend to stop an interactive walk-though Harry Potter event at The Briars wildlife sanctuary, Mount Martha. Residents, visitors and wildlife advocates fear Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s decision to allow Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience in a wildlife sanctuary will harm animals and the environment. Up to 3000 visitors are predicted to attend the event nightly during April and May. The petition started by Save Our Briars Sanctuary (SOBS) urges council to move the event away from the wildlife sanctuary. Thousands of tickets have already been sold and late last…
DIVISIONAL Response Unit members from Southern Metro Region have seized firearms and drugs from a rural property on French Island. Detectives went to the Mosquito Creek Road property on Thursday 4 January at about 8.30am, as part of an investigation into the illegal possession and use of firearms. A 36-year-old man was arrested before warrants were executed by detectives with support from the Dog Squad and Water Police. A search of the property uncovered 11 firearms, a large quantity of ammunition and alleged methylamphetamine and cannabis. The French Island man has been charged with various offences including unlicensed person possess…
POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding an assault in Sorrento on Saturday 23 December 2023. It is believed a male victim outside a venue on Ocean Beach Road was “coward” punched and knocked to the ground about 12.11am. It is also believed that the victim may have sustained a mild concussion and other potential facial injuries. Police are hoping to locate the victim to assist with further investigation into the matter as no reports were made on the evening. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in…
POLICE are investigating an incident in Tootgarook involving illegal fireworks and flares on New Year’s Eve that caused significant damage to a house and left a 57-year-old woman trapped inside. Tootgarook carpenter Jon Croft is being hailed a “hero” after he raced to the burning house in Alma Street just after midnight to help the disabled occupant escape through a front window. Croft was walking with his wife Amy just after midnight when he heard fireworks and flares being let off and soon after heard calls for help coming from a house. Croft told the media he could see a…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is pressing ahead with investigating a publicly accessible online “transparency and integrity hub” that could cost $200,000 to $350,000. The “selected council data, stories, reports, and curated information” available on the hub follows council’s below average results from last year’s community satisfaction survey. A report to councillors by customer and transformation manager Patrick Dillon said data on the transparency and integrity hub “may” also include “detailed financial records from the council and its stakeholders; asset management data (the shire’s capital works program); procurement data, and more”. “This online hub will allow visitors to explore and visualise data,…
The North and South lifts located at the Marine Drive Underpass, Safety Beach have been closed due to mechanical issues and will remain closed until mechanical repair works and/or replacement can be completed. The upper-level glass foyer doors have also been locked and relevant signage has been positioned. Pedestrians are asked to seek alternative options. Should you have any concerns please email Cambridge Management Services via email at – customercare@cambridgems.com.au or afterhours Martha Cove Security, 03 5987 1010.
An alleged thief has been arrested after speeding away from police only to have a little snooze in the middle of a Mornington intersection overnight. Officers first spotted the white Hyundai SUV which was bearing stolen number plates, on the Nepean Highway at Mornington about 1am. Police attempted to intercept the car but the driver sped off erratically. The Hyundai was then found blocking lanes at the intersection of Bentons and Racecourse roads about 2.45am. Responding officers quickly realised the driver was asleep at the wheel. Police struggled to hold in their laughter as they cordoned the vehicle, placed stop…
MEMBERS of the Flinders community are gearing up for the Big Beach Clean Up in early January. The four-day “coastal crusade” will include Balnarring, Point Leo, Shoreham and Flinders beaches. “Our secret weapon is the beach hand bin, a nifty little bin designed by Josie Jones OAM,” Flinders Community Association president Mary Iles said. “Josie starts her day by collecting rubbish on her local beaches and has volunteered over 10,000 hours to improve the water quality in Mornington Peninsula’s bays and she is and is now helping to protect our Western Port beaches.” Iles said a pilot project by Jones…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Councill will step up its pressure on the state government to ensure the urgent release of an estimated 600 kangaroos trapped on private property at Cape Schanck. At last Tuesday’s council meeting, Cr David Gill moved a motion that council takes “all possible actions to ensure that the cruelty toward 600 defenceless eastern grey kangaroos” be stopped immediately. The strongly worded motion, which was passed, attacked the state government for its “indifference” to the kangaroo’s plight. The state government has so far failed to respond to a letter from the council in August asking for more to…
WESTERN Port Community Support has sent a big “thanks” for the support from the community for its annual Christmas Giving Program. CEO Georgie Hourn said the planning and preparation for the program started mid-year and behind the scenes staff worked hard to ensure there was money for hamper contents and gifts for the children. Hourn said the program required hours of work and administration, in particular by volunteers. “We had hundreds of toys and packing hampers ready for collection on Thursday. Our other staff have been out in the community picking up the toy donations from various businesses and community…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will increase pressure on the state government to help pay for the repair and ongoing maintenance of the 100-year-old Beleura cliff path at Mornington. The request will be included in calls for help in tackling challenges across the peninsula caused by “coastal erosion, geological instability, severe weather events and climate change”. “As a local council with limited resources, we don’t have the ability to tackle these issues alone. It calls for a state-wide approach,” the mayor Cr Simon Brooks said. Closed for more than a year over safety reasons caused by a series of landslides, the path…
PLANS to hold an international, light-filled Harry Potter-themed show at The Briars, Mount Martha have been labelled “inappropriate” and against the ethos of the wildlife sanctuary’s role to protect wildlife. The international Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is due to open at the Mornington Peninsula Shire reserve in April, it’s only Victorian venue. Promotional material for the interactive show says it will be an “outdoor trail experience inspired by the iconic Forbidden Forest and features creatures from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series. “Mesmerising lights will set The Briars of Mount Martha aglow as fans of all ages…
CRICKET PROVINCIAL AFTER a frustrating two consecutive weekends of rain interruptions and cancellations, MPCA weekend cricket returned with one-day action on Saturday. In the Provincial division, Pines won a tight one against Heatherhill. After winning the toss, Heatherhill chose to bat first. Captain Kristian Miller was the star for his side, scoring an unbeaten 96 from 104 deliveries. Miller didn’t get much support from his batting partners. Heatherhill ended up scoring 9/181 from their 40 overs. Pines openers Kane Hawkins and Nick Christides made good starts during the run chase, scoring 30 and 45 respectively before being sent back to…
Paid parking trial unfair to non-resident carers I have a disability and require carers daily. I’ve been a resident of Mornington for 35 years and a social member of the yacht club for 23 years. It’s one of my few joys. On a regular basis I go to Schnapper Point for a coffee at the cafe or up to the club, however yesterday my disability carer got a warning on her car that she would now have to pay for parking (for taking a disabled resident to their favourite space where they have been going for years). They are driving…
THE Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will not oppose the Endeavour Group buying the Rye Hotel, despite initial concerns that the proposed acquisition could lessen competition in the supply of takeaway liquor in the area (Competition concerns raised over Rye Hotel sale, The News 27/9/23). The hotel includes accommodation and an adjoining independent drive-through liquor store operating under the Thirsty Camel brand. Endeavour operates BWS Rye and stores in Rosebud and Sorrento. “The ACCC did not have any concerns in relation to accommodation, gaming or meals, given the number of competitors in the area offering these services and Endeavour’s…
NOT-for-profit skate shop Janice Earth is back up and running in Rosebud, months after owner Lenny Richardson found himself “homeless”. The skate enthusiast and competition organiser said a generous supporter and local businessman reached out to him after reading about his plight in The News and offered a shared premises at 1355 Point Nepean Road (Skate ‘promoter’ wants to return, 28/9/23). Richardson says he can now get back to his business of helping others and supporting young people in and around Rosebud, including 14-year-old skater Gil Shachar. Richardson has operated the Janice Earth Community for around 10 years, including organising…
WHEN the skies close over and turn grey, Portsea resident Brian Douglas nervously looks upwards and begins to prepare for what’s to come. A soak pit on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council land behind his Franklin Road property has been defective for years, resulting in the flooding of his yard, even in moderate rain. “It has been an ongoing saga that we have tried to resolve through the shire’s systems, but we have quite literally got nowhere,” Douglas said. He first contacted the shire about the flooding pit four years ago but heard nothing back. He persevered, and about 18 months…
KEEN observers of changes to the environment, especially near the homes and where they are regularly taken for walks, five-year-old groodle Olive seemed particularly aware of Christmas lights. These decorative lights in Rollings Close, Rosebud created just the right atmosphere to take the weight off for a bit and appreciate the ambience. The next notable stop, of course, will be Christmas Day, when, in the past, Olive’s “family” has included her in the festive celebrations. Picture: Yanni First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 19 December 2023
MOUNT Eliza, Peninsula Bridge Club members Peter and Suzanne Schuster took their seat at the table for an historic bridge game at Victoria’s Government House, in Kings Domain, Melbourne. The grand ballroom’s transformation into a card house for 160 players and guests was the first time the Ballroom, with a length surpassing the ballroom at Buckingham Palace, had been set up for bridge. “This wonderful game of bridge in the ballroom event aimed to celebrate Victoria’s bridge community and to showcase Victoria’s contribution to the game worldwide,” event organiser Laura Ginnan said. The strategy-based card game is recognised as a…
MORNINGTON Peninsula boxers Caitlin Parker and Tyla McDonald represent the changing face of the once-male-dominated sport and have already made sporting history. Parker and McDonald recently qualified for the Paris Olympics by winning gold in their weight divisions at the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, making it the first time that two female boxers from the same gym have qualified for one particular Olympics. Parker, 26, from Dromana, is also the first female to qualify for two Olympics in boxing, having already competed in Tokyo as well as two Commonwealth games. She has a record of athletic accomplishment, including…
THE founding member of the Peninsula Writers’ Club, president Andrea Rowe, is stepping aside to pursue her own writing goals and let someone else lead the organisation. Rowe reflected on the club’s successes and its future at its annual general meeting, where members discussed the joys of writing, the club’s future and the supportive and nurturing space it has provided to emerging and published authors of all ages. It’s no exaggeration to say that the writers’ club has changed lives. The ability to put down thoughts, experiences and yearnings in print has been a lifeline for writers, especially during the…
THE newly formed small boat team, part of the Water Police Squad, will be on the water over summer. To deal with some of the state’s most complex marine emergencies, the team will use a mix of smaller and more maneuverable vessels including jet skis and inflatable rescue boats, both inland and along the coast. Water Police Squad and small boat team Acting Sergeant Kristina Clappison says jet skis and inflatable rescue boats are able to go where bigger vessels can’t, meaning police can get to people more swiftly when seconds matter. The newly formed team will make it easier…
DRIVERS of vehicles without trailers have been photographed ignoring parking restrictions at Schnapper Point, Mornington. As well as being watched by other visitors, the drivers risk being booked by Mornington Peninsula Shire officers who have stepped up patrols since this month’s introduction of paid parking. Schnapper Point, near the pier at Flinders and Sunnyside Beach, Mount Eliza are the three sites chosen to test the shire’s paid parking trial over summer. One Mornington resident contacted The News to say there were “plenty” of empty car parking spaces, but many drivers were choosing to park in the boat and trailer area.…
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the death of a man Portsea on Sunday, 17 December. Emergency services were called to reports of two snorkellers in trouble in waters off Portsea about 8.10pm. One man, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene. The second snorkeller was taken to hospital for observation. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined but the death is not being treated as suspicious. Victoria Police News – Sunday 17 December 2023
TOOTGAROOK musician and raconteur Kevin Vis has lived a colourful life, travelling the world seeking adventure and meaning, and creating music wherever he goes. A bit of a jack-of-all trades, New Zealand-born Vis has worked in the fitness industry and been a landscaper and boat skipper, and even played fictional Australian character Keith Elliot in the Swedish soap opera Friends and Enemies. There were many distractions and deviations before Vis found his way to the Mornington Peninsula in 2001, including playing in bands in Europe and rubbing shoulders with the glitterati of the international music world, but on his own…
STAFF, councillors and community members of Mornington Peninsula Shire will be “proudly marching” in next February’s Midsumma Pride March in along Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. This prediction is contained in a shire news release that states “Mornington Peninsula Shire” will march alongside “the Frankston Mornington Peninsula LGBTIQA+ Collaborative” and invites “all local LGBTIQA+ community members and allies to march with us on the day”. As part of its ongoing support for LGBTIQA+ community members the shire is offering free tickets and bus transport to the march. Tina McGuffie, the shire’s senior advisor – media communications and advocacy, told The News…
A 12-month project on the Mornington Peninsula to improve end of life care in residential aged care centres could set a new standard for the treatment of people with life-limiting illnesses. The government financed Community Palliative Care in Aged Care Project is being administered by Peninsula Home Hospice in Mornington. The not-for-profit organisation provides specialist palliative care to people in their home, whether that be residential aged care or the family home. Its team of medical and support professionals focuses on optimising quality of life for people diagnosed with a palliative illness. The project follows on from the Royal Commission…