DADS, stepdads, grandfathers and other significant male role models with a child under four are invited to a new free program at Mornington Library called Books, Blokes and Bubs. The program responds to the growing recognition of the role fathers and male caregivers play in a child’s development, and the need for dedicated spaces where they can build connections and confidence. Books, Blokes and Bubs offers a relaxed environment where participants can spend time with their children while connecting with other dads and caregivers. Each session includes a free coffee, storytime, and opportunities for shared play and conversation. The initiative…
Author: mpnews
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire carried out a precautionary review of all shire-managed sporting reserves with synthetic cricket wicket covers, following the death of a player at Lalor Recreation Reserve in the City of Whittlesea. The review was completed ahead of winter sport on the weekend of 11–12 July to ensure sporting fields remained safe for players, officials and the community. Mayor Cr Stephen Batty said the shire’s thoughts were with the family, friends and football community affected by the incident. “While this incident did not occur on the peninsula, it was important to proactively review our own sporting fields ahead of…
PET owners, particularly those with cats, are being urged to watch closely for signs of illness after the H5N1 avian influenza virus was confirmed in wild seabirds in three Australian states. The virus was first detected on the Australian mainland on 14 June, when a brown skua was found sick at Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance, Western Australia. It was confirmed as HPAI H5N1 later that month. Since then, detections have spread to South Australia and as of July to New South Wales, with six confirmed cases nationally. There is no evidence yet of spread to poultry or…
Really disappointing For at least six weeks the signs on Boneo Road (pictured) have been tampered with opposite the council offices. The Primary School, Community Hall and Allambi Avenue now point (through the actions of some idiot) towards Flinders while Allambi Avenue has morphed into Boneo Road. Having reported it a number of times in person to our council – no action. If I wasn’t 88, I would adjust it using a sledge hammer, as friends have got lost trying to get to us. Surely one of our many council employees, councillors or even the Mayor have noticed this vandalism on…
RUGBY By David Burke LAST Friday night (10 July) the Peninsula Dolphins senior women’s tag team headed out to Casey Fields in Cranbourne to face the top of the ladder side, Casey Warriors. After coming off a bye due to state representative City verses Country rugby league round (July 4) the team went in feeling very confident. Over the last fortnight the team had trained in all conditions from pouring rain to a night so foggy they almost couldn’t see each other from 15 metres apart. The weather didn’t stop the enthusiasm and commitment to prepare for matches in any…
The new seven-day route will connect Hastings and Mornington, improving access to jobs, schools, retirement villages, shops and local services.The route will also improve public transport coverage along the western section of High Street in Hastings and connect with Frankston-bound buses at Mornington town centre.“The community has asked for a cross-peninsula bus service for decades. I listened, I advocated, and I am so proud that we are delivering this service, thanks to the Allan Labor government,” said Hastings MP Paul Mercurio.“It will enable you to head to work, school or appointments on both sides of the peninsula, making it easier…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Regional Gallery (MPRG) invites the community to a rich winter exhibition season, featuring leading contemporary artists, new commissions and interactive experiences for all ages. Helen Britton: The Story So Far, an Australian Design Centre’s Living Treasures: Masters of Australian Craft touring exhibition, Natalia Miłosz-Piekarska: Sifted Light, In the Company of Animals from the MPRG Collection, Synthetic Memories, and a dedicated children’s activation space designed to spark curiosity and creativity. Internationally acclaimed artist Helen Britton presents The Story So Far, a personal exhibition exploring memory and creative legacy. Grounded in photographic documentation of her great aunt’s home on Yaegl…
REPOWER Mornington Peninsula, a volunteer run not for profit group, is running a series of short and snappy webinars to help residents make their homes more comfortable, on a budget. The first one, Draft Proofing and Insulation is on Wednesday 29 July, 7 – 7.40pm. Do you or someone you know live in a drafty, poorly insulated house? Of all the steps you can take to make your home cosier and cheaper to run, eliminating drafts is the first one. It is not expensive and is something even renters can do. Good insulation does cost a bit more for homeowners,…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough AT the Shire Council meeting Inst Friday opportunity was given “The Standard” representative, by the Shire president to present each councillor with an enlarged photograph, showing the councillors and officers seated at the council table on the occasion of the first meeting in the new municipal chambers. Cr. Oates said he was pleased to accept the photo from “The Standard” and referred to the fine spirit now existing between the local paper and the council. Such a spirit would have magnificent results throughout the district generally. The local press was doing all that was possible to…
THE 30th annual National Tree Day is coming up on Sunday 26 July. All across Australia, people will be joining together to connect with nature and care for Country by planting trees and revegetating important areas that will help wildlife and nature to thrive. Here on the Mornington Peninsula, the Sunshine Reserve Conservation Group have been working hard for 10 months to prepare the Upper Sunshine site for this year’s planting. Invasive, prickly blackberries have been removed, other weeds such as watsonia, boneseed and arum lilies have been dug out, mulch has been laid, and the site is now ready…
ANTI-theft devices have been installed across the shire’s reserves to crack down on the increase in copper theft. The thefts have affected public infrastructure in several locations, disrupting community sport and placing additional pressure on already busy recreation spaces. The shire has spent more than $100,000 investigating and repairing damage caused, with several sporting clubs needing to relocate training sessions and games while repairs are carried out. The shire’s building maintenance, sports development and open space planning teams are working with electrical service providers to identify and install preventative measures. When the shire is made aware of copper theft or…
Interesting letters in last week’s papers There were some interesting letters in last weeks paper. First up Maureen Donelly (Australia should embrace multiculturalism, Letters 30/6/26) who certainly sees things differently to me. She wrote “my doctor is Polish, my dentists are Egyptian and Indian and a Pakistani taxi driver is there if I need him”. If we can assume that Maureen doesn’t rack up a huge airline bill to visit her doctor and dentist then I would guess they are actually Australians of a diferent background. It’s sad that we still have people that only see foreigners instead of seeing…
TO maintain safe access to the boat ramp and jetties, sand dredging will commence at Mornington’s Schnapper Point on 13 July, while the Victorian Government’s boat ramp upgrade continues.Mornington Peninsula Shire has appointed a contractor to complete the dredging works, with Parks Victoria issuing the relevant work permits.The dredging will complement the larger boat ramp upgrades, adjusting sand levels to allow boats and watercraft to safely access boating infrastructure. First published in the Mornington News – 7 July 2026
FOLLOWING their critically acclaimed, sell-out summer season of Romeo and Juliet, the Mornington Peninsula Theatre Company (MPtc) returns this July with a captivating new production of Karel Čapek’s 1920 masterpiece, R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots). Running from Wednesday, 8 July to Sunday, 12 July at Bellamy Hall on Albert Street in Mornington, this edge-of-your-seat drama marks an exciting thematic shift for the beloved local not-for-profit company. Founded by passionate Peninsula theatre visionaries Jonty Reason and Donna Johnstone, MPtc has become a cultural staple by stripping classic stories down to their raw essence through a modern, minimalist style. While R.U.R. famously introduced…
By Tony Duboudin CHILDREN and adults turned out in numbers to try out some of the different bicycles on show at the official opening of the Classic Bicycle Gallery in Hastings on Sunday (28 June). The brainchild of local businessman Alan Duke and his family, the gallery is home to around 1000 bicycles from Penny Farthings onwards. The names many of us remember from childhood like Malvern Star and Raleigh are represented along with scores of other brands. The collection includes retro and exotic machines, oddballs, and historic bicycles. The gallery aims to show the history of pedal-powered machines and…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough MRS. Peebles has received word that her eldest daughter, Gladys, who left Australia on May 15, 1915, to “do her bit” in the Great War, is returning home early in July on the “Pakeha” with her husband and children. Nurse Peebles went on duty on July 1, 1915, and “carried on” all through those strenuous years. She joined Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Nursing Staff, and at the time of the signing of the Armistice had attained the rank of Sister. Leave was rare and scanty over there, but there are many of our returned men who met…
ROUGH sleeping has reached crisis proportions on the Mornington Peninsula and, as winter starts to bite, Southern Peninsula Community Support will host a Winter SleepOut on Friday 31 July, to raise awareness and much-needed funds for its critical frontline work. SPCS CEO Jeremy Maxwell says the Mornington Peninsula has the highest number of rough sleepers in Victoria, and the escalating homelessness crisis in the area is stretching capacity to respond. “We are seeing increasing numbers of people sleeping rough every day, and we are completely overstretched. Seven people have died on the foreshore in the last 18 months. We receive…
BETWEEN 5-12 July, communities across Australia will celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC Week, marking a significant milestone in recognising and celebrating the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The anniversary pays tribute to the Elders, organisers, artists and communities whose leadership, strength and commitment have sustained the movement and helped it grow over the past five decades. Mornington Peninsula Shire is inviting the community to mark the occasion with a range of events taking place across libraries, community spaces and on Country. The 2026 NAIDOC Week theme, “50 Years of Deadly”, honours the enduring strength…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has picked up two category wins and two finalist placings at the 2026 LGPro Awards for Excellence, presented on 17 June before an audience of almost 500 local government professionals from across Victoria. The Awards for Excellence are run by Local Government Professionals Victoria and recognise outstanding work by individuals and teams across the sector. Fifteen winners and 13 high commendations were announced at the ceremony. The shire won the First Nations Community Partnership category for the Ngawak Biik – Briars Junior Ranger project, a culturally led program connecting First Nations young people to Country. The…
Australia should embrace multiculturalism I am most alarmed by the proposal for a “monocultural” country (We need a monoculture, Letters 23/6/26). My doctor is Polish, my dentists are Egyptian and Indian, a Pakistani taxi driver is there if I need him, and my good friends include an Iranian couple and a Burmese woman. Then there is the wonderful cuisine we have here, Italian, Vietnamese, Afghani, and Greek to name a few. All contributing to a rich tapestry of Australian life and in many cases, providing essential services. Multiculturalism is here to stay, thankfully. Maureen Donelly, Mornington Multiculturalism support I am…
RUGBY LEAGUE By David Burke LAST Saturday afternoon (27 June) the Peninsula Dolphins third grade men’s side played against the Hume Eagles at the home of the Eastern Raptors rugby league club in Boronia. Situated at the foot of Mt Dandenong the fog rolled in early making for a cold afternoon with a slightly eerie setting. The game was a tight contest that really opened up for the Hume Eagles late in the second half. The final score was 26-16. The game saw the Dolphins men’s side slip to second place on the ladder behind the Waverley Panthers heading into…
by Andrea Louise Thomas Somerville chef and hospitality trainer, Marlene Hoff, has been quietly changing lives for years, serving up nutrition for the body, mind and spirit. Everything she does comes from a place of care, respect and service to her local community. Marlene has worked in many kitchens, taught countless budding chefs and run a number of successful businesses, but more importantly to her, she has warmly welcomed people with disability into her workplaces providing them with meaningful, paid, supported work. Her latest venture is Lily’s Dog Treats, under the umbrella of not-for-profit, The Supported Kitchen INC. They produce healthy…
The enduring music of Simon & Garfunkel will be celebrated in a special live performance when The Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel comes to the Frankston Arts Centre next month. Described as memory set to song – gentle, honest and impossibly beautiful – the performance will feature many of the duo’s most beloved classics, including Mrs Robinson, Homeward Bound, The Sound of Silence, Scarborough Fair, The Boxer, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Feeling Groovy, El Condor Pasa, I Am a Rock, Kathy’s Song and Cecilia, along with many more favourites. Their songs captured the ’60s – the questions, hopes, social musings…
Bittern resident Amy Bennett has won the Secondary Student of the Year award at the 12th annual Chisholm Education Awards. Bennett was presented the award after completing her Certificate II in Hospitality alongside her VCE studies. A school hospitality course sparked her interest, leading Amy to enrol in the Certificate II in Hospitality. She quickly discovered her love for working in front of house and her ability to thrive under pressure. Passionate about sustainability in hospitality, particularly in waste management and biodegradable materials, Amy is excited to build a career in the industry. Amy is currently completing her Certificate III…
The Mornington Peninsula region which includes Frankston is preparing to welcome the golfing world, with Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club announced as the host venue for the 2027 Australian Open. One of Australia’s most prestigious sporting events, the Australian Open will bring the nation’s best golfers and international stars to the Mornington Peninsula, placing the region firmly in the spotlight as one of the country’s premier golf destinations. Set among the world-renowned Melbourne Sandbelt, Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club has earned a reputation as one of Australia’s finest golfing venues. In 2027, its championship fairways will provide the stage for…
A CHARITY set up to honour the legacy of a Frankston teenager who died by suicide has received $450,000 in federal government funding. SmackTalk was established by Wayne Holdsworth after the tragic death of his son Mac in 2023. Mac, who had fallen victim to sexual extortion, was aged just 17 when he died. Holdsworth founded SmackTalk the following year to help teenagers, families, and communities understand the warning signs of extortion. He has since presented the program nationwide, highlighting the danger of online threats and campaigning for suicide prevention measures. Last week, communication minister Anika Wells announced that the…
By Sarah Russell LAST Wednesday afternoon (17 June), Denise Hassett died suddenly at home. Denise was a much loved and admired friend who will be remembered for her kindness, compassion, loyalty and life-long commitment to social justice. Denise was well known on the Mornington Peninsula for her tireless advocacy for so many different causes. Since her death, I have received several phone calls from friends who worked with Denise on causes in 1970s and 1980s, long before I knew her. In 1993, Denise stood as the Labor candidate against Hon Peter Reith in the federal election. She received 40 per…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough At the Frankston Court on Tuesday last before Mr. Smith, P.M., and Messers. C. Grant, C. Gray, W. Armstrong, J. Brown and J. Nott Marsh,J.’sP. a number of motorists were fined for having travelled on the wrong side of the road in Bay street,Frankston.Senior-Constable Elliott proceeded against Walter D. Scott for having driven a car on the wrong side in Bay Street, and for not having stopped when called upon to do so.Defendant was fined 10/- with 5/ costs.Constable Anderson informed the Bench that Charles Deaker also travelled on the wrong side of the road on…
WATER POLO By Frank Jenkins LAST Friday night, YAWA Aquatic Centre came alive as the Mornington Peninsula Mist Under 13 boys water polo team stepped up for an exciting practice match against the Victorian U13 squad, who are preparing for next week’s National Championships. The game, proudly organised by our local club, was all about development—and what a showcase it was. Our young Mist players rose to the challenge against some of the state’s best, displaying determination, teamwork, and impressive defensive skills well beyond their years. It was a fantastic opportunity for our athletes to experience a higher level of…
Flinders Pier, again, again Altona Pier resplendent with its $12m make over, Portsea Pier with a Christmas Promise, Dromana Forecourt in refurbishment, and now our Flinders Pier. Having been through surgery for months, it has been put into something worse than palliative care. Most of us would wonder why we would start a “repair”, get close to the completion, and decide, “No, it’s not worth finishing it!” I’ve never heard a dishwasher repairer, or a car repairer say “I’m sorry, I’ve just spent your $1.3m dollars and I’m not going to fix it”. Where is the economic justification for all…