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…
Author: mpnews
By Melissa McCullough THE recent RedBridge Group and Accent Research poll on the numbers in the run-up to the Victorian state election provide an interesting glimpse into an unpredictable race. The September polling shows Labor on 24 per cent of the primary vote, the Coalition on 29 per cent and One Nation on 25 per cent. Labor are down from 32 per cent in September last year, a drop of eight percentage points. But also down by eight per cent in the same time period is the Coalition who were on 37 per cent in September last year. Of course,…
CONSTRUCTION works to improve safety along Wilsons Road, Mornington, will begin next month. Based on community feedback and technical investigations, the following works will be undertaken: Ward councillor Paul Pingiaro said that the upgrades will help people keep to the speed limit and make travelling safer. “Wilsons Road is a popular shortcut, but it’s also a residential street with a vibrant little shopping strip, kids riding bikes, people walking their dogs, and families and sporting groups using the local oval,” said Pingiaro. “These are sensible improvements that will help slow down speeding drivers and make it safer for people to…
There are more reasons for keeping the Cerberus land wild than just endangered species There is a limit to expansion and development on the Mornington Peninsula. Balancing our human rights and rights of wildlife and nature is necessary to exist in harmony and respect. Allow enough room for both, not just a bottomless housing need. Cerberus Naval base has protected us and nature in its present state and was a win/win. Diverse ecosystems, migratory birds and Ramsar Wetlands border, old growth indigenous trees with hollows, vulnerable small marsupials and insects inhabiting the region’s native underbush, sugar gliders, echidnas, koalas, powerful…
THE Mornington Peninsula Record Fair returns to Frankston next month. The vinyl sale event will be held at The Cheeky Squire on 17 October. Up to 20,000 records are expected to be on display. Event organiser Scott Sheedy said the event “is about more than buying records. It’s about bringing together music lovers, collectors, local venues, sellers, and artists in one room and creating an event that feels exciting, social, and distinctly local.” The free event runs from 11am to 4pm.
After wild September weather delayed the start of the season, the Hill & Ridge Community Market returns to Red Hill on Saturday 3 October, bringing more than 200 stalls, great local produce, street food, art, craft and makers to the Red Hill Recreation Reserve. Set in the heart of Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula, Hill & Ridge is a place to shop, eat, caffeinate and enjoy a great spring day out. Wander among stalls filled with fresh local produce, plants and flowers, handmade goods, vintage finds and plenty of delicious things to eat. Community is at the heart of…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough Last Saturday, Frank Robert Broderick, a well known resident of French Island, was found dead in tragic circumstances by his brother. Mounted Constable Egan, of Hastings, proceeded to the island to make enquiries ,and on Monday a magisterial enquiry was conducted by Mr. R. T. McGuigan, J.P. On the evidence submitted it was shown that the deceased headed off in the morning with the professed intention of working on his farm. Having failed to return at the usual time, a search was made by his brother, who found him dead with his throat cut in an…
NESTING season has begun for one of Victoria’s most threatened species, hooded plovers. The Conservation Regulator’s Operation “Save our Hoodies” (SoHo) is underway for the sixth year to help the next generation of hoodies take flight. The operation is delivered with Parks Victoria and BirdLife Australia and involves nest monitoring, community education, and enforcement of rules around nesting sites. The Conservation Regulator Regional Operations Manager Andrew Johnstone said it takes a village in order to protect the threatened species. “Protecting this threatened species takes a village, with officers, rangers, volunteers and community members all playing an important role during the…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Mayor Stephen Batty has attended a community gathering at Portsea Front Beach to hear local concerns about the future of the beach and the ongoing coastal management process. Once a popular destination for families, swimmers and visitors, much of the beach frontage is now occupied by temporary sandbag protection works where sand once lay, significantly reducing public access and limiting use of one of the peninsula’s most iconic coastal locations. The issue carries added significance following Portsea’s recent recognition as Australia’s Top Tiny Tourism Town in the 2026 National Top Tourism Town Awards. While the award celebrates…
OVER the last 18 months Rotary has been committed to a project to refurbish seven apartments, The Ranch 2.0, the only short term crisis accommodation on the Mornington Peninsula. The apartments were provided by the Paton and Upotipotpon Foundations, in May 2025, to the Mornington Community Support Centre. In 2025 the Rotary Clubs of Mornington, Frankston, and Mt Martha undertook all the work to renovate five of the apartments, including arranging all materials, specialist trades and furnishing. The project was completed at no cost to MCSC, and each unit was occupied immediately on completion. Sorrento Rotary Club contributed financially and…
Council should stay neutral in election The Mornington Peninsula Shire has announced that it will again host and moderate forums for candidates contesting the Victorian state election. While I support residents having the opportunity to hear directly from candidates, I question whether it is appropriate for local government to take on the role of organiser and moderator of state or federal election forums. At a previous federal election forum hosted by the shire, concerns arose about the fairness of the process, including the order in which candidates were required to respond to questions. The shire subsequently advised me that the…
FAMED illustrator and Mornington Peninsula resident Terry Denton died surrounded by his family on Monday 21 September, aged 76. Terry was the author and illustrator of over 30 of his own books including his Gasp! Series which was adapted for television in 2011. He also illustrated for authors such as Mem Fox, Paul Jennings and Gillian Rubinstein. His long-term collaboration with Andy Griffiths began in 1997 with the publication of Just Tricking!, the first of nine books in the Just! series, which was followed by the hugely successful Treehouse series – 13 books of 13 treehouse stories – which helped…
MORNINGTON Yacht Club wrapped up its 2026 Winter Training Camp series this weekend. Sixty-six junior and youth sailors spent three days on the water from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September. Sailors in Optimists, 420s, 29ers and ILCAs came from across the Peninsula and interstate to train under head coach Casey Imeneo. Casey and fellow Olympic hopeful Laura Harding both took time out of their own campaigns to coach the program. They were joined by five-time world champion Mark Bulka and by Jack Saul, Larry Cargill, Immi Weber, Tyrone Gowans and Will McKenzie, each a champion sailor in their own…
STEELY Dan are a seminal part of rock history. Album sales in excess of 40 million and their 2001 induction into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame are testament to the reverence and acclaim they inspire. Now, Peninsula audiences will get to experience their magic and relive such classics as Rikki Don’t Lose That Number, Hey Nineteen, Reelin’ In The Years and FM (No Static at All) when The Kites bring No Static at All – The Music of Steely Dan to the Frankston Arts Centre. The Kites are a touring nine-piece band fronted by superb vocalist Peter O’Regan.…
THE WPW26 Literary Festival is coming soon. Tickets are on sale and they are going quickly. So book early! The festival is based at Coolart Wetlands & Homestead in Somers. On Saturday and Sunday, attend author conversations, writers’ panels, book readings and signings, and children’s events and meet exceptional authors and presenters. On Saturday 10 October, enjoy sessions on nature with Kylie Soanes, Josh Neille, Chris Flynn and Tracee Hutchison; gardens with Jac Semmler, Caroline Parker and Michael McCoy; a warm conversation between Kylie Moore-Gilbert, Sami Shah and Belinda Hawkins; and dive into the state of politics with Tony Barry,…
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.…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is repairing significant turf damage at six of its sports ovals. Ovals at R J Rowley Reserve in Rye, Olympic Park Reserve in Rosebud, David MacFarlane Reserve in Sorrento and Emil Madsen in Mount Eliza were damaged after a contractor accidently applied the incorrect herbicide to the turf earlier this year. These ovals will receive major turf remediation works to restore them to competition standard and ensure their long-term sustainability. Two further ovals, Boneo and Olympic Park Oval 2 are also impacted due to increased use as clubs relocated fixtures away from the damaged grounds. Works at…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough At the Frankston Progress Association meeting on Monday night, Commander Creswell referred to the question of providing a harbor for yachts and larger vessels at Frankston. It seemed to him that the association ought to take an active interest in this matter, as there was no safe harbor on the eastern shore of the bay. He understood that a big scheme for building a breakwater at Davey’s Bay had been proposed by the authorities, but had been opposed by Frankston and Mornington. The President (Mr. Bell): I heard nothing of it. Commander Creswell said he was…
COUNCILS across the south-east of Victoria have issued a renewed call for more government intervention to reduce homelessness. Representatives from advocacy group Greater South East Melbourne, the Community Housing Industry Association Victoria, and Launch Housing gathered last week to call for more support to tackle a shortage of social and affordable housing. GSEM Chair Simon McKeon said “councils across Melbourne’s south east are seeing the impacts of the housing and homelessness crisis firsthand.” “Across our region, councils and communities are grappling with a real and visible increase in homelessness and rough sleeping,” he said. “Local services are under pressure and…
MORNINTON Peninsula’s emerging and established writers have been recognised at the sixth annual Mayor’s Short Story Writing Awards, with a record-breaking 305 entries showcasing the depth of local literary talent. The awards ceremony was held at Flinders Civic Hall on 16 September and hosted by comedian, writer and performer Sammy J. The Mayor’s Short Story Writing Awards continue to nurture creativity, encourage storytelling and celebrate the diverse voices of emerging writers across the Mornington Peninsula. This year’s record number of entries highlights the growing strength of the region’s literary community. Mayor Stephen Batty congratulated all entrants, shortlisted writers and winners.…
CFA is reminding Victorians to take extra care when charging lithium-ion battery-powered devices and equipment this spring, following a significant shed fire in Somerville. The fire is believed to have started from the battery of a robotic lawn mower that was charging inside the shed. With Victorians becoming more active outdoors, in the garden and around the home as the weather warms up, extra care should be taken as mowers, power tools and other lithium-ion battery-powered equipment are used and charged more frequently. Crews from Somerville, Tyabb, Somers and Baxter fire brigades responded to the incident on Friday 11 September.…
Where do you think you came from? I was interested to read the letter by Dr Sarah Russell (“Go back to where you came from”, Letters, 1/9/26). It was great to see her calling out the issue of anti-migrant sentiment. It flabbergasts me that in a country like Australia that people express anti-migrant sentiment. Unless you are of Aboriginal origin, where do you think you came from? Your forebears were migrants to Australia. We came from European countries, mainly England, Scotland and Ireland, in the early days and brought our culture and religion. We did not adopt Aboriginal culture, religion…
NATIONAL Works on Paper 2026 has opened at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery (MPRG), with Adam Lee awarded the exhibition’s prestigious $20,000 acquisitive prize for his work You are the wind, I am the song. For more than 50 years, National Works on Paper has celebrated artistic excellence and innovation, championing the limitless creative possibilities of paper. Widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading art awards and exhibitions, the biennial program continues to showcase the depth and diversity of contemporary practice from established and emerging artists nationwide. The 2026 exhibition features 68 finalists selected from a record 935 submissions, presenting works…
MT MARTHA-based company 85 Per Cent Pty Ltd, trading as Mount Martha Gourmet Burgers, has been fined $8000 after pleading guilty to employing children without a child employment licence. Workforce Inspectorate Victoria (WIV) charged the business after it employed three children under the age of 15 to perform customer service, cleaning, food packing and serving duties over a period of seven months. Factoring 85 Per Cent’s early plea of guilty and prior good character the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria issued the business an $8,000 fine. While the Magistrate accepted the employer was unaware of the child employment requirements, they noted…
THREE Mornington Peninsula businesses have gone head-to-head with the best producers in the country and come out on top, taking home national and state awards that put the region firmly on Australia’s food and wine map. Southern Seagreens was recently named Sustainability Trailblazer at the 2026 Melbourne Food and Wine Legends Awards, recognising its work developing Australia’s emerging commercial kelp farming industry. Its Dromana nursery is where the business cultivates young native giant kelp before transferring it to its offshore farm in the Flinders Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve. Southern Seagreens also harvests wild wakame and transforms it into a range of…
NEARLY 40 Rye Primary School Year 4 students recently rolled up their sleeves for a planting session with the Friends of Rye Foreshore. The Friends Coordinator, Mechelle Cheers and shire NatureLinks contractor, Sue Wade, were thrilled with having so many extra pairs of hands to help with a mass planting of indigenous hairy spinifex along the western end of the town beach. This hardy and quite beautiful indigenous grass helps retain the beach structure by stabilising sand movement. Teacher, Sandra Emile said students were enthusiastic with having the opportunity to make a difference while learning why the spinifex is better…
MT Martha Fire Brigade have endorsed the use of interconnected smoke alarm systems after Mt Martha residents were alerted to a fire in their upstairs kitchen, while they were downstairs. Only minutes after returning home, family members were alerted to a fire caused by an unattended pot left on their stove in their upstairs kitchen, triggering the interconnected smoke alarms throughout their house. The homeowner was able to investigate swiftly, discovered kitchen appliances were on fire, and promptly called triple zero (000). Mt Martha Fire Brigade, along with supporting crews, quickly brought the fire under control and prevented it from…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough AT the Mornington Court of Petty Session on Friday last, George Walter Griffith, aged 22 years, appeared on nine charges of housebreaking. The Bench comprised Dr. J. E. Somers and Messrs. J. G. Barrett, Geo. Flood and P. McArthur, J.’sP. The court was crowded with people anxious to obtain a view of the alleged housebreaker, also to hear the evidence. Griffith was escorted to the court at about 11.10am. Detective Lambell conducted the case for the Crown. The first witness called was Mr. Harper-Brown, of Murrumbeena. He stated that he owned a week-end house in Beach…
OPINION By Sarah Russell MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council needs to come clean about its roadside spraying policy – who is applying the chemicals, what instructions does council give the contractors and which herbicides are they using? There seems to be a pattern of concerning behaviour regarding dangerous chemicals, with ratepayers having just found out that we had to foot the bill when contractors applied the wrong chemicals to football ovals (“Huge bill after ovals’ turf accidentally poisoned”, The News, 8/9/26). In addition to ill-advised herbicide use, what responsibility does the council take when contractors behave aggressively towards a resident who…
Potholes not the only priority I have just travelled 4000kms across Victoria, SA and NSW. Yes, the Mornington Peninsula has dangerous potholes, although many have now been repaired, thanks to the council allocation of $17m for road repair and the millions allocated through the National Roads to Recovery program. Many people say Victoria’s roads are in a worse condition than SA and NSW. In SA I found the condition of the roads varied across different local government areas. Even parts of the Princes Highway had potholes and many of the minor roads were in need of repair. I travelled back…