Join volunteers from BERG Mt Martha at a Shire-supported working bee along Mount Martha Foreshore. Friendly support staff will be there to provide guidance, training, tools and equipment. No experience needed. berg.org.au
20
JUNE SORRENTO SOLSTICE FESTIVAL
A free, all-ages community event presented by the Sorrento Chamber of Commerce, held on the Sorrento Foreshore. Live music, food stalls, artisan market traders, and fire art and light installations to life as the afternoon gives way to evening. sorrentosolstice.com.au
6 JUNE
OLIVE PRESERVING WORKSHOP
Join Brendan from Big Little Farm for a hands-on olive preserving workshop where you’ll learn how to preserve your olives using the brining method. BYO olives.
@ecolivingdisplaycentre
26 JUNE
FAMILY HISTORY CLUB
Discover your own history at Frankston Library. Share advice and tips with other members in a social and supportive environment. Family History Club meets once a month on a Friday in the Frankston Local History Room between 2pm and 4.30pm. eventbrite.com.au
12 JUNE
SOUL NIGHT MARKET MORNINGTON
PENINSULA COMMUNITY
THEATRE - 5PM TP 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. unrivalledevents.com.au
27 JUNE MENTAL HEALTH SAFETY NET MASQUERADE GALA
An unforgettable evening of sophistication, connection, and impact at the Mental Health Safety Net Masquerade Gala. This special event will raise vital funds to provide suicide prevention education in local schools and community groups at no cost to participants. mhsngala2026.raiselysite.com
TREATS WITH care
By Andrea Louise Thomas Photos Gary Sissons & supplied
Somerville chef and hospitality trainer, Marlene Hoff, has been quietly changing lives for years, serving up nutrition for the body, mind and spirit. Everything she does comes from a place of care, respect and service to her local community. Marlene has worked in many kitchens, taught countless budding chefs and run a number of successful businesses, but more importantly to her, she has warmly welcomed people with disability into her workplaces providing them with meaningful, paid, supported work.
Her latest venture is Lily’s Dog Treats, under the umbrella of not-for-profit, The Supported Kitchen INC. They produce healthy handmade treats for dogs, cats and chickens sourced
They can enrich the world in a whole different way if only they are given the chance
from 100% Australian ingredients that are shelf-stable and have no preservatives. Her factory kitchen is also a social enterprise where people with disability, women in crisis and people with mental health challenges are trained to work to the highest professional standard. Philanthropic donations could help set up supported kitchens across Victoria.
It irks Marlene that people already struggling with marginalisation are not given a fair go in the workplace. “They can enrich the world in a quite different way if only they are given the chance,” she says. In fact, she prefers these kinds of employees. “They are excited to come to work, are almost never off sick and are no more difficult to train than anyone else. Things might need to be adjusted to accommodate a special need, but otherwise it’s the same, except these employees are super keen,” she says.
continued next page ...
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Lisa Jones Mare McGowan
Lily’s Dog Treats is named after Marlene’s late, great, beloved Golden Retriever, Lily. Having some serious health issues, Marlene had to make all of Lily’s food. It gave her the opportunity to do some valuable research into what animals can and cannot eat. Some things that might be healthy for people are lethal for animals, such as, chocolate, caffeine, onions, sultanas and avocado.
Marlene reinvests profits from Lily’s Dog Treats back into the business to enable even more opportunities for peninsula people with disability to earn a living wage, enjoy a professional life filled with a sense of purpose, and have the opportunity to be part of a community of like-minded people. Workers who are not keen to handle food make dog coats and bandanas instead. All products are sold at local markets, online and stocked by 60 Mornington Peninsula and South Gippsland shops.
continued page 12..
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Lily’s Dog Treats was born from a previous business in Somerville, the 100 Mile Foodie Café which Marlene founded in 2021. There she taught people with disability professional level food handling, coffee-making and customer service skills in a safe and supported way. Lots of customers came with their dogs so they got specially made treats too. Unfortunately, Marlene found customers were not very kind to employees with disability. So, she set up a safe, inclusive workplace with Lily’s Dog Treats.
The factory in Somerville where the treats are made is kitted out as a commercial kitchen, a place where Marlene is very much at home. She’s taught small group cooking classes to all ages and abilities for years. She even taught refugees and new Australians how to shop, cook and qualify to work in Australia.
Marlene is probably best known for starting the 100 Mile Foodie brand in 2013 to encourage people to buy fresh local produce, meat and eggs sourced within 100 miles of her Somerville home.
continued page 14...
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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.
Asset fees, although authorised by the client, are calculated the same way a commission is calculated. They incentivise, not advise.
They create a conflict of interest.
She was flabbergasted to find that the average food basket had travelled 70,000 miles before reaching Australian stores.
Passionate about supporting Mornington Peninsula growers and producers, Marlene also encourages people to eat more sustainably by reducing their food miles. She started cooking classes and catering services celebrating peninsula produce. In fact, she was responsible for getting the official Mornington Peninsula Produce stamp onto local packaging.
Marlene pivoted away from a successful career in international banking at 35. It was a bold move, but that decision has benefitted thousands of people and changed perceptions about the abilities of children, refugees, new Australians and people with health and social challenges because Marlene genuinely cares about people. She has helped some of her workers to set up their own successful microbusinesses.
Marlene has worked in high-end restaurants, at kids’ camps, in kitchen gardens and commercial kitchens. She had a take away meal business and Zoom cooking classes during COVID.
Now, in addition to Lily’s Dog Treats, Marlene teaches cooking where participants share the meal they make. She also runs disability social groups through 100 Mile Foodie. “Real poverty is social isolation,” she says.
The one constant across all of her work is kindness. Marlene leads from the heart. Her compassion and respect for people of all ages and abilities is a game changer. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone approached the world this way? That would be a real treat.
IG lilys_dog_treats
W lilysdogtreats.com.au/shop
IG 100_mile_foodie
W 100milefoodie.com.au
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.
STEEPED IN purpose
By Sarah Halfpenny Photos Gary Sissons
Black figs carry deep meaning in Aboriginal ways of knowing. They’re associated with birthing, nourishment, and community gathering, so it seemed the right name for a café built to do exactly that.
Blak Fig opened on the Nepean Highway in Frankston in January 2025, established by First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing as a social enterprise training café for First Nations people. The idea had been building for a couple of years. In 2023, the organisation commissioned a literature review looking at the connection between Aboriginal social enterprises and health outcomes.
“It found a strong positive link,” said CEO Karinda Taylor. “However, there are very few Aboriginal social enterprises in Victoria.”
A café made sense – hospitality offers accessible entry points into employment, practical skills that translate anywhere, and a public-facing space where community could genuinely gather. First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing set out to build something that had never existed on the Mornington Peninsula before: an Aboriginal-led training café where mob could learn, grow and step into meaningful work in a place built for them.
vocational such as social and emotional barriers.”
The training program is built around the individual. Trainees pick up practical hospitality skills like customer service, food prep, and barista training, but if someone shows a particular affinity for one area, they get more time there. The coming months will see the relaunch of a formal eight-week traineeship program covering an accredited food handling certificate, barista training, customer service, food preparation, plus resume writing and interview practice.
Blak Fig provides a workplace where people are safe to be themselves and to express and connect to their culture in a way that is respected and celebrated
The name was chosen with care. “Just as the fig fruit holds life within it, Blak Fig represents a safe and deeply nurturing space where Aboriginal people can grow, learn, and thrive,” she said.
“The gathering place symbol at the heart of the logo reinforces this, reminding us that this is not simply a café, but a place of coming together, of being welcomed and of belonging,” said Karinda.
Being culturally safe isn’t a tagline; it’s how the place runs day to day. “Blak Fig provides a workplace where people are safe to be themselves and to express and connect to their culture in a way that is respected and celebrated,” said Karinda. “From a place of safety, people are supported to address barriers to employment which may be vocational - for example skills and experience - but also non-
Barista training happens in partnership with Commonfolk Coffee, the beloved Mornington Peninsula roaster whose beans are behind every cup served at Blak Fig. The relationship has grown into something more than a supplier arrangement. “Commonfolk Coffee has values that align strongly with Blak Fig’s,” said Karinda. “We’ve been fortunate to grow our relationship with Commonfolk over time from a simple shared love of coffee that tastes good and does good, to a more structured training and development opportunity for our Blak Fig trainees and staff.”
The menu includes fresh pastries, nativeinspired treats, savoury bites and the nowlegendary Blak Fig Toastie (chicken, brie and fig jam). Bread comes from Brasserie Bread and the retail shelves are stocked with products from other Aboriginal-owned businesses including native foods from Indigiearth and teas from Blak Brews.
Every purchase, Karinda is clear, has a purpose beyond the transaction. “We want customers to know that when they buy a coffee, lunch or arrange catering for an event they are contributing
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to a social enterprise that invests back into community and creates real opportunities for First Nations people to learn, grow and gain meaningful experience,” she said. “Every purchase has impact.”
Blak Fig also runs a coffee caravan for events and community gatherings alongside the bricks-andmortar café, giving trainees the chance to build skills in different environments. “The van has been a great way to build marketing and exposure for Blak Fig, while also giving our trainees and employees more opportunities to develop and practise their skills,” said Karinda.
In March, the van was out at the Get Your Reconciliation On (GYRO) Fun Run at Frankston Foreshore, a community event run in partnership with Nairm Marr Djambana and Bunurong Land Council.
As NAIDOC Week 2026 approaches – this year marking fifty years under the theme 50 Years of Deadly – Karinda says the milestone resonates deeply with what Blak Fig is trying to do.
“This significant milestone marks five decades of NAIDOC Week as a national celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resilience, culture and community,” she said. “Blak Fig joins in honouring the activists, Elders and artists who have sustained the movement since 1976. At Blak Fig we aim to be ‘deadly’ in all we do, from our coffee to our customer service.”
Blak Fig is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm, at 401 Nepean Hwy, Frankston. Walk-ins only. Follow on Instagram for daily menus and specials, and watch for updates about what they have planned for NAIDOC Week.
IG @blakfig W blakfig.com.au
km
AUSSIE inspo
By Sarah Halfpenny Photos Supplied
Mornington Peninsula chef Andrew Ballard took centre stage at the Good Food & Wine Show in Melbourne last month curating the Singapore Airlines VIP Lounge menu and unveiling an exclusive Japanese-inspired lamington.
Andrew was named Australian Chef of the Year in 2021, and is in his 20th year as executive chef of the show, which ran from 29 to 31 May at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The show draws more than 90,000 visitors nationally each year across Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane events, and in 2026 adds two major new experiences: Bakers Alley, a dedicated bakery precinct, and an intimate hands-on Cooking School.
“The menu includes crispy-skinned pork belly, my take on a classic roast chook, and of course beautiful Australian barramundi.”
The Japanese-inspired lamington Andrew debuted in Bakers Alley has its origins in his time overseeing the kitchens of the Australian Pavilion at World Expo in Japan last year – a six-month event that welcomed more than 27 million guests.
I’ve created my own interpretation of dishes you might otherwise experience while flying off to some far-flung destination
Andrew said he had drawn on Singapore Airlines’ Business and First Class in-flight menus to shape the VIP Lounge offering.
“I’ve created my own interpretation of dishes you might otherwise experience while flying off to some far-flung destination,” he said.
“By far, one of the most popular dishes we served was the classic Australian lamington,” he said.
The show-exclusive creation features sponge cake, yuzu ganache, mitarashi caramel and cheesecake. Andrew said it was a preview of what he planned to take to Japan at the end of 2026 for the launch of Lamington Lab in Osaka.
Bakers Alley was his personal pick for show visitors. “It brings together some of the best Victoria has to offer in all things baked, buttery, flaky and farinaceous,” he said.
continued page 22..
Trails to Explore
Wine Food Farmgate reveals the Mornington Peninsula’s most delicious secrets. visitmp.org/winefoodfarmgate
Promoting world-class courses alongside spectacular vistas, the Mornington Peninsula’s Golf Trail represents an enticing year-round challenge for all golfers.
Away from the show, Andrew's focus is on bringing his international career credentials back to the peninsula. He and Paul Golding, who hails from Balnarring, will represent Australia at the Culinary World Cup later this year as part of the Australian National Culinary Team – whose training kitchen is secretly tucked away in Frankston – before the Culinary Olympics in 2028. He is also planning a one-month pop-up in Balnarring in early 2027.
Andrew said the peninsula was one of the most “delicious regions” in Australia. “For high-end dining I love what Michael is doing down at Moke in Flinders."
“For classic food and good wine, Assaggini just off Mornington’s main strip is always a favourite. And for a quick, casual bite, my goto has to be Cosy & Tasty Dumplings in Frankston.”
“That’s the beauty of the peninsula — you can go from refined dining to dumplings without feeling like you’ve made a bad life choice at any point,” he said.
W andrewballard.com.au
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Property Care
For 35 years, “A Cleaner Peninsula” has supported homeowners from Mornington to Portsea with a professional, high-quality service allowing those owners to enjoy their homes by reducing the workload that many experience.
Imagine having your own personal concierge, truly a “one stop shop” for domestic and commercial properties, with a host of services available for you: A Cleaner Peninsula will provide you with a free on-site consultation and quote for all the cleaning work you need done.
All staff are fully trained, police checked and insured, and all tradies are vetted, licensed and insured.
Whether it’s a last-minute clean before guests arrive or a fallen tree across the driveway, A Cleaner Peninsula has got you covered.
GENUINE original
By Andrea Louise Thomas Photos Yanni
and supplied
To create something truly original when there are so many artists in the world is a real hat trick. Rosebud multidisciplinary artist, Alicia Bourley has done just that with her unexpected compositions. More remarkably, she’s only been making art professionally for a year.
“I was the kid always inside, drawing or painting. The only thing that could get me outside was sunshine and water. I had my first exhibition at 18 called Wrong Way Go Back. Even then, I was trying to express through my art what I couldn’t say out loud,” she says.
Alicia comes from a family of creatives. Her father was a fashion designer for Myer. Her mother made crafts for gift shops. Her sister founded iconic giftware brand Koh Living and her brother is a gifted photographer. Creativity and drive run through her veins.
She began studying art straight after Year 12 with an immersive and intensive year in the Brighton Bay Art, Design and Photography program. The course covered drawing, printmaking, graphic design, photography, pottery and art theory. She loved it all, but it was one of the most challenging years of her life.
I was trying to express through my art what I couldn’t say out loud
While art was always bubbling away inside her, it was not the career she pursued. Even with the success of her first exhibition, she felt she would be heading into a career she really wasn’t sure about. So, she went to RMIT to study advertising, completing a degree in Creative Advertising and, simultaneously, a diploma in Marketing.
Alicia enjoyed an exciting, award-winning career in advertising and marketing. She thrived on the pressure, but as she got older, her focus changed. She no longer felt she needed to prove herself and wanted to step away from that crackerjack pace. Art was waiting for her.
Her background in advertising has heavily influenced her unique approach to creating. Alicia begins her work with a mood board. “It’s is a curated collection of visuals used to define the look, feel and direction of a project before I start creating. Usually I already know what I want in my head, but a mood board helps bring it into clear focus,” she says.
continued next page...
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She then starts drawing on paper before deciding where to go next. She might paint with oils or acrylics on canvas, choose mixed media digital art or use a combination of traditional and digital mediums to make large scale, limited edition, pieces. She is more interested in getting the idea across than the medium used to produce the work.
I’d say I don’t really have a defined style, I just do what I feel like doing
Alicia draws on her interests in travel, technology, nature, reading and psychology. She is very interested in what makes people tick so she’s fascinated to see which of her artworks that viewers connect with and why. “I try to express my feelings and opinions through my art and the emotion behind that tends to resonate with the right people,” she says.
While many creatives are gravitating away from technology and AI, Alicia leans in to it. “I get excited about what the future holds as technology continues to evolve. I am most comfortable behind a computer because that’s where my training lies. I love technology. The more it evolves the more excited I get to see how far creatives
can push their ideas. I view technology and AI as extra tools in my artist’s toolbox. The medium doesn’t matter to me if I’m conveying the emotion,” she says.
“I’d say I don’t really have a defined style; I just do what I feel like doing. Then I look back at my work and there’s a clear thread: femininity, water, nature, and transience of beauty.
I’m at an age now where I’m not trying to please or impress anyone else. This is simply something I love,” she says. She’s not the only one. Her work is proving to be very popular.
Alicia spends as much time as she can in France, a country just oozing with artistic inspiration. Her husband is French. His family are in Étables-sur-Mer on the Brittany Coast and Toulouse on the River Garonne. Alicia has family in Nice. “I think travel gives me a different perspective on the world. It’s really opened me up to new experiences, people and insights. All of those experiences are represented in my work,” she says.
What’s coming up at...
EXPERIENCE THE SOUL OF LIOR
ARIA Award-winning Israeli–Australian singer-songwriter Lior is renowned for his pure, soulful voice and deeply authentic presence. For him, music is spiritual - “a connection to the divine” - and that sincerity has shaped both his sound and enduring appeal. Born in Israel, Lior spent his early years immersed in a vibrant, communal culture. After moving to Australia as a child, he faced cultural differences and a sense of displacement, but music became his anchor. By his teenage years, he was writing songs and beginning to imagine a career in music. Lior’s songwriting begins with melody, guiding the emotion and meaning of each lyric. Honest and intuitive, his songs often feel like personal reflections, capturing fleeting emotions with clarity. He believes great songwriting comes from living fully - staying curious, open, and present. Across his career, Lior has embraced a range of collaborations, including his acclaimed project Compassion with composer Nigel Westlake. He thrives in both intimate settings and large-scale performances, particularly relishing the emotional power of singing with orchestras.
VICTORIAN STATE BALLET: ALADDIN
Sunday 14 June, 2.30pm
Outstanding skill, artistry & technique will be on show in this visually inspiring and highly entertaining ballet. Enjoy a magical afternoon delighting in the beauty and splendour of stunning sets, lush costumes, breath-taking music and magical lighting.
UK ROD STEWART SHOW
Friday 19 June, 7.30pm
Celebrate the magical hits of Sir Rod Stewart! The UK Rod Stewart Show brings to the stage internationally acclaimed artist Shaun J Marshall - direct from the UK - who comes complete with the powerful, raspy vocals and dynamic stage presence.
ANISA NANDAULA NO SMALL TALK
Friday 26 June, 7.30pm
Direct from Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Anisa Nandaula (Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Gen) dives headfirst into the chaos of her life - nearly getting into a fight, feuding with her next-door neighbour, and surviving her old workplace drama.
Unexpected opportunities have also shaped his path—from writing the beloved theme for Giggle and Hoot to performing in Fiddler on the Roof. Yet it is live performance where Lior feels most connected, treating the stage as a sacred space.
See Lior with String Quartet at Frankston Arts Centre on Thursday 2 July at 7.30pm. Tickets available at thefac.com.au or by calling 03 9784 1060.
CALIFORNIA LEGENDS
Friday 26 June, 8pm
Relive the golden sound of the ’70s as Wild Things Run bring the iconic harmonies and sun-soaked spirit of California Legends to life in one unforgettable night.
VIKA & LINDA
Saturday 27 June, 7.30pm
Experience the power and soul of Vika & Linda live as they share songs and stories from their extraordinary career alongside the deeply personal new album, Where Do You Come From?.
LIOR WITH STRING QUARTET
Thursday 2 July, 7.30pm
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Lior is renowned for his beautiful voice and songs that radiate truth and sincerity. This performance offers a rare chance to enjoy his artistry up close and personal.
Living on the Mornington Peninsula has also had a huge impact on her art practice. She loves that there are so many other creatives across the whole spectrum of the arts on the peninsula. She loves the beautiful scenery but, most importantly, she’s drawn to the water. While Alicia is connected to all of her work, she’s currently loving her Noise series. It’s an exploration of visual and emotional overload. It’s a resistance to chaos, a pull to disconnect, to reclaim stillness – a craving for silence in a world that feels too loud right now.
I’ve found an unexpected joy in the way my work resonates with people
“I’ve found an unexpected joy in the way my work resonates with people,” she says. Have a look at her distinctive art in Artisan’s Alley on Main Street in Mornington or on her website. It may just resonate with you too.
W aliciabourleyart.com
BOLD BOOKS bloom
By Sarah Halfpenny Photos Gary Sissons
In2024, Langwarrin-based author Jodie Fitzsimons realised she’d hit an unsurmountable wall when it came to the publishing industry.
She’d spent years navigating the kind of obstacles every aspiring writer knows all too well. There were the submission windows that open and close before she’d blink, the refusal to accept unsolicited manuscripts, the blanket bans on rhyming stories, and themespecific callouts that never seem to match what she’d written. None of that, though, was what finally compelled her to act.
“The real turning point was when I found out I wasn’t being considered by a publishing house because I wasn’t ‘a name’ and when, around the same time, author friends of mine were being told by industry professionals to write ‘something else’ as it was too hard for debut picture book authors,” Jodie says. “That was my line in the sand. I had to try another way.”
Something I always wanted to do, though, was work in schools teaching creative writing and spreading my love of books and writing
That other way became Bold Author, Budding Artists, a picture book and YouTube series that pairs Jodie’s writing with illustrations by Australian primary school students. Filming herself reading children’s books on YouTube, however, was never the whole plan.
“It didn’t seem viable without illustrations,” Jodie says. “Something I always wanted to do, though, was work in schools teaching creative writing and spreading my love of books and writing. That’s when I thought maybe I could go to schools for help.”
Two of those early schools were on the Mornington Peninsula. Baxter Primary School students illustrated No Sniffs or Butts, a tale of a confused new pup learning the social norms of her canine community. Pearcedale Primary School students drew A Kids-Only Christmas, about two siblings who get exactly what they wished for and quickly realise they didn’t actually want it.
There was a solid strategy behind starting local.
Choose from a wide selection of cold/ temperate grown orchids, perfect for your outdoor space.
Fertilisers, orchid bark mix, planters, fern mounts and many other plants are also available. We grow our orchids with love and care and we are always available to answer your questions.
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“I want to build something,” Jodie says. “If I’m ever going to try to take this further, I want to have something to show. I didn’t want to start too big before I knew I could actually do it. I also worked previously as a casual teacher and I went to some great local schools. It was nice to be able to work within my own community again with some familiar faces.”
Jodie also found that working close to home has another upside.
It’s important to have an outlet for yourself when most of your life becomes about caring for other humans. But they’ve also been a huge inspiration
“This makes it easy for me to meet the teachers in person and also meet the students later so they can sign my copy of the book like little rock stars!” she says.
The collaboration itself runs through art teachers, who receive Jodie’s manuscripts and divide the illustrations among their students. Once the artwork comes back, Jodie assembles the book and films a reading for her YouTube channel (@mrsfitzbooks) where she goes by her teacher name, Mrs Fitz.
The YouTube readings, like the program itself, are free, which was a conscious decision.
“Kids are online constantly these days and I recently heard there’s been a major decline in that same demographic reading for pleasure,” Jodie says. “Why not go online then and encourage children to read? If I can offer kids an easy way to access books while showcasing the creativity of the next generation, it feels like a pretty cool thing to do.”
A percentage of every book sale goes to the Literacy Foundation for Children, a cause that’s personal.
“I’ve always been a reader, since I was very young. I remember my parents reading to me and my dad doing silly voices and making reading fun. I remember the excitement of new Baby-Sitters Club books or Point horror books arriving at my school library, because that’s what I loved reading to myself. Everyone deserves to have a joyful experience reading books.”
These days Jodie is a stay-at-home mum, and her writing life and family life have become inseparable.
continued page 34 ...
My creative work has meant more to me since having kids
“My creative work has meant more to me since having kids,” she says. “It’s important to have an outlet for yourself when most of your life becomes about caring for other humans. But they’ve also been a huge inspiration. Nothing beats making kids laugh.”
The next chapter involves more author talks and workshops in schools, libraries and childcare centres around the country. Schools in WA have already come on board, with Canberra next on the list. And Jodie isn’t shy about letting anyone know what the bigger dream is.
“I’d love my series to be picked up by a publishing house one day,” she says. “I’d love one to see the potential this has for being a big national program, where aspiring and emerging Aussie authors and talented school kids are getting the opportunities they deserve.”
To find out more about Bold Author, Budding Artists, visit Jodie's website.
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PENINSULA ARTIST VICKI SULLIVAN CELEBRATES MAJOR NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Mornington Peninsula portrait artist Vicki Sullivan is celebrating a remarkable double milestone, with one of her most powerful works acquired by the State Library of New South Wales for its bicentenary, while another has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize.
Sullivan’s painting The Stolen Songline of Miss Roselands 2 Year Old has been secured for the Library’s permanent collection as part of its 200-year anniversary—an honour that places her work among significant pieces of Australia’s cultural record. The portrait tells the deeply moving story of Deborah Cheetham-Fraillon AO, a Yorta Yorta soprano, composer and member of the Stolen Generations.
The work centres on a faded publicity photograph taken when Cheetham-Fraillon was crowned “Miss Roselands 2 Year Old” at Roselands Shopping Centre, a 1960s landmark in Sydney’s south-west. The image, carefully preserved by her adoptive mother Marjory, later reappeared in a profoundly emotional moment—when CheethamFraillon reunited with her Aboriginal mother, Monica, and discovered the same photograph among her most treasured belongings. Sullivan’s painting captures the poignancy of that shared history, reflecting the complex and often painful experiences of the Stolen Generations.
The artwork has already built an impressive exhibition history, including Sullivan’s 2024 solo exhibition Australian Portraits: In the Limelight & In the Shadows at Frankston Arts Centre, the Salon des Refusés at SH Ervin Gallery, and as a semi-finalist in the Doug Moran Portrait Prize, before its acquisition in 2025.
At the same time, Sullivan has been named a finalist in this year’s Archibald Prize with her portrait of journalist Jan Fran. Titled Peace Actually, the work reflects Fran’s influence as one of Australia’s most versatile media voices.
A Walkley Award–winning journalist, Fran’s two-decade career spans television, documentary, podcasts and comedy, with roles on ABC’s Question Everything, Channel 10’s The Project, and SBS’s The Feed. Beyond traditional media, she has built a significant following through her incisive social commentary online. More recently, she co-founded ETTE Media with Antoinette Lattouf, an independent platform aimed at helping audiences navigate misinformation in an increasingly complex media landscape.
2026 Archibald Prize entry and finalist Peace Actually
The Stolen Songline of Miss Roselands 2 Year Old
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Sullivan said she chose Fran as her subject after listening to the podcast We Used to Be Journos while working in her studio. Drawn to Fran’s advocacy, she describes an admiration for her “championing of free speech and human rights,” qualities she sought to capture on canvas.
Together, these achievements mark a significant moment in Sullivan’s career—one that not only recognises her technical skill, but also her commitment to telling stories that resonate with contemporary Australia while acknowledging its past.
W vickisullivan.com
Vicki Sullivan with Deborah Cheetham-Fraillon AO at the State Library of NSW event
AWARD-WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER LAUNCHES THE NEXT WAVE
Seaford-based photographer and author Fiona Basile has launched her latest photographic book, The Next Wave.
The Next Wave is a photographic book celebrating the growth and diversity of an open water swimming community in Seaford, Victoria. While centred locally, the community draws regular dippers and swimmers from near and far, including Seaford, Frankston, Mt Eliza, Carrum Downs, Patterson Lakes, Bonbeach, Aspendale Gardens, Mentone, Langwarrin, Skye, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Boronia and Berwick.
Through striking photography and intimate reflections, the book captures the joy, resilience and friendships forged in the sea. Thirty-six swimmers share how the water heals, challenges and transforms them, offering stories of hope, courage, wonder and gratitude. The pages honour both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life in the ocean, revealing the strength of community and the beauty of connection. Here are some short reflections taken from the swimmers:
‘The water has given me clarity, joy, strength, and confidence. Out there, I’m not afraid. Out there, I’m free.’ Lisa (Frankston)
‘In this community you feel welcome, seen, heard, valued, loved and supported.’ Gemma (Berwick)
‘When you’re unsure of yourself, nature has a way of showing you who you are. The water reminds me of my strength and my adaptability.’ Andrea (Seaford)
Fiona self-funded the project and collaborated with fellow creatives from across Melbourne, driven by a deep desire to create something meaningful for her community by capturing, celebrating and sharing the beauty and goodness found in this local place and the people within it.
She says, ‘With so much conflict, uncertainty and division in the world today, I feel compelled to capture and celebrate the beauty of our bay, and the stories that speak of hope, friendship, community and connection.’
‘We’re incredibly lucky to have the bay—a beautiful natural resource—so close. It has become an important meeting place for dippers and swimmers of all ages and abilities, from near and far. The photos and stories in the book are raw and inspiring and speak to the richness of the community we find in and around our local open waters.’
The Next Wave is the sequel to Fiona’s first photographic book, Immerse, which went on to receive multiple international awards.
GETreal
By Annette Sanfilippo
Reality
check…it’s winter! Well, we can’t have our cake and eat it too. Colder days are here and they are going past so quickly I can’t keep up with the changes I need to make in my wardrobe.
Most of May was sunshine and sandals but its time for storms, sneakers and woolly socks. If you're anything like me you have probably been adding to your winter attire for a few weeks now and waiting in anticipation of layering up and embracing the cold. Time to bring out those boots!
Melbourne in winter is tricky with its four seasons in one day and as result it makes dressing a bit of a guessing game. It’s lucky that Victorian fashionistas really love a good coat. They are a bit of a weakness for me and I cherish my collection. We can always justify a new one though.
A coat can be the ‘piece de resistance’ of our outfit but we rarely get to put them on show. Many of us work indoors, and unlike some of the colder countries, we don’t need to keep our outerwear on for very long periods of time. We leave the house, jump into the car and then enter a building only to have our coat hanging ready to wear home for a few minutes at the end of the day.
Pretty colour palettes and striking combinations of buttercup, crimson, chocolate, winter white and powder blues make it easy to style back with our favourite pieces. These colours are trickling down to footwear, jewellery and handbags, helping make monochrome a super trend this winter.
With relaxed suiting moving more into the mainstream we are playing with wider cuffed pants, loosely fitted double breasted jackets, pinstripes, unusual weaves and silhouettes that resemble '30s style dressing. Think Clarke Gable and Katherine Hepburn. “Who”, you say? Well, they were the epitome of this style during this era, exuding classy, chic comfort and sharp dressing.
To keep with this genre and to steer clear of just pairing this style back with trainers, the faithful and iconic ‘brogue’ has made a clever comeback. Known for their detail with small decorative perforations and often two-toned leather, this masculine-style shoe is rising in popularity, along with loafers and lace-ups, keeping the look practical and suave.
The faithful and iconic ‘brogue’ has made a clever comeback
Lifestyle really affects what we need in our wardrobes. Puffer jackets are parked and plastic parkas are history! Choosing your layers as our days plunge into single digit degrees has taken a ‘real’ culture shift. In a country where we pride ourselves on quality wool and breathable natural fabrics, it’s never been more apparent to designers and big brands to ditch polyester and make more from raw materials.
Stepping out into the spotlight this season are a few new fashion heroes. Merino, alpaca, cotton, cashmere and mohair are getting reimagined and rediscovered. Consumers are preferring to pay a little more for comfort, luxury, sustainability and longevity. We need to look out for those '50s style fluffy cardigans and jumpers, soft textured tweed vests and fine woollen suits which is a great way to showcase these fibres and their premium characteristics. More than ever before we touch, feel and flip the products to read the labels. Even underwear is going natural. Silks, bamboo and refined wool are replacing shiny, smooth poly wear reflecting the cohort’s mindset and a new consciousness of quality over quantity.
continued next page ...
Past eras are paid homage to with one of the most prominent trends to resurface in years: brooches. Nothing enhances a lapel, collar, cardi or scarf like a stunning heirloom or modern designed piece, and stacking a few is a great way to make a statement to reflect your personal style. Brooches are popping up on bags, denim jackets, and even ties and are only limited by your imagination.
Imagination is what we need back. Clone dressing needs a shake-up. I’m all for self- expression and there is no better time to have some fun with real conversation pieces. So, layer up, dress up and enjoy all that the Mornington Peninsula has to find. Put street shopping on your agenda so you enjoy a good forage and show off those beautiful coats. Oh, and don’t forget that trusty accessory we all definitely need to keep by our side - a sturdy umbrella!
Fashionably yours, Annette
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Mornington is a seaside town on the Mornington Peninsula, with an area of 13.5 km², and located 57 km south-east of Melbourne's central business district.
Mornington's original post office, built in 1863 at the corner of Main Street and The Esplanade, now operates as a museum displaying old telecommunications equipment and items relating to local history. It is the home of the Mornington and District Historical Society. On the other side of Main Street is the old courthouse (built in 1860) and the former police station lock-up (1862).
The Mornington Pier was built in 1857 and continues to be extended and improved.
Considered to be one of the worst boating accidents in Victoria's history, the Mornington Football Club disaster occurred on the night of May 21st, 1892, near Pelican Point just north of Mornington. Fifteen members of the Mornington football team set out earlier that day on the "Process", owned and skippered by Charles Hooper, to play a match at Mordialloc. The remainder of the team travelled by train.
Mornington has a number of beaches, some of which are located at the base of rocky cliffs which dominate part of the coastline in this area. Along the eastern side of Schnapper Point is the sheltered Mothers Beach and Scout Beach, while Shire Hall Beach and Mills Beach are located further east along the coast.
Around a kilometre south of Schnapper Point is Fishermans Beach which ends at the scenic rocky outcrop of Linley Point where there are boat ramps and scenic viewing spots along the coast.
Mornington has a long history dating back to 1802 when explorer Matthew Flinders landed at Schnapper Point. These days, Schnapper Point provides a boat-launching ramp, jetty, yacht club, restaurant and scenic walks providing scenic views along the coast.
Every Wednesday, Mornington's Main Street comes alive with the street market. The Main Street Market has been running for over 40 years and is Victoria’s longest running street market.
Fossil beach is a significant fossil site with evidence of Australia’s sea life from 10 to 15 million years ago. The fossils
Packed to the rafters full of goodies for any occasion
Best Mornington and Australian gifts – many of them made in Australia. Unique artists work on Imagineellie, Van Go Collections, Red Tractor, Emma Bridgewater Ceramics and Didgeridoonas. Quirky Rikaro clocks for the wall, placemats and coasters galore. Too much to mention!
Come and have a good browse and you’ll find something special!
were discovered in 1854 in the limestone cliffs. Most of the fossils have now been removed. Access is via the track from the cliff path near Bentons Road (near the picnic area).
The Mornington Rose Gardens has over 4000 roses planted in 86 beds and is surrounded by a border of native Australian trees and shrubs.
The concept for the Mornington Rose Gardens was the brainchild of a local businessman, the late Don Gordon who was inspired by the rose garden in Benalla that was situated next to the art gallery.
Mornington Central Shopping Centre is built on the site of the former Mornington railway station.
Mornington has a population of 25,759 (2021 census).
Stay warm this winter with essential accessories made from possum merino wool.
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WHAT to do
Walking along Mornington’s Main Street, you can quickly understand the appeal of the town. Alfresco cafés, diverse restaurants, and cozy spots for cocktails or an after-work catch-up with friends line the street and its surrounds, inviting you to linger and savour the cosmopolitan vibe it exudes.
Beaches, wineries, shopping, arts, and antiques are all at your fingertips in this vibrant township which dates back to the 1850’s. The Mornington Racecourse, with its storied history of over 100 years at its current site, continues to host the annual Mornington Cup race days, and countless headline events adding festive days out to an already buzzing community.
With its blend of seaside charm, cultural energy, and historic appeal, Mornington offers the perfect mix for those seeking relaxation, inspiration, and a taste of Victoria’s coastal lifestyle.
French Crêperie Café
Authentic French galettes (gluten-friendly) and crêpes, pastries, sandwiches, smooth coffee, and our artisanal lemonade.
Catering Options:
Our vintage caravan, crêpe cart, bar cart and catering platters are available for events.
Indulge in authentic French delights in Mornington
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.
BLACKBIRD CAFE
2D EMPIRE STREET
A family business renowned for their delicious and generous servings of breakfast and lunch to accompany barrista made coffee. Enjoy a slice from a vast variety of mouth watering homemade cakes. Scrumptious take-away family meals also available. Gluten free and vegan options available.
DREAMER CAFÉ
SHOP 2/25 DAVA DRIVE
From the classic ‘dippy eggs’ to exotic shakshuka, green bowls, toasties and decadent smoothies, fresh, nourishing food awaits. Designed as a cosy spot to gather and serving Commonfolk coffee.
MERCETTA
115 MAIN STREET
Where quirky cafe meets functional space and modern industrial design comes complete with a garden oasis. The Coffee blend is roasted on the Mornington Peninsula by Coffee For The People Roasting Co. From a casual catch-up, a corporate affair, brunches to birthdays, workshops and weddings, Mercetta will cater to all.
LUUP SHOP D7, 1128/1132 NEPEAN HIGHWAY
Located within Peninsula HomeCo, Luup is a great stop for super good eating and of course, great coffee. The Little Rebel roast is a must, along with smoothies and a leaf chai to die for. Try the rice paper rolls packed with fresh veggies, daily salads, all-day breakfast or super clean breakfasts in a cup to grab and go.
WINEMAKERS
Have you driven past our sign on the highway?
PROFESSIONALLY MADE QUALITY WINE MADE AND BOTTLED IN MOUNT ELIZA BEST VALUE ON THE PENINSULA DONT JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT - DROP IN AND TRY!
OPEN 7 DAYS 10am-5pm
DISCOVER THE ART OF WINE IN MAIN RIDGE
Set among the rolling hills of Main Ridge, Ten Minutes by Tractor is one of the Mornington Peninsula’s most celebrated wine destinations, renowned for its award-winning wines and two-hatted dining experience. At the heart of the estate is the cellar door, an intimate and relaxed space where guests can discover the region’s celebrated pinot noir and chardonnay while gaining a deeper understanding of the peninsula’s unique wine landscape.
With a strong focus on terroir, each wine reflects the distinct character of its vineyard site and the subtle nuances of place. Curated experiences including guided tastings and immersive terroir masterclasses offer insight into the winery’s philosophy, vineyards and approach to food and wine. Guests can continue the journey from tasting to dining, with both the cellar door dining experience and restaurant showcasing connected yet distinct expressions of the estate.
For the King’s Birthday long weekend, special Winter Wine Weekend experiences will include exclusive tastings, masterclasses and the release of the 2023 Trahere Pinot Noir. Further details can be found via their website
Ten Minutes by Tractor
Cellar Door · Restaurant · Main Ridge
SMALL BATCH, EXCEPTIONAL CHARACTER
Set on the Mornington Peninsula near Western Port Bay, Creadon Farm is home to just one hectare of 31-year-old, non-irrigated Pinot Noir vines. Sedgley & Sons Pinot Noir is crafted exclusively from these premium grapes, grown in sandy clay loam soils and carefully cane-pruned to encourage airflow and optimal ripening.
This vintage delivered a smaller yield than 2023, with approximately 1.8 tonnes harvested, resulting in concentrated flavour, balance and refined tannins. Hand-picked at around 23.5 brix, the fruit is crafted by acclaimed winemaker Rick McIntyre of Moorooduc Estate using natural fermentation techniques and extended maceration for depth and complexity.
Matured in a combination of new and seasoned French oak for 11–12 months, the wine reveals elegant notes of cherry, strawberry, black olive, clove and spice, with hints of ginger, pepper and oak through the long finish. Beautiful to enjoy now, it will also reward careful cellaring for years to come.
Open most weekends or by appointment at Creadon Farm, Hastings.
See website for local stockists
181
1333 Mornington-Flinders Road, Main Ridge 5989 6455 tenminutesbytractor.com.au
CREADON FARM
MORNINGTON PENINSULA • VIC
PINOT NOIR
FREE DELIVERY TO MORNINGTON PENINSULA available for orders of a dozen bottle or more
Set on a property rich in agricultural history, Bittern Estate has evolved from a family-run apple and pear orchard first planted in 1959 into one of the Mornington Peninsula’s celebrated boutique wine producers. The vineyard was established in 1996, with the first wines released under the Bittern Estate label in 2013, continuing a legacy of award-winning fruit grown on the site for decades.
The estate’s cool maritime climate, rich clay soils and north-facing exposure create ideal conditions for producing elegant chardonnay and pinot noir with depth, finesse and exceptional character. Sustainably farmed and crafted by local winemakers, each single vineyard wine reflects the unique terroir of the region.
Visitors to the cellar door can enjoy personal tastings hosted by members of the Zerbe family, alongside traditional apple ciders, award-winning extra virgin olive oils from Hart’s Farm, and a genuine taste of the Mornington Peninsula’s farming heritage.
CELLAR DOOR
Book your wine tasting
11am-5pm Friday-Monday closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday and private events
8 Bittern-Dromana Road, Dromana FB @bitternestate W bitternestate.com.au
BARN DOOR SALES MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8AM - 4.30PM AND8AM-12.30PMSATURDAYS
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!
COME AND SEE THE ROAMINGCHICKENS FREE IN THE PADDOCK!
Tired of stale tasting supermarket eggs? Our farm is family owned and managed. We have
For many Australians over 55, their home is more than a place to live - it represents a lifetime of hard work, memories, and personal style. As life changes, living spaces should adapt, yet many struggle to update their homes without affecting the lifestyle they’ve built.
Renovating later in life is about improving comfort, safety, and functionality - it’s about creating a space that truly supports how you live, both now and into the future. This may include updating kitchens, improving bathroom accessibility or refreshing tired areas. However, many homeowners delay projects due to cost concerns or a desire to protect savings.
One increasingly popular solution for home renovations is to release equity using a home equity release loan or reverse mortgage, such as that offered by Inviva. Designed specifically for Australians 55 and over, it enables homeowners to access the value built up in their property without needing to sell or downsize.
A key advantage is flexibility. Rather than taking a large lump sum upfront, funds can be accessed progressively as your renovation unfolds. This means you only borrow what you need, when you need it, helping you stay in control of costs and ensuring you only pay interest on funds used.
With no regular monthly repayments required, the loan is typically settled when the home is eventually sold. For many, this removes
Unlock the power
financial pressure and allows greater freedom to focus on enjoying life. Because living well after 55 isn’t about holding back - it’s about making the most of what you already have.
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 or email info@inviva.com.au 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.
The winter solstice carries a particular weight: the feeling that the dark has reached its furthest point and will now, slowly, begin to retreat. The Mornington Peninsula has its own answer to that moment. It starts on Ocean Beach Road.
Before you reach the foreshore, the evening begins. The Lanternist lines the walk down from the main street with glowing lanterns, and that slow-lit procession to the water sets the tone for everything that follows. You arrive at the Sorrento Solstice Festival already in it.
Now in its third year, the festival has grown into one of the peninsula's most genuinely distinctive events. Not a market, not a concert series. Something older in feeling. The centrepiece is Bernie: a large-scale pyrotechnic effigy on the water, believed to be the largest of its kind in Victoria, igniting at 6:30pm. Watching fire move across Port Phillip Bay in the cold dark is not something that needs explanation.
For those who want to settle into the evening, the acoustic stage offers quieter music and a cluster of food trucks worth lingering over. The main stage builds through the night to a DJ set for those who want to dance. Beyond the foreshore, the village itself participates: hand weaving demonstrations and art displays tucked along the main street draw people away from the crowd and into something more intimate. It is the part most people discover by wandering, and reliably the part they mention afterwards.
The whole festival is free and open to all. For those who want to carry it further, the Solstice Dawn Swim at the Sorrento Sailing and Couta Boat Club on Sunday morning completes the arc. Into the bay at 7:00am, followed by a communal breakfast.
Come for the fire.
Stay for the water.
W sorrentosolstice.com.au
Festival tickets (free) and Swim tickets ($30) via Humanitix.
BRIGHTON SAVOY’S REIMAGINATION IS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY
Brighton’s most iconic site that once housed the Brighton Savoy hotel, has officially commenced its reimagination into an ultraexclusive, luxury address, Maison Savoy, by esteemed, design-led Melbourne builder-developer Lowe Living.
First built as a luxury mansion in 1909, the Brighton Savoy stood as a grand seaside residence before trading as a girls boarding house in the 1930s, and later, a hotel.
However, it didn’t officially become the Brighton Savoy that captured the attention of the local Bayside scene until 1959.
The hotel has become an enduring symbol of Brighton over the last 80 years, once even hosting the Logies, and attracting a number of notable guests including Bob Hawke and Graham Kennedy.
The hotel had just one owner for the last 50 years before transacting to the family-owned Lowe Living brand in 2025.
Now, the site will undergo its final transformation into the anticipated Maison Savoy address, which will see a rare collection of ultra-luxury homes stand tall for another century.
At the heart of Maison Savoy is a residents-only European-inspired bathhouse, curated by Aurora Spa & Bathhouse to include a ten-step ritual that gently guides residents into a deeper state of calm through warmth, water and contrast, to release physical tension and quiet the nervous system.
The wellness offering includes a hydrotherapy pool, salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool, foot activation zone and a Vichy rainfall bed – one of only a handful in Australia - creating an immersive environment designed to support recovery, relaxation and long-term wellbeing.
The wellness and amenity offering is completed with a private gym and residence lounge designed to an ultra-exclusive, luxury standard that’s rarely seen within a residential setting.
Lowe Living has brought together a renowned design team including Studio Kennon as architect and interior designer, Myles Baldwin as landscape architect, and Aurora Spa & Bathhouse as the private wellness curator.
Architecturally, Maison Savoy has been designed to capture a strong connection to water, with curved glass, honed natural stone, polished plaster, ribbed European clay brickwork, limestone and a restrained palette of natural materials respond to the coastal context, creating a collection of homes that are calm, composed, and enduring.
Residences at Maison Savoy are house-like in scale, spanning 295 to 606 square metres, including a limited half-floor and a penthouse collection. Prices start from $3.75 million.
Tim Lowe, Co-Founder of Lowe Living, said;
“What an honour it is to be custodians of this historic site for Brighton. As residents of Brighton ourselves, we felt such a strong connection to the location, the beach, the local culture and community.
“It’s been such a fulfilling process to work with Studio Kennon, Myles Baldwin and Aurora Spa & Bathhouse to design a project that was befitting of such a legacy location, and even more exciting to be able to share it with the community and reveal the design for the first time.”
Emma Lowe, Co-Founder of Lowe Living, added;
“Creating Maison Savoy has been a real labour of love for Tim, myself and the entire Lowe Living team.
“Every single design decision from the materiality and design intent through to the furniture in the lobby and treatments we will offer in the private Aurora Spa & Bathhouse, has been considered to the most exacting degree.”
CELEBRATING A QUARTER CENTURY OF SISTERHOOD AND STYLE
For twenty-five years, Color Your Blues has been woven into the fabric of the local community - a boutique built on heart, courage, and a deep belief in the power of women supporting women. When the boutique first opened, owner Lisa Philips had little experience in retail or small business, but she carried a quiet determination to create a space where women would feel welcomed, comfortable, and truly seen. Over the years, that vision has evolved into something far greater than imagined.
One of the most treasured parts of the journey has been the extraordinary women who have worked alongside her. Their strength, humour, compassion, and loyalty have shaped the warm and welcoming atmosphere customers experience the moment they step through the doors. Together, they have celebrated milestones, overcome challenges, and created a boutique grounded in genuine connection and care.
Across the decades, generations of women have walked through the doors of Color Your Blues - mothers with daughters, grandmothers with granddaughters, women navigating loss, and women embracing new beginnings. The stories shared in the fitting rooms and the friendships formed across the counter have become the true soul of the boutique.
As this meaningful chapter is honoured, the time has come to look toward the future.
Color Your Blues is now ready for a new owner - someone who shares the same passion for community and the same joy in uplifting women. It presents a rare opportunity to step into a thriving and well-established business with deep local roots and a loyal, multigenerational customer base.
More than simply a business, it is a legacy built on connection, confidence, and care - ready to be continued by the right person.
At Color Your Blues, fashion has always been about confidence, comfort, and feeling your best - and that starts with dressing in a way that honours your own individual style.
Labels stocked include:
◊ Lou Lou
◊ Loobie's Story
◊ New London
◊ Madly Sweetly
◊ Z & P
◊ Verge
◊ Lania
Find us:
◊ Jump
◊ Two T’s
◊ Humidity
◊ Django & Juliette
◊ EOS
◊ Zafino and more.
1021 Point Nepean Rd, Rosebud 5981 1656
With heartfelt gratitude, thank you for giving this little boutique its soul. Color Your Blues is a legacy of women supporting women - because of you.
IG @coloryourblues
If you've ever stood at the kitchen window watching the kids race around the backyard and thought, "We should really get some chooks," you're not alone. Plenty of mums on the peninsula have that exact thought. Then come the worries.
What about foxes? The smell? The cost? What happens when we go away over the school holidays?
Here's the honest truth after thirteen years of helping local families get started. Most of those worries are based on advice that's twenty years out of date.
A small suburban yard has plenty of room for a happy little flock. A well-built coop keeps the foxes out. A clean coop barely smells at all. Feeding, collecting eggs and a quick tidy take only a few minutes a day. A neighbour with a key handles your weekend away, often in exchange for the eggs.
Hens are hardier, cheaper and easier to look after than most people expect. The fresh eggs and the look on the kids' faces are the easy part. We can help with the rest.
3590 Frankston Flinders Road, Merricks P 0406 691 231 E talk@talkinghens.com.au W talkinghens.com.au
Looking for backyard but unsure tart?
Talking Hens is a business that enjoys backyard hens. We specialise in friendly, egg laying hens with quality products to keep them happy and healthy. There’s nothing like the friendship and entertainment that you receive from our laying hens - a pleasure to be shared!
Hens
Frankston-Flinders Rd Merricks, Vic 3916
SMALL WORKS AND BIG STORIES AT EVERYWHEN
Fifty small paintings by First Nations artists encapsulate epic creation stories in Everywhen Arts' June exhibition. Most have been collected over the over the last 20 years by Everywhen's curators Susan McCulloch and Emily McCulloch Childs.
"The stories represented in small works are no less encompassing or significant than those of larger works," says Susan McCulloch. "In fact, distilling the images of the often-epic stories leads to dynamic works of concentrated energy".
Works include those by important founding artists of leading art centres in the Kimberley, Central and Western Deserts, Utopia, the Pilbara and Arnhem Land. Artists include Wenten Rubuntja, Bugai Whyoulter, Nora Wompi, Elizabeth Nyumi, Tilau Nangala, Regina Pilawuk Wilson, Jane Mervin, George Tjungurrayi and many others.
Opening and curator’s floor talk Saturday June 6 at 2.30 pm
RSVP talk: info@everywhenart.com.au
Exhibition runs to June 28.
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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
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.
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escorted by Vickie Lamble
Tilau Nangala, Mikantji, 2016
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1. Very hard wood
5. Sympathy
11. Warmed (6,2)
15. Fire residue
16. From the menu, ... carte (1,2)
17. Swerved
19. Smell
21. Biff
23. TV watcher
25. Magnified map section
27. More foolish
28. Formerly Ceylon, Sri ...
30. Enthusiast
31. Chargers
32. Marijuana cigarette
33. Reproduced
34. Public service
35. Rarer
36. Dublin republic
38. Rugged peak
40. Robin or swallow
42. Probability
44. Defendant's bond money
45. Butchered
46. Eye membrane
48. Shorten
49. As far as (2,2)
50. Farm produce
51. Earmarked
52. Opposed to
53. Swollen heads, big ...
54. Musical symbol
55. Departure
56. Cancel out
58. Oppress
59. Underground storage room
61. Proverb
63. British award (1,1,1)
64. Informer
65. Romantic poet, Lord ...
67. Sharp crest
69. Bloodsucking insects
71. Russian mountains
73. Painter, Leonardo da ...
74. Intrusively
76. Baggier
78. Green shade
80. Stage scenes
82. Observation platform
83. Sheep clipper
85. Prepares (oneself)
89. Finest
91. Tabloid tell-all
93. Flavour enhancer (1,1,1)
94. Cottage pie topping
96. Worried
98. Clean-up, working ...
99. Non-governmental organisation (1,1,1)
100. Unspecified person
102. Icing utensil
103. Four-stringed guitar
104. Invitation holder
105. US media baron, ... Turner
106. Naval exercises
107. Give authority to
108. Shaggy-haired dog
110. ... de toilette
112. Exhilarated
114. Gain from benefactor
117. Willing torturers
120. Peeks
123. Herr & ...
125. Smallgoods shop
127. Taunts
128. Pose
131. Tropical fruit
133. Mexican farewell
134. Dutch bulb flower
135. Picasso's homeland
136. Not mistaken
137. Marshal's reinforcements
140. Olympic Games body (1,1,1)
141. Horse-like animal
142. White heron
145. Undercoat
147. Investing as Sir
148. Look over
150. Huge
151. Monopoly street, Pall ...
152. Coil
153. Actress, Meg ...
154. Avoidance of responsibility (3-3)
156. Invisible emanation
158. Tomato variety
160. Mrs Marcos
162. Manifestation
163. Fossil resin
164. Floor rugs
165. Geological eras
166. Adds soundtrack to
167. Rests on chair
168. Yorkshire valley
170. The Netherlands
172. Eve's cover (3,4)
173. Wine, ... spumante
174. Presentations
177. Wedding attendant, ... of honour
179. Oil cartel
180. Light scarf fabric
182. Unsurpassed (favourite) (3-4)
183. Inuit snow shelter
185. Struggle roughly
187. North African nation
188. Argentina's Buenos ...
189. Suspended above ground
191. Nocturnal bird
192. Bind
193. Sang in unison
194. Holiness
195. Filthiest
1. Transportable
2. Fuss, ... & cry
3. Supplements in food
4. Starchy tubers
5. Conversational
6. Gallows halter
7. Spoken exams
8. Afoot
9. Case-harden
10. Italian seaport
11. Actress, Goldie ...
12. Moving forward
13. Droplets on lawn
14. Processions
18. Stopping for gas
20. Jordan/Kuwait region
22. Taking notice of
24. Petit point
26. Matrimonial split-up
29. Building design
37. Pressed (clothes)
38. Huddles closely
39. Throughout the world
40. Every second year
41. Perceives
43. Actor, Danny ...
44. Fleshy sugar source
47. Strongroom
57. Weirder
60. Soak up
62. Cowgirl, ... Oakley
66. Bring up (children)
68. Discourteous
69. Chimney
70. Single
72. Admitting
73. Envisaging
75. Norwegian capital
77. Revise
79. Business ventures
81. Audio discs (1,2)
84. Fatuous
85. Partial refunds
86. Rectified
87. Magma-based rock
88. Wives
90. Recline (3,4)
92. Bloom segment
95. Apportion
97. Practicability
101. Dress edge
109. Uncouth yokel
111. Lend a hand to
113. Pop artist, ... Warhol
115. Great Depression drifters
116. Employee's itinerary
118. Circle parts
119. In comparison to
121. Subsides
122. Marketplace announcer, town ...
124. Ambitious
126. Extremely loud (3-9)
129. New Zealand city
130. Quips
131. Screen images
132. Rearranged words
138. Carry to excess
139. Lunar rockets
143. Nixon's successor (6,4)
144. Glaze
146. Ostrich relatives
149. Spreading trees
155. Sweaters
157. Fanatically
159. Japanese paper folding
161. Unpunctual guest
165. Stretchy tape
169. Book quote
171. Lingers (on)
172. Palms off 175. Synagogue scholar
176. Angle
177. Florida resort
178. Pithy
181. Apple MP3 player
The Town That Never Was
By Lance Hodgins
The fishermen looked up from checking the nets they had hung out on the rails along the banks of Kings Creek. A wagon with a small party of men on horseback was coming down the track from the direction of Bunguyan and it didn’t look like any of the King family. The leading rider swung down from his mount and introduced himself.
“Michael Callanan,” he announced in a broad Irish accent. “I’m the government surveyor. We’ll be with you for the next few weeks.”
With that, he motioned his men to a small clearing nearby and they began to erect their tent. The fishermen watched on with interest as Callanan unpacked his equipment. Some of them had seen the maps made by Robert Hoddle at the time of the Melbourne land sales and marveled at their accuracy and neatness.
Since then the colony of Victoria had been created with a Lands Department and Captain Andrew Clarke, ex-Royal Engineers, as the first Surveyor General. His task was to come up with a plan to develop the future settlement on the lands of Victoria. This involved the transfer of grazing land, almost entirely under the control of big squatters, to the people who needed to farm it. This meant that 23 million acres would have to be explored, surveyed, measured and mapped out.
The man in the tent
Michael Callanan was just the man for the job. Born in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland in 1830, he completed his surveyor’s training and migrated to Australia at the age of 24. Within weeks he had entered the public service under Captain Clarke.
Callanan was a sturdy and independent type who refused to be bound by departmental red tape or be influenced by wealthy land-grabbers. He was determined to see that every man received a square deal and have the opportunity to carve out his own future unhampered by unfair competition.
He started at Werribee and four years later, by 1858, he had moved on to Western Port. By then he was getting used to life in a tent – which was just as well, as he had 13 more years of it to come.
Callanan and his crew set to work at first light. A six feet long log was driven two feet into the ground as a starting point, and a nearby tree was “blazed” and had Roman numerals of the lot number cut into it in case the stake was lost.
A circumferenter (compass) was mounted on a tripod and used to determine the direction of the lot boundaries and their relation to magnetic north. Trenches were then dug to indicate the direction of these.
Out came Gunter’s chain – a series of 100 links measuring a total of 66 feet, or “one chain”.
Above: Fishermen on the banks of Kings Creek
It was invented by an English clergyman and mathematician almost 300 years earlier. Based on the breadth of a plough strip, the “chain” had become the legal measurement for land and the basis for government maps – as well as the length of a cricket pitch.
From the starting point stake, the chain was dragged out to its full length and another stake placed at the end of it. This was continued until the desired amount of land had been surveyed.
All sorts of difficulties were encountered, from trees and scrub to waterways and swamps, not to mention the distortions created by rises and falls in the landscape.
The chainman worked under the direction of the surveyor, who meticulously recorded the details and directions in his notebook. Comments on vegetation and soil types were also recorded, all to be transferred to a map that evening in the confines of his tent.
These plans became the basis for the government’s maps which controlled the issue of title deeds and leases to the people of Victoria.
‘Tyab’ (now Tyabb) is on the map
Callanan’s survey marked out a future township which he named “Tyab”, according to the local government parish of the same name. It seemed a good site - on gently sloping land between two creeks, Kings and Olivers, and overlooking Western Port.
continued next page...
Above: Surveyors at work Right: A Gunter’s chain
Above: Surveyors marking lots
Below: An original map of Tyab
The would-be township sat on each side of the main track leading down to Western Port. Callanan marked it out on paper with streets and almost 200 half-acre allotments on a beautiful grid pattern reminiscent of Hoddle’s Melbourne.
After Tyab, the Nicholson Land Act (1860) opened up 400,000 acres of Victoria for the people, followed by the Duffy Land Acts of 2 million acres in 1862 and another 2.3 million acres in 1865.
Callanan was extremely busy. He moved on to Gippsland and didn’t return to Melbourne until 1870 where he subsequently became Surveyor-General, finally retiring in 1895.
He was a foundation member of Melbourne’s Celtic Club, which celebrated Irish heritage, and he was a generous supporter of Ireland’s national cause. He died at 90 in 1920.
In 1858 Callanan and his government had indeed provided for a settlement at Western Port.
The Callanan legacy
The earliest purchasers came from the fishermen who had camped on the banks of Kings Creek: Gilbert Perriam, William Bryant, James Stirling, Hugh Tulloch and James Mitchell. James Barclay already lived nearby, having bought land on Olivers Creek on its eastern edge.
It wasn’t long before some facilities for a settlement emerged. On February 24 1862 six acres of Crown Allotment 76 was reserved as the site for the “Tyabb Cemetery” - named in anticipation of the town. In December 1865 the cemetery trustees were appointed: James Hall and William Lawson Patterson, both early purchasers in Tyab, John O’Neill of the Bunguyan homestead, and Anthony Spencer, a farmer on Denhams Road.
A few months later, on 6th May 1866 they received their first burial – a local fisherman by the name of Alexander Mackay.
continued next page...
Above: Michael Callanan
Below: The location of the Tyabb Cemetery
By the mid-60s, a home in Tyab was being used as a church with up to thirty Church of England worshippers meeting there regularly. It sat on the corner of King, Wright and Lyall Streets on lots 1,2,3, and 4 – two acres almost opposite the road to BlueScope where a service station and car yard are today.
Before Callanan’s survey, in 1855 John and Ann Norris travelled overland from Melbourne to their block of land at Kings Creek which they had “purchased” at the shipside. They pitched their tents under a big old gum which John used later in the building of a house. As well as being a carpenter and shipwright, John was a devout Protestant and he built wooden brackets to hang from the ceiling, each holding a dozen candles. He also brought down from Melbourne a ship’s bell which acted as a call to worshippers and he played for the services on his Stradivarius violin.
The building was also used as a schoolroom. Registered as “Tyabb no.73” it operated throughout the 1860s and, being the only school in the district, it maintained an average attendance of at least twenty children.
After Callanan pronounced his new township, Norris moved to a larger property of 20 acres further north. He was joined there much later, in 1885, by his son-in-law Jasper King, who cared for him in his twilight years.
Norris preferred to sit quietly beside the fire at his small kitchen window and quietly read his Bible. He passed away in 1888 aged 84 years.
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Above: The location of the church at Tyabb
Below: Jasper King
His former home which had served as a school and church became officially designated as a “Crown grant” to the Church of England and was sold when a new church was built on the other side of the creek.
Tyab stalls
The house which had served so efficiently as a home, church and school
to guarantee the success of Callanan’s town. Very few of the fishermen bought lots there and it remained as silent
as the new cemetery. Its lack of success, and Callanan’s reputation, were summed up by one critic:
“As usual, when the population is in the process of LEAVING a neighbourhood, the government sets about surveying a township. Consider for example the one at Tyabb - NOT the private one on the most eligible site beyond – but the government one which consists of two houses – AND ONE OF THEM IS UNOCCUPIED.”
continued next page...
Fishermen’s cottages along the coast at Star Point
Above:
Callanan, however, had a much larger problem than receiving such comments: he didn’t know what to do with the fishermen’s cottages that were strung out along the coast at Star Point, one mile further south.
A part of Section 53 of the Land Act gave fishermen the right to occupy Crown lands for the purpose of building residences and drying nets. As a result of this “Fisherman’s Right”, many began to settle on the water’s edge around the shores of Western Port. This was most evident at Star Point where houses and huts were scattered along a track built beyond the saltwater marsh and just clear of the high tide line.
Callanan’s solution to this problem was to simply ignore it and he omitted the entire 25 acres at Star Point from his survey. Of course, this left the fishermen there literally in no man’s land; when their leases expired the following year, they would have no tenure over their properties and this unfortunate situation would remain for over a decade.
Tyab might have had a school, a church and a cemetery but the building blocks were empty. Things were already happening on the other side of King’s Creek.
This is a chapter from “Fish Town - Hastings, the first 50 years”. Copies of the book may be obtained for $40 from the author: Lance Hodgins 0427 160 892.
Above: A view from Tyab looking south over Western Port, Sandstone Island and the new jetty at Star Point, soon to be called Hastings
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