Compiled by Cameron McCullough THE official opening of the new Shire Hall was performed by Mr. C. Calder, chairman of the Country Roads Board, on Friday afternoon last in the presence of a large number of ratepayers. The pupils of the Frankston school were also present, in charge of Mr. J. D. Jennings, headmaster, who arranged for the cheering reception which was given Mr. Calder. The Shire president (Cr. F. Wells) introduced Mr. Calder, and said that the Council was very pleased to see him present to perform the ceremony. They were glad to have him because of the good…
Author: mpnews
A FREE winter event promising fire, food and live entertainment is coming to Frankston Waterfront on Saturday 13 June, with the inaugural Frankston Fire Festival running from 4-8:30pm. Festivalgoers can gather around fire pits, enjoy boutique market stalls and warm up with flame-cooked food, mulled beverages and winter comfort food from a range of local vendors. As the sun sets, the event will culminate in the lighting of a monumental fire sculpture created by Pyromancer and Co, alongside roving fire performers and live ice sculpting by internationally renowned artist Kevin Kapusi-Starow. State of Nirvana saunas will also be on-site for…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has secured funding for new solar panels at the Pelican Park Recreation centre in Hastings. The shire is matching the Australian Government’s investment of $1.5m after an agreement to formalise the project was signed in May. Designs have now begun and construction is expected to begin in the 2027-28 financial year. Cr Michael Stephens, who has been highly supportive of the electrification works, said he is excited the energy efficiency program for Pelican Park Pool has succeeded. “The project remains an important capital upgrade that will benefit Hastings and the broader Western Port region,” said Stephens. The…
Open up boat ramp parking during winter AS a local resident, I would like to raise a question about the use of public space at the Safety Beach boat ramp precinct. I fully support the need for dedicated trailer parking during the busy boating season. During summer and holiday periods, those spaces are essential and should absolutely be available for people using the boat ramp. However, outside the peak boating season, the situation often looks very different. For much of winter, the trailer parking area sits largely empty, while nearby parking around the chemist, café, pizza shop and public toilets…
AROUND 250 people gathered at Willum Warrain Aboriginal Gathering Place in Hastings on Saturday 30 May for the annual Reconciliation Family and Allies Day, a community event celebrating culture, connection and support for reconciliation. This year’s theme, All in for Reconciliation, ran throughout the day, reflecting the importance of working together and the strong support Willum Warrain receives across the peninsula. The event began with a Welcome to Country by Jimmy Brown from the Bunurong Land Council, followed by a cultural dance performance by Jarlo and Ganga Giri. Speakers included Hastings MP Paul Mercurio, Mornington Peninsula Shire acting mayor Cr…
By Marg D’Arcy MY brother, Frank D’Arcy, had terminal cancer. He recently chose to end his life with Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD). Frank had treatment and tried the whole range of painkillers, but recently reached the stage where he could hardly walk and could not control his pain. His greatest fear was having to go into residential care. Frank fought so hard to hold on to his independence, trying when he could to manage a short trip up the street on his electric scooter to buy cigarettes. He wanted to live – to have time with his children and grandchildren.…
Detectives from Taskforce Hawk have today arrested two people as part of an investigation into a series of alleged financial offences. Police executed warrants at two residential addresses in Mount Martha and the Melbourne CBD this morning. A 70-year-old man and a 72-year-old woman were both arrested at the Mount Martha address and interviewed by police. Both have been released pending further enquiries. Police also seized a number of items including electronic devices, and two controlled weapons including a baton and knife. The investigation, which commenced earlier this year, remains ongoing. Operation Hawk was established in July 2024 to specifically…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough ON the 21st inst the Stony Point railway station was broken into during the night. An attempt was made to blow open the safe by means of fuse and cap, same having been tapped with clay, and wet bags put over the safe. The explosion was not successful, and although the lock was damaged, the safe could not be opened. A cash drawer was forced open and six shillings in money stolen. Detective Salter and Mounted-Constable Egan commenced enquiries which lasted for three days, and many miles of country were traversed, seeking information.’ On the 26th…
PORTSEA has been named a finalist in the 2026 Top Tourism Town Awards, with public voting now open. The village has been shortlisted in the Tiny Town category, and locals are urged to get behind the campaign before voting closes on 26 June 2026. Mornington Peninsula Shire acting mayor, Cr Paul Pingiaro, welcomed the recognition. “We’re encouraging everyone – community, visitors, businesses from near and far to get behind Portsea and help showcase the Mornington Peninsula at a state level through public voting,” said Pingiaro. Nepean Ward councillor Andrea Allen said the nomination was a chance to celebrate what makes…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s waste contractor is conducting a kerbside bin audit to measure contamination levels in household recycling bins. The audit is being carried out by EC Sustainable as part of the shire’s waste services contract. The contamination rate – calculated by weighing and sorting the contents of randomly selected bins – directly determines the fee the shire pays to have contaminated material removed from recycling loads. Last year, the contamination rate increased, adding $1m to the shire’s waste fees. “Last year’s bin inspections revealed that our contamination rate had increased, which added $1m to our waste fees. Instead of…
Credit to the shire and Cr Gill It is heartening to read in recent issues of The News about Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s push to protect nature, and Cr David Gill appears to be leading the way. His earlier call for a Wildlife Master Plan was unanimously supported (Council backs new wildlife protection push for peninsula, The News 12/5/26). This week he moved a motion for stronger protection of Melbourne’s green wedges, again carried unanimously (Push for stronger green wedge cooperation, The News 26/5/26). This is timely because the Mornington Peninsula Green Wedge covers about 70 per cent of the…
RYE Football Club president Reg Chadwick ended up in the water during the football club’s MND fundraiser on Saturday (30 May). Held in conjunction with the junior club, guest slider included Kangaroos AFL player Luke Davies-Uniacke and Collingwood AFLW player Jordyn Allen.The clubs raised over $3000 towards the cause of finding a cure for MND. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 2 June 2026
RUGBY LEAGUE On Saturday afternoon (30 May) the Peninsula Dolphins senior third grade men’s team were handed their first defeat of the season at the hands of the Doveton Steelers at Betula Reserve, Doveton. It was a low scoring match: 18-10 at full-time. Courageous defence kept the Dolphins in the game, however the amount of handling errors in attack saw them unable to apply pressure during crucial points of the game. After several seniors took part in training the Dolphins junior squad during the week they left with one more lesson on Saturday with six words: “Next Game, Next battle,…
PENINSULA audiences are in for a June long weekend of hilarity, fairytale characters, and plenty of joy, when the much-loved Mount Eliza community pantomime presents its latest production of “Alice in Wonderland.” As a cast and crew of more than 30 head into final rehearsals, excitement is building for what promises to be one of the group’s most entertaining shows yet. Now a firm annual tradition in its sixth year, the Mount Eliza pantomime regularly sells out, drawing audiences of all ages to its signature mix of comedy, music and interactive fun. For those new to the tradition, pantomime is…
A POWERFUL local story inspired by resilience, community and the healing force of nature is set to make waves this winter, as Sea Wolves Howl arrives at Cube 37 at Frankston Arts Centre this July. Created by the all-female and gender-fluid theatre collective 60% Water, the production brings to life the true story of the Mount Martha Sea Wolves – a group that began during Melbourne’s 2020 lockdown, when two women met on a beach and sparked a ritual that quickly grew into a community of more than 60 members. Blending theatre with song, the performance follows five characters as…
FLINDERS community has welcomed a new outdoor fitness facility at Central Park on Cook Street with Flinders Community Outdoor Gym now open and available for public use. The project represents a milestone for local health, wellbeing, and connection, delivering a free, accessible fitness space designed for all ages and abilities. The initiative was led by Flinders Community Association, whose volunteers played a central role in the vision, fundraising, and project management. They worked alongside local businesses, community groups, and individuals, as well as Mornington Peninsula Shire and the Community Bank Balnarring and District. The gym is positioned within a natural…
PHILLIP Hallo of Mt Martha is one of 17 Mornington Peninsula competitors entered into this weekend’s Historic Winton event. Phil will take to the track in a 1930 Austin 7 hoping to win Regularity One at the 49th Historic Winton on 30 and 31 May at Winton Motor Raceway. Phil has over 50 trophies in his cabinet from over the past 15 years, both circuit racing and hill climbs, and has won at Winton three times in the past. Austin 7 Club member and event manager John Kessner said that more than 200 cars from the 1920s to the 1980s…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has secured state government funding to install outdoor library lockers across the peninsula and is asking residents to help shape how and where they will be used. The lockers will allow library members to collect reserved items and return borrowed materials 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without needing to visit a branch during staffed hours. Each locker includes a return chute for easy drop-off and is secure, weather-protected and remotely managed by library staff. The service works in a similar way to Australia Post parcel lockers. Staff load a reserved item into an assigned…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough On Monday night last at 9 o’clock, Mr. Clapp and his fellow Commissioners accompanied by a large staff, arrived at Frankston by a special train. The trip along the bayside line was made with the object of testing the new pilot light which it was proposed to affix to railway engines to safeguard against accidents at railway crossings. The rays from the new light can be seen for a distance of twelve miles, and it’ is understood that the Commissioners are well pleased with it. Mr. Clapp took advantage of the trip to inspect the Frankston…
CFA VOLUNTEERS from six Mornington Peninsula brigades joined a candling operation at Arthurs Seat on 14 May as part of an ongoing statewide push to reduce bushfire risk ahead of the next fire season. Members from Main Ridge, Red Hill, Flinders, Mt Martha, Rye and Balnarring Fire Brigades took part in the hazard reduction burn along Pindara Rd, working alongside Mornington Peninsula Shire to reduce fire risk around Arthurs Seat and neighbouring residences and businesses. CFA planned burn operations officer, Graeme Briggs, and CFA commander, Nick Bryant, said the operation demonstrated the value of collaboration between CFA and local government.…
Political failure has left the Flinders Pier a dilapidated mess I think its sort of encouraging that sounds coming out of Heritage Victoria and Parks/ Transport, sort of indicate (in a political sort of way), that work on the Flinders Pier has not stopped (Flinders pier future uncertain amid funding concerns, The News 12/5/26). But after so many years some of the finer detail seems to have been lost. During the Save the Pier days, so many years ago, nine different languages were being spoken along the pier. Many of them came from western Melbourne like Yarraville. Peninsula people, just…
AMBULANCE response times on the Mornington Peninsula have improved by more than one minute for urgent callouts in the last year. Ambulance Victoria released its response time data for 1 January to 31 March 2026 last week. The average “Code 1” response time on the Mornington Peninsula was 14 minutes and 48 seconds, a healthy improvement on the 15 minute and 56 second average during the same period of 2025. The average during the final quarter of 2025 was 15:04. During the first quarter of 2026, 66.8 percent of ambulances responded to Code 1 callouts on the Mornington Peninsula within…
RUGBY LEAGUE By David Bourke THE Peninsula Dolphins third grade men’s team have made a big splash going to the top of the ladder after winning 12 points to 10 in a feisty round four clash against the now second place Waverley Panthers at Fregon Reserve Clayton last Saturday afternoon (23 May). With many of the Dolphins junior squad watching and cheering their senior side on, the seniors showed how grit and determination move a team forward and turning up for your teammates gets the job done. The women’s Dolphins tag team didn’t find it as smooth sailing going down…
EXPRESSIONS of Interest are now open for community members to join the Selection Panel for the Mornington Peninsula’s annual community awards. Each year, our community comes together to recognise the people and events that make a real difference across the Peninsula, and we’re now inviting locals to help shape who is celebrated. From volunteers and community leaders to quiet achievers working behind the scenes, these awards are all about celebrating the people who show up for others. And we want the panel choosing them to reflect our community too. Panel members will bring a mix of perspectives, experience and community…
FIVE acclaimed young soloists from Melbourne join the Mornington Peninsula-based Vox community choir for two concerts in coming weeks. The choir has been rehearsing since January for a program of choral masterworks by Pergolesi (Stabat Mater) and Brahms (Liebeslieder Waltzes) as well as Mozart, Faure and Whitacre. Eliza Bennetts O’Connor (soprano), Tessa McKenna (mezzo-soprano), Olivia Cullen (mezzo-soprano), Nicholas Sheppard (tenor) and Declan Farr (baritone) will join the 50-voice choir of local women and men, accompanied by renowned pianist Heather Wickes and conducted by Rupert Balint-Smith. The first concert is at Flinders Civic Hall on Sunday 24 May, 2.30-4.30pm. The second…
COMMUNITY projects aimed at making Rye a more attractive place to live and visit are transforming the look of the town foreshore. The recent partnership between Rye Community Group Alliance (RCGA) and the Lions Club of Rye resulted in the restoration of the much-loved Rye Lions Shelter. Originally built in the 1980s by the Lions Club, the shelter has long served as a focal point for community gatherings. Funding for the project was obtained through Mornington Peninsula Shire community infrastructure and arts and culture grants. The Shire’s capital Infrastructure team provided technical support. Local businesses chipped in, with the Moody…
Kosovo refugee remembers the peninsula’s kindness My name is Edmond Ramadani. I am 37 years old, originally from Kosovo, and I have been living and working in Germany for the past five years. While searching online, I came across your website and noticed a photo from Portsea showing refugees from Kosovo. I am one of those people, as I stayed in both the Portsea camp and the Puckapunyal camp during that time. I carry some of the most meaningful and unforgettable memories of my life from my stay in Australia. It has always been my dream to return one day…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough INTEREST in the likelihood of electrification being extended to Mornington was aroused by a letter which appeared in Wednesday’s “Argus” from a local resident, who put the subject as follows: “Mr. Clapp says that he is looking to the outer circle for more residents for whom he will cater by fast electric trains. There is a splendid opportunity at Mornington not only for electric trains (which could take 30 minutes off the present journey) but also for the new railway motor buses. By electrifying the line from Frankston and placing a station at Mornington South, which…
PENINSULA Aero Club held their beneficiary’s day on Saturday 9 May where they distributed the proceeds of this year’s airshow to community groups and charities “On behalf of Peninsula Aero Club I am delighted to hand over $45,500 to five deserving charities and community groups,” said PAC president Stephen Braim. In the past 25 years, PAC has donated over $650,000 to local organisations and charities from proceeds of their national award winning airshows. Accepting cheques were two organisations focused on community mental health support – Kindred Clubhouse and It’s Okay Not To Be OK. Two emergency service providers – The…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will host two family-friendly events this month for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). Observed globally on 17 May, IDAHOBIT highlights both progress made and the work still ahead toward equality for LGBTIQA+ people. A family storytime will be held on Saturday 16 May at 11am at Mornington Library. The session will feature stories about kindness, belonging and being proud of who you are, and is aimed at young children and their families. Bookings are not required. The shire will raise the Pride flag at Mornington Police Station on Monday 18 May at…