SAGES Cottage Farm is already home to miniature ponies, pigs, alpacas and goats, and now the farm’s workers are on the lookout for two miniature donkeys.Wallara’s Sages Cottage Farm in Baxter is run by people living with disabilities. The 40-acre farm is home to a cafe, animals, and gardens.Wallara senior manager Lisa Laing said that the addition of donkeys to the farm would help clients manage anxiety and improve their knowledge. “Welcoming new animals to Sages will provide our staff with more species to learn how to feed, groom and take care of – expanding their animal care knowledge,” Laing…
Author: mpnews
By Beck Cridland*RENTERS are being hit from all directions by the housing crisis, with no relief in sight. Rents are skyrocketing during a cost-of-living crisis and the number of properties available to rent are dwindling. Real estate agents on the Mornington Peninsula advertise that median rents have increased by up to 50 per cent in some suburbs. When I last checked, there were only ten properties available for rent under $450 per week. In Dromana, where median rent prices have increased by 50% in the last 5 years, the average price of a rental is $600 per week.Approximately one third…
Peninsula Shire’s proposed increase to land rates unfair The Mornington Peninsula Shire is considering removing a 20% bulk deal discount on annual rates offered to residents living in retirement villages within the shire.The words “discount removal” is in effect a 20% increase in the resident’s land rate cost in our village it will increase the residents’ rates by around $220 pa. The Victorian government’s statute says increases for household rates should not exceed a maximum of 3% for the year 2025/2026.Many residents living in villages on the peninsula are living on a fixed full or part income based on the…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough The change over from single phase to the three phase system was made on Saturday last.Mr. D. J. Quartermain and his staff attended to all the local arrangements, whilst the Electricity Commission controlled their portion of the work.Mr. Quartermain was ready at 3.30pm, but had to wait on the Commission until 5.15pm, on account of portion of the instruments supplied not being up to the standard.This necessitated considerable alteration, with the result that the light was not switched on until 7pm.On being switched over it was found that the work carried out was complete.The Commission’s officers…
MORE than 300 students across the Mornington Peninsula have spent the term engaging with Aboriginal arts and culture through a creative pilot program.Last week students from Tyabb Railway Station Primary School, Crib Point Primary School, and Red Hill Consolidated School came together for The Deadly Arts Community Celebration. At the event they showed off the work they have undertaken through the “Song Room” initiative.The pilot program is led by Kulin Artist and Song Room Teaching Artist, Aunty Sammy Trist. Students have been working on three shields, using South-Eastern line art, which were unveiled last week. The artworks will be displayed…
A NEW dedicated van will help the Mornington Community Support Centre rescue food for locals in need, thanks to Mornington Toyota and the Rotary Club of Mornington. The new van will allow the centre to significantly expand its food rescue operations, collecting extra food from supermarkets, bakeries, and producers. Until now, staff and volunteers have been using their own cars to support the program’s logistics – a generous but unsustainable effort as demand increases amid the cost-of-living crisis.Currently, the centre distributes donated food to more than 100 families each week, as well as preparing about 800 meals for the centre’s…
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughWHEN Horace Sharp, Hannah Nolan and Vincent Caffra, employees at the Pier Hotel, Frankston, returned to their rooms late on Saturday night last they found them in disorder and several articles of their property missing.About 9.30 that evening, George Davies, painter, had occasion to go to Caffra’s room in the staff’s quarters of the hotel.He was surprised to find it securely locked and to see, when he finally gained admittance, a strange young man asleep on the bed.The young man, Harry Sandforth, a visitor from Cheltenham, explained when he awoke that he had been wandering around and…
POLICE are investigating after a Hastings bottle shop was rammed by a car on 30 June. Police believe the vehicle crashed into the front of a bottle shop on High St about 5.15am. The store, Thirsty Camel, suffered significant damage in the incident. A crime scene was established with SES also called. Police are investigating, but believe no items were actually stolen during the incident.Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has CCTV/dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Mornington News -…
Respect all of the peninsula’s heritage Renée Gatt (Peninsula no place to be if you’re a heritage building, The News 1/7/25) notes the issue of loss of heritage buildings. I agree with Renée that heritage buildings should be saved to celebrate our history. But that only celebrates the colonial history. There are very few places on the peninsula that celebrate or recognise the tens of thousands of heritage sites for pre-colonial Australia. There is more recognition of the failed attempt to establish a colony near Blairgowrie. That settlement did not even last one year and yet it is deemed worthy…
A BRAVE group of young children who helped save their parents’ lives with some quick thinking have been recognised at the Junior Triple Zero Heroes awards event.Harry and Alfie Williams, aged nine and seven, called an ambulance to their Pearcedale home in July last year when their mum Samantha suffered a nasty asthma attack. Harry called 000 and spoke to call-taker Jess Bartlett while getting his mother’s puffer. Alfie put the dogs away and watched his mum while Harry opened the gate for the ambulance.Another youngster, six-year-old Ellie Hardy, called 000 for her mum Shannon in May last year after…
TWO striking properties on the Mornington Peninsula have been recognised at the 2025 Victorian Architecture Awards. Woodleigh Regenerative Futures Studio won awards in the Sustainable Architecture and Educational Architecture categories. The building, designed by Mcildowie Partners with Joost Bakker, houses Woodleigh School’s senior campus.The Woodleigh School site is solar-powered and fitted with five flexible learning spaces, staff amenities, social spaces, and an outside Aquaponic tanks with native fish. The roof houses native plants and grasses for native butterflies, birds, and bees.Stumpy Gully House was awarded a commendation in the Residential Architecture – Houses category.Adam Markowitz Design and Stavrias Architecture teamed…
CAPEL Sound and Somerville are looking a little greener, thanks to the planting of 180 trees across the two communities. The Mornington Peninsula Shire coordinated effort is part of its Urban Forest Strategy; aimed at improving tree canopy and providing more shade, biodiversity, and neighbourhood liveability.In Somerville, about 80 trees have found a new home on Jones Rd where a passive irrigation system is being trialled using stormwater. A further 100 trees have been planted along Broadway in Capel Sound as part of the recent road and footpath upgrade project. The shire said Capel Sound and Somerville were identified as…
By Renée E. Gatt*THE Mornington Peninsula boasts a scant number of historic buildings, remnants from the early days of our towns. These structures laid the foundation for the vibrant communities we cherish today. Yet, their survival is under constant threat.Over my 25 years on the peninsula, I’ve actively championed the preservation of our architectural heritage—landmarks that not only define our local identity but also attract tourists eager to experience our unique history. Alarmingly, these irreplaceable assets are vanishing.Both residential and commercial heritage structures are succumbing to lucrative financial offers and unchecked greed. Their cultural and historical significance is often deemed…
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughOn Sunday last the hamlet of Baxter was surprised out of its usual calm, by the extraordinary sight of a body of eighteen well-dressed men tramping in orderly formation along the roadway.Speculation was rife as to the invasion, but it proved to be a peaceful one, consisting of members of the “Wallaby” Walking Club from Melbourne.They were on the tramp to view what sights Baxter and the surrounding country had to offer.After climbing the hill to Barrett’s, dinner was partaken of in real country style, all sitting on a large log.After this a visit was made to…
Open letter to the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council I’m writing to you about the recent decision to cut funding across several areas of the arts within our region. While the arts may be a “soft target”, this perception fundamentally underestimates the wide-ranging and long-term value that a thriving creative sector provides to the peninsula.If the council aims to spend ratepayer money wisely, cutting the arts is a false economy. Investment in the arts consistently delivers strong returns – in terms of cultural enrichment, economic stimulus, tourism, job creation, community wellbeing, and regional identity.Consider the example of South Korea, where a…
A UNIQUE community partnership has delivered a brand-new purpose-built studio for Radio Western Port, empowering local voices across the Mornington Peninsula through live shows and on-demand podcasts.The initiative was made possible by Mornington Peninsula Shire awarding a $34,000 grant to Western Port Secondary College, which joined forces with Atticus Health to bring the project to life. Together, they’ve created a professional broadcasting space now home to Radio Western Port — an internet-based station dedicated to sharing local stories, ideas, and perspectives.“We’re all about community, connection and giving locals a voice,” said Dr Floyd Gomes, founder of Atticus Health. “This new…
By Raia Flinos AT 104 years old, Olga Viken is is the oldest member of the Mornington Police Senior Community Register. Known fondly by the Norwegian community in Melbourne as the “Queen of Mornington”, her story is one of resilience, love, and an unwavering spirit.She was born on May 19, 1921, and raised on a farm outside of Bergen, Norway, alongside her six siblings. During World War II, when Germans occupied Norway, Olga would sneak past the German patrols in the middle of the night to bring the milk in.She fell in love with Eivind Viken after the war ended.…
COMMUNITY groups dedicated to fostering connections and improving mental wellbeing can now apply for grants of up to $10,000 through Australia Post’s 2025 Community Grants program.Australia Post has also announced a significant expansion of its Community Grants program for this year, with an additional allocation of up to $250,000 allocated to support grassroots initiatives that enhance mental wellbeing, foster connection, and build resilience in disaster-impacted communities.Australia Post’s community and stakeholder engagement general manager Nicky Tracey said local organisations were best placed to support a recovery process in times of disaster. “That’s why we’re proud to offer an additional allocation of…
PROTESTS continue to rage at every council meeting over a multitude of funding cuts made at the council’s 6 May meeting. Gone is the shire’s Climate Emergency Plan, and financial cuts have been made across arts and cultural programs. Compounding the situation is a determination to largely discontinue the contentious hand beach cleaning program, much to the dismay of its ardent and passionate supporters. The result has been rolling omni-protests covering a multitude of issues.Seemingly above the fray is another group that has lost their funding; the Mornington Peninsula Friends of Lospalos Incorporated. Rather than heading to the next council…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough At the last meeting of the Mornington Progress Association a reply was received from the Railway Commissioners regarding the electrification of the railway from Frankston to Mornington.The Commissioners stated they were not in a position to indicate when the electrification of the line to Mornington was likely to take place, and they would prefer to defer any additional recommendations until after the electrification of the lines from Ringwood to Upper Ferntree Gully and from Ringwood to Lilydale had been commenced.This work was now in hand, and an investigation will shortly be made with a view to…
Why choose Somerville for a Urgent Care clinic? The town is 10kms from Frankston Hospital, and Frankston also already has an Urgent Care Clinic, while Rye/Rosebud with a larger population in total area is over 40kms to Somerville, and has no direct public transport for all the Pt Nepean road townships.The poor Rosebud Hospital has to cater for the annual influx from Xmas to Easter and is not able, nor suited, to handle such and would be greatly assisted by an Urgent Care Clinic to reduce their non-emergency work load. It would to more sense to establish an Urgent care…
THE peninsula branch of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation will host its annual Gala Ball fundraiser next month. The Blue Ribbon branch has been fundraising to install two Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation machines at the intensive care unit in Frankston Hospital. It has now met its goal, and will begin fundraising for a Fetal Monitoring Service. The Blue Ribbon Gala Ball will be held at the Mornington Race Course on Saturday, 26 July.The peninsula branch is also set to host an invite-only event at the Frankston Arts Centre in honour of the four police members who died in the Eastern…
REPOWER Mornington Peninsula volunteers have been busy visiting Community Support Centres across the Peninsula to donate home energy kits for clients in need. These kits contain draft-proofing and other easy to install items that are ideal for people living in rental properties that are not well insulated. These low-tech solutions will help keep the residents a bit warmer, without the need for landlords’ approval or installation.This is part of a trial program Repower is running this winter. So far kits have been donated to the Mornington, Western Port and Southern Peninsula Community Support Centres. If the program proves successful Repower…
By Raia Flinos PENINSULA Raiders Over 35s Women have broken through for their first ever win, marking a historic and hard-earned victory. They faced the Northside Lions on the 31st of May and came out on top, beating them 6.10 (46) to 0.2 (2) in their fifth round this season.Emma Ince, Beth Storr, Lauren Taylor, Cara Barker, Jakii Turner, and Cath Rees were named their best, but the team had Jo Dow to thank for the scoreline. Dow plays as a fullback but was brought into the forward line for the first time and scored three goals.“Jo was pretty incredible,…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough A movement to secure the establishment of a new railway with a terminus at Westernport Bay was initiated at a meeting which was held in the Municipal Chambers, Queen street, recently.The meeting was convened as a result of a resolution of the Moorabbin Shire Council.Councillors and landholders representing Moorabbin, Oakleigh, Dandenong, Cranbourne, and Frankston Shires, the Borough of Carrum, and the town of Mentone-Mordialloc attended.A sub-committee of 21 councillors and landholders was elected with a view to urging the establishment of a line half-way between the Mordialloc-Frankston and the Dandenong Cranbourne lines.The proposal under consideration is…
A GROUP of life savers from Mordialloc and Portsea will travel to California next month to take part in an international competition.Ciara Walsh from Mordialloc LSC will join nine other Victorian volunteer lifesavers to compete in the Wieland Shield surf sports competition in July. The competition has been held in partnership between Life Saving Victoria and Los Angeles County Lifeguards since 1967 – the US and Australia host the event biannually on alternate years. The competition includes swim, board and surf ski race, surf rescue relay, beach relay, and ironman and ironwoman events.The full Australian team is Campbell Bohan, Jesse…
Mornington Peninsula Shire shifts away from community values The recent decisions by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council signal a worrying departure from the community-focused leadership many of us have come to expect. The Council has disbanded the Citizens’ Panel — a group of 50 local residents who provided vital community input to the Council. This move shuts down an important channel for genuine public consultation at a time when transparency is crucial.Adding to this, the new requirement for pre-registration and photo ID to attend Council meetings feels like a barrier designed to limit public participation rather than encourage it. Local democracy…
When detectives from Taskforce Echo conducted a search of a known criminal’s address in 2021, the last thing they expected to find were weapons of historical significance dated at over 100 years old. Police were at the Caroline Springs home in November 2021 to conduct a search of the property as the resident was a Middle eastern Organised Crime entity subject to a Firearms Prohibition Order. During the search, detectives located and seized a number of items including a handgun, ammunition, drugs and other weapons. The latter included two bayonets that were believed to be stolen property. The man subject…
A ROSEBUD-based building company that allegedly took hefty deposits and abandoned projects has been permanently banned from operating following an order by the Supreme Court.A court injunction secured by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) found that Peninsula Building Projects Pty Ltd and director Clancy John (CJ) Fulton had been practicing as an unregistered builder, falsely using another registration of another builder and taking upfront deposits exceeding legal limits. A court statement revealed that one consumer had handed over $100,000 to renovate a master bedroom and ensuite only for the builder to leave after demolition and not finishing the job.Up to…
THE HMAS Cerberus Museum has joined forces with the Victorian Maritime Museum. The HMAS Cerberus Museum staff have installed their first display now on show at the Victorian Maritime Museum in Crib Point. The display reflects the heroic role the Royal Australian Navy Bridging Train played in the landings at Gallipoli. Included in the display is the actual Union Jack that was flown at Gallipoli by the RANBT.The RANBT was created in February 1915 comprising of various volunteer Naval reserve personnel. ‘Train’ refers to the wagons they used to carry logistical materials used to build roads, railways and bridges. The…