ORGANISERS of the Rosebud Hospital rally on Wednesday (24 January) are hoping the large turnout of community members will convince politicians, business entities and philanthropic donors to support the hospital being redeveloped. One of the organisers, Jo Gilbert, said the turnout had been a massive show of support for the hospital and backed the argument for the need to keep it in the local community. “We heard stories from people who have relied on it, and we heard how important it is to the community, we just need the government to listen,” she said. First published in the Southern Peninsula…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
FLINDERS Cricket Club will celebrate its 150th birthday on the weekend of 17 and 18 of February with a special round of matches, cocktail party and a family day. Mornington Cricket Club is the only club on the Mornington Peninsula that can boast about being older, having been founded in 1863. On Saturday, the seniors will be at home for the second match of the day with longtime adversary Balnarring. During the evening teams of six decades will be announced, culminating in the unveiling of a champion team. Flinders Cricket Club owes it origins to the Eastern Extension Cable Company,…
NOW in its 45th year Rye Tennis Club held its annual Australia Day competition over the long weekend. For a small club Rye attracts 210 players from 238 entries that play in 18 events over 289 matches. Requiring Dromana Tennis Club to assist with a second venue. President Heather Kingston thanked tournament sponsors After- Care Rosebud, Community Bank Southern Peninsula and Prentice Real Estate for their ongoing support. Head coach and tournament director Aaron Leeder-Chard said that the “tournament ran smoothly with great weather and players of a high standard”. He also thanked the committee for their organizational skills which…
TENSIONS are again running high among users of the closed Beleura cliff path at Mornington because of “spy cameras” installed by Mornington Peninsula Shire. The CCTV cameras have been installed to catch anyone cutting or damaging the wire barricades across the path. The path was closed on 1 September 2022 after a “minor rock fall” but Save Our Cliff Path convenor Peter Nicholson said walkers would have noticed water flows that caused a “serious landslip” one month later. The repair bill for that incident has been put at $1.5 million. Nicholson said money spent on installing the “spy cameras” would…
WHILE Mornington Peninsula Shire might make box office money from allowing The Briars wildlife sanctuary to be used as a stage and backdrop for a Harry Potter show, it may cost councillors at the ballot box in October. With the Potter shows running from April to July, opponents of the shows are out for revenge and vowing to make sure the nightly shows remain fresh in voters’ memories. The Mornington Peninsula branch of The Greens is organising for protesters to attend the council’s Tuesday 6 February public meeting at Rosebud. The Greens also wants more information on the deal, reminding…
IT IS impossible for most of us to imagine anything more painful than losing two children in their prime, but for one mother, reaching out to others has given her the strength to honour her sons and turn her grief into something positive. For Monique Story, the experience of losing her beloved son Quinn in 2021 at 16, and then a couple of years later her older son Hunter at almost 23, was paralysing. But inspiringly, that pain became the Mornington mum’s motivation to make sure young people struggling to fit in, or struggling to navigate the world in general,…
TWO of the candidates for the Saturday 2 March Dunkley byelection will speak at the next breakfast meeting of the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula on Thursday 1 February. The meeting from 7.30am at Commonfolk Mornington will be the second breakfast meeting for the newly merged group, which provides “strategic leadership, advocacy and influence to help attract government support and investment in the regions”. The two Dunkley candidates are Labor’s Jodie Belyea and Liberal Nathan Conroy, the mayor of Frankston. CEO Josh Sinclair said the committee’s new not-for-profit member, Fusion Mornington Peninsula, will make a presentation about youth homelessness…
FOR 10 days earlier this month it seemed there was no limit to the heights Vicki Sullivan’s art would reach. Tucked safely in a time capsule aboard a lander being carried upwards by a Vulcan rocket, the digitised artworks seemed destined to be among the first to land on the Moon. However, although Sullivan’s works made it into space, they also made it back to a fiery end on re-entering Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean. Technical problems saw the Astrobotic’s Peregrine Mission 1 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida with the Artists on the Moon or Annex 9, exhibition…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has recognised some of its most outstanding citizens and groups at the 2024 Australia Day local awards ceremony. Nancy-Joy Gardner was chosen as Citizen of the Year for her commitment to road safety over the past 25 years. Her nominator says, “Auntie Nance”, as she is often referred to, was someone who “shakes up her community and is a force to be reckoned with”, someone who “knows how to make events happen and get people involved”. Gardner has run road safety programs on the peninsula and south east Melbourne for 30 years with Wiser Driver Programs.…
THE passing of another Australia Day public holiday on Friday 26 January was marked across the Mornington Peninsula by private gatherings of friends, backyard barbecues and a few flag raising ceremonies, but none specifically held by Mornington Peninsula Shire. However, flags were raised at events part-sponsored by the shire. The shire held an afternoon invitation-only citizenship ceremony in Rosebud’s Memorial Hall. At Hastings, the national flag was flown at half-mast during a Change the Date event, although not at the direction of the event’s organisers, the Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association. “Aboriginal community members and non-Indigenous allies advocated for an alternative…
Shame on councillors who backed Potter show As the secretary and active member of the Mornington Peninsula Schools Environment Week for many years, I would like to add my expression of alarm and absolute amazement at Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s recent deal with Warner Brother’s Harry Potter Show at The Briars. The current shire councillors have totally disregarded the claim to be an environmentally sensitive council and certainly lack credibility now when it comes to promoting the peninsula as an environmental model in Victoria. What were they thinking when they signed this secret agreement? It has to be related to…
A PRELIMINARY report into an accident between two jet trainer aircraft over Port Phillip, off the coast of Mount Martha, has noted the wings of the aircraft collided during a mid-air manouvre. On 19 November 2023, a pair of SIAI Marchetti S-211 aircraft were conducting an aerobatic formation filming flight when they came into contact, with one of the two aircraft then crashing into the water below, fatally injuring both occupants. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released the preliminary report which provides factual information from the early evidence gathering phase of the “no blame” transport safety investigation, ATSB chief…
MORNINGTON Racecourse is getting a facelift thanks to a financial partnership to add a new sand track, veterinary room with swab boxes and upgraded track lighting. The state government has committed $478,000 towards the works, with Racing Victoria contributing $373,645, and Melbourne Racing Club $104,800. The work is expected to improve safety for veterinary staff, trainers and horses, and will help meet the growing demand and better support training activities. Eastern Victoria MP Tom McIntosh said the sand track will create 10 new local jobs during construction and help Melbourne Racing Club meet growing demand for training facilities at the…
PRELIMINARY works to improve the Sorrento ferry terminal are expected to start within weeks. Searoad Ferries CEO Matt McDonald said, “preliminary marine works will commence in late March or April with construction commencing the middle of the year, at this stage”. McDonald said further updates would be released “in the coming weeks”. The planned upgrades have drawn mixed reactions from the Sorrento community, with many on social media welcoming the refurbishment and others saying it will likely increase fares. Searoad Ferries has stated that the new terminal development would feature “modern facilities and state-of-the art amenities, including new passenger waiting…
RECENT accidents on the Nepean Highway intersections near The Briars at Mount Martha have raised new concerns about the risks of using the property as a venue for large events. Opponents of the Harry Potter – Forbidden Forest experience scheduled in April and May say access to The Briars is already difficult and have warned of traffic chaos if improvements are not made before the shows start. The Harry Potter event is expected to attract around 3000 visitors a night for at least two months. An accident at the intersection of Nepean Highway and Uralla Drive on 9 January and…
RSPCA Victoria’s first Healthy Pet Day event on the Mornington Peninsula is on Wednesday 31 January in Crib Point, with RSPCA experts providing free check-ups, dog vaccines, pet food, and advice on pet behaviours. RSPCA Victoria community outreach manager Dr Lauren Roberts said Healthy Pet Days were a great way to provide pets with health checks. “Our expert animal care team provides pet check-ups, dog vaccines, microchipping, flea and worm prevention treatment, behavioural advice, resources and pet food,” she said. “We want to keep our pets happy and healthy for years to come, and local pet owners will have access…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire had by the end of last week collected $178,000 in fees from the three foreshore parking areas included in its summer paid parking trial that started on 1 December. Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors were told last week that fines of nearly $20,000 had been issued for infringements at the car parks at Flinders and Mornington piers and Sunnyside Beach, Mount Eliza. The $96 fines had been issued for each of 207 infringements. The summer trial is reported to have cost the shire $1 million. Peninsula residents can register up to five vehicles at one address to avoid…
SOCCER A DAY that started in disappointment ended in triumph for new Baxter head coach Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor on Saturday. In a classic David and Goliath tale State 4 Baxter defeated VPL1 Langwarrin in a dramatic finale to the 2024 Steve Wallace Cup at Lawton Park. Baxter became the fifth club to lift the trophy that commemorates a local football legend and the lowest ranked club to do so. But a half-hour before the 1pm start to the annual event Taylor could be heard bellowing his disapproval over the dressing room arrangement. “Bloody ridiculous!” he roared as he paced up…
CRICKET PROVINCIAL A BRILLIANT bowling performance has secured Sorrento a good win over Old Peninsula. On day one Sorrento scored 140 before being bowled out, giving the Pirates an attainable target to chase. Outside of first drop batter Tom La Brooy, Old Peninsula struggled on day two on Saturday. La Brooy scored 48 runs, which was his side’s lone double-figure score. Jake Wood and Charlie Wigg ran riot at Peninsula Grammar Oval. Wood bowled 20 overs, taking 5/45, and Wigg took 4/12 from eight overs. Old Peninsula was bowled out for 91. Baden Powell chased down Long Island’s total of…
Nature seen as a mere asset to be plundered The spectre of the Harry Potter experience being held in the sanctuary at The Briars, Mount Martha for several months has many questioning the genuine commitment of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to its documented standards of transparency in governance, due diligence in decision making, and its actual care for our precious and delicate ecological systems. Highly credentialed and professional people with very deep ties to the community have consequently rallied together to protect the community’s sanctuary at The Briars, bringing to the cause their considerable resources – personal and professional networks,…
RESIDENTS of coastal areas are being encouraged to take precautions against mosquito bites and Buruli ulcers over summer. Acting Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said 363 cases had been reported in 2023, the highest number since the infection emerged in Victoria in 2004. Buruli ulcer is a bacterial infection linked to mosquitos that can cause significant skin damage. The condition can be treated with antibiotics, making early diagnosis and treatment vital. Symptoms for the infection include spots that look like insect bites, ulcers, painful lumps, limb swelling, redness of the skin and is sometimes accompanied by severe pain and fever. State…
A FIRST glance, some of those who volunteered for a beach clean at Flinders thought their efforts might not be needed. But, in line with what the effort’s organisers thought, the beach soon showed it had a flip side: among the 116 kilograms of rubbish collected were chairs, concrete blocks, star pickets, old machinery, fishing tackle and one surfboard. “What a day for a clean-up at Flinders. For a beach that several people thought was so clean,” Mary Iles, of Flinders Community Association, said. “The kids came to help, free beach hand bins got filled and the Sea Shepherd rubbish…
TEN years ago, Australian Academy of Cinema and Televised Arts-nominated cinematographer Anthony Littlechild met filmmaking students, Liam Kelly and Riley Sugars, at the Peninsula Film Festival workshop. Today, between them they have been nominated for two ARIA awards, two AACTAs and multiple international awards. Kelly is an awarded director known best as one of the creatives behind Tones and I’s music videos, including Dance Monkey and Fly Away. “The Peninsula Film Festival is the perfect bridge between a local festival and one that’s also internationally recognised,” Kelly said. “It fosters up-and-coming talent and highlights the best of Australia’s filmmaking community.…
THE Mornington Peninsula-based Australian Welsh Male Choir is celebrating its 50th birthday. Since it began the choir has been overseas – to the United Kingdom seven times, including performances at the Royal Albert Hall, London, to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. However, the choir is staying home for its 50th, with a concert at Frankston Arts Centre on Friday 1 March 1 and in September will tour outback pubs. “This is going to be an amazing year for our choir. For our 50th birthday concert we have invited guest artists from Wales and it’s going to be a sellout performance,”…
THE largest number of competitors participated in the 38th running of the Portsea Swim Classic on Saturday. Tragically, Simon Weatherill, the 67-year-old former head of the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, died of a suspected heart attack while participating in the classic. Portsea Surf Life Saving Club president Matt Mahon said “thoughts and prayers” were with Weatherill’s family and friends. Tommy Lane, 18, of Brighton, took line honours in the 1.5km classic and 2.5km gold events. Coming second and third in the 2.5km race were Sam Sheppard and Portsea life saver Logan Brandi. Four hours later Lane won the 1.5km…
A group of diehard Australia Day supporters in Mornington will hold their own celebration on Friday (26 January) at Memorial Park in Barkly Street. Their decision to hold a do-it-yourself celebration – including gumboot throwing – follows a decision by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council not to organise an event and community parade at Mornington. The shire’s decision is in line with views expressed by the Premier Jacinta Allan who has cast doubts on Melbourne’s Australia Day parade ever making a return. The state government last year shelved the event for the third consecutive after it was first cancelled in 2021…
By Barry Irving THE Rye Gift continues to go from strength to strength as crowds flock back to the family day after Covid. This year we were blessed with cooler weather ideal for an athletic carnival. A couple of sprinkles of light rain, but there were no complaints from the runners. Again, there were many compliments from the competitors and the Victorian Athletic League officials with regards to the preparation of the running surfaces. Thanks once again to the Mornington Peninsula Shire team of contractors who prepared an excellent surface. The Junior Gift was conducted by the Little Athletics Southern…
AFTER a ten-year hiatus the Peninsula Sotheby’s Portsea Celebrity Pro Am made a huge comeback in 2023, winning Metropolitan Pro Am of the Year at the Victorian Golf Industry Awards. A major event on the PGA Tour of Australasia’s Golfing Calendar, the 2024 event was also touted as one of the best social outings of the summer. Proceedings kicked off on 2 January where a crowd of 320 filled the Continental Sorrento. The room included familiar names across the sporting, celebrity and corporate worlds. Pommery champagne, Stone and Wood, and Sticks wines were flowing throughout, as attendees dialled in their…
RISING sea levels will pose a huge risk to the coastlines of the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston this century, according to a state government-commissioned report. The Port Phillip Bay Coastal Hazard Assessment report published last week assessed potential damage to the bay’s coastlines if sea levels rise by 1.4 metres. It listed the area around Martha Cove, the Balcombe Estuary recreation reserve at Mount Martha and the foreshore from Rosebud to Dromana as being at risk of inundation once sea levels rose. Patterson Lakes is one of the areas most at risk on the eastern side of Port Phillip, according…
MANY motorists from the Mornington Peninsula, Frankston and Casey areas are finding it difficult to pay fines for traffic offences. Statistics released by Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC) show that 40 per cent of fines issued in Victoria over the past 12 months were to people on the peninsula (2754), Frankston (16,714) and Casey (35,256). Fines Victoria’s data indicates that the value of fines at the enforcement stage in PCLC’s catchment for 2022 to 2023 was almost $30 million. The average fine debt was $13,000, with some clients owing as much as $70,000. CEO Jackie Galloway said the centre was…