Port Melbourne Icebergs

We've received the following information about the Port Melbourne Icebergs and thought some residents may be interested.

Join us on Saturday mornings at 8am beach side of Port Melbourne LifeSaving Club for a plunge into the waters of Port Phillip Bay.

Starting Saturday 20th February, continuing throughout the year, including winter (We're starting early so you can experience the warmer waters!)

Coffee and conversation to follow.  No cost, no join up fee. Just pay for your own coffee.

Plunge at your own risk.

More information is available on their Facebook page.

Piers Festival Returns on Sunday 3 April 2016

Contrary to some earlier reports we had received that there were to be no more Piers Festivals, Multicultural Arts Victoria have announced they will present the 5th Piers Festival on Sunday 3rd April 2016.

The festival celebrates our Indigenous and shared migration stories at the historical Port Melbourne piers precinct with a range of diverse music, dance, food, forums and exhibitions.

Volunteers positions are now open, interested applicants should email Freyja Macfarlane with your CV and this Piers Festival 2016 – Volunteer Form completed. Applications close Friday 4 March.

Sandridge Trugo Club - Toilets - Community Consultation

The City of Port Phillip (CoPP) is planning to install a public toilet at the Sandridge Community Centre and Trugo Club building, for use for visitors to Garden City Reserve.

They will be holding a community consultation session between 10am and 1pm on Saturday 20th February at the Sandridge Community Centre and Trugo Club.

A letter that has been sent to residents can be downloaded here and a poster downloaded here.

Naval tribute unveiled in Port Melbourne

A striking bronze sculpture of a young World War II sailor gazing towards Port Phillip Bay was unveiled recently on the Port Melbourne foreshore.

The sculpture, Answering the Call, is located opposite the intersection of Beach Street and Dow Street, Port Melbourne. It is near the site of HMAS Lonsdale, the Naval Reserve Base which was commissioned on 1 August 1940 and decommissioned in 1992.

The memorial sculpture was the vision of Lieutenant Commander Mackenzie Gregory, whose energy and enthusiasm was the driving force behind the project. Port of Melbourne Corporation's (PoMC) CEO Nick Easy joined Commander Gregory’s daughter, Jane Gregory, and representatives from the Royal Australian Navy, City of Port Phillip and the Anzac Centenary Committee at the opening event.

Port of Melbourne Open Days

The program of free Port Open Day boat tours continues in February, so don’t miss out on your chance to take a behind-the-scenes look at the Port of Melbourne.  More information is available here.

Garden City Reserve Lighting

As part of the City of Port Phillip's (CoPP) 2015-2016 capital works program, new public lighting will be installed along the central pedestrian path.

This project forms part of Council’s Sustainable Public Lighting Guidelines to deliver new lighting that is energy efficient, well designed and meets Australian Standards.

Construction will begin in March 2016. Work hours will be between 7am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Works are scheduled to be complete by March 2016.

Works will be constructed with park users in mind and will minimise any inconvenience

Should you have any queries please direct them to Thomas Nicholls, Project Manager, Public Space, CoPP on 9209 6687 or at Private Bag 3, St Kilda, VIC 3182

What does a healthy Port Phillip Bay mean to you?

The Department for the Environment, Land, Water, and Planning will be developing an Environmental Management Plan for the Bay in the coming months.

They are currently asking for public opinion on how the community values the bay. This can be found at http://portphillip.delwp.vic.gov.au/healthofthebay?tool=survey_tool&tool_id=what-does-a-healthy-port-phillip-bay-mean-to-you&ts=1453959000#tool_tab.

No 109 Trams Until Tuesday

It seems work on the new super tram stop at the corner of Whiteman Street and Clarendon Street has taken longer than expected. Yarra Trams are now saying that 109 trams will not recommence until Tuesday morning.

So, as the replacement bus takes a lot longer than the tram, allow extra time on Monday (and perhaps Tuesday since they've delayed estimated completion twice already) if you're going into the city.

Disruption to Beacon Cove 109 Trams

Yarra Trams have just advised that tram service changes on routes 12, 96 & 109 will continue until approximately 7:30am Sunday 17 January.  It was previously expected to be finished today.

More details are available here.

Blessing of the Waters - Princes Pier - This Sunday - 10 Jan

Sorry for the late notice of this - it's not usually well publicised and I only realised it was on this weekend when I saw some preparations this morning.

The Blessing of the Waters, Greek Orthodox ceremonies takes place at Port Melbourne each year in January.  This is a combined celebration for all Parishes in Melbourne celebrated by Their Graces Bishop Ezekiel of Dervis and Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis together with all the Clergy of Melbourne.

The promise of a year's good fortune enticed scores of young Greek Orthodox men to try their luck in the annual Blessing of the Waters Ceremony. The ritual commemorates Christ's baptism in the River Jordan, termed the Epiphany by St. John Chryssostom (from the Greek word for 'manifestation', 'epifaniea').

The ceremony will be at 1pm on Sunday 10 January and will be followed by music, dancing and activities for children until late afternoon. Also, food and drink will be available at the Pier together with a variety of other stalls.

More information can be found here or here.