Author: Brodie Cowburn

CRIME on the Mornington Peninsula rose by 10.6 percent in the 2024/25 financial year, newly released figures from the Crime Statistics Agency reveal.There were 9,333 criminal incidents recorded in the Mornington Peninsula LGA in the year ending June 2025. That figure equates to 5425 criminal incidents per 100,000 population.Mornington was the peninsula suburb most affected by crime, followed closely by Rosebud and Hastings. Dromana and Somerville rounded out the top five.Stealing from a motor vehicle was the most common offence, with 1313 incidents recorded. There were 864 reported incidents of other theft, 749 incidents of breaching family violence orders, and…

MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONE SENIORS ROSEBUD are the premiers of Division One after a nail-biting one point win over Mt Eliza. Rosebud came into the Grand Final on Sunday as strong favourites, only losing twice during the home-and-away season. Mt Eliza snuck into finals with a 9-9 record.Kinetic Stadium hosted the season decider last weekend. Not much separated the two sides all day – Rosebud took a narrow two point lead into the half-time break, which turned into a one goal lead for Mt Eliza by three-quarter-time. The Redlegs led by as much as 19 points in the third quarter,…

MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONE MT Eliza survived a huge scare on Sunday to claim their spot in the MPFNL Division One Grand Final.Mt Eliza played Frankston YCW in the preliminary final, with the winner advancing to a Grand Final showdown against Rosebud. Mt Eliza dominated for most of the day, and at three-quarter-time they were comfortably ahead by 50 points.The Stonecats came alive in the final term, and nearly pulled off a miracle. They got within a goal of the Redlegs, but ended up running out of time. Mt Eliza held on for a thrilling 9.13 (67) to 10.13 (73)…

VFL FRANKSTON’S remarkable season continued on Saturday night, as they earned a preliminary final spot.The Dolphins have been the talk of the town in Frankston this year. Since being readmitted into the VFL in 2018 the club has gone from strength-to-strength, leading to two consecutive finals appearances in 2024 and 2025.After a comprehensive qualifying finals loss to Footscray in week one, the Dolphins hosted Casey Demons in a do-or-die semi-final at Kinetic Stadium on Saturday night. A bumper crowd turned up to watch a thrilling finish.After a tight opening term, the Dolphins took control. They worked their way into a…

MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONE Rosebud are the first team through to the MPFNL Division One Grand Final after a good win over Frankston YCW on Saturday. Rosebud has been the team to beat in Division One this year, dropping just two games. They played the Stonecats at Alexandra Park on Saturday with a spot in the big dance on the line. Rosebud led by 17 points at the first break, but the Stonecats fought back. A six-goal second term saw Frankston YCW go into half-time ahead by two points. In the second half, Rosebud showed their quality. They kicked ahead…

THE federal government’s $50m commitment to upgrade Nepean Highway was front of mind when Frankston Council and Mornington Peninsula Shire sent their mayors to Canberra last week. It was a rocky road to Canberra for the delegation, which was organised by the Committee For Frankston and Mornington Peninsula. After making public comments about the Committee, Frankston mayor Cr Kris Bolam was temporarily disinvited from the trip. He ultimately attended, alongside Committee CEO Josh Sinclair, Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh, Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO Mark Stoermer, and Frankston Council officer Kristen Thomson. Dunkley MP Jodie Belyea and Flinders MP…

MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONE LANGWARRIN has made a habit of great escapes this year, but their luck finally ran out against Mt Eliza in Sunday’s elimination final. The Redlegs and Kangaroos travelled to Rosebud for the do-or-die clash. Mt Eliza was held goalless in the first term, but soon recovered to take control of the game. Langwarrin couldn’t stop the Redlegs once they got some momentum going. Mt Eliza ran away with it, winning 6.8 (44) to 9.15 (69). Fletcher Bayne, Fraser Phillips, Christopher Carey, Will Bravo, and Declan Cole were Mt Eliza’s best. Frankston YCW were comfortable winners against…

MEN’S DIV ONE Dromana have missed finals by percentage after a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Pines on Saturday. With other results going their way, Dromana only needed to avoid defeat to lock up their finals spot. The Tigers hosted Pines at Dromana Recreation Reserve. After the Tigers got out to an early lead, Pines struck back and took an 11-point lead into the half-time break. The Pythons stretched their lead to 31 by three-quarter-time. Dromana fought for their lives in the final term, with their finals chances dwindling. The Tigers nearly pulled off a miracle, but just ran…

FRANKSTON’S mayor says he still plans on attending an advocacy trip to Canberra despite being disinvited by one of the organisers last week.The trip to Canberra, scheduled for 25-26 August, has been facilitated by the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Shire. Last week mayor Cr Kris Bolam publicly expressed concerns about council’s ties to the advocacy group, and said he was “uncomfortable” about the planned trip. (Committee’s Canberra trip ‘uncomfortable’ – mayor, The News 19/8/25).Early last week Bolam was disinvited from the Canberra trip by the committee, but he still intends to go. He said “I do not, and…

MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONEMT Eliza, Dromana, and Langwarrin are locked in a tight race for the top five with one round left to play in the home-and-away season. After Saturday’s games, Mt Eliza and Dromana occupy the final two spots in the top five. Langwarrin is sixth with a significant percentage disadvantage. Mt Eliza earned a hard-fought win over Frankston YCW last weekend to put themselves in pole position for finals. The Redlegs raced out to a lead in the second quarter, and held on for the rest of the day. Mt Eliza beat the Stonecats 12.8 (80) to 10.8…

WOMEN’S DIV ONEMORNINGTON are the MPFNL Women’s Division One premiers. Mornington played Warragul Industrials in the Grand Final at Kinetic Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The two sides have been evenly matched all season – in the first final Mornington narrowly beat Warragul by five points. It was a different story on Saturday, as Mornington was in control for most of the day. After a goalless opening term, the Bulldogs took the game by the scruff of the neck. Warragul had a tough day at the office, failing to score a goal. Mornington claimed the win 5.4 (34) to 0.5 (5).…

MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONELANGWARRIN have kept their finals hopes alive with a gritty win over Mt Eliza. After a tight opening term at Lloyd Park on Saturday, Langwarrin took control in the second quarter. The Kangaroos took a three goal lead into the half-time break. Mt Eliza refused to go down without a fight, and kept hanging in there. Langwarrin proved too good though – the Kangaroos beat the Redlegs 9.9 (63) to 8.5 (53). A loss would have proved a near-fatal blow to the Kangaroo’s finals aspirations. The win leaves Langwarrin in sixth place, equal on points with Mt…

MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONE DROMANA picked up a hugely important win on Saturday at home against Edithvale-Aspendale. Dromana were the better side from the get-go. A five-goals-to-one first term put the Tigers in the box seat. Edithvale-Aspendale chipped the lead back to 15 by half-time, but Dromana sealed the outcome with a big third quarter. Dromana beat Edithvale-Aspendale 17.15 (117) to 11.9 (75). Reece Wilde, Sam Geurts, Billy Quigley, Billy Geurts, and Clayton Gay were Dromana’s best. Nathan Higgins and Ben Tovey booted three goals each. The result leaves Dromana fifth on the ladder with 32 points. Sorrento, Pines, and…

THE Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League is under fire for scheduling its women’s football finals matches on a Sunday night. Last week the MPFNL announced that the Women’s Division One qualifying and elimination finals would take place at 6pm on Sunday, 3 August. Division One Women’s games are almost always played on a Saturday, with just two Sunday games played during the home-and-away season this year. John Coburn Oval, the home of Frankston YCW, will host the women’s matches. A viral post from social media page Not All Clubs, which spotlights inequality in sports, called out the MPFNL for its…

MEN’S DIV ONE FRANKSTON YCW have held on to defeat rivals Sorrento in a classic shrouded in controversy. Frankston YCW led at each break of play, but just couldn’t put the game to bed. When the final siren went, scores were tied on the scoreboard, only to have the umpires confer and then correct the scores, showing a one-point win to the Stonecats. The final result was 10.10 (70) to 10.9 (69). Blake Mullane, Patrick Bloink, Max Gregory, Heath Bidgood, and Matt Hill were YCW’s best — Bloink booted three goals. Ryan Clarke kicked three goals for the Sharks. Ladder…

FRANKSTON Council is escalating its dispute with a Nepean Highway homeowner to stop him from illegally building a seawall on Frankston Beach. The property owner came under fire earlier this year when it was revealed he was allegedly conducting illegal works on public land at the back of his property. Last week, the ABC reported that the property owner had ignored the stop-work order and continued to build the wall. The Times understands that Frankston Council has resolved to send the resident a notice of demand. Councillors considered the matter during the confidential section of last week’s public meeting —…

MEN’S DIV ONE Mt Eliza kept their season alive last weekend with a win over fellow finals contender Dromana. Both sides have suffered from mixed results in season 2025. Mt Eliza hosted the match with Dromana at Emil Madsen Reserve on Saturday afternoon. Poor goalkicking cost Dromana badly. The Tigers failed to kick a goal in the second and third quarters, allowing Mt Eliza to build an unassailable lead. Dromana played some better footy in the final term, but the damage was done. Mt Eliza secured a comfortable 14.12 (96) to 5.11 (41) win. Robbie Elliott booted four goals for…

MEN’S DIV TWO Somerville picked up a vital win over Devon Meadows on Saturday afternoon. Both sides came into the match at Glover Reserve in the mix for finals spots. Somerville struck the first blow and went into the quarter-time break ahead by a goal. Devon Meadows held Somerville goalless in the second term, opening up a three-goal lead. Somerville whittled the lead back but still needed to close a 16-point gap in the last quarter. Somerville mounted an impressive comeback in the closing stages. Devon Meadows failed to kick a goal in the final term, which handed Somerville an…

FRANKSTON Hospital is set to undergo a name change once its redevelopment is complete. Early next year, Frankston Hospital will be rebranded the Peninsula University Hospital. The name change comes as Peninsula Health strengthens its ties with Monash University.Monash University executive dean of medicine, nursing and health sciences, Professor Christina Mitchell, says hundreds of university students make positive contributions to the hospital each year. “Over 940 Monash students delivered approximately 307,000 clinical placement hours across allied health, nursing and midwifery and medicine with Peninsula Health in the last year and we partner together in excellent research at the National Centre…

Men’s Division One After a string of thrilling wins, luck has finally turned against Langwarrin. The Kangaroos have won a series of nail-biters this season. They took on Pines at Eric Bell Reserve on Saturday in what would go on to be another close one. The Pythons and Kangaroos were neck-and-neck all day long. Pines went into the three-quarter break ahead by nine points. Langwarrin snuck ahead in the final term, but a late Pines goal sealed the win for the Pythons. Final score: Pines 8.13 (61) def. Langwarrin 8.10 (58) Sorrento also won a tight one on Saturday —…

COUNCILLORS across Victoria have been handed a three percent pay rise. On 30 June the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal announced it would increase base allowances for councillors by three percent, with the changes effective from the following day.The Mornington Peninsula Shire, Frankston Council, and Kingston Council are each designated “category three” councils. From 1 July 2025 category three mayors will be paid $142,661, which will rise further to $146,319 on 18 December this year. Deputy mayors are now paid $71,329, rising to $73,159 on 18 December. Category three councillors will be paid $41,992 during the 2025/2026 financial year.Beginning on July…

THE state government is reportedly set to introduce new laws to hold churches vicariously liable for sexual abuse that occurs under their watch. The new law will override last year’s High Court decision that the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat was not vicariously liable for the sexual abuse of a young boy because the offender was not an employee. The High Court overturned the Victorian Supreme Court’s ruling that the church was vicariously liable – the man who sued the diocese was originally awarded $230,000 damages.After a vocal campaign by victim-survivors of sexual abuse, the state government is preparing changes to…

MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONEROSEBUD are back on the winner’s list after beating Pines on Saturday.Ladder leaders Rosebud came into the match off of a shock three point loss to Langwarrin. They remained on top of the ladder by percentage only.Pines were up for the fight at Olympic Park last weekend. The Pythons led at the first break by a point. By three-quarter-time Rosebud had taken the lead, but only by seven points.Rosebud finished the job with a strong final quarter, going on to win 15.10 (100) to 12.8 (80). They kicked the last four goals to wrap things up.Campbell Hustwaite,…

A SCAM has been targeting commuters parked at the Frankston Railway Station car park. Fake infringement notices (pictured above) purporting to be from Frankston Council have been placed on windshields. Frankston Council has confirmed the fines are fraudulent.Last week Frankston councillor Brad Hill told social media “these fake parking “Infridgement” notices are appearing on car windscreens in Frankston. The one reported to me was at the railway station car park, which of course is free parking. “They are not from the council. It’s a scam. Throw them in the bin.”Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke said “my office has been made aware…

MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONELANGWARRIN pulled off yet another miracle win on Saturday. The Kangaroos came into the game in third place thanks to a string of close wins throughout the season. They hosted Rosebud at Lloyd Park last weekend.Langwarrin and Rosebud played out an all-time classic. Rosebud were the better side for most of the day, and led at each break of play. Trailing by just eight points at three-quarter-time, the Kangaroos made their move in the final term. They hopped into the lead with three late goals, and held on for a thrilling three-point win. Langwarrin defeated Rosebud 12.5…

MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONEAFTER a hard-fought battle on Saturday, Edithvale-Aspendale and Mornington finished all square.Edi-Asp hosted the Bulldogs for a chilly afternoon of football. After a tight opening term, Mornington opened up a three goal lead heading into the half-time break. The margin tightened up in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs remained ahead. With ten minutes left to play in the game Mornington was 14 points in front.Two late Edi-Asp goals put the game within a kick. They had a late opportunity to win, but could only add a behind to their total to bring scores level. The siren…

A FATHER at Sorrento Beach has thrown caution to the wind by diving into the water to rescue his daughter. He saved his daughter’s life, but it nearly came at the cost of his own.Peter and his family were at Sorrento over the summer when their daughter got caught in deep water. After saving her and returning to shore, Peter began to suffer a medical emergency. “My son ran over and told me my daughter had gone into the deep water. I tried to see where she was, I could not see her at first. I saw her and then…

MPNFL MEN’SROSEBUD and Sorrento took centre stage on Saturday at Olympic Park. Just one point separated the two sides at the first break. Sorrento were the better side in the second term, taking a 15 point lead into half-time. Rosebud came out of the half-time break looking fired up. They piled eight goals onto the scoreboard to open up a 17 point lead.Sorrento fought back in the final quarter, but weren’t able to do enough to grab back the lead. Rosebud beat the Sharks 14.11 (95) to 13.7 (85). Liam Tidd, Stephen Cumming, Miller Stewart, Mitchell White, and William Hartung…

MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONESORRENTO looked to get their season back on track last weekend on the road against Pines. The Sharks have endured a difficult 2025 season so far, languishing in the bottom half of the ladder. They conceded 22 goals to Frankston YCW in their last outing, and were looking to make amends against the Pythons.Sorrento put together a better defensive display at Eric Bell Reserve on Saturday, holding Pines to ten goals. Sorrento beat Pines 10.13 (73) to 14.13 (97). Pines led by 20 points at the half-time break, but were overwhelmed in the second half. Jordan Doherty,…

MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONEA RUTHLESS Frankston YCW piled on 22 goals to claim an impressive win over Sorrento at David McFarlan Reserve on Saturday. The two peninsula powerhouses came into the contest in very different positions. The Stonecats have been good this season, and Sorrento have struggled to garner any momentum.A dominant first half put Frankston YCW in the box seat. The Stonecats were clinical in front of goal, booting 12.1 in the first half. Sorrento showed more fight in the second half, but the damage had been done. The Stonecats prevailed 15.11 (101) to 22.7 (139). Riley D’Arcy and…