THE Environment Protection Authority Victoria says beachgoers should check its forecasting service or sign up for its SMS service before going to the beach on the Mornington Peninsula this summer. EPA chief environmental scientist Dr Andrea Hinwood said the Beach Report, which came on stream last Sunday (1 December), provided information about water quality in Port Phillip. The service ends on the Labour Day weekend next March. The water quality report comes two weeks after South East Water warned that sewage spills into Tanti Creek may have polluted beaches south of Mills Beach, Mornington (“Beach warning” The News 26/11/19). “Our…
Author: Keith Platt
DOLPHINS spend a lot of time rounding up food and socialising but researchers were intrigued when they were spotted swimming among a large group of jellyfish. Common dolphins living near Mornington were photographed for identification purposes when they appeared to be playing with the blue blubber jellyfish. “It’s always a treat to witness their leaps and sometimes full somersaults, as they herd fish or just seem to play,” Dolphin Research Institute executive director Jeff Weir said. “Their eyesight is good both above and below water, so when they leap or spyhop they can most certainly see other dolphins and boats.…
AWKWARD? Yes. Self-conscious? Of course. But, inwardly, there was lots of self-esteem, unlike many of today’s teenagers who are victims to the pressures of social media. These are some of the standout differences that become obvious in a baby boomer’s reflections on life as a teenager while growing up in bayside Melbourne. Murray Walding and his mates grew up around Edithvale and wanted to be part of the surf culture. Friends at school, they expanded their world as soon as one of them could drive and had access to a car. Suddenly the surf was within reach – Point Leo…
AT the first sign of last week’s hot weather daredevil cliff jumpers were back at The Pillars. The fence erected by Mornington Peninsula Shire last year to stop public access to Mt Martha’s famous natural attraction was dismantled months ago, but cold water and cloudy skies provided their own disincentive. But now, even with tougher parking regulations and the ongoing alcohol ban, The Pillars is back in vogue. On Wednesday night there were seven jet skis parked near the base of the cliff and plenty of jumpers scrambling in and out of the clear waters. On Thursday, even as shire…
FLINDERS MP Greg Hunt says young people can “help build and maintain a healthy headspace” by talking and sharing ideas with family and friends. “About 560,000 Australian children and adolescents are estimated to have a mental illness and one in four young Australians aged 16 to 24 experiences mental illness in any given year,” Mr Hunt, who is also the health minister, said. “Young people need to look after their mental health and wellbeing on an ongoing basis, and headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation has released wellbeing kits, with seven tips for a healthy headspace.” He said the federal…