WITH only a month to go until the 28 November state election, the field for the Hastings contest has grown to six candidates. Labor’s Paul Mercurio announced during the week that a re-elected Labor government will fund two new classrooms at Tyabb Railway Station Primary School. The pledge is valued at around $690,000. During last week, Liberal candidate Frank Schiefler announced an elected Liberal-National government will invest $250,000 into the extension of the CFA in Somerville. “A Jess Wilson-led Liberal government will invest $250,000 to fully fund the extension of the Somerville CFA station, delivering functional showers, accessible toilets, a…
Browsing: Hastings
ANIMAL Justice Party candidate Chloe Coulson will contest the seat of Hastings in the upcoming state election. Coulson joined the party in early 2026 after deciding she wanted to have a greater impact on environmental change on a political level. Coulson has a background in disability, social work, and community development and has plans to undertake a Master of Teaching next year. “I’ve always been very passionate about the community, environment, and animals,” said Coulson. “I actually live right on the border between Frankston and the Hastings electorate, and I’ve spent a lot of time volunteering there, particularly with environmental…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire have accepted appointment as Committee of Management for 25 hectares of bushland in Hastings. At the 29 September council meeting, councillors voted unanimously in favour of the Minister for Planning’s request for the shire to manage the land. The state government proposed to reserve the land at 197A Henderson Rd, Hastings as a bushland reserve, allowing the shire to protect and manage the significant natural area. Cr Michael Stephens, who moved the motion, said he believes this is a positive outcome for Hastings and the wider peninsula. “This is an opportunity to secure long-term protection of approximately…
MEMBER for Mornington Chris Crewther has announced an elected Liberal government will fund $5m towards major facility upgrades at the Mornington Baseball Club, delivering better facilities for players, families, volunteers and the club’s growing membership. Crewther said the investment would provide the significant upgrade Mornington Baseball Club has been advocating for for over a decade, and help secure the club’s future as a major local sporting facility. “Mornington Baseball Club is an important part of our local sporting community, providing opportunities for children, young people and adults to participate in baseball,” said Crewther. “I have been listening to the club…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Stephen Batty and councillor Michael Stephens have visited the Hastings–Western Port Historical Society to celebrate the completion of restoration works to the society’s historic Fisherman’s Cottage. Built around 1900, the cottage is an early example of a fisherman’s cottage and considered to be one of the oldest buildings in Hastings. It was relocated to its present location in the 1990s to preserve its heritage value. The shire-managed cottage fell into disrepair over the years with fears it would be lost to the elements (“Fears pioneer cottage could be lost”, The News, 15/10/24). The building had to…
MEMBER for Hastings, Paul Mercurio, has announced a re-elected Carroll Labor government will invest $5m to support a new pavilion and redeveloped grounds at Somerville Recreation Reserve. “Currently, the reserve’s pavilion is outdated. Facilities haven’t kept up with demand as participation grows among women and girls,” said a press release sent to The News. “That’s why Labor will back the local council and deliver $5 million towards a brand-new pavilion and upgraded grounds – helping bring to life the new masterplan. “The current facility was built at a time when sport was largely designed around men’s participation. “Labor’s investment will…
THE family of 12-year-old Marnie, this year’s school captain from Hastings Primary School, have turned to the community for support as the vibrant student faces a battle against childhood cancer. Marnie’s aunty Jessekah Thompson told The News her “beautiful niece” Marnie was “incredibly proud” to be named school leader for her final year of primary school. “Marnie has always been someone who goes above and beyond to help others,” said Jessekah. “Whether it is helping younger students, getting involved in the school community or simply being there for another child, Marnie has always been the kind of person who puts…
HASTINGS SES has celebrated the launch of its new memorial garden, which was built in collaboration with students from Western Port Secondary College. On 17 September, Hastings SES held a community celebration to acknowledge the hard work students and volunteers put in to create a place to honour previous SES members. Silvana Hobley, Section Leader of Member Welfare, Wellbeing, and Progression at Hastings SES, said the garden was a result of community collaboration. “It’s been an amazing collaboration not just with Western Port Secondary, but also with Bunnings, and Everest Timber,” said Hobley. “It’s just been an amazing experience.” Bunnings…
POLICE arrested two men after more than $15,000 worth of stolen tools were allegedly located inside a stolen vehicle in Hastings last week. Hastings general duties officers spotted the allegedly stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee travelling along Hodgins Road about 2.30am on Wednesday 16 September. With assistance from the Air Wing, officers followed the vehicle, which was towing an allegedly stolen trailer, through the Hastings area before being dumped under a carport on Spring Street. Two men aged 22 and 40 were arrested nearby. It is alleged approximately $15,000 worth of tools, stolen in Cheltenham earlier, were located in the vehicle.…
By Lance Hodgins ABOUT 50 close friends, councillors and several generations of family members gathered in the Hastings Community Hub on Friday 7 August in special recognition of Brian Stahl OAM. Local councillor Michael Stephens rose to speak about this “very special man” who had given his life to Hastings and the wider Mornington Peninsula for over four decades. In summing up Brian’s life of service he explained that the problem was knowing where to stop. In local government, Brian was a councillor with the old Shire of Hastings for eight years, serving as president in 1992/3. He went on…
HASTINGS Police station’s front lawn was dug up by hooning motorcycles not once, but twice last week. Investigators believe motorcycles were ridden across the lawn on 6 July about 9.30pm and again on 8 July about 5.40pm. Initially, police media told The News that investigations were ongoing, and that “officers have a number of enquires to make”. On Thursday (9 July), police executed a warrant at an address in Auburn Court in Hastings in relation to the vandalism. During a search of the property it is alleged police located a homemade firearm on the premises and arrested a 22-year-old man.…
The new seven-day route will connect Hastings and Mornington, improving access to jobs, schools, retirement villages, shops and local services.The route will also improve public transport coverage along the western section of High Street in Hastings and connect with Frankston-bound buses at Mornington town centre.“The community has asked for a cross-peninsula bus service for decades. I listened, I advocated, and I am so proud that we are delivering this service, thanks to the Allan Labor government,” said Hastings MP Paul Mercurio.“It will enable you to head to work, school or appointments on both sides of the peninsula, making it easier…
By Tony Duboudin CHILDREN and adults turned out in numbers to try out some of the different bicycles on show at the official opening of the Classic Bicycle Gallery in Hastings on Sunday (28 June). The brainchild of local businessman Alan Duke and his family, the gallery is home to around 1000 bicycles from Penny Farthings onwards. The names many of us remember from childhood like Malvern Star and Raleigh are represented along with scores of other brands. The collection includes retro and exotic machines, oddballs, and historic bicycles. The gallery aims to show the history of pedal-powered machines and…
SEVEN new homes in Hastings will soon offer safe, affordable housing for women and children experiencing housing insecurity, delivering long-term stability for some of the peninsula’s most vulnerable residents. Women’s Property Initiatives (WPI), a community housing provider with 28 years experience working with women and women-led families, is developing the $4.5m modular development in partnership with Mornington Peninsula Shire. The shire provided the land on a long-term peppercorn lease – a nominal arrangement in which land is leased for a token amount rather than market rate – with funding coming from Homes Victoria through the state government’s Big Housing Build,…
HASTINGS businessman Ray Percival says he is “fed up” with the lawlessness overnight in Hastings after his shop was targeted by thieves for the third time in recent months. The latest break-in occurred last Tuesday (14 April), with the assailants smashing the glass in the front door to gain access. “Once inside, they caused a hell of a mess, using a walking stick to smash all the security cameras that were recording as it happened,” said Percival. It is believed the footage has been handed to police. “I am just so disappointed that these vandals are targeting a business whose…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has been denied a significant grant aimed at enhancing community sports and recreation facilities in Western Port, but hope remains that they may be successful in a new application The proposed project, the electrification of Pelican Park Recreation Centre in Hastings, was hoped to be made possible under the federal government’s Community Energy Upgrades Fund (CEUF). The CEUF provides matched funding of up to $2.5m for energy efficiency and electrification upgrades to deliver reduced energy bills and emissions from local government-owned or operated facilities. Pelican Park Recreation Centre was closed for much of 2025 while the over…
THERE were plenty of reasons to celebrate at Willum Warrain Aboriginal Gathering Place in Hastings on Saturday 21 March. Willum Warrain is celebrating 12 years of caring for its community members and for the site that it has woven into a beautiful place of reconciliation. Willum Warrain CEO, Uncle Peter Aldenhoven said, “we thank all our mob and allies for helping us celebrate our birthday and for sharing our excitement and hopes for Treaty”. Jules Pittle from Mornington Peninsula Human Rights Group added, “Willum Warrain Aboriginal Gathering Place is a living example of self-determination – Aboriginal people running things their…
A NEW storage facility supporting the SES has been completed in Mornington to increase volunteer emergency response capability on the Mornington Peninsula. The facility, launched last week, was built on vacant land on Racecourse Rd where Hastings SES unit has stationed a response vehicle since 2023 to help meet growing emergency demand across the Mornington area. The new facility was made possible thanks to the Mornington Peninsula Shire committing a local area community capital infrastructure grant of more than $46,000 to support the project. It will provide secure storage for the response vehicle, a storm response trailer and critical emergency…
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit members have arrested and charged a man after executing a warrant in Hastings as part of an ongoing investigation. Officers attended an address in Villawood Drive about 8.45am on 30 January and arrested a 26-year-old man He was interviewed in relation to a number of copper thefts from power poles in the Hastings area since August last year. Officers located a large amount of copper wiring at the property during a search. The 26-year-old has been charged with theft, dealing with property suspected to be the proceeds of crime and commit indictable offence whilst on…
Members from the Mornington DRU executed a drug search warrant in Hastings on the 6th January and located; A 46-year-old female was charged with multiple offences including trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs and remanded until April 2026.
HASTINGS Tennis Club has secured $100,000 in state government funding to upgrade its facilities, including refurbishing its four existing courts and reinstating two courts previously lost to a council dog park. The works are expected to significantly improve playing conditions and increase capacity at the community-based club. Club president Stuart McCulloch said the funding marked a major step forward after years of advocacy to improve aging infrastructure and reclaim lost court space. He said works had begun and were expected to be completed by spring 2026. The club is currently upgrading the surface of the existing four courts including new…
Police are investigating the death of a man in Hastings yesterday. Emergency services were called to a Curlew Court home just before 5pm.A 42-year-old Hastings man was located deceased inside the property. The exact circumstances surrounding the man’s death are yet to be established. Homicide Squad detectives have attended the scene to provide assistance, at this stage. The investigation remains ongoing, and a postmortem will be conducted this morning. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au https://www.police.vic.gov.au/police-investigate-hastings-death
A VIBRANT series of themed workshops creating gifts and Christmas decorations, has Hastings’ new Community Craft Shed doing what its founder hoped. The craft shed, next to the Hastings Primary School in Hodgins Rd, was the dream of retired Western Port Craft Expo convenor Sandra Beckett. Seeing so many Western Port crafters enjoying the expo, Beckett wanted a place where they could come during the week to sew, knit, weave, crochet, pass on their expertise, and enjoy each other’s company. The first workshop held in early November was presented by Somerville poppy maker Jenny Mann, making remembrance poppies. Sufficient red…
THE future of one of the peninsula’s longest running theatre companies is uncertain after the Mornington Peninsula Shire reportedly lost key documents and failed to provide a new venue. Panorama Theatre Company, which has operated for over 40 years, was evicted from their venue in Hastings shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s president, Darren O’Shea, said the eviction came after confusion and missing paperwork within the council. O’Shea said the company was given the use of an old council shed in Hastings “many, many years ago” under a signed agreement which included a clause saying the council would find…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have backed a formal submission on the environmental assessment for the proposed Port of Hastings renewable energy terminal, urging stronger safeguards for Western Port. The Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal (VRET), proposed by the Port of Hastings Corporation, a state government-owned entity, would act as a dedicated assembly port in Western Port to support the construction of Victoria’s first offshore wind farms along the Victorian coast. The project proposes a landside development and new land reclamation of about 16.5 hectares in area. A draft Environment Effects Statement (EES) on scoping requirements was released for community comment late…
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Hunter Scott. The 18-year-old man is wanted on warrant for armed robbery, theft of motor vehicle, attempted burglary, drive whilst disqualified and theft offences. Scott is described as Caucasian in appearance, approximately 175cm tall, with brown hair, fair complexion and medium build. He is known to frequent the Hastings area. Investigators have released an image of Scott in the hope that someone may be able to provide information on his current whereabouts. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a…
The extensions to Holy Trinity Church in Hastings have officially opened.Since 1993, the Old Church had been used as an Op Shop, but was destroyed by arson in 2017.In its place, the church has rebuilt an extension to the current church premises. The extension comprises a new church foyer and a new Op Shop.The ribbon was cut by Geoff Stockton; a living connection to the church’s founding in the 1880s, as his great grandfather, Alfred Manx Stockton was one of the pioneers who started the church.Having operated in a portable for the last eight years, the Op Shop will open…
AT Advance College of Education, students that have struggled in the mainstream education system are given the opportunity to earn their senior secondary certificates in a supportive and alternative learning environment.“What makes our school so unique is that we offer students who haven’t succeeded in mainstream education another opportunity in a different way,” Assistant Principal Kris Helisma said. “We really operate on building strong relationships with our students.”The school commits to small class sizes and personalised teaching, making it stand out from traditional methods of teaching. “They have just one teacher for all subjects for the year, which helps build…
AN independent specialist school in Hastings is set to move forward with a $4m plan to build a new educational facility at its existing campus as the school reaches capacity in student numbers.Advance College of Education has submitted a proposal to create a new education facility adjacent to the current campus at 1973 Frankston-Flinders Rd in Hastings, which aims to accommodate a growing demand for courses and space. The proposal also aims to better support students aged primarily between 15 and 19 who may face challenges in mainstream schools, increase support for at-risk students, additional staff and resources, a comprehensive…
Somerville Highway Patrol officers have caught a drink driver following a collision in Hastings last night. Officers were called to the corner of Victoria Street and Spring Street to reports of an Audi Q5 colliding with a parked truck about 8:15pm. The driver of the Audi, a 46-year-old woman, underwent a preliminary breath test which returned a positive result. She accompanied police to a local station and underwent an evidentiary breath test where she returned an alleged reading of 0.263. She was issued an immediate driving ban and has been charged on summons with exceeding the prescribed content of alcohol…