Southern Peninsula
NEWS DESK
Proudly published by Mornington Peninsula News Group Pty. Ltd
PHONE: 03 5974 9000 Published weekly
Circulation: 22,870
Audit period: Apr 2014 - Sept 2014
Source: AMAA; CAB Total Distribution Audit for further information visit auditedmedia.org.au
Journalists: Stephen Taylor, Brodie Cowburn 5974 9000 Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Advertising Sales: Ricky Thompson 0425 867 578 or ricky@mpnews.com.au Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production/Graphic design: Marcus Pettifer, Dannielle Espagne Group Editor: Keith Platt 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Craig MacKenzie, Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Ben Triandafillou ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group, PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@mpnews.com.au Web: mpnews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURSDAY 28 JANUARY 2021 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: WEDNESDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2021
An independent voice for the community We are the only locally owned and operated community newspaper on the Mornington Peninsula. We are dedicated to the belief that a strong community newspaper is essential to a strong community. We exist to serve residents, community groups and businesses and ask for their support in return.
Buzz brings gardens to life THE blue-banded bee has buzzed its way to top spot in a poll to find a mascot to represent the Mornington Peninsula’s Gardens for Wildlife program. The brightly coloured bee, pictured, gets its name from the striking turquoise bands running across its fluffy gold and white body. This little creature is a big help in the veggie garden, performing a particular type of pollination known as buzz pollination, or sonication, in which it holds onto the flower and shakes its body rapidly. Certain plants, including tomatoes, will only release their pollen when buzzed in this way.
The blue-banded bee is solitary and lives alone in the crevices of mudbricks or sandstone rocks, or in little burrows in clay-type soil. They find bee hotels especially welcoming. To attract this bee, plant brachyscome, flax lily, hardenbergia, hibbertia and native rosemary in your garden. Herbs and vegetables they are known to frequent are lavender, borage, chilli, lemon balm, sage, thyme and tomatoes. The shire is looking for an artist to prepare an illustration of the blue-banded bee for its Gardens for Wildlife logo. The successful artist will receive
$1500. To obtain the brief and register an interest, email g4w@mornpen.vic. gov.au Applications close 15 February. Artwork must be completed by 22 March. The mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said: “Gardens for Wildlife is part of the shire’s Biodiversity Conservation Plan. “The blue-banded bee will inspire residents to plant natives in their gardens. This is beneficial for your garden as you create a welcoming habitat for native creatures. “Another bonus is that native plants are resilient and don’t require too much work or water.”
A single ember can spread bushfires as far as 30km. 40km. Burning embers from bushfires can travel up to 30km, 40km, starting new fires in seconds, destroying homes and making escape impossible. If the Fire Danger Rating is ever extreme or above, don’t hesitate. Leave early.
Plan. Act. Survive. Go to emergency.vic.gov.au
Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
PAGE 6
Southern Peninsula News
27 January 2021