BUSTING Ghosts! By Erica Louise Photos Yanni
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f there's something strange in your neighbourhood, 'Who you gonna call?' The Mornington Peninsula Paranormal Society (MPPS)! The MPPS is a group of zealous individuals who conduct paranormal investigations and tours on the Peninsula and beyond.
The team of ten has found each other through a mutual connection to the spirit world. As the only paranormal group in the region, their investigative tours (which are open to the public) are unique. Professional historian Martyne is the founding member. “After I finished my degree, I researched sites for the Victorian Paranormal Society. Sadly, the leading organiser became ill and the society closed. I was still receiving enquiries from clients who wanted researchers to visit locations, so I picked up the threads and started the Mornington Peninsula Paranormal Society,” says Martyne. The MPPS has been running for two years. All team members are involved for different reasons. Allanah, who is also a historian, researches the history of each location explored by the MPPS. Lead investigator Deanne connected with the group a year ago to expand her knowledge of the paranormal. Other members of the team are mediums and sensitives, who see this as an excellent opportunity to develop and nurture their extrasensory gifts with likeminded folk. “I have experienced paranormal occurrences in my home for as long as I can remember,” explains Leeann, a medium involved with the MPPS. “I used to freak out when I would see and hear things, but now it’s just part of my life. I actually quite like it” Leeann’s 15yr old daughter Sarah along with Brodie, Trista and Lockey make up part of the Mornington Peninsula Society’s junior investigative team. The teens’ mothers are all members of the group. Sarah explains that she does not see spirits but instead experiences intense empathetic feelings when confronted with the paranormal. At a recent investigation at the Mount Martha Community House (built on Mount Martha Estate subdivision in 1889-90) Sarah, along with the team’s younger investigators, experienced an overwhelming, uneasy feeling and had to leave. “I had to go outside for a moment because I felt so sick,“ she says. “I felt like I was holding my breath the entire time.” Despite these unsettling moments, which as Sarah’s mother explains happen frequently, her daughter talks about her paranormal work constantly. She loves it.
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April 2020