Social Mermaids are in their element
Picture: Supplied
A GROUP of “mermaids” swims regularly at Fishermans Beach, Mornington, to gain the benefits of cold water swimming, increase exercise levels, revel in companionship and simply enjoy the fun of getting together in the water.
Afterwards, of course, they enjoy a coffee and a chat at a nearby cafe.
Mornington Peninsula Mermaids are a group of women who have swum at 7am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays since early January.
Their aim, however daunting, is to go right through winter.
Organiser Jacky Howgate says the women float, swim (with a “few now challenging themselves by swimming to the first pole and beyond”), and do aqua-aerobics with no pressure, no judgement.
Burglary charges
THREE teenagers have been charged with alleged burglaries across Parkdale, Templestowe, and Doncaster East.
Police allege they searched a stolen car in Doncaster East and found a number of wallets, purses, apple watch, air pods, cash, and a number of keys to vehicles that were allegedly stolen during a number of burglaries. A 19-year-old Pakenham man was arrested nearby and charged with theft of motor vehicle, burglary, and handle stolen goods in relation to burglaries in Parkdale and Doncaster East on 13 March.
Two other Pakenham teenagers were arrested and have since been bailed.
Detectives from Manningham Crime Investigation Unit are still investigating. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Stabling plan sparks protest Picture: Supplied
PROTESTERS have turned up in numbers to oppose state government plans to put train stabling on a former landfill site in Heatherton.
In late 2020, the state government confirmed that the former Delta site in Heatherton was its preferred location for suburban rail loop stabling yards. The move was slammed by Kingston Council, which had eyed off the land for a new regional sporting facility (“Train stabling decision devastated community”,
Protesters visited Heatherton on Saturday to voice their opposition to the plans. Heatherton Residents Against Inappropriate Development Inc president Andrew Dawson said “as a Heatherton resident of some 25 years, I have fought to protect this area from inappropriate and intrusive proposals that would ruin the enjoyment of our peaceful amenity and forever break the link in the decades long promised Chain of Parks.”
Anti-gas protesters fear Western Port wipeout
WITH the state government expected to soon announce its decision on AGL’s planned gas import terminal at Crib Point, protesters have been staging a series of demonstrations against the plan. Last week rallies were held near where the gas terminal will be built if given the go ahead, below, as well as outside Parliament House, in Spring Street, Melbourne.
Pictures: Julian Meehan
DRESS codes and parliamentary protocols were wiped out last Wednesday when a wave of demonstrators took their complaints about AGL’s plan for an import gas terminal at Crib Point to Spring Street.
Sit-in demands an end to ‘cover ups’
HUNDREDS of people on the Mornington Peninsula were in step with thousands across Australia on Monday at March4Justice rallies. A march in Rosebud coincided with about 20 people showing their support for an end to gender-based discrimination and violence outside the Somerville office of Flinders MP Greg Hunt.
Pictures: Gary Sissons
ABOUT 20 people attended a March4Justice “sit in” outside the office of Flinders MP and Health Minister Greg Hunt’s office at Somerville on Monday (15 March).
The group, which also stood, demanded that women be “heard, respected and represented in Canberra” as well as an end to gender-based discrimination and violence in society.