Author: Brendan Rees

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh is set to travel to Canberra this month for a joint advocacy visit to Parliament House, where he will meet with federal decision-makers to champion key priorities for the region. On 25 and 26 August Marsh will join the council’s CEO Mark Stoermer, alongside Frankston City Council mayor Kris Bolam, to meet with members of the federal government and opposition. Marsh said among the top priorities on the agenda to be discussed, which would occur during a parliamentary sitting week, was advocating for the 2025 federal election commitments to be honoured across the…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has finally clarified its flag policy, declaring the Australian flag must be “the primary and most prominent” after it was controversially left off a kindergarten flyer this year. The updated policy was formally adopted at the council’s 12 August meeting which will govern how the flag is “flown or displayed at all Mornington Peninsula Shire Council buildings, sites, events, and communications where flags are used”. The move also means councillors will be handed back the ultimate authority and decision making as to how and when the Australian flag is used after rejecting it be kept as a…

A STRETCH of under-used space behind The Bays Hospital has been turned into a vibrant green space thanks to a partnership with the Rotary Club of Mornington and the Mornington Peninsula Shire.The first section of the project called the Mornington Rotary Greenway was successfully planted at the end of July, which the Rotary Club’s secretary Tanya Chambers said was a transformative project that is set to create a vibrant green corridor connecting Mornington’s foreshore to the hinterland. She also said it marked a significant milestone “in bringing more green spaces into the region’s urban areas, much like the Briars Forest…

A kangaroo joey has been saved after its mother was cruelly shot and left for dead in Moorooduc, leaving wildlife rescuers devastated and heartbroken. A resident raised the alarm after spotting the female kangaroo behaving unusually on their property in early July. A volunteer from animal welfare group Vets for Compassion was called to the property where the kangaroo was safely and compassionately sedated under veterinary supervision. “What we discovered was heartbreaking. She had been shot in the face, leaving her nose and jaw shattered. She was severely underweight, and her infected wounds had turned necrotic,” Vets for Compassion posted…

A DECK of cards, a mountain of sticky tape, and a lot of ambition. That’s what students had from across the Western Port area when they took part in creating the tallest freestanding tower at an Inter Schools Activity Challenge (ISAC) held at BlueScope Steel in Hastings on 7 August. Organised by Somerville Tyabb Rotary Club, the event brought together 20 teams of year 5/6 students from 12 schools.ISAC is designed to spark creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking, as well as a fun learning experience – which are all skills at the heart of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).The…

STUDENTS from Dromana’s Peninsula Specialist College are gaining valuable real-world hospitality experience thanks to a partnership with the Rosebud RSL and disability support organisation Umbrella Support. The program enables students to participate in an inclusive and welcoming work environment while learning new skills in hospitality and customer service.Umbrella Support has been working with Rosebud RSL for the past two years, with the college partnering with the organisation to allow these opportunities. The school’s pathways and work experience coordinator Bianca Barber said they were proud to be involved in the initiative, which would allow students to gain a sense of purpose…

A NEWLY opened food pantry in Somerville is already making a meaningful difference to the lives of hundreds of residents, just one month after opening its doors. Launched on 7 July, Helping Hands Somerville was created to meet growing community needs amid rising food insecurity and cost-of-living pressures. It’s operated by a small group of volunteers including its president Anne Raukawa, retired caterer Gail, and retired teacher Deb, who met earlier this year over coffee with an idea of starting a “simple local pantry” offering rescued food and donated items to those in need. “Little did we know then how…

A MULTI-agency working group has been formed to address urgent tenant welfare concerns and long-standing maintenance issues at the Main St public housing complex in Mornington.Mornington Peninsula Shire set up the group to tackle to “significant challenges” including maintenance, systems, tenancy placement, and ongoing improvements for the area. Renovations were also undertaken after fire destroyed several units, which have been re-tenanted by locals on the Housing Register.Several agencies have been working closely together since October last year to improve the living conditions at the complex. The working group includes representatives from the shire, Mornington Community Support Centre, Western Port Community…

A GROUP of concerned animal welfare advocates have held a peaceful vigil outside RSPCA Victoria’s headquarters as it investigates reports of underweight horses at a Mt Eliza property. The vigil drew about 20 people holding placards at the Burwood East offices on 25 July with calls for “transparency and clarity around the organisation’s handling of the matter”. The RSPCA launched an investigation in June following reports about 30 horses had allegedly been neglected under a former race trainer at a Moorooduc Highway property. In a statement, the RSPCA said the owner was currently cooperating with their Inspectorate, but as it…

HEALTH authorities have launched an investigation into a potential contamination of the mains water at Mt Eliza’s Emil Madsen Reserve following reports of a gastro outbreak. The onset of the illness on the weekend of 26-27 July occurred around the same time several visitors to the reserve had noticed the tap water appearing unusually “cloudy”.Mornington Peninsula turned off the mains water and closed the reserve with affected sporting games being moved to other reserves. The shire had also issued a community warning on Facebook for people to “not drink or use the water in this area at this time”.Emil Madsen…

A PENINSULA surfer mum has made waves on the national stage after claiming top spot in the over-40s women’s division at this year’s Australian Longboard Titles final. Eglantine (Tina) Balland, 41, beamed with pride after securing the title at Cabarita Beach in NSW on 25 July. A life-long lover of the ocean and mother of one, Tina described the win as the “happiest moment of my entire sporting life” and a big comeback to the sport. “A few years ago, I nearly died from a severe pneumonia. I eventually recovered but I was left with very damaged lungs,” she said.…

AFTER a lifetime marked by devastating loss, Karen Taylor of Mt Martha is finding purpose in pain, which she hopes will also help others feel seen and supported. For more than 30 years, she has carried the weight of loss, beginning with a heartbreaking miscarriage followed 18 months later by the loss of her mother to cancer in 1996. Tragedy followed in 1997 when her sister committed suicide. Then came the sudden loss of her brother-in-law to a heart attack shortly after, before a friend and an aunt were taken by cancer. “This left me feeling as if I was…

THE Blairgowrie Caravan Park is officially up for sale and is set to change hands for the first time since the 1960s. Expressions of interest are being sought for this five-acre site at 45–73 William Rd, Blairgowrie, as its owner Ross Hartnett, who has been running the park for 60 years, prepares for retirement. CRE Brokers, which specialises in selling motels, hotels, and caravan parks, is managing the sale, opening the door to a rare opportunity on the peninsula with the site’s location being near Point Nepean Rd and within a few hundred metres of the beach and shopping village.…

MT Martha mum and sexuality educator Jenny Wood is being recognised at a national level for the quiet impact she’s making through her business. She has been named as a finalist in two categories of the AusMumpreneur Awards including the Children’s Wellbeing and Wellness and the Children’s Online Education awards, which celebrate and support Australian mothers in business. Wood’s nomination is for her work in running Justasec Education since 2022, which she founded after identifying a need among parents to assist them to speak more confidently with their children about sexuality and relationships. She said thousands of parents had spoken…

THE Hastings Senior Citizens Club is inviting new members to join them for a friendly cuppa and a wide range of social activities. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and packed calendar of events, the group is encouraging local retirees and senior citizens to stop by and see what’s on offer. From craft to carpet bowls, board games, jigsaw mornings, card games, chair exercises and speaking about current affairs, the club has something for everyone. “You don’t have to come with anyone or know anyone – just show up and we’ll make you feel at home,” club spokesperson Dianne Ashton said,…

JOYCE Booth, a long-time volunteer at the Rosebud Hospital, is being remembered as “someone who had a way of making everyone feel seen and valued,” after her passing at 90. She dedicated 25 years’ service to the hospital’s Pink Ladies volunteer group, and in the kiosk where she helped and brought a warm smile to doctors, specialists, patients and all staff. “You couldn’t ask for a more selfless, loving person,” her daughter Tracey Fernandez said. “She made a lasting impact on everyone she met.” Even after retiring as a volunteer, the great-great grandmother would still visit everyone at the hospital…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will review recent changes that have seen several previously on-leash dog areas abruptly reclassified as no-dog zones without public warning. The changes, which affect various reserves and parks on the peninsula, have sparked frustration and confusion among dog owners and residents, many of whom were caught off-guard by the restrictions (“New dog ban areas spark concern”, The News, 16/07/25). Impacted areas include Balnarring Beach Creek Reserve, Fawkner Ave Bushland Reserve in Blairgowrie, Bernards Way Reserve in Cape Schanck, Craigie Rd Bushland Reserve in Mt Martha, and Serpentine Reserve in Mornington. According to a shire report, officers had…

THE Mornington Peninsula Shire is developing a new concept design for the Hastings boat ramp carpark, aiming at easing congestion and improve safety at Victoria’s second-busiest ramp.The proposed upgrade is part of the shire’s effort to support the growing boating and recreational community in Hastings and across the Western Port region. Proposals include changes to the parking layouts, while retaining vegetation, green space, and connections to the Western Port Bay Trail.Under the plans, which is now available for the community to have their say, there would be 34 more sealed car and trailer unit (CTU) parks and two more accessible…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will cut its public meetings from 13 to nine for the remainder of the year after citing an “intense schedule” including working with three different CEOs and producing its biggest budget ever.The decision was adopted unanimously by councillors at their 17 June meeting which will see their future ordinary meetings held every three weeks rather than fortnightly. However it maintained it “will continue to provide opportunities for council to meet its legislative responsibilities and maintain public transparency”. An additional meeting will be held on 16 December for councillors to address any urgent items before Christmas.Deputy mayor Cr…

Offenders armed with a machete have targeted six shops and petrol stations across southeastern suburbs in just about seven hours yesterday, including two in Somerville. Police allege five offenders entered a petrol station on Frankston-Flinders Road in Somerville about 3.50pm before staff members challenged them, leaving them to flee empty handed. However, the same crew entered another service station on Frankston-Flinders Road, believed to be a Shell, a short time later, where they allegedly stole cash and cigarettes. A police spokesperson said a dark coloured SUV was allegedly used in a petrol drive off at a service station in Wonga…

CONSTRUCTION of a new eastern pavilion at Emil Madsen Reserve in Mt Eliza will soon begin after the Mornington Peninsula Shire awarded a multi-million-dollar contract for the works. Councillors made the decision at their 17 June meeting to award the contract to its preferred tenderer.The project will be fully funded by the federal government after it provided $15m last year to initiate stage one of the Emil Madsen Reserve Master Plan. This includes the construction of a new single-storey, multi-use sports eastern pavilion to cater to soccer, junior football, cricket, and netball clubs.As part of the works, one existing netball…

A STRONG trio of Mornington-based surfers are gearing up to represent the peninsula at the Australian Longboard Titles this month.Chris Hanrahan, Tas Dunton, and Tom Bellisai will compete in the six-day event which begins on 22 July and will take place at some of the most renowned surf spots, including Cabarita Beach, Kingscliff Beach, Fingal Beach, and Duranbah Beach in northern New South Wales.As the longest-running event on the surfing calendar, with 300 surfers representing all six surfing states, the competition promises to be thrilling.All three Mornington surfers are members of the Maladiction Longboarders Club, which has been based on…

RESIDENTS are voicing concern over increasing amounts of litter washing up on Mornington beaches, believed to be drifting in from other parts of Port Phillip Bay during high tides. Much of the debris has reportedly washed up at Fishermans Beach, Mothers Beach, and Mills Beach in recent weeks, which is understood to be a reoccurring issue in winter months when there is a combination of stormwater runoff and high tides that push rubbish across the bay.Residents Chris and Lorraine, who asked not to share their surname, described the sight as “heartbreaking” after finding piles of litter at the Fishermans Beach…

DROMANA’S Torello Farm is set to add three new market stalls dedicated to selling locally produced wine, beer and cider. The White Hill Rd venue is a family-run market garden and farm gate selling produce grown on site and across the local region. It is also popular for its homemade meals, pickles and preserves cooked from its commercial kitchen with the same local produce they sell from their farm gate.Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors at their 1 July meeting approved a planning permit amendment to allow Torello Farm to add three market stalls, bringing the total number of stalls onsite to…

VOLUNTEERS at the Sunshine Reserve Conservation Group have been rolling up their sleeves and getting to work ahead of this year’s National Tree Day on 27 July. The reserve at Mt Martha is a pocket of natural bushland with volunteers passionate about preserving it and seeing indigenous flora and fauna thrive.Volunteers have been busy weeding out invasive plants and preparing for tree planting sessions for National Tree Day. They are now inviting all community members to a planting session at the reserve from 9am to 12pm on 27 July. The event will also include a smoking ceremony.“Unfortunately weeding is the…

NEWLY installed signs that have unexpectedly restricted access to previously on-leash dog areas will be debated among Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors following community backlash. The shire has recently put in new signs banning dogs at various locations aiming to protect wildlife. Cr David Gill said the signs had caught dog owners off-guard, creating “public anxiety”.According to the shire’s website, “there are a number of areas where dogs are prohibited from entering or remaining, even on leash (…) to ensure we offer the greatest amount of protection to these species”. “Some of these species include the threatened Hooded Plover, migratory shorebirds,…

SECTIONS of the Frankston-Flinders Road are set to have their speed limits reduced by the end of the year to enhance safety and address community concerns.The changes include 1.9km between Tyabb and Hastings (90kph to 80 kph); 4km between Bittern and Balnarring (90kph to 80kph); and 1.8km between Balnarring and Merricks (100kph to 80kph). Other sections include 3.4km between Merricks and Shoreham (100kph to 80kph) and 4.1km between Shoreham and Flinders (100kph to 80kph).The Department of Transport and Planning announced the new measures earlier this month. “When setting speed limits, we need to carefully balance keeping everyone safe on our…

WILDLIFE advocates are raising urgent concerns about boaters disturbing large whales in Port Phillip Bay after reports surfaced that the mammals were being “chased and harassed” in the Bass Strait. There have been three sightings of humpback whales in the bay with two mature humpback whales thrilling onlookers as they swam past Seaford, Frankston, Mornington, and Mount Martha on 28 June.Scientists from the Dolphin Research Institute’s Two Bays Whale Project confirmed the sightings, noting humpback and southern right whales were present in the waters during their northern migration, and each year, some pass through Port Phillip Heads and enter the…

SOMETHING colourful is moo-ving through St Joseph’s Primary School in Sorrento – and it’s got everyone talking.Students from Year 3/4 have been busy turning a life-size fibreglass cow into a dazzling masterpiece as part of Dairy Australia’s “Picasso Cows” program. Covered in farmyard flair, the colourful cow showcases the young artists’ knowledge of the dairy industry. Health and nutritional benefits of dairy, life on the dairy farm, and how milk ends up in their lunchboxes have been among their key learnings. The school will now enter a national competition that will judge the best creative cow.Sustainability/visual arts teacher Jane Byrne…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will clean up erosion it caused after burying a pile of old asbestos found at the Balcombe Creek Estuary in Mt Martha – two months after it was first reported and taped off. The material, which was left from the former Balcombe Army Camp decommissioned in the 1980s, was discovered among bush scrub on the side of the boardwalk by a resident on April 8.The site was initially cordoned off with tape, but the public still had access to the pathway while the asbestos was exposed for weeks (“Asbestos found at Balcombe Creek Estuary,” The News 20/05/25).…