PENINSULA essence OCTOBER 2026
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VISITING & LIVING ON THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA
FINDING THEIR FOOTING BENT ON SCULPTURE STAGE CALLING PASTA LA VISTA
story A SPARKLING
Inspiring others to embrace their worth.
WHAT’S ON • PENINSULA IN STYLE • FOCUS ON HASTINGS • THE LOWDOWN • HISTORY
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inside
October 2026 - issue 126 Cover image by Gary Sissons
08
36
22
LEADING
ARTS
EAT & DRINK
08 FINDING THEIR FOOTING
22 BENT ON SCULPTURE
36 PASTA LA VISTA
26 STAGE CALLING
PENINSULA IN STYLE
Survivors stepping forward for cancer patients.
14 A SPARKLING STORY
Inspiring others to embrace their worth.
Hands-on artist bends metal into beauty.
Frankston singer’s operatic aria.
SPECIAL FEATURES
52 HASTINGS
50 COFFEE COUNTER 58 SENIORS LOVING LIFE
HISTORY
86 THE BIG HALL
ALSO THIS MONTH 06 WHAT’S ON 76 THE LOWDOWN 84 CROSSWROD PUZZLE 90 MARKET DIRECTORY
Writers Andrea Louise Thomas, Cameron McCullough Sarah Halfpenny, Raia Flinos, Annette Sanfilippo
Advertising Belinda Timmerman, 0419 135 900, belinda@mpnews.com.au
Somerville’s community landmark loved then lost.
Photography Yanni, Gary Sissons
Molly Mitchell, 0407 225 261, molly@mpnews.com.au Phone (03) 5974 9000
Creative Sam Loverso, Dannielle Espagne
Registered address 1/15 Wallis Drive, Hastings VIC. 3915
Publisher Melissa McCullough melissa@mpnews.com.au
FB @peninsulaessence IG @peninsulaessence W peninsulaessence.com.au
Style editor Annette Sanfilippo annette@mpnews.com.au
4 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
42 SHOCK-TOBER
Raid your wardrobe and surprise yourself.
FOCUS ON Facts, cafes and what to do.
Italian tradition meets Australian ingredients.
58 All material is copyright, and may not be reproduced without the express permission of Mornington Peninsula News Group, or the original copyright holder in the case of contributions. Copyright of contributed material rests with the contributor. Disclaimer: The authors and publisher do not assume any liability to any party for any loss, damage or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. This publication is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Peninsula Essence is produced monthly. 30,000 copies bulk dropped at an extensive network of outlets across the peninsula.
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what's on?
OCTOBER 2026
10 & 24 OCT TASTE & CREATE AT THE CHOCOLATERIES MORNINGTON PENINSULA
17 OCT BREAST FOOT FORWARD ANNUAL COMMUNITY WALK & RUN 2026
Taste your way through 12 of our most-popular handcrafted chocolates, then get creative and make your own Rocky Road masterpiece! Choose from dozens of exotic ingredients and blend with our couverture milk, dark or white chocolate. Bookings are essential. mpchoc.com.au
This isn’t your average walk or fun run. Every dollar of profit goes straight back into our community supporting locals undergoing breast cancer treatment with things that really matter. Whether you walk, run, volunteer or cheer from the side lines, you'll be part of something bigger. breastfootforward.com
23 OCT MOUNT ELIZA ART & DESIGN SHOW
25 OCT SOMERS ARTS FAIR SOMERS
A major annual community event and fundraiser for Mount Eliza North Primary School, featuring original work from local artists and makers. Held over the last weekend in October, the event kicks off with a fabulous opening night with live music, auctions and first look at the artwork! mtelizaart.com
ARTS FAIR
The 23rd Annual Somers Arts Fair returns Sunday, 25 October, at Somers Primary School, celebrating the Mornington Peninsula’s creativity, community and love of the arts. Enjoy a relaxed and entertaining day showcasing fine art and crafts, while supporting a wonderful cause and the Somers Primary School community. somersartsfair.org
17 OCT MULTICULTURAL FILM FESTIVAL The Multicultural Film Festival (MFF) celebrates multiculturalism through the lens of short films that explore stories of cultural diversity and living in multicultural Australia, home to the world’s oldest continuous cultures and people who identify with more than 300 ancestries. multiculturalcommission.vic. gov.au
31 OCT HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL & BONFIRE A free event held at Hillview Community Reserve and brought to you by The Rotary Club of Dromana, a spooktacular night awaits filled with family fun, community spirit and a blazing bonfire to light up the night! dromanarotary.org
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FINDING THEIR footing By Sarah Halfpenny Photos Yanni
M
eagan O’Hehir and Heather Cust met years before cancer entered either of their lives, crossing paths on the netball courts of the Rosebud Football Netball Club. It would take a diagnosis, then another, to turn a passing acquaintance into a partnership that now reaches dozens of peninsula families a year. Meagan was 33, fit and healthy when, in October 2022, she found a lump in her breast. The diagnosis was invasive HER2positive breast cancer. What followed was a year of IVF to preserve her fertility, six rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, five weeks of radiation, twelve months of immunotherapy, and multiple procedures and blood transfusions.
It was one of the hardest years of my life, but I chose to shift from ‘Why me?’ to ‘Try me’ “It was one of the hardest years of my life, but I chose to shift from ‘Why me?’ to ‘Try me’, and through every challenge I found strength that I didn’t know I had,” Meagan says. “Today, I’m incredibly proud to say my treatment worked. I had a complete response to chemotherapy, and I remain cancer free.” Heather was 34 when she was diagnosed with ER/PR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer just weeks before her son’s first birthday in 2023. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation followed, along with two years of ongoing hormone therapy. “It was a fast-growing cancer, but my persistence in advocating for myself meant we caught it early, and I had a really positive outcome,” Heather says. She is currently pausing that hormone therapy as she and her husband are expecting their second baby. When Meagan was diagnosed, Heather found herself reaching out to check that she was okay. A few months later, Heather received her own diagnosis. Whether it was coincidence or intuition, the pair say, they leaned on each other through parallel treatment and recovery, and realised they shared a desire to turn what they had been through into something that helped others. continued next page ... October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 9
That something began over dinner in 2024. “All good ideas seem to start over a glass of wine,” Meagan says. That night the pair decided they would host a walk and run for the peninsula community, and pulled it off within five weeks; ninety people attended the inaugural event.
All good ideas seem to start over a glass of wine
The name came from Heather’s sister Steph, who suggested Breast Foot Forward, building on an early working title of Step Foot Forward. It’s a nod to the idea of moving forward, one step at a time, and it stuck fast enough to carry through from a single event into an entire organisation. Founded officially in October 2024, Breast Foot Forward has grown from a soft pink logo built around breast cancer awareness into branding that reflects the green and earthy tones of the peninsula itself; chosen to represent, as the founders put it, “The amazing healing landscapes we have here.”
10 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
At its centre is The Comfort Project, which delivers care hampers each month to the five local hospitals that provide cancer care to peninsula patients, including the Rosebud and Peninsula Private centres where Meagan and Heather were treated. What started as a goal of twelve hampers a year has grown to more than sixty, alongside monthly wellness classes at Bays Cancer Centre led by instructor Rhi, who draws on her own cancer journey to guide gentle movement for people in treatment.
Since the pair started, Breast Foot Forward has directly supported approximately 120 people through its programs and events; numbers Meagan and Heather are quick to note are still “only scratching the surface” of how many locals are diagnosed each year. Running a growing organisation alongside full-time work, young families and ongoing health monitoring is, they admit, a juggle. continued page 12...
October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 11
a warm group hug from a group of people I don’t Their next milestone is fast approaching. yet know, but who Breast Foot Forward’s Annual Community Walk & Run returns on Saturday 17 understand the October, with a 10km walk and run starting at Safety Beach Yacht Club and a 5km walk journey
“The cancer journey also never really ends,” Heather says. “There are ongoing scans, check-ups and moments that can be unexpectedly triggering, even years down the track. If one of us is feeling overwhelmed or needs to take a step back, the other naturally steps up.”
Much of what Breast Foot Forward does is deliberately delivered through nurses and hospital staff rather than in person, out of respect for how raw a diagnosis and treatment can be. The messages that reach Meagan and Heather stay with them, like the woman who wrote in after receiving a hamper following her first radiation oncology appointment, describing it as “a warm group hug from a group of people I don’t yet know, but who understand the journey.” The organisation runs on local support from sponsors, volunteers, and a grant from Community Bank Southern Peninsula that has allowed The Comfort Project to expand. Over the next twelve months, Meagan and Heather will be working towards formal not-for-profit status; a step they hope will bring further funding and partnerships within reach.
12 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
and run from Anthony’s Nose Boat Ramp, both finishing together at Rosebud’s Village Green. The event is deliberately untimed, to keep it open to anyone currently in treatment or recovery, and kids under 16 walk free. Registrations are open via their website. Meagan and Heather say that at its heart, Breast Foot Forward is a small, community-led organisation, and every person who gets behind their vision helps them to reach another person going through breast cancer treatment. What they’re really trying to do, they say, is make the hardest days of someone’s life a little easier.
breastfootfoward.com
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continued page 14 ...
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A SPARKLING story By Sarah Halfpenny Photos Gary Sissons
F
arah Mak has a life that has always resisted easy summary. Best known to many as Katrina Marshall on Neighbours, she has also worked as a presenter, an MC, and a keynote speaker, founding The Self Worth Movement along the way. But she says none of those roles matter as much as the one she comes home to: wife to Ray, and mum to their children.
For a long time, she says, those chapters felt separate – acting over here, presenting over there, advocacy somewhere else again, with being a mother and wife the only constant. Looking back now, she can see the insistent pull towards telling stories that help people recognise their own worth was the single thread running through all of it.
I know what it feels like to lose that sense of self That thread has led, most recently, to a picture book. Farah has spent the past year introducing the world to Worthy, a character born, she says, from an idea that started small and refused to stay that way. Her first book, I Am Worthy, published recently through Hardie Grant, began life as a set of affirmation cards for young girls before the characters and their world kept growing until a book, and then a series, was the only thing that made sense. The idea took shape from several directions at once – from being a little girl herself, becoming a mother, raising a daughter, and her own advocacy work with women. “I know what it feels like to lose that sense of self,” Farah says, “and I also know the journey of rediscovering it.” She wanted to give children the continued next page... October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 15
language for something she had spent much of her adult life relearning – that self-worth isn’t earned or achieved, but already there; in her words, “like a heart-shaped crystal dwelling in our heart space.” Translating that into a story that young children – particularly girls – could follow meant building a magical, empowering world they would step into rather than just read about, with affirmations and interactive moments woven through the pages. Farah describes the book as something she hopes families return to instead of shelve. Ideally it would be a way of opening conversations at home about values, identity and the things that make a child uniquely themselves. The first book is dedicated to her daughter, though Farah says she wrote it for her own inner child too, and for every girl who has ever needed reminding of her worth.
readers and a growing line of merchandise, affirmation cards and school programs. The biggest of the dreams is an animated series. It’s a project serious enough that Farah has travelled to London to pitch the concept to Disney executives, sitting in a room watching characters that once existed only in her imagination discussed as a screen property. The book sits alongside advocacy work that has occupied Farah for close to a decade. She is a survivor of domestic and family violence, and for more than eight years has drawn on that experience alongside Safe Steps, where she serves on the Lived Experience Advisory Board. She has MC’d the organisation’s Candlelight Vigil for four consecutive years, an evening she describes as one of remembrance and hope. She remembers a support worker holding her hand during a court proceeding early in her own experience, and says it planted in her the wish to one day make somebody else feel as nurtured and believed as she did in that moment.
I don’t want to be defined by the worst things that have happened to me
I Am Worthy is the first title in what Farah calls the Sparkle Squad Girls universe, and the ambitions for it extend well past the bookshelf. A second picture book, I Am Courageous, is already in the pipeline, alongside an early chapter-book series for older
16 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
“I don’t want to be defined by the worst things that have happened to me,” she says. continued page 18...
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These days she is more interested in talking about what comes after violence than the violence itself – rediscovering your voice and learning to trust yourself again. All of that recently found a new backdrop when Farah and her husband, Ray, moved their family to a property on the peninsula. Years of holidaying at Moonah Links when their children were small planted in her what she calls a “maybe one day” thought. Long before the move, Farah and Ray had come across a house on the peninsula while “dream scrolling” as she calls it. They both loved it, but at the time it felt out of reach. Months later, while Ray was overseas, he stumbled on that very same property again and sent it back to her. “It was such a beautiful surprise,” Farah says, “because it was the home we had previously admired and thought was simply a dream.” This time, it became their forever home. Life there has settled into something Farah struggles to call typical, split between MCing events, writing, and building the Sparkle Squad Girls universe on one side, and gumboots, vines and the unpredictable rhythms of country life on the other. continued page 20...
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What has surprised her most about the move, she says, is how quickly the peninsula has come to feel like home, from the warmth of neighbours to the local businesses she frequents, among them Bio Haven in Somerville, Tully’s Corner in Mt Eliza, and The Studio & Co in Moorooduc. Approaching fifty, Farah describes feeling less like she is winding down than gathering up everything she has learned to carry into what comes next. She hopes there will be more books, advocacy, stages, and a life on the peninsula she has learned not to rush past. If there’s a single message she’d want a reader to take from her story, it’s one she returns to across every part of her work – that whatever chapter you’re standing in right now, it doesn’t have to be the whole book. I Am Worthy is available now in bookstores and online through Hardie Grant. To find out more about Farah, visit the website.
IG @theselfworthmovement W theselfworthmovement.com
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Arts
22 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
BENT ON sculpture By Andrea Louise Thomas Photos Yanni
T
ootgarook sculptor Dan Thornell has always been a hands-on person, so sculpture was the natural choice when he pivoted to art. A boilermaker by trade, Dan is familiar with how to bend metal to his will. He’s always had a head for spatial problem-solving. All of his trade skills and training are assets as a sculptor.
Born in Mornington, Dan has a natural affinity with the peninsula. He’s particularly fond of the coastline along his favourite local beach, Gunnamatta. From the sound of the crashing waves and tumbling rocks to the artful arrangement of seaweed, this wild, rugged shore ignites him. His sculpture, Gunnamatta Morning, captures the colours of the ocean wrought in ribbons of steel.
he was also an inventor and a salvage diver, so there were plenty of interesting things for the boys to get their hands on. They grew up at a time when kids were largely left to their own devices (not digital ones). Dan enjoyed exploring the outdoors, engineering dirt roads, and making tunnels for his toy cars. Dan was always interested in art. He was also curious about other cultures, what those people made and why. When he was eight, his family moved to Mount Tambourine in Queensland. This was a wonderland of new things to discover. He remembers trips into Brisbane to visit the Queensland Art Gallery where he discovered whole new worlds.
Inadvertently I’ve been setting myself up to be an artist all along
The Australian landscape is Dan’s greatest source of inspiration whether that’s the ocean, beach, bays, rivers, rainforests, deserts, forests or snow-capped mountains. He feels very connected to the land. He also loves the many moods of the sky and the light it casts. As children, Dan and his brothers were encouraged to learn by doing. Their father worked as a fitter/turner/toolmaker, but
In high school Dan learned woodwork and metalwork. His father was also teaching him skills at home. He remembers using his father’s metal lathe at eight. Dan went to TAFE from high school, getting a Certificate IV in Welding and Thermal Cutting to become a qualified welder. He’s been working with metal most of his life. “Inadvertently I’ve been setting myself up to be an artist all along,” he says. In 2013, Dan moved back to the Mornington Peninsula where he continued next page ...
October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 23
has raised his own family. When he turned 40, he decided to take all the skills he’d learned over the years and head in a new direction as a sculptor. His innate sense of spatial structure, strong metalwork skills and endless curiosity blend to create this new work. “I’ve always loved shapes, curves, colours and textures. I like all kinds of art, but I especially love the tactility of sculpture and how three-dimensional objects change from every angle. When I create a work, I like it to be viewed from all sides,” he says. Dan started entering art shows and winning prizes. He was ready to set up his new business, Northlander Sculptures. The business name is a nod to his Queensland upbringing and his Scandinavian roots. It’s also a partial anagram of his name.
Dan has exhibited in many shows. His work will feature in the Mount Eliza Art and Design Show October 23-25. His sculpture has been exhibited along the Portland Sculpture Walk and the St. Kilda Sculpture Walk. He currently has some small-scale sculptures at Dromana Creative Hub and Gallery and online in Gallery 247. Ten percent of the proceeds of all of his work go to charity. It’s his way of giving back to the community that supports him.
When I create a work, I like it to be viewed from all sides
Dan is a versatile artist who enjoys making all sorts of things. He likes to keep his hands busy. “I do all kinds of creative metal work commissions: signs, sculptures and gates. I can make pretty much anything out of metal,” he says. He also makes furniture and art objects out of wood. He recently crafted a violin from a solid block of wood and made a side table out of reclaimed timber from a house demolition.
24 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
Most of his small-scale sculptures stand on blocks of reclaimed wood – a very organic arrangement.
A great source of pride for Dan is his method. “I do what I do using my hands and basic tools. I don’t use laser cutters or anything like that. I’m old school,” he says. Whether he’s making ribbons of steel representing the sea and sky, carving wooden objects or making furniture, Dan has his hands on art.
IG @dan.thornell danthornell.com
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STAGE calling By Raia Flinos Photos Yanni
F
or Frankston local Steven Gallop, opera was never part of his grand plan. His singing journey began with school musicals in Brisbane, followed by amateur choruses in Queensland, but it wasn’t until in his mid20s that singing began to take centre stage.
Steven was working as a teacher while singing in amateur choruses at the Queensland Light Opera Company and then the Queensland Opera Company. It was his singing teacher, renowned Australian mezzo-soprano Margreta Elkins, who challenged
26 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
him to pursue singing professionally. “She basically gave me an ultimatum to either teach or sing,” said Steven. “And I made the decision because I thought ‘Well, you only have one life’.” He left his job as a teacher, although he continues to occasionally relief teach, and studied at the Queensland Conservatorium for a year. He was then given a position as a young artist with the Queensland Opera Company, before auditioning for Opera Australia.
continued page 28...
What’s coming up at... BELL SHAKESPEARE BRINGS MACBETH TO FRANKSTON Bell Shakespeare’s acclaimed production of Macbeth is coming to Frankston Arts Centre for one night only on Tuesday 27 October. Directed by Peter Evans and starring Anthony Taufa in the title role, this contemporary staging of Shakespeare’s gripping tragedy explores the devastating consequences of ambition, power and moral corruption.
Macbeth will be performed at 7.30pm on Tuesday 27 October at Frankston Arts Centre. Tickets are available at thefac.com.au or by calling 03 9784 1060.
The story follows Scottish general Macbeth, whose life is transformed after three mysterious Weird Sisters predict he will one day become king. Encouraged by Lady Macbeth and consumed by the prophecy, he embarks on a ruthless quest for power that leads to chaos, paranoia and destruction. Known for making Shakespeare accessible and engaging for modern audiences, Bell Shakespeare has earned a national reputation for bringing fresh energy and insight to the playwright’s most celebrated works. This production has received widespread acclaim, with the Sydney Morning Herald calling it “utterly compelling” and the Australian Financial Review praising its powerful interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. Presented as part of Frankston Arts Centre’s 2026 season, Macbeth promises an unforgettable night of theatre, featuring striking design, powerful performances and a compelling exploration of human nature.
DAYTIME MUSIC & THEATRE: THE SYNCOPATORS Thursday 8 October, 10.30am & 1.30pm
Get ready to swing and sway as The Syncopators, Melbourne’s internationally acclaimed jazz band, return to our stage for a high-energy celebration of British jazz legends.
W thefac.com.au
CHOCOLATE STARFISH: ALL FIRED UP CLASSIC HITS TOUR Saturday 17 October, 7.30pm
A powerhouse night of classic rock anthems, electrifying vocals and the timeless hits you know and love, performed by one of Australia’s most iconic live bands.
VICTORIAN STATE BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER
ANH DO: THE HAPPIEST REFUGEE LIVE!
This delightful and powerful ballet will enchant children and grown-ups alike. A rich display of mesmerising classical ballet performed by stars of the Victorian State Ballet.
Anh Do’s bestselling book has made readers laugh and cry. His stage show takes it a step further, combining stand-up comedy with real life stories, to retell his amazing story.
THE HIGH KINGS ROCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN TOUR
CASEY DONOVAN ‘THIS IS ME’
A Celebration of Irish Folk! With their signature blend of classic tradition and modern edge, The Rocky Road Tour promises to be a vibrant showcase of Irish culture, energy, and musicality.
Award-winning performer Casey Donovan returns with her Australian Idol hits, musical theatre classics, and new original songs. Don’t miss this inspiring journey from Idol to icon, live on stage!
Saturday 10 October, 6.30pm
Monday 12 October, 7.30pm.
Tuesday 20 October, 7.30pm
Sunday 1 November, 2pm
Book tickets at thefac.com.au or call 03 9784 1060
He secured a two-year contract with Opera Australia and moved to Sydney before winning the Sydney Eisteddfod Opera (formerly known as the Sydney Sun Aria) Scholarship in 1992. The win launched Gallop’s international career, which took him to Vienna for 14 years. Over the course of his overseas career, Steven performed roles such as Anthony Carol in The Piano Tuner at Covent Garden, the Hotel Manager in Powder Her Face in Vienna, Rome, Naples, and Chicago, and Swallow in Peter Grimes in Santiago, Chile. He returned to Australia in 2008 and settled in Frankston with his partner, where they continue to live with their son. “I'd auditioned for Australian Opera when the director was in Europe, and I was offered a role back in Australia that was in Melbourne,” said Steven.
Steven said performing Verdi’s work was a great opportunity to show his voice. “It's a great privilege, I think, to be able to sing Verdi's work,” said Gallop. “It really shows what singers can do.”
It's a great privilege, I think, In Il Trovatore, his character Ferrando opens the opera by recounting a dark story which drives to be able to the plot. “It’s a melodramatic opera, a fantastic drama with incredible music and familiar tunes sing Verdi's that the audience knows,” said Steven. work
“I was offered The Bonze in Madam Butterfly, and I just had a feeling that it was the right time.” Among the things Steven values about living in Frankston is the proximity to the beach. His connection with the water has extended into his relief teaching, by helping with beginner surf camps at Woodleigh School, where his son attends. “It’s got everything,” he said. “It’s a great city.”
Vintage Collectibles 0415 322 464 14 Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Tyabb 28 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
Since returning to Australia, Steven has taken on major roles with Opera Australia, Victorian Opera, Melbourne Opera, and the State Opera of South Australia, including The Commendatore in Don Giovanni, Angelotti in Tosca, and Rocco in Fidelio. His latest role was Ferrando in Giuseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore, which premiered at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre in August.
As well as the famous score, Steven feels the opera continues to resonate with audiences for several reasons. “There are a lot of political themes, with the conflicts, and so it resonates with audiences today in that you still see those sorts of conflicts existing in the world, unfortunately,” said Steven. “Of course, you also have the other thing, which is most important, that people can relate to, which is love, and all those emotions.” continued page 30...
October Guest Artist Glenn Walker Photographer Glenn has a selection of works available from the 1st to 31st of October Glenn Walker’s photography drifts between reality and imagination, capturing the everchanging scenes of the Mornington Peninsula, with long exposure and intentional camera movement softening sea and sky in to fluid forms. From the untamed back beaches of Sorrento and Portsea to the hushed bayside coves, his work transforms rolling surf and shifting light to compose captivating, almost dream like impressions. Each image is framed by Glenn in either plantation or up cycled Australian hardwoods. Glenn unites artistry with enduring quality, respecting the natural world. Custom sizes and commission works are also available.
Meet Jenny Croom One of our Twelve Artists
A year after winning ABC TV’s Portrait Artist of the Year Australia, Jenny Croom’s career has skyrocketed with portrait requests, workshop invitations, co tutors a class and judging shows. She still begins each portrait using her signature show technique—fast, energetic brushstrokes to capture initial mood—before spending weeks building emotional depth, communicative eyes, and expressive detail. Beyond traditional portraiture, Jenny loves crafting narrative scenes that feature figures in rich landscapes or alongside animals. Right now, I’m beginning the biggest canvas I’ve ever worked on!’ Today, Jenny exhibits at Art House Gallery Inc in Tyabb where Jenny has a great selection of artwork on show and available for purchase. Portrait commissions are welcomed.
Located inside the Tyabb Packing House Open Hours - Thursday to Sunday 10am to 5pm
14 Mornington -Tyabb Road Tyabb Phone: 0450 447 814 • Email: contact@arthousegalleryinc.com
Two Bays Art Group
Celebrating 60 years of selling art on the Peninsula. We would like to invite you all come and celebrate our
60 th Birthday Celebration on the 26th of November 6pm to 8pm The show will run from the 26th to the 29th of November. Peninsula Community Theatre 91 Wilsons Rd, Mornington VIC 3931
Steven said preparation for any opera role takes lots of time and effort. He said, “The standard is incredibly high with the work that we do.” He begins looking at music as soon as he is cast. For his role as Ferrando, Steven practised for months, including coaching sessions with conductor Raymond Lawrence before rehearsals began. “First is learning it myself, then coaching, polishing, and then you have to have the music off the score, as we say, before you start production rehearsals,” said Steven. “And then we go into about four weeks of rehearsal, with one of those weeks in the theatre.” After decades of performing on stage, Steven said for him, the greatest reward is the connection he is able to form with the audience. He said, “I love being on stage. I love the connection with audiences and being able to move them in some emotional way. And remove them from their reality, take them away from their real lives.” Looking ahead, Steven said he is unsure of what the future may hold, although he hinted that he may be performing some of Richard Wagner’s work next year.
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FRINGE SHOW SHINES LIGHT ON KEEPING IT TOGETHER AGAINST THE ODDS Mt Martha mum of three, Dayna Fallon, is taking to the stage with a one-woman show at this year’s Melbourne Fringe Festival. The show is centred on a poem she wrote, titled The Manager is Me, and explores invisible labour, caregiving, and the art of keeping it together when it feels like everything is falling apart. It unfolds across a morning before school drop-off, with Dayna’s character juggling three children, a husband having a seizure, a beanbag explosion, and a 7am Teams meeting asking whether now is still a good time. Dayna said she has been involved in the creative sector for over 16 years, but for the last six years, motherhood has taken centre stage. “My creative aspirations and dreams sort of had to be parked while I prioritised the family and earning an income, looking after my kids,” said Dayna. “But things just got so intense that I decided to make it into art and do something for myself.” The show is a work of fiction but draws heavily on Fallon’s life experiences. “It’s much easier to play someone else,” said Dayna. “There is a vulnerability when it is you, and so for the show, I made sure that it was a character, but there’s so much truth to the story, and I think that’s what makes it real and relatable and awesome.”
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She said she had purposeful discussions with her director, Cathy Hunt, about what to keep private and where to instil boundaries to help protect herself. “I wrote this because I’ve made my children laugh to cover the sound of my husband’s seizures,” said Dayna. “I’ve lived the truth of ‘if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry’ and I started wondering how many women are doing that kind of emotional labour in silence.” She wanted an outlet after years of caring for her husband through complex epilepsy and raising their daughters. Dayna originally wrote the poem for the local heat, which she won. She then went on to compete in the state championship and was crowned the 2025 Victorian State Champion of the Australian Poetry Slam. “I think it made them laugh and made them cry in the one poem, and that laughter, I think, was a huge relief,” said Dayna. “So many people came up to me afterwards, saying how much they connected with it, and how overloaded everybody feels, and how are they expected to sort of keep all these plates spinning at the same time, and sort of the hilariousness of that as well.” Dayna said she has adopted a Japanese concept called masogi, which involves picking one extremely difficult task to complete
annually to help explore and test your limits. “Last year it was, I’m going to do this poetry slam, and then I ended up performing at the Sydney Opera House,” she said. “So, this year, I thought I just want to do one thing that really makes me feel like I’m doing something for me, and something that fills my cup, and I decided I’m going to turn that poem into a one-woman show.” Dayna said audiences can expect to laugh with recognition, to realise how much invisible work they have normalised, and to “hopefully laugh until they maybe cry”. The show will run at The Motley Wherehaus this month. Tickets are available at melbournefringe.com.au/whats-on/ events/the-manager-is-me.
Dr Peter Scott and Associates are specialist orthodontists offering orthodontic care for children, teens and adults alike in Mornington Peninsula, Bayside, Casey and beyond. Dr Peter Scott is also a consultant at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
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IG @itsdaynafallon W melbournefringe.com.au
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October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 33
WINES YOU FREE INGS T S A T WANT, PRICES 5 DAYS A WEEK YOU’LL LOVE Not every gem is buried Some are hiding in plain sight! There are places you stumble across once and never stop talking about. Wine Lovers Warehouse is one of them because the value is just that good. Tucked into the Peninsula like it's always been there, this is where wine lovers come when they want more than just a bottle off a shelf. They come for the conversation, a stock up and the recommendation they didn't know they needed.
At the big chains, you're lucky if the person pointing you to the Pinot Gris has ever tasted one. At Wine Lovers Warehouse, the team makes it their personal mission to try every new bottle that comes through the door. Someone's got to do it! Walk in, pull up a glass, and try before you buy. Real people, great wine and two decades of knowing exactly what you need. You're going to wish you found us sooner!
HASTINGS: 2080 Frankston - Flinders Rd, Hastings DROMANA: Unit 5, 3 Trewhitt Court, Dromana Industrial Estate
OPEN: Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 6pm Follow us for new arrivals, tasting events & specials! winelovers.warehouse Wine Lovers Warehouse 34 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
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Bethany Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley
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Coastal Estate Tasmanian Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay NV
HASTINGS
Join our Wine Lovers Community!
Eat & Drink
PASTA LA vista By Cameron McCullough Photos Gary Sissons & supplied
L
uca and Tine Bellucci’s peninsulabased company Island Pasta is a story of passion and commitment. But it is also a story of providence, where two people from different corners of Europe met by chance on a tiny island on the other side of the world, stuck together and are following their dreams.
We sourced the best equipment from Italy, and we sourced some of the ingredients from there too
Italian-born Luca first visited Australia in 2003, returned in 2006, and spent time working in Sydney and Brisbane. He then returned to Italy. The next few years was spent working in restaurants and travelling around as the private chef for a family before, in 2014, he decided to head to Australia again. “I saw an advertisement for a restaurant on Phillip Island wanting a chef, so I applied and that is where I ended up moving to,” said Luca.
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For the next six-and-half years, Luca worked his craft and slowly developed the idea of going out on his own making pasta and sauces, following a passion instilled from his Italian heritage. It was during this time at Phillip Island that Luca came across a German backpacker, Tine, who was travelling around Australia with a friend. The pair became a couple, and the rest, as they say, is history. In 2020, the couple moved to Mornington and really started to work on Luca’s idea of a business making pasta. “I saw a gap in the market,” said Luca. “There was very little premium pasta, in a food environment where people’s expectations were lifting well above what they could get at a supermarket.” And so, Island Pasta was born. continued page 38...
October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 37
Luca and Tine started out as a home-based business in October 2021. Luca was particular about what he wanted to make and knew it would be their recipe for success. “We needed to do it right. We sourced the best equipment from Italy, and we sourced some of the ingredients from there too, like the tomatoes and cheese that we use for our sauces. We weren’t going to take short cuts,” said Luca.
There are many steps to making the pasta, and all of them must be right to create a premium product
They are especially proud to use Australian durum wheat semolina flour, with Australia recognised for producing some of the world’s highest-quality grain. A little-known fact is that a large portion of Australian-grown wheat is exported around the world, including to countries with strong pasta-making traditions. “Of course, the pasta we make is traditional, but we use new and updated methods to make the pasta that creates a superior product.” Premium ingredients aside, Luca believes the difference you can taste is due to the low mechanical stress processing and slow nature of the drying. “There are many steps to making the pasta, and
Eyewear As Individual As You Are
Now stocking Paul Taylor Eyewear 7/68 Barkly Street, Mornington 38 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
all of them must be right to create a premium product.”
Where store-bought pasta has inferior ingredients and is dried as quickly as possible to suit a mass market (sometimes as little as 3 to 4 hours drying time), Island Pasta is dried over 20 to 25 hours in order to maintain the integrity of the ingredients. “It is a slow process, but the finished product is beyond compare,” said Luca. “Our pasta preserves the natural flavour and fragrance of semolina while offering high digestibility and a naturally low glycemic index - like a new Italian standard for healthy pasta.” They started wholesaling straight away, but it was tough to get into new stores as a start-up business. They also did markets to increase brand awareness of the product. The business quickly began to grow, and they soon outgrew their home business set-up.
The next move was a shopfront at the Dava Drive shops in Mornington. Then, two years ago, they took over the shop next door and filled that too. Now the company keeps the pair busy seven days a week, with Luca doing the pasta making and Tine everything else that follows: from packaging, to marketing, to managing the wholesaling. “It is a real team effort, and it keeps us very busy,” said Luca. Luca is keen to get the point across that while their pasta is more expensive than what you would get at a store, it is still cheap. “People are happy to pay six dollars for a cup of coffee, so why shouldn’t they be happy paying $9 - $12 for a premium pasta that feeds four people?” said Luca. “It may not be for everyone, but it isn’t just a special occasion item either. It can easily be part of everyday eating. It is delicious and nourishing, and worth the money!” Luca practices what he preaches, and there is rarely a day when there isn’t some form of pasta on his and Tine’s lunch or dinner table. continued next page...
Choose from a wide selection of cold/ temperate grown orchids, perfect for your outdoor space. Fertilisers, orchid bark mix, planters, fern mounts and many other plants are also available. We grow our orchids with love and care and we are always available to answer your questions. Whether you are looking for a beautiful gift or want to add to your growing collection we have you covered! Gift wrapping and delivery also available.
Location (Mornington Peninsula) 430 White Hill Road, Dromana Open: 9am to 3pm Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun
Contact phone: 0451 853 612 email: info@whitehillorchids.com.au @whitehillorchids
October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 39
“It is a little about quality control. I want to make sure the pasta is perfect, but I also know it is a quick and wholesome meal. While you are cooking the pasta, you can make a sauce, or buy one of our sauces too,” said Luca. Island Pasta’s sauces come from treasured Italian family recipes, and from Luca’s time working as a chef. “It is the same approach as the pasta. If you put premium ingredients in, and give it the care it requires, you end up with a superior product.” Island Pasta has branched out from the Mornington Peninsula to be stocked at stores across Victoria and even interstate. “We are keen to grow, but we will never forget what makes our products unique. We won’t mass produce. We just have to buy some more equipment so we can make more pasta slowly and carefully,” said Luca. “For us it’s a matter of time.” Luca and Tine have been on quite the journey. From Germany and Italy to Phillip Island and now to the Mornington Peninsula. The journey is set to continue, never forgetting that it is the long journey that makes it all worthwhile.
IG @islandpasta W islandpasta.com.au
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October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 41
42 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
SHOCK-
tober
By Annette Sanfilippo
S
hock tactics have been the key to designer runways for years: clothing that just doesn’t make sense for the everyday, including outfits that are impractical and quite frankly unwearable and undesirable. The gap between what we wear and what we are asked to aspire to has been a bit too broad. Gaining a bit of attention has come at a bit of a cost to many makers and as a result they have been forced to play it down. But maybe they’ve gone a bit too far the other way?
Shopping hasn’t been the most exciting experience the last few years with retail playing it safe and some of those over-saturated trends filtering through haven’t suited everyone’s taste or style. We have been stuck in that mode for far too long. Consumers are getting a little bored with the same styles being mimicked by suppliers and as a result we are turning our attention back to our own wardrobe collections. Fashion goes full circle and it could be a good time to bridge that broad gap and have a bit of fun. It’s a crazy world out there and the fashion arena is also reflecting that sentiment. There are so many trends and directions that it seems anything goes; a bit of eras forgone such as 70s retro, 80s colour, 90s weirdness and turn of the century maximalism. A welcome reactionary renaissance that we have all been waiting for. continued next page...
October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 43
Don’t settle for boring staples lined up in department stores If you are heading to the track, don’t be shy; hats and headpieces are back. For too long, instead of balancing our racewear with good millinery, we have been hiding minimally under headbands. 2026 says, bye-bye boring bands! Top yourself off with something spectacular and start a conversation. Clothing can change your mood, your confidence and your life. Don’t settle for boring staples lined up in department stores. Clone dressing has had its day. Be ‘you’ and dress to inspire others. Move over sneakers; you don’t need to go with everything anymore. Break conformity, be unique, and mix it up. Dressing comes with no judgement. Wear what you want with what you want and how you want. Glitter during the day, prints with stripes, florals with lace, pull out that blinged up handbag and pop on some jewels. You have a licence to thrill. We need to shake it up a bit and enjoy dressing again. No more hiding behind stockstandard basics.
October is the month to take advantage of the sunshine and organise outfits for all the events that come along with great weather and this time of the year. Finding what you need in the shops can be good for some but if you have hung onto your purchases from over the years you may be able to restyle and accessorise pieces to create just what you’ve been looking for. It’s going to be an adventure delving into those boxes and bags and surprising yourself with some fun finds for fantastic repurposing. Weddings, Spring Racing Carnival and lots of parties and events are all in the air and a little styling magic can prove wonders. Hopefully you have stored everything well and a steam up or iron is all you need to freshen up the look. If you like what you see in the mirror, then go with it; don’t doubt yourself. continued page 46...
44 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
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Sportsbet Peninsula Cup returns to Mornington Racecourse on Sunday 1 November for one of the Peninsula’s biggest days out, bringing together quality racing, style, food and headline entertainment. And when the last race is run, the party keeps going. Global dance music superstar Topic will headline the day with a live DJ set after the last race — free with your General Admission ticket. Whether you’re getting the crew together, dressing up for the occasion or making a day of it with the family, Sportsbet Peninsula Cup brings the best of spring racing to your doorstep.
scan to Purchase tickets
Come for the racing. Stay for Topic.
October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 45
No more bagging up your clothes. Turn that spare room into a wardrobe wonderland and enjoy taking dressing to another level. If you have a few unwanted pieces, try turning them into some cash or donate to some of our worthy charities like ‘Dress for Success’ Australia or ‘Clothes 4 U’ on the Mornington Peninsula; a great way to pay it forward. It is also ‘Frocktober’, which is a great time to make a statement, spark conversation, and raise some awareness for ovarian cancer. Go forth and rekindle your style again.
Fashionably yours,
Annette
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October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 47
MAIN STREET EYECARE OG Hex Sunglasses Shop 7/68 Barkly Street, Mornington 5975 3235
AVEDIS JEWELLERY Round Brilliant & Baguette Tear Drop Pendant Karingal Hub Shopping Centre, Shop S105/330 Cranbourne Road, Frankston 9789 2388
BABY GOODS WAREHOUSE Bubba Blue Muslin Wraps Shop 107, Mornington Village Shopping Centre, Mornington 5977 0966
DETENDU LIFESTYLE Summer Kaftan 110 Nepean Highway, Dromana 4 Ninth Avenue, Rosebud 0408 554 202
HIGH-END FASHION AT OUTLET PRICES
A LIT TLE
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Add a touch of European style to your spring wardrobe with a special selection of Monari at Designer Room Moorabbin. Discover archival pieces and exclusive samples from the muchloved German label, known for its relaxed silhouettes, playful details and effortlessly wearable style.
Shop in-store & online at 50% off RRP, while stocks last.
BRIGHTEN y o u r d ays
with colour from local and imported labels and unique styling at sista sista.
LUXURY EUROPEAN DESIGNER LABELS UP TO 70% OFF THE RRP Shop G-146 DFO - 250 Centre Dandenong Rd, Moorabbin Airpor t
48 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
87 Main Street, Mornington
|
5973 4762
THE DESIGNER ROOM Monari Selection DFO Moorabbin, 250 Centre Dandenong Road, Moorabbin Airport 8904 1479
AUDI MORNINGTON Audi Q2 117 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Mornington 5975 5455
ANNY'S JEWELLERY Pearl Drop Earrings 92 Young Street, Frankston 1300 092 000
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phone 0408 554 202 detendu_lifestyle October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 49
the Coffee COUNTER Sip your way across the Mornington Peninsula with our guide to the region's best coffee destinations, from coastal cafés to tucked-away local treasures.
SEAFORD
FRANKSTON
BAXTER
38 SOUTH SEAFORD
THE LAUGHING LARK
SAGES CAFE
Family owned and community minded, serving expertly brewed coffee, fresh modern food, and warm coastal hospitality for locals, families, and visitors alike. 131 Nepean Highway, Seaford 9024 0138 @38southbarcafe
Hidden just outside Bayside Shopping Centre, serving quality coffee, fresh all-day breakfast and lunch amongst relaxed vibes. 1/16 Clyde Street Mall, Frankston laughinglark.com.au @laughinglarkcafe
A welcoming Somerville Central café serving excellent coffee, delicious paninis, toasties and deli goods, located next to Target. 20/49 Eramosa Road West, Somerville 0435 132 894 @oliveandbeancafe
GRAZE & WANDER
THE KENNEL
Somerville’s warmest cafe, bringing you delicious hot made to order food, homemade sweet treats and coffee by Little Rebel.
Look for the orange gate located on the side of Gordon’s Corner Wine Bar. A small coffee window slinging local Revs coffee, specialty food, hot & cold beverages.
2/1065 Frankston-Flinders Road, Somerville @graze_and_wander
1/3050 Frankston-Flinders Road Balnarring (Open Fri, Sat & Sun 7am–11am.) @thekennel_ & @gordons.corner
RYE
MORNINGTON
CREPE DELICES
MORNING GRIND
A taste of France on the Peninsula. Authentic crêpes, galettes, baristacrafted coffees, pastries and artisanal lemonade.
Drive through coffee van serving the finest coffee experience you can find on the Peninsula. Monday to Friday 5.30am to 9.30am
33 Dava Drive, Mornington crepedelices.com.au @crepe_delices
71 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Mornington morninggrind.com.au morning.grind.coffee
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85 Sages Road, Baxter @sagescafebaxter 0437 421 074 @SagesCottageBaxter
BALNARRING
SOMERVILLE
OLIVE & BEAN DELI CAFE
Great coffee, greater purpose seasonal dishes by Chef Zac Poulier. Every visit supports employment opportunities for people with a disability.
MONTINO DELI Family-owned delicatessen serving specialty coffee, meats and artisan cheeses, gourmet sandwiches, and handpicked pantry favourites. 9/2185 Point Nepean Road, Rye @montinodelis
ARTHURS SEAT
FLINDERS
ARTHURS SEAT EAGLE
THE CHOCOLATERIES MORNINGTON PENINSULA
FLINDERS GENERAL STORE
Indulge in a coffee or hot chocolate while watching talented Chocolatiers craft irresistible handmade chocolate creations
Offering a sustainably sourced speciality coffee exclusively roasted by Blume Coffee. Sweet, rich & complex. Ethically delicious.
Coffee tastes better with a view! Enjoy baristamade coffee, fresh pastries, delicious meals and sweet treats at the summit of Arthurs Seat. 1085 Arthurs Seat Road, Arthurs Seat ele aseagle.com.au @aseagle
45 Cook Street, Flinders mpchoc.com.au @mpchocolaterie @mpchoc
ARTHURS SEAT DROMANA HASTINGS
RED HILL
LANEWAY ESPRESSO
NORDIE CAFE
Your local brew stop in the heart of Dromana, for a bit of good conversation, great food and even better coffee.
Serving exceptional Allpress coffee alongside fresh, relaxed Peninsula hospitality. The perfect local stop for breakfast, lunch or takeaway in Red Hill.
167 Point Nepean Road, Dromana @lanewayespressolittletreasures 5981 4624 @lanewaydromana
50 Cook Street, Flinders @flindersgeneralstores
OUR PLACE RED HILL SOUTH Relax by the wood fire or enjoy alfresco dining on the deck for breakfast, lunch, pizza, coffee and more. Fully licensed. Dine in or take-away.
1008 Mornington-Flinders Road, Red Hill 5989 2171 @nordiecafe
Shop 5, 137 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South 5983 6456 @ourplaceredhill
HEART IT FORWARD CAFE
ELEMENTS EATERY
Cafe and support services based in Rosebud. Our coffee and food is made from the heart. Also offering Filipino groceries.
Award-winning eatery and cafe serving delicious coffee and food in a welcoming community atmosphere, 7 days a week.
1377 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud heartitforward.com.au 0401 596 060 @heart_it_forward_cafe
Yawa, 100 Besgrove Street, Rosebud elementseatery.com.au @elementseatery
ROSEBUD
THE NOOK A relaxed, all-day restaurant created for good food and good company. Offering all day breakfast and lunch, dinner starting from 5pm. Wood fire pizza available. Shop 43/37 McCombe Street, Rosebud 5985 9896 @thenookrosebudplaza
HASTINGS
BEA’S ASIAN MART & CAFE
AVENT’S GOURMET KITCHEN
Enjoy quality coffee and authentic Filipino comfort food, where every dish celebrates tradition, flavour and family.
Discover great coffee, artisan products made in-house, affordable take-home meals and a free 24/7 community garden.
29 Marine Parade, Hastings 0489 029 862 @beasfilipinocafe.com.au
2/61 Cool Store Road, Hastings @aventsgourmetkitchen @Avents-Gourmet-Kitchen
Is your café missing out? ADVERTISE HERE. FOR DETAILS CONTACT BELINDA 0419 135 900 October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 51
FOCUS on Hastings Photos Yanni
Hastings is located on the Mornington Peninsula, fronting the western shore of Western Port, between Tyabb and Bittern with an area of 41.6 square kilometres. By road, Hastings is 62 km south of Melbourne. Hastings' extensive foreshore area consists of large and grassy open spaces, native bush and mangroves along the water's edge. There are also several sporting facilities located on the foreshore including tennis courts, a bowling club and sports ovals. The Pelican Park Recreation Centre is situated on the waterfront and features an indoor heated lap pool, a gymnasium, spa & steam room and a kiosk. Next to Pelican Park is the historic Hastings Jetty which is a popular spot for fishing and boating activities.
52 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
Hastings is the administrative centre of the Western Port area and its heavy industries include the Esso-BHP oil refinery and the BlueScope Steel plant which is one of Victoria's largest manufacturing operations.
Hastings was the seat of the Hastings Shire, before this was merged into the Mornington Peninsula Shire, and still has many buildings associated with federal, state and local governments. It has the headquarters of the regional traffic police.
Hastings is an attractive town, featuring a modern commercial centre which extends several blocks along High Street and right down to the attractive Western Port foreshore. There are three major supermarkets and several shopping complexes including Westernport Central
There is a modern library in the centre of town, outside of which is a statue of former resident and famous footballer, John Coleman. Other facilities include a public hall, and a modern aquatic centre.
One of the major attractions is Hastings is the Western Port Marina. Visitors enjoy use of the marina's attractive BBQ and picnic areas featuring a palyground and a skate park. For boating enthusiasts, permanent and casual berthing is available. In 2004 Hastings was the overall winner of the Victorian Tidy Town Awards held by the Keep Australia Beautiful Network. The first largest department store, Kmart, opened in Hastings on October 19, 2006.
Established during the early 1850s as a fishing and farming community, the industrial development from the 1960s including Esso and the BHP steel mill were based on its deep water harbour and are still active to this day. Hastings is thought to be named after a fishing town in England or the British imperial administrator Warren Hastings. Hastings Street Market is held every Thursday in High Street from 8am till 1pm. with various stalls featuring everything homemade, home grown and craft. Population: 10,369 (Census 2021)
Previously known as King’s Creek and Star Point, its post office opened on 4 February 1863. An eclectic mix of shopping and art houses is at your fingertips being close to the home of antique stores Settlement of the area dates from the 1840s, with fishing being the main industry. Growth took place from the 1850s into the 1870s as the township developed. Expansion continued in the late 1880s and 1890s, aided by the construction of the railway line and the establishment of many orchards. Significant residential development occurred during the 1960s and 1970s, spurred by industrial growth and public housing construction. In October 2003 the town of Hastings was host to The Princess Royal.
October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 53
WHAT to do Take a relaxing stroll along the Hastings Foreshore and historic Hastings Jetty and enjoy views across Western Port Bay amongst the local pelicans. Fishing, boating, cycling and scenic walks are popular ways to enjoy the waterfront. Families can enjoy the skate park and playground, picnic areas and nearby swimming pool. Explore local shops, cafés and fresh seafood, or visit the Hastings Museum to discover the area’s fascinating history. Explore nearby wetlands and bushland or take a 3.5km walking trail and boardwalk that connects the town to Jacks Beach in Bittern through an expanse of White Mangrove.
Froeyliociwoiutsh TUopnpiqinue gs! &D
MON 3-9PM TUE-SUN 12-9PM Shop 7/110 High St, Hastings AÇAI
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54 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
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Factory 6/1879 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Hastings VIC 3915
A B R I G H T ER AU ST RA LI A October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 55
CAFÉ safari Whether you want to start the morning right or you're seeking an afternoon pick-me-up, freshly brewed coffee and delectable menus are a must-have for locals and visitors. Here are just a few places to check out when you're in this beautiful part of the world.
STEAMIN’ MUGS
24 HIGH STREET
A place for everyone to hangout and share conversation with your friends over scrumptious freshly prepared hearty meals, coffee or drinks of your choice. Offering a pet menu for your pooch from the undercover and open outdoor seating area.
BEACH HUT CAFÉ
55 HIGH STREET
Light, bright and open with alfresco and indoor seating. The perfect spot to relax and read the paper with a hot coffee, tea, light snack or meal. Friendly staff and great selection of cakes.
SANDWICH KING CAFÉ
75 HIGH STREET
Great selection of cakes, pouring Crivelli coffee, and the reputation for best sandwiches and burgers made with fresh, healthy ingredients. Relax inside or enjoy alfresco dining in the back tropical garden courtyard.
PELIKAN SOCIÉTE̒
2 MARINE PARADE
A truly memorable dining experience, with a dog-friendly outdoor seating area that invites diners to enjoy their meals while soaking in the stunning views of the waterfront and local wildlife. Located next to Peilcan Park recreation centre, it is a must-visit destination in Hastings.
SPRING Spe c ial
Full set of soft lash extensions only
$99
(usually $135)
Shop 1, 101 High Street, Hastings 56 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
P: 5979 1511
HARBOURSIDE CAFÉ HASTINGS
21 SKINNER STREET
A hidden gem with modern light and bright styling offering a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere and a great view of Western Port Marina. Spacious indoor and outdoor seating available. Great coffee and freshly cooked menu items. Known for its great service from friendly staff.
THE LOCAL CAFÉ AND CATERING
62 HIGH STREET
They don’t call it The Local for nothing! A popular haunt for locals and visitors, serving piping hot and delicious Genovese coffee, as well as a wonderful variety of fresh dishes for a snack or lunch.
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SENIORS LOVING LIFE
“I DON'T WANT ANYONE WEARING BLACK”. WHY PENINSULA FAMILIES ARE PLANNING AHEAD Earlier this year, Denise sat down with her husband Peter to plan his funeral. A Candour Funerals arranger was there to guide the conversation at the dining table. Denise expected the afternoon to feel heavy. It didn't — within twenty minutes, all three of them were laughing. “I found out Peter wants a piper,” she said. “Forty-six years married and it had never come up. He found out I don't want anyone wearing black. We've talked about everything else under the sun, so it was lovely to find there were still a few things we didn't know about each other.”
There are practical reasons to plan ahead, too. A Candour pre-paid contract locks in today's prices for the items the funeral home provides itself, fully itemised, while a funeral bond sets money aside for the costs that change over time, such as venue hire, flowers and catering. Pre-paid contracts are generally exempt from the Centrelink assets test, as are funeral bonds up to an indexed limit (currently $16,250 per person), and payment can be made in full or by instalments. Candour walks families through the options in plain English, and plans can be updated at any time. For Denise, though, the money was secondary.
Denise and Peter are among a growing number of Mornington Peninsula residents choosing to plan and pre-pay their funerals with Candour Funerals — and the Mornington-based funeral home says the conversation is almost always lighter than families expect.
“Yes, it's sorted, and the kids won't have to guess or argue about any of it. That's a relief,” she said. “But honestly, the best part was the conversation. We kept talking about it for days. Peter even added a song to his list on the drive home.”
The reason is timing. Planning ahead means decisions are made while emotions are level, with no pressure and no deadline. Families have the time to talk about music, venues and the personal touches the way they might plan a milestone birthday — and to enjoy doing it.
Candour's online Pre-Paid Planner lets peninsula residents outline their wishes in minutes and receive a tailored summary by email, with no obligation. To talk it through — by phone, video or in person — call 1300 788 881 or visit candourfunerals.com.au/pre-paid.
“That's what struck me most,” Denise said. “Nobody was upset. Nobody was in a rush. We were really just talking about our lives — what mattered to us, who we'd want there, what we'd want people to remember. I wish we'd done it years ago.” The Candour team say it is a familiar pattern. Couples are surprised by each other's choices. Adult sons and daughters sitting in with a parent and learning things they never knew: a favourite song, a story from before they were born, why a particular place matters so much.
58 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
Candour Funerals - Available 24/7 5 Bennetts Road, Mornington VIC 3931 P 1300 788 881 W candourfunerals.com.au
October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 59
SENIORS LOVING LIFE
BEYOND OVER-50S DESIGNER HOMES IN SOUTH GIPPSLAND For many Palm Lake Resort Paynesville homeowners, bowls isn’t just a pastime – it’s the cornerstone of their social life. The undercover, floodlit design of the resort’s eight-rink green means games are enjoyed year-round, regardless of weather, creating a reliable location for casual morning roll-ups, practise sessions and larger inter-club competitions.
Ninety-Mile Beach offers kilometres of breathtaking coastline and exploring the extensive Gippsland Lakes system by boat is another popular way to enjoy the region’s natural beauty. The Appeal of Over-50s Living
20 Million Dollar Country Club
At Palm Lake Resort Paynesville, the appeal of over-50s living goes well beyond designer homes - it’s about embracing a world-class lifestyle where social connections, health and wellness come effortlessly. And at the heart of it all lies a true standout feature: the resort’s championship lawn bowls green. And their growing community of homeowners is really loving the vibrant new lifestyle. Whether it’s swimming in the climate-controlled indoor heated pool, playing lawn bowls or tenpin bowling, joining in a yoga class, or maybe even enjoying a happy hour catch-up, Palm Lake Resort Paynesville has it all readily available for their homeowners, right on their doorsteps.
The green connects seamlessly with the impressive lifestyle on offer at the resort’s $20 million Latitude Country Club. A casual game can turn into a relaxed drink with friends, a shared meal, or an evening of entertainment. It’s this integration of sport and social living that makes bowls such a powerful drawcard for prospective homeowners.
Back at the resort, in a community built on connection, it’s no surprise that the bowls green has become such a focal point. It represents more than just a place to play sport – it’s where likeminded neighbours become friends and every day brings the opportunity to be active and part of something rewarding.
Beyond the green, homeowners enjoy a lifestyle of ease – no more weekends spent on yard maintenance, just more time to do the things you love. From the indoor swimming pool and spa, tenpin bowling, pickleball, golf simulator rooms and the exclusive Milon gymnasium, to the luxury movie theatre, library, arts and craft room, yoga studio and more – homeowners have a wealth of ways to keep active and social, right on their doorsteps.
Join The Community
That’s the beauty of bowls in a resort like this – it brings people together. New friendships are formed over social matches, and laughter is as common as a well-placed shot. It’s a sport that welcomes all abilities, making it an easy and enjoyable way to stay active while building a genuine sense of belonging. And the resort’s growing homeowner community offers some brilliant benefits in itself – there are many avid and skilled players among the ranks, including accredited lawn bowls coaches, eager to share their knowledge.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates as the community continues to grow. With brand new homes currently available you too could be living life to its fullest. Many of their new homeowners come from the peninsula and you too can tour the resort and discover all the activities on offer that bring connection and purpose to your every day.
Location and Lifestyle
Don’t miss their next sales event by calling the Sales Information Centre on 1800 960 943, they can’t wait to welcome you!
The secure, gated community, with onsite caretakers, also allows homeowners to lock up their property and travel with peace of mind. And when they’re not away, the Paynesville area itself provides many local attractions. A short ferry ride takes visitors to Raymond Island where koalas, kangaroos and echidnas roam free. Local hiking tracks meander through lush rainforest and past waterfalls.
78 Ashley Street, Paynesville P 1800 960 943 W palmlakeresort.com.au
60 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
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SENIORS LOVING LIFE
MOUNTAIN VIEW LEONGATHA Mountain View Leongatha is a boutique lifestyle community exclusively for active people, 55 and over and offers resort living every day. It delivers stylish residences, whilst offering a genuine sense of community. When completed, Mountainview Village will have a total of 45 villas offering a choice of 2 or 3 bedrooms with single or double garages. The facilities for residents to enjoy includes a community centre, offering an indoor pool, bowling green, lounge and alfresco areas for social interaction. There’s also onsite caravan and boat parking available.
Leongatha is the ideal home base for a life full of wonderful pursuits, and Mountain View Leongatha is the place where you can live and enjoy them. Experience the boutique retirement dream at Mountain View Leongatha and retire in South Gippsland. Mountain View Leongatha is open for inspection 4 days a week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 9am to 3pm and weekends by appointment. Call the friendly team at Mountain View Leongatha today.
Leongatha is in the heart of South Gippsland, located on the South Gippsland Highway which links Leongatha to Melbourne. Located 135 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. Leongatha is central to many attractions including Wilsons Promontory National Park, Agnes Falls, Koonwarra, Korumburra, Fish Creek, Meeniyan, Bass Coast (coastline of Kilcunda, Inverloch & Venus Bay) & Phillip Island.
62 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
P 5612 4800 W mountainviewleongatha.com.au
October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 63
SENIORS LOVING LIFE
BRINGING HEARTFELT CARE AND HUMAN CONNECTION TO THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA Elect Home Care has launched on the Mornington Peninsula with a commitment to helping older people remain independent, connected and confidently supported in their own homes. Joining the new local service as Director of Client Services is respected health and aged-care professional Christopher Grady OAM. Loneliness can be easy to overlook. It does not always announce itself, and an older person may appear to be coping independently while going days without enjoying a meaningful conversation or seeing a familiar face. For families, the practical needs of an older relative—meals, transport, medication and household assistance—are often easier to recognise than their need for companionship. Regular social interaction and a sense of purpose or feeling connected to others can be equally important to a person’s overall wellbeing. This understanding is central to Elect Home Care, a newly launched, locally owned and operated home-care service supporting older people and families across the Mornington Peninsula. Elect Home Care provides personalised assistance at home, including companionship, personal care, transport to appointments, shopping, meal preparation, light household assistance and support following illness, surgery or a hospital stay. Its aim is not simply to complete a list of tasks, but to build trusted relationships that help people feel safe, respected and valued. Joining Elect Home Care as Director of Client Services is Christopher Grady OAM, who brings more than 30 years of proven experience in leadership, administration and community engagement. A distinguished health and aged-care professional, Chris’ service to aged welfare was recognised in 2023 when he received the Medal of the Order of Australia. Throughout his career, Chris has remained passionate about creating environments in which older people can participate, contribute and continue enjoying the things that make life meaningful. His role with Elect Home Care will include developing relationships with peninsula residents, families, community organisations, retirement villages and aged-care venues.
Jan returned to her doctor and reportedly showed improvement across measure of cognitive function. While technology can never replace genuine human connection, her experience highlights just how important regular conversation, engagement and companionship can be in supporting an older person’s wellbeing. Technology can provide reminders, information and stimulation. It can help families remain informed and allow older people to maintain greater independence. But it cannot fully replace the reassurance of a familiar face, shared laughter, a genuine conversation or another person noticing that something does not seem quite right. That is where community connection and personalised home care can make a profound difference. Chris’ approach to social connection extends well beyond formal care. He loves singing songs made famous by Frank Sinatra and is frequently accompanied by his two much-loved whippets, Milton and Moby. Community centres, retirement villages and aged-care venues looking for a warm and engaging social activity are invited to contact Elect Home Care. By arrangement and subject to each venue’s requirements, Chris would be delighted to provide a complimentary visit, share some music and introduce residents to Milton and Moby. Sometimes meaningful care begins with practical assistance. At other times, it begins with a conversation, a favourite song, a friendly dog or simply knowing that someone will be arriving at the door. For Elect Home Care, supporting independence means caring for the whole person—not only helping them remain at home, but helping them remain connected to the people, activities and community around them. Elect Home Care is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the Mornington Peninsula. No call centres, just a small boutique company offering “Professional Service with Heartfelt Care". Call Jo Beck to enquire about our supportive services.
The importance of companionship was brought into sharp focus recently by a remarkable story in The New York Times. In “To Stay in Her Home, She Let in an A.I. Robot,” journalist Eli Saslow followed 85-year-old Jan Worrell, who lived alone near the end of the Long Beach Peninsula on the remote Washington coast. After her husband died, Jan sometimes went several days without seeing another person. Wanting to remain in the home she loved, she agreed to trial ElliQ—an artificial-intelligence companion that resembled a small reading lamp positioned beside a tablet. ElliQ spoke to Jan throughout the day, suggested games and activities, played music and reminded her about aspects of her routine such as medication reminders and encouraged conversation. What began as understandable uncertainty gradually developed into a surprisingly important relationship. The story demonstrated the potential for thoughtful technology to support older people who live alone. However, the story also raised an important question about the value of regular conversation and companionship in later life. After 12 months living with ElliQ,
64 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
P 0419 322 955 E enquiries@electhomecare.com.au W electhomecare.com.au
Locally owned and operated PROUDLY SERVICING THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA
Professional service with heartfelt care.
INTRODUCTORY OFFER
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Personal Care
In-Home Support
Assistance with daily activities to maintain independence.
Help around the home for comfort and peace of mind.
Transportation
Specialised Care
To and from appointments, hospital visits and other essential travel.
Tailored care for specific needs.
FREE
in-home consultation
0419 322 955
1 FREE HOUR
*New clients only. T&C’s apply.
of care when you book 8 hours*
@ enquiries@electhomecare.com.au
www.electhomecare.com.au October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 65
SENIORS LOVING LIFE
UNLOCKING LIFE’S NEXT ADVENTURE How Home Equity Can Help Fund Your Travel Dreams For many Australians over 55, retirement represents an exciting new chapter with greater freedom and the chance to experience the places that may have been waiting on the wish list for years.
To see how much equity you could access, try Inviva’s Home Equity Release Calculator at www.inviva.com.au or call the number below to find out more.
After decades of working and saving, many Australians see retirement as the time to enjoy the rewards of their efforts. For eligible homeowners, unlocking some of their home equity could help transform travel plans from a dream into a reality. What is a Home Equity Release Loan? A Home Equity Release Loan allows eligible homeowners to access some of the value they have built up in their property without needing to sell their home or move away. • R etain ownership of your home - benefit from any future capital growth • Lifetime occupancy guarantee - remain in your home • A no negative equity guarantee - never owe more than the value of your property • No ongoing monthly repayments - ease pressure on retirement cash flow • Flexible access to funds - lump sum, regular income or line of credit
The information provided here is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, objectives or financial situation. Before acting on any information and for legal, tax, or financial questions, you should consult with an appropriate professional. Loans are subject to eligibility and lending criteria. Fees, interest rates and terms and conditions apply. Loans are serviced and distributed by Inviva Services Pty Ltd. Australian Credit Licence 533319.
P 1300 222 223 W inviva.com.au
Unlock the power of your home equity Over 55? Now is your time. Travel, renovate, refinance or simply live your best life. No monthly repayments or proof of income required.
Get a free property value estimate and find out how much you could borrow. Visit inviva.com.au
Todd Woodbridge Tennis legend
Speak to the home equity release loan experts. Call 1300 222 223 Loans are subject to eligibility and lending criteria. Fees, interest rates and terms and conditions apply. Loans are serviced and distributed by Inviva Services Pty Ltd. Australian Credit Licence 533319.
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SENIORS LOVING LIFE
RETIREMENT LIVING IN A WELCOMING VILLAGE COMMUNITY Beautifully appointed, fully renovated two-bedroom brick veneer residence, thoughtfully designed for relaxed, low-maintenance living – and very affordable at $410K-$440K. • Spacious open-plan kitchen, electric cooking, rangehood, full dishwasher and 1½ sink, all set against sleek Laminex benchtops and perfect for entertaining or casual meals. • Both bedrooms include built-in robes and ceiling fans, with reversecycle air conditioning in the living area ensuring year-round comfort.
• 24-hour emergency call system in every unit. • Lock-up garden shed for extra storage. • Private bus service for residents to local shopping precincts. • Optional parking conveniently located nearby. Explore The Village Baxter’s amenities, join vibrant social groups, and enjoy a variety of events and activities – all while living a life of comfort, independence and connection, perfect for your next chapter.
• The bathroom offers a walk-in access shower and full vanity for convenience and accessibility, while the separate laundry provides practicality.
P 5971 1349 FB & IG @villagebaxter W villagebaxter.com
68 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
Total Property Care For 35 years, “A Cleaner Peninsula” has supported homeowners from Mornington to Portsea with a professional, high-quality service allowing those owners to enjoy their homes by reducing the workload that many experience.
Imagine having your own personal concierge, truly a “one stop shop” for domestic and commercial properties, with a host of services available for you:
n House Cleaning n Commercial Cleaning n Carpet Steam Cleaning n Window Cleaning
n Gardening Maintenance & Advice n Lawn Mowing n Laundry Service n Handyman Service
A Cleaner Peninsula will provide you with a free on-site consultation and quote for all the cleaning work you need done.
All staff are fully trained, police checked and insured, and all tradies are vetted, licensed and insured. Whether it’s a last-minute clean before guests arrive or a fallen tree across the driveway, A Cleaner Peninsula has got you covered.
n Pest Control n Gutter & Pressure Cleaning n Plumbing Service n Electrical Service
Phone: 03 5988 6820 Mobile: 0481 314 439 Email: office@acleanerpeninsula.com.au Web: www.acleanerpeninsula.com.au October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 69
SENIORS LOVING LIFE
COME ALONG TO AN OPEN DAY TO FIND THE RIGHT MOVE FOR YOU Finding the right place to downsize to is about more than just choosing a new home. It is about discovering a community where you feel supported, connected, and safe. Rob and Anne moved into Bedford Heights Estate about 10 months ago, and their experience has confirmed they made the right choice at the right time. The couple toured five homes, securing their top choice: a spacious two-bedroom villa with a study, a modern kitchen, and a garage.
Southern Cross Care invites you to explore their vibrant Retirement Living communities at their upcoming open days: • Thursday, 8 October from 10am – 12pm at The Mornington Retirement Village, 150 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Mornington • Friday, 9 October from 10am – 12pm at Bedford Heights Estate, 16 Bedford Street, Box Hill All visitors to the open days will also have the opportunity to learn about their exclusive ‘1000 Reasons’ offer.
Leaving behind home maintenance was a welcome change. "I don't have to worry about mowing lawns and doing painting," Rob said. "I've adapted to the new environment and enjoy getting involved with the activities." Rob has joined the resident committee and the writers group, while helping out on bar nights. Anne stays active with gentle exercise classes and dancing. "There's a lot happening here and you can be involved as much as you want," Anne said. The couple also enjoys walking their daughter’s dogs around the grounds, taking advantage of nearby parks like Blacks Walk and shopping centres just minutes away.
OPEN DAYS
1,000 reasons to visit us this October
W southerncrosscare.com.au
Event Details • The Mornington Retirement Village 150 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Mornington Thursday, 8 October | 10.00am – 12.00pm
• Bedford Heights Estate Retirement Village
Join us for our Open Days! Explore our welcoming communities, and discover what makes retirement living with Southern Cross Care so rewarding. Discover how we can help you be Better for life.
16 Bedford Street, Box Hill Friday, 9 October | 10.00am – 12.00pm
What to Expect Tour the Village Meet the Community Home Care Advice Free Info Session Exclusive Offer*
Spaces are limited. Scan the QR code to register your interest today! SouthernCrossCare.com.au
Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC) Inc ARBN 129 895 905, South Australia, liability limited
70 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
*Terms & Conditions: Offer valid for attendees of the 8 Oct (Mornington) or 9 Oct (Bedford Heights) 2026 Open Days who register on the day, pay a deposit, and sign a contract between 12/10/26 and 31/12/26. $1,000 incentive provided in the form of VISA Gift Card within 30 days post-settlement. Offer available on first ten (10 sales). One per dwelling. Not valid with any other offer (including Refer a Friend). Full T&Cs available from village management.
SENIORS LOVING LIFE
PEACE OF MIND FOR THE FUTURE Keeping a Will and Powers of Attorney up to date can provide valuable peace of mind, ensuring important decisions can be managed according to an individual’s wishes if circumstances change. Mulligan Lawyers advises that a financial Power of Attorney can allow trusted family members or other nominated people to assist with financial and personal affairs, including paying bills and making arrangements for alternative living circumstances if someone becomes unwell or needs additional support. When reviewing a Will, there are several important considerations. This includes deciding who will act as executor, with more than one trusted person able to be appointed, and whether specific gifts should be made to grandchildren over 18, family members, friends or charities.
For more complex circumstances, a Will can establish trusts to provide for family members with a disability or for other protective purposes. Mulligan Lawyers also provides an in-house service for pensioners and retirement village residents, visiting their residence to take instructions and witness Wills. With advice tailored to individual circumstances and wishes, Mulligan Lawyers can help clients put appropriate arrangements in place for greater peace of mind. Call us for a free phone consultation. Pat Mulligan, Principal Lawyer Mulligan lawyers Pty Ltd
The remainder of an estate, known as the residuary estate, can then be distributed between chosen beneficiaries, often family members. A Will can also make provisions for what happens if a beneficiary dies before the person making the Will, including whether their share passes to surviving beneficiaries or to their children. Other personal wishes can also be included, such as funeral arrangements, burial or cremation preferences and organ or tissue donation.
W mulliganlawyers.com.au E pmulligan@mulliganlawyers.com.au P 8564 8592
Mulligan Lawyers Pty Ltd ABN: 80 168 710 359
PAY FOR THE JOB NOT BY THE HOUR. We provide a fixed price service for the following Wills and probate. Fixed fee service for all wills, power of attorney and medical decision maker documents is $880 including GST per person.
• BUSINESS LAW • PROPERTY LAW • FAMILY LAW • WILLS AND ESTATES • CRIMINAL LAW • LITIGATION Call us now. We service Rosebud and Mornington Peninsula by appointment. MULLIGAN LAWYERS IS A GENERAL PRACTICE. PATRICK MULLIGAN, PRINCIPAL LAWYER HAS PRACTISED LAW FOR OVER 19 YEARS.
P 03 8564 8592 W mulliganlawyers.com.au E pmulligan@mulliganlawyers.com.au October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 71
SENIORS LOVING LIFE Tours escorted by Vickie Lamble
ARE YOU IN NEED OF A BREAK? Lamble Tours highly anticipated 2027 holiday packages are now available, exclusively highlighting their premium summer and autumn getaways.There’s something for everyone! Every Lamble Tours journey is thoughtfully crafted with care, knowledge, and attention to the little things. With years of hands-on experience, each itinerary is designed not just around destinations, but around what truly makes a holiday special. Explore Lamble Tours range of short getaways and extended holidays. With their convenient home pick-up and return service across metropolitan Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula, your holiday begins the moment you step out the door. Immerse yourself in a warm winter escape on the sunshine coast, or explore the natural beauty of Hervey Bay and Fraser Island. Looking ahead, you can discover the incredible beauty of Norfolk Island or secure your place on the Overland Train to Adelaide, complete with the magic of the Christmas Pageant. Refresh, recharge, and rediscover - your next getaway awaits!
P 0418 853 810 E lambletours@bigpond.com FB @lambletours W lambletours.com.au
Relax, Enjoy & Discover! 9 DAYS NORFOLK ISLAND Tuesday 16 – Wednesday 24 Feburary 2027 Discover the incredible natural beauty of Norfolk Island that is also rich is history and culture. From pristine waters, rugged cliffs, convict ruins and breathtaking scenary – paradise awaits. Join us for many memorable highlights.
Cost: $4,660
Per person twin share/double. Single Supp: $750 Please pay deposit of $200 ASAP to secure booking Note: Entry requirements for Norfolk Island photo ID, current drivers licence, or current Passport or photo ID obtained from Australia Post.
5 DAYS - Q TRAIN & THE SHIPWRECK COAST Monday 23 – Friday 27 March 2027 From the rails to the rugged coast – experience culinary delights and breathtaking ocean views in one unforgettable journey. Savour fine dining on the Q Train, then explore the raw beauty of the Shipwreck Coast and its iconic landscapes.
Cost: $2,570
Per person twin share/double. Single Supp $470
10 DAYS – AUTUMN EAST COAST TASMANIA Thursday 1 – Saturday 10 April 2027 FLY/FLY A 10-day autumn escape through Tasmania blending vibrant food, wild coastlines, and crisp seasonal landscapes. From the historic charm and breathtaking views of Launceston to the rugged beauty and gourmet experiences of Bruny Island.
Cost $4,890
Per person twin share /double. Single Supp $895
For a detailed itinerary phone: 0418 853 810 or Email: lambletours@bigpond.com Home pick up & return service metropolitan / Mornington Peninsula
www.lambletours.com.au
Did You Know?
The percentage of people aged 65 or older with earwax impaction is reported to be as high as 34%!
Do you experience any of the following? • Earache • Itching • Tinnitus (ringing and buzzing in the ears) • Vertigo • Hearing loss
These could be the complications of excessive or impacted earwax. Microsuction has become widely recognised as the gold standard for efficient and safe earwax removal. This advanced procedure uses a specialised suction device under direct visualisation, allowing for precise and controlled removal of earwax while significantly reducing the risk of trauma to the ear canal and eardrum. Unlike traditional ear syringing, microsuction is quick, comfortable, and does not require the prior use of eardrops. It is particularly beneficial for seniors looking to improve their hearing without the discomfort or potential infection risks associated with syringing.
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Why choose microsuction at Viva Hearing?
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Microsuction Earwax Removal for pension card holders standard price $120
Call us on (03) 9322 3222 or visit 197 Main Street, Mornington to schedule your appointment 72 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
SENIORS LOVING LIFE
LOCALS SET TO BENEFIT FROM SPECIALIST CARE Access to specialist medical consultants including cardiologists, orthopaedic surgeons and colorectal surgeons is no longer a problem for Mornington Peninsula residents with the opening of Cabrini Local at Sorrento. Unavailability of locally based specialist medical practitioners can lead to diagnosis and treatment delays, Cabrini Local cardiologist Dr Louise Segan said. “Living outside metropolitan Melbourne shouldn’t mean having to travel long distances to access specialist care,” she said. “For some patients, the time, cost and inconvenience of travelling to the city can become a real barrier, and unfortunately this can mean symptoms are minimised or appointments may be delayed. “Having specialist services available closer to home makes it easier for people to seek advice when they need it and allows for continuity and ongoing care.” Cabrini Local specialists consult out of rooms at 166 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento and also includes general surgeons, plastic surgeons, and gynaecological oncologists.
“Conditions including atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, heart failure or other heart rhythm problems benefit from early recognition, diagnosis and appropriate management.” Through Cabrini Local, patients can have their concerns assessed, investigations reviewed and treatment options discussed without necessarily having to make repeated trips into metropolitan Melbourne. “And just as importantly, we can work alongside a patient’s GP and local healthcare team so that their care is coordinated and ongoing. We can ensure patients have access to specialised treatments and coordinated care that may not have previously been available locally.”
Timely access to specialist care can be critical, Dr Segan said. “Timely cardiac assessment and treatment, for example, can make a substantial difference,” she said. “Symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, fainting or fatigue can have a range of causes, and it’s important that patients don’t simply put them down to getting older or being unfit.”
P 0409 576 026 W cabrini.com.au
October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 73
SENIORS LOVING LIFE
FULL SERVICE STOCKBROKING, RIGHT HERE ON THE PENINSULA For many people in their retirement years, a share portfolio is more than an investment. It is the income that pays the bills, the legacy you plan to leave, and the result of decades of careful decisions. It deserves more than an online trading account and a call centre.
Whether you have managed your own shares for years and would like a second opinion, or you are handling a portfolio for the first time after the loss of a partner, we are happy to sit down with you, at our office or in your home, and talk it through.
SAF Private Wealth offers full service stockbroking and investment advice to Mornington Peninsula residents. That means a real person who knows your name, understands your circumstances, and picks up the phone when you call.
SAF Private Wealth Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Openmarkets Australia Limited, AFSL 246705. This is general information only and does not consider your personal circumstances.
For more information, call Simon on or visit the website.
Simon Fritsch, founder and principal, has spent more than 25 years working with private clients and their families, including senior roles at UBS Wealth Management and as a founding partner of Crestone Wealth Management. He lives in Mount Martha and now brings that experience home to the Peninsula. What we help with: • Building and managing a share portfolio focused on reliable income • Reviewing what you already hold and whether it still suits you • Self-managed super funds and portfolios in retirement • Working alongside your accountant, solicitor and family
P 0417 577 795 W safprivatewealth.com.au
• Plain-English advice, without jargon or pressure
I n v e s t m e n t A d v i c e & St o c k b r o k i n g
Your wealth. Your portfolio. Your adviser Many investors hold their Australian shares through a platform or custodian, where the shares are registered in the custodian’s name rather than the investor’s own. At SAF Private Wealth your Australian shares are held on CHESS under your own Holder Identification Number (HIN) registered in your name, with dividends paid directly to you, and your holdings transferable whenever you choose. Simon has over Twenty-seven years’ experience managing portfolios for wholesale investors. He is based in Melbourne and on the Peninsula each week.
safprivatewealth.com.au/peninsula Simon Fritsch · SAF Private Wealth · 0417 577 795
Simon Fritsch (AR No. 001269537) is an Authorised Representative of Openmarkets Australia Limited AFSL 246705, trading as SAF Private Wealth. The information provided is general in nature only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on it, you should consider whether it is appropriate having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
74 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
SENIORS LOVING LIFE
Are your ears blocked? P R O F E S S I O N A L E A RWA X R E M OVA L A gentle and safe microsuction procedure, conducted by qualified nurses.
CLEARER HEARING Earwax is natural and plays an essential role in maintaining healthy ears. However, when too much builds up, it can impact hearing and contribute to problems such as tinnitus, dizziness and earaches. While using cotton buds may seem like an easy solution, they can push wax deeper into the ear canal and, in some cases, cause damage to the eardrum.
Senieocrisal Sp Present your SENIORS CARD to receive an exclusive
BOOK ONLINE
30% OFF Valid until Oct 31st
1300 327 929 I No referral required E: info@simplycleanears.au F R A N K STO N I M O O R A B B I N A R M A D A L E I T O O R A K I B E R W I C K I B A L L A R AT
Simply Clean Ears provides a nurse-led earwax removal service using microsuction – the same gentle technique used by ENT surgeons. Using dry, gentle suction, the service can safely remove stubborn earwax without the need for a referral. With convenient locations in Frankston, Moorabbin, Berwick, Armadale and Toorak, as well as a regional office in Ballarat, Simply Clean Ears makes professional earwax removal accessible across Melbourne and regional Victoria. For clearer hearing and professional ear care, Simply Clean Ears offers a simple, nurse-led solution.
P 1300 327 929 E info@simplycleanears.au W simplycleanears.au
BARN DOOR SALES MONDAY TO FR IDAY 8AM - 4.30PM AND SATURDAY S 8AM-12.30PM
Tired of stale tasting supermarket eggs? Our farm is family owned and managed. We have been producing quality eggs for over 40 years, supplying the public, cafes, restaurants and other businesses on the peninsula. r from our barn door. Come and visit our Free Range hens roaming in their paddocks!
FARM FRESH FREE RANGE EGGS AT WHOLESALE PRICES!
CHOOK POO BY THE BAG
COME AND SE THE CHICKENSE ROAMING FREE THE PADDOCK IN !
October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 75
THE LOWDOWN
FORTUNE FAVOURS THE FAST AT CRANBOURNE CUP In the Year of the Horse, there is no better time to experience the Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup. On Saturday, 21 November, Southside Cranbourne will come alive for a celebration of elite racing, bold fashion, premium hospitality and the unmistakable atmosphere of Cup Day. At the centre of it all is a huge day on the track, headlined by the $500,000 Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup and the $1 million Ladbrokes Meteorite, bringing together some of the country’s best horses, trainers and jockeys in pursuit of two of the biggest prizes on the Southside calendar. The Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup has continued to go from strength to strength, establishing itself as a day that extends well beyond the racing. From the moment the gates open, the racecourse becomes a celebration of everything that makes a great Cup Day – friends coming together, incredible racing, standout fashion, food and entertainment, and thousands of racegoers creating an atmosphere that can only be experienced trackside. And in 2026, fortune favours the fast. Speed, ambition and a little bit of fortune have always been part of racing, and in the Year of the Horse, there is even more reason to embrace the occasion.
Those looking to elevate their day can choose from a range of hospitality experiences combining great food, drinks and prime views of the racing, while the public lawn offers the perfect place to gather the crew, settle in and soak up the action. Early Bird General Admission is available for just $25 until 1 November, making Cup Day an easy addition to the Spring social calendar. Fashion will again be part of the spectacle, with racegoers encouraged to embrace the occasion, make a statement and bring a little boldness trackside. Whether it’s a polished racewear look or your own take on Cup Day style, this is a day made for dressing up. Whether you’re entertaining clients, celebrating with friends, passionate about the racing or simply looking for a great day out, the Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup offers a Cup Day experience for everyone. So gather your crew, secure your place and get ready for Saturday, 21 November at Southside Cranbourne. In the Year of the Horse, this is the year to be there. Fortune favours the fast. And this year belongs to the bold.
For racing fans, the action will be world-class. The Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup will again take centre stage as quality gallopers chase Cup Day glory, while the $1 million Ladbrokes Meteorite returns as part of the Southside Slot Series, adding another high-stakes feature to an already exciting program. Away from the track, there are plenty of ways to make Cup Day your own.
76 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
W southsideracing.com.au
THE LOWDOWN
A SPARE ROOM, AND A BIG HEART: A FOSTER CARE STORY Running her Network Chiropractic practice across Melbourne and Rosebud hasn’t stopped Jess opening her home and her heart to children who need a safe space.
For anyone considering fostering, Jess’ advice is straightforward:
For the past three years, Jess has been a foster carer, and what began as a commitment to provide occasional weekend care quickly grew into something much bigger.
‘Find out more about foster care on MacKillop Family Services’ website.
"If you're happy in yourself and you have the space, do the training. By the end of it, you'll know whether it's for you."
Jess has welcomed children of all ages into her home, from newborn babies to teenagers. Some stayed for only a short time, while others became lasting parts of her life. "I'm like an honorary aunty to a few of them now," she says. "It adds meaning to your life." For Jess, fostering is about creating a safe, supportive environment where children can pause, breathe and simply be children. That starts with the basics: a warm bed, a good meal and someone who genuinely cares. Just as important are the small everyday moments, whether it's a walk along the beach, help with homework, a chat with a teacher or baking a favourite dessert together. Simple acts of care can make a lasting difference for a child going through a difficult time. Jess is also candid about the challenges. Supporting children who have experienced adversity requires patience, resilience and a commitment to self-care. For Jess, swimming, meditation, music and cooking help her stay grounded and able to give her best.
Become a foster carer mackillop.org.au 78 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
W mackillop.org.au/fostercare
THE LOWDOWN
NATIONAL WORKS ON PAPER 2026 SHOWCASES AUSTRALIA'S FINEST CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS National Works on Paper 2026 has opened at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery (MPRG), with Adam Lee awarded the exhibition’s prestigious $20,000 acquisitive prize for his work You are the wind, I am the song. For more than 50 years, National Works on Paper has celebrated artistic excellence and innovation, championing the limitless creative possibilities of paper. Widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading art awards and exhibitions, the biennial program continues to showcase the depth and diversity of contemporary practice from established and emerging artists nationwide.
The exhibition’s $5,000 Emerging Artist Award was won by Emma Bingham for her work Holding pattern. The exhibition is now showing at MPRG until 22 November. Visitors are invited to experience the breadth of contemporary paper-based practice and explore the finalist and prize-winning works on display. Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery Tuesday – Sunday – 11am - 4pm - Free entry.
The 2026 exhibition features 68 finalists selected from a record 935 submissions, presenting works that span drawing, printmaking, collage, sculpture and experimental paper-based practices. Together, the exhibition offers audiences a compelling snapshot of contemporary Australian art and the many ways artists continue to explore and challenge the boundaries of the medium. As the recipient of the exhibition’s acquisitive prize, Adam Lee’s work, You are the wind, I am the song, will join MPRG’s nationally significant collection of contemporary works on paper. The acquisition further strengthens a collection built through more than five decades of the award’s history.
Above left: Adam Lee (third from left), winner of NWOP 2026 with his work You are the wind. I am the song, 2025 Pictured with judges (L to R) Teho Ropeyarn, Raymond Arnold, Rebecca Owens and Anne Ryan.
Mornington Peninsula artists were strongly represented in the National Works on Paper 2026 exhibition, with three local artists selected: Jade Lees-Pavey, Rosie Weiss and Neil Williams.
W mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au
Above right: Marrnyula Munuŋgurr, Banumbirr, 2026, earth pigments on paper. Photos: Kinfolk Imagery
W mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au
Civic Reserve, Dunns Rd, Mornington mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au Nathanael Edwards, Elephant in the room, 2024, digital photograph. Courtesy of the artist.
October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 79
THE LOWDOWN
SMALL SCHOOL – BIG ART! Inspired by the diversity and creativity of the arts and crafts of the Mornington Peninsula, Somers Primary School will hold its annual fundraising event—the 23rd Annual Somers Arts Fair on Sunday, 25 October 2026 at Somers Primary School.
The Somers Arts Fair also includes live entertainment, food and beverage vendors, market stalls and family activities. At 2:00pm, the Arts Fair’s famous sculptures will be auctioned on the main stage.
The Somers Arts Fair is famous around the Mornington Peninsula because it embodies three of the reasons that make the peninsula such an exceptional place. It takes a strong sense of community support, an appreciation of fine art, and a relaxed and entertaining social occasion and combines all of these into a wonderful day for a wonderful cause.
The Somers Arts Fair is open from 10:00am until 5:00pm, with gold coin donation entry.
Harnessing and applauding the creative and unique expressions of exhibiting artists, the Somers Arts Fair brings artists, art admirers and art collectors together. The Main Exhibition space provides an engaging and vibrant environment for artists to share their artworks with Somers and the wider community. This space includes original paintings, drawings, print-making pieces, photography, sculpture and mixed media artworks. In addition to the Main Exhibition, The Print Room exhibits and sells print reproductions that have been donated by some of our most renowned local artists and exciting new and emerging artists. The school’s heritage listed Old School House also houses the Children's Art section, showcasing Somers Primary School students’ creativity with prizes awarded to celebrate students’ imagination and talent.
SOMERS ARTS FAIR
87 Camp Hill Road, Somers E somers.ps@education.vic.gov.au W somersps.vic.edu.au
Somers Somers Primary Primary School School presents presents
SOMERS SOMERS ARTSARTS FAIR FAIR
Sunday Sunday 25th 25th October October 2026 2026 10am 10am - 5pm - 5pm ArtArt Exhibition Exhibition | Market | Market Stalls Stalls Games Games | Music | Music | Rides | Rides Food Food Trucks Trucks | Family | Family FunFun
Somers Somers Primary Primary School School 87 Camp 87 Camp Hill Road, Hill Road, Somers Somers This isThis a school is a school fundraiser, fundraiser, gold coin gold coin donation donation upon upon entry entry greatly greatly appreciated! appreciated! www.somersartsfair.org www.somersartsfair.org
80 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 81
NO MORE DIRTY GUTTERS
• No more mud in your gutters • No more vermin or birds in your roof • Protect your most valued investment -your home, your building
• Gutters stay clean - no more cleaning • Save money and cleaning time • 25 year guarantee
1300 220 869
*Valid Until 31/10/2026 Conditions apply
THE LOWDOWN
HILL & RIDGE COMMUNITY MARKET WAKES UP IN RED HILL
Local Produce • Artisan Makers • Gourmet Food • Live Music • Art • Vintage
The Hill & Ridge Community Market is back on Saturday 3 October, with armfuls of great local produce, swags of delicious street food and a hand-picked collection of art and craft from local artists and makers. With more than 200 stalls gathered around Red Hill’s hilltop sports ground and showground, the Hill & Ridge Community Market is a place to shop, eat, caffeinate and simply enjoy rubbing shoulders with the locals. There are plants and seeds for the spring garden and armfuls of fresh-cut local flowers. Hunt for a vintage treasure or seek out garden obelisks crafted in Shoreham. Red Hill’s Craft Pavilion becomes a gallery-shed, showcasing selected works by talented members of the Red Hill Artists Collective.
SATURDAY 3
rd
OCTOBER
Add live music, good coffee, freshly baked treats and friendly dogs, and you’ve got all the makings of a great spring day out.
First Saturday of the Month | Sept - May | 9am - 2pm
www.hillandridgemarket.com.au Red Hill Recreation Reserve 184 Arthurs Seat Road Red Hill 3937
W hillandridgemarket.com.au
YOUR FIRST STOP FOR GOLF ON THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA On the threshold to the Mornington Peninsula, Centenary Park Golf Course offers a quality public golf experience just a short drive from Melbourne. Established in 1974, the 18-hole, par-72 course winds through mature, tree-lined fairways, providing an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all abilities. Excellent presentation and outstanding value have made Centenary Park a favourite among local golfers and visitors alike. Beyond the course, golfers can warm up on the eight-bay driving range, hire a golf cart, browse the pro shop or relax at the café and bar overlooking the 18th green. Now managed by Peninsula Leisure in partnership with Frankston City Council, Centenary Park is entering an exciting new chapter. Peninsula Leisure is committed to building on the course’s strong reputation as a quality public golf destination, while continuing to enhance the experience for golfers. Planning a round on the peninsula? Open seven days a week, make Centenary Park your first stop. McClelland Drive, Frankston W centenaryparkgolf.peninsulaleisure.com.au October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 83
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
ACROSS 1. Oceania, South ... 6. Personal jewellery 11. Bricklaying tools 15. Shade of brown 16. Paris railway 17. Sloping typeface 18. Subservience 21. Kimono-clad hostesses 22. Handgun 23. Famous insurance body (5'1) 24. Scrape by (4,2) 28. Trifling 30. Open & ... case 32. Battle shout (3,3) 35. Thin biscuit 37. Bath 38. Wild rose 40. Stoats 43. Oppressive rulers 45. Severe (illness) 47. Faux pas 48. Beach outfits 52. Creamy dish, chicken ... king (1,2) 53. Bewailing 56. Travel cheat, fare ... 58. Do favour for 60. Waterfall 61. Male relative 62. Band member 64. LA suburb, ... Air 65. Meadow 67. Sluggish 69. Planet's path 72. Evaporated 75. Target 77. Hence 78. Supermarket section 79. The ... Duckling 81. Paint-mixing slab 83. Coupled 84. Common-law spouse (2,5) 86. In a frenzied state 87. Brute 90. English county 92. Tiny amount 93. Spanish Mrs 95. Circled 96. Misused 98. Smites 99. Audacity 100. Tibetan priests 101. Garden shack
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102. Pan covers 103. Eyelid inflammation 104. Better 106. Devonshire tea cake 110. Retail group 113. Grow dim 115. S American cloak 116. Haughtier 117. Nearer 118. BFG author, Roald ... 119. Dated 122. Revolving tray, lazy ... 125. Bang (toe) 126. Socially exclusive 127. Canoe 129. Divert 130. Otherwise, or ... 131. Guitar neck bar 132. Roman emperor 133. Curl (of smoke) 134. Identify disease 137. Rib playfully 138. Tube 142. Former time standard (1,1,1) 143. Vinyl material (1,1,1) 145. Factory closure 146. Cavalry spear 149. Allots to unsuitable role 151. Nail varnish 152. Arise unexpectedly (4,2) 154. Scandalous repute 156. Ingest 157. Figure-hugging 159. Concepts 161. Manservant 163. Combat 168. Attacks viciously 171. Own up 172. Friendly water mammal 176. Discharges 177. Coat-of-arms picture 180. String toy (2-2) 181. Poems 183. Sharper 187. Cricket side 188. Income 190. Torvill & Dean performance (3,4) 191. Most meagre 192. Unbroken in spirit 193. Secrete 194. Actor, ... Flynn 195. Crew-necked tops (1-6) 196. Plant shops 197. Declare approval of
DOWN 1. Geometric shape 2. Fracture 3. Sweltered 4. Zodiac crossover 5. Embarrassed 6. Revving engine's roar 7. Panties 8. Chest 9. Extract (metal) 10. Endurance runners 11. Clothes 12. Seance board 13. Job attitude, work ... 14. Coward 19. Exploded, ... up 20. Star's admirers, fan ... 25. Dread 26. Soothing foot-soak ingredient, ... salts 27. Nocturnal bird 29. Rave 31. Hawaiian dance 32. Twisted (smile) 33. Bake 34. Groove 36. Hopeful candidate 39. Converts to spray 40. Tendril 41. Phone security devices 42. Sworn statements 44. Pudding starch 46. Gain 47. Prison 49. Terrible tsar 50. Diminutive 51. Liberates (4,4) 53. Effervescent soft drink 54. Cranny 55. Baghdad is there 57. Burial service speech 59. Sang loudly, ... out 63. Nonsense 66. Detained 67. Quenches 68. Building timber, ... pine 70. Anchored 71. Principles 73. Interruption 74. Responsibilities 76. Punctuation marks 80. Kind (4-7) 82. Type of ski lift (1-3) 85. School test 88. Eternal
SAVE $$$
ON ENERGY BILLS
Install a SKYLIGHT FREE INSPECTION & QUOTE
84 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
89. Fiddle with thumbs 90. Newspaper bosses 91. Culls 94. Hitler's Third ... 97. Sweet herb 104. Saviour 105. Dress smartly, get ... up 106. Nova ..., Canada 107. Mishap exclamation 108. Recently (2,4) 109. Low couches 111. Pimple rash 112. Contemptible (2-4) 113. Rankle 114. Fetuses 120. Legal representative 121. Protects 123. Vacant 124. Powerful lights (3,5) 127. Electric jug 128. Zoo supervisor 135. Bury (corpse) 136. Scowled 139. Meanest 140. Elate 141. Which 144. Antlered deer 147. Beers 148. Surveillance system (1,1,1,1) 150. Was familiar with 153. Cash points (1,1,2) 155. Tripe, liver, etc 158. Angry 160. Nautical greeting 162. Parched 164. Company's twelvemonthly forum (1,1,1) 165. Butt 166. Brighten (5,2) 167. Spoils 169. Pose (question) 170. Preceding day 172. Carried out 173. Bereavements 174. More sacred 175. Loch ... Monster 177. Unhouse 178. Pale furniture wood 179. Early anaesthetic 180. Arabian land 182. Fully satisfies 184. Lodge deeply 185. Fresher 186. Hilltop spine 187. Mother sheep 189. Xmas period
Install a SKYL
FREE INSPEC
1300 42 77 66 WWW.GARRON.COM.AU
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History
Above: The Somerville Horticultural Hall
The Big Hall By Lisa Bayley – Somerville, Tyabb and District Heritage Society
F
rom 1914 until 1944, Somerville had a huge hall, reputed to be the largest on the Mornington Peninsula when it was built. It stood approximately where the Machinery Museum and Soldiers’ Memorial stand today in the Fruit Growers Reserve. Officially known as the Horticultural Hall, it was also referred to as the Fruit Growers Hall or Show Shed, though locals simply called it the “Big Hall.” Built primarily to house exhibits for the Somerville Show, it quickly became much more. Over the next thirty years it served as a roller-skating rink, dance hall and gathering place for celebrations and community events.
86 | PENINSULA essence October 2026
The Rise of the Somerville Show Somerville hosted its first horticultural show in 1895. The show was organised by the Somerville Fruit Growers Association, formed in 1892 as the district’s orchard industry flourished. Through the Association, growers could exchange knowledge, improve growing and packing methods, promote Somerville fruit and advocate for better facilities. The show quickly grew to become reputedly the largest horticultural show in the Southern Hemisphere, cementing Somerville’s place in the apple-and pear-growing world.
The show had always been held on what would become the Fruit Growers Reserve, but the land had previously been leased. In May 1912, the Somerville Fruit Growers Association had the opportunity to purchase the site for £400. At the same meeting in which the purchase was approved, the Association also decided to erect a large exhibition shed on the land. Building the Big Hall Measuring 100 feet by 50 feet, the Hall was built by local builder Ralph Philbrick, who was also responsible for laying the floor, reportedly made from jarrah. The walls were clad in galvanised iron, with a timber internal structure. By August 1914, the hall had been fitted with an “up-to-date” lighting system. Twenty-four jets of acetylene gas illuminated the building, producing what was described as “a splendid light” and making it far more suitable for evening events. The money needed to purchase the reserve and construct the new hall was raised with strong support from the Fruit Growers Ladies’ Guild, whose members organised bazaars, fêtes and social functions to help pay for the building and grounds. However, the hall had only recently been completed when the First World War began, and the Guild’s fundraising efforts were quickly redirected. In a patriotic response, the Guild disbanded and reformed as the Somerville Red Cross, before returning to local fundraising after the war. continued next page...
Above: An 1895 Somerville Show ticket Right: Notice of a 1918 fundraiser published in the Mornington Standard Below: Post-war apple display
October 2026 PENINSULA essence | 87
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Above: 1925 roller skating and fancy dress ball
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Two Halls, Two Different Roles Although the Big Hall provided a large open space for exhibitions, skating, dances and gatherings, it was uninsulated and unheated. The nearby Mechanics’ Institute Hall served a different purpose. At some events, activities took place in the Big Hall while food was prepared and meals were served in the Mechanics’ Hall, which was better suited to cooking and dining. The two buildings therefore served complementary roles in Somerville’s community life. Roller-Skating and Entertainment The first amusement held in the new hall was a roller-skating evening on 15 June 1914, only a short time after it opened. Skaters could bring their own skates or hire a pair from Arthur Unthank, a local orchardist who organised and hosted the evenings. Roller skates of the period were generally metal, with four small wheels and leather straps fastened over ordinary shoes. Roller-skating became a regular part of life at the hall, alongside dances, celebrations and other community gatherings. The Last Somerville Show The annual Somerville Show continued until 1939. With the outbreak of the Second World War, the Show committee deliberately decided not to continue holding the event whilst Australia was at war. Although the Big Hall remained in community use, the 1939 show proved to be the last, ending a tradition that had begun more than forty years earlier.
Several fires had broken out across the district that day, and when the Somerville fire began the local brigade was already attending a fire at Bittern. It was reported that more than 1,000 people were ultimately involved in fighting the blaze, including 250 sailors from Flinders Naval Depot, servicemen from the Somers RAAF camp and Balcombe military camp, as well as local volunteers. Brigades from Hastings, Pearcedale, Baxter, Mornington and Frankston were also called out, joining the Somerville Brigade once it returned from Bittern. Around 2,000 acres of grassland and some orchard country were burnt, together with miles of fencing, as the fire continued towards Tyabb and Hastings before finally being brought under control. Surprisingly, despite the scale of the fire, only one injury was reported: a member of the Air Force who was treated for burns to his arms. Above: The 1927 Somerville Show
The Fire of 1944 The Big Hall remained a landmark of the Fruit Growers Reserve until 8 March 1944, when a major fire swept through Somerville and the surrounding district. The fire broke out at around 1.30pm behind a shop in Station Street, approximately where the Indian restaurant stands today, before spreading rapidly through nearby outbuildings and dry grass. The flames soon reached the showgrounds, where the Horticultural Hall was lost.
The End of an Era The destruction of the Big Hall brought an abrupt end to thirty years of community history. Built to showcase the fruit that had made Somerville famous, it had become a skating rink, dance hall, meeting place and centre for town celebrations. Its loss was not simply the destruction of a building, but the loss of one of Somerville’s most important gathering places. However, with the Somerville Show no longer being held, there was little reason to replace it, and the Big Hall was never rebuilt. There was, however, one small consolation. In April 1944, the damaged galvanised iron was auctioned with enthusiastic bidding, raising nearly £90 - proving that even after the Big Hall had burnt down, Somerville could still get some value out of it.
Below: Somerville Football Club's 1928 Premiership celebration
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