A warm welcome to the February/March 2026 edi on of our Posi ve Ageing Together Newsle er!
Summer is in full swing here in Frankston, and while it brings plenty of sunshine and opportuni es to get out and enjoy our beau ful coastline, parks and community events, it also brings high temperatures and days where the heat can take its toll. Please take extra care during the warmer weeks ahead. Here’s to staying cool, staying connected and making this summer one to remember.
Frankston City Council acknowledges and pays respect to the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters.
If you have any ideas you would like to submit or have events and activities you would like to promote, please contact
Hot Tips for Seniors
Stay safe in the heat with these simple ps
Extreme heat and heatwaves cause more deaths in Australia than any other natural hazard, so it’s important to have a plan for yourself and your family.
∙ Plan ahead: check weather forecasts and heatwave warnings before outdoor ac vi es
∙ Stay hydrated: drink water regularly, even before you feel thirsty
Check in on others: look out for family, friends and neighbours especially those at higher risk
∙ Keep cool: use fans or air-condi oning, wear light clothing, and seek out cool or air-condi oned spaces when needed.
Check the Frankston City Council Heat Health Public Complementary Plan at www.frankston.vic.gov.au
Make 2026 un-FOGO-ge able!
Start the new year with a posi ve habit by becoming an early adopter of Frankston’s FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) service, which turns food and garden waste into compost for Victorian farms, cuts greenhouse gases and keeps resources out of landfill.
With over 80% of Frankston households already on board, you can join them in suppor ng a cleaner, greener future.
As part of the FOGO bin service a free caddy and 6 months supply of liners will be delivered with your new FOGO bin.
FOGO becomes mandatory on 1 July 2026
but you can get started now visit frankston.vic.gov.au/FOGO to learn more or order your bin.
Or call 1300 322 322 to request a bin.
Hot Tips for Seniors
Public
Transport Benefits
for Seniors
Victorian seniors with a Seniors Card get significant public transport benefits, including
· 50% off weekday fares on metro trains with a Seniors myki
· free travel on weekends anywhere in Victoria (from 2026)
· annual travel voucher
· free travel during the Seniors Fes val
All accessed via your Seniors myki and Seniors Card.
You must always carry both cards and tap on/off as usual, even for free travel, with the new free weekend benefit automa cally added to valid cards from 1 January 2026.
For more informa on visit www.transport.vic.gov.au
$100 Power Saving Bonus—for eligible concession card holders
The Victorian Government’s $100 Power Saving Bonus offers eligible concession card holders a one off payment to help with energy costs.
What you need to bring:
· Eligible concession card
· Recent electricity bill
· Bank account details
· Medicare card
Drop in for assistance at Belvedere Community Centre
Healthy Futures Hub
151 East Road Seaford
Or call 9776 8922
Spotlight— On the Road Again!
Lets look at ageing and driving safely, how to recognise when it might be me to hand in your keys, and some transport op ons available to help stay independent if you choose to stop driving.
Senior Road User Hub
Staying safe on the road is vital for maintaining independence and enjoying life. Choosing the right car, or deciding whether to drive or use public transport are crucial decisions to keep you safe. In response to the need for prac cal road safety informa on for older drivers, the TAC has launched the Senior Road Users Hub. It’s an online resource catering to the needs of older drivers and their family and friends. Designed to promote independence and safety on the roads, the Hub offers useful informa on to help you reflect on your road use and the safety of your choice of car. If you’re a driver why not take a free and confiden al quiz to reflect on your driving? The Hub also highlights key car safety features that can help prevent crashes and minimise injury. Planning ahead can help keep you safer on the roads for longer. Visit the Senior Road User Hub and explore your path to road safety at seniorroadusers.vic.gov.au
Spotlight– On the Road Again!
If you do need to stop or limit your driving , it is important that you remain socially ac ve, to maintain your health and wellbeing.
If you do decide to re re from driving, there is a range of transport op ons available and its important to try as many as you can to find the one that works best for you. Could be public transport, rides with friends or family, Community transport.
Ge ng around made easy – Frankston City Council Community Bus
Looking for a safe, friendly, and affordable way to get around in the Community? Frankston City Council Community Bus has seats to a variety of des na ons available now!
Whether it’s shopping, visi ng the library, PARC or local seniors’ clubs, Community Bus can help you get where you need to go.
Contact Council’s Intake Officer on 9784 1933 to check your eligibility
Peninsula Transport Assist (PTA)
PTA trained volunteers use their own vehicles to take people to medical appointments, shopping, exercise class and for social connec on. The service is available to all residents and to community organisa ons within the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region. There is a small fee to cover the volunteer cost and service administra on. To book call 03 9708 8241
PTA are currently offering 2 FREE return trips per person to explore ac vi es and services at the HealthyFutures Hub in Seaford. You can book at h ps://www.peninsulatransportassist.org/ or by calling 9708 8241
Senior Group News
A wonderful Day Out—with the Seaford Senior Ci zens Club
The club hired a bus and toured 3 local community gardens, and to say it was a successful trip is an understatement. They visited Joy of the Earth Community Garden for a cuppa and gardening chat, stopped by the community garden at Orwil Street Community Centre for lunch and a browse, and finished at Langwarrin Community Garden with a seed plan ng demo, po ed seeds, sweet peas and a ernoon tea. Many members didn't know these centres existed and were amazed at how accessible they were. They all had a fabulous me, the weather was kind, and they travelled home with cu ngs, lavender bags, cards, flowers and lots of new ideas.
You can find a list of our local Community gardens at www.frankston.vic.gov.au
Being part of a Senior Group brings joy, connec on and plenty of fun. There's something special about being part of a senior group more than ac vi es and ou ngs, it’s the laughter, friendship and sense of belonging. We’re lucky to have so many wonderful groups in our community, such as Probus Club of Langwarrin Combined, which Lee (pictured below) highlighted last year when she shared her handmade Melbourne Cup Day hat and the groups colourful “fashions on the field”. But the crea vity didn't stop there members spent weeks cra ing beau ful flowers and decora ons for their clubs birthday, transforming their space into a vibrant display. Stories like this remind us why senior groups ma er; they give us reasons to get out, get crea ve, learn new things and share special moments. If you have been thinking about joining a group, consider this your invita on.
There is a list of the local Senior Groups on the Posi ve Ageing Webpage at frankston.vic.gov.au or call 0482 691 444
Senior News
Maintaining Independence at Home Program —Free 5 Week Program
A fun and prac cal life skills program with allied health students and staff—learn together in a social environment!
Open to adults aged 60 years or older who would like to help to discover prac cal solu ons to maintaining independence at home.
This is a research project, and par cipants need to be able to provide their own consent for study par cipa ons and be available to a end 2 x 1 hour assessments on 5/2/2/6 and 12/3/26
When: Friday 6 February 2026 - 6 March 2026
Time: 12.30pm 2pm
Where: Healthy Futures Hub, 151 East Road Seaford
Contact: Sian 9904 4415 or alliedhealthclinics@monash.edu
Become an Engage Frankston member Council regularly engages with our community on a range of projects and we want to hear from you!
As an Engage Frankston member you’ll be first to get alerts about upcoming engagement opportuni es.
Signing up also means you’ll never miss the chance to provide feedback on or influence the future of projects and decisions that interest you.
Sign up using the QR code or via www.engage.frankston.vic.gov.au
See you There!
Neighbours Day is about encouraging local communi es to take simple steps to create social connec on and foster respec ul rela onships. You might host a BBQ, street party, morning tea, or picnic in the park– whatever helps bring the neighbours together!
The Neighbours Day ini a ve is run na onally by Rela onship Australia and championed locally by the Social Inclusion Ac on Group (SIAG) with support from Frankston City Council. For informa on on how to get started and access to helpful resources visit www.frankston.vic.gov.au
Walking Football Belvedere Community Centre
All the things you love about football in a small sided game but with no running and no contact.
The social walking football program creates a safe, and enjoyable and inclusive environment for all to have fun.
All individuals from diverse backgrounds, gender, age, culture and abilities are welcome!
New Team starting
When: Wednesdays
Time: 1pm 2pm
Cost: Free
Where: Healthy Futures Hub, 151 East Road Seaford
Contact: 9776 8922
See you there !
Seated Yoga
Join Jenny and our friendly par cipants for our seated yoga class on Thursday mornings at Karingal PLACE Neighbourhood Centre. Build your core strength, balance and flexibility in a stable seated exercise program. This class is a great for older adults wan ng to feel good and be fit and healthy for life. Beginners are more than welcome and your first class is free!
When: Thursdays 10.30am – 11.15am
Where: 103 Ashleigh Ave Frankston
Cost: $8.30
Contact: 8786 6650 or email karingalplace@frankston.vic.gov.au
Green Thumbs Garden Club
Karingal PLACE Neighbourhood Centre’s gardening club is seeking new volunteers for 2026. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just star ng out, come grow and learn with us. Learn and share skills in maintaining a veggie garden, grow seasonal produce for community cooking programs, while connec ng with neighbours and other gardeners. The community veggie garden is located between Karingal PLACE and Karingal Primary School. Given the location of the garden beds to the primary school, all Green Thumb volunteers need to complete Council’s volunteer requirements to participate in this program.
When: Tuesdays from 9.30am – 11.30am
Where: 103 Ashleigh Ave Frankston
Cost: Free
For more information call Karingal PLACE on 8786 6650 or email karingalplace@frankston.vic.gov.au
Local Volunteers
Hi, I’m Sandra, 62 years old, and I love staying ac ve! I work full- me and spend a lot of my free me volunteering it’s something that truly fills my heart. Recently, I’ve been helping with pickups and deliveries for Share the Dignity, which has been such a rewarding experience. I also chair the Frankston Social Inclusion Ac on Group (SIAG), volunteer as a JP at the local police sta on, sit on the Foreshore & Port Phillip Bay advisory group, and I’ve just joined the Australia’s Most Accessible Beach project in Frankston a er assis ng with the ini al phases of setup to launch day. Why do I volunteer?
Because giving back to this wonderful community feels amazing. It keeps me connected, helps me meet new people, and stops me from was ng me online or feeling lonely. There’s nothing like the joy of making someone’s day a li le brighter. If you’ve ever thought about volunteering, I can’t recommend it enough.
Hi, I’m Chris and Ive always loved Frankston. Some of my happiest childhood memories were spent at the Frankston beach.
A er several health setbacks and opera ons, I spent me at St John of God Rehabilita on Hospital. The care I received inspired me to give back, and I began volunteering there while s ll working. This year marks my 15th year as a volunteer.
I’ve also been part of the Engage Frankston panel and am an Age-Friendly Ambassador. More recently, I was thrilled to be involved in the Frankston Accessible Beach Project. I got to try the beach ma ng and walk on the sand and even paddle with a walker into the bay. I plan to book in for a full in water experience soon. Being able to walk on the sand and paddle in the bay again was truly amazing. Although health issues have limited my mobility, I plan to keep volunteering for as long as I can. I strongly encourage volunteering—it gives purpose, builds connec ons and makes a real difference.
If you know of an amazing volunteer or organisa on in our community please let us know so we can share their story. Email posi veageing@frankston.vic.gov.au
Cube 37 & Frankston Art Centre
The BEATLEZ – The Ul mate Beatles Tribute
Experience a Dinner & Show with Australia’s best Beatles tribute band! The Beatlez will take you on a memorable journey to the 60s, spanning through the en re Beatles career with the band’s repertoire.
Prepare for a display of wit, music and masterful performance as legendary Australian entertainer Gerry Connolly takes the stage.
When: Friday 13 February, 10.30am & 1.30pm
Tickets: $24 - $27
Book online at thefac.com.au or call 9784 1060
Oh, What a Beau ful Mornin’ Rodgers, Hammerstein & Hart
Step into the golden era of musical theatre with Ian Stenlake, Michelle Fitzmaurice and Kym Dillon as they perform beloved classics from Rodgers, Hammerstein and Hart.
When: Friday 13 March, 10.30am & 1.30pm
Tickets: $24 - $27
Book online at thefac.com.au or call 9784 1060
Important Contact Numbers
Friendline
FriendLine is for anyone who needs to reconnect or just wants a chat.
All conversations with FriendLine are anonymous and friendly volunteers are ready for a yarn.
Contact: 9663 2740 or visit https://friendline.org.au/
When: Support line is open 10am - 8pm everyday
Online chat is open 6pm - 8pm Monday – Friday
Lifeline
Lifeline is Australia's largest crisis support service, there to ensure you'll never face your darkest moment alone.
The service is confidential and you'll be connected to a trained Lifeline Crisis Supporter who will be there to listen, without judgment
If you or someone you know is going through a hard time and needs someone to talk to, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14
Financial counselling
Times are tough, if you are experiencing financial hardship, speak to a financial counsellor today Good Shepherd: 1300 015 500
Better Place Australia: 1800 639 523
Older Persons Advocacy Network
If you need support accessing aged care services, require advice or would like to speak to someone about your rights, Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) is there to help and offers free, independent and confidential support
