With so many attractions on offer across our marvellous patch of turf — from the markets, golf courses, wineries, beaches, restaurants and cafes, the drive-in and other movie theatres, special events and, of course, a relaxed lifestyle — there is another thing I believe remains a hidden gem. It’s a fact the best way to discover the Mornington Peninsula is on foot.
MITCH MATTERS
Mornington Peninsula’s world-class produce
I know I’m not the only Mornington Peninsula resident who gets excited at this time of year by “green shoots”. All lovers of gardening and the great outdoors take great delight in watching their hard work respond to the strengthening sunshine and the lengthening moments of daylight.
Summer ramps up Peninsula water issues
Spring has arrived and we’ve survived another cold and wet winter. For many Mornington Peninsula residents and visitors from the north, this means just one thing — take the cover off the boat or get it out of storage and hit the water. By the time all the schools close for summer and the flock of tourists hit Peninsula Link, our boat ramps will be incredibly busy. And now there’s an added attraction for boaties.
Infrastructure struggling to cope with growth
Part of the duties of being a responsible parent involve putting in the hours when it comes to teaching your child how to drive. In the Mitchell household, we are up to our fourth learner driver. It’s another case of putting on the ‘L’s’ and heading out on to the freeways, highways and byways of the Mornington Peninsula to chalk up the kilometres. I must admit there are far worse places to roam.
Mornington Peninsula’s proud military history runs deep
The modern Mornington Peninsula may seem like one of the most peaceful and tranquil places on earth, but it hasn’t always been the case. Indigenous Australians may have lived here in peace for tens of thousands of years, but it’s also a fact that our British descendants in bygone days considered it a matter of time before our region had to deal with invading forces.
Annual visitors having whale of a time
It’s just another reason why living on the Mornington Peninsula is so special. You never know when you might stumble upon something quite sensational. It happened to me once before, and I’m hoping very much that history will repeat itself. And between now and early October is the perfect time for it. The good news is that the vantage points are many and varied.
Spare a thought for brave Port Phillip Sea Pilots
Sea pilots are a common sight for anyone who lives on the Mornington Peninsula. Cast your gaze towards Port Phillip Bay and you’ll see them chugging along the super highway that is our main shipping channel. Container ships of all shapes and sizes head to and from the Port of Melbourne, Australia’s busiest for containerised and general cargo.
Have a great night out at Dromana Drive-In
One of the easiest ways for me to re-live childhood memories is for my family and I to jump in the car and head for the drive-in at Dromana. The trick is to choose a movie we’re all keen to see, but once we’ve done that it’s a great night out.
Portsea and the profound tragedy of the Ticonderoga
It was, at the time, the biggest story to hit the Mornington Peninsula. In the early 1850s, when word rapidly spread around the world gold had been discovered in Victoria, Australia, people couldn’t get here quickly enough. And if anyone was intent on discovering their fortune by travelling from the other side of the planet, there was only one way they could do it — by ship.
The beach tragedy that was global news
It was the tragedy that took the name of the Mornington Peninsula around the world. And it was the reason an unprecedented group of world leaders gathered in Australia just five days later. In the early afternoon of Sunday, December 17, 1967, Australia’s 17th and serving Prime Minister chose to have a swim in the ocean at Cheviot Beach at Portsea. Harold Holt was never seen again.
Prime Minister Stanley Bruce and his links to Frankston
I recently had the chance to see the colourised footage of a glittering occasion in Australia’s history. It happened on May 9, 1927. Australia’s immaculate Parliament House in the nation’s new capital city of Canberra was officially opened. What struck me watching the footage though was a connection to the Mornington Peninsula.
Southern Peninsula charity is all heart
Despite everything our region has to offer, we are not immune from a complex problem that is getting worse all around the world. It’s the plight of our homeless. The good news is that our region has also produced a dedicated band of volunteers willing to help these disadvantaged people.
You just can’t beat a Red Hill apple
A study once concluded that there was no evidence to support the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But there’s no doubt it’s a healthy choice. And it only gets better for Mornington Peninsula residents because of a place called Red Hill.
Highs and lows of Flinders' life
There’s a curious link between the highest point on the Mornington Peninsula and a remarkable recent discovery beneath a railway station in London.
‘I know this road like the back of my hand’
I did some rough calculations recently and was left in no doubt as to why I have a certain affinity to a local stretch of bitumen. I’ve been travelling up and back on Nepean Highway for more than 40 years.
Walter Burley Griffin had a Peninsula connection
He was one of the world’s finest and most famous architects and landscape designers and the extent of his influence even made its way to Frankston and Mt Eliza.
Here’s cheers to our watering holes
For the thirsty traveller or the permanent resident, there is no shortage of watering holes to be found on the Mornington Peninsula. Many of these pubs and hotels were established by early European settlers and they all have a fascinating story to tell.
In praise of the mighty bee
One of my breakfast rituals involves starting every day with a mug of hot, black tea, that has a special added ingredient. I stir in a teaspoon of Mornington Peninsula honey.
R.E. Ross Trust gives millions to Peninsula
Take any road on the Mornington Peninsula and it won’t be too long before you come across an outstanding local product. As any landscape designer or architect will tell you, stone walls or paths are everywhere.
Picnic at Hanging Rock has Frankston foundations
The Australian film industry would not be what it is today were it not for the groundbreaking 1975 feature Picnic at Hanging Rock; directed by then rising star Peter Weir.
Peninsula’s proud medal connection
It’s a very exciting time of year that comes with the smell of freshly cut grass in the nostrils. For many, spring means only one thing. It’s footy finals time.
John Pascoe Fawkner a Sorrento settler
The city of Melbourne turns 183 this week, and again, the man known as a founding father will be honoured. And yet, as a boy, he was known as little Johnny Fawkner and his home was on the Mornington Peninsula.
We must protect our precious resources
Of all the challenges presented to the parents of teenagers, there’s a daily one that causes much angst in the Mitchell household. It’s the amount of time spent in the shower.
HMAS Cerberus redevelopment
Residents along the eastern side of the Mornington Peninsula are about to notice a big increase in traffic flow. There’ll be trucks, vans and utes of all shapes and sizes, heading along the single road to the little place called Crib Point.
Keeping our history in the limelight
The history books tell us that once upon a time, the boot was on the other foot. It was a large portion of the Mornington Peninsula invading the fledgling settlement of Melbourne.
Lighthouse history in our Bay
One of the great sights on the Mornington Peninsula is free of charge and for personal comfort you may also like to unfold a director’s chair.
Eagle a sky-high success story
With the new school term well and truly underway and sights firmly set on the next batch of holidays, it’s timely to pay credit to a star of the Mornington Peninsula.
Link would be a bridge too far
When it comes to tourism, transport, planning and politics, an old chestnut can always be found on the Mornington Peninsula.
Time to help nature shine
It’s called Clean Up Australia Day. Yes, the event that was started by concerned citizens Ian Kiernan and Kim McKay back in 1989, is still going strong.
Football, meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars
Growing up in the 1970s on the Mornington Peninsula, as with anywhere else in Australia, it was impossible not to hear one of advertising’s most catchy jingles: “We love football, meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars”.
‘You’ve got Buckley’s’ historic link to the Peninsula
There’s a phrase in Australia that is still widely in use today, bluntly referring to a person’s chances of success — “You’ve got Buckley’s.”
Enthusiasm for airshow is sky high
You may have noticed a little more activity than usual in the skies above the Mornington Peninsula lately. It seems there has been plenty of practice going on.
Summertime and the living is squeezy
Is the Mornington Peninsula overcrowded in summer? Are there too many people? Does our region feel like it’s bursting at the seams?
Peninsula : relax, escape, enjoy
I can’t believe it has come around so quickly, but the unofficial four-day long weekend for the Melbourne Cup is nearly here.
Our bay's deadly past
I freely admit to having no experience in scuba diving. I just remember that the letters stand for ‘self-contained underwater breathing apparatus’. However, that doesn’t mean I’m not fascinated by what lurks beneath our coastline.
Grisly murder is still a mystery
There’s a gruesome Mornington Peninsula mystery that has stayed with me all my life. It happened over 50 years ago and it has never been solved.
It's no party for the neighbours
We’re certainly entering the time of year when many people who aren’t lucky enough to live on the Mornington Peninsula are planning to join us, even if it’s for a short time.
Give more respect to our young umpires
It’s a wonderful and exciting time of the year right across Victoria, and it’s no different on the Mornington Peninsula. Finals time has arrived for local grassroots footy.
Show support for our heroes
I’d like to give a shout-out this week to the members of our community who deserve so much more than a simple pat on the back.
Hawks fans should be grateful
Some of the VFL/AFL greats honed their skills in junior ranks across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.
A dark day in Peninsula history
On December 17 later this year, it will be 50 years to the day when Australia lost a serving Prime Minister.