There is a hidden gem in the grounds of McClelland Gallery in Langwarrin.  For more than 40 years the Frankston & Peninsula Lapidary Club has been specialising in faceting, cabochon, opal carving, chain weaving, silver smithing, and mineral collection.

The art of faceting is the process of cutting and polishing a variety of gemstones, from sapphire to quartz.  Cabochon, on the other hand, is cutting, grinding and polishing a range of rocks and minerals.  Club members can express their artistic talents with opal carving and chain weaving classes, making bracelets and earrings, while silver smithing classes teach them to make settings for the stones they find, or create jewellery using soldering and casting techniques.

Field trips led by experienced organisers give members the chance to experience the excitement of finding their own semi-precious gems and minerals, which they can then cut, polish and set into beautiful statement jewellery.

The club has a range of minerals and gems on display so new members are able to identify the treasures they find on field trips. The club also invites the public to donate any unwanted minerals they have to add to this display, or people can sell them on a commission basis in the club’s annual rock auction.

This August 26-27 at the Cranbourne Public Hall the club will have 20 traders attending for the Annual Gem Show. They’ll be selling a large range of rocks, gems, minerals, crystals, jewellery and even equipment from around the world. Professionals will be sharing their knowledge as visitors partake in raffles, while enjoying food and drink.

The club is open on Sundays from 10am-2pm, Wednesdays 4-8pm, Thursdays 10am-3pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm; it is closed during school holidays on Wednesday evenings.  Visit the website for details about becoming a member.

FRANKSTON & PENINSULA LAPIDARY CLUB INC
A: McClelland Gallery (in the grounds of), 390 McClelland Drive, Langwarrin
T: 9770 9340
W: frankstonlapidaryclub.com

Herd about the latest additions to EastLink’s landscaping team?  Goats are now helping clear noxious weeds and reduce the fuel load from a steep and rocky parcel of land along the tollway.

The landscaping team responsible for maintaining 480ha identified a small area where blackberry and flax-leaved broom had taken hold and where overgrown vegetation presented a potential fire risk.  However, the rugged area posed significant safety risks to staff and equipment.

The environmentally friendly, sustainable and safe solution was for the team to engage the services of a herd of goats.  The sure-footed animals are at home on the tough terrain and have displayed quite an appetite for the weeds since being introduced to the area last December.

Unable to get on to the tollway or the EastLink Trail, the animals are able to safely feed on the weeds’ foliage and leaf buds, which exhausts the root system and kills the plant while leaving the soil fungi, insects and worms unharmed.  The area’s potential fire load is not only being eaten, it is also being trampled by the goats, and this meant the area required no extra attention over summer.

The goats have been provided and cared for by Colin Arnold, of Graze Away, who has been working with goats for 20 years to assist in the restoration of native habitats.

These ‘Staff Members of the Month’ will provide a better habitat for ground fauna and will in turn attract a greater variety of birds, such as wrens, kites, butcher birds, finches and kookaburras.

Frankston Theatre Group has been operating for more than 70 years and has continuously provided opportunities for involvement in community theatre.

The group started as a fundraising activity for the Red Cross in 1942, but it quickly developed with the enthusiastic support of the Frankston community.

As a founding member of the Victorian Drama League, FTG hosted its early one-act play festivals that ran for a few weeks. These plays would draw entrants from all over the metropolitan area. Consistently producing three to four productions annually, the group showcased new actors and directors.

Its vision statement proclaims: “Frankston Theatre Group seeks to be a vital, financially sound organisation committed to presenting a broad range of theatrical work to the widest possible audience, at a very high level of quality, while affording members the opportunity to develop and contribute their skills for their own satisfaction and for the entertainment of the public.”

FTG would regularly perform in the Frankston Mechanics Hall from the 1940s until 2001, even after it was rebuilt after a fire in 1954.  The group also performed in high school auditoriums, St James the Less Church Hall, Mt Eliza Community Centre and George Jenkins Theatre. More recently, FTG has staged productions at the Frankston Arts Centre after it opened in 1995, and at Cube 37.

Many members have been inspired by their experiences in community theatre and have moved on to undertake studies in the field, chasing professional careers within the performing arts.

The group’s next production, A Sting in the Tale, will be performed on Friday, July 28, Saturday, July 29, Friday, August 4, and Saturday, August 5, at 8pm, with a matinee on Sunday, August 6, at 2pm.

To become a member or find out about upcoming auditions and plays, visit the FTG website at frankstontheatregroup.org.au

Shrek and Kung Fu Panda are lighting up Rosebud’s foreshore live under the Big Top until April 30 at an Australian-first exhibition of some of DreamWorks Animation’s best-known characters in a large-scale lantern experience.

Lights by DreamWorks – The Experience is an interactive, walkthrough experience for all ages and is set to attract more than 150,000 local and international visitors who will marvel at more than 100 of DreamWorks’ characters brought to life. Modelled on the traditional Chinese lantern festival, Lights by DreamWorks features huge illuminated figures familiar to the fans of the Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and Madagascar movies.

“It’s very exciting to be able to bring our wonderful lantern experience to Australia for the very first time,” said DreamWorks Consumer Products’ country director, Jo Pascoe.  “We’re looking forward to seeing eyes young and old light up when they experience our large-scale illuminated characters in such a beautiful part of Victoria.”

Visitors will also be treated to a variety of scenographic pieces, LED furnishings, themed technology and learning zones, an immersive cinema experience and an animatronic dragon.

The State Government is supporting the event through the $20 million Regional Events Fund.

“Lights by DreamWorks – The Experience is an event for the whole family,” said event director Keith Brown. “We can’t wait to bring this spectacular event to Victoria.”

Lights by DreamWorks – The Experience is open until April 30 under the Big Top, The Village
Green, Rosebud. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com.au) or by calling 1300 307 740. More: www.dreamworkslights.com.au

If you have ever thought about giving back to the community, next month’s Impact Volunteering Expo will tell you everything you need to know.

It’s a chance to connect with many not-for-profit community organisations and learn about the many ways you can make a difference through volunteering in Frankston City and the surrounding area.  Volunteers make a valuable contribution to community life, and receive health and wellbeing benefits from their activities. 

The 2017 Frankston City Volunteer of the Year Awards will be launched at the expo, with nomination forms for volunteers available.  These awards aim to celebrate and recognise the valuable contribution that volunteers make to the Frankston community, and to reward volunteers who give so much of their own time and resources.  For more information or an application form, email [email protected]

The Impact Volunteering Expo will be held on Wednesday, May 10, from 11am-3pm in the Lyrebird Hall, Lyrebird Community Centre, Carrum Downs.  All are welcome and entry is free, with no RSVP needed.  The expo coincides with National Volunteer Week, an annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of our nation’s volunteers.  From May 8-14, thousands of events will be held across the country to say thank you to the six million Australians who volunteer.

IMPACT VOLUNTEERING
A: Frankston Library, 60 Playne St, Frankston
T: 9770 6492
E: [email protected]
W: www.impactvolunteering.org.au

And a 1, 2, 3 … are you ready? The Frankston Music Festival 2017 is coming your way on April 28-30.

The official face of the inaugural festival is the Mornington Peninsula Piano Wizard (Andrew Farrell). Andrew attended Frankston Tech and still calls the Peninsula home. The Wizard is one of the most popular and talented festival musicians in Australia and New Zealand, even boasting fans in North America, and his powerful presence takes control of the crowds whenever he performs. Also in the spotlight will be other talented local and international performers in a combination of paid and free shows.

As a prelude to the main performances, a few pop-up events will appear over the weeks leading up to the festival. They are set to thrill and provide a snippet of what you’ll experience over the festival weekend.

The festival officially opens with a gala night at Frankston’s Functions by the Bay featuring two of Melbourne’s most talented divas: Fem Belling (starred as Liza Minnelli in The Boy From Oz)and Yvette Johansson - they can sing!

Wine, dine and boogie with The Jackson Four at the Frankston Bowling Club on Saturday night.

The festival will not only connect the community through live music but will also provide some comedy, with Rod Quantock and his chook escorting Melbourne patrons on The Frankston Music Festival’s own Blues Express train from Melbourne to be greeted by the Mornington Peninsula Piano Wizard at the Groove Train in Wells St. Rod will perform A Funnier Thing Happened On The Way To Frankston for two shows at Cube 37 on Sunday, April 30.

For more information on any of the fantastic musicians just click on them on the website and  ‘Like’ them on Facebook for more information and news. The Official Festival Program is kept right up to date and can be easily downloaded from the website.

So don’t harp on to your friends, just book today-it’s just a click away.

Visit the festival website for booking and up to date program details.

 W: frankstonmusicfestival.org
F: @frankstonmusicfestival

BEACH LANE is a place and space designed to foster a creative community, promote artistic works and support entrepreneurial start-up ventures. With yoga, meditation, events, workshops, private consultations, meetings and a café all under the one roof, you’re well looked after. 

BEACH LANE fosters creative thinking, holistic approaches, organic growth and sustainable living. This community of 35 micro-businesses works together, sharing facilities and ideas. Beach Lane offers its practitioners marketing support, business gatherings and much more.

The BEACH LANE Autumn Festival on April 22-23 is the community’s fifth seasonal festival and includes classes and workshops on meditation, yoga, gardening, self-love, pregnancy, lifestyle, natural beauty, massage, reiki and kinesiology, as well as kids’ activities and a pop-up market.  Each seasonal festival is a celebration of the growing community of holistic Practitioners and passionate Artisans at beachside Carrum, giving them the chance to show off their wares and promote their beautiful wholesome approaches to life and living. 

Everyone is welcome to connect with likeminded souls as we move into autumn and shift our gears in preparation for a nourishing Melbourne winter.  The BEACH LANE Summer Festival sold out quickly so make sure you book early to avoid disappointment.  

All festivals have been so well received by the community and the team is excited to deliver another stunning community program. Make it a family day out, and enjoy the beach between browsing the market stalls and workshops.  The BEACH LANE family can’t wait to meet and greet you.

BEACH LANE
A: 642 Nepean Highway, Carrum
W: beachlane.co
F: @beach.lane.carrum 

On the surface, The Lego Batman Movie looks every bit a kids’ flick, yet this take on superhero culture is packed with sharp satirical observations designed to have adults chuckling more than youngsters. This second big-screen outing from Lego has promoted the Will Arnett-voiced Batman to the leading role, mined the character’s rich 78-year history, then lampooned it with in-jokes. Still reeling from the loss of his parents, Batman has become commitment averse, even to his foes. Refusing to concede, the Joker (voiced by Zach Galifianakis) is his greatest foe; the Clown Prince of Crime hatches a scheme to unleash a whole new wave of baddies on Gotham City - but not before he surrenders himself to the newly appointed Police Commissioner Barbara Gordon (Rosario Dawson), thereby deflating Batman’s massive ego. Over the course of the film, Batman will have to learn that teamwork is good and friends are important if The Caped Crusader is to be victorious.

SCOTT JACKSON Three (3) stars

Treat your mother to this charming production of Shirley Valentine this Mother’s Day. With much humour, warmth, sympathy, human insight and a great deal of empathy for his female protagonist, Willy Russell brilliantly shows Shirley breaking out of the mould in which she was cast by society.

Shirley Valentine is a wonderfully entertaining monologue by a 42-year-old Liverpool mother whose self-esteem has been battered by school, marriage and life in general. When her best friend wins a Greek vacation for two, Shirley grasps the chance to head for the sun, to re-find herself, follow her dreams and to get a new lease on life.

Shirley Valentine won the award for Best Comedy at the 1988 Laurence Olivier Awards. This production stars the talented and vibrant Mandi Lodge of Busting Out, Menopause The Musical and Always...Patsy Cline fame.

Shirley Valentine is at the Frankston Arts Centre on Friday, May 5, at 8pm.  Tickets cost $27-$55 and are available from thefac.com.au 

FRANKSTON ARTS CENTRE
A: 27-37 Davey St, Frankston
T: 9784 1060
W: thefac.com.au

Kick up your heels and join the adult dance classes at Dance Heels Up from May.

This alternative dance school specialises in casual adult dance classes in Frankston, Hastings and Cranbourne.  With your first class free, no contracts and no experience required, what do you have to lose? 

Aussie Twerk instructor Aimee Carlson aims to have her students feeling sexy, athletic and learning new skills as they work up a sweat. Aimee has featured on Australia’s Got Talent and performed on Das Super Talent in Bremen, Germany in 2016 with the Australian Twerk Team.  Disclosure, the adult hip hop team, took out the AASCF State Championship and won the Best Hip Hop Choreography Award, as well as finishing third at the Nationals on the Gold Coast in 2016.

Classes are available in twerk/booty dance, high heel dance, contemporary and hip hop, and they’re suitable for people of all ages, shapes, sizes, fitness levels and abilities.  So come on, get up and dance!

 DANCE HEELS UP
T: 0400 038 814
W: danceheelsup.com
F: @DanceHeelsUp

Get your paddling arms in shape and get on board an event that’s about to redefine the concept of surfing for a good cause.

On Saturday, April 1, the Mornington Peninsula surfing community will host a unique surf competition at Shoreham with a simple goal – to raise money for the Disabled Surfing Association’s Mornington Peninsula Branch (DSAMP). It doesn’t get much more community than this. 

Registrations are open and excitement is building, with the major prize a $2000 travel voucher from JetStar. All funds raised at the inaugural DSAMP Champs event will help fund DSAMP’s two annual events for surfers with disabilities, held at Pt Leo.

The DSAMP Champs is no ordinary surfing competition. It’s designed to create the ultimate level playing field for all competitors. As organiser Rod Jones from The FirstReef Project team (essentially an organised group of Peninsula surfers with big hearts, looking for innovative ways to support surfers with disabilities) explains, all entrants will surf on identical boards – 10’ soft longboards - and wait til you hear about how you can win!

“There are some very good surfers down here who would dominate the competition so we were very keen right from the start to make sure it wasn’t a normal competition,” Rod explains. “We’ve come up with a fun concept where it’s a team competition, each team has four surfers, and so long as all team members paddle out, catch one wave and stand up, your team qualifies for the prize draw.” So yes, the winning team, plus second and third prizes, will ultimately be drawn from a hat.

Maladiction Longboarders (a club of devoted surfers from the Mornington Peninsula - www.maladiction.org) came up with the prize draw idea and will run the event; Jetstar is on board as the major sponsor via its Community Grant Fund; Trigger Bros are donating the second prize (a Trigger Bros Surf Pack) and third prize is dinner for four at Stillwater at Crittenden, donated by Peninsula Speech Pathology Services.

There are also a bunch of fabulous and fun minor prizes:, for the highest team score, longest noseride, best wipeout, most outrageous manœuvre, best costumes, paddle race winner and beach volleyball winner. The minor prizes include an iPad from Telstra Frankston, wine packs, beer packs, a surf wear pack from Bass Surfboards, and a Gonadman pack from Mark Sutherland!

Entry is $200 per team, register at www.firstreef.weebly.com or ring Rod on 0438 458 064, and for more on the DSAMP visit www.disabledsurfers.org/vic/morning-peninsula-branch

Mornington’s coolest food, wine and music gathering, The Peninsula Picnic, is back! Presented by Infiniti, and this year taking place on the first Saturday in April, it will be the perfect weekend event for foodies, music aficionados and families alike.

Headlined by Melbourne rhythm ensemble The Cat Empire, with a supporting line-up of rocking acts including Bob Evans (Jebediah frontman), Sydney folk angels All Our Exes Live in Texas and local up-and-comers nyck and Harrison Storm, the Mornington Racecourse is set to entertain on April 1.

Eight of the region’s best restaurants and five wineries have been handpicked to keep the crowds buzzing across the one-day festival, including Max’s at Red Hill, Merricks General Wine Store, Alatonero, Polperro, Montalto, Green Olive, D.O.C Mornington, Quely and Flinders Hotel all popping up to fill your basket and your glass.

Pitched among the pristine greenery of the Mornington Racecourse, seamlessly blending the authenticity of a food and wine event with the fun and energy of a live music festival, The Peninsula Picnic presented by Infiniti has built a name for itself as one of the best boutique festivals the state has to offer.  Organisers have expanded the event space for a greater audience, and more great real estate to spread your rug.

There will be no better way to spend your Saturday than with some mates, fresh food and wine and a comfortable patch of grass with The Cat Empire and the stunning Mornington Peninsula as your backdrop.

Tickets are on sale now and expected to sell fast, grab your group, pack your picnic blanket and head to www.peninsulapicnic.com.au to secure your spot now.

A range of inspirational speakers will give a series of talks in Frankston libraries as part of Frank Talks.

In the spirit of Ted Talks, Frank Talks kicks off at Frankston Library at 6pm on Wednesday, March 15, with aquatic scientist Sheree Marris (pictured), who is pursuing a career in marine biology and encourages girls to study science after being told she wasn’t smart enough to finish uni.

Children’s book author and illustrator Nicky Johnston launches The Fix-It Man with Beyond Blue chief executive Georgie Harman on Saturday, March 18, from 1-3pm at Frankston Library, and popular Australian writer Shane Maloney talks about his Murray Whelan crime novels on Saturday, April 8, from 1pm at Frankston Library.

Other speakers will include Melbourne journalist Andrew Rule, who will talk about his Underbelly series; Enemy author Ruth Clare will speak about life with her father, a Vietnam veteran with PTSD; Alice Pung will share insights into her work to promote literacy in the western suburbs; Damon Young will entertain children and parents at Frankston North; Smiling Mind ambassador Dr Michael Carr Gregg will speak about mindfulness; and Sean Dooley will talk about birds at Seaford Library.

These are all free events, but bookings are essential. For more details, phone the library on 9784 1020 or visit http://library.frankston.vic.gov.au/

Count Dracula swoops into Frankston next month in a gripping, critically-acclaimed production created by shake & stir theatre co.

When young lawyer Jonathan Harker visits Castle Dracula deep within the Carpathian mountains, he's not expecting the strange hospitality he receives from his mysterious host. Alone and trapped within the castle walls, Jonathan discovers that Dracula wants more than his presence at the dinner table - he might also be the main course.

Leaving Jonathan for dead and his castle behind, Dracula travels to London on a quest for seduction, true love and, above all, blood.

From the company behind the multi-award-winning national touring productions of 1984 and Animal Farm comes this new adaptation of Bram Stoker's twisted tale. Dracula will be performed at Frankston Arts Centre on Wednesday, April 12, at 7.30pm.  Tickets are $27-$55.  Book at thefac.com.au or phone 9784 1060.
Photos: Dylan Evans

FRANKSTON ARTS CENTRE
A: 27-37 Davey St, Frankston
T: 03 9784 1060
W: thefac.com.au

Little Beauty In The Park is the newest addition to the Untold Events Co calendar.  Brought to you by the founders of the popular Emu Plains Market and Stringybark Cinema, this new market will see the team cross the Peninsula to set up a second home in the gorgeous surrounds of Beauty Park, Frankston.  

“We have been looking for a sister site for over two years and have finally found a space that conveys who we are and what our markets are all about,” says organiser Vanessa Johnson.  

It's an exciting next step for Vanessa and husband Joel's newly formed events company.  Little Beauty will showcase 160 of Melbourne's very best stallholders hand-picked for their uniqueness, creativity and ethos.  It will also feature a children's precinct, live music, food trucks, fresh produce and mouthwatering gourmet food.  

Little Beauty will be on show on March 25 and April 22, with free entry and parking.  For more details, check out the new website www.littlebeautymarket.com.au

LITTLE BEAUTY IN THE PARK
A: Beauty Park, High St, Frankston
T: 5983 1935
W: www.littlebeautymarket.com.au

Original Oz Art Gallery, formerly of Mount Martha, has relocated to the Brialyn Boathouse Gallery in Frankston. 
The Gallery is locally owned and operated by Peter and Christina Nolan. Over the years, Original Oz has built a reputation for having a beautiful collection of original artwork painted by local, Melbourne and interstate award winning artists.
Specialising in local scenes of the magnificent coastline of the Mornington Peninsula, Original Oz has been supplying generations of families with wonderful artwork since 1989. 
The Gallery has undergone a renovation inside and is a wonderful space to relax and view the amazing artworks. The stable of artists has been expanded to include the best of both galleries and offers a diverse collection to all art lovers. There is also a lovely range of giftware, pottery, jewellery and decorative pieces for your home available.
Drop in and see what is on offer.

ORIGINAL OZ ART GALLERY AT THE BOATHOUSE
Open Tuesday-Sunday 11-5pm
A: at the Boathouse, 368 Nepean Highway, Frankston
W: originaloz.com.au
FB: Original Oz Art at the Boathouse Gallery
Instagram: originalozart