Peninsula Essence July 2026

PENINSULA

VISITING & LIVING ON THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA

essence

UNCHARTED WATERS

JUMPING GEENA

PLAYING IT FORWARD MASTERS OF MUSICALS

ONDA RIGHT TRACK

SPILL THE

July

ARTS

08 UNCHARTED WATERS

Fishermen find success in small batches.

17 JUMPING GEENA

Young long jumper leaps ahead.

22 SPILL THE WINE

Frankston musician pours life into songs.

28 PLAYING IT FORWARD

Peninsula Music Society nurtures musical futures.

PLOS celebrates past, present, and future. PENINSULA IN

Four

Facts, cafes, and what to do.

86 FROM MASTER MARINER TO CATTLE BREEDER

Captain turned cattle breeder at Tolcarne.

Writers

Annette Sanfilippo, Cameron McCullough, Melissa McCullough, Sarah Halfpenny

Photography Yanni, Gary Sissons

Creative

Sam Loverso, Dannielle Espagne

Publisher Melissa McCullough melissa@mpnews.com.au

Style editor

Annette Sanfilippo annette@mpnews.com.au

Advertising

Belinda Timmerman, 0419 135 900, belinda@mpnews.com.au

Molly Mitchell, 0407 225 261, molly@mpnews.com.au

Phone (03) 5974 9000

Registered address 1/15 Wallis Drive, Hastings VIC. 3915

FB @peninsulaessence

IG @peninsulaessence W peninsulaessence.com.au

Coastal Mediterranean dining over Port Phillip Bay.

A tailored experience inside the Godwin Charli residency

In a first-of-its-kind partnership for both brands, Lowe Living has joined forces with Australian luxury fashion house Godwin Charli, bringing together the worlds of luxury property and contemporary fashion in an innovative collaboration that reimagines how lifestyle brands connect with their audiences.

Clients will have the opportunity to experience Godwin Charli’s complete Autumn/Winter 2026 collection through a series of private, made to measure appointments hosted within the Maison Savoy concierge in Brighton.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT VIA THE QR CODE

4 JULY - 31 AUGUST HANNAH LEWIS 'IN PLACE'

CoolArt 2026 presents In Place by Hannah Lewis. Inspired by Australian native plants and the natural environment, Hannah draws on her passion for artisan textiles and clothing, using garments as a metaphor for nature’s embrace. On display at the Coolart Wetlands & Homestead. coolart.org.au

10 JULY SOUL NIGHT MARKET MORNINGTON

Peninsula Community Theatre 5pm to 9pm

Winter Fridays just got better. Shop makers, eat well, grab a drink, stay warm under festoon lights, and enjoy live soul music and an electrifying fire show.

SHOP . EAT . DRINK . SOCIALISE unrivalledevents.com.au/soulnight-market

6 JULY WILLUM WARRAIN NAIDOC FLAG RAISING

Willum Warrain invites you to attend their NAIDOC Week flag raising. The event includes a Welcome to Country, speeches and flag-raising followed by an afternoon tea. This event is open to all First Nations and Non-First Nations community members. Bookings not required. willumwarrain.org.au

16 JULY

PASTA MAKING DEMONSTRATION

Join in for a cosy winter evening with Jaclyn Crupi, author of Pasta Love. Jaclyn will share her joy for handmade pasta and the cherished stories of the nonnas who inspired her love of cooking. trybooking.com

9 JULY GUIDED WALK WITH A TRADITIONAL OWNER

The event at The Briars will begin with Uncle Josh West, a Traditional Owner of local Bunurong and Palawa land, providing a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, creating a respectful and culturally safe start to the event. eventbrite.com.au

19 JULY

MUSIC AT McCLELLAND AARON WYATT

Aaron is a violist, violinist, conductor, composer, programmer, and academic. Originally from Perth, he spent many years as a regular casual with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra before moving to Melbourne to take up an Assistant Lecturer position at Monash. events.humanitix.com

UNCHARTED waters

By Cameron McCullough Photos Gary Sissons & supplied

Ricde Vries has spent a lifetime around the water. It started when an 18-year-old Ric moved to Cape Paterson and landed a job with Fisheries. That was the beginning of a love affair with the water that eventually led him to Mornington and his true passion: abalone diving.

Now 60, Ric has spent the last 30 years diving for abalone and has seen the market for the delicacy shift under his feet.

“When I started out 30 years ago, all the abalone we caught was exported around the world at premium prices,” said Ric.

“It was a huge, high-priced market, and we had to pay huge amounts for a fraction of a single licence to be allowed to dive for them.”

“We would dive as much as we could and sell our entire catch to processors who would take it from there. They were heady days!”

VIETNAM & CAMBODIA,

But like many things, the market changed.

“The Chinese managed to do what we never thought possible. They developed the technology to farm their own abalone, and the bottom completely fell out of the market,” said Ric.

This, coupled with Covid, and the market Ric had spent his life servicing was gone, virtually overnight.

“At one point, it seemed like we wouldn’t be able to keep diving,” said Ric.

“During Covid we couldn’t sell them at all; the export market never recovered. Fisheries created small sales permits to assist with us generating income.”

But the question still remained: Who to sell the catch to?

“It was my wife who had the idea. Let’s get onto social media and sell small batches to people,” said Ric.

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“I had no idea if it would work, but the reaction has been amazing, and now we don’t need to sell to processors at all. We sell all our catch in small batches.”

You might think that there is a limited market, and that Ric is just sustenance fishing now, but nothing could be further from the truth.

“Doing it this way, we can hardly keep up with the demand,” said Ric.

“So far this year we have caught and sold 13 tonnes of abalone!”

It is an unforgiving job, and one that he now shares with his 25-year-old son Liam.

“The fishing grounds between Port Welshpool and Apollo Bay are closed, so the start of each trip is initially a long drive! We usually launch the boat near Apollo Bay, so we drive down the night before and launch at sunrise,” said Ric.

“We are underwater for around four to five hours and usually catch about 300 kilograms of abalone. Then it is back on the road to get home and sell our catch.”

Ric sells directly to the consumer, bagged and tagged, complying with the strict Fisheries regulations on trading in abalone.

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Catering Options: Our vintage caravan, crêpe cart, bar cart and catering platters are available for events. Mon to Fri 8am till 3pm CLOSED TUESDAYS Sat & Sun 8:30 till 2:30

33 Dava Dr, Mornington crepedelices.com.au @crepe_delices

Come see us at our Pasta factory in 31 Dava Drive, Mornington (Open Tuesday - Sunday)

Prices have never been cheaper, but vary depending on the time of the year and the size of the order; selling in batches as small as one kilogram, and up to 500 kilograms.

“It is pretty simple. People order them through our social media, and we organise a time for pickup at our factory in Mornington,” said Ric.

“We are trading in freshly caught seafood, so try and get it to our buyers as quicky as possible.”

And what’s the attraction for the eager consumers?

“The price is great for what is a delicacy! We are cutting out the middleman and giving great fresh seafood directly to the customers,” said Ric.

This approach, selling straight to the consumers, is working, and Ric is leaning into the new business model.

“We’ve purchased a refrigerated truck, and we are looking at putting tanks into our factory in Mornington so we can keep alive abalone on hand more often.”

Ric hopes to get into more local restaurants, that he believes are

•

•

“If it is bad weather, we can’t go out, and that means we can’t supply them on the day they need it. We’re working on that side of things to make the delivery to restaurants much smoother.”

The industry is still a tough game. Long hours, and physically draining, but Ric sees a bright future.

“To be honest, I’ve got all my eggs in one basket. I need to make it work, and appreciate that customers support a local producer,” said Ric.

“It might not be like the old days, but at least locals get to experience something they never had the chance to back when all the stock was heading overseas!”

Ric says he is “reinventing the wheel” with his new abalone market, and the industry appears to be taking notice. Ric’s company, Victorian Abalone Australia took out the Primary Producer Award at the Victorian Seafood Awards recently and has been nominated for the National Seafood Awards to be held this month.

“It’s hard work,” said Ric. “But I’m up for the challenge.”

W victorianabalone.com IG @victorianabalone

Just advice you can trust.

Impartiality is impossible where an advisor has links to a product manufacturer.

Commissions are payments made by product manufacturers to their distribution network.

They create a conflict of interest.

They create a conflict of interest. Real

Asset fees, although authorised by the client, are calculated the same way a commission is calculated. They incentivise, not advise.

JUMPING geena

By Sarah Halfpenny Photos supplied

Awhole lot of talent, training and perhaps some help from her lucky number has taken Mornington long jumper, Geena Davy, all the way to the World Athletics Under-20 Championships, after she sealed her spot on the Australian team with a qualifying jump of 6.27 metres.

“I was born on the 27th and 27 has always been my number,” said Geena. “I had always said ‘I wonder when I’m going to jump 6.27’ and it happened on my qualifying jump, which was also really cool.”

The 19-year-old held off celebrating until Athletics Australia made the official announcement. “The day that email landed in my inbox it was honestly just as exciting as the jump itself. It was a huge wave of relief and joy knowing it was definite,” said Geena.

She will fly to the USA to compete in Eugene, Oregon this August. It’s the culmination of a journey that began at age nine at Balcombe Grammar, where a strong sports day performance sparked her love of athletics. She has trained under coach Jason Hodson ever since, making him both her first and only coach.

The day that email landed in my inbox it was honestly just as exciting as the jump itself

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CUSTOM

“The relationship that we’ve built over the years is really special,” said Geena. “He knows me so well and can build towards the big events.”

After joining Little Athletics Southern Peninsula and then Mornington Little Athletics, Geena eventually narrowed a wide field of events down to long jump. “Long jump was just the one event I had always loved for so long,” she said.

Among her early milestones was equalling the Australian under-12 girls long jump record with a jump of 5.77 metres at age 12. “I wasn’t thinking about records at all, I was having lots of fun, and I think that’s when the big jumps happen,” said Geena. “I understood that the best performances come when you stop overthinking and just do what your body’s been trained to do.”

Total Property Care

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I was just excited to jump, free of pressure and expectation

She has since accumulated six national titles, one international title at Oceania level, and a personal best of 6.41 metres, set in Canberra in January this year. “It was a really hot day and the track felt really fast and bouncy. I was in a really good head space,” said Geena. “I was just excited to jump, free of pressure and expectation.”

Now studying a Bachelor of Sport Development at Deakin University, and coaching athletics at Haileybury College, Geena trains three times a week on the track and three times at the gym, with a weekly Pilates session added to her program.

She still lives in Mornington with her parents, and says university has made it easier to structure her schedule around training than Year 12 did.

In Oregon, Geena is setting her sights on surpassing her personal best. “I can’t control what the other girls jump, so I can just control my preparation and my mindset going into the comp and how I approach each jump,” she said. Looking further ahead, she has her eye on the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. “I’ll be 25 by then, which is really the prime age for a long jumper, and the fact that it’s a home event makes it even more special to think about. Right now Oregon’s the focus, and every big goal is built in the steps.”

IG @geenadavy

SPILL THE wine

By Melissa McCullough Photos Gary Sissons & supplied

Growing

up in a house full of music it’s no wonder Frankston-raised Bob Wijnschenk also developed a love for it. And now, after a long career of playing gigs and teaching guitar at public schools in and around the Mornington Peninsula, 72-years-young Bob has released his second album, The Wine Pourer's Tales, which he explains is a “personal exploration of love, loss, family, friendship and hope.”

Bob recalls, “There was always music around, either from the radio, record player, a musical on TV or from my sister Carla's room. She loved singing and had a smooth Ella Fitzgerald style and tone to her voice.” Bob’s dad, Simon, did regular sit-in performances singing for the house band at The Dutch Club in Carnegie from mid to late 1960's. “He had a great natural singing voice and always sang at family parties,” said Bob. “I loved listening to him.”

Through our love of music we all just gravitated toward each other

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And though Bob’s dad never officially played guitar as part of a band, he often practiced at home in the kitchen while Bob was all ears and loving the sound.

At age 15 Bob started playing his dad’s 1959 Hofner acoustic guitar. His love of playing stayed with him through high school where the sound of the Fender Stratocaster guitar and the emerging Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton heavily influenced his playing and early song writing.

In the early 1970’s Bob’s first “serious” bands formed. Shagrat and then Outburst played an Indie mix of originals. With Bob on bass, three of the other members came from The Pines and the other two members lived in Frankston and Seaford. Bob said, “Through our love of music we all just gravitated toward each other.” Their vocalist had a “killer voice”, and the band did a few stints on Channel 9’s New Faces.

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Bob eventually left Outburst wanting to focus on playing lead guitar. During this period, he wrote many songs and started to develop his own distinct style. He moved to Perth for “sunshine, girls, friends and a fresh musical journey” as a self-taught muso.

After Perth, Bob moved to the Latrobe Valley and joined a band of seasoned players doing covers. Bob values this time of musical growth where he learned a lot from the other band members about playing true to a style of music rather than doing your own thing. “They also introduced me to plenty of country music,” said Bob.

In the late 1970's Bob moved to Brighton and worked part time as a cleaner. “I cleaned some of Melbourne's top recording studios at the time such as Sing Sing Studios in South Melbourne and would often try to ‘breathe in and tap in’ to the vibes of the studio,” he said. Once, a song idea sparked in his head and as soon as he got home he started to woodshed it. That song was called Australia-Be A Part of It which morphed into an anthemic song which his sister, Carla, and he recorded. This song would go on to become runner up in the City of Kingston Bicentennial Song Contest.

When Bob was in his mid-30’s he met a well-known Melbourne jazz singer named Pippa Wilson who encouraged him to learn to read music. She suggested teacher Bruce Clarke, a key figure in Australian music. Bob studied with Bruce for five years and

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another five years with some of Melbourne's top jazz guitar players at the time such as Doug de Vries (Steve Vizard show) and Piere Jaquinot.

Taking music theory more seriously, his jazz phase was a tremendous learning curve for him in terms of understanding music theory, harmony and later, most importantly, melody. It was during this period he was introduced to Pat Metheny, the great American jazz guitarist and composer. Pat’s Bright Sized Life album had a huge impact on Bob and had great bearing on his song writing style. His compositions became more layered and often featured complex harmonic progressions reminiscent of jazz. His instrumental Beyond this Life is a case in point.

At 45 years of age Bob attended Latrobe University as a mature age student and received a Bachelor of Music followed by a Diploma of Education at the University of Melbourne. Whilst at uni he was forced to become computer literate which opened a new world of opportunities such as notation and recording programs to write and create music. “All of a sudden I had every conceivable

Photo: Michael Ball

FAMILY OWNED!

Open Monday to Friday 6.30am to 6.30pm

• Small, boutique, family-owned and run, natural daycare centre

• Four bright, open-plan learning spaces designed to inspire creativity and exploration.

• Big sliding doors to combine the inside and outside learning environments,

• Opportunities for children to explore our natural yards where they can engage in muddy, messy exploration.

• We cater for rotating rosters

• Kindergarten program

The children at Cherry Lane are able to investigate their interest with educators supporting the children to extend their own learning, this can be through, e.g.: wood work, hot glue guns, using sewing machines, incursions, regular outings, incursions or learning in our outdoor classroom. The children can flow through the indoor and outdoor environments whilst learning through play. Within these nurturing environments, our dedicated educators are committed to providing enriching experiences tailored to each child’s unique needs and interests.

After uni Bob worked as a guitar and bass guitar teacher all over Melbourne and the peninsula including Mornington Secondary College and Frankston High School, all the while playing in bands and focusing on writing music. His highlights from teaching were working with guitar ensembles and performing with them at concerts. “It was always a lot of fun. At one concert we played an all-guitar version of Bohemian Rhapsody which I conducted, although very badly, but it brought the house down!”

Other influences that made Bob the music alchemist he is today are Brian May (Queen) and Sting. Much of Bob’s legato style of playing was inspired by Brian May’s smooth-toned lead lines on early Queen albums. The intro and outro solos of Roo Girl, penned by Bob on his newest album, features this style of playing.

It was at the start of the 2000's that he started going under the new name of Wineshank (a play on Bob’s Dutch surname Wijnschenk which literally translates to ‘pouring wine’). From that time on every recording came under that moniker. Wineshank’s songs form colourful tapestries of chords, riffs and melodies that surprise and arouse fragile, heady experiences blending real-life experiences with abstract fictional storytelling. Roo Girl is the tale of a girl protected by kangaroos in the Australian scrub, and Shadow is a complex dynamic between mother and son.

The Wine Pourer's Tales marks a sonic shift from Bob’s debut album Distant Calling which dropped in 2017. Different from the raw and edgy format of his first album, Bob dug deep into the creative process by tapping into some hidden emotions. He also focussed heavily on rich guitar tones, utilizing the Roland VG-99 (advanced V-Guitar system and multi-effects processor) and open tunings to craft unique, melodic textures. The album has seen collabs with many incredible artists from overseas as well as here in Australia.

“Developed over seven years, I really wanted this collection to create surprising, engaging moments for the listener.”

Find more of Wineshank's music on Spotify and all major streaming platforms.

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W bobbyshank.bandcamp.com/album/the-wine-pourers-tales W wineshank.com

PLAYING IT forward

By Sarah Halfpenny Photos Yanni

Megan Smithies has spent decades making music – as a professional cellist she still performs today, and as president of the Peninsula Music Society (PMS), she ensures others get the same chance. It’s a role she clearly relishes.

The PMS is one of the peninsula’s most enduring cultural institutions. Founded in 1962 with the aim of fostering appreciation and enjoyment of chamber, vocal, instrumental and orchestral music, the society has been bringing world-class performers to the region for more than 60 years. All of its committee members are volunteers, with Megan taking on the presidency at the end of 2024, after having served on the committee for roughly a decade.

The society runs a subscription concert season each year at the Peninsula Community Theatre, presenting what Megan describes as “international standard artists”.

The remainder of the 2026 season features Marshall McGuire and Genevieve Lacey performing works from their ARIA Award-winning album Bower in August, followed by a return season from beloved trio Ensemble Liaison (piano, clarinet and cello) in November, performing Zemlinsky alongside a new commission by Australian composer Stuart Greenbaum. And in a slight departure from the usual fare, Megan is particularly excited about a special jazz event: singer Sarah Maclaine and her quartet performing classic jazz standards at the intimate Mt Eliza Village Church in October.

None of it comes easy. The PMS receives no council or government funding, and relies on a small amount of support from Bendigo Bank, whatever grants the committee can chase down, and the dedication of its volunteers. “We’re struggling, as all arts organisations are,” she says.

What gives Megan immense satisfaction is the society’s work with young musicians. The PMS Student Workshop Program gives local students the chance to learn from – and ultimately perform alongside – musicians of the highest calibre, running in conjunction with one of the season’s subscription concerts each year.

It was a truly inspiring event for the students to be mentored by internationally acclaimed string players

This year, 12 students aged between nine and 16 were selected to work with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra (MCO), whose artistic director is Sophie Rowell, one of Australia’s leading violinists and former co-concertmaster of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

On 26 April, the students gathered at Peninsula Grammar School, which generously donated its rehearsal space, for a two-hour workshop run by Rowell and MCO principal viola, Merewyn Bramble. They worked on the first movement of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons: Spring, but the session went further than technical preparation for a single piece.

“They were given invaluable input on string playing in general,” Megan says. “It was a truly inspiring event for the students to be mentored by internationally acclaimed string players.”

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Presenting these concerts, working with the artists, providing opportunities for students – I just really enjoy that

Two weeks later, on 9 May at the Peninsula Community Theatre, the students performed Spring with the full MCO as part of the subscription concert. Before the performance, they joined the whole orchestra for a balance call – a short preconcert rehearsal in which the players work through key passages to adjust their blend and volume to the specific acoustics of the venue – and the afternoon culminated in a performance that drew a crowd of around 270. The reception was so warm the students were called back for an encore.

It was also the first such workshop PMS had managed to hold since COVID lockdowns. The society’s collaboration with the MCO dates back to 2010, with multi-day workshops and masterclasses running annually until 2019, paused by the pandemic and now, joyfully, resumed.

Together with the workshop program, PMS runs an annual Student Bursary Program, open to primary, secondary and tertiary musicians from across the peninsula playing strings, wind, brass or piano. Winners receive substantial cash prizes and perform in the annual Bursary Winners Concert, being held this year on 19 July. The program is supported by the Tallis Foundation and the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society Peninsula (ADFAS).

The bursary’s track record speaks for itself. Past winners include Dr Richard Vaudrey, now Head of Instrumental Music at Peninsula Grammar School; violinist Louise Turnbull, who performed for PMS alongside pianist Elyane Laussade on 22 March before heading back to London to pursue postgraduate studies and a professional career; and cellist Michael Dahlenburg, now Artistic Director of the Australian String Quartet.

While it’s a lot to carry for an all-volunteer organisation running on goodwill and the occasional grant, Megan only has to think of a nine-year-old taking a bow alongside a professional orchestra, and none of it feels like a burden.

“Presenting these concerts, working with the artists, providing opportunities for students – I just really enjoy that.”

Visit the website to find out more about the Peninsula Music Society

W pmsmusic.asn.au

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PENINSULA KINGSWOOD TO HOST AUSTRALIA'S BIGGEST GOLF EVENT

The Mornington Peninsula Region which includes Frankston is preparing to welcome the golfing world, with Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club announced as the host venue for the 2027 Australian Open.

One of Australia's most prestigious sporting events, the Australian Open will bring the nation's best golfers and international stars to the Mornington Peninsula, placing the region firmly in the spotlight as one of the country's premier golf destinations.

Set amongst the world-renowned Melbourne Sandbelt, Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club has earned a reputation as one of Australia's finest golfing venues. In 2027, its championship fairways will provide the stage for golf's biggest names to compete for Australia's most coveted title.

For visitors, the Australian Open is more than a sporting event. It's the perfect excuse to turn a day at the golf into a Peninsula escape.

Stay a little longer and discover award-winning wineries, coastal villages, luxury accommodation, world-class wellness experiences and spectacular beaches, all within easy reach of the tournament.

Whether you're an avid golfer or simply looking for an unforgettable summer getaway, the Australian Open offers the chance to experience the Mornington Peninsula at its very best.

The announcement is also a proud moment for Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club, whose vision and commitment have seen it emerge as one of Australia's leading golf destinations.

As excitement builds towards 2027, visitors can look forward to an incredible week of championship golf and the opportunity to explore everything that makes the Mornington Peninsula one of Australia's most loved destinations.

From world-class fairways to world-class food, wine and wellness, the Mornington Peninsula is ready to welcome golf fans from around Australia and around the globe.

The countdown to the 2027 Australian Open starts now.

MASTERS OF musicals

By Sarah Halfpenny Photos supplied

It began with a group of trainee teachers and a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, but more than six decades later, PLOS Musical Productions is about to bring the sound of 1960's New Jersey to the Frankston Arts Centre stage – and then hand the torch to a new generation.

The Peninsula Light Operatic Society, as it was first known, was born in 1962 at what was then Frankston Teachers College (now part of the Monash University network). Student teachers with a love of performance came together, staged Iolanthe, and set something in motion that nobody could have predicted would still be running more than sixty years on.

The name has changed, the venues have changed, and the repertoire has evolved dramatically, but the DNA remains the same: talented people from across Melbourne and the peninsula, working together to put something extraordinary on stage.

“The change of names reflects the evolution of the company and

shows presented,” says Brett Wingfield, the company’s Secretary and a Life Member whose involvement stretches back decades.

In 1995, after members had spent years informally calling it PLOS anyway, the committee finally made it official, dropping ‘Light Operatic’ and becoming PLOS Musical Productions. The new name signalled what audiences had already noticed – this was a company that had outgrown Gilbert and Sullivan and was reaching for Broadway.

The journey from university recital room to one of the area’s premier stages is a story of ambition meeting pragmatism.

For years, PLOS performed at the George Jenkins Theatre in Frankston, but the search for better facilities with a proper rehearsal space, set storage, and technical capability, was constant.

In 1985, members built their own home: a workshop and rehearsal base on Overport Road at Overport Park in Frankston that was promptly and affectionately christened ‘The Shed’.

Then came the announcement that changed everything. Frankston City Council was building a major theatre and cultural centre on Davey Street. PLOS pledged $10,000 to the project, and in 1995 opened the new Frankston Cultural Centre (now the Frankston Arts Centre) with a production of West Side Story. The Green Room was officially named the PLOS Green Room in recognition of the company’s contribution. This year, PLOS marked thirty years at the venue.

“The venue changes were instrumental in the progress of the company,” says Brett, “meaning better facilities and technical possibilities for the audiences and performers.”

The musicals have been major. Running the eye down PLOS’s production history is like reading a greatest-hits list of the musical theatre canon: My Fair Lady, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Chicago, West Side Story, Mamma Mia, Shrek, We Will Rock You, and earlier this year, The Wizard of Oz. The company typically stages two productions a year and draws membership from right across the Melbourne metropolitan area and the peninsula. A single production involves up to 130 people in the theatre alone, both onstage and behind the scenes, with more involved in the

months of set construction and costume creation beforehand.

Rehearsals run twelve to sixteen weeks, up to three times a week, fitted around the everyday lives of people with jobs, families, and commutes. Then, in a compressed technical period at the FAC, it all comes together. “The biggest challenge is bringing it all together at the theatre over a five-day period,” says Brett.

For Jersey Boys, opening at the FAC on 24 July, PLOS has turned to a creative team who know the company and each other well. Director Paul Watson, musical director Nathan Firmin and choreographer Venessa Paech have collaborated on PLOS productions including The Boy From Oz (2023) and We Will Rock You (2025). They’re an established trio whose shared shorthand is a real asset when the task is recreating the specific sound and swagger of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

That sound is no small challenge. Jersey Boys traces four kids from the streets of New Jersey – Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, Bob Gaudio and Frankie Valli – and their improbable rise to global stardom. Jesse Thomas takes on the role of the magnetic Tommy DeVito, continued page 38...

IMAGE: Helen Britton, Hope, 2022 (detail). Photo: Jacquie Manning.

What’s coming up at...

HARMONY, HEART, AND HITS: JERSEY BOYS

Get ready to relive the soundtrack of a generation as PLOS Musical Productions brings Jersey Boys to the Frankston Arts Centre for a strictly limited season, 24 July to 1 August.

This electrifying jukebox musical charts the meteoric rise of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons—from street-corner beginnings to global fame—told in a compelling documentary style through four distinct perspectives. Packed with iconic hits like Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, it’s a celebration of music, friendship and resilience.

With more than 60 years of theatrical excellence, local favourite PLOS delivers polished, high-quality productions that consistently captivate audiences. Don’t miss this chance to experience a world-class show right on your doorstep—book early, because this season won’t last long.

Tickets are available at thefac.com.au or on 03 9784 1060.

MARK VINCENT PRESENTS AMORÉ WITH THE AUSTRALIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Sunday 5 July, 2pm

Mark Vincent, returns to the concert stage with Amoré - a soaring celebration of timeless classics, accompanied by the esteemed Australian Symphony Orchestra with special guest John Foreman.

SEA WOLVES HOWL

Thursday 9 July, 1pm & 7.30pm

Cube 37

Inspired by the real Mount Martha Sea Wolves, Sea Wolves Howl brings to life the true story of a local group who turned a chance lockdown meeting into a powerful movement. Through music, movement and raw storytelling, this uplifting play celebrates courage, connection, and community.

THE SOUNDS OF SIMON & GARFUNKEL

Thursday 9 July, 7.30pm

Relive the unforgettable sound of Simon & Garfunkel in this heartfelt tribute. Performed by Shelley & O’Regan with an exceptional live band, The Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel is a nostalgic journey through music that still resonates across generations.

OFF BROADWAY

Friday 10 July, 7.30pm

Travel from the golden age of Rodgers and Hammerstein, through the razor-sharp genius of Fosse and Robbins, the soaring grandeur of Lloyd Webber, a sprinkle of Disney magic, and the modern anthems of Schwartz, Miranda, and beyond.

GLASS CHILD

Tuesday 14 July, 7.30pm

Glass Child is a moving exploration of the sibling bond between Kayah, a young man with Down Syndrome, and his sister Maitreyah. Told through dance, theatre and storytelling, it examines how other people’s perceptions have shaped their lives.

MISSION TO THE MOON

Saturday 18 July, 11am & 2pm

Experience a captivating journey with three quirky, acrobatic astronauts, blending circus artistry, clowning, and real space science. Perfect for young kids and their families, Mission to the Moon offers a fresh, imaginative take on our fascination with space.

Ryan Etlis makes his PLOS debut as the unobtrusive Nick Massi, while Jordan Poyser returns as the songwriting genius Bob Gaudio and Dean Di Cristo, makes his PLOS debut as Frankie Valli.

The music they’ll be performing needs no introduction: Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You. They’re songs that audiences of every age already know before they take their seats. Wingfield says one of the great pleasures of this production has been “seeing the younger cast and team members come to love a whole new style of music.”

Funding a production of this scale on community theatre resources requires creativity as well as passion. Ticket sales form the core of PLOS’s income, supplemented by hiring out the company’s considerable stock of costumes and sets to schools and other theatre companies. Sponsors including Bendigo Bank Mt Eliza help bridge the gap as production costs continue to rise.

What comes next for PLOS represents something entirely new. In January 2027, the company will stage its inaugural Next Generation production – Grease – specifically designed for performers aged fourteen to twenty-four, at the FAC. The creative team is experienced PLOS hands: director Brad Fischer, musical directors Sue Fletcher and Malcom Huddle, and choreographers

Hayley Moseley and Cassie Pennicuik. Many of them began their own PLOS journeys as young performers.

“The Next Generation productions are an opportunity to involve young performers in productions and have them develop and get involved in the company,” says Brett. The design is deliberate: mentored by experienced company members, Next Generation performers will develop skills and networks that open the door to the main PLOS company in the future.

It is, perhaps, the most fitting expression of what this company has always been about. The trainee teachers who gathered at Frankston in 1962 were, in their own way, doing the same thing – creating a space where people could grow through doing something they loved.

Jersey Boys plays the Frankston Arts Centre from 24 July to 1 August 2026. Tickets via thefac.com.au.

SCULPTURE MEETS SYMPHONY: CELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF MUSIC, ART AND COMMUNITY

McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will bring world-class music into the heart of Mornington for a second year, with the return of MSO In Your Neighbourhood in 2026.

The popular initiative, which embedded the MSO into the local community through performances and outreach activities, launched last year to great success and marked the first official collaboration between McClelland and the MSO as part of their three-year artistic partnership.

This year’s program features a dynamic season of live and participatory experiences across three months, designed for young people, families and emerging musicians. It once again places music among McClelland’s iconic sculptures and natural bushland, setting the perfect stage for landscape and creativity to meet.

McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery Artistic Director Lisa Byrne reflected on the growth of the partnership:

“Reaching our second year with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is a testament to the strength of collaboration. When creative organisations come together, we build stronger pathways for reach and accessibility, opening doors for more people to experience music, art and ideas in meaningful ways.”

MSO In Your Neighbourhood, proudly supported by the Hansen Little Foundation, forms part of the MSO’s broader commitment to connecting with Victorians beyond the concert hall by taking orchestral music into local areas across Greater Melbourne, Langwarrin, and the Mornington Peninsula.

Alongside mainstage concerts, the MSO will continue to engage with local schools and community groups throughout 2026.

The year begins at McClelland with Jams for Juniors in July, the much-loved interactive program that invites young audiences to explore rhythm, sound and imagination through playful, hands-on music-making. In August, the partnership expands into a special Book Week celebration, bringing stories and music together. Internationally acclaimed cellist, composer and educator Richard Vaudrey returns to lead a workshop for young musicians in September, offering immersive sessions that encourage experimentation, collaboration and confidence in music-making.

MSO CEO Richard Wigley welcomed the continuation of the collaboration:

“Both the MSO and McClelland have a long history of bringing Victorians together through culture – McClelland as a local home of art and the MSO as the state’s Orchestra. Our partnership plays a crucial role providing access to world-class music to people across Victoria and helping inspire and educate new generations of music lovers.”

Curator of Music at McClelland and MSO+ Creative Director Monica Curro, said the evolving collaboration continues to challenge traditional ideas of orchestral engagement:

“This partnership allows us to reimagine the orchestra as something fluid, responsive and embedded in place. Music among sculpture, stories and landscape invites curiosity and inspiration, and that is where the most exciting connections happen.”

W mcclelland.org.au

Photos: Cassie Louise Creative

TWO STUDIOS, TWO SPEEDS, ONE PLACE CHRISTOPHER PYETT AND ALISON TEDESCO AT McCLELLAND

There is something quietly radical about staying put.

This winter at McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery, two solo exhibitions invite us into the studios of artists who have built their practices close to home. Their work could not look more different, yet both Christopher Pyett and Alison Tedesco share a deep commitment to looking closely, working slowly and responding to the places they inhabit.

For more than 55 years, McClelland has supported living artists, offering not just exhibition space, but time, continuity and access. These two exhibitions feel like a distilled expression of that ethos.

At 82, Christopher Pyett still paints every day in his Pearcedale studio. The walls of the Elisabeth Murdoch Gallery will soon carry the results of that routine, a suite of abstract paintings that pulse with colour, restraint and quiet confidence.

Pyett’s career has spanned more than six decades, yet there is nothing retrospective about this body of work. These paintings feel curious rather than conclusive. Colour nudges against colour. Edges breathe. Rhythm builds slowly across the surface. His deep understanding of colour theory is never didactic. Instead, it hums beneath the work, felt rather than announced.

There is a discipline here that only comes with time, not just in years, but in repetition. Pyett’s practice is meditative without being static. Each painting reads as a test, a small inquiry into how colour behaves in relation to its neighbour. It is painting as ongoing conversation.

For visitors, the exhibition offers a rare chance to encounter the recent work of one of Australia’s most senior abstract painters, not as a summation, but as an active, evolving practice grounded in daily commitment.

In the McClelland Gallery, Alison Tedesco’s work brings us right down to ground level. Frankston-based and best known for her painting practice, Tedesco has spent the past eighteen months translating her interest in the urban landscape into three dimensions.

The result is a series of intricately made miniature dioramas. Littered bus stops. Tagged dumpsters. Abandoned factories. Executed at a scale that demands close inspection, each scene reveals an extraordinary attention to detail. Rust blooms along metal edges. Stickers overlap in precise layers. Nothing is incidental.

Tedesco’s work draws from the gritty textures of the place she lives, and from the underground graffiti culture that emerged in Frankston in the late 1990s. There is affection here, but no nostalgia. These are portraits of everyday environments, observed honestly and without judgement.

What makes the work especially compelling is the way it expands her painting practice rather than leaving it behind. Colour decisions, compositional balance and surface treatment all carry through into this new sculptural form. It feels like a practice mid-stretch, opening outward.

Seen together, Pyett and Tedesco’s exhibitions tell a larger story about the value of sustained, local practice. One artist looking back through decades of enquiry while still pushing creative boundaries. Another stepping into new territory with patience and precision.

McClelland’s commitment to artists across generations has created the conditions for both. McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery ensures these works are encountered not as distant objects, but as part of community life. The result is a winter of exhibitions that feel generous, grounded and quietly bold.

Two studios. Two speeds. One place.

Christopher Pyett: Years of Colour and Alison Tedesco: Street Stories run at McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery from Saturday 27 June to Sunday 25 October 2026.

W mcclelland.org.au/exhibitions

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Words: Rachel Doyle Photos: Cassie Louise Creative

LOCAL,

AWARD-WINNING

AUTHOR RELEASES NEW HISTORICAL FICTION NOVEL

Photo: Elizabeth Clancy

Launched in May by novelist Toni Jordan at Readings Hawthorn, A Single Witness is Christine Balint’s fourth novel and has already enjoyed a successful series of events. These include appearances at bookstores in Mornington and Mt Eliza, and a conversation with Professor Katy Barnett from Melbourne Law School. Christine will also be appearing at the Port Fairy Literary Weekend in September.

Inspired by a remarkable true story uncovered in the Venetian archives, A Single Witness follows a young girl in eighteenth-century Venice who speaks out against sexual abuse and, extraordinarily, is believed. Her testimony leads to a legal victory unprecedented for its time.

Drawing on extensive research undertaken in Italy, Christine brings this story to life with great sensitivity and historical insight, exploring themes of justice, courage, voice, and the enduring power of testimony.

The novel recently received a strong and thoughtful review on ABC Radio National's program, The Bookshelf, where the panel praised Christine's nuanced storytelling, meticulous research, and the book's exploration of truth, memory, and moral responsibility. The review has generated wide interest among readers and booksellers and has further cemented the novel's place among this year's notable Australian literary releases.

Christine is an engaging interview subject and can speak about the fascinating true historical origins of the story, her years of archival

research in Italy, the ethics of transforming real events into fiction, and the novel's timely themes of justice, family ties, and whose voices are heard and believed.

Christine has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English and Modern European Studies. She has undertaken archival research in French, Italian and Hungarian. She has a PhD in Creative Arts from the University of Melbourne and has taught at the University of Melbourne and RMIT, and currently at La Trobe University.

Her third book, Water Music, won the 2021 Viva la Novella Prize.

Her first novel, The Salt Letters, was shortlisted for the The Australian/Vogel Literary Award. Christine’s work has been published to critical acclaim in Australia, The United States, Germany and Italy. She was deemed one of Barnes & Noble’s Great New Writers in 2001.

Christine’s current work in progress, The Last Music Keeper of Venice, is a dual timeline narrative about the recovery of music manuscripts composed by historic female composers. It has received funding from Creative Australia, Creative Victoria and the Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarship.

W christinebalint.com

STYLE orator

By Annette Sanfilippo Photos Yanni & supplied

I’mno famous designer, but when I style a vision that can reach the masses through an image, social media or a magazine, my work feels validated and seen. If I can evoke a reaction to my interpretation of beauty and art through fashion, it makes me extremely happy.

Fashion brings me joy. It is my happy place, and my way of expressing all the buzz constantly whirring in my never resting brain. Don’t get me wrong, I relax, chill, sleep well and luckily my blood pressure runs low, but once I’m ‘on’, those ideas have to come to fruition.

I call myself a ‘Jackaroo’, a Jack of all trades and master of none, and I’m ok with that. It means I’m not stagnant or stuck doing one thing forever. I’m always learning, making and opening my mind to new things and I have been very blessed to have done so in the fashion arena for forty years.

Anyone who knows me knows to ask, ‘what are you doing now?’ One minute I’m creating an event for charity, then dressing up to host a soiree, now I’m making a hat to send to Ascot, then dressing someone for the races, next I’m writing articles, and then I’m putting on a fashion parade to showcase my wares. There is never a dull moment, thankfully, and I’m proud that I still have the passion for it all.

When I reflect on four decades of fashion I realise I have witnessed some incredible transformations and trends born from the rise of distinct subcultures like hip hop, preppy and grunge. The eighties alone was a time of great inspiration (and shoulder pads) for me. With the shift to digital media, the evolution of manufacturing and the now the focus on sustainability, fashion trends and their delivery have been able to move quickly.

I studied teaching with majors in art and dance, but it wasn’t going to be my ultimate path. I was lucky to open a boutique in 1986 that thrust me into a world of couturiers, consignments and cost!

continued next page...

This was a time when making a bespoke outfit was the done thing when you had an event. Clients trusted you with ideas, fabric, fit and overall aesthetic and luckily with a family history in servitude and being apt with pencil and paper, I kept those costs at bay! It’s a little different now with offshoring and fast fashion.

Eleven years out of that forty I was playing shops in The Village at the Tyabb Antique Packing House. Some of my most constructive years were spent toiling in my shipping container studio and I feel honoured to have been part of its history. When I come back to visit a little part of me saddens that I had to move on. Recently I played dress-ups at my old stomping ground to mark my achievement and immersed myself into the wonderland of the Tyabb Vintage Emporium owned by fashionista extraordinaire Vanessa Mangan. I was like a kid in a candy shop. Lucky to be finessed by the fabulous makeup artist Suzy Alii, our fabulous Peninsula Essence photographer Yanni had the daunting task to get at least two shots to mark the occasion...I had faith, he is a master!

Clients trusted you with ideas, fabric, fit and overall aesthetic

I’ve been really fortunate to have been able to immerse myself into so many areas of fashion to date. I’ve designed and collaborated with renowned couturiers, styled and dressed the elite and celebrity, created runways and worked with some of the most professional models, many still working today. Being in front of the camera isn’t my norm. I’m happiest directing the photography and have full respect for all the professionals I have worked with over the years able to add that magic touch of technique to the snaps.

In 2026 and working for an iconic Australian label, Cue Clothing, I get the opportunity to talk about style and keep honing my skills by dressing women and elevating not only their aesthetic but impacting their mood and mindset towards the importance of fashion in their world. I don’t see this as work and I get paid!

I’m a Leo! I thrive on and need to surround myself with fashionable drama and beautiful things. Exposed to theatre and performance from a young age, I was always keen to perform, speak or sing and dressing up has always been a fun pastime. It’s never just been the outfit. The shoes, jewellery, handbags, accessories, and hairstyles are all so important. It’s about the bigger picture and detail is everything. I love the circus of emotions that fill my mind when I create. It’s a process of scheming, dreaming and organising until I’m satisfied and those in the know understand I’m over the top and love a challenge. Go big or go home!

Looking back to my city boutique days I feel I had some good characteristics for success coupled with a little innate knowledge that got me through in a world not for the faint hearted. With a keen eye and strong work ethic I held my own. But now with solid experience under my belt I feel I could approach anything. More so now than when I was studying teaching, I feel driven to mentor students to focus and cherish their passion for creativity. Experience can’t be taught in a classroom. I did tease the senses a few years back and through a textiles program I brought my craft to high school students on the peninsula. Perhaps you can’t take the teacher out of me.

Anyway, I do what I do and hopefully I have made an impact as a maker of pretty things. I’m honoured to write and bring my fashion talk to this fabulous publication and hope you are all enjoying the read each month. I don’t compare my work with others and believe we have plenty of room for everyone’s creativity. A famous milliner by the name of Peter Jago whom I had the privilege to work with, called me the ‘Miss Congeniality’ of fashion and I loved that.

I feel like I’m far from done with this journey, and who knows where I may pop up next. Will my name show up on a ‘chalk board’ in a classroom or a billboard atop a theatre? Stay tuned!

Cheers to many more years in fashion.

Fashionably yours,

Annette

Cabello Kroot 103 Railway Parade, Seaford 9785 1887 BAYSIDE SHOE

BABYGOODS WAREHOUSE

Diamond Pave Huggies S105, Karingal Hub, 330 Cranbourne Road, Karingal 9789 2388

Toshi Organic Baby Booties Shop 107, Mornington Village Shopping Centre, Mornington 5977 0966

ONDA RIGHT track

By Sarah Halfpenny Photos Yanni

Sorrento has always had the bay with its glistening waves; now it has a dazzling restaurant that sits right on top of it.

Onda, the new coastal Mediterranean dining room built on pylons over Port Phillip Bay inside the brand-new Sorrento Ferry Terminal, is the kind of place that seems almost too good to be true with floor-to-ceiling windows, uninterrupted water views, and a pizza oven crackling at the heart of the kitchen. Executive Chef Michael Jaques says the room did half the work before he even wrote a word of the menu.

There was actually a load of people out on the pier fishing, and I thought that this really feels like a kind of Mediterranean-style fishing village vibe

“There was actually a load of people out on the pier fishing, and I thought that this really feels like a kind of Mediterranean-style fishing village vibe,” he says. “I’ve had that experience a little bit in Italy and the south of France and Spain – these little places where they might have a pizza oven or a big fire oven, and they’re just making delicious food from what’s local, what’s around. That’s really what I wanted Onda to be.”

Michael came to cooking later than most. Growing up on a farm near Woodend, an hour north of Melbourne, he spent his early years at university before deciding, at 24, to enrol at William Angliss and train as a chef. His family, he says, were not remotely surprised.

“Everyone was like, duh,” he laughs.

From those beginnings he landed at The Press Club in Melbourne under George Calombaris, then worked with Philippe Mouchel before following his English wife to London, where he spent eight years in Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star hotels, including Claridge’s. When their eldest son reached school age, the family returned to Australia and settled on the Bellarine Peninsula, a move that would eventually bring Jaques into the orbit of Searoad Ferries, which operates the terminals at both Sorrento and Queenscliff. He has now been with the company for around a year and a half, overseeing the restaurants at both ends of the crossing.

We really want to make sure that we’re there when it’s cold and rainy and locals want somewhere to go

At Onda, the philosophy flows directly from place. The menu leans into the bay’s produce and the peninsula’s growers: mussels from Flinders Mussels, bread from Miller’s Bread Kitchen, and seasonal vegetables sourced through Torello Farm, whose harvests give the kitchen a realtime read on what’s actually growing on the peninsula, rather than what’s in season somewhere else.

“What’s seasonal on the peninsula will be quite different to if you go up to the markets in Melbourne and find things that are seasonal for Mildura, or seasonal for somewhere else,” Michael says. “It’s a great thing to have a place like that where you can go and say, okay, this is what’s actually growing right here.”

The wine list doubles down on the same logic. By-the-glass pours focus on Mornington Peninsula producers, while the Queenscliff restaurant tilts toward Bellarine labels, a deliberate reflection of the ferry company’s footprint across both regions.

Even the pizzas carry a sense of history. Named after local ferries and vessels both past and present, they include the Queenscliff (roasted eggplant, capsicum, zucchini and mozzarella, Jaques’ personal favourite), the Nepean (spicy nduja, artichoke and roast capsicum) and the Farnsworth, named after the JJ Farnsworth, a vessel that once made the run between Melbourne and Sorrento.

“Searoad Ferries has been operating out of Sorrento for 38 years,” Michael says. “We do have this history that we like to draw on.”

The menu moves through the day as fluidly as the tide. Breakfast runs until 11am, giving way to a full lunch and dinner service that carries through to 8pm. Upstairs, a kiosk serves ferry passengers arriving via a gantry bridge from the top deck, but it also transforms across the day into a bar with snacks, made for watching the sun go down over the bay. Jaques’ dream, he says, is that travellers will come early, linger over lunch and cocktails, then “jump on the ferry”, making the crossing itself part of the holiday.

For all its destination appeal, Jaques is equally focused on earning the loyalty of locals, in a town where much of the hospitality trade shuts down through winter.

“The ferry arrives 365 days a year on the hour,” he says. “We really want to make sure that we’re there when it’s cold and rainy and locals want somewhere to go.”

That dual ambition of show-stopping venue and neighbourhood local shapes everything from pricing to the rotating seasonal menu. It’s also what makes Onda, for Jaques, more than just a job.

“We really want the menu to fill in that vibe,” he says. “When people come in, all their expectations of what they want to see –fresh oysters, mussels, school prawns – they get all that stuff. It’s fun, it’s family-friendly, but it’s also really beautiful cooking.”

Onda Sorrento is open Monday to Sunday, 7:30am until late (last orders 8pm).

ondasorrento.com.au

Coffee the 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.

NORDIE CAFE

Serving exceptional Allpress coffee alongside fresh, relaxed Peninsula hospitality. The perfect local stop for breakfast, lunch or takeaway in Red Hill.

1008 Mornington-Flinders Road, Red Hill 5989 2171 @nordiecafe

HARRY’S McCLELLAND

Set among bushland and sculpture, Harry’s serves Little Rebel coffee, seasonal Peninsula produce and a relaxed vibe. Open Wednesday to Sunday.

390 McClelland Drive, Langwarrin mcclelland.org.au

FLOURISH CAFE

Serving great coffee and delicious food. Flourish has a friendly, family atmosphere. Pop in and say "hi"! Fully licensed, open daily 8am-3pm

44 Norman Avenue, Frankston South 9787 8489 @flourish_cafe

COFFEE TREAT

Mornington's latest coffee go-to. Serving iconic iced brews, premium roasted coffee, a delicious grab-andgo menu, friendly and a welcoming atmosphere.

204 Main Street, Mornington @coffee__treat @CTcoffee

STEAMIN' MUGS

Freshly brewed crafted coffee, and traditional dishes with a delectable twist, all served in a bright, modern-day vibe.

24 High Street, Hastings steaminmugs.com.au @steaminmugshastings

BÜTTERKEN BAKERY

Bütterken brings Germany's "Kaffe und Kuchen" (coffee andcake) tradition to Mount Eliza with Commonfolk coffee and artisan pastries.

54 Mount Eliza Way, Mount Eliza @butterken_bakery_ @Butterkenbakery

FLINDERS GENERAL STORE MUSTARD MOOROODUC

Offering a sustainably sourced speciality coffee exclusively roasted by Blume Coffee. Sweet, rich & complex. Ethically delicious.

50 Cook Street, Flinders @flindersgeneralstores

THE

Uncover the Peninsula's hidden gem at the historic Coolstores. Mustard Moorooduc serves up exceptional coffee, epic toasties and cosy courtyard vibes.

8/475 Moorooduc Hwy, Moorooduc 0485 522 998 @mustardcafeau

SOMERS GENERAL KATIES OF MOUNT ELIZA

The Somers General is a relaxed café + store by the beach in Somers. Offering a modern dine-in menu and Industry Beans coffee.

2 The Boulevard, Somers thesomersgeneral.com.au @thesomersgeneral

Serving Dimattina coffee, Prana wet chai and yummy food made here.

89 Shop 4, Mount Eliza Way, Mount Eliza @katies_of_mount_eliza

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FOCUS on Somerville

Photos Yanni

Somerville is a township and coastal rural locality in Victoria, Australia, 53 km southeast from Melbourne's central business district, as a part of the urban enclave on Western Port comprising Somerville, Hastings, Bittern, Crib Point, and Tyabb. The size of Somerville is approximately 38 km².

Originally an orchard town, Somerville has experienced significant population growth over the last twenty years. The town was known during the early 1900s up until WW2 for the fruit which was produced in its orchards. A harvest festival was held once a year and special trains ran from Flinders Street Station to the town during the festival.

Because they’re family

It’s our birthday!

For 50 years, Westernport Veterinary Clinics have proudly provided independent, family-focused care to the pets and people of the Westernport community. From humble beginnings with a single vet, WVC has grown into a dedicated team across multiple locations, offering advanced medical and surgical care for companion animals.

We’re incredibly proud of our history, grateful for the support of our community, and privileged to care for generations of pets through every stage of life.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to the next 50 years!

The township was once located on Lower Somerville Road, with several original buildings still there today. Somerville Post Office opened on 21 November 1870 and closed in 1893.

The railway came to Somerville in September 1889. The station was a mile or so from Lower Somerville Road and the town centre moved from there to its current site during the 1890s. Somerville Railway Station Post Office opened on 15 August 1890 and was renamed Somerville in 1907.

The Somerville Hotel was built in the early 1900s as well as a Mechanics' Hall, forming part of the Station Street shopping strip.

The Somerville Fruitgrowers Reserve once held annual festivals to celebrate the local fruit growers in the area. Following World War 2 the people of the area donated a period cannon to the community reserve.

The Somerville war memorial was unveiled on November 4, 1923, at the intersection of Frankston Flinders Road and Eramosa Road West. With the increasing population and traffic, the memorial was moved from this busy intersection to Clarinda Street in 1966. From November 2014 to April 2015 the memorial was moved from Clarinda Street to the Fruit growers Reserve. The cenotaph was restored with markers surrounding it telling the residents the history of the area. Trees were also planted surrounding the memorial remembering the lost soldiers.

An avenue of honour was originally located on Eramosa Road East where the road was lined with plane trees in 1917. Each tree represented a resident who fought in World War 1 in Somerville. In early 2013 a new avenue of honour with ornamental pear trees was planted along Station Street.

A clay quarry is owned and operated by The Bayport Group on 9 Pottery Road Somerville, digging to a depth of 30 metres over 60 acres. This was the original site of Peninsula Pottery which operated from 1901 to 1991 making bricks for some of the historical buildings in Somerville including St. Andrews Anglican Church, and The Somerville Hotel in 1901, but all historical kilns and the chimney were knocked down and removed in 2004.

Inghams has a large factory north of Somerville that employs a large number of the town’s population.

The median house price in Somerville is $913,750.

The median rental price is $650 per week.

The official population of Somerville as of 2021 is 12,223.

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!

Somerville has experienced significant population and business growth over the last twenty years and is home to the peninsula’s only remaining Target store. There are plenty of places to dine, from the classic pub with a modern feel, to plenty of international options to tempt your taste buds including Indian, Thai, and Chinese. Somerville also satisfies with venues to grab a drop; new breweries, distilleries and coffee bean roasters are cropping up all around town. Families can enjoy horse riding, checking out the dinosaurs at Dinosaur World or setting sail to Western Port from Yaringa Boat Harbour and adults can check out the nightlife at Vesbar or a tasting at Chief’s Son distillery. There are two main shopping centres, Somerville Plaza and Centro Somerville, as well as delightful specialty shops selling arts, crafts, clothing and more.

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.

OLIVE & BEAN DELICATESSEN CAFÉ

20/49

ERAMOSA ROAD WEST

Situated near Target, this café brings you a perfect cup of coffee paired with a homemade focaccia or slice! You can also enjoy their wide assortment of premium deli goods.

DUCKY BROWN CAFÉ

17

ERAMOSA ROAD WEST

Fabulous coffee and a great selection of hot and cold food, Ducky Brown Café has a relaxed vibe and plenty of dine in or outdoor seating.

TWO TO TANGO

2/13 ERAMOSA ROAD EAST

Serving up delicious creations from their all-day menu and perfectly poured, silky coffee made from the Commonfolk God Father blend.

MISS MOOSE TUCK SHOP 1/25 GRANT ROAD

All raw ingredients are locally sourced and all products are produce in house. A great place to have breakfast and a coffee in a casual, trendy setting.

GRAZE AND WANDER 2/1065 FRANKSTON-FLINDERS ROAD

Great food and friendly service brewing Little Rebel coffee, brekkie classics, glorious hand-cut chips and lots of gluten free options.

WHY RELATIONSHIPS STILL MATTER IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

In an industry often associated with vehicles, technology and specifications, Mornington Nissan believes the most important part of the customer experience has always been people. Located in the heart of Mornington, the dealership has built its reputation not simply on selling and servicing vehicles, but on creating genuine relationships with the community it serves. For many customers, purchasing a vehicle or booking a service can feel overwhelming. There are decisions to make, questions to ask and often uncertainty about where to begin. Mornington Nissan understands this and has developed an approach centred on making every interaction as comfortable, transparent and straightforward as possible.

From the moment customers walk through the doors, the focus is on listening first. Whether someone is searching for their first vehicle, upgrading for a growing family, downsizing for retirement or simply booking a routine service, the team takes the time to understand their individual needs before offering advice. It is a philosophy that extends throughout every department of the dealership. The sales team works to guide customers through the process without pressure, helping them explore options that suit their lifestyle and budget, while the service department is committed to providing clear communication and honest recommendations so customers feel informed and confident about the care of their vehicle.

This people-first approach has become increasingly important in a world where many customer experiences are shifting online. While technology has undoubtedly made vehicle ownership more convenient, Mornington Nissan believes there remains tremendous value in face-to-face conversations, personalised service and familiar local connections. It is often the small things that leave the biggest impression — a warm welcome at reception, a team member who remembers a customer's name, taking the time to explain a service report in plain language or following up after a purchase to ensure everything is going smoothly. These moments may seem simple, but they help build trust over time.

For many Mornington Peninsula residents, that trust has developed into long-term relationships spanning years and, in some cases, generations. Customers who purchased a vehicle years ago continue returning for servicing, while family members often follow suit after hearing positive experiences from parents, partners or friends. The dealership sees this loyalty not as something to be expected, but as something that must be earned every day. Behind the scenes, this commitment is reflected in a team culture focused on professionalism, respect and ongoing learning. Staff are encouraged to continually develop their knowledge so they can provide customers with the most accurate advice and support possible, creating an environment where customers feel comfortable asking questions and confident in the information they receive.

As the automotive industry continues to evolve, Mornington Nissan remains focused on the values that have always mattered most. Technology will change, vehicle models will continue to advance and customer expectations will evolve, but the importance of genuine service, honest communication and strong community relationships remains constant. For Mornington Nissan, success has never been measured solely by the number of vehicles sold or serviced. Instead, it is reflected in the trust customers place in the team and the relationships that continue long after the keys have been handed over. It is a simple philosophy, but one that continues to resonate with Peninsula drivers. Because at the end of the day, great service is about more than vehicles — it is about people.

W morningtonnissan.com.au

$50* OFF DURING THE MONTH OF JULY 2026

When you book your vehicle for a log book service

*Mention Peninsula Essence advert when booking.

The Difference Is the People

At Mornington Nissan, it’s never just about the car.

Whether customers are buying their first vehicle, booking a service or returning years later for their next upgrade, the team believes great service starts with genuine relationships. It’s the friendly welcome, the honest advice and the familiar faces that keep locals coming back.

Because while cars may change, the importance of trust never does.

Book today with Mornington Nissan Service and discover what service should feel like.

www.morningtonnissan.com.au

Osteoporosis affects more than 1.2 million Australians, weakening bones and increasing the risk of fractures. The good news is that exercise can improve bone health and reduce fracture risk.

At Back In Motion Balnarring, we are proud to offer the ONERO™ program, an evidence-based exercise intervention for people with osteoporosis or low bone density (osteopenia). Developed by Professor Belinda Beck of The Bone Clinic, ONERO™ has been shown to increase bone density, improve muscle strength and physical function, and reduce fracture risk.

ONERO™ is a supervised, high-intensity resistance and impact training program delivered by certified physiotherapists. The program uses targeted exercises to strengthen bones, improve posture, build muscle, and enhance balance and mobility. Because falls are a major cause of osteoporotic fractures, ONERO™ also focuses on reducing falls risk through improved strength and balance.

Back In Motion Balnarring, Senior Physiotherapist Sienna Wills, accredited to deliver ONERO™, is excited to bring this program to the local community. The program is tailored to each participant’s needs, medical history, and fitness level, allowing safe progression under expert supervision.

Evidence-based exercise programme for Osteoporisis

A growing body of scientific evidence has demonstrated that OneroTM, supervised, bone-targeted high intensity resistance and impact training, reduces osteoporotic fracture risk in post menopausal women and older men with low to very low bone mass. The evidence -based OneroTM program improves bone, muscle, and physical function and is safe for people with low bone mass when supervised.

Participants receive:

• A comprehensive physiotherapy assessment

• Education and training for safe exercise performance

• Small-group ONERO™ sessions with supervision

• Regular progress reviews and monitoring

• Education on bone health and safe movement strategies

Eligible participants may be able to claim private health insurance rebates on class fees.

ONERO™ is suitable for people with osteoporosis or osteopenia, postmenopausal women, older men with low bone mass, those wanting to prevent age-related bone loss, and anyone seeking a structured way to improve strength, balance, and bone health.

To find out more about the ONERO™ program, contact Back In Motion Balnarring on 5983 1021. It's never too late to start strengthening your bones and investing in your future health.

YOUR PREMIUM ESCAPE AWAITS WITH LAMBLE TOURS

Refresh, recharge, and rediscover - your mid-year getaway awaits

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.

Due to current circumstances, tours may be subject to fuel surcharges without notice. Please refer to the Lamble Tours Standard Booking Terms & Conditions on the website.

P 0418 853 810

E lambletours@bigpond.com

FB @lambletours

W lambletours.com.au

WITH CARE

NEW TOUR!

5 DAYS MILDURA – TRAIL OF LIGHTS

Wednesday 7 October - Sunday 11 October 2026

Trail of Lights invites you into stillness. A contemplative after-dark experience where 12,500 firef ly lights illuminate the natural landscape of the Murray River. At Wentworth, Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra builds to something altogether different. It’s an experience you will not find anywhere else in Australia.

Cost $2,010

Per person twin share/double - Single supp $390.

8 DAYS THE OVERLAND TO ADELAIDE - THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT 8 - 15 November 2026

Our holiday starts from Southern Cross Station, travelling Red Premium Class to Adelaide. 6 Night stay the Hotel Alba Adelaide. The christmas pageant f loats pass by hotel. A truly memorable journey filled with festive spirit. We tour to the coastal town of Victor Harbor, Port Elliot on the Cockle Train and so much more…

Cost: $3,340

Per person twin share/double -Single supp $690.

9 DAYS NORFOLK ISLAND

Saturday 28 November - Sunday 6 December 2026

Discover the natural beauty of Norfolk Island, rich in history and culture.

Pristine waters, rugged cliffs, convict ruins and breathtaking scenery – paradise awaits. 1 night Rydges Sydney – 7 nights South Pacific Resort.

Cost: $4,660

Per person twin share/double Single supp: $780.

Please pay deposit of $200 ASAP to secure booking

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

COMPASSION AT THE HEART OF HOME CLEARING

Clearing a home is often far more than a practical task - it can be an emotional and overwhelming experience during times of loss or major life change. Compassionate Home Clearing was founded by Karina and Emma after personally navigating the challenge of clearing a long-held family home following the passing of Karina’s parents.

Today, they support families with decluttering, estate clearances and transitions into care, offering a service grounded in empathy, respect and understanding. Every item is handled thoughtfully, with sentimental belongings carefully considered and suitable items donated or rehomed where possible.

Compassionate Home Clearing aims to ease both the physical and emotional burden, giving families the space to focus on what matters most.

For many Australians over 55, the family home is much more than an asset. Unsurprisingly, most people want to remain in their homes for as long as possible.

Renovating for lifestyle and longevity

Home renovations in retirement are often driven by two key motivations - enjoyment and future-proofing. Many simply want to refresh and modernise their homes so they can enjoy them more fully in retirement years. However, a growing number of homeowners are thinking ahead. Practical modifications can make the difference between staying at home independently or needing to consider alternative living arrangements.

Why a Home Equity Release Loan could be the solution

For many Australians over 55, the biggest challenge is working out how to fund renovations. A Home Equity Release Loan can provide a solution that allows homeowners to access part of the wealth tied up in their property without needing to sell or move.

Key features typically include:

• Retaining ownership of your home - benefit from any future capital growth

• A lifetime occupancy guarantee - remain in your home for as long as possible

• A no negative equity guarantee - never owe more than the value of your property

• No ongoing repayments - ease pressure on retirement cash flow

• Flexible access to funds - a lump sum, regular income, or line of credit

To obtain a free property estimate and to see how much equity you could access, try Inviva’s Home Equity Release Calculator, or call Inviva now on 1300 222 223 to find out more.

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.

GOOD TIMES NEVER FELT SO GOOD THE SING-ALONG BRINGING JOY TO AGED CARE

When the Sandhurst Singers walked into a local aged care home recently, something beautiful happened — smiles spread, voices joined in, and feet couldn't help but move, as residents, families and staff came together in a moment that felt anything but ordinary.

For Candour Funerals, supporting moments like these is what community really means — and being part of the afternoon was a reminder of why staying connected to the Mornington Peninsula matters so much to them.

From the moment Candour Funerals opened in Mornington in 2024, they made a quiet but genuine commitment — to show up for the community not just in times of loss, but in the moments that celebrate life too. Through its Candour Connects program, the team hosts free community events in Mornington and arranges activities, entertainers and special experiences at locations across the peninsula.

"Candour has always had the vision to be in the community long before our services are ever needed," Candour Funerals co-founder Sameiko Slota said.

"This is about who we are and continuing to show up for our community in quiet, meaningful ways. It's never about us. It's about the performers and residents and watching them enjoy themselves."

For Sandhurst Singers choir member Denise Patrick, the opportunity to perform for aged care residents is always a highlight.

Having spent more than a decade singing in choirs, Denise says her love of music has never faded.

"I've always loved singing. Music brings people together in a way few things can, and it's a privilege to share that with others," she said.

"You can see the change in the room when a familiar song starts. People begin singing, smiling and tapping along. Music has a way of unlocking memories. One song can take someone straight back to a holiday, a dance hall or a special moment with family."

The performance featured a collection of much-loved classics that had residents singing along from the very first song. A Beach Boys medley prompted plenty of smiles and singalongs, while a selection of ABBA favourites had residents joining in.

Of course, no singalong would be complete without Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline. As the familiar chorus rang out, residents, family members and staff joined in enthusiastically.

For a few minutes, everyone in the room was singing the same song.

Denise says the conversations after each performance are often her favourite part. "I absolutely love chatting with residents and family members after we sing," she said. "I'll often hear stories about weddings, holidays or songs that remind someone of a particular time in their life. Those are the moments that stay with you."

By the end of the afternoon, the room was filled with conversation, laughter and requests for one more song.

To learn more about upcoming Candour Connects activities and community events, follow Candour Funerals on Instagram or Facebook: @CandourFunerals

W candourfunerals.com.au

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 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.

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.

P 5612 4800

W mountainviewleongatha.com.au

FINDING MORE TIME FOR LIFE: BILL THOMAS' ROSEBUD VILLAGE STORY

After more than 45 years of marriage, Bill Thomas and his wife found themselves considering a change that many Australians face later in life: whether their family home was still the right fit for the next chapter.

"We started thinking about simplifying things and making life a little easier," Bill explains. "The more we looked into it, the more appealing the lifestyle became."

One of the greatest benefits has been reclaiming time. Leaving behind the upkeep of a larger property has allowed the couple to focus less on maintenance and more on enjoying life together, whether that's spending time with family and friends or simply making the most of each day.

Of course, moving wasn't without its challenges. Decades of family memories and treasured keepsakes made the process of sorting and downsizing difficult. Yet with careful thought and planning, they successfully embraced a new chapter.

When searching for the right community, Rosebud Village stood out immediately. It offered an affordable option that suited their needs while remaining conveniently close to public transport and the shops along Waterfall Gully Road.

Since moving in, Bill and his wife have discovered another unexpected benefit: a genuine sense of community. Residents enjoy regular social activities, outings on the village bus, and the comfort of neighbours who quickly become friends.

If someone asked Bill why he chose Rosebud Village, his answer is simple: "It felt familiar, warm and welcoming from the very first visit."

P 8825 7633

W rosebudvillage.com

A FUNERAL AS UNIQUE AS THE LIFE IT CELEBRATES

When someone dies, families are often faced with a flood of decisions at one of the most emotional times of their lives. For Naomi Korolew, founder of Vivid Funerals, there is one guiding belief: there is no right way to hold a funeral - only the way that feels right for the family.

Based in Mornington, Vivid Funerals was created to challenge the idea that every funeral should look the same or cost more than it needs to. As one of the few genuinely Mornington Peninsula-owned and operated funeral providers, Vivid takes a deeply personal approach, supporting families from the very first phone call through to the funeral and beyond.

Rather than sales teams, handovers or showroom visits, families are supported by the same dedicated funeral director throughout the entire journey. Most arrangements take place around the family’s own kitchen table, where conversations can unfold naturally and without pressure.

Vivid encourages families to slow down, consider their options and create a farewell that truly reflects the person being honoured. That might mean an affordable unattended cremation, or a champagne honour guard at a local yacht club. It might be a traditional funeral at Bunurong or your local church, or it could be standing on the back of a flatbed truck in a paddock with a coffin resting on hay bales.

Honest and transparent pricing is also central to the Vivid philosophy. Families pay a flat service fee, while all third-party costs are passed on at wholesale rates.

For Naomi, the focus is never on fitting families into a package. Instead, it is about listening, understanding what mattered most to the person who has died and starting from there.

THE RANGE PENINSULA

RETIREMENT VILLAGE

VILLAS FROM $565,000 SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

SUPERBLY CRAFTED RETIREMENT LIVING

The Range Peninsula Retirement Village is a friendly new concept in retirement living, boasting high quality bespoke residential villas set inside a secure, gated community.

The Range Peninsula Retirement Village villas deliver a unique quality of life and first-rate owner benefits. It’s the smart choice.

Discover a boutique, family-friendly, comfort-plus lifestyle village – with just 46 Villas that’s what The Range Peninsula Retirement Village offers.

Each Villa offers retirement luxury living with Caesarstone benchtops, air conditioning, built -in-robes, double glazed windows, high ceilings and European appliances.

Share stories with other residents over a cuppa in the community centre or get creative with those who share similar interests.

Whether it be a craft morning, a game of indoor bowls, darts, billiards or simply enjoying a movie or sports event on our big screen.

Tone up in the gym, enjoy time in the potting shed and raised vegetable gardens or simply relax with a book from the library.

Discover Independent Living with a sense of community complete with security for peace of mind.

Inspired by some of Australia’s most celebrated, heritage-listed retirement properties, The Range Peninsula Retirement Village is designed to be both beautiful and practical. With gardens and walking paths arranged around the beautifully appointed clubhouse, its pedestrian-friendly village layout connects residents to friends and neighbours, and to the

village’s social hub. You’ll revel in the benefits of smartly designed oneand two-bedroom villas in a keyless swipe-to-enter gated community set among stunningly landscaped gardens.

The Range Peninsula Retirement Village delivers retirement living at its best. There’s something for everyone.

A: 46 Baxter-Tooradin Rd, Baxter

LOWE LIVING X GODWIN CHARLI SHOWCASE THE FUTURE OF LUXURY LIVING

Imagine waking up at your luxury waterfront apartment and calling the concierge for a morning coffee, followed by a private appointment with your personal tailor - Godwin Charli, for a final fitting for your winter wardrobe.

At Maison Savoy, the $160 million reimagination of the former Brighton Savoy Hotel along Brighton’s Millionaire’s Row, that’s exactly the scene that will await future residents, thanks to Lowe Living’s vision to deliver curated lifestyle experiences through partnerships with leading premium brands.

Inspired by a growing global movement towards cross-industry collaborations, Lowe Living is building an ecosystem that connects residents with exclusive services, experiences and brands that reflect how they want to live.

The first expression of this vision sees Lowe Living partner with Australian luxury fashion house Godwin Charli in a first-of-its-kind collaboration for both brands.

To celebrate the partnership, Godwin Charli will host a two-week residency at the Maison Savoy pop-up concierge at 78 Church Street, Brighton from June 15 to 27, offering private styling appointments, exclusive access to its menswear and womenswear collections, and personalised consultations tailored to individual style and lifestyle needs.

The residency is the designer’s first venture outside of Godwin Charli’s Flinders Lane outpost in more than two decades.

Once completed in 2028, Maison Savoy residents will enjoy privileged access to a curated network of premium styling services, private appointments and experiences through the development's concierge offering.

The collaboration signals a shift away from the traditional developer model, positioning lifestyle, service and personalisation alongside design as defining elements of the residential experience.

Alongside access to fashion, residents will also have the opportunity to personalise their future homes through private consultations with other collaborators and partners across design, lifestyle and furniture.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, who has just returned from Milan Design Week to witness the latest in global design trends and how they can be applied in a localised, bespoke context, said that “one of the most compelling themes we observed at Milan Design Week this year was the rise of unexpected partnerships between luxury brands.

"Whether it was fashion collaborating with furniture, automotive brands entering hospitality, or designers creating immersive lifestyle experiences, the common thread was that brands are moving beyond their niche.

"Godwin Charli was a natural partner for us because we share the same commitment to our craft.

"As Lowe Living continues to evolve, we're embracing that same global mindset. We see the future of luxury living extending beyond the physical residence itself, creating opportunities for residents to engage with premium brands, services and experiences that reflect the way they want to live."

Godwin Hili, Founder and Creative Director of Godwin Charli, said the partnership was a first for Godwin Charli and “one we're incredibly excited about.”

"For over two decades, our home has been Flinders Lane. Partnering with Lowe Living allows us to showcase our brand in a completely new context, alongside a project that shares our appreciation for timeless design, craftsmanship and attention to detail.

"There's a strong connection between the way people curate their homes and the way they curate their wardrobes."

To find out more visit loweliving.com.au or head to 78 Church Street, Brighton from June 15 to 27 from 10am – 5pm for an exclusive pop up styling and winter wardrobe experience.

BE PART OF SMALL THINGS THAT QUIETLY TRANSFORM

Amy is getting ready for work. It has taken hours. She has checked the bus timetable four times. She wants to be early – this is only her second shift, and she carries both nerves and hope.

Two months ago, Amy moved into Fusion Mornington Peninsula. Home was no longer safe. She misses her younger sister and remembers mornings when the weight of everything made it impossible to get out of bed. For a long time, she avoided applying for jobs – not from lack of desire, but from fear of rejection that cut too deep.

At Fusion, something began to shift. Amy learned to cook. Now she bakes brownies to share with her housemates. Small acts. Quiet transformations.

This is where volunteers make a difference. Sitting at the dinner table. Helping prepare a room for the next young person. Showing up – weekly or even fortnightly – and becoming part of something meaningful.

Change does not always arrive in grand gestures. Often, it begins with presence.

If you’ve ever wanted to make a genuine difference in a young person’s life, Fusion would love to hear from you. Amy’s story is still unfolding – and you could be part of it.

Contact the Fusion Mornington Peninsula team today. Amy's story is still being written, and you could be part of it.

W morningtonpeninsula.fusion.org.au

There is more to learning oil painting than meets the eye Studies show art is not only enjoyable but is good for you. Ongoing research is considering whether art, specifically oil painting, helps fight cognitive decline. Whatever the research, oil painter Lulu Clifton-Evans is not surprised that painting is beneficial in every way. “It makes sense that it benefits memory and general health,” she says. The award-winning painter has created a structured course of selfpaced study to suit beginners through to more established painters wanting to revisit oil painting. The classes focus on learning tonal realism using less toxic mediums such as spike lavender oil.

Lulu, an editor of a nationwide educational magazine for artists, was invited by Work Skills Victoria to create teaching modules taught in TAFE’s and universities. That teaching style has been applied to her classes.

“Oil painting is a beautiful journey dating back to the dawn of time," says Lulu.

"It is a journey that offers both a challenge as well as enjoyment, wellbeing and being part of a caring creative fellowship."

E art@bylulu.com.au W bylulu.com.au

1. Record of court proceedings

6. Incandescent

10. John & ... Kennedy

15. Smug moralist

18. Trace

19. Prickled

20. Profoundly wise

22. Become independent

23. Acrobat's apparatus

24. One of a pair

25. Wealthy LA suburb, ... Air

26. Crawled

28. Gulf

30. Director, ... Howard

31. French farewell

32. Sit in relaxed way

33. Indication

34. Singer, ... Minogue

35. Off-key

37. Roster

39. Therapeutic water tub

40. Match before final

42. As soon as

45. Strengthen

48. Data

49. Jolt

50. Church service fragrance

53. Deciduous tree

54. Switzerland's currency

56. Euphoric drug

59. Grain husks

61. Sticky coal by-product

62. Hand-make (jumper)

63. Khmer Rouge tyrant, ... Pot

64. Roman X

65. Plane's wing brake

66. Litigate

68. Ridiculous

69. Spy writer, ... Fleming

70. Hush-hush (3-6)

71. Explained

72. Buck's mate

73. Unorthodox

74. I have (1'2)

76. Commuter treadmill (3,4)

78. Harmful look (4,3)

80. Diversity

81. Shielded

84. Wood-turning machine

85. Hung loosely

87. Swift

89. Basic kitchen condiment

92. Utter (3-3-3)

94. Delivered unreturnable serve

96. Intermittently (3,3,2)

97. Sprang (from)

98. Movement

100. Or else

101. Pudding starch

104. Besieges

105. Radio interference

107. Preamble

108. 100-to-1 chances

112. Ethiopia's Addis ...

113. Cheapens

115. Peculiarity

117. Him or ...

118. Violent intimidation

120. Some

121. Staying power

123. Altitude

125. Embroider

126. Cocktail party titbit (4,1'6)

127. Drink brand, ... Maria

129. Wind instrument

130. Gullible mug

131. Sink in middle

133. Tapering fruit

134. Queen's counsels (1,2)

136. Egypt's capital

137. Stage setting

140. Fourth month

141. Man's best friend

142. Wrinkles

146. Greek liquor

147. Exchange for money

148. Abated (5,2)

152. Deceased

154. ... & nays

155. Rugby score

156. Narrate

157. Whistle balls

159. Spike

160. Desire

162. Nudge (in ribs)

164. Of the moon

165. Be humiliated, eat humble

167. Noosed rope

169. Actor, ... Murphy

171. Dietary fibre, ... bran

173. Tiny community

174. Nasal opening

175. Kicked out

177. Snow-capped mountains

178. Frozen shipping hazard

179. King Charles canine

180. Well-organised

181. Moodiness

182. Enthusiastically

183. Established laws

1. Rubbish dumps

2. Aussie city, ... Springs

3. Envying

4. Vulnerable

5. Thick string

6. Slum area

7. Beef broth (6,4)

8. Faultless

9. Rich cream cake

10. Female donkey

11. Fine leather

12. Form the basis of

13. NW US state

14. Always

16. Nonconformist

17. Italian dairy dessert

20. Scatters

21. Aladdin's lamp servant

27. Civvies (5,7)

29. Wearing glasses

35. Old-fashioned people

36. Nuclear weapon, ... bomb

38. Readily available (2,3)

41. La Scala city

43. Qualifying race

44. Nerve cell

46. Mundane

47. Most sizable

51. Beverage stimulant

52. Pessimistically

55. Zilch

56. Rapid rise

57. Grape variety, ... noir

58. Train coach

60. Lucifer's lair

67. Perpetual

69. Silly

72. Mends with needle

75. Edit (text)

77. Yarns

79. Surgically inserted

82. Moccasin-like shoes

83. Bequeathed

86. Sinn Fein leader, Gerry ...

88. Decree

90. Entirely

91. Draw along behind

92. Or near offer (1,1,1)

93. Golf mound

94. Commercial breaks

95. Savings, nest ...

98. Trust

99. Got too big for

102. Emphatic

103. Reproductive gland

104. Stand-in (4,6)

106. Chastised

108. Brittle bone disorder

109. Pushes forcibly

110. Bon vivant

111. Spun (of gymnast)

114. Army quarters

116. Role models

119. Stratosphere layer

122. Scorch

124. Pounce

125. Follow-up book

128. Quarrels

130. Namby-pamby

132. Thin porridge

135. Religious splinter group

138. Laundry clip (7,3)

139. Busybody (4,6)

141. Con

143. Rebuffs

144. Acceptance (of policy)

145. Keen sight (5,3)

149. Claiming

150. Raises to the peerage

151. Remove from homeland

153. Deeply shock

158. Performed

161. Language

163. Actor, ... Grammer

166. Urge into motion

168. Gushes

170. Speak slowly

172. At an angle

173. Cured joints of pork

176. Altered colour of

From Master Mariner to Cattle Breeder

By Ilma Hackett - Balnarring District Historical Society

Captain Bryant Tonkin of ‘Tolcarne’ in Merricks North was a major breeder of Shorthorn cattle on the Mornington Peninsula during the 1880s. Yet he wasn’t born to the land. He was a master mariner who retired from a seafaring life and migrated to Victoria to breed cattle.

A seafaring life

Bryant Tonkin was a Cornishman. Born in 1824, he went to sea as a young man and by the 1860s was a ship’s captain working for Money Wigram & Sons on their England to Australia run. In 1861 he was master of The Southampton and the following year transferred to The Norfolk when Money Wigram retired and the shipping firm was taken over by the sons - Charles, Clifford and Robert Wigram. Tonkin continued to captain The Norfolk throughout the 1860s as it plied between Melbourne and London. On the outward run from England it carried passengers, their belongings, and other goods required in the colonies. The cargo on the return voyage might include bales of wool, leather, skins, tallow, bark, bagged wheat, gold, silver, copper and antimony ore.

Captain of the Norfolk

The Norfolk, built by and for Money Wigram & Sons at Blackwall on the River Thames was a three-masted, five- decked

sailing ship made of teak, oak and elm and sheathed with copper. The route taken was the great circle route which took the ship around Cape Horn on the return passage. In May 1861 the ship’s log recorded that “. . . four large icebergs were encountered . . . the largest seen was about 350 feet high”.

In 1864 Captain Tonkin carried a consignment of salmon and sea-trout ova ‘to be placed in the ponds of the Plenty’ (Tasmania). In Melbourne it was found the ova had arrived ‘in a fine state’ and 170 boxes were-reshipped to Tasmania.

The following year Tonkin arrived in Melbourne bringing with him a large trawl-net. He tried it out inside the Bay and outside The Heads hoping to catch quantities of ‘soles, turbot and other fish’. The government schooner, Falcon was loaned to him for this venture which was not a successful one.

In 1866 it was recorded that a “Clydesdale entire horse” arrived in Melbourne in good condition. It appears too that his ship brought prize Shorthorn cattle to Port Phillip for two Peninsula cattle breeders, John Benn and James Teasdale.

The Norfolk was a popular ship and large numbers of spectators crowded the pier to see her departure, giving three cheers as she moved away. Captain Tonkin also appears to have been a popular

captain. In 1868 the saloon passengers gave him a photographic portrait of himself in colour while on a previous crossing he had been presented with an inscribed silver tankard.*

The inscription on the tankard reads:

Presented to Captain B. Tonkin on the homeward voyage of the ship Norfolk by his Passengers - 18 Dec. 1863

Captain Bryant Tonkin’s final voyage as ship’s master appears to have been in 1870 when The Norfolk passed through Port Phillip Heads on 22 May. and sailed for London.

Changing direction

The following year he was aboard The Suffolk, this time as a passenger accompanied by his wife, Mary Jane, and their teenage son, Bryant Jnr, bound for Melbourne. Mary was four years younger than her husband and the couple had been married in the early 1850s. Their only son was born in 1854 at Penzance.

Tonkin became a landowner on the Mornington Peninsula, selecting approximately 420 acres in the Balnarring Parish. It was gently rising hill country towards Red Hill and he chose a hillcrest overlooking Western Port Bay and the Southern Ocean on which to build his homestead. They named it ‘Tolcarne’, a Cornish place name that meant ‘hill brow tor’. Tonkin’s decision to take up cattle breeding was possibly influenced by James Teasdale and John Benn. They were both owners of coastal properties in the Parish where they were experimenting with the breeding of Shorthorn cattle.

Above: Advertisement for Money Wigram & Sons

Right: Captain Bryant Tonkin

Bottom right: Tankard presented to Captain Tonkin

Shorthorn cattle

Shorthorn cattle had been introduced to Australia in the 1800s and had proved to be highly adaptable to Australian conditions. They produced both meat and milk and, as such, were favoured by cattle men who saw their potential and proceeded to build up their herds by importing good stock from the U.K.

It was said Tonkin had become captivated by the cattle under his care aboard the ship. In 1871 Tonkin imported three animals from the herds of William Nosken & Son of Hayle, Cornwall: two bulls and a heifer. One of the bulls was intended for sale but the other two animals were to form the nucleus of his own herd.

Their early years at ‘Tolcarne’, as for all the pioneers, were years of hard slog as land was cleared, fences built and a home put up. ‘Tolcarne’ was accessed from the main track which would become Stanley’s Road.

It was a rough track that linked to Dromana and to Hastings, and in 1875 Tonkin had written a letter to The Leader protesting about gates and other obstructions placed across government roads. A decade later there wasn’t much improvement: “…neither the road to Hastings nor the Dromana one being at all times fit to travel on”. (The Leader 17 March, 1883)

By 1878 Tonkin was a well-established cattle breeder and, along with James Teasdale of ‘Western Park’ and John Benn of ‘Coolart’, was considered one of the three main Shorthorn breeders in Victoria. His cattle were taking prizes at shows and sales and it was noted that ‘progeny from his bull, Penmur, had taken more prizes than any other sire in the colony’.

By 1881 the demand for Shorthorn cattle was high and so were prices.

In 1882 the Captain purchased a ‘mowing machine’ which was the wonder of the neighbourhood. It was loaned to neighbour, John Oswin, during harvest time but, as Georgina Oswin wrote in her diary, “the mechine [sic] broke, Twice.” Tonkin took it to be mended. It came back and was again put to use but broke down again. Oswin finished the job using the time-honoured scythe.

It was in 1882 that Bryant Tonkin ran for the Flinders Shire council and was elected. His son Bryant, now 28 years of age, married Mary Alice Smith, the eldest daughter of Captain John Smith, also a sea captain and a ship-owner. The Smith family became neighbours when they moved to a property on the corner of Stanley’s Road and Merricks Road. The younger Tonkin couple came to live at ‘Tolcarne.’

Above: Shorthorns at the show

Above right: A prize Shorthorn

Tolcarne

The agricultural reporter for the Melbourne Leader described ‘Tolcarne’ in 1883 as: “ . . . a property of 420 acres . . . subdivided into paddocks of a convenient size, all the timber being rung (ringbarked). About 60 acres are cleared and divided into paddocks from 9 to 20 acres which are either sown down with English grasses or used for growing hay or green crops for home consumption”. The soil is “chocolate but becoming dry in summer” and the reporter describes Tonkin’s method of sowing mangels, then peas or barley and root crops to follow maize. The barley was for horse and cattle feeding while peas were used to feed poultry and pigs. In 1883 Georgina Oswin mentioned in her diary that the Captain had come and purchased two of their pigs, paying ten shillings for each. Captain Tonkin also fattened about 150 wethers at ‘Tolcarne’ but in 1883 had crossbred ewes for breeding using Lincoln rams. Rape was being grown as winter feed for the sheep. The barn, cowsheds, stables and yards were all ‘commodious and handy’.

It would appear that Captain Tonkin took his son into partnership as cattle sales now appear under the name Captain Tonkin & Son. However, over time, ‘Tolcarne’ was not as prosperous a property as hoped. Harry Peck, the cattle auctioneer, wrote in his memoirs: ”In those days the benefits of top dressing of pastures were not known on the Peninsula and the fine old gentleman [Tonkin] had not the best of luck.”

Major setbacks

Devastating bushfires swept the peninsula in the summer of 1898. The Captain and his wife, now in their 70’s, were at home alone when the fire threatened their property and they fought it together. The Mornington Standard reported it as a “remarkable escape’”. There were no trees close to the house but “several inches of grass right up to the dwelling”. “Armed with wet-bags the aged couple beat out the fire” a feat that was “nothing short of a miracle. All the buildings were saved but they lost £100 worth of fencing”.

Fires again swept the area in February 1901. The Tonkin property burned again. Georgina Oswin wrote of it in her diary. “. . . everything burnt black up there except the buildings. . . . The wind

changed about 5. They had a terrible time with the fire, saving the [hay]stack then the fire got away across the paddock. . .”

The two fires, so close together, were a major setback for the family. In 1902 part of the Tonkin property was being leased by W. Todd who was running sheep. Some acres were devoted to oats and a few to rape.

Mary Tonkin, the Captain’s wife, a quiet retiring woman, died on 16th August, 1904. She was 76 and her death was not unexpected as she had been “failing for some time”. (Mornington Standard). She was buried at the Flinders cemetery. Her husband died four years later, on the afternoon of 12th July 1908. He was 84 years old. Captain Bryant Tonkin was also buried at Flinders.

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Above: Tolcarne Homestead in Merricks, circa 1925

Right: The Tonkin tombstone in Flinders Cemetery

The next generation ‘Tolcarne’ remained the home of the captain’s son, Bryant (known to his neighbours as ‘Bry’) and his wife, Mary Alice for two more decades. In 1925 the Tonkins let a room in their house to Annie and Arthur Lewis a young couple who had just moved into the district. Annie, a keen chronicler, took a photograph of the house and also one of the Tonkins. In her photo album she wrote the following captions under the corresponding images, “The house where we were staying while in Merricks. Situated on top of a hill and from there we had a splendid view of the surrounding country and Bay” and “Captain and Mrs Tonkin”. ‘Tolcarne’ was probably still referred to as ‘Captain Tonkin’s place’ and Annie, a newcomer, has muddled father and son. Bryant continued on the land until he was in his mid-seventies. Then he and Mary Alice sold up in Merricks and purchased a home in Glebe Street, Cheltenham. The couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary there in August, 1932. Two months later, on October 20th Bryant Tonkin passed away at his Glebe Street home. Mary Alice died at a private hospital in Brighton in 1949. The couple had no children

*The silver tankard that had been presented to Captain Tonkin when master of The Norfolk passed into the possession of Mr Robert Buntine. Robert’s father was a general practitioner whose practice was at the corner of Glebe Street and Charman Road in Cheltenham. Robert believes the tankard came into his father’s possession in the 1950s. Perhaps it had been gifted to him by the Tonkins or could it had been given as part payment for his services?

References: contemporary newspaper articles; The Oswin Diaries, Robert Buntine. Photos: from the BDHS collection and the internet

Mr Bryant Tonkin and his wife Mary Alice, 1925

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