Western Port
Western Port
realestate 2 February
2016
Scene stealer > Page 3
2017 Scholarships Years 3 to 12 See page 8
168 Main Stree t Morningto n VIC 3931 T. 03 5975 6888
An independent voice for the community
Your weekly community newspaper covering the entire Western Port region For all advertising and editorial, call 03
FREE
Tuesday day 2 February 2016 201 01 16
5973 6424 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au
Religious path spur to an artist’s vision RED Hill-based artist Michael Leeworthy enjoys walking. He’s as happy following trails on the Mornington Peninsula as he is following in the footsteps of Middle Ages pilgrims to the shrine of the apostle, St James the Great, in Spain. The biggest difference between the two, he says, is the number of people he sees along the way. The peninsula’s three main trails are quiet, whereas the famed Camino de Santiago, from France to Spain, attracts thousands of visitors. While Mr Leeworthy acknowledges the peninsula’s trails can’t offer quite the same cultural or religious rewards as the Way, he believes improvements could see their popularity grow, both here and overseas. See “Track to put peninsula on tourist path” Page 5 Picture: Gary Sissons
Help comes after the fire By early yesterday (Monday), $6745 had been raised in three days by 172 people who work alongside Caroline Tootell at Peninsula Health to be added to a “substantial sum” raised by Somers yacht Club auctioning donated items. “They’ve been told insurance will cover most of the damage, but not everything. They’re understandably devastated,” Peninsula Health chief
HELP for those affected by a bushfire which swept through parts of Crib Point two weeks ago is coming from the community and state government. While the government has announced emergency relief assistance for affected property owners, co-workers and friends have already raised thousands of dollars for David and Caroline Tootell, whose house on The Esplanade was the only one lost in the fire.
operating officer Jan Child stated in an email to staff when launching a Gofundme campaign to raise $5000. The Tootells are members of Somers Yacht Club and on several occasions have loaned their boat to the club for state and national sailing events. Items auctioned to raise money for the Tootells included wine, a bicycle, barbecue, paintings and sculptures, fresh produce and gift vouchers to lo-
cal restaurants. A bottle of Grange Hermitage went for $700, and a 100-yearold leather bound pocket copy of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, sold for more than $600. Mr Tootell after the auction said he and his wife were overwhelmed by the strength of community support. “It is hard to express how appreciative we are of people’s generosity. It is a privilege to be part of such a com-
STIHL Summer Savings High Pressure Cleaner from
$299 *
RE 109 BUY BETTER AT
+FREE DECK CLEANER*
Westernport Tractors & Implements 1863 Frankston/Flinders Road HASTINGS 3915 Ph: 03 5979 2155 *Price & promotion valid from 1/1/16 to 31/3/16 or whilst stocks last.
munity,” he said. In an email sent to Peninsula Health staff Ms Tootell described seeing a small grass fire and asking her CFA volunteer neighbour to “call it in”. “I went home and put a few things in the car just in case. The CFA came and, that afternoon, the ‘firies’ said it was under control and we were safe.We relaxed,” she stated. Continued Page 5
$127 VALUE RRP