Positive Ageing Newsletter
What’s inside?
• Seniors Festival wrap up
• Discover Tai Chi
• Pets and wildlife
• Aged care reform
• Outdoor exercise
• Rebates for seniors
• eBooks and Audiobooks
• Peninsula Transport Assist
• and much more!
Seniors Festival: A joyful connection
Mornington Peninsula Seniors Festival brought people together through activities designed to encourage
social connection, lifelong learning, movement and fun. Close to 100 free or low-cost events were hosted across
our region, from discussions about composting, healthy ageing, end of life, emergency planning, downsizing and First Nations treaty to tours of heritage and arts locations and the Pride Centre.
The Seniors Passport offered discounts to local wineries, spas and cafes and much more.
Highlights included a sold-out Australian Fleetwood Mac Show, the Get Active Expo at Camp Manyung and come and try sessions at our new seniors exercise parks.
Thank-you to everyone who participated, volunteered and supported the festival.
“The events have opened my eyes on the wonderful offerings and services here on the Peninsula, plus everyone I’ve met is so warm and welcoming”. Quote from festival goer.
Reword?
Tai Chi for lifelong vitality
Tai Chi is more than just exercise, it’s a mindful movement practice that strengthens both body and mind. With its slow, gentle flowing motions and focus on balance, posture, and breathing, it’s ideal for older adults wanting to stay active without strain. Regular practice improves flexibility, mobility, and muscle strength while reducing the risk of falls.
It also enhances mental focus and emotional wellbeing. Studies show it can improve memory and cognitive function. Rising Moon Tai Chi in Mount Martha offers beginner-friendly classes. risingmoontaichi.net 0418 566 216
Protecting cats, wildlife, and our community
Cats make wonderful companions. However, free-roaming cats face serious risks including car accidents, disease and injury.
Keeping cats indoors or safely contained at home helps them live longer and also protects birds, reptiles and small mammals.
Research shows that cats are a threat to wildlife, with each roaming cat estimated to harm around 186 animals every year!
By following our cat curfew (introduced in 1997), cat owners can help preserve our unique environment, prevent neighbourhood nuisance, and protect their beloved pets.
Mornington Peninsula Community Animal Shelter casgroup@mornpen.vic.gov.au 5950 1838
Expert advice empowers locals
Gary Ferguson of Seniors Rights Victoria and lawyer Will Betts of Peninsula Community Legal Centre shared their knowledge about common pitfalls regarding wills and powers of attorney. They also gave practical advice on older people’s rights to protect their wishes and assets. Knowledge of these legal issues can help prevent financial and emotional abuse.
Peninsula Community Legal Centre 9783 3600 pclc@pclc.org.au
Senior Rights Victoria advances the rights of older people and works to prevent elder abuse. Helpline: 1300 368 821
“All speakers were extremely competent, articulate and informative”.
Stay active and live well
We’re excited to introduce a new membership that unlocks access to all Shire recreation centres for residents 60+.
Enjoy our pools, spas, saunas and steam rooms, be inspired to try reformer pilates, group fitness classes or hit the gym.
This membership can be used at all Shire recreation centres on weekdays (8am – 4pm), including:
• Crib Point Outdoor Pool (seasonal) 5983 9672
• Civic Reserve Recreation Centre, Mornington 8727 8990
• Pelican Park Recreation Centre and Wellness Centre, Hastings 8727 8980
• Somerville Recreation Centre 8727 8970
• Yawa Aquatic Centre, Rosebud 8727 8960
Prefer to start gently? Join our free ‘walk and talk’ on Thursdays at Yawa.
Discover the freedom of digital books
eBooks are digital versions of print books, easily read on a device with adjustable text size, brightness, and background colour. Audiobooks allow you to listen to books through your phone or tablet. Once downloaded, they don’t need an internet connection, making them ideal for travel or everyday routines.
With your library card, you can access BorrowBox – a free app with thousands of eBooks and audiobooks, as well as magazines and newspapers. From new releases to timeless classics, crime, romance, historical fiction, biographies and cookbooks, there’s something for every interest.
Borrowing is simple: download the BorrowBox app, sign in with your library card details. For support, visit us – our friendly staff can assist you. library.mornpen.vic.gov.au /elibrary
OM:NI celebrates its first year on the Peninsula
The OM:NI (Older Men: New Ideas) group in Hastings has proudly celebrated its first anniversary.
OM:NI provides a friendly, respectful setting where men over 60 meet to discuss topics that matter to them, find
camaraderie, and have a few laughs along the way. The group also contributes to the Mornington Peninsula Men’s Health Network.
New members welcome!
idstephens2022@ outlook.com (Ian)
0403415437
Facilitator Ian Stephens says, “It’s a great space for men to connect, share ideas, and enjoy good humour, it sure beats sitting at home watching Netflix!”
Move, socialise and thrive at our new exercise parks
It has been wonderful to see so many attend the seniors exercise park ‘come and try’ sessions guided by our volunteer exercise champions. The equipment is designed for older people to improve strength, flexibility and cognitive function. The dates for the next come and try sessions can be found at each location (Dunns Rd Reserve, Mount Martha and Hastings foreshore) and on our website. This project is a collaboration between the National Ageing Research Institute, the Shire and community members. 5950 1695 mornpen.vic.gov.au/seniorsparks
Upcoming aged care reforms
The Support at Home program began on 1 November 2025. These national reforms will change how older Australians access in-home services. While the Shire’s Community Home Support Program will continue as usual, it’s important to stay informed. health.gov.au/supportathome opan.org.au for free, independent advice and advocacy. 1800 200 422 My Aged Care 1800 700 600 Older Persons Advocacy Network
Seniors visit the Pride Centre
As part of the Seniors Festival, community members enjoyed a wonderful day trip to the Victorian Pride Centre. Travelling in style aboard the Kinetic Pride Bus, attendees toured the centre, explored the gallery, Hares & Hyenas bookstore, and shared a delicious lunch together.
One guest said they “enjoyed the bus trip; chatting with others and being at the beautiful Pride Centre” and another said they, “love, love, love the opportunities to meet wonderful people.”
Multicultural Film Festival brings community together
Mornington Peninsula Shire hosted the sell-out Multicultural Film Festival at Peninsula Cinemas in Rosebud.
Opened by VMC Commissioner Sylvia Coombe, the event featured 15 short films exploring migration, identity, family, and resilience. Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Turkish speakers were moved by hearing their
languages on screen. Attendees called it spectacular and thoughtprovoking. Thanks to the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Swinburne University, the Victorian Government and Peninsula
Cinemas for this inspiring celebration of diversity. Interested in multicultural initiatives, events and opportunities? Visit our website! mornpen.vic.gov.au/ multicultural
A taste of summer
Summer on the Mornington Peninsula is a celebration of fresh produce and local flavour.
Farm gates and markets are filled with seasonal fruit, vegetables and preserves, while coastal waters provide an abundance of seafood.
Cherry and berry picking is a favourite summer pastime, offering a simple way to enjoy the season’s abundance.
Wineries and cideries create relaxed spaces to share a meal made with local ingredients and a glass of something refreshing.
Exploring the hills, coast and hinterland offers a lovely way to connect with local growers, support the community and enjoy the Peninsula’s natural beauty. mornpen.vic.gov.au/markets
Rebates on reusable incontinence products
Did you know that the Shire offers rebates on reusable incontinence products?
That’s right, we offer $50 on reusable leakproof underwear and other reusable incontinence products. Reusable leakproof underwear will save you money in the long run, as you don’t have to continue to buy disposable products. It will benefit our environment too, by limiting the amount of disposable incontinence products going to landfill.
You can apply for a rebate online, or get a paper form at our customer support centres. 1300 850 600 mornpen.vic.gov.au/ reuseableproducts
Compost rebates for small or large spaces
Did you attend one of the Seniors Festival gardening workshops? Perhaps you’re inspired to create compost to feed your vegetable or flower garden? Or perhaps you need to downsize your compost and start a worm farm instead?
Whatever your compost needs, the Shire has compost rebates available for every household to encourage you to keep your food waste out of landfill. mornpen.vic.gov.au/compost 1300 850 600
“It’s a wonderful service – I tell everyone about it”
Connecting our community, one drive at a time
Volunteer drivers with Peninsula Transport Assist provide transport (at a reasonable cost) to people who no longer drive, or experience mobility issues and require support to get to medical appointments or outings.
Drivers have police checks, are reliable, and are always happy to give extra assistance if required. No drive is too short, and you can arrange for the driver to wait and return you home safely.
peninsulatransportassist.org
Phone Tim: 03 9708 8241
If you’d like to volunteer as a driver, email info@peninsulatransportassist.org
Respect, rights and reconciliation: learning from First Nations voices
Seniors Festival 2025 saw a variety of events aimed at educating both nonindigenous and First Nations communities alike.
Elders Rights Australia provided an information session on Humbugging: Is it Cultural obligation or is it financial abuse? to Willum Warrain’s First Nations Elders group. The presentation included how to recognise humbugging and what to do
if it is happening to you or someone you care about.
The learnings continued with the Southern Peninsula Allies for First Nations Justice and Walking Together Mornington Peninsula providing wonderful opportunities for nonindigenous allies to learn about First Nations history on the Peninsula, Treaty and what it means to show up as an ally. For more information, contact 5950 1318 (Jess)
Setting the PACE for positive ageing on the Peninsula PACE is a Shire community advisory committee who represent community views and advise about the needs of over 55s.
mornpen.vic.gov.au/ pace
The Shire is committed to Positive Ageing. Contact us for a copy of our We All Belong Strategy: positiveageing@ mornpen.vic.gov.au 9590 1695