A Somerville based company has received a $5,140 fine after deciding to dump waste in a Tyabb drain instead of waiting for the local resource recovery centre to open. Last year, the Shire received a report about a timber waste product dumped in an open drain on Denham Road, Tyabb. After investigating, Council’s Litter Prevention Officers confirmed the source was from the Somerville-based company. Despite being just minutes away from the Tyabb Resource Recovery Centre, the representative of the company told officers they dumped the waste because the facility was closed at the time. The representative also tried to justify the decision…
Author: mpnews
TWENTY-four CFA volunteers from Hastings and Langwarrin have received a prestigious honour following their heroic rescue of a man trapped under a ten-tonne roller last July. The harrowing industrial accident occurred in Hastings where the worker had become unconscious, requiring crews to work under pressure to safely extract him after his legs were pinned under a massive roller. He luckily survived and has since recovered and returned to work. For their professionalism during the high-risk operation, the two brigades were awarded a Unit Citation for Service on 11 August. Incident controller and Hastings fire brigade captain Mike Willmott and rescue…
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughFOR a considerable time the people of Mornington have been buoyed up under the impression that there was every likelihood of the line between Frankston and Mornington being electrified, and rosy visions of future progress and prosperity were indulged in, but on Thursday last the Railway Commissioner-in-chief paid Mornington an official visit, and was waited upon by representatives of the Mornington Shire Council and Progress Association, who laid before the Commissioner a strong plea for the electrification of the line, based upon the rapid material progress of Mornington during the past two years.The Commissioner, in reply, said:…
A tree planting photo op won’t save our wildlife Councillor’s tree planting efforts might make for a nice photo op, but it’s a hollow gesture when so many trees planted by the shire along our roadsides are already dead, ripped out, or doomed from the start – shoved under powerlines or too close to footpaths where they’ll be hacked back before they can ever cast a shadow.While the shire pats itself on the back for planting saplings, the sound of chainsaws tells a different story. Mature, life-sustaining habitat trees are being felled or butchered constantly, leaving native wildlife homeless, displaced,…
WHEN a Balnarring Football Club women’s player moved to South Australia this year to take on a role at Ceduna Area School, little did she know that a couple of the girls from the school would make the trip to Victoria to pull on the boots for her old junior football club. In her role as a student support officer, Grace met footy mad Indigenous twin sisters Kailee and Kaianne who travel 800km (approximately eight hours) a weekend to play football. This feat is even more amazing, considering the girls come from a family with six kids; their parents having…
By Raia Flinos LAST week, the Mornington Peninsula Friends of Lospalos group were awarded a Medal of the Order of Timor-Leste by President José Ramos-Horta. The ceremony, which took place at the Kelvin Club in Melbourne, brought together friendship groups from around Australia and was a celebration of their contributions to Timor-Leste over the past 25 years. “These awards symbolise our nation’s profound appreciation for those who have walked alongside Timor-Leste in times of struggle and progress. Their selflessness and commitment inspire us to continue building a future of unity and prosperity,” Ramos-Horta said in a press release. The friendship…
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughNOMINATIONS for the annual shire elections closed yesterday. There are contests in the Frankston and Seaford ridings, but in the other three divisions no poll will be necessary.Election day is fixed for Thursday, 27th August, and the hours of polling will be from 8am to 7pm.The polling booth at Frankston will be at the Shire Hall, while the poll at Seaford will be taken at the Seaford Church Hall.Keen interest will be taken in both contests. Mr. E. W. Thomason, who is opposing the retiring councillor in the Frankston riding, is sure to receive very solid support,…
VICTORIA Police have launched a new road policing enforcement effort targeting reckless e-bike riders. Operation Consider has been launched in response to a significant increase in road trauma involving e-bikes. New police data shows there were 144 e-bike collisions in 2024, up from 79 in 2023. Provisional analysis of 2025 collision data indicates there were at least 113 e-bike collisions as at 30 July this year. One high-profile incident involving an allegedly illegally modified e-bike was the death of Hastings resident William Lothian, who was hit and killed by on Frankston Flinders Road on 12 May. Police allege the 24-year-old…
Homeless action needed National Homelessness Week is commemorated annually from August 4-10 to raise awareness of homelessness. The theme this year is Homelessness Action Now. It is with much sadness and of great concern that the latest figures available show the rate of homelessness here on the Mornington Peninsula continues to increase. According to the shire, 900 people have experienced homelessness in our community in the past 12 months. It is particularly disturbing that the number of women sleeping rough is getting worse, second only to the City Port Phillip (Housing crisis, Letters 29/7/25).Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN) would like…
A TRIO of Mornington dads have turned their social golf into serious success after clinching a place in Australasia’s biggest indoor golf championship this month.Kade Carey, Kurt McGlynn and James Dent will represent Victoria when they join eight other teams from Christchurch, Darwin and Perth vying for victory in the annual X-League Championships – the Southern Hemisphere’s largest tech-powered golf competition.All three dads are mates juggling work lives, family life and fatherhood. “We honestly didn’t think we’d get this far, so we’re pretty chuffed,” 41-year-old Kade said. “I started out with a 36 handicap outdoors which has dropped to 13…
FIREFIGHTERS from Sorrento Fire Brigade are now trained to respond to people experiencing cardiac arrests thanks to a vital new partnership with Ambulance Victoria.Sorrento is one of 22 brigades across the state taking part in Fire Medical Response (FMR) program to boost their emergency medical response.Both CFA and Ambulance Victoria will be called simultaneously to cardiac arrests incidents, with 50 brigades to ultimately be a part of the service.CFA district eight assistant chief fire officer Sean Kerr said the program would serve the community in more ways. “Nine members from Sorrento brigade are now ready and embedded within the community,…
By Raia Flinos TAHNEE Driver thought her bloating was a sign of an intolerance; gluten maybe. She had some pizza and a sore stomach and at first, wasn’t too concerned. But six weeks ago, Tahnee’s life was flipped upside down.The 39-year-old mum of two was urged to go to hospital after days of being unable to keep down food. At 11:30pm, after an MRI, she was told she had bowel cancer. Two days later, she was in surgery, having a tumour removed. “It didn’t feel real,” she said. “I actually put my arm out to the nurse and said, ‘Can…
By Cr Patrick Binyon* THE Mornington Peninsula Friends of Lospalos recent visit to Lospalos and Dili, Timor-Leste, was an outstanding success of inter-community and government friendships. I was fortunate to be part of the self-funded volunteer team of seven visiting “Friends”. Our team travelled with three key goals: to review current projects, assess our capacity for new initiatives, and participate in the International Conference of Friendship Cities between Timor-Leste and Australia – celebrating 25 years of friendship and community solidarity in continuous support for the development of Timor-Leste. Our shire’s friendship with Lospalos began in 2000 and is built on…
A PLAYFUL, mysterious and photogenic dolphin in the bay finally has a name. The Dolphin Research Institute announced that dolphin #89, a flippered local of Port Phillip Bay’s unique community of common dolphins, will be named Nellie following a community “name the dolphin” competition.Nellie made waves after being spotted in 2022, stealing hearts and even seen babysitting another dolphin’s young calf. Researchers didn’t know whether Nellie was male or female just yet – as it’s quite hard to tell – and the name needed to take this into account.The institute said there were “many lovely and a few wacky suggestions”…
FEEL like a break from the winter routine? Love a good book? Then come along to a special mid-week winter event. Western Port Writes is thrilled to present bestselling authors and life partners, Anne Buist and Graeme Simsion, in conversation at Stonier Winery. Join us for a warm chat with Anne and Graeme on their latest novel, The Oasis, their Australia-wide book tour, and what drives their writing partnership.Set in an acute psychiatric ward at the fictitious Menzies Hospital, The Oasis examines mental health through a fiction lens, with compassion and humour. This is the second novel in their groundbreaking…
Keep questioning Writing to the local newspaper can stem from frustration, pride, curiosity, or the need to question certain decisions. Some of these letters reflect a community seeking to understand and make sense of council’s actions. When issues arise, they often become the focus of our complaints. We ask whether we are truly unhappy with council, or do they attract frustration? It’s common to grumble, “What are they doing now?” when we encounter a poorly placed roundabout. There are many reasons to write, such as a sense of civic duty or simply the need to express your feelings after encountering…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough THE Prime Minister (Mr. Bruce) paid a short visit to Ferntree Gully on Monday, and was entertained by the Shire Council at luncheon.In reply to the toast of his health, which was proposed by the President (Cr. W. Treganowan), and supported by Cr. Chandler, M.L.C., and Cr. Alexander, Mr. Bruce said he had heard with astonishment a rumour to the effect that he would leave Flinders at the next election and stand for Balaclava or some other constituency.He desired to assure his hearers, and through them the constituency of Flinders as a whole, that he would…
A NEW Mornington Peninsula Coast Committee of Management (MPCCOM) is set to be established to oversee the coastal reserves from Whitecliffs to Camerons Bight and the Capel Sound Foreshore Reserves.According to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), the current committees of management “jointly recognised that it was necessary for the future of these iconic coastal reserves that they work together as a larger entity to deal with major future challenges such as climate change and population growth”.“We are looking for passionate professionals with the skills and expertise to continue to strengthen the management of Whitecliffs Foreshore Reserve…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough AT the Frankston Court on Monday last, John Cregan, Dorrit street, Carlton, appeared on a charge of having had possession of a tumbler suspected of having been stolen from a railway carriage on the Frankston Mornington line, on April 18.The Bench was occupied by Messrs. C. Grant, J. W. Brown and W. Armstrong, J.’sP.Dorritt, with a party of friends was returning to Melbourne after working in Mornington, when the glass was discovered in his possession.Ticket-Checker Goulie: I was checking the 5.10pm “up” train from Mornington on April 18, when I noticed a glass missing from the…
Why all the flags? The official Australian Flag unites us all just as the Stars and Stripes united the multi-cultural USA.We were disturbed to read and hear of the current flag controversy in Mornington Peninsula Shire – so much so much so that I drove down from Melbourne to check our Australian flag and pole proudly flying at our heritage home on Mornington’s Esplanade.The property was owned by A.B. Balcombe, the founder of Mornington, and was a crown grant from Queen Victoria in 1860. I then attended your Queen St offices to put in a complaint about your divisive flag…
A man has died following a crash in Moorooduc this morning. It is understood a car crashed into a tree on Derril Road about 5.15am. The male driver, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene. Investigations are ongoing into the circumstances of the crash. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au. https://www.police.vic.gov.au/fatal-crash-moorooduc
By Raia Flinos MOUNT Martha local, Lincoln Cole, found relief after years of chronic pain thanks to a locally designed technology implanted in his spine. After a workplace accident in 2013 left him with chronic, debilitating pain, Lincoln’s world shrunk. Before the accident, Lincoln lived an active lifestyle and loved surfing and riding horses. He quickly found himself housebound, depressed, and dependent on strong painkillers. Even standing upright became a struggle.|“I went from being capable and doing pretty much whatever I wanted to doing nothing,” he said. “[The chronic pain] is constant. It’s 24 hours a day. It doesn’t go…
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughA UNIQUE event took place on Tuesday last at Frankston, when the Mayor of Prahran, Cr. J. C. Pickford, brought along about 300 boys from the State and Technical schools of Prahran, for the purpose of planting several acres of land with pine trees in view of the urgent necessity of providing against the tremendous shortage of timber which will take place in this country in the course of a few years.The Mayor has conceived the idea of interesting the school children of Prahran in this matter, and after negotiating with the officers of the Education and…
By Raia Flinos AT 94 years old, Frank Brown is living proof that creativity knows no age. A beloved gem to the community of Hastings, Frank has become an unlikely celebrity at FiRST Early Learning Hastings thanks to his handcrafted dioramas.What began as a personal hobby has become a gift to local children and families. Frank creates miniature masterpieces; detailed, life-like landscapes built from dense foam, cardboard, and paint, some of which now sit proudly in the early learning centre.This latest chapter is only one part of Frank’s remarkable life. Born and raised in Northern England, Frank met his wife…
MT ELIZA environmental group, the South Eastern Centre for Sustainability, will host a coastal forum at the Mount Eliza Community Hall on 25 July with all residents invited. Keynote speakers will be Professor Daniel Ierodiaconou, and Dr Rebecca Zitoun, acclaimed scientists and academics whose research and extensive knowledge of the coastal/maritime/human interface will provide comprehensive insights into how thalassology and oceanography are relevant to Australian waters, inclusive of Port Phillip Bay and the Mornington Peninsula.“These scientists/academics are held in high esteem internationally and are particularly recognised for their cutting-edge research and how it applies to our current understanding of our…
More needs to be done on speed limits The Shoreham Community Association has taken its concerns about speeds permitted on major roads on our side of the peninsula, and the danger to wildlife that these present, to the Mornington Peninsula Shire repeatedly over many years. It is heartened by progress on that now (Speed limits slashed on Frankston-Flinders Road, The News 16/07/25).The SCA concerns also go to the safety of human life. It regards the intersection at Byrnes Road and Frankston-Flinders Road as “an accident waiting to happen”. Drivers coming out of Byrnes Road and from Shoreham Road very often…
A RED Hill glass studio is celebrating the launch of its book at an exhibition, showcasing the family’s rich legacy and its place in global artistry and broader art world. The book Blowing In A New Era: Three Generations, One Family by Gordon Studio Glassblowers and Gallery is on show at the McClelland Sculpture Gallery and Sculpture Park in Langwarrin, which is also exhibiting more than 130 pieces of Gordon-Donaldson glass art.The event, which runs until 27 July, celebrates intergenerational artists on the Mornington Peninsula, as well as the launch of the book. As part of the exhibition, visitors can…
By Raia Flinos THE Mornington Peninsula is set to play a vital role in a new state-wide conservation push aimed at protecting some of Victoria’s most threatened native animals and habitats.The Melbourne Habitat Forever project was announced earlier this week by Victorian conservation organisation Trust for Nature with 15 new sanctuaries to be created on private land, including on the peninsula. Funded by Melbourne Water, the initiative focuses on safeguarding habitats for species such as the Southern Brown Bandicoot and the Growling Grass Frog, which have suffered steep declines in population due to various factors, including land clearing and climate…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is calling for community feedback to update its draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-29, to help manage dogs and cats in the community. The four-year plan will look at current animal management services and review existing domestic animal local laws and orders to ensure they meet the needs of the community. Councillors endorsed the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan at their 1 July meeting, which is now currently open for public feedback until 8 August.The plan supports responsible pet ownership, reducing nuisance reports (like barking or roaming animals), encouraging registration, microchipping and desexing, responding to dog attacks…
Two men were arrested today after a rockface was vandalised at Paradise Falls in northeast Victoria. A 24-year-old Rosebud man was arrested in Melbourne’s CBD earlier this morning. Police from Whitfield charged the man with criminal damage, as well as charges against the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. He was bailed to appear before the Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on 29 September. A second man, aged 25 from Hastings, was arrested by Mornington detectives during a search warrant at his address. He will be charged at a later date with the same offences. The Paradise Falls waterfall, which has cultural significance to…