MOUNT Martha Life Saving Club is celebrating a landmark achievement after four members of its adaptive “Starfish Nippers” program competed at the 2026 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships. The championships, also known as “The Aussies”, were held at North Kirra and Tugun beaches on the Gold Coast and attracted more than 7,000 competitors from 316 clubs across Australia. Destiny Grech won three gold medals in U17 Female Sprint, U17 Female 500m Run, and U17 Female Beach Flags. She also added a silver medal for the Female Wade Race. Teammates Liam Slattery and Cooper Stringer added to the award tally, with…
Author: Raia Flinos
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has raised concerns with the Victorian government over recent changes to planning permit rules. The shire is concerned how the changes will affect residents who received approvals under previous regulations. The adjustments were introduced under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and establish standard timeframes requiring developments to begin within three years and be completed within five. The new changes also apply to any permits that were originally issued without a commencement deadline. A shire spokesperson confirmed acting mayor Paul Pingiaro has written to the Victorian Planning Minister regarding the council’s concerns. “The acting mayor has written…
THE Victorian Government’s latest public transport investment has caused frustration on the peninsula as local leaders say the region has been overlooked. The 2026/26 Victorian Budget includes almost $100m for bus network upgrades across regional and metro Victoria and promises longer operating hours, new routes, and improved weekend services. Josh Sinclair, CEO Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula, said the peninsula will see no benefits from the new investment. “Despite 82% of the Mornington Peninsula Shire having no access to public transport, the Victorian government’s $100m Budget ‘bonanza’ features no new, additional, or amended routes for Mornington Peninsula residents,” Sinclair…
A SMALL group of Dorevitch Pathology workers walked off the job outside Rosebud Hospital on Thursday, 30 April, joining colleagues at sites across Victoria in protected industrial action over a long-running pay dispute. Known as phlebotomists, they are the healthcare workers trained to draw blood from patients for pathology testing – the samples GPs, hospitals, oncology units and specialists rely on for diagnosis and treatment. Capel Sound phlebotomist Antoinette Anderson said the three-hour stoppage from 9am to 12pm drew supportive honks from passing motorists, with doctors, nurses, ambulance officers and police all acknowledging the workers as they passed. Some doctors…
AUSTRALIAN environmentalist Bob Brown has joined community opposition to the proposed luge at Arthurs Seat, backing a campaign to stop the development. Brown met with members of the community group “Save Our Seat” over the weekend of 25 April, where he described the project as “madness” and urged residents to keep fighting. “They trade on us getting sad about the loss of the environment,” Brown said. “Don’t get depressed, don’t get angry, get active. That’s what saves nature, that’s what will save Arthurs Seat.” Members of the community have been advocating against the development since it was announced. Save Our…
PORTSEA Surf Life Saving Club delivered a strong performance at the 2026 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, taking home two gold medals and a bronze. Alice Miliani won gold in 35-39 Female 2km Run, while Bev Thomas took the top spot in the 50-54 Female 2km Run. Sally Gentle added to the count after taking home the bronze in the 45-49 Female 2km Run. The competition was held at North Kirra and Tugun beaches on the Gold Coast from 10-18 April. Club president Matthew Mahon said the event once again proved why it is such a highlight every year. “Aussies…
A NEW skate ramp has been installed at Rosebud Skatepark after over five years of community-led advocacy and development. The project was led by Lenny Richardson, a local skater who has spent more than 10 years organising events and supporting grassroots initiatives through Janice Earth, his not-for-profit skate initiative. The ramp was installed a couple of weeks before Easter, and Richardson said it addresses a long-standing gap in the park’s infrastructure. “Now the park…it’s what I’d call a full park,” Richardson said. “Now skaters will come to the park and skate the route, because there’s a ramp there, whereas those…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Koala Conservation is calling for volunteers to support its 2026 tree planting season. The community group works to restore indigenous habitat for the peninsula’s koala population. Founder and president Dirk Jansen said the initiative, which runs from May to September, is entirely dependent on community support and volunteers. “We actually can’t do it without the community,” Jansen said. “It’s 100% volunteer based. We’re really trying to look after our own backyard with what we can control.” Tree planting days usually begin at 9am, finish at around 12pm, and are designed to be accessible to all ages and abilities.…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s latest draft budget has revealed a four-year plan of road works and safety upgrades with millions allocated to projects ranging from rehabilitation and renewal, to targeted safety improvements. The proposed draft budget for 2027-2030 outlines sustained investment across road infrastructure, continuing momentum built after community advocacy recently helped secure more than $6m in road safety funding (Community input for road safety funding, The News 13/03/26). The largest share of funding is set to be allocated to the Road Corridor Contract Works program, which will receive $5.9m in 2027, and rising to more than $6.3m in 2030. This…
THE long-awaited restoration of the Balcombe Estuary Boardwalk is set to receive future funding under the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s latest draft budget. The draft budget, which was released at the 14 April council meeting, has revealed $400,000 will be allocated to the boardwalk in 2029, followed by a further $2.6m in 2030. A section of the 3.5km Mount Martha boardwalk has remained closed since flooding in 2022; fenced off and inaccessible. As previously reported by The News, the damaged boardwalk has been the subject of ongoing conversation and debate within the community, with residents calling for action. Members of the…
A DEPARTMENT of Transport and Planning spokesperson has refused to confirm media reports that the Liberal candidate for the Nepean by-election, Anthony Marsh, is being investigated for “unauthorised roadworks”. The issue centres around a campaign stunt last month involving the filling of a pothole on a state-managed road in Dromana. In a social media video, Marsh was joined by Opposition Leader Jess Wilson. The footage shows the pair filling a pothole, using the act to criticise the state government’s handling of road maintenance. “It’s roads like this that the Labor government can’t afford to fix,” Wilson said in the video,…
CRIME across the Mornington Peninsula has continued to rise, with newly released figures from the Crime Statistics Agency revealing criminal offending has reached a record high. There were 12,483 criminal offences recorded in the Mornington Peninsula LGA in the year ending September 2025, up from 12,375 offences in the previous year, an increase of one percent. Mornington was the peninsula suburb most affected by crime, followed closely by Rosebud and Hastings. The data shows crime rose across most offence categories, with stealing from a motor vehicle remaining one of the most common offences, increasing by 12 percent to 1591. Motor…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh has been cleared of any wrongdoing after an arbiter dismissed a councillor conduct complaint application over Marsh’s decision to rule three motions out of order at council meetings in June. The application was lodged by councillors David Gill, Kate Roper, Max Patton, Michael Stephens, and Patrick Binyon on 27 August. It alleged Marsh breached the Councillor Code of Conduct when he ruled Gill and Patton’s motions out of order and subsequently ruled their dissent motions out of order. The blocked motions asked the council to work on developing a new climate resilience plan,…
A MOTION calling for stricter regulations on election donations in local government elections was rejected at the 2 December council meeting. The motion was presented by Cr David Gill and sought to advocate a series of reforms to the state government. These included restricting campaign donations to individuals listed on the local electoral roll, immediate disclosure of all donations on the Victorian Electoral Commission website, banning donations within two weeks of election day, and requesting state authorities investigate to ensure no donations are made after an election. “We need to ensure that companies are not set up to hide donors…
NEW data has confirmed the Mornington Peninsula has the highest number of people sleeping rough in Victoria. Figures from Launch Housing’s Functional Zero program confirm that as of October 2025, 128 people are sleeping rough on the peninsula, surpassing even Melbourne’s CBD. Frontline workers say the situation has escalated to an out-of-control crisis. At the centre of the emergency is Southern Peninsula Community Support (SPCS), based in Rosebud, where the demand for assistance has escalated to unprecedented numbers. CEO Jeremy Maxwell says pleas to state and federal governments for funding assistance have been ignored, leaving local services overwhelmed. “The Mornington…
BLAIRGOWRIE artist, Melinda Piesse, has taken home first place in her category at the Hand & Lock awards in London for her embroidered tapestry. Her piece was featured in an exhibition among 24 other finalists from 5 – 7 November. Piesse won first place in the Open Textile Art category and received $6000 USD and an embroidery course, which she will undertake online at the end of January. “The award means the world to me, having international recognition and the chance to exhibit my work internationally,” Piesse said. Hand & Lock are a global ambassador for embroidery. The embroidery competition…
RISING Moon Tai Chi School celebrated its ten-year anniversary with a day that brought together friends and family to watch performances and commend the hard work put in by students. Hung Gar Yau Shu Lion Troupe performed a dance at the festival on 22 November. They showcased their strength and agility in a playful performance which is said to bring good fortune. Founder and teacher Jenny Harrison said she is proud of the efforts of all her students and the festival was a way to showcase their achievements. “It’s a sense of pride in what they’re doing and what they’ve…
MOUNT Martha Tennis Club celebrated their 50th anniversary with a day filled with community spirit and fun. On 16 November, the club hosted over 160 guests as long-term members, families and friends helped commemorate the past 50 years. The day began at midday, and included serve competitions, a barbeque, families playing together, and coaches running activities with the kids. At 2pm, the formalities began. The newly elected president Ben Wolstencroft was introduced, who welcomed members, guests and sponsors. The club then recognised Ken Davis, who led the committee for the past 11 years, and Ian Cockle, who served as vice…
A MT Martha resident has raised concerns about the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s approach to vegetation permits after two trees were removed at a property on Dominion Rd. Two large trees were taken down from the property on the 27 November, including a 14-metre Manna Gum. Sarah Morrow said she and her mother became concerned about the future of the vegetation on the property after noticing demolition works at the site on 26 November. Morrow said when she passed by the following morning, she saw one of the large trees already half removed. She contacted council soon after and was informed…
NEW figures show ambulance response times on the Mornington Peninsula have increased by an average of more than 35 seconds over the last quarter. Frankston’s local government area also recorded slightly slower response times after new data was released by Ambulance Victoria last week for the July to September quarter. Code one “lights and sirens” emergencies are measured from the time of a triple-0 call being answered to the first ambulance arriving at the incident scene – with a statewide response time target being 15 minutes. On the Mornington Peninsula, 62 per cent of ambulances callouts took less than 15…
THE Mornington – Mt Martha Model Railway Club will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with an open day at Mt Martha House Community Centre on 30 November. The event will exhibit multiple model railway layouts from visiting clubs, as well as the club’s own, and have free admission. Club president Cameron Wilson said they want the event to be accessible to everyone, including children. Between 10am and 3pm, anyone is welcome to come and learn more about model railways and watch them operate. Wilson said fifty years is a big milestone which celebrates “the longevity of the club and the…
AT Village Glen Retirement Living in Capel Sound, Francis (Ray) Kenny has celebrated a milestone not many get to say they’ve reached. Ray turned 100 on 25 November and spent the day having a nice lunch out with his family. On the 23rd, friends and family gathered to celebrate his birthday in the Rainbow Room at the Village Glen. Ray was born in Warrnambool in 1925 and raised in various small towns around Victoria as his parents moved from bakery to bakery. “My mum and dad’s scheme was to buy a bakery business, and they’d work it up, and they’d…
RESIDENTS have expressed concerns following piles of dredging spoil being deposited on Mothers Beach following routine works at the Mornington boat ramp last week. The Mornington Peninsula Shire conducts regular dredging at the boat ramp to address sand buildup which interferes with vehicle and human access. This year, the dredged sediment was spread on Mothers Beach, which some locals say occurred without adequate consultation or warning and has interfered with the visual appeal of the beach. A member of Beach Patrol 3931, Susan Young, said the spoil was “visually polluting” and expressed concern regarding how close the busy summer season…
THE future of one of the peninsula’s longest running theatre companies is uncertain after the Mornington Peninsula Shire reportedly lost key documents and failed to provide a new venue. Panorama Theatre Company, which has operated for over 40 years, was evicted from their venue in Hastings shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s president, Darren O’Shea, said the eviction came after confusion and missing paperwork within the council. O’Shea said the company was given the use of an old council shed in Hastings “many, many years ago” under a signed agreement which included a clause saying the council would find…
THE Mornington Peninsula Shire has approved a new long-term lease for the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society (MPAS). At the council meeting on 5 November, councillors voted unanimously for the new lease, after the previous lease expired in 2014. Under the new agreement, MPAS will continue to operate out of The Briars in Mount Martha. The lease provides an initial five-year term, with two further five-year renewal options at a community rental price of $520 per year. The leased area will also expand from 2,600 square metres to 3,600 square metres, allowing space for the society to install new observation domes…
MT Eliza resident Christine Richards is concerned about planned overnight cleaning works in the village centre and says the timing will cause serious disruption for residents. Richards lodged an objection with the Mornington Peninsula Shire after being notified that contractors Fulton Hogan would be conducting footpath cleaning works between 10pm and 6am from 17 to 22 November. She said some of the work will take place directly below her bedroom window and involve machinery fitted with reverse beepers, which she described as “loud, penetrating beepers which carry considerably in the usual quiet of the night”. While Richards does support the…
TWO 12-year-old students at Boneo Primary School, Sherlock Sykes and Charlie Dewar, were finalists in the Teen in Business Awards with their homemade card game, Legend Bound. The game began as a project for their school’s annual Year 6 market day, where students create and sell products to raise money for charity. Other students chose to make things such as resin earrings, plants, or pet rocks, but Sherlock and Charlie decided to make a card game that is accessible to all, cheap, and fun. “I really like that this game is helpful for people like me and people like Sherlock…
THIS year, the Mornington Community Support Centre is aiming to raise $75,000 for their Annual Christmas Appeal. Every year, MCSC launches a campaign which captures the true spirit of “Community Supporting Community”. Mornington Community Support Centre CEO Ben Smith said Christmas is a time when those struggling feel the burden more than ever. “There’s a lot more pressure on people to perform or to be out in communities or to be connecting with friends and family when you don’t have any money or times are tight and that can be really difficult for people to do,” he said. The money…
THE Mornington Peninsula Shire has adopted its new Domestic Animal Management Plan, setting out the management of animal-related services over the next four years. All councillors except Cr David Gill voted in favour of the motion at the 5 November council meeting, Gill stating there are still “real problems with animal management on the peninsula”. Cr Andrea Allen, who moved the motion, said the plan was shaped by community consultation, with over 660 residents contributing feedback through an online survey and face-to-face consultation sessions. The shire reached out to community members to ensure the plan included activities which were top…
NINETY-two-year-old McCrae resident, Wilma Watt, has taken home gold in four swimming categories at the Australian Masters Games in Canberra. Watt and two of her daughters made the road trip up to the competition, which took place at the AIS Aquatic Centre from 18 – 25 October. Watt won gold in the 25m and 50m breaststroke and the 25m and 50m backstroke events in the 90-93 age category, an achievement that came as a surprise even to her family. “I didn’t know how she’d gone and when she rang, I said, ‘I suppose you’ve got gold, gold, gold’, just joking,”…