Open letter to the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
I’m writing to you about the recent decision to cut funding across several areas of the arts within our region. While the arts may be a “soft target”, this perception fundamentally underestimates the wide-ranging and long-term value that a thriving creative sector provides to the peninsula.
If the council aims to spend ratepayer money wisely, cutting the arts is a false economy. Investment in the arts consistently delivers strong returns – in terms of cultural enrichment, economic stimulus, tourism, job creation, community wellbeing, and regional identity.
Consider the example of South Korea, where a strategic, government-led investment in cultural industries (film, design, music, art) over the past two decades has transformed the country into a global cultural leader. The so-called “Korean Wave” didn’t emerge by chance. It was the result of long-term planning and government backing. The outcome? Billions in export revenue, thriving tourism, a booming creative sector, and international recognition. While the Mornington Peninsula may not be aiming for global cultural influence, the lesson applies: when local government invests in the arts, the entire community benefits.
Here’s why reversing this funding decision is not only the right thing, but the smart thing:
The arts drive local economies: Festivals, exhibitions, public art, and performances draw visitors, stimulate spending in local hospitality and retail, and support hundreds of jobs.
They improve health and wellbeing: Creative programs enhance mental health, reduce isolation, and support the inclusion of youth, aged care, and people with disabilities.
They build community pride and identity: A region that values its artists and storytellers demonstrates its appreciation for creativity, culture, and belonging.
They attract co-funding: Local support often unlocks additional investment from state and federal sources or philanthropic organisations.
The Mornington Peninsula is already known for its natural beauty. It should be equally recognised for its cultural vitality.
Michael Leeworthy, Red Hill South
What really matters
Rupert Steiner’s letter (Marsh guillotine, Letters 24/6/25) is a timely reminder to question what sort of community we really should be on the Mornington Peninsula.
Do we want a community led by a Trumpish clique of six that elevates individualism above connectedness, self-interest against the common good?
Do we want a society without opportunities for creativity in the arts, or devoid of empathy for those less fortunate, the homeless or for those left with the legacy and ongoing impacts of injustices?
Do we want the remaining expressions of the natural world replaced by more car parks and widened roads?
Or do we want a community vibrant with imagination and innovation within a natural environment that nurtures and revitalizes?
Do we want to continue to sweep past indigenous injustices under the mat or do we support First Peoples’ initiatives that benefit all of us?
Do we applaud record numbers of arrests (Crime rate jumps 24% with record arrests, The News 24/6/25) as evidence of being “tough on crime”, or do we invest in early-life interventions as a way of avoiding criminalisation later?
Do we envisage a society with compassion and a readiness to reach out, even beyond our own sphere, such as the Timor-Leste supporters vowing to continue their invaluable projects for impoverished communities despite brutal Shire funds cuts (Timor-Leste supports vow to continue despite shire funds cut, The News 24/6/25). Councillor David Gill admirably went against this council’s meanness with his personal donation of $5000 matching dollar for dollar.
Or, closer to home, do we support the valuable work for mental health of which the Men’s Shed is a vital part (Future on the line for cramped Men’s Shed, The News 24/6/25)
Isn’t it time to reflect on what really matters in today’s seemingly self-absorbed world?
Henk van Leeuwen, Mount Martha
Climate delusions
Ann Robb, Secretary-Mornington Environment Association (Climate dismay, Letters 24/06/25) would have us believe that our council, by deleting funding for climate change initiatives is going to play some part in advancing a climate crisis resulting in increased floods, storms and bushfires.
In all fairness, this is an ideology promoted by Anthony Albanese, Chris Bowen and many others resulting in untold billions being directed from our economy to subsidise all manner of green projects from solar farms, land and sea wind turbines, electric cars etc. not one of these ventures would be viable without subsidies which we all pay for with our taxes.
How the Rosebud Hospital could use a little of this wasted money.
The fact remains, if Australia achieved zero greenhouse house emissions at great personal cost with ever rising power prices , the effect on climate would be negligible. How the promoters of such a scheme can accept the terrible increase to our cost of living, let alone the environmental damage to our Forrest’s, farmlands, and wildlife is beyond belief. But sadly that is the present situation.
At least we are keeping China happy as the chief manufacturer of solar panels, wind turbines and electric cars, all made with power largely generated from coal imported from, you guessed it, Australia.
One thing we can be thankful for is that Climate 200 did not get their Flinders candidate elected.
Keith Davis, Somers
Healthy house
Amy Hiller (Energy efficiency, Letters 23/6/25) applauds Repower for donating home energy efficiency kits to peninsula residents, stating that 80% of Australian homes are merely 2 star energy rating. These kits, including door draught stoppers, are supposed to slightly increase the energy efficiency of our homes.
Let me tell all of these non-scientific crusaders something. Our house of 50 years is bright and breezy and healthy. We have ceiling insulation but not any air-conditioning. In summer, doors and windows are left open, as appropriate, allowing cooling healthy breezes to flow through the house. If it gets hotter, we turn on electric fans. In winter, windows are left slightly open, night and day, as appropriate, to ensure a movement of fresh air, which ensures no mould in the bathroom or anywhere else.
Odours and living odours are removed (some houses smell). Properly built, our house even has small wall vents in every room, opening to the wall cavity. You must have ventilation. Oxygen and sunlight kills airborne bacteria and viruses and purifies the air. Recirculating stale air in a hermetically sealed house does the opposite. You will get sick.
Comparing Australian homes to Europe is nonsensical: they are covered in snow all winter with sub-zero temperatures; we are not.
One last thing: We have gas heaters, one in the kitchen, one in the lounge. We love it. I am not interested in home energy efficiency, even though we probably use less energy than others. I don’t want any darned fool interfering government from La La Land telling me how to live my life in my own home.
Brian A Mitchelson, Mornington
Rubbish everywhere
As a resident of Frankston I am disgusted at the rubbish that is strewn along the streets and pathways. Don’t the residents have any pride in their city? You have to be on the watch for dog poo on the beach walkway.
I came up from Warrnambool to be close to family. They have very little problem with street litter down there. It’s a pity that we can’t take more pride and love our city.
Christine Di Palma, Frankston
Rates freeze?
Prior to last year’s Frankston City elections the council ordered its officers to make a report into the possibility of freezing rates. Some eight months later where is the report ? And in the Frankston City News it states that there will be an increase in rates but under the 3.5%. The welfare budget and organisations budgets have also not been frozen. Even though interest rates have been cut the cost of living has continued to increase and property owners can’t afford increased rates.
There needs to be a major review in expenditure by the Frankston council to cut costs so there can be a freeze in rates. None of the candidates who contested the last council elections promised a cut or to freeze rates.
Russell Morse, Karingal
Insane waste of money
It looks as if the shire has too much money. About six of these totally unnecessary signs have appeared in Balnarring Beach advising locals that from now on we can’t take our dogs down this drainage reserve without the threat of fines. After following the link given on the signs, it seems the intent of this new prohibition was the protection of indigenous flora and fauna. I’m still waiting for a reply to my questions on what wildlife and plant survey, this decision was taken.
Talking about indigenous plants, this reserve has been so neglected by the Shire that it is choked with noxious weeds like ivy, ash trees, pitosporum and cape ivy blackberries and such. I know we have echidnas, swamp rats, and lots of birds around, but I have never seen any adverse interaction with our local dog population.
After contacting the shire about all this and why our community was not involved in this decision, I was told that online forums and community meetings were held all over the shire. Sadly, this blanket and uninformed decision making is a confirmation of the undemocratic decisions being made by this council of six.
After speaking to many local residents, it has become clear to me that such waste of our rate money is not appreciated here in Balnarring Beach. All we’re asking is for these stupid signs to be removed, and if possible, our creek reserve is managed a little better.
Rupert Steiner, Balnarring Beach
My sincere thanks
Last Thursday (26 June), having delivered a carload of goods to the RSPCA shop in Mornington, and having foolishly put my mobile phone on the roof of my car, I drove off leaving it there. I was pursued by two very determined women who caught up with me at a service station about a kilometre away.
I was so bemused to see one of them holding out my phone that I did not thank them adequately.
Not only would I have lost my phone, but I would also have lost my licence, credit card and health cards which were in the wallet, as well as the contacts and photos on the phone.
I am so grateful to these women for pursuing me and returning my phone; I hope that they will read this letter and know how appreciative I am of the good turn which they did.
Ann Miller, Frankston South
Where’s Zoe?
Missing! Has anybody seen the Member for Flinders?
Please contact the constituents of the Mornington Peninsula if you know her whereabouts.
Last seen buying croissants and crème brulee…
Dale Stohr, Crib Point
Arrivederci!
I’ve been saying my piece to this excellent local newspaper for more than a decade, truth is I’m done, thus farewell, to all you letter writers.
Perhaps (likely?) a raindrop on a downpour but always a satisfying raindrop, maybe landing on the head of your opponents, if any?
Seek the truth, your truth, despite hands over their ears.
My preference is for female contributions from Rye to Frankston. I think to myself “Why not Sorrento?” a cross section preferable. Maybe quality earmuffs? No matter.
Overseas wars feeding us their half truths, each leader into power and corruption at the expense of some 95% of their people, all or mostly all powerless, the raindrop principle, the dream of everyday life (hope?) a necessity, our Prime Minister watching his back.
A day at a time, an hour? Keep on writing. Cheers?
Cliff Ellen, Rye