Compiled by Cameron McCullough THE Frankston Fire Brigade had a busy time during the early part of the week in assisting to quell scrub fires in various parts of the district. Members of the brigade responded promptly to each alarm, and under the direction of their captain, Mr. D. H. Petrie, did very effective work. On Sunday evening a fire assumed alarming proportions in the scrub along Humphries Road and scores of residents with the Frankston Fire Brigade, turned out to do battle with the flames. Fortunately no homesteads were destroyed, although seriously threatened. The fire fighters did good service…
Author: mpnews
RACV is urging parents to familiarise themselves with e-scooter and e-bike laws as more than one million Victorian students head back to school. RACV head of policy James Williams said many children may have received e-scooters or e-bikes as Christmas gifts, but some families may not understand the legal restrictions or safety risks. “Electric bikes and electric scooters are not toys. E-scooters are illegal for children under 16 on Victorian roads and footpaths, and they pose serious risks to riders and pedestrians given they can travel up to 25kph,” Williams said. RACV is funding a statewide study into e-scooter injuries,…
Ban jet skis at Safety Beach Having spent four weeks of my holidays at Safety Beach with lots of swimming, every day I was in danger of these hoons on jet skis. They go too fast in the restricted areas, and probably don’t have a boat licence or know the rules. I never saw one Water Police boat in all that time. When some one is killed or badly injured then the authorities may do something. But that will be too late. Allan Dickson, Carrum Downs Jet ski enforcement It is to be hoped that the campaign described on the…
JORDAN Doull has claimed his second Challenger Tour of Australasia title, securing victory in a wild finish to Webex Players Series Victoria hosted by Marcus Fraser at Rosebud Country Club on Sunday. The win came after a dramatic four-hole play-off against last week’s Vic Open champion Cam John, with the pair locked at 12-under-par at the completion of regular play after an afternoon-long duel. They finished one shot ahead of amateur Billy Dowling and WA PGA winner Austin Bautista. Doull, who had led by two shots before making a double-bogey at the 71st hole, eventually sealed the trophy when he…
By Lesley McMillan AUSTRALIA Day has delivered a moment decades in the making for one of the Mornington Peninsula’s most respected racing identities, with local legend Michael Binney capturing the 2026 Barmah Park Balnarring Cup in emotional fashion. Binney’s home-bred mare Diamanda powered to a dominant four-length victory, carrying a record 77kg, sealing one of the most memorable wins in the history of the Balnarring Picnic Racing Club. For the 79-year-old horseman, it was not just a race win, but the fulfilment of a lifelong dream forged through generations of racing heritage, perseverance and deep community ties. Racing runs deep…
Diving for a meal of wild abalone in Port Phillip is something special, enjoyed by lots of people every summer. To keep the bay’s abalone stocks healthy, we all need to do our bit, which includes abiding by bag and size limits. Fisheries Officers recently focused their efforts on the bay, apprehending 2 men at Mt Eliza with 147 abalone, 144 of which were undersize. The daily limit is 5 abalone per person. Both men will be charged on summons. For everything you need to know about abalone, including open days in Port Phillip along with bag and size limits…
THE Rotary Club of Hastings Western Port has donated more than $40,000 to local clubs, schools and community organisations over the past year. The funding has supported a wide range of community groups, including local football clubs, the Hastings Men’s Darts Club and the Hastings Ladies Netball Club, which received a contribution to help with savings and ongoing development. Education has also been a strong focus for the club, with Rotarians working closely alongside primary schools. Initiatives have included the provision of breakfast club support to help ensure students start the day well, as well as hosting a barbecue for…
ON Saturday, 7 March, McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery will transform into a sonic sanctuary as Sculpted Sounds debuts. This one-day festival has an impressive lineup set against native bushland and world-class sculpture. Leading the charge is Ball Park Music, the Brisbane indie-rock icons whose latest album Like Love soared to number one on the ARIA charts in 2025. With five ARIA Top 5 albums and platinum singles un-der their belt, expect a set brimming with euphoric energy and heartfelt lyricism. Sharing the spotlight is Sarah Blasko, a voice that has shaped Australian music for over two decades. Her seventh…
NOMINATIONS for the 2026 Victorian Sport Awards have officially opened, celebrating sport and active recreation in Victoria last year. Eighteen awards will recognise individual and team athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators, media personnel, and initiatives that encourage others to stay active. Nominations are open to the public and can be submitted via the Vicsport website until 13 February. Following the nomination period, judging panels will select four finalists for each award, with finalists announced in March. First published in the Mornington News – 27 January 2026
JUNIOR futsal competitions are kicking off at the start of term one on the Mornington Peninsula, with Peninsula Futsal hosting weekly matches for local players in Mornington and Rosebud. Games are held on Sundays at Mornington Civic Reserve and Fridays at Rosebud Basketball Stadium, providing junior players with the opportunity to take part in the fast-paced, five-a-side indoor version of soccer. The competition caters for under 10, under 12 and under 14 age groups, with an emphasis on skill development, participation and sportsmanship. Futsal is widely used to develop ball control, agility and decision-making and is played by millions of…
THE Australian Sand Sculpting Championships are scheduled to return to Frankston from 28 March. The event will run from the end of March until 26 April. Eighteen large-scale sculptures carved from more than 400 tonnes of sand are set to be completed, with ten Australian sculptors and five international artists ready to get to work at McCombs Reserve on the Frankston Waterfront. Sandstorm Events founder and director Sharon Redmond said “we’re thrilled to be back in Frankston for the 2026 Championships.” “This year will be bigger and better than ever, with more fun for families and more affordable access for…
LYSTER Opera proudly presents Christoph Willibald Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice at Rye Civic Hall on Saturday 7 February at 2:00pm, marking the company’s first appearance on the Mornington Peninsula. Now celebrating its tenth year of operation, Lyster Opera is recognised for touring high-quality professional opera to regional centres across Victoria. With a strong commitment to accessibility, the company aims to present professional opera at an affordable price to communities that otherwise have limited access to the art form. The Rye performance represents an important expansion of this mission, bringing fully staged opera to Peninsula audiences close to home. Christoph Willibald…
On Sunday 25th January at 6.30pm, a collision involving a motorcycle and a vehicle occurred at the intersection of Nepean Highway and Kunyung Road in Mount Eliza. The motorcycle rider sustained life altering injuries as a result. Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the motorcycle rider prior to the collision occurring, or anyone who may have dashcam of the collision or the motorcycle in the moments leading up to the collision are urged to contact S/C COAKER at Somerville Highway Patrol on 5978 1300 or submit an online report to Crime Stoppers, or call 1800 333…
MORNINGTON Yacht Club (MYC), in partnership with the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV), will host a historic Ocean Racing Panel on Friday 30 January 2026, celebrating one of the most remarkable careers in Victorian offshore sailing. The event will feature Graeme Taylor, whose achievements place him among the most accomplished ocean racers the state has produced, and whose influence has helped shape offshore sailing culture for more than three decades. Taylor has competed in 29 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races, claimed nine Line Honours victories, an overall win and a race record, and has twice been named Australian Sailing…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough To the Editor Sir, Not so many months ago the finances of the Shire were in such a pitiable condition that the Council had to seek “special bank accommodation” to enable them to pay their sanitary contractor in Frankston and Hastings. Has that statement any “foundation in fact,” Mr Editor? If so, will you be good enough to inform me who the financial wizard is in Frankston who not only apparently squares the ledger, but has been able to rake up a surplus of £250 (and cries because he has £500 to spend and cannot spend…
Peninsula Surfriders Club hosted the Victorian Teams Battle Cash Competition held at Gunnamatta surf beach. Surfers from several coastal clubs came together to create 15 teams. The swell was small but good surfers make something out of nothing. Team Goodtimes were the eventual winners of the comp. First published in the Mornington News – 27 January 2026
Review BlueScope’s rates freeze The BlueScope steelworks site at Hastings has an interesting history (BlueScope’s ‘land bank’ value one reason for takeover rejection, The News 14/1/26). Originally orchards and farms, the land at Long Island Point in Hastings was chosen by John Lysaght Australia Ltd in a joint venture with BHP and Guest, Keens and Nettlefolds Ltd to build a new steelworks. In 1967, Lysaghts used a dummy company called Mellon Nominees to buy 1700 acres at Hastings for $2,000 per acre – total $3.4m. In 1969, Victorian Premier Sir Henry Bolte approved 184 acres of coastal foreshore, 963 acres…
SELFLESS service and community spirit have been recognised across the Mornington Peninsula on Australia Day, as the shire honoured residents and community groups who make a difference through dedication. Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said this year’s awards were about acknowledging people who put their community first. “Each of these award recipients represents the heart and soul of our community. Their dedication, resilience and selflessness inspire us all, and it was a privilege to celebrate them with the community at Flinders Civic Hall on Australia Day,” he said. “This year’s honourees remind us that real change happens through care, connection and…
Start the year with laughter, music and theatrical brilliance when legendary Australian entertainer Gerry Connolly brings his irresistible stage presence to Frankston Arts Centre. For over four decades, Gerry has built a remarkable career as a comedian, actor, impressionist and pianist. Best known for his razor-sharp satirical impressions of public figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Ministers and international leaders, he first honed his talents at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and hasn’t looked back. Audiences and industry insiders alike praise Connolly’s masterful blend of comedy and musicianship. On his celebrated satire, he once said, “I love her… I…
CELEBRATIONS will be once again in full swing at the Village Green in Mt Eliza on Australia Day, Monday 26 January. A free sausage sizzle and entertainment will be happening from 9:00 AM until 12:30pm. The formal program starts at 10:00 AM with the flag raising conducted by 1st Ranelagh Scouts. There will be plenty of entertainment both for kids and all the family to have a fun time while celebrating being part of our wonderful community. Kids will also be able to get up close to wildlife in the hands-on Australian Reptile Show and exhibition – they will be…
The Water Police Squad has been called to more than 500 incidents already this summer – prompting a water safety warning for the Australia Day long weekend. With temperatures set to soar into the high-thirties and low forties and significant crowds expected at popular waterways – the Water Police Squad will be out in force with local units conducting proactive patrols to ensure everyone is following the rules. Around 400 of the callouts have related to vessel collisions or vessel sinkings, people being in trouble on the water and needing to be rescued, injuries occurring on boats and jet skis…
Silvers Circus – one of Australia’s most iconic and longest running circuses- is celebrating an incredible milestone: 50 years of setting the standard, bringing wonder and wow to adults and children alike, and being Australia’s Greatest Circus! And there’s no better way to mark this golden anniversary than under the air-cooled comfort of our famous big top, right here in Mornington! The 2026 season brings a production that reflects exactly why Silvers has stood tall for 5 decades. What can you expect from them this year? Well, pure amazement, as always! Feminine acrobats defying gravity and flexibility, adrenaline driven guys…
Kelsey Bennett has two big goals firmly in her sights this year – securing a win on the Ladies European Tour and earning LPGA Tour status for 2027. But before she can start working on those targets, one of Australian women golf’s rising stars will tee it up as one of the favourites in Webex Players Series Victoria at Rosebud Country Club on the Bellarine Peninsula, starting on Thursday A win at home – in an event where men and women compete for the same prize on the same course – would start the year off quite nicely. The 25-year-old…
WEBEX Players Series Victoria has a new host who would love to win its sixth staging at Rosebud Country Club, starting on Thursday. Former Olympian Marcus Fraser, one of Victoria’s best performed professional golfers on the world stage in the past 20 years with victories on four different Tours, now has his name attached to a tournament that has become a very popular stop for players on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour of Australasia. Another high-quality field will be back on the Mornington Peninsula contesting the unique format which sees men and women professionals go up…
FROM the WACA to the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, cricketing legend Adam (Gilly) Gilchrist has fulfilled a life-long dream by developing his Australian owned tequila brand, El Arquero Tequila. Gilly was at Ritchies Balnarring last Thursday (15 January), where customers were treated to a tasting experience with the man himself. El Arquero Tequila is 100% additive-free and has been crafted and produced by a third-generation family-owned distillery . “We didn’t just take their liquid and put a label on it, we worked together with them to develop our own. We wanted to create an authentic liquid profile with the Australian…
A SINGLE agency for outdoor activities has been formed, merging the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) and the Game Management Authority (GMA) into the Outdoor Recreation Victoria (ORV). Outdoor Recreation Minister Steve Dimopoulos announced the change in December, which aims to simplify access to bushland, waterways, and recreational activities while keeping all existing staff in their jobs. ORV will initially focus on promoting activities such as fishing, hunting, boating, four-wheel driving, and off-grid camping. Over time, the agency plans to expand its reach to support a wider range of outdoor recreation opportunities. The agency will serve as a central point of…
THE Mornington Rotary Art Show has returned to the Peninsula Community Theatre, bringing one of the region’s largest and most popular visual arts events back to Mornington. Running from 16 January to 24 January, the annual show will feature around 750 artworks, including oils, acrylics, watercolours and pastels. The exhibition is being held at the theatre on the corner of Wilson Rd and Nepean Hwy, with doors open daily from 10am to 5pm, and a special late-night opening until 8pm on Friday 23 January. At the special Friday night opening, guests will be treated to a drink of their preference…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough THE monthly meeting of the Frankston Traders’ Association was held at “The Tangerine” last night (Thursday). In the unavoidable absence of the president (Cr. J. Bradbury) the vice-president (Mr. C. J. Pope) occupied the chair. Other members, present were: Mrs. T. Marshall, Messrs. C. Meredith, L. Davis (secretary), C. Parnell, Moore, McFarlane, Royle, J. Nolan, H. Hiscock, G.Apthorpe, H. C. Barclay, and L. J. Ward. On the right side A balance-sheet of the recent carnival, concerts, etc., was presented by Mr. C. Meredith and proved to be very satisfactory. The chairman stated that though perhaps the…
THE Bays Cancer Care Centre is celebrating its first birthday – one year on from opening the peninsula’s first integrated cancer hub, bringing diagnosis, treatment and wellness support together in one locally accessible facility. Stage one of the centre opened in February 2025 as a $15m investment in local health infrastructure, enabled by a one-off $10m Commonwealth Government contribution, strong community and philanthropic support, and Community Bank Mt Martha’s $600,000 commitment to establish the Community Bank Mt Martha Wellness Centre. Since opening, the centre has helped more locals receive cancer care closer to home. Delivered in partnership with Icon Cancer…
More effort on cleaning up As a resident of many years here on the Mornington Peninsula, seeing the lack of care from the local shire in maintaining the suburb of Dromana has been really disappointing. We’ve been inundated with thousands of visitors this summer and the main pavement thoroughfare is incredibly dirty. It has been in need of cleaning for well over 12 months now. Residents submit requests for maintenance and things take months to be addressed. The urination from dogs, mashed in food and graffiti covering many surfaces of the sidewalk and side streets definitely isn’t the welcome I’d…