THE Mornington Peninsula has taken home three major honours at the 2026 Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Towns Awards, cementing the region’s reputation as a national leader in community-driven environmental action.
Held in Launceston on 17 May, the ceremony saw the peninsula recognised in the Circular Economy and Waste Reduction category and the Dame Phyllis Frost Local Hero Award, while also earning a Highly Commended in the Young Legends Award.
The Circular Economy and Waste Reduction win went to Shell Savers, a grassroots initiative that collects shellfish waste from local restaurants and hospitality businesses, cleans it using volunteers and transforms it into shellfish reefs.
Working in partnership with OzFish, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and Traditional Owner groups, Shell Savers is restoring a marine ecosystem that had been lost entirely, improving water quality and returning biodiversity to local waters.
The Dame Phyllis Frost Local Hero Award, which recognises individuals demonstrating outstanding commitment and measurable impact in environmental, sustainability or community initiatives, was jointly awarded to Douglas Multa from the Northern Territory, and Gidja Walker.
Walker has spent more than 30 years protecting and restoring the natural environment of the Mornington Peninsula, safeguarding critical habitats and supporting threatened species through conservation, education and community leadership.
The Ngawak Biik Junior Ranger Program at The Briars received the Highly Commended in the Young Legends Award. The program – whose name means “Our Country” – is an Indigenous-led initiative that brings First Nations young people onto Country to learn land management, cultural practices and environmental stewardship from their community. Participation has exceeded expectations, with strong improvements in engagement and attendance, and the program is creating pathways into future careers.
Keep Australia Beautiful CEO Val Southam said the program celebrated the real, often quiet work that keeps communities moving forward.
“Regional towns are stepping up in powerful ways. They’re not just protecting their environments, they’re showing what’s possible when resilience, purpose and local leadership come together for a better future,” said Southam.
TOMRA Cleanaway, national sponsor of the Tidy Towns Awards, has supported the program for more than five decades. CEO James Dorney said the awards highlighted the breadth of sustainability leadership found in communities across Australia.
“These awards shine a spotlight on the extraordinary work happening in communities like the Mornington Peninsula right across the country, from major regional centres to very small towns doing big things,” said Dorney.
The peninsula was among six communities shortlisted for the 2026 national title, alongside Williams (WA), Ikuntji (NT), Orange (NSW), Huon Valley (TAS) and Cloncurry (QLD). Williams took out the overall national award.
First published in the Mornington News – 26 May 2026
