U3A Mornington art show committee will hold a visual art show on Friday 13 October, to be opened by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council mayor Cr Steve Holland and Mornington MP Chris Crewther. Other councillors, U3A tutors, exhibiting artists and members from the art and other classes have been invited to attend. Selected pieces of art, including photographic art, will be on sale, and there will be opportunities to chat with artists and have morning or afternoon tea. The show is open 10am to 3pm on 13 and 14 October, during the National Seniors Festival, at Currawong Community Centre, Currawong Street,…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
ROSEBUD skater Lenny Richardson wants help to get back to the business of helping others and supporting young people in and around Rosebud. The former skate shop owner and competition organiser’s life has taken a tumble since he was evicted from the shop he ran at Rosebud Plaza, forcing his not-for-profit business into limbo. Richardson operated the Janice Earth Community, which ran free skate events at Rosebud skate park and put through more than $50,000 in prizes and money over the past 10 years. Through his advocacy and financial support, he has been able to have the skate park upgraded…
Victoria Police is promising a major crackdown on drink and drug driving over the AFL Grand Final long weekend. Operation Scoreboard, which kicks off tomorrow, will see police conducting widespread roadside alcohol and drug testing across the state. Victorians celebrating the AFL Grand Final are being warned there will be zero tolerance for drink and drug driving, and motorists should expect to be tested while out on the roads this weekend. It comes as the number of lives lost on Victorian roads has soared to a seven-year high, with 210 fatalities to date in 2023, 27 higher than the same…
THE Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has raised competition concerns if the Rye Hotel is bought by the Endeavour Group, which also owns liquor retailers BWS and Dan Murphy’s. The Rye Hotel includes a hotel and adjoining independent drive-through liquor store operating under the Thirsty Camel brand. Endeavour operates BWS Rye, the other major liquor store in the area. The ACCC is concerned that the proposed acquisition would likely substantially lessen competition in the supply of takeaway liquor in the Rye area. It is believed that in July Endeavour agreed to pay long-time owner Peter Houghton around $50 million for…
A PROMINENT Liberal Party leader and the CEO of the Hastings-based Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association joined forces last week in urging a Yes vote in next month’s Voice to Parliament referendum. Former Liberal ACT Chief Minister, Kate Carnell AO, said it was “a very Liberal thing to do, to vote Yes on 14 October”. Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association CEO Peter Aldenhoven said the referendum offered “hope, change, opportunity and possibility”. Carnell and Aldenhoven spoke at the second Voice public forum held at Rosebud by the Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN). SWAN member Judith Graley said all speakers at the forum…
A NEW cycling program that uses two-seater bicycles is helping to giving aged-care residents at Balnarring Arcare a fun and supported way to get outdoors and back into the community. Cycling Without Age is a not-for-profit group that provides a community service that connects older or less mobile people with their community by giving them free rides on trishaw ebikes, piloted by volunteer cyclists. The program started at Balnarring earlier this month and was clearly enjoyed by all involved, said activities coordinator Gail Perry. Perry said the program was helped by volunteers and provided safe, free and universal access to…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has reacted with caution to the state government’s decision to remove the requirement for planning permits on second homes or granny flats. Under the changes, granny flats will be allowed in large backyards without a permit, with some restrictions. Hastings MP Paul Mercurio said the new rules meant people would have extra space for a growing family or somewhere “when the kids visit”. In comments posted to Facebook on Friday 22 September, Mercurio said there were some restrictions, with the permit-free granny flat only permitted it if was less than 60 square metres. It is believed…
SOCCER STATE 4 South outfit Chelsea has lured high-profile coaching guru Stuart Munro to its ranks. The local club announced his arrival as technical director late last week. Munro boasts a celebrated career both as a professional footballer and coach. The Scot played with St Mirren and Alloa before establishing himself with Glasgow giant Rangers where he played for seven and a half years. He also played with Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City before coming to Australia in 1997 to join Sydney United. Munro’s coaching CV includes stints at Gippsland Falcons, Carlton, Parramatta Power, South Melbourne, Oakleigh Cannons, Dandenong Thunder,…
AT just 12 years old, Jackson Martin from Arthurs Seat is already a hit in the world of squash. The talented young sport star will next week represent Victoria at the Australian Individual and Teams Championships in Brisbane. Jackson has set his sights on finishing in the top 10 of the more than 250 competitors from all over Australia. The grade six student at Red Hill Consolidated School has been honing his skills at Tonic Squash and Gym in Dromana under the eye of his mother, Amelia Pittock, who was once world-ranked number 26. She describes Jackson’s journey into the…
THE Mount Martha women took on a Yarraville side that had only conceded four goals all season to decide who would be crowned State 5 Metropolitan champions at the home of the Matilda’s. Two long range goals from Indie Jowett saw Mount Martha go in at half time 2-0 up. As expected, Yarraville came out in the second half with a point to prove and clawed a goal back in the 48th minute. Not to be denied a two goal buffer Mount Martha scored straight from kick off. Yarraville could not deal with a delightful long ball from Indie Jowett…
Shire officers’ reports should be open to scrutiny If and when [Mornington Peninsula Shire Council] officers write a report, irrespective if it highlights misconduct, waste of resources, incompetence and, if allowed constructive criticism of procedures, office mismanagement and the like, from the CEO down to lower ranks of employees, they should all be subject to scrutiny and KPI performances. These officers reports should and must be able to be questioned and face scrutiny without fear or favour in an open public meeting. As paid officers of the shire their wages are paid out of ratepayers’ funds, and indeed from CEO…
OFTEN referred to as the men’s shed on wheels, the Sorrento Bay Riders and their cycling mates from around the Mornington Peninsula are leading the charge to raise money to support the Making a Difference programs at Victoria’s The Portsea Camp. Led by philanthropist Max Beck, the riders will hit the road on Sunday 1 October for the annual Sorrento Bay Riders Portsea Camp Challenge. The 65km for 65 children charity ride around some of peninsula’s most picturesque roads aims to raise $50,000 for inclusive wellness and camping programs, which work to build confidence, promote healthy bodies, healthy minds, and…
GRAFFITI removal and building maintenance contractors are being sought by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. The three-tender process is part of the council’s efforts to ensure peninsula residents and visitors enjoy “safe, clean and efficient buildings”. The council’s infrastructure maintenance services contract ends on 30 June 2024, with the council saying it is moving to working more directly with suppliers and contractors in a “shared risk” approach to the maintenance of more than 500 habitable buildings and 600 other structures like sheds, shelters and public toilets. Successful tenders will cover building maintenance across a range of services, including graffiti management. Graffiti…
Tony Duboudin A NEWLY formed quartet will feature works by Haydn, Beethoven and Schubert in a concert to be presented by Somers Chamber Music Society at Saint Mark’s Anglican Church, Balnarring, at 2.30pm on Sunday 8 October. The Hakea Quartet was formed by young musicians who are embarking on their performing careers. This group of performers – Fergus Ascot, Emma Amery, Sandra Ionescu and Sara Barbagallo – are graduates of, or finalising their studies at, the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and perform regularly in youth orchestras and teach. Several have won awards and studied overseas. The Hakea Quartet’s 8 October…
Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Steve Holland says that Premier Dan Andrews’ plan to introduce a 7.5 per cent short stay accommodation tax will do “nothing” to fix the housing crisis. Holland said last Monday’s (20 September) announcement was a “huge disappointment” and would severely impact the “struggling tourism and hospitality sectors”. He said the levy would override the shire’s short stay rental local law and fail to solve the housing and rental affordability problem. The 7.5 per cent levy could add an estimated $42 a night for stays on the peninsula. “That’s $42 a night not contributing to our…
MOUNT Martha man Sebastian “Sabe” Saitta has been recognised for his selfless act of bravery 27 years ago when he stepped in to protect two female prison officers taken hostage by two offenders at Townsville Correctional Centre. On the day in question, Saitta – a former member of the Defence force and known as Sammy to his corrections’ colleagues – was a 34-year-old officer in charge of the maximum division, with experience in negotiation and de-escalation. Taking on the role of main hostage negotiator, Saitta disarmed one of the offenders who was holding a makeshift knife to a female prison…
REPORTS of animal cruelty on the Mornington Peninsula have dropped slightly in the past year, according to the RSPCA. The RSPCA Victoria recently released its statistics for the 2022/2023 year, with data revealing there were 281 reports of cruelty in the shire compared to 311 the previous year, lifting the shire’s ranking from sixth worst to eleventh. Statewide, the figures reflect the cost-of-living crisis, with a high number of animals surrendered or seized. For the first time ever, this year’s release includes the number of animals coming into RSPCA Victoria’s care via the Inspectorate for each local government area. Twenty…
AS a single mum of three boys, Celeste Sinclair has spent years seeking ways to provide her family with a safe home. Against all odds in a tough housing market, that has finally happened after charity Habitat for Humanity provided the lifeline Sinclair needed to step into the housing market on the Mornington Peninsula. The young family have just taken ownership of a new home in Crib Point, one of several properties built by Habitat for Humanity Victoria, which is part of the global Habitat for Humanity network, working in more than 70 countries towards its vision of a world…
By Ranald Macdonald FLINDERS resident Zeta Newbound attends weekly stretching classes at the Balnarring Town Hall on Tuesdays. A former schoolteacher and physical education instructor Newbound, who celebrates her 100th birthday on 7 October, actively participates in all the exercises. She was a pennant golfer and member of the Flinders Golf Club committee. Newbound and her late husband Maxwell have two children, with her daughter following in her footsteps as a teacher. The family had a weekender in Shoreham for 30 years when living in St Kilda, before moving to Flinders in the 1950s where they built a two-storey house.…
THE state government has backed Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s efforts to protect eight green wedge parcels of land. The C270morn amendment, which has been waiting for Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny’s stamp of approval since last year, will see the rezoning of eight parcels of land outside the Urban Growth Boundary and fix irregularities in the Mornington Peninsula planning scheme. The amendment affects 10 sites across Mornington, Mount Eliza, Mount Martha, Portsea and Shoreham. Leigh Eustace, a member of the Green Wedges Coalition and spokesperson for Save Reg’s Wedge – a grass roots group that unsuccessfully fought to prevent the development…
CONCERNS about fishers causing environmental damage in the Balcombe Creek estuary at Mount Martha are being investigated, following complaints about people leaving rubbish, trampling the bushland, and using the area as a toilet. One resident who walks the estuary boardwalk daily said groups of visitors from Melbourne were fishing at the estuary every day, causing significant damage by walking through the wetland areas to fish and relieve themselves in the bushes. She said she was also concerned about “unsustainable” fishing and claims she had witnessed fishers carrying away large bags of adult and juvenile fish. “I have tried to say…
A SMOKE-free trial run by the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is among the finalists in the 41st annual Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria’s Tidy Towns & Cities – Sustainability Awards. In the litter category, the Safety Beach smoke free zone specifically has been hailed a success in navigating a smoke free environment. Since the original smoke free trial in April 2021, Beach Patrol volunteers have monitored the uptake of butt bins, with findings showing a significant decrease in butt litter. Local businesses were also surveyed, with 42 per cent noticing a reduction in butt litter near their businesses. The council has…
The Voice: It’s Your Choice, Not Ours – Councillor Mar Let’s be clear why the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has not taken a position on The Voice to Parliament and the reasons why. Australian citizens will be called upon to formalize their personal position from media, print and letterbox drops and place their vote at the polling booth on 14 October 2023. The Voice to Parliament is a personal decision where democracy is playing its important role that will help shape the future for Australia. I sought my information talking to locals, Bunurong Land Council and our friends at Willum…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council will launch mental health training for small businesses next month. Together with Mornington Peninsula organisation Speak & Share the council has developed mental health workshops for small businesses with a $15000 grant from Business Victoria. The mayor Cr Steve Holland said discussions around the importance of good mental started as early as kindergarten, and for young people mental health discussions came with little stigma because it was a natural topic to talk about for them. Holland said the state government was introducing legislation around occupational health and safety regulations in a bid to recognise hazards that…
VICTORIANS opposing what they think is unsuitable property development will have a new rallying point next week after the launch of a public declaration for a “Liveable Victoria”. The declaration is the joint effort of Planning Democracy, and Green Wedges Coalition. Planning Democracy was formerly known as Planning Backlash, an umbrella group formed by veteran planning activist Mary Drost OAM in 2003. Backlash was a loose alliance of 250 community groups across Melbourne and Victoria lobbying for more democracy in local and state planning. Planning Democracy convenor Kelvin Thomson – the former federal MP for Wills with a long involvement…
THE state government is considering a tax on short-term stays and Airbnbs, which are a dominant factor in the Mornington Peninsula holiday rental market and have been blamed for adding to the housing crisis. State cabinet considered a new levy of up to 7.5 per cent on short-stay accommodation like Airbnb on Monday (18 September). Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula CEO Joshua Sinclair said the “significant funding” must be re-invested on the Mornington Peninsula. “Our region will generate more than $10 million in revenue from a tax like this, and a significant portion of that should be spent on…
A probationary licence holder was been caught more than four times over the limit in Hastings on Saturday 16 September. The Hastings van was on patrol when they notice an illegally parked car on High Street about 3.50am. Officers checked the vehicle and found a woman slumped across the front passenger seat and asleep. The 39-year-old woman, who had been driving the vehicle, was taken back to a local police station where she returned an evidentiary breath test result of 0.18. The Crib Point woman was served with an immediate suspension of her licence and had her car impounded for…
THE local answer to the Archibald Prize, the Oak Hill Archies, is set to coincide with the “real” prize coming to the Mornington Peninsula. The Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery expects up to 50,000 viewers will come to see this year’s Archibald works when exhibited there from 15 September to 5 November. The Oak Hill Archies will be at Oak Hill Gallery from Saturday 16 September. Oak Hill Gallery is a community arts centre designed to promote and develop the arts. Board member and artist Michelle Nixon said the event, which had a prize pool of $1000, had attracted some “remarkable…
THE Western Port Biosphere Reserve has retained its UNESCO status for the next decade and rebranded itself with a more contemporary logo. The two moves coincide with the state government’s “investment in marine ecosystems and blue carbon” through the foundation and the Bunurong Aboriginal Land Council. The UNESCO status renewal confirms the reserve as being south-eastern Australia’s only member among the 748-members from 134 countries in the world biosphere reserve network. The foundation’s CEO, Mel Barker, said UNESCO’s decision. Followed a “rigorous review” which also marked the Western Port Biosphere Reserve entering its third decade. “This is fantastic recognition of…
A FESTIVAL in October at Main Ridge will feature 100 singers performing to raise money for support programs for homelessness on the Mornington Peninsula. According to Mornington Peninsula Shire 35 per cent of peninsula residents are in rental stress, while 12 per cent of those experiencing homelessness are sleeping rough in cars or on the foreshore. Low income residents are being forced off the peninsula and away from their support networks and family as fewer than one in three peninsula rental properties are affordable, according to Southern Peninsula Community Support CEO Jeremy Maxwell. Maxwell said housing and homeless support programs…