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…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
THE spirit of generosity and community was on display earlier this month at the RACV Cape Schanck Resort for a special ladies luncheon fundraiser, supporting a worthy cause. The event, attended by 263 guests, raised more than $25,000, which will help fund the Southern Peninsula Community Support’s (SPCS) “Southern Peninsula Laundry and Shower (SPLaSh) for Women”, a new program that supports vulnerable women on the southern Mornington Peninsula.Established in 2016, the current program provides essential services such as showers, laundry, food, and material aid, especially focusing on assisting rough sleepers. The SPCS’s CEO Jeremy Maxwell said homelessness was a big…
Police have arrested two men following an alleged road rage incident in Seaford overnight. Investigators have been told a man was driving a Porsche along Nepean Highway about 11.50pm when the occupants of a blue Holden Commodore attempted to get him to pull over. It is alleged the occupants of the Commodore drove aggressively and forced the driver of the Porsche to take evasive action and leave the highway. Officers attended and a car matching the Commodore’s description was spotted at a service station on Nepean Highway, Chelsea. The Commodore drove off and police attempted to intercept the car on…
DRAFT plans for a $2.2m upgrade of the Mt Martha village, including improvements to Watson Rd parking and footpath renewal works have been endorsed for community feedback. The decision was made at the council’s 17 June meeting, allowing the draft plans, which were originally proposed in 2020, to be exhibited for community consultation in July and August. Councillors unanimously supported the plans after $125,000 was allocated to draw up concept designs in the 2023/24 budget. It will see upgrades to the existing gravel carpark to a paved surface, redesign the central island on Watson Rd and enhance footpath connectivity to…
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an urgent Severe Weather Warning at 4:52 pm Tuesday, 24 June 2025 for damaging winds and king tides in coastal regions including the Mornington Peninsula. A low pressure system in the Bight is extending a cold front over Victoria this evening. Vigorous west to northwesterly winds are developing ahead of this front, impacting alpine, western and central parts of the state this evening. Winds are then forecast to ease during Wednesday morning, although blustery showers remain possible in western parts of the state with southwesterly winds behind the front. For the Mornington Peninsula: Strong…
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…
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…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have adopted a record budget of $326.3m amid growing community angst over cuts to arts, culture, and environmental programs. Deputy mayor Paul Pingiaro conceded some “tough decisions” were needed to move the council forward, noting “there was a lot of things that we can always do better – but moving forward, that’s what we’ll do as an organisation”. “What we have in front of us is a budget that will hopefully deliver quite a few savings – they’re unrealised at the moment, the work’s getting done, and if the work gets done, we can open up…
MORNINGTON Peninsula’s official crime rate has risen by 24 per cent in the past year, with a surge in thefts from motor vehicles being a primary driver. The rise, which was revealed in the latest Crime Statistics Agency data released on 19 June, was higher than the statewide increase in crime (up 15 per cent in the past 12 months) with Victoria Police making a record number of arrests – equivalent to 208 a day.On the peninsula, residential non-aggravated burglary, theft, breach of family violence intervention order, retail theft, and car theft offences all soared in the year ending in…
Police arrested 25 people during highly visible operation targeting drugs and anti-social behaviour at Frankston Railway Station on Wednesday. More than 50 police and PSOs – supported by the Mounted Branch, Public Order Response Team and local police – saturated the railway station, bus interchanges and shopping centre precinct to deter crime and boost safety. A passive alert detection dog was also deployed to sniff out those illegally carrying or dealing illicit drugs. Police spoke with more than 270 people during the operation and executed 15 outstanding warrants. A total of 25 people were arrested including: Authorised officers also detected…
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…
LYN MacLeod, Hastings SES unit’s newly announced controller, says she’s ready to rise to the challenge and continue making a difference in the community. A volunteer of three years, MacLeod takes the reins from respected colleague Brett “Dutchy” Holland who led the unit over the past four years with passion, dedication and a “constant drive”.“I’m petrified,” she said good-humouredly of her new role. But as a paediatric nurse by day and having a natural sense of being calm under pressure, and always willing to help people, the unit can be assured they are in capable, compassionate hands.MacLeod said volunteering was…
A devastating fire has destroyed a popular wellness and day spa business in Moorooduc after going up in flames on the evening of Tuesday, 17 June. Emergency services were called to the fire just before 9.15pm where the blaze had engulfed Endota Spa at the corner of Moorooduc Hwy and Eramosa Rd West. Nine CFA brigades attended the scene alongside Fire Rescue Victoria, Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria. “Upon arrival, crews found an active fire in the roof of the building and immediately began suppression efforts,” a CFA spokesperson said. Firefighters brought the fire under control just before 11pm with…
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…
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…
By Raia Flinos MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has secured its first court victory under the Environment Protection Act 2017, following a battle over noise complaints in Rosebud. The offender has been ordered to pay a $2000 fine following a court injunction.The case centred around a residential property where the owner’s son would blast music at extreme volumes throughout the night, sometimes until 5am. The disruption was found to have significantly impacted the health and wellbeing of nearby residents. Neighbours issued repeated complaints, but despite compliance notices issued and direct contact from Victoria Police, the noise continued over multiple months.The Shire launched…
A MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillor’s push to meet with South East Water over PFAS concerns in wastewater – despite there being no current detections of the contaminant – has been rejected.Cr David Gill raised a motion at the council’s 3 June meeting to initiate formal talks with South East Water about “any long-term public health related issues in our environment” of the synthetic chemicals – perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, “if there’s a need for improvement”. He also sought to “discuss the costs of removing PFAS at the wastewater treatment stage of reducing contaminants in our water cycle”.“This is an opportunity…
Two Hastings men, both aged 39, have been charged with burglary, theft, criminal damage, commit indictable offence whilst on bail and contravene bail conditions, after being arrested this morning. Their arrest, after two search warrants were executed at Hastings properties, follow a series of ram raids across bayside Melbourne and the peninsula. Police will allege the duo were involved in ram raids between 28 and 30 May. These include: – Albert Park on Dundas Place on 28 May – Albert Park on Bridport Street on 28 May – Ashburton on High Street on 29 May – Dromana on Marine Drive…
ARMED with beads, big dreams, and a big heart, 11-year-old Hope Blythe of Hastings is making a significant impact in the fight against motor neurone disease (MND). Every year she makes and sells bracelets to raise money for MND awareness and vital research. A passionate Collingwood supporter, she and her twin sister Olivia (Liv), and Mum Kimberley, who are both Melbourne supporters, and Dad always attend the Melbourne v Collingwood game for the “Big freeze at the G,” which will be held on 9 June for Big Freeze 11. For Hope, it’s not just the game and the atmosphere on…
MEET dolphin #89, a resident of Port Phillip Bay’s unique community of common dolphins. Photographed recently by Ella Hutchinson, the Williamson Research Fellow with the Dolphin Research Institute, #89 was first identified in 2022, and is a playful individual that has been sighted regularly every year since.Earlier this year, #89 was even seen “babysitting” another dolphin’s young calf. Now the institute is calling on the community to help give this curious dolphin a proper name. “With 166 individuals in our catalogue, we only name a special few,” Hutchinson said. “We thought with such a great display with the Mornington Yacht…
WHAT started as a regular Easter beach day for a curious two-year-old at Blairgowrie beach has turned into a remarkable moment in Indigenous archaeology – although the pint-sized explorer has no idea.Brooke Murray and her husband Reece Murray had been enjoying time at the beach with their son Victor on 19 April when he found a rock in shallow water and began playing with it. To him, it was just a “fun rock,” with Brooke thinking nothing more of it with Victor taking it home as part of his beach treasures.But the rock’s distinct shape later caught Brook’s attention and…
MORNINGTON Fisheries office will remain open after a strong community backlash and concerns from Mornington Peninsula Shire over proposed changes that would have led to its closure.The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) confirmed on 21 May that four Fisheries officers will continue to be based in Mornington. All four current officers will be required to reapply for their jobs through an expression of interest process.A VFA spokesperson said in addition to Mornington, the Cowes and Queenscliff stations would also remain open, and four Fisheries officers will work from each of these locations. Staffing arrangements will be finalised in coming weeks, the…
EIGHTY-two-year-old cyclist Lindsay says he’s lucky to be alive after a hit-run driver slammed into him in Main Ridge, throwing him from his bike and leaving him with serious injuries.Lindsay was struck by the vehicle about 11.15am on 21 May on the Mornington-Flinders Rd at the intersection of Shands Rd. The driver, believed to have been in a dark ute, fled the scene, leaving the cyclist seriously injured in the middle of the road. According to witnesses, the driver had allegedly driven through the stop sign at the intersection at speeds between 60kph and 70kph. Several Good Samaritans stopped to…
THE Mornington Peninsula will continue to offer crisis accommodation after the closure of The Ranch in Mornington with the announcement of new accommodation, coined “Ranch 2.0”.For the past four years, Mornington Community Support Centre (MCSC) and Southern Peninsula Community Support (SPCS) have partnered to provide emergency accommodation at The Ranch Motel in Mornington. The accommodation was only made possible as the developer had allowed it to be used as crisis accommodation while he finalised plans for redevelopment of the site. But it was announced in March that the developer was readying plans for the site, requiring the closure of the…
THE seat of Flinders was declared by the Australian Electoral Commission on Wednesday (28 May), officially cementing Liberal Zoe McKenzie for her second term. The final declared result had McKenzie attracting 60,090 of the two-candidate preferred votes, 5257 votes ahead of independent Ben Smith on 54,833 votes.McKenzie rejoins a depleted Liberal/Nationals coalition that will hold as few as 41 seats in the House of Representatives, compared to 58 after the 2022 election. Gone also is the Liberal’s leader, Peter Dutton, opening the way for new Liberal leader Sussan Ley; the first woman to lead the federal Liberal Party. The electoral…
ABOUT 3000 keen hikers have laced up their boots and taken to the trails of the Mornington Peninsula in support of raising more than $1.2 million for Beyond Blue’s 24/7 support service. The coastal hike, held on 23 May, included options of a 50km from Cape Schanck, a 30km loop from Point Nepean or 20km from Sorrento, with all distances finishing in Point Nepean. It is a team event of minimum two people, with all team sizes welcome.Back for its 11th year on the Mornington Peninsula, the event was organised by Coastrek, which hosts a national series of fundraising walks in the…
A BOATLOAD of shells has made a splash in Port Phillip Bay to not only clean the bay but help baby oysters and give shellfish a place to grow.Volunteers at fish habitat charity OzFish, with the Victorian Fisheries Authority, is aiming to repurpose shell that would have otherwise gone to landfill. The group has teamed up with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and with funding from Sustainability Victoria, OzFish is closing the loop on shellfish waste.Once a week, OzFishers drive around to Mornington Peninsula restaurants and seafood wholesalers, collecting discarded oyster, mussel and scallop shells. The shell is then processed and…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will spend $260,000 on the Hastings Club building so it can be repurposed into a space for community groups. The funding announcement was confirmed at the council’s 20 May meeting, and has been allocated in the shire’s 2025-26 budget capital works program. However, the funding falls well short of the $1m being initially proposed in the budget, that councillors voted in favour of at their 22 April meeting to “ensure the long-term survival” of the building.The Hastings Club, founded in 1967, was forced into liquidation in April 2024 after facing crippling debts associated with its gaming machines.…
Investigators from Casey, Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation units joined forces to arrest a man allegedly involved in a string of crime across a three-week period in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs. It is alleged the man was involved in a series of offending between the 2 May and 26 May including: • An alleged attempted aggravated burglary in Frankston South on 2 May • An alleged burglary in Shoreham on 6 May • An alleged attempted aggravated burglary and theft from motor vehicle on 8 May • An alleged burglary in Mount Eliza on 8 May • An alleged attempted…