WILDLIFE advocates are raising urgent concerns about boaters disturbing large whales in Port Phillip Bay after reports surfaced that the mammals were being “chased and harassed” in the Bass Strait.There have been three sightings of humpback whales in the bay with two mature humpback whales thrilling onlookers as they swam past Seaford, Frankston, Mornington, and Mount Martha on 28 June.Scientists from the Dolphin Research Institute’s Two Bays Whale Project confirmed the sightings, noting humpback and southern right whales were present in the waters during their northern migration, and each year, some pass through Port Phillip Heads and enter the bay.“We…
Author: Brendan Rees
THE owners of Endota Spa Moorooduc have spoken of their heartbreak and determination after a devastating fire tore through their beloved wellness business on 17 June. Jeff and Sharnee Thompson said it was more than a business but something they poured their hearts into after building it from scratch 14 years ago.The incident occurred just before 9.15pm at the corner of Moorooduc Hwy and Eramosa Rd West where fire crews found the roof of the building well-alight. It took just under two hours to bring it under control with a fire investigation unit now determining the cause.The couple were shellshocked…
PARENTS are raising the alarm after learning Seaford Park Primary School started charging NDIS support workers to use the school’s facilities, which reportedly caused a shortage in critical services during term one. Since the start of this year, the school imposed a fee of $100 per therapist, per term to “help cover most of the administrative costs”. Under the state government education’s NDIS therapists in schools’ policy, the fee must be charged to the therapist, not to parents or the NDIS. According to parents who spoke to The News, the issue at Seaford isn’t just a once-off, with other government…
KINGSTON Council says its controversial decision to remove bins from beaches has proved a “big success”. This summer Kingston Council moved bins from the beach to foreshore car parks, road reserves, pathways, and beach access points. It says bin collections increased by 30 percent in comparison to the previous summer, and reports of overflowing bins decreased by 70 percent. Kingston mayor Georgina Oxley acknowledged that there were some early issues when the change was made, but says that they have been addressed. “As with most major changes we did experience some teething problems as the new system was implemented, but…
A VINTAGE aircraft from Tyabb has taken to the skies at the Avalon International Airshow, with a young Mornington Peninsula-based pilot showcasing its timeless beauty. The De Havilland Tiger Moth bi-plane, which is part of Judy Pay’s collection of old warbirds at the Old Aeroplane Company in Tyabb, flew as part of the “Frozen Five” Tiger Moth formation team in front of thousands of aviation enthusiasts on 28 March. Originally designed in the 1930s, Pay’s Tiger Moth was built in 1941 for England’s Royal Air Force, before later being used for “barnstorming” to entertain crowds at airshows and joy flights.…