A huge crowd gathered at Red Hill on Saturday, 7 March for the 98th Red Hill Show. As always, it was a fantastic family day, with top-class entertainment, exhibitions, demonstrations, and animals on display. Our photographer, Yanni, was on site to capture the highlights and atmosphere of the day.
Author: mpnews
Everywhen Art’s March exhibition features a wide variety of First Peoples women’s art in celebration of International Women’s Day 2026.”Women artists have become notably prominent in First Peoples art over the last several decades,” says Everywhen’s co-curator Susan McCulloch.” “Art is a great way of sharing and passing down stories and many women artists appreciate the communal aspect of art making as a way of relating important women’s stories and ceremonies”.The exhibition comprises works by senior and next generation acrylic, bark and ochre painters from Central Australia, the Kimberley, the Pilbara, Arnhem Land and FNQ. For further details visit:everywhenart.com.au
By Andrea Louise Thomas Fiona Hammond knows food. In her career, spanning over 25 years, she has worked as a recipe developer and tester, a food stylist and food photographer. She was a food columnist for The Age’s Sunday Life magazine, and she contributed articles to Gourmet Traveller magazine for ten years. Fiona collaborated with Maggie Beer on her cookbooks, Verjuice and Maggie’s Christmas, as a recipe tester. Fiona has developed and tested recipes and styled food for over 40 cookbooks with some of Australia’s biggest publishers. In 2020 she authored her own beautifully presented cookbook, Gather, with long-time collaborator…
PENINSULA artist Michael Leeworthy has been involved in the local art scene for many years, but a highlight of his journey occurred last week with a visit from Queensland artist Lynda Page Bickley.“I was beside myself when I was informed that Lynda, a proud Koori woman, had won a grant to work with me,” said Leeworthy. “Although I have mentored many students before, this came as a complete surprise”.Bickley studied with Leeworthy for ten days. “I love showing off our beautiful peninsula, but ten days is not enough to take it all in,” said Leeworthy. First published in the Mornington…
NETBALL players at Capel Sound are stepping onto a new kind of court after a major upgrade at Truemans Road Reserve delivered a first-of-its-kind surface for Australia. The six courts have been resurfaced using an innovative product that reuses recycled household paint, giving new life to material that would otherwise end up as waste. Twenty two per cent of the base layer is made from paint diverted from household waste streams, marking a significant advance in sustainable sports infrastructure. The project blends environmental and high-performance design, ensuring the courts meet the demands of competitive play while reducing environmental impact. Acting…
A FRANKSTON-based artist is setting up a new exhibition to display her work in Mt Eliza.Brodie Alserda is an accomplished local artist, whose work was exhibited at Frankston Arts Centre in 2022. She will exhibit her latest works at Lotus Chiropractic in Mt Eliza from March to May, with prints and greeting cards on sale.Alserda uses her art to help deal with a range of health issues, including chromosome 6q27 deletion disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Functional Neurological Disorder, schizophrenia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, severe anxiety disorder, connective tissue disorder, motor dyspraxia, and chronic depressive symptoms.Lotus Chiropractic owner Kim Furness said…
MELBOURNE-based artist Michael Vale’s exhibition The Cuckoo, the Herring and the Trembling Tambourines fuses Romantic traditions, absurdist theatre, dark fiction, and mischievous humour. His works invite viewers into worlds where drama and comedy collide, where the familiar and uncanny coexist, and where every detail – gathered through years of observation, travel, and study – is carefully reimagined. Vale has spent much of his life exploring the world and absorbing its artistic treasures, collecting subtle details from old master paintings and popular imagery and absorbing them into his own, imaginative, visual language. Vale began his career as a scenic artist, painting…
RESIDENTS are being encouraged to green their gardens this autumn with the return of The Briars Nursery’s popular free plant giveaway. Running across several days from late March into early April, the initiative will allow local households to collect up to three free indigenous plants, while stocks last. The giveaway is open exclusively to Mornington Peninsula residents, with proof of address required on collection. The plants, grown at The Briars Nursery in Mount Martha, have been carefully selected to suit a wide range of garden sizes and conditions. Options include trees to low growing groundcovers, making the giveaway suitable for…
HE’S not yet old enough to hold a driver licence in Australia, but Mornington Peninsula’s Mathew Basso is making waves on the international racing scene. At just 15, he has claimed his first podium finish at the 2026 NAPA New Zealand Formula Ford Championship at Timaru International Raceway, finishing third, marking a major milestone and moving him up to sixth in the championship standings, just two rounds into his rookie car racing season. The Timaru event, held from 31 January to 1 February as part of the iconic Thunder Down Under meeting hosted by the South Canterbury Car Club, featured…
A $30 MILLION TAFE centre focused on AI and other emerging technologies is set to be established in Frankston. The state and federal government has announced the Digital, AI and Technology Centre of Excellence, which will be situated at the Chisholm Institute’s Frankston campus. A $20.6 million “Home and Community Care Centre of Excellence” will also be established at Holmesglen Institute’s Moorabbin campus. The Frankston centre will host TAFE simulation labs with artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and other emerging fields with applied research and evaluation. The Moorabbin Home and Community Care Centre of Excellence will help meet the demand for home‑based…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough A WELL organised concert, resulting in a profit of over £20, was held in the Mechanics’ Hall, Mornington, on Friday evening last, in aid of the Bush Fire Relief Fund. As a choral concert, this entertainment stands unsurpassed in Mornington. The audience was indeed fortunate to hear such talented singers as Mrs. Holman, of Frankston, and Mr. William Cadrou, a leading tenor from Melbourne. It was a most inspiring feature during the evening to see about forty singers seated on the stage, giving their services free to raise funds for the alleviation of the unfortunate persons…
A NEW intake of Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) intern paramedics is progressing through specialist training, with two to be stationed at Rosebud after completing the program. They are part of 24 interns who already have experience as advanced life support paramedics, each bringing at least two years of on road experience. All recruits are now undertaking a six week intensive bridging program as part of their transition into specialist MICA roles. Training includes critical clinical responses such as cardiac emergencies, respiratory distress, paediatric and obstetric care, along with sessions focused on wellbeing, pharmacy and leadership. Following completion of the…
Kirsty Sword Gusmao kicks off SWAN’s 30th anniversary To commemorate the 30th anniversary of Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN), the guest speaker at their first general meeting for 2026 was the former First Lady of Timor Leste, Kirsty Sword Gusmao AO, who spoke about the unstoppable power of women’s solidarity.Kirsty is well known on the peninsula. She supported the establishment of “Friends of Lospalos”; a relationship between the shire and the Timorese sub-district. Since 2000, this partnership provided much needed solidarity and financial support to the Timorese community, as well as reciprocal benefits to our region, by way of awareness…
A RECYCLING truck fire in Bittern has reignited concerns about the dangers of hazardous waste being placed in household bins, marking the second such incident on the Mornington Peninsula in February. The fire occurred on Skinner St after lithium batteries, incorrectly disposed of in a kerbside recycling bin, ignited inside the collection vehicle about 10.15am on 12 February. With flames spreading quickly and no nearby open space to safely relocate the truck, the CFA told the driver to unload the truck’s contents onto the residential street. Emergency services attended and successfully extinguished the fire. Acting mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro said…
On Saturday the 28th of February 2026 at approx. 5:00pm, an assault involving two males and a female witness occurred at the intersection of McCombe Street and Thomas Street in Rosebud A male victim was taken to hospital after sustaining significant injuries to his leg. Police investigators believe that an unknown member of the public, driving in a white car, witnessed the incident and filmed it on their phone. Police are appealing to the public for assistance, seeking any witnesses to this incident, or anyone who has video recordings, CCTV, or dash-cam footage. Anyone with information is urged to please…
The Tyabb Airshow returned in spectacular fashion on Sunday, March 1st, drawing aviation enthusiasts, families and visitors from across the region for an unforgettable day. The event showcased a world-class range of aircraft, with an incredible array of unique, historic and modern machines taking to the skies, while high-performance aircraft from the Australia Defence Force impressed with their speed and precision. On the ground, visitors enjoyed a variety of static displays, featuring vintage and modern fixed-wing aircraft alongside several helicopters. Popular displays from the Australia Defence Force, the Cerberus Band and the CFA once again proved to be crowd favourites.…
By Andrea Louise Thomas Mornington author Anna Matilda, aka The Urban Nanna, is keen to share her wealth of knowledge about simple ways to live a more sustainable, efficient and economical life. Her bestselling book, Everyday Permaculture, is a beautiful, easy-to-follow guide to living in sync with people and the planet. Given the squeeze of the current economy, this ethos makes a lot of sense, but permaculture isn’t just a philosophy of low waste and economy; it’s also based in community, nourishment and kindness. “Permaculture is about trying to live the most ecologically sustainable life ‘starting where you are, using what…
By Andrea Louise Thomas Barry Randall was three months old the first time he splashed in the sea. Ever since, the ocean has had a magnetic draw. Growing up in a little town on the Central Coast of New South Wales meant Barry and his five siblings spent a lot of time at the beach. They were swimming, surfing and participating in junior surf lifesaving when they weren’t golfing, playing rugby, tennis or any of the other sports they frequently enjoyed. Their Mum clocked up a lot of kilometres on the family car. The sea remains a solace and salvation…
By Andrea Louise Thomas I’ve always loved being outside – exploring, investigating, and spending time near the beach. Growing up on the Mornington Peninsula, I was spoilt for choice when it came to beautiful natural places. I think my passion for wanting to engage really grew from noticing the gradual changes happening in those places I’ve always loved,” says Hansi Wegner, field officer and founder of Citizen Science Crew at Daangean – Devilbend Natural Features Reserve in Moorooduc. Founded in 2018, this volunteer organisation works to make positive environmental change at ‘The Bend’, as he calls it, running on-ground environmental…
By Andrea Louise Thomas When Mount Eliza anti-vaping campaigner Lily Ford began, she had only one objective – to help others. It came as quite a shock when she received hateful trolling on her social media accounts and online hate despite the mountain of evidence outlining the very unique hazards of this insidious device. (That said, she received a lot of positive messages too.) A recent study discovered that vaping can cause an irreversible type of lung cancer.Like cigarettes, vapes contains a raft of toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde (used to embalm bodies), arsenic (a poison), benzene (a known carcinogen) and…
Whether you’re seeking live stand-up comedy, improv shows, or up-and-coming talent, Frankston Arts Centre offers something for every comedy lover, all year round. In 2026 Lano & Woodley will be touring a brand new show all around Australia. Before they head out on the road join them at the Frankston Arts Centre as they present these very special Work in Progress showings of their latest Opus. For tickets and further info visit the Frankston Arts Centre website: https://artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au/Whats-On/Search-All-Events/Lano-Woodley-Work-In-Progress
Two men are facing up to 25 years behind bars over their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking operation spanning Melbourne’s southeast, after police seized $1 million worth of cocaine during early morning raids across several bayside suburbs. From 4am on Thursday, detectives from the Caulfield Divisional Response Unit – with assistance from the Prahran and Mornington Peninsula Divisional Response Units – executed eight search warrants at four homes in Aspendale, Mordialloc and Parkdale; two gyms in Mordialloc and South Melbourne; a storage facility in Braeside, and a factory in Moorabbin. Inside the storage facility, police discovered approximately 3kg of…
If you’re planning a Peninsula weekend, the Red Hill Show returns on Saturday 7 March with a full day of country spectacle and family entertainment. Held at the Red Hill Showgrounds, the 98th Red Hill Show brings together the energy of the Woodchop Arena, livestock judging, working dog demonstrations and colourful pavilion competitions, alongside carnival rides, pony rides and hands-on animal experiences for children. Assistant Secretary Kerri Egan says the Show offers something increasingly rare, a genuine country show experience close to home. “It’s a chance to see real competition in the arena, from woodchop to livestock, while the kids…
THE Flinders Fringe Festival is back for 2026, offering over 50 events on the Mornington Peninsula from 26 February to 1 March. In its fourth year, this year’s line-up celebrates local artists, featuring a diverse mix of new works, returning favourites, and emerging voices that showcase the depth and character of creativity across the region. Audiences can look forward to an inspiring program of visual arts, live performance, music, literary events, hands-on workshops, and community gatherings, ranging from locally inspired storytelling and contemporary cabaret to Australian premieres and intergenerational experiences. This year’s program continues the festival’s commitment to providing a…
THE Peninsula Aero Club (PAC) has been announced as the 2025 Australian Aero Club of the Year. This prestigious National Wings Award is given by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, in partnership with the Royal Aeronautical Association and Australian Flying. In addition to having flight training schools located across four locations (Tyabb, La Trobe Valley, Barwon Heads and Warrnambool), PAC also provides valuable flight transport infrastructure for its members, guests and critical emergency services operations across the Mornington Peninsula. As home to Australia’s first Air Ambulance service, the Angel of Mercy, PAC continues its strong heritage of putting a culture…
THE ninth Womin Djeka Balnarring Ngargee will take place on Saturday 14 March 2026 at Emu Plains Reserve. The event is family friendly; entry is by donation and the entire program is organised and realised by a dedicated group of community volunteers. Womin Djeka Balnarring Ngargee continues to be an event where the community can gather to share, begin conversations and walk with First Peoples. One of many of its goals is to “honour and celebrate First Nations Peoples cultures, celebrating where First Nations peoples have come from and all they have achieved and continue to achieve”. The festival is…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough AT the Mornington Court on Friday last Mr. D. Berriman, the Coroner, held an injury into the death of George Cook, who was well-known in the Peninsula, and who was killed in a collision at Pt. Nepean crossing, between a motor car driven by himself and the 8.30am motor train from Frankston on January 5. Mr. C. J. Walker, an accountant of Essendon, who identified the body of Geo. Cook, said that deceased was a careful driver and had never drank. Dr. Somers stated that he attended to the victims of the accident on 5th January.…
Engagement vs Endorsement Recent discussion of the Mount Martha Village project highlights a key community issue: the difference between engagement and endorsement. The consultation attracted strong participation, with 488 survey responses and five written submissions on three key elements: a carpark upgrade, centre island works, and a proposed footpath. The results reflected a divided community. The carpark upgrade received 51.9% support, largely conditional on keeping the design simple and natural, while 40% opposed it. The centre island works were opposed by 55.97% of respondents, with only 31.62% in support. The footpath proposal had 48.82% support and 44.34% opposition. For a…
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man following an alleged burglary at a sporting facility in Boneo. Police were called following a burglary at a sporting facility on Boneo Road, Boneo on 7 February. It is alleged an unknown man forced entry to the building and stole over $11,000 in prize money and salaries for an upcoming competition. Several computers were also stolen along with a number of personal items belonging to staff members. On 17 February, police arrested a 34-year-old man from Cranbourne. Police will further allege the man also stole a number of items, including…
Detectives from Taskforce Icarus have this week charged two people and seized over $15m worth of LSD and almost $100,000 in cash and cryptocurrency as part of a joint investigation with US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) into the alleged importation, exportation and manufacture of LSD tabs. The LSD seizure is the largest ever in Victoria and believed to be one of the biggest in Australian history. The investigation commenced in the USA in September 2024 after HSI identified what was established to be the importation from Australia of border-controlled drugs. After determining the person of interest lived in Australia, HSI…