Riders jump for joy at opening Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au MAIN Ridge Pony Club and Nepean Equestrian Club members were jumping for joy at the opening of their water jump complex at the Main Ridge Equestrian Ground, Baldry’s Rd, Friday. This comes after a year of appealing for help from the community, businesses and organisations for the project which was identified by a government study as an essential component of the environmental protection at the ground. “Its achievement – only 12 months on – is very much thanks to the many partners who came on board, especially businesses and individuals who donated money, materials and/ or labour, to get the job done,” pony club president Dean Jones said. The water jump, with hoof cleaning station, will enhance the cross country course and protect the environmental integrity of the reserve which is bordered on two sides by Greens Bush. “The pony club has been meeting at the ground since 1968 when the land was set aside by the Green family for equestrian use,” Mr Jones said. “Not much has changed in nearly 50 years. The setting is as beautiful as ever, and the cross country jumps just as challenging. “But what has changed is how we look after this special environment, for ourselves and for the future.” The major threat to the ground is from phytophthora cinnamomi, a soilborne water mould producing dieback
Camping blues HOLIDAYMAKERS erecting tents and parking caravans along the Rosebud, Rye and Sorrento foreshores in the lead up to the holidays are unwittingly attracting thieves. Detective Senior Sergeant Nick Vallas, of Somerville Police Complex, said the seasonal influx was a boon for opportunistic offenders. “The past couple of weeks we have had a few tents and caravans broken into,” he said. “They have stolen alcohol, food, small items and beach gear and, in some cases, made a huge mess. “The campers have added a few extra statistics for us, and when they come down they may find a few items missing.”
Carols at Rosebud CAROLS by Candlelight will be held at Rosebud Uniting Church, 6 Murray Anderson Rd, Rosebud, 7pm, Saturday 19 December. Singing will be led by the Larking About song group. The program will be followed by a cup of tea or coffee. All welcome.
Trailer thefts arrest
Splish, splash: Charlie King puts Jag through his paces at the new water jump complex at Main Ridge. Picture: Yanni
or root rot in plants. “This species had the potential to severely damage the ground and to spread into the national park and it was necessary to take measures
quickly,” Mr Jones said. This meant moving the old water jump out of the bush area and installing the hoof cleaning station to remove the pathogen from the ground.
“The creation of a water jump was a significant and costly undertaking for community clubs such as ourselves, which is where the wider community came to our rescue.”
New Year’s Eve
CHRISTMAS PARTIES WELCOME
President Roots Blues Folk Rock
A FRANKSTON South man has been arrested and charged over a spate of trailer thefts in the Mt Eliza and Mt Martha areas. Police will allege the man, 25, stole four trailers and $20,000 worth of tradies tools over several weeks. Two of the trailers have been recovered. Detective Sergeant Mel Nixon, of Somerville Police Complex, urges tradies to identify their tools “anyway they can” to make returns easier. Engraving an owner’s name and address or driver’s licence number on their tools is easy and practical, she said.
Sunday 20th December b TWO COURSE LUNCH & SHOW $65
TWO COURSE DINNER & SHOW - $70 BAND ONLY - $15
The Album “Late Night Radio”
is bound to impress audiences across Australia” (Mark Seymour, Hunters & Collectors)
GPO HOTEL MORNINGTON PENINSULA
Rebranded, Refurbished, Refined Kitchen open all day - Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Upcoming entertainment and current menus at www.thegpo.com.au 1003 POINT NEPEAN RD, ROSEBUD 5982 3200 Southern Peninsula News 15 December 2015
PAGE 15