Latest news with #MorningtonPeninsula
Daily Mail
13-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Josh, 22, was living the dream, set to join his mates on the holiday of a lifetime. But then he noticed a small bump on his leg... and his life was turned upside down
When 22-year-old Josh Pardo noticed a strange lump bulging from his upper thigh in late May, he feared the worst but held onto hope. Healthy, happy, and on the brink of a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to Bali with his four best mates, the young Aussie had been living his best life. From running his own lawn mowing business in Victoria's Mornington Peninsula to helping with the family's small online printing company and spending quality time with his girlfriend Tara, Josh was enjoying the freedoms of young adulthood. But within three days, his life was turned upside down by a shock diagnosis: stage three lymphoma - a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. 'I noticed a lump in my groin, in the upper thigh, almost,' Josh told FEMAIL. 'It was the size of a big grape; it was almost protruding out of my skin.' Before telling his parents, he did what many would do - he searched online for answers. He quickly realised that was a mistake. 'I thought it was pretty weird, but I was quick on the ball and booked myself in with the doctors the next day,' he said. Up until then, Josh had no symptoms, no pain, and no fatigue. With no history of cancer or serious illness in his family, he remained optimistic. However, what followed was a whirlwind of physical exams, an urgent ultrasound, and an anxious wait. 'I got my ultrasound result pictures on my phone, and I was putting it into AI trying to get it to analyse it. It gave me false hope and told me it was like a benign growth or just a swollen lymph node,' he said. Just a week later, a biopsy and PET scan confirmed Josh's worst fear - not only was it cancer, but it had already progressed to stage three, spreading as far as his diaphragm. Josh had been days away from boarding a flight to Bali with his closest friends. The trip was meant to be a celebration of freedom, mateship, and memories. But his cancer had other plans. Josh made the difficult decision to cancel his dream holiday, slow down, and focus on his health. Heartwarmingly, he wasn't just thinking about himself, he was thinking about his parents too. 'Mum and Dad sat me down. I could tell they'd been crying, and I decided to pull the pin... on Bali,' he said. Instead of Bintang beers and beach sunsets, Josh was suddenly preparing for the fight of his life against an aggressive disease. Doctors scheduled six months of intensive chemotherapy, with side effects including hair loss, nausea, and fatigue. His immune system will be severely compromised, meaning he can't live at home with his younger siblings - a 16-year-old brother and nine-year-old sister - who could unknowingly expose him to schoolyard germs. 'My mum put out a Facebook post to all of her friends to help me find a place near the hospital where I can set up on my own. It's so I don't have to be in contact with people all the time,' Josh said. Josh's treatment plan is intense, but thankfully, it has a high success rate. The challenge now is getting through it, both emotionally and financially. With his family recently relocating to Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, they won't be close-by so he'll be dealing with a lot of the next six months alone. In preparation for his first round of chemotherapy in July, Josh has had to stop working, meaning he's lost the income from his lawn mowing business. And while the family's online printing venture continues, his parents are now stretched thin trying to support Josh, run the business, and care for two school-aged children. At just 22 years old, Josh should be worrying about weekend plans, first apartments, and bucket list adventures. Instead, he's facing the terrifying unknown - a six-month battle that no young person should have to fight alone. 'It's just one of those things that you read about online you never, ever expected to happen you,' he said. 'Every morning, I wake up and for the first minute or so, life is normal. Then reality sets in.' But through it all, Josh remains remarkably grounded and optimistic. He knows the months ahead will be gruelling, but with the help of his family, friends, and community, he's determined to come out the other side. 'I'm pretty content with it, and I know there's a lot of people who don't have the community that I have,' he said. 'The survival rate for this is at my age is about 90 per cent, which is amazing.' And thing he's most looking forward to when this is all over? 'Having some beers at the footy with my mates, and getting back to travelling lots'.
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Sugar Kane Watts selling Melbourne home
Champion Australian boxer 'Sugar' Kane Watts is set to auction his Langwarrin home on Saturday, and with approved plans for a second dwelling, it's tipped for a heavy-hitting result. Watts, who once fought Danny Green and challenged for a world title in Paris, held both the World Boxing Association Oceania and Australian cruiserweight belts during his 27-fight professional career, racking up 22 wins — including 14 by knockout. Known for his grit in the ring and powerful right hand, the Mornington Peninsula-based fighter earned a reputation as one of Australia's most relentless cruiserweights, with a boxing journey that took him from local bouts to international title contention. First look: Melb's $80m village unveiled Now, he's looking to offload his four-bedroom, three-bathroom home at 10 Kuranda St — a fully renovated family retreat on a generous 896sq m block with development upside already approved. The property includes two distinct living zones, a modern kitchen with stone benchtops, timber-style floors, updated bathrooms, and two log fireplaces. A spacious rear deck with a built-in spa overlooks a large backyard, offering both lifestyle and entertaining appeal. Watts has also added a self-contained upstairs retreat, complete with a bedroom, bathroom, living space and fireplace, making it ideal for multigenerational living, teenagers seeking independence, or long-stay guests. McGrath Langwarrin's Ty Luff said the listing had drawn strong and varied interest, with local families and upgraders joined by interstate buyers increasingly eyeing Langwarrin for its blend of space, lifestyle and affordability. 'You've got a stylish, move-in-ready home with approved plans for a four-bedroom, two-living townhouse at the rear,' Mr Luff said. 'That kind of flexibility is incredibly rare and adds real long-term value.' He said the approved permits gave buyers the option to build now or land bank for future growth, something becoming harder to find in the increasingly competitive outer southeast. Mr Luff added that the vendor's profile had sparked extra curiosity during inspections. 'Kane's a household name in boxing circles, and the attention to detail in this renovation reflects that same discipline and commitment,' he said. With buyers increasingly priced out of bayside and Mornington Peninsula suburbs, Langwarrin has emerged as a strong alternative, offering larger blocks, family-friendly streets, and easy access to schools, parks and the freeway. The home will go under the hammer at 11.30am Saturday, with a price guide of $990,000-$1.089m.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Driver slammed for 'outright stupid' dog act risking $592 fine
Footage of a motorist walking two dogs from a moving car has been captured on a sandy road close to a major Australian city, and a vet is urging dog owners not to follow in the driver's footsteps — or at least, to keep up with your own. The video was filmed in the seaside suburb of Blairgowrie on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula last week, and the two dogs, one large, fluffy and trotting, and the other small and running, were being guided alongside a slow moving car. The person behind the camera joked they were witnessing the "future of dog walking" in action. "The peak of Mornington Peninsula innovation for when you want to walk the dogs but can't be bothered getting out of the car," they said. The behaviour was slammed on social media, with Aussies questioning why a dog owner would be "outright stupid" like this. It is not known if the owner has any mobility issues preventing them from walking. "Horrible. It's so easy for this to go horribly wrong. Dogs are f***king idiots. I love them, but they cannot be trusted in matters of self preservation," one said, while another replied, "If dogs are idiots, we're going to need a new adjective for the people walking them with a car." 🏖️ Pet owner's urgent warning after dog almost dies following trip to beach 😲 Footage of 'terrifying' backyard moment in Aussie pool shocks millions 🦮 Pet owners warned after three dogs die at popular Aussie beach There are a number of risks associated with 'walking your dog' outside a moving vehicle, and SASH vet Aaron Koey told Yahoo News owners should never walk their dogs this way. "This way of walking dogs has the potential to train dogs to chase cars, result in choking on the lead, and traumatic injuries from accidental motor vehicle injuries," he told Yahoo News. "If the dog was to be run over, injuries sustained could include fractures, internal injuries, and potentially result in death." Working at one of the two veterinary trauma centres SASH has in Australia, Aaron explained he has seen firsthand the devastating injuries pets can get from colliding with cars. "We see a number of dogs and cats who present to emergency for motor vehicle injuries. Common scenarios are injuries from dogs being run over by cars off-lead but also unsecured dogs jumping out of cars and utes while in motion," he said, urging people to simply walk their dog the normal way. "Walking the dog by foot is a safer (and healthier) way to walk dogs, both for dogs and the owner," he said. "We would encourage owners to maintain control of their dogs all the time, focusing on the dog and surroundings." Victoria Police confirmed to Yahoo News it is an offence to lead an animal while driving or riding in a vehicle. Those caught committing the offence can be fined $592. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
News.com.au
28-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Victoria: Priciest homes revealed including Toorak record-buster
New and old rich-listers splashed an eye-watering $540m-plus on Victoria's 20 most expensive homes of the past 12 months. A record-busting sale reported to fall between $115m to $135m for Toorak mansion Coonac topped the pile. It was also the nation's biggest deal for the 2024-25 financial year although industry sources indicated the transaction likely fell at the range's lower end. Other Toorak listings clocked up individual circa-$70m and $40m sales. Elsewhere, luxurious pads in Canterbury, South Yarra, Brighton and the Mornington Peninsula scored eight-figure sales. But it was the circa-1867 Italianate mansion Coonac that smashed Melbourne's $80.88m benchmark. Industry insiders linked the off-market sale to Kay & Burton managing director Ross Savas and chair Gerald Delany. While it's not been officially confirmed, billionaire Dennis Bastas was widely tipped to have purchased Coonac. Mr Bastas runs a healthcare empire through his leadership roles at Arrotex Pharmaceuticals, myDNA and DBG Health. Mr Savas said the upper end of the Melbourne market has remained resilient. 'Many are taking a generational view — prioritising long-term security, lifestyle alignment and legacy over short-term market fluctuations,' he said, 'At the same time, favourable economic conditions, including the low Australian dollar, continue to attract international interest — particularly from expatriates and global buyers looking to establish roots in Melbourne.' The luxurious six-bedroom mansion at 2-4 Macquarie Rd fetched a figure in the vicinity of $70m shortly before Christmas. Automation platform Neota chairman John Lord and his wife Sue sold the home where visitors are greeted with a sweeping marble staircase, and are likely to enjoy a dedicated basement cinema or the home's temperature-controlled wine cellar and tasting room. Forbes Global Properties' Michael Gibson handled the listing – along with another $40m Toorak pad that changed hands off market. Mr Gibson said there was often multiple buyers for homes prices at $10m to $30. 'The premier market over the past year has been as strong as ever … one thing we are short on is properties to sell,' he added. When it came to luxury features it wasn't uncommon for homeowners to want double-level basements for entertaining, exercising and storing car collections, said Forbes Global Properties director Robert Fletcher, who oversaw a $29m Toorak deal in March. 'I think people who have a large amount of cars tend to look for space for between six to eight cars,' he said. Forbes colleague, senior associate Tracy Tian Belcher said some buyers were more hesitant to buy amid uncertainty about many cuts will be made to Australia's official cash rate across the second half of 2025. Ms Belcher said that even if clients were quite well off, the 13 hikes interest rates across the nation between May 2022 and November 2023 had affected many of them – while reporting on current economic conditions could impact people's emotions. 'Last year, one of my buyers was involved in a six-month long negotiation process for a Toorak home,' Ms Belcher said. Melbourne Sotheby's International Realty managing director Antoinette Nido and colleague Max Ruttner oversaw a $25.6m South Yarra transaction in December. 'Look at me addresses' were important to many recently cashed-up buyers, Ms Nido said. 'What's notable is that a lot of young business people who have made money in IPOs are doing very well,' she said. 'People who you have never heard of will call and when you ask how much they want to spent, it can be $40m to $50m.' Marshall White group sales director John Bongiorno said demand in the Melbourne prestige market's top end had consolidated in the past 12 months as the city's population boomed. 'I think that there are more buyers in the $10m-plus category,' Mr Bongiorno said. 'The amount of people out there with substantial wealth, it's a far bigger than what it was 12 months ago, two years ago, five years ago.' Marshall White handled the $30m-plus sale of a French Provincial-inspired Canterbury house boasting a 16-car showroom, eight bathrooms, a cinema and day spa with a sauna in March, listed by agents Andy Nasr and Marcus Chiminello. Many top-end buyers were taking a long view, prioritising the security, prestige and practicality of homes over price movements, Kay & Burton Stonnington director Darren Lewenberg said. 'These aren't short-term flips, they're generational homes,' Mr Lewenberg said. Many homes that transacted had been fully rebuilt or renovated by architects and interior designers well before being listed. 'Buyers at this level don't want to lift a finger. They want to walk in and start living,' Mr Lewenberg said. Industry Insider Property founder and prestige buyers agent Andrew Date said the surge in off-market deals was one of the most notable shifts in 2024–25. 'Most of the biggest sales never hit the portals. They're done over lunch, through networks, and only involve a few key people,' Mr Date said. 'These homes are so rare, they're not just about location, but land, architectural pedigree, and lifestyle.' Mr Date said prestige demand had also crept further afield especially towards the Mornington Peninsula. VICTORIA'S MOST EXPENSIVE HOME SALES, 2024-25 FINANCIAL YEAR Coonac, Toorak Price: $115m-$135m Agents: industry sources linked the off-market sale to Kay & Burton's Ross Savas and Gerald Delany. 2-4 Macquarie Rd, Toorak circa $70m Agent: Forbes Global Properties' Michael Gibson Address withheld, Toorak $40m Agent: Forbes Global Properties' Michael Gibson 38 Monomeath Ave, Canterbury circa $30m+ Agents: Marshall White's Andy Nasr and Marcus Chiminello. 27 St Georges Rd, Toorak circa $29m Agent: Forbes Global Properties director Robert Fletcher 177-181 Walsh St, South Yarra $25.6m Agent: Melbourne Sotheby's International Realty Antoinette Nido and Max Ruttner 5 St Ninians Rd, Brighton $23m Agents: Marshall White's Ben Vieth and Andy Nasr 10 Struan St, Toorak $22m Agents: Marshall White's Marcus Chiminello and Nicole French Address withheld, South Yarra $21.2m Agency: Withheld 12 Lansell Rd, Toorak $21m Agent: Kay & Burton's Gowan Stubbings 7 Gawith Court, Toorak circa $20-22m Agents: Marshall White's Marcus Chiminello and Nicole French 35 20 Point Nepean Rd, Sorrento $20m+ Agents: Kay & Burton's Liz Jensen and Gerald Delany 6 Macquarie Rd, Toorak circa $20m Agents: Marshall White's Marcus Chiminello and Nicole French 10 Highgate Hill, Toorak $19.3m Agent: Kay & Burton's Oliver Booth 4 Grant Ave, Toorak $19m Agent: Forbes Global Properties' Mike Gibson 8 Robertson St, Toorak $19m Agent: RT Edgar's Mark Wridgway 3786 Point Nepean Rd, Portsea $19m Agents: RT Edgar's David Gillham and Ilze Moran 11 Berkeley Street, Hawthorn $18,888,999 Agents: Jellis Craig's Perry Zhou and Elsa Li 11 Kent Court, Toorak circa $18m Agents: RT Edgar's Tim Brown and Sarah Case 14 Grandview Grove, Hawthorn East $17.5m Agents: Marshall White's James Tostevin and John Bongiorno 444 Musk Creek Road, Flinders circa $17.5m Agency: Forbes Global Properties
News.com.au
26-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Carly Thomas chasing first city win at Caulfield on Saturday
The circumstances weren't ideal but Carly Thomas knew the time had arrived to finally secure her trainers' licence. Thomas's partner Kane Harris was suspended for six months, leaving her to dive into training in her own right. However, Thomas had a deep grounding working for Group 1-winning trainers Pat Carey and Jason Warren on the Mornington Peninsula and spent time caring for a former star sprinter on his travels. 'I got my trainers' licence last September,' Thomas said. 'We'd originally bought the horse together as a yearling and we worked together but unfortunately Kane sustained a suspension so I took over the training. • Decision on 2026 Cox Plate host delayed 'I spent 10 or 11 years at Pat Carey's and five or six years at Jason Warren's. 'I travelled around with old Bel Sprinter and that was a fantastic experience to travel around Australia and to Singapore with him and have that responsibility. 'It was always something in the pipeworks and it has definitely been a different perspective having your name on everything but I guess it's the next progressive step when you've been in the industry so long.' Thomas has produced five winners from 55 starters in the early months of her training career but will chase her first city success in Saturday's Sportsbet Race Previews Handicap (1000m) at Caulfield. Just Remember It has won two of his three starts this time in, breaking his maiden at Pakenham last month before saluting on the Ballarat Synthetic track at his last appearance on June 11. Thomas decided against running Just Remember It at Flemington last Saturday and nominated the son of Hellbent for interstate contests before settling on the Caulfield option. 'It turned out to be a good choice because I don't think anything would have beaten that She's An Artist (at Flemington) last Saturday,' Thomas said. 'I think he deserves a crack at the stumps at Caulfield on Saturday.' Just Remember It has firmed from $23 to $19 in early betting on the $150,000 race in which he will take on eight rivals with jockey Craig Newitt aboard. Thomas said Just Remember It could exploit a fitness advantage on most of his opposition should a strong early speed prevail in the three-year-old sprint. 'I think he's a really nice horse but he just does a few things wrong,' Thomas said. 'This prep, I think he's learned a lot and he's definitely a city type of horse. 'It's a strong race as you'd expect but there's a lot of speed in it so if he can just sit off them and finish it off. 'He's the fit horse in the race and he'll have a nice crack at them.' The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Manolo Bling is the well-backed favourite to post her second win this time in, firming from $3.50 to $3.10.
