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…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
SUMMER has arrived, with Country Fire Authority already declaring total fire bans in some areas and the Mornington Peninsula’s fire danger rating period starting on Monday 18 December and ending 1 May 2024. The CFA has also reminded Victorians to consider their pets and livestock when making bushfire survival plans. Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said bushfire relocation kits for pets should be kept within easy reach during high-risk bushfire days. “It can take longer than you think to move your pets, so make sure you can transport them efficiently and have towels and woollen blankets on hand to protect them,”…
Peta Murphy: fondly remembered … as an exceptional role model I am writing to express our sincere condolences concerning the tragic passing of Dunkley MP Peta Murphy. She was much loved and deeply admired by all the members of The Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN). Peta was a woman of great integrity, strong convictions, kindness and compassion. Like so many others who met her, we truly appreciated Peta’s warm and engaging personality, her willingness to listen and delightful sense of humour. Most especially we admired her determination to advocate for justice, particularly in support of those who were marginalised. Peta’s…
CALLS for more parking spaces for parents of children at Osborne Primary School in Mount Martha have been rejected, with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council calling for parents to “obey the rules”. A recent concentration by council parking officers around the school has parents seeing red, after 19 were fined in one day for illegal parking and other traffic violations. Connor Foster said it was “unfair” of the council to target parents, with some drivers fined more than once, at around $219 a fine. “Our main interest is the safety of our children,” he said. Foster says there needs to be…
ROADS around Rye and Tootgarook are about to get a safety upgrade as part of a program to target dangerous intersections. Seven intersections will be upgraded with compact roundabouts, speed cushions or raised intersections, courtesy of the federal government’s Black Spot program. Black Spot projects target road locations where crashes are occurring or are at risk of occurring. The intersections to receive compact roundabouts are Field Street and Shirlow Avenue, Hygeia Street and Bimble Street, Ozone Street and Bimble Street and Government Road and Waratah Street. Speed cushions will be installed at Field and Marshall streets and Alma and Plain…
GUNNAMATTA and Sorrento surf lifesaving clubs have been presented with Rescue medals by Surf Life Saving Australia for their members’ efforts in rescuing a father and his son. Everyday Lifesaver certificates were awarded to Liam Kiernan and David Lawson for their actions at the same incident, Gunnamatta club president David Stogdale said. The drama that the lifesavers were recognised for unfolded in the early evening after patrols had ended at Gunnamatta on Friday 6 January. The father went into the water after seeing his sons, two brothers, aged 16 and 20, get into difficulties. However, he too soon got into…
THE warm weather has returned and with it are the visitors who love the Mornington Peninsula’s beaches as much as its dolphins do. With only weeks to go until the influx of summer crowds, watercraft users and swimmers are being reminded that “dolphin distancing” is important to protect the marine mammals and allow everyone to enjoy the beach safely. Boats and paddle craft must stay at least 100 metres away from dolphins, jet skis must be at least 300 metres away, and swimmers and surfers must keep a distance of at least 30 metres. The Conservation Regulator, a state government…
RSPCA Victoria is looking for nearly 140 volunteers to join its network of op shops this summer. The organisation’s op shop volunteers are key to paying for the care required for arriving at RSPCA Victoria, many of which require veterinary treatment. “Volunteers are crucial to our work in animal welfare, and this includes the amazing volunteers in our op shops across Victoria,” Nadine Hutchins, RSPCA Victoria volunteer program manager, said. “Our op shop volunteers raise vital funds for RSPCA Victoria and the thousands of animals in our care every year, which is more important than ever right now. “We’re recruiting…
PARENTS have been warned to be alert after thumb tacks were found scattered around two children’s playgrounds in Somerville. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is urging anyone who discovers vandalism of any sort to contact it after the thumb tacks, or drawing pins, were found at the playground Pembroke Drive, Somerville on Sunday 3 December. The council’s rapid response team went to the playground on Monday to clean up any remaining thumb tacks. Posts on social media reports also show a similar thing happened at Clairmont Close Reserve at around the same time, with thumb tacks left on equipment and playground…
IT seems that Mornington Peninsula Shire Council intends to permanently fly the “Intersex Progress Pride Flag” outside its offices. The latest version of the flag, officially recognised as the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride flag, was unveiled at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, US, in June. The unveiling during LGBTQ+ Pride Month was said to demonstrate “the evolution of inclusivity in the design of Pride flags”. In its quarterly glossy publication Peninsula Wide, the shire says it believes “it is vital we overtly show our support for LGBTIQA+ community members”. Under the heading Respecting diversity, the shire states: “Our Community Vision makes it…
SAFETY Beach actor, singer and film producer Cindy Pritchard will be part of a Q&A following the screening of her new film, Christmess, at Rosebud Cinema at 7pm on 14 December. Pritchard is one of the producers of the Australian indie film, written and directed by Heath Davis. The film stars Steve le Marquand (2 Hands, Broke) Darren Gilshenan (Colin from Accounts) and Hannah Joy from indie band Middle Kids, while Pritchard also has a role. Le Marquand plays a once famous actor with an alcohol addiction who is fresh out of rehab and gets a gig performing as Santa…
PETA Murphy’s first speech as federal member for Dunkley quoted her literary hero, Pippi Longstocking. Pippi was being warned by her friend Annika to refrain from competing against “the world’s strongest man”. “Man, yes,” said Pippi. “But I am the world’s strongest girl, remember that!” The speech came just weeks after Murphy received a devastating cancer re-diagnosis. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, and again in 2019 around the time she was elected the first ever female member for Dunkley. Murphy carried Pippi Longstocking’s attitude with her during her four years in parliament. In spite of deteriorating…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors were this week to again set to grapple with the concept of transparency and the release of information to the public. Part of the shire’s official “mission” is “keeping you up to date with what is happening across the shire in an open and direct way”, but last month councillors voted five to four against publishing summaries of their secret discussions, or briefings, with officers. Cr David Gill, who proposed the defeated motion, said while briefings were noted on agendas the details remained secret and it could be up to six months before they came back…
THE second annual Flinders Fringe Festival in February will be headlined by Sea Wolves Howl, a theatre piece based on a group of women who daily plunge into the sea at Mount Martha. Written and performed by Mornington Peninsula artist Carole Patullo with Jane Bayly, Melanie Beddie and Kelly Nash, the piece was commissioned by the festival. Direction and dramaturgy are by Melanie Beddie with music by John Thorn. The Mount Martha Sea Wolves, an intergenerational group of up to 60 Mornington Peninsula-based women and non-binary people, gather on the beach daily at dawn. As they hold hands and enter…
ATTEMPTING 50 kilometres a day for 50 days is a challenge that would make even the bravest of runners hesitate, but for Somerville man Connor Scott it was a mission with a purpose. Scott took on the challenge to raise money for Mornington charity Speak & Share because he backs what the charity does for young people. “I wanted to be able to help challenge the stigmas of mental illness and help this charity work on proactive responses,” he said. From 15 October to 3 December, no matter the weather or the pain level, Scott donned his running shoes and…
A CAMPAIGN to reduce single-use coffee cups on the Mornington Peninsula is gathering momentum, with some local cafes taking up the challenge and spreading the word. A first for Victoria, the peninsula’s Plastic Free Places campaign is launching a reuse revolution at Commonfolk Coffee and HomeGround in Mornington, culminating in BYO Cup Day on 8 and 9 December. The program is being paid for by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and delivered by the Boomerang Alliance, which represents 55 allies across Australia to tackle waste and litter. Birte Moliere, the alliance’s Plastic Free Places facilitator, said the community was being invited…
A YOUNG male kangaroo has been saved from a tragic end after being trapped for three days on a Balnarring property and harassed by dogs. The kangaroo was relentlessly pursued by neighbouring dogs, leading to a painful encounter with a fence and visible injuries. A rescue team from Vets For Compassion was able to sedate the terrified animal, after it was seen hiding in a secluded corner of a paddock. VFC vet and founder Elaine Ong examined the kangaroo, whose injuries included scratches on his legs and a small patch of missing fur on his shoulder. Fortunately, there were no…
RESIDENTS of the recently named Koonya Grassy Bowl area in Blairgowrie want closer supervision of volunteers in environmental programs, after vegetation was mistakenly ripped out in front of homes. The work was carried out by volunteer members of the Blairgowrie Friends of Mornington Peninsula National Park group under a grants program to remove invasive weeds such polygala in the Koonya Grassy Bowl and restore native vegetation along Koonya beach (Helping at the grassy bowl, The News 14/11/23). Despite a spokesperson from Parks Victoria last week stating the work took place on public land to “protect and enhance the natural values”…
AN unlicensed labour hire company that provided workers to farms in Rosebud, Devon Meadows, Koo Wee Rup and Torquay has been issued a total penalty of $617,916 – the highest in Australian history for breaches of labour hire law. A L Star Express, of Keysborough, was found to have knowingly and repeatedly contravened the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018 (Vic) when it supplied workers to four separate horticulture businesses, without holding a labour hire licence. The workers jobs included picking fruit and vegetables and other horticulture tasks. In its judgement, the Supreme Court of Victoria noted that the contraventions “must…
Emergency services are at the scene of a two-car collision in Red Hill. The vehicles collided on Arthurs Seat Road about 5pm. A male passenger in one of the vehicles has died at the scene, the male driver has been airlifted to hospital in a serious condition. The male driver and only occupant of the other car was taken to hospital as a precaution The exact cause of the crash is yet to be determined and investigations are ongoing. For the current provisional lives lost tally please see https://www.police.vic.gov.au/road-safety-0 Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact…
NEW rules exempting certain community accommodation from planning permits are expected to speed up construction of a new purpose-built NDIS development in Rosebud, potentially paving the way for similar accommodation elsewhere on the Mornington Peninsula. The project by builders Balmain and Co to be launched on Monday (4 December) with a turning of the sod and welcome to country ceremony, is expected to fill a need for NDIS housing in the area. According to data, around 75 per cent of NDIS housing is older stock, and not fit for purpose for a range of client needs. There is also a…
A FORMER Mornington Secondary College student has blamed vaping for an extreme allergic reaction that led to medical treatment. Now in his 20s and a cigarette smoker, he had turned to flavoured, over the counter vapes in an effort to quit, but believes he ended up suffering an allergic reaction from unknown chemicals contained in the product. His skin began itching and his lips “blew up” to three or four times their size within hours of vaping, he told The News. “It was pretty scary, I wasn’t sure what was going on but I know that an anaphylactic response can…
SOCCER BILLY Painting joined Rosebud last week hellbent on being part of the Olympic Park club’s title tilt next year. “I’m not just here to make up the numbers – I’m here to win the league,” Painting said. “And from what I hear that seems to be the mentality of everyone down there.” Painting’s switch ended a seven-year stint at Skye United and the 28-year-old central defender is hoping the move reignites his passion for football. “I really needed a new challenge because I’d fallen out of love with the game,” he said. “I don’t really know why. “I just…
PETER Gordon Hannah, an ex-constable of police, appeared, on Tuesday, before Messrs. Armstrong (chairman) Oates, and Brown, J.’sP., on remand from the City Court, and was charged with having, on the 18th inst., shot with intent to murder Senior Constable James Culhane, and Constable James Alexander Graham. Sub-Inspector Spratling prosecuted, Detective Sergeant Armstrong assisting. Accused was defended by Mr. E. F. S. England. In outlining the case Sub-Inspector Spratling detailed the happenings from the time accused was seen in the Prince of Wales Hotel, up to the time the shooting took place. James Culhane, senior constable, sworn, said “that on…
Time running out for comment on harbour options Have readers taken part in any community consultation about the proposed plan to commercialise Mornington harbour, put up by Parks Victoria? Not likely, as there is no publicity. Do we want to see another long jetty built alongside the existing one? Do we want to lose the moorings for the yachts that are part of our harbour landscape? Yes, Fisherman’s jetty needs rebuilding – and the government has budgeted $4 million to do so – but now Parks has come up with further options for the future. That jetty may have an…
THE paid parking trial that started last Friday at three foreshore parking areas is continuing to draw criticism from ratepayers and visitors to the Mornington Peninsula. Timed and paid parking is already implemented by all councils across Melbourne’s waterfront areas, but the change is proving a hard pill to swallow for peninsula beach users accustomed to free, all-day parking. The trial was labelled a “fiasco” at Flinders before it started and Mornington’s Schnapper Point car park is also proving problematic where Snapper Point Angling Club members and other boaties rely on easy access to car and trailer parking spots and…
ALTHOUGH he did not realise it at the time, stacking firewood 25 years ago led directly to the opening this week of an exhibition of Hugh Montgomery’s sculptures. Included in the firewood waiting to be stacked was a “solid block of seasoned red gum” that Montgomery regarded as being “too good to burn”. The red gum was taken to his home in Dromana and became the first of his “visitors” or “characters”, made from timber and plastics that Montgomery has collected from Mornington Peninsula beaches. “After collecting, preparing and assembling the pieces I have made moulds of the work and…
AN exhibition at Baluk Arts, Mount Eliza will feature work by First Nations artist from Waradjuri country, Uncle Kevin Williams. The exhibition, Totems of the Waradjuri, will open from 6pm on Thursday 7 December and will run until the end of January. The gallery’s Bronwyn Smart said the artist was a descendant of the Waradjuri people, born in Narrandera, New South Wales, and now resided south of the Murray River. “As a young boy he learnt how to make boomerangs from his father and grandfather and he learnt how to paint from watching his mother in action,” she said. “What…
THE summer paid parking trial is now underway at three Mornington Peninsula foreshore car parks. Despite concerns about fairness and its online operation, Mornington Peninsula Shire last week said it had “compiled everything you need to know to park with ease”. The three car parks at Sunnyside Beach, Mounty Eliza, Schnapper Point (near the pier), Mornington and near Flinders pier. Two and four hour restrictions apply at Mornington, but Sunnyside and Flinders have no time limits. Parking is free for peninsula residents who have an e-permit and $6.50 an hour for visitors or $19.50 a day at Sunnyside and Flinders.…
LIBERAL MP for Nepean, Sam Groth has described the federal government’s decision to cut $75 million from Mornington Peninsula transport projects as being “bitterly disappointing and a kick in the guts” for motorists using the Mornington Peninsula Freeway”. The “blow” to southern peninsula residents means the cancellation of both the Jetty Road, Rosebud overpass and sound barriers on the freeway (“Budget cuts end travel plans” The News 21/11/23). Groth said the previous federal coalition government had committed money for both projects in 2019. “Locals have long called for a solution to the chronic congestion at the end of the Mornington…