ARTISTS DRAW ON PARK FOR INSPIRATION

Creative works from the Shire’s pilot Artist in Residence program at Police Point Shire Park in Portsea are already taking form.

Artists from a variety of disciplines are utilising the Shire’s dedicated arts facility to be fully immersed in their practice through the Artist In Residence program that commenced in May.

Artists taking part in the program include Carole Patullo and Jayne Bayley, Susie Dee, Rosie Weiss, Studio 13 Ceramics, Gidja Walker and Bridgit Thomas, Liz Bodey and Michael Husser – whose murals were painted in Rye.

A number of public programs, exhibitions and workshops will be held – please see mornpen.vic.gov.au for more information.

Murals add vibrancy

French artist Michael Husser has completed two striking murals in Rye following his time as an ‘artist in residence’ with the Shire’s art program in Portsea.

His work The Fisherman depicts seaside themes on the wall of The Rock café, at the corner of Napier Street and Point Nepean Road, Rye. Humans and is painted on the foreshore amenities block near the lime kilns in Rye.

Michael developed the concepts and drawings for the project in association with the Rye Beach Community Action Group, and the artworks were created with support from the group and Mornington Peninsula Shire.

Looking for more info?

For the latest arts news, artist profiles, exhibitions and artist studio trails, performances, programs, festivals and events head to

For an adventure steeped in local history and blooming with flora and fauna visit The Briars, a 230 hectare property owned by the Shire and located in Mount Martha.

The Briars Park offers visitor information centre with interactive displays, bird watching at our bird hides, wildlife sanctuary and wetlands, walking trails and boardwalks, historic farm buildings, woodlands walks, gardens and vineyard, and BBQ facilities, kiosk and picnic areas.

Historic Homestead and Gardens

The Briars Homestead was constructed from 1848 to 1851 and was used by Alexander Balcombe until 1876 as he farmed the land surrounding it and tended to 100 acres of vineyards.

The Shire Nursery grows an extensive range of indigenous plants from locally-collected seed. These include groundcovers, grasses, shrubs and trees from the diverse plant communities that occur on the peninsula. The nursery also stocks a large range of plants from across Australia.

The Shire’s Eco Living Display Centre, located at The Briars, shows first-hand how water, energy and waste efficiency features work to reduce your impact on the environment, reduce your bills and make your home more comfortable.

For opening hours and entry information visit the Shire’s website:
www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/TheBriars

What’s on at The Briars

Spotlight walks

Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd October 2015, 7.00 - 8.30pm. The Ranger-Guided Spotlight Walks in the Wildlife Sanctuary cater for families and individuals. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost $11.10 per person. Bookings and pre-payment essential.

Napoleon’s Picnic Platter

Sunday 18th October 2015, 10am-noon at the Historic Briars Homestead. Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Napoleon’s exile on St Helena and arrival at William Balcombe’s residence, The Briars with The National Trust. $20 per person for picnic fare and a glass of champagne. Historian and screenwriter Anne Whitehead will introduce her book ‘Betsy and the Emperor’. Bookings essential ph: 5988 9853 or email: jwa45664@bigpond.net.au. Numbers are limited.

What bird is that? Free event

Sunday 25th October 2015, 9.00am – 1.00pm. Meet at The Briars Visitors Centre. The Mornington Peninsula branch of Birdlife Australia invites you to join them for a morning of bird and habitat displays. Bring the kids too, they can learn about and see our beautiful

Mornington Peninsula bird life. Activities include: guided bird walks, theatrette presentation, bird displays, information table, free morning tea and a chance to speak to bird experts. If you have binoculars please bring them. For more information call Max Burrows on 9789-0224.

Woodturning

Friday 30th October to Tuesday 3rd November, 10.00am – 4.00pm in The Briars barn. The Peninsula Woodturners Guild will exhibit finished items, these will be for sale and will also demonstrate the art of woodturning. Entry is free. Further information is available from: pwguild.org.au or pwgshowdir@gmail.com

First Saturday each month, 3.00 – 4.00pm at the Visitors Centre. The Briars Home Harvest Exchange will be held on the first Saturday each month from 3-4pm. Bring home grown edibles, eggs, preserved produce, honey, seeds and seedlings. No minimum amount and no money changes hands.

Telescopic viewing nights

First Friday each month at 8:00pm. Come and join the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society (MPAS) for an informative talk on astronomy followed by telescopic viewing (weather permitting). Prices: $8 Adult, $4 Child, $20 Family. To book call MPAS on 0419-253-252 or email: welcome@mpas.asn.au www.mpas.asn.au

Drought tolerant gardening

Sat 17th Oct, 10 am – 12 noon. Learn how to create a beautiful garden that can thrive even in drought conditions. Learn about suitable plants, mulches, irrigation and more. Presented by Peter Sullivan, retired Curator of Horticulture at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

Keeping chickens

Sat 21st Nov, 10 am – 12 noon. Learn to care for your chickens throughout their whole life cycle. Discover the characteristics of different breeds, how to sex chickens and how to prevent and treat pests and diseases. Presented by Jarrod Ruch, Senior Ranger at The Briars.

Bookings required for all workshops: Phone 5987 3078 $15 per person Tea, coffee and snacks available. Notes provided.

Have a free consultation

Book a free one-on-one consultation at the Eco Centre and discover how to save energy and money by making your home more energy efficient.

Take a guided tour

Find out how you can retro fit an existing home to make it more comfortable and sustainable. The Eco Centre showcases a range of measures for all budgets from inexpensive DIY options to more technical and structural solutions. To book a consultation or tour, call Nicci on 0428 351 778.

School excursions

The Centre offers a school education program for primary (Years 1 – 6) and secondary students (Years 7 – 8). Nineteen hands-on activities are available, linked directly to the Victorian curriculum covering the areas of waste, energy and water. Enquiries: Phone Liz on 0427 599 149

The Warringine Park boardwalk reconstruction is well underway following the bushfire in January this year which burnt over 700m of the boardwalk.

Constructing firm tracks over the mud into the works area for deliveries of timber has been a major challenge in the first part of the project. The boardwalk and crushed rock track which runs from Salmon Street, Hastings to Jacks Beach, Bittern provides 3.5km of opportunities for quiet nature observation and exercise. The Mornington Peninsula Shire hopes to re-open the boardwalk in early November.

CCTV for Mount Martha, Mount Eliza and Mornington

Mornington Peninsula Shire has partnered with Victoria Police and the Commonwealth Government to implement new public safety infrastructure across Mornington, Mount Eliza and Mount Martha. This collective project will see the installation of 33 CCTV cameras across the three townships, as well as laneway lighting upgrades to the Mornington Laneways.

Victoria Police have been involved in the project to determine the most ideal locations for the CCTV cameras to be installed.

CCTV Projects are funded mostly by the Commonwealth Government as part of their Safer Streets Programme, and are part funded by the Department of Justice as part of their Public Safety Infrastructure Fund.

The installation is due to start in mid- September and is expected to be completed before the end of 2015.

A community celebration was held at the Mornington Pier on August 8th to mark the official re-opening of the towns’ iconic structure, with locals and visitors invited to come along and enjoy a free sausage sizzle and family activities.

Improvements made in the re-build of the pier include:

• Concrete wave protection panels designed to withstand storms and provide some protection to vessels berthed in the fisherman’s wharf.

• An extended concrete pier section with timber decked walking surface

• A new 60 meter low-landing area providing improved access to the water

The next phase of renovations will take place on the Pier forecourt to create more usable public space at the forecourt and inner section of the pier for recreation activities and events.

PENINSULA TRANSPORT ASSIST INC

Peninsula Transport Assist Inc (PTA) is now a fully sustainable volunteer community transport organisation.

PTA provides transport for disadvantaged residents on the peninsula through managing a booking system which matches available transport with available volunteer drivers.

PTA organises volunteers using their own vehicles, or a shared pool vehicle or bus, to drive vulnerable residents to medical appointments, rehabilitation, social inclusion events and other appointments.

PTA volunteers also offer to drive vulnerable residents to visit the cemetery and family or friends in hospital.

PTA started with only eight shared mini-buses in their ‘vehicle pool’ and 12 volunteer drivers. The organisation has now grown to 18 shared mini-buses and two owned mini-buses. In June alone, PTA coordinated 42 bus bookings and assisted 123 clients, with PTA’s volunteers often using their own vehicles.

Shire Mayor, Cr Bev Colomb said the Shire is proud to have been instrumental in this organisation’s formation. “The Shire looks forward to continuing its support to ensure PTA has capacity to meet future demand, given the large proportion of senior citizens (present and future growth) and their specialist transport needs, services such as PTA are vital for our community”.

For more information: www.peninsulatransportassist.org or 9708 8241.

Placemaking works along Norm Clark Walk in Rosebud are now complete. The popular pedestrian thoroughfare has been transformed into a bright and lively space with the addition of landscaping, exposed aggregate paving, street lighting, and a colourful 42m long mural painted by local artist Michael Leeworthy. The project was initiated and partly funded by Rosebud Chamber of Commerce, with financial contributions from Mornington Peninsula Shire through Capital Works Program, Cr Gibb’s Discretionary Fund and a Creative Communities grant.

Mornington Peninsula Shire has delivered a number of improvements to Baxter as part of a collaborative community and council project. The works are an initiative of Baxter Residents and Traders Progress Action Committee (BRATPAC), the Shire and the town’s broader community, working together on delivering minor infrastructure projects.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Councillor Bev Colomb said planning for the works began with the community around six months ago, and saw a number of projects delivered. “A major focus of the program is on Baxter-Tooradin Rd and Shopping areas.

“Works have included boulevard planting of trees, vegetation pruning, garden bed transformation, landscaping, painting, street furniture and plantar boxes, it’s been wonderful to see the community get behind this project and see the improvements around town,” she said.

Gail Forbes, BRATPAC said the group welcomed working more closely with the Shire. “Our group includes community leaders, shopkeepers, and many members of our community. The project has meant we have worked really closely with the Shire to get a number of projects off the ground that will help enhance the township Baxter.

“We are also getting behind other projects around town such as creating a new community mural on the Telstra building”, she said.

The Peninsula North men’s shed were also a key player in the works constructing Baxter branded plantar boxes for the shopping precinct.

Place-making works will soon commence in Tyabb and Rye (Shopping Precinct).

Email your feedback through improveyourtown@mornpen.vic.gov.au or calling 5950 1272. Additionally you can tell us what you think on Twitter: @mornpenshire #ImproveBaxter or Instagram: #ImproveBaxter

NEW ROTUNDA AT MORNINGTON PARK

Construction works are now underway for the new Rotunda at Mornington Park. The 8 metre rotunda will feature a series of bronze plaques providing interpretative information on the Avenue of Honour.

This project has been driven and partly funded by the Mornington RSL, who have gained the financial support of the community through fundraising initiatives, with additional financial contributions from Mornington Peninsula Shire though Briars Ward Councillors Discretionary Funds.

The official unveiling ceremony is scheduled to take place on November 8th 2015. For more information, please contact Councillor Support on 5950 1428.

The students presented their ideas for the Village Green space to the community and gained feedback on these at the July Mount Eliza Farmer’s Market. Recently other local groups including Mt Eliza Rotary, iConnect2program, Mornington Mens Shed and Mount Eliza Lions Club have joined in with positive contributions.

The group is now working through feedback. Keep an eye on this space in the coming weeks and months.

Game on! New Sports Pavilion Fruitgrowers Reserve, Somerville

The brand new, $1.6 million sports pavilion at Fruitgrowers Reserve in Somerville will be completed very soon. The pavilion will be occupied by Somerville Junior Football Club and Somerville Cricket Club. The works effectively triple the size of the former facilities and provide a single building with multipurpose change rooms, toilet and shower facilities, office, store rooms, an accessible toilet, kitchen/kiosk, first aid and umpires rooms, social room, and external public toilets. The building provides a new base for the clubs and the community, providing modern facilities for the many families that use the reserve each week.

Category: RESTORATION OF A HERITAGE PLACE

Somerville Memorial

1. Paul Smith, stonemason

2. Brandon Perrett -maker of the current light from original specifications

3. Somerville Historical Society

Dromana Cenotaph

Howard Patrick, stonemason

St John’s Anglican Church Hall Flinders

Church Warden

Heronswood Original Slab House

James Webb, carpenter

McCraith House

RMIT Property Services

Category: RESTORATION AND CREATIVE RE USE OF A HERITAGE PLACE

Restoration of Former Sorrento Post Office

1. Peter Griffin and Terry Swann

2. Architect Steve Hofer, Williams Kaye Hofer, Mornington

3. John James, Joven Building Services

Creative Reuse of a Heritage Place

1. Country Road

2. Adaptation architect Don McQualter, Meacham Nockles McQualter, Darlinghurst NSW

Category: INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE

Rye History Board – Installed at Rye Post Office

Rye Historical Society

Fallen Soldiers Memorial – Installed at Rye Civic Hall

Rye Historical Society

Graveside Charles Ah Foo

1. Sorrento Cemetery Trust

2. Peter Munro, historical research

Category: GREENING OF HERITAGE PLACE

Planting of Norfolk Island Pines to complete missing links in Avenue of Honour and commemorative plaque, Norman Street Flinders

Flinders Historical Society, Flinders Community Association, RSL Sub-branch and Flinders Lions Club

Category: HERITAGE TRADE SKILLS

Restoration of bronze plaques – Mornington Memorial Park

Paul Hunt, Paul Hunt Restorations, metals conservator

Category: CREATION OF A HERITAGE PLACE

Creation of Memorial Garden – Red Hill

Red Hill Community Association.

LEARN MORE: GIANT FOSSIL FIND

November 6, Sorrento

The Diprotodontid is a giant fossilised skeleton found near Sorrento. It was known to be the largest marsupial mammal and was as big as a small car. Its name means ‘two front teeth’. Nepean Historical Society will present a talk by David Pickering from Melbourne Museum on Friday November 6, 8pm at the Sorrento Museum.

More info: www.nepeanhistoricalsociety.asn.au

Do you love exploring historic homesteads, learning about shipwrecks, or discovering hidden historical landmarks?

Then discover the history of the Mornington Peninsula with the Mornington Peninsula Heritage Trail.

The trail includes information on around 30 places of interest – from the Quarantine Station at Point Nepean, Cape Schanck Lighthouse and McCrae homestead, to Endeavour Fern Gully, The Briars, Jack’s Beach and Foxey’s Hangout.

Pick up a touring map from a Shire office or at your local visitor information centre.

Find your way: tourism website

The regional tourism website has been upgraded and restyled to inspire locals and visitors to ‘find their way’ to somewhere new.

You can find more than 500 different things to see and do around the region all in the one place: walks, bike tracks, adventure, food and wine, marine activities, gardens, golf, spa and more.

More info: www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org

Primary school students are encouraged to Walk to School throughout October as part of a program to help children live healthier lifestyles.

It’s free, easy and a fun way for children to get active.

By getting involved in Walk to School local primary schools are helping students learn healthy habits, and supporting them to meet the 60 minutes of physical activity recommended for children each day.

Schools and parents can help children record their walks using classroom calendars or the Walk to School website and free app, available for iPhone and Android devices.

Visit www.walktoschool.vic.gov.au for more information.

Mornington Youth Centre – Opening Soon

Located on Wilsons Road, Mornington at the Peninsula Community Theatre precinct, the $1.2M centre was funded through Federal Government (Community Development Grants Program) and Mornington Peninsula Shire.

Shire Mayor, Bev Colomb said the Centre will increase access to services and programs for young people living in Mornington, Mount Eliza and Mt Martha. “Young people in these areas have previously accessed services and personal support through Youth Hubs in Hastings, Rosebud and Frankston.

“This Centre will build community capacity to meet the health and wellbeing needs of just under half of the Peninsula’s youth population that live across the Mornington communities”, she said.

The Centre will have three large activity areas including an arts/creative space and interactive drop-In facility, in addition to two private consultation rooms.

Services offered include:

• Information, support and referral

• Outreach and counselling

• Access to Primary Care and Specialist Services

• Personal Development and Life Skill programs

• Health Promotion

• Recreation and Drop-In Space

• Creative/Art Projects

• Employment and Pre-Employment Support

• Vocational Education and Training

• Education Programs

• Community Engagement

• Legal Referral and Support.

CHILDREN’S WEEK ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE SHIRE

Children’s Week runs from 24 October – 1 November and is a national initiative that recognises the talents, skills, achievements and rights of children.

Mornington Peninsula Shire runs a number of activities for youth, to find out more about these and to see what’s happening during Children’s Week, visit the Shire’s website: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/Services_For_You/Young_People

For more information about Children’s Week visit

Join in fun at Children’s Day in the Park – a local event held at Hastings Foreshore Wednesday, 28 October 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

Music, farm yard, interactive wild life show, police and CFA with

A market day will help raise funds for Impact for Women, an organisation that aims to make a difference to women in crisis.

More than 30 stallholders will be there on the day, with face painting for the kids and raffles throughout the day. There’ll also be a sausage sizzle, and an auction at 2pm will help raise money for the cause.

Founder of Impact for Women, Kathy Kaplan OAM, will officially open the market that will run from 10am-4pm on 10 October at Hastings Community Hall, High Street. Entry by gold coin donation.

More info: www.impactforwomen.org.au

breast cancer awareness month

October, 2015

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity to focus on breast cancer and its impact on those affected by the disease in our community.

Shire Mayor Bev Colomb said “there are many local events planned this October that will help raise money for breast cancer”.

“I congratulate the many local organisations, charities and groups that are holding fundraising events for breast cancer, and encourage everyone to take part and help raise money for research into breast cancer,” she said.

What’s on: Visit the Events calendar at www.mornpen.vic.gov.au

More info: canceraustralia.gov.au or www.nbcf.org.au

For passengers aged over 60 years and for people of any age with a disability (and their carer) the Shire’s Dial-A-Bus service offers a door-to-door transport option.

Now in its tenth year of operation, the Dial-A-Bus collects passengers from any address within a service area, and transports to any location within the same service area.

Service areas include:

• Portsea, Sorrento, Blairgowrie to Rosebud

• Mount Martha to Mornington

• Rye through to Rosebud

• Balnarring through to Hastings

• Dromana, McCrae to Rosebud

• Red Hill through to Hastings

• Flinders, through to Hastings

• Somerville, Tyabb

• Safety Beach to Mornington

• McCrae, Rosebud

• Mount Eliza to Mornington

• Mornington

Passengers need to be independent and mobile (wheelchairs and mobility aids accommodated). Dial-A-Bus costs $1.00 each way.

Bookings and more info: 5950 1605 or visit www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/Dial_A_Bus . Bookings must be made by 10am on the business day prior to the day of travel.