A culture war in our shire council
During last week’s council meeting, the deputy mayor, Cr Paul Pingiaro moved a motion that included the funding of Creative and Performing Arts be completely cut and six councillors supported it. As the founder of poetry event Poets’ Corner and a creative living on the Mornington Peninsula I think it is incredibly disappointing that the council don’t see the multitude of values, including economic, in funding creative and performing arts.
By no longer offering the Creative and Performance Arts fund our shire is effectively removing opportunities for many individuals, local groups and organisations which rely on shire funding to provide countless activities for young, old and the disabled. The decision to wipe the fund shows a complete disregard for this local sector particularly given what it has been through in recent years.
I also do not agree with cutting the Inclusion Subsidy to Willum Warrain. I believe this projects a contemptuous attitude towards our First Nations people. I am deeply ashamed that our shire is denying them much needed financial assistance. I am aware of the very important work that they do; everything from providing a connection to culture to immunisation and health programs.
In my view, what the shire is lacking is an inclusive and effective social policy focussed on social cohesion which arts and cultural heritage offers. I would like to know why the funding of the Willum Warrain subsidy was cut. I would also like to understand the reasoning behind why the Creative and Performing Arts fund was also completely cut. Why not share the burden of a deficit with other groups such as sport and recreation for example?
I want to encourage people to attend Tuesday night’s (20 May) council meeting being held at the Flinders Civic Hall. Be there so they know we exist!
Heather Forbes-McKeon, McCrae
Respectful governance
The recent Mornington Peninsula Shire Council meeting laid bare a passionate but deeply divided chamber. While spirited debate is a natural and necessary part of any healthy democracy, the tone and conduct suggest a council struggling to work as a unified body in serving all its residents.
It is essential to acknowledge that the newly adopted 2024–25 budget marks a shift in priorities, with a greater emphasis on broader community spending in response to economic pressures. There will always be differing views on how best to allocate public funds, and the diversity of opinion among councillors can, and should, be a strength, not a source of dysfunction.
What is concerning, however, are the allegations of exclusion, poor communication, and breakdowns in process that emerged during the meeting. If true, such behaviours risk sidelining the voices of entire communities and eroding trust in the institutions meant to serve us all. While caucusing is not prohibited, governance must still be grounded in fairness, transparency, and respect, both for the democratic process and for one another. That said, we must not lose sight of the goodwill and intentions that likely brought all councillors to the table in the first place: a desire to serve the peninsula’s people.
It is only through constructive dialogue, even in disagreement, that progress can be made. Residents deserve a collaborative council, not combative; one that challenges ideas without attacking individuals.
Now is the time for councillors to recommit to inclusive leadership. By ensuring all voices are heard, from every ward, every community, and every councillor, the shire can begin to rebuild trust and govern with the integrity and unity our region deserves.
Anne Kruger, Rye
Transport travesty
I am compelled to write and show support for Michelle Gregory of Somers in response to her letter (Bring back the Baxter to Mornington train line, Letters 13/5/25) discussing the lack of infrastructure on the Mornington Peninsula.
The situation is a travesty. Having visited many third world countries over the years while engaged in volunteer, charitable efforts, the bus and public transport systems in these far-flung corners of the globe are often more efficient than what we are afforded here on the Mornington Peninsula, most especially the Western Port side.
I had an argument with my husband last night. Not a regular occurrence in our usually civil and happy household, but it happens. As we are a one car family, I was ready to pack my bags and head to Melbourne via Frankston station the next morning. I looked up the timetable and discovered the circuitous bus route from Flinders to Frankston station would take over 1.5 hours, stopping a whopping 72 times! Whaaaaaaat? This is not a service, this is a punishment! This is not a third world country, or is it?This (non) service is not connecting community, it is disconnecting and isolating.
I begrudgingly unpacked my bag and decided to stay put and wait it out until my spouse apologises.
Teenagers, young adults, retired aged citizens, people without a driver’s license, in fact, everyone is being discriminated against and stymied by the lack of a safe and efficient public transport system on our beloved Mornington Peninsula. Thanks Michelle Gregory for spurring me on. Next on my “To Do” list, is a letter to Zoe McKenzie.
Tori Potter, Flinders
Budget cuts wrong
Thanks for your paper’s report on the decision of the Council at their meeting on May 6 to cut funding to Willum Warrain, the Shire’s only Aboriginal Gathering Place (Winners and losers in budget shakeup, The News 13/5/25).
A report by Sky News on May 8 was praising the mayor Marsh and deputy mayor Pingiaro for reprioritising community money back into the community, specifically $150,000 going towards commemorative events subsidies to support Australia Day and Anzac Day.
We have a large group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living on the Mornington Peninsula with Hastings and Capel Sound having the greatest number per suburb. The shire grant is absolutely vital for Willum Warrain to continue its important work. It is only a tiny amount within the shire’s budget. To “knock it off” without any community consultation is a disgrace.
The whole of the Mornington Peninsula once belonged to First Nations people. Colonisers stole it. Surely it is only decent to give some support back. Most residents recognise First Nations people as valued members of the community unlike these council ideologues!
Joan Doyle, Dromana
Budget cuts
Reading about the cuts to the budget that the shire have made to the excellent programs at Willum Warrain and Friends of Lospalos, (also Repower, the climate emergency and the arts) makes me wonder, do the councillors think through the consequences of their hasty or ideological actions. Many of the cuts are very short sighted. Tony Abbott cut five hundred million dollars from the of Aboriginal material health and childcare programs in the NT and ten years later Alice Springs paid the price, experiencing a family and youth crisis.
The many services and groups at Willum Warrain are endeavouring to give our First Nations people hope and strategies on how to navigate this world. Programs that will reap rewards for all Australians.
The stupidity of withdrawing funds from the Friends of Lospalos is beyond belief. Apart from the ethics and morals involved. If Australia vacates this space China will move in.
I didn’t vote for this at the recent Shire elections.
Marilyn Hoban, Mornington
Winners and losers?
“Winners and losers in budget shakeup” says the headline (The News 13/5/25). To criticise the media these days is to be reflexively accused of blaming the messenger, but what if the messenger is distorting the message?
It has been fashionable for years for newspapers and television stations to present any analysis of any budget produced by any level of government in terms of “winners and losers”; the divisive emphasis being on who is advantaged by the budget and who is not.
If budgets are to be analysed by the media, and not simply reported, then surely what we want to know is on what is our money being spent and how it affects the community as a whole; whether or this spending produces the greatest good for the greatest number.
Albert Riley, Mornington
Stingray attacks
There have been two stingray attacks at Fishies beach this year, with at least two last year needing urgent medical attention. The last attack was last Monday. The toxin causes excruciating pain and in one case loss of memory for some hours. In another case surgery was required to remove the quill.
I wonder whether other bathers are aware of the risk. It would be interesting to know whether other swimmers there have sustained injuries.
Dolly Beaty, Mornington
Animal cruelty
The inhumane use of poison to kill animals is undertaken by Parks Victoria. Supposedly to protect wildlife from foxes and feral cats but poisons wildlife as well. PAPP is toxic to wallabies. 1080 is used to control wallabies in Vic. It may or may not have been used in the Mornington Peninsula National Park between Portsea and Rye. Locals have seen many wallaby bodies in the area.
So, my question is, can we get some clarity from Parks Victoria on why they use indiscriminate poisoning that inflicts an inhumane slow death on animals? This, compounded by recent snipers killing koalas and Brumbies is unethical and wrong.
Tracey Asquith, Hastings
Climate clash
Joe Lenzo, in his reply (Climate science, Letters 13/5/2025) still did not address my claim that the theory of CO2 gas in the atmosphere causing planetary warming is just that – a theory, not proven.
All heat comes from the sun and if you are simple minded enough to believe that solar output is constant, like a light bulb, then stop reading now.
The sun is a dynamic entity such that the human mind, and science, cannot comprehend it.
Scientists know next to nothing. One phenomenon that is observed but little understood is the lengthy cycles of sunspot activity, during which the solar radiation is changed slightly in magnitude and composition.
There is a tenuous association between sunspot activity and planetary temperature. Of course the planet is warming, having exited four centuries of cold temperatures, we are hopefully, naturally returning to “normal”. Of course weather patterns are changing, due to ocean currents, deep oceans, warming oceans, water vapour in the air, maybe 20 or 30 variables that cannot be predicted, or even known.
Not much enlightenment is provided by Joe pulling out a favourable selection of sceptics of his theory, none of them climate scientists, and ridiculing them. If only he had also looked up sceptics who are indeed respected climate, and other, scientists he might be able to see the light. I always point to the Swedish climate change expert, knowing as much about climate science as my cat, a failed schoolgirl with a worldwide following on Facebook, addressing the United Nations. How ridiculous that was.
Brian A Mitchelson, Mornington
Walk thanks
I extend my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to the community for their participation and support of our 2025 South East Melbourne Memory Walk and Jog. It was wonderful to see the South East Melbourne community rally in support of people living with dementia, their families and carers. To all those who walked, ran, jogged, donated and volunteered, thank you. This event would not have been possible without your support. Our 2025 event on Saturday 10 May at Peter Scullin Reserve, Mordialloc was a success, with the community helping to raise over $40,000. These funds will help us provide invaluable support services, education and resources for all Australians impacted by dementia.
It was also great to see everyone getting active for their brain health, one of the key things we can all do to help lower our risk of dementia. I encourage anyone unable to participate this time to consider organising their own group or individual walk or jog, with a MyWay event. More details can be found at www.memorywalk.com.au/get-involved/mw.
Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO Dementia Australia
Progress!
Now that the election is over I decided to go on my regular “inspection” of Barkly Street in Mornington as I haven’t been there for about six weeks.
Surprise, surprise, the clocks at the main roundabout are all on time, but the biggest surprise was that the spelling mistakes on the sign at the Gordon Street corner have been corrected!
Hard to believe after all the years, but it’s true, Wow, it is true!
Also the down travellator in Centro is working!
All is good in Barkly Street. So I better celebrate by having something good to eat in the local patisserie or the sandwich shop. No names, but if you like great food then you will know which shops they are and where there are.
Lance Rickard, Mount Martha
Moving on
Turmoil; Russia and Ukraine, India and Pakistan, Israel and Palestine, Donald Trump and Greenland, Europe’s far right slide. Safe to travel?
The principle talent of a lifetime is to apply oneself to various talents. Taking one single action may seem the correct course in youth; indeed if it’s your driving ambition go for it. But after some 10-20 years it may be time to step outside your confined circle, albeit your belief in your present happiness, and take in the world around you.
Variety and adaptability, we’re only here once, apparently?
Anthony Albanese tells us all decisions are made after discussions with Caucus. By amazing coincidence, they give Mark Dreyfus the boot; not happy Jan.
Not quite a Tony Abbott about face, albeit the amazing self-confidence, casting a small shadow, for now, the supposed opposition down to Angus Taylor, Sussan Ley, or just as doubtful Dan Tehan and Tim Wilson?
And the smashed eggs on the faces of 7, 9, 10 and Sky News; we listened not; the same for Peter Dutton’s nonsense claim the ABC and Guardian as hate media, not to mention his first and only policy was fear.
A combination of the right wing gallery and Dutton himself. Let’s hope out Prime Minister doesn’t let it go to his head?
Cliff Ellen, Rye
