Michelle Scheibner calls herself the ‘Identity Activator’ because she knows from personal experience what it’s like to feel that you lack an identity. Her memoir, Hush, tells the tale of Michelle’s family secrets which prevented her from developing a sense of her own identity and played a role in her never having children of her own.
Bird Is The Word
Without Apology
Joie De Vivre Lights, Camera, Action!
Hec Sutherland - An Australian Cycling Legend
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Writers: Andrea Louise Thomas, Muriel Cooper, Annette Sanfilippo
All material is copyright, and may not be reproduced without the express permission of Mornington Peninsula News Group, or the original copyright holder in the case of contributions. Copyright of contributed material rests with the contributor.
Disclaimer: The authors and publisher do not assume any liability to any party for any loss, damage or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. This publication is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.
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8. Bird is the Word
Peter Mitchell doesn’t use a pen or a paintbrush for his art medium. His medium is his Global Positioning System (GPS). He combines creativity and physical activity with technology to produce huge images drawn on parks, sand dunes, or anywhere there is space to roam.
12. Keeping Secrets
Michelle Scheibner calls herself the ‘Identity Activator’ because she knows from personal experience what it’s like to feel that you lack an identity. Her memoir, Hush, tells the tale of Michelle’s family secrets which prevented her from developing a sense of her own identity and played a role in her never having children of her own.
Leading Arts
18. Without Apology
Rye photographer Nathan ‘Natti’ Miller is wholly focused on human connection. He’s interested in visually telling the stories of people and the worlds they inhabit internally and externally. Natti has travelled the globe as a respectful observer. He asks permission to engage with strangers and most are happy to oblige.
22. Joie De Vivre
Frankston painter, Lisa O’Keefe has had the rare pleasure of living her dream - and she still does. Not only has she spent her entire life doing what she loves, but she has also had the opportunity to travel to the quintessential artist’s holy grail to learn her incredible skills.
30. Lights, Camera, Action!
With the Melbourne Fashion Festival and International Women's Day upon us, style editor Annette discusses the trends from the runways including recycled and repurposed clothing and materials, and some of the icons in the industry who have championed individuality. Go girls.
75. Hec Sutherland - An Australian Cycling Legend
Hec Sutherland, born in Footscray, lived on the Mornington Peninsula for over 50 years prior to his death in 2011. Although one of the best cyclists that Australia has produced, he was a man of many talents. Hec was interviewed several years before he passed away; this is his story.
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What's on? MARCH 2025
MARCH 2
SARAH BLASKO: REGIONAL TOUR AT THE FAC
Sarah Blasko is a three-time ARIA Award winner, 18 x ARIA Award nominee, and has won the J Award for Australian Album of the Year. Sarah Blasko's seventh album; I Just Need to Conquer This Mountain, is full of late night reflections on goodbyes, grief, and new beginnings. 4pm artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au
MARCH 10
SOMERVILLE FAMILY FUN DAY
Join us in celebrating our 10-year anniversary! Market stalls, rides, free entertainment, music, dance schools, car show, sporting clubs, community groups, historic society, food vans, skate park competitions and displays, SES, CFA, scouts, petting zoo, and lots more!
10am - 5pm somervillefamilyday.com.au
MARCH 8
97TH ANNUAL RED HILL SHOW
The only event of its kind on the Mornington Peninsula, enjoy a great family day and be part ofthis wonderful community celebration. Run by a team of volunteers the entertainment, exhibitions, demonstrations, and animals are always top class.
8.30am - 5pm redhillshow.com.au
MARCH 28-30
TINY HOMEEXPO AT MORNINGTON RACECOURSE
See a variety of tiny houses: big, small, single or double level, luxury or humble. Chat with the builders who build them and can customise : toilets, solar, heaters, coolers and products that go hand in hand with living a tiny life.
Fri 10am - 3pm Sat & Sun 9am - 5pm events.humanitix.com
MARCH 8 MAKERS MARKET AT MCCLELLAND
The scenic backdrop of the iconic McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery is now home to Untold Events Co McClelland Makers. This market showcases the very best of Victorian handmade talent, local gourmet produce, artisan foodies, and brilliant musicians.
9am - 2pm mcclellandmarket.com.au
MARCH 30
I WORE IT ONCE FASHION MARKET
I Wore It Once is a fashion market held regularly at the PCT, Mornington. The market features over 35 individual, hand-picked stall holders offering a range of clothing and accessories that are new with tags, or high-quality, pre-loved, in a wide range of styles, brands, and sizes. 9:30am - 12:30pm iworeitonce.com.au
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BIRD IS THE word
By Muriel Cooper Photos Gary Sissons & Supplied
PeterMitchell doesn’t use a pen or a paintbrush for his art medium. His medium is his Global Positioning System (GPS). He combines creativity and physical activity with technology to produce huge images drawn on parks, sand dunes, or anywhere there is space to roam.
Peter believes GPS art began in Japan, where people started spelling out words and pictures across the country using GPS; now, he says, with the advent of smartwatches and smartphones, it’s become more accessible and mainstream. Apps like Strava show a diagram of where you’ve been, your activity, and your achievements.
Peter is a member of a running group called The Mornington Misfits. He says, "I’m a runner and an ultra-runner on the Peninsula, and a few of us did a run at Mt Martha. Someone got lost, and we went back and found them, then went back to the café, then up to the mount, and it kind of looked like Big Bird. Then, for a social thing on Strava, where you follow your friends, and they follow you back, and you can see what each other is doing so we went around the shops and thought if we changed it a bit, it would really look like Big Bird. So, a friend and I went out the next week and reran a similar course. With a few changes, sure enough, it looked very, very similar to Big Bird. A lot of people saw it and wanted to run the course, so we reran it and marked it. Then everyone started running it, and it’s taken off from there."
"It’s a beautiful run," he says, "with dirt roads, boardwalk and trails, and through the Briars, and it’s a good distance for most people. It’s not super challenging, and it’s not too short. If you can do a 5k park run, you can probably do the Big Bird course. It’s also very undulating, so if you run it one way and then the other way, it would be about 18kms. We’ve also done a marathon and half marathon course on it."
Since Big Bird, Peter has completed a kangaroo in Frankston South, a dolphin at McCrae, and Taylor Swift! He branched out to bigger and longer runs to suit his ultra-running. There’s a map of Australia, and, as Peter says, "On my birthday, someone challenged me to create a world map."
I’ve been known to jump the odd fence, but I try not to go on private property if I can
"If you run it correctly on the Strava app, it will appear as ‘Bird is the word’ and automatically puts you on a leaderboard. My friend and I ran it in the opposite direction, and he called it ‘Drib Gib’, which is Big Bird spelled backwards. If you run it forwards and then backwards in the same run, he called it ‘Flipping the Bird’. It’s all gone from there."
Peter and his mates do monthly group runs and a couple of fund-raising events for the Mornington Community Centre, where a lady’s son had a Big Bird costume he’d bought for a fancy dress party. She offered it to Peter, which he wears when he hosts the events.
Peter’s GPS art is getting worldwide attention, including a spot on CBS in Los Angeles for his 40th birthday GPS portrait of the basketballer Le Bron James, which got over a million views on social media. The State Premier, Jacinta Allan, gave a shout-out on her social media account when he created his world map run.
Peter explains the basic technique is ‘Street Routing’, which can be running, cycling or walking, where you plan the route in advance and set it up on your watch or phone to help you navigate not only streets and roads but paths, trails and parks. Not people’s backyards, though!
‘I’ve been known to jump the odd fence, but I try not to go on private property if I can. It’s funny. There are quite a few parks where I think, “Oh, I can just go through, and then you get there, and some of them are fenced up. If I’m there at 7 o’clock in the morning, I’ll just find a gap or jump over if the fence is not too high. I will try not to do anything illegal.’
Lately, Peter has been concentrating on freestyle GPS art, which is more spontaneous and intended for big parks, sand dunes, and fields. ‘You’ve got no constraints,’ he says. ‘You don’t have to follow the roads. You can’t really run it because everything becomes quite small and detailed. You can get much better results.’
continued page 10...
Peter calls it Park Art. He has done a sequence of works called ‘Moonwalk’, portraying Michael Jackson’s famous dance move, which has been turned into an animation by a fellow practitioner from Canada. Peter collaborates with other international GPS artists in Brazil, America and Hungary. Locally, Peter is partnering with Telstra to develop the form and would like to continue his community involvement and get kids interested.
‘As technology improves and becomes more mainstream, virtually everybody’s got GPS tracking on their phone so anyone can do it. There are different levels, obviously. Moving forward, one of my main things is to try and get people outdoors doing something like this instead of sitting behind the computer screen. I work part-time, but my passion’s always been GPS art,
so I’ve decided to take it seriously and see what I can do and, in some way, monetise it so I can keep doing it. I love it.’
GPS Art is an emerging form. It’s not the kind of art you can hang on a wall; it’s ephemeral, but you can access it on Peter’s Instagram GPS Art Guru, the internet or Strava or other sites, and it’s enchanting. Peter did his Australia Map again for Australia Day this year.
Contact Peter for logos, promotions or events.
bigpetemitchell@yahoo.com P: 0411 073 664
'Rockin out' after 55km guitar run
KEEPING secrets
By Muriel Cooper Photos Yanni & Supplied
Michelle Scheibner calls herself the ‘Identity Activator’ because she knows from personal experience what it’s like to feel that you lack an identity. After the death of her partner, she needed to reinvent herself and chose the peninsula to do it. Michelle’s Mornington home has Tanti Creek burbling away at the bottom of the garden; it’s an idyllic and inspirational setting.
But before that, she had to invent herself, which is what her memoir, Hush, is about. Aptly named, Hush tells the tale of Michelle’s family secrets which prevented her from developing a sense of her own identity and even played a role in her never having a child herself.
Michelle says, “Hush wasn't written just to tell my story. It was written to give hope to others that they, too, can resolve the recurring complaints, problems and hidden fears that have kept their true identity hidden. In my case those secrets held a lot of information about who I was and where I’d come from.”
the two people who made that decision, and I think that’s very sad. What I have now is compassion for my parents and that decision has only come about through doing this project. I’ve come to terms with that.”
When Michelle was engaged and considering having children, she consulted a genetic clinic and was asked for a blood sample from Grant. She rang Kew Cottages and struck a dead end, being told that no one of that name resided there. Michelle thought, “Oh well, that’s that.”
What would it have been like to grow up with a brother? I would have learned a lot, but instead I was with adults
When she was eighteen, Michelle discovered that her brother, Grant, hadn’t died; he was alive, and had Down syndrome. “I knew that I had a cousin who was born with profound intellectual and physical disabilities. There was another cousin who was living in Kew Cottages who my mum would visit. I didn’t know she was visiting my brother as well. I had no idea he was alive and institutionalised. So the child that was put away with the expectation that he wouldn’t live, outlived
Eventually, Michelle found that her brother was indeed alive and was living in a facility in Stawell. Tragically, Grant had recently passed away, and Michelle was there at his funeral, too late for answers.
“What would it have been like to grow up with a brother? I would have learned a lot, but instead I was with adults. ‘Speak when spoken to.’ Being hushed, and without siblings to fight and negotiate with, I didn’t learn conflict management. With a distracted mother I didn’t have a sense of boundaries or an ability to articulate my needs. I didn’t know where I fitted in.”
Michelle grew up with an aunt living with an unnamed disability, causing her to scream in frustration.
“It scared me. I spent a lot of my childhood being scared. I was afraid of cats and dogs, doctors and dentists, and scared of Daphne (my aunt upstairs) because I didn’t understand”
continued page 14...
Michelle hid in a cupboard under the stairs.
“Mum was Daphne’s carer. I think my dad was a handful, too. Being German, he was held in an internment camp during the war as an ‘alien’ and suffered a nervous breakdown. There are letters documenting that this put him in hospital. He had experienced war and the rounding up of Jews in Germany even before World War II broke out. My grandfather lost his job because he was Jewish. They had to move many times. But this was all kept secret.”
There’s a cost to keeping a secret – it’s an aspect of our identity – of who we are
Both of Michelle’s grandparents were murdered in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. How was Michelle affected by the recent 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz?
“I’ve been affected a lot by what started in October 2023 (the taking of Israeli hostages). I have a letter that my grandmother wrote from Germany to a cousin in Brisbane saying it was no longer safe for Carl (my father) to stay in Berlin – he must go. He came here to survive, but now I hear Jewish families talking about leaving Australia and going back to Israel because they see that as safer than trying to exist in a climate of antisemitism. So that affects me greatly.”
But it wasn’t only family secrets that Michelle discovered were the barrier to her discovering her identity, It was emotional inheritance – inherited family trauma.
“I was never a happy child, except maybe on Christmas Eve. I grew up with grief and sadness as my companions, and I have come to understand that it wasn’t my grief. It was my father’s grief; it was the shame on my mother’s side of the family; this is why epigenetics is important. External features can impact the expression of genes. According to Rachel Yehuda, professor of psychiatry and neuroscience and director of the traumatic stress studies division at Mount Sinai Schoool of Medicine, epigenetic changes biologically prepare us to cope with the traumas that our parents experienced. In preparation for similar stressors, we are born with a specific set of tools to help us survive.
“Absent family members – missing people – hold tremendous energy in our family systems. They haunt us. When we fail to acknowledge or mourn a loss, when we try to erase, silence or
forget family members whose deaths or whose actions in life have been painful or shameful, we find that they insist upon being seen and heard.”
“There’s a cost to keeping a secret – it’s an aspect of our identity – of who we are. The future for me is working in this field, and to this end, I'm going to an ‘in-person’ immersive event in Corfu in May with Mark Wolynn, who developed a pioneering approach to identifying and breaking these inherited patterns.”
How did epigenetics affect Michelle?
“I saw my dad constantly very tired, very sad, very in his own head, and when I think of him, I see that in myself, and I didn’t grow up just imitating that. I know it was inside me, and I see part of that as coming down that line of Jewish families that have just had to continue to fight and struggle to survive. But I didn’t know any of this growing up.”
“I thought dad was Lutheran and Mum was Anglican. That’s how I was raised.”
Michelle discovered her Jewish identity through a DNA test in 2018. She was hoping to get some history of her health but instead discovered her genetic heritage was over 50% Jewish.
“There was a relief in this – to stop guessing and have proof.”
Michelle is at peace in her Mornington home.
“I was drawn to the peninsula because, as a family, we had a history here. The family had a holiday house in Capel Sound, right across the road from the beach, so all weekends and major holidays were at Rosebud. I got to know the peninsula, and when I had to reinvent myself and wanted to get out of the Heidelberg/Ivanhoe area I thought, I need to live near the water. I need to get back to the beach.”
Michelle consults online and does frequent guest podcast appearances. She also does coaching sessions, webinars and expert author community mentoring online. Find Hush and info about Michelle's practise on her website.
michellescheibner.com
G’day, I’m Ben Smith Your Independent for Flinders
Women on the Peninsula are the heart of our families, businesses, and communities.
This International Women’s Day, let’s commit to breaking down the barriers women still face in healthcare, family support, safety, and opportunities to thrive.
As your Independent for Flinders, I’ll fight for:
→ Funding for women’s health services, including better access to HRT medication and endometriosis treatment
→ Practical support for Peninsula families, including one year paid flexible parental leave and free childcare
→ Investment in local women-led businesses & entrepreneurs through increased grants programs and funding opportunities
→ Funding for family violence and crisis accommodation, including support services.
Let’s put people over politics this election, and make the Peninsula a better place for everyone who lives here.
Are you with me?
WITHOUT apology
By Andrea Louise Thomas Photos Yanni
RDr Peter Scott and Associates are specialist orthodontists offering orthodontic care for children, teens and adults alike in both the Mornington Peninsula and inner Melbourne.
ye photographer Nathan ‘Natti’ Miller is wholly focused on human connection. He’s interested in visually telling the stories of people and the worlds they inhabit, internally and externally. Natti has travelled the globe as a respectful observer. He asks permission to engage with strangers and most are happy to oblige.
As a photographic artist, his mission it to build respectful relationships with his subjects. It shines through his photographs like sunlight. Natti is particularly drawn to places with vivid cultural identities that provide inspiration and an interesting backdrop for his photography.
By catching simple moments in time in places with complex histories, he puts the viewer squarely into the frame. He’s captured the cultural complexities of Havana, Cuba, the Mississippi Delta in the US, India, Haiti, Paris, France, Georgia, Japan, Vietnam, Morocco and Andalucía in Spain.
Natti was born and raised in vibrant Tel Aviv. It was a fascinating start to life but, after his mandatory military service, he wanted to go overseas to see what the wider world had to offer. All he knew was that he wanted to live in an English-speaking country. Because his father was South African, he followed his family ties to Africa.
Having worked in farming on a kibbutz in Israel, Natti brought his experience and knowledge of farming technology to black African farmers. His knowhow with farming irrigation systems was an invaluable asset to the communities he worked in. Natti and his wife, Lindsay, left Africa after four years because it was becoming too dangerous to stay.
The couple then moved to Australia. The climate was favourable for working in agriculture and Lindsay’s brother was here which provided an edge in the points-based immigration system. It also helped that Lindsay had a university degree and was a teacher –a highly valued profession. They chose South Australia where Natti worked in agricultural irrigation.
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Regardless of geography, Natti has always had an interest in art and photography. He began taking pictures at 15 when his mother gifted him a camera. He liked to go down to the local stream to take photos. His mother was a painter and she used his photos as a basis for her paintings. Natti taught himself photography.
You get a different vibe from film. It can be more attractive. I see things in black and white
He most admires the work of Hungarian-American war photographer, Robert Capa, Iranian photojournalist, Abass Attar, German-Australian, Helmut Newton, as well as the work of Americans: Man Ray, Lee Miller, Walker Evans and Robert Frank. “Their photographs interest me and give me ideas about how to look at things,” he says.
For his 50th birthday, Natti travelled to Havana, Cuba. The images he took there formed his first photographic exhibition.
“In Cuba, everything is a photo,” he says. He was introduced to Cuban photographer, Alberto Korda, famous for his iconic photo of Marxist revolutionary, Che Guevara. This meeting left an indelible impression and the trip inspired Natti to focus on photography.
From there he worked on several overseas projects. His passion for the blues brought him to the Mississippi Delta. He visited for three weeks every year for six years forming relationships with some fascinating characters whose portraits make up his first photography book, Notes from the Mississippi Delta. They were also exhibited at Monash Gallery of Art.
While he shoots both black and white and colour, digital and analogue, his choice depends on the mood of the shoot. “You get a different vibe from film. It can be more attractive. I see things in black and white. Colour can distract from other details. I like monochrome, but sometimes the subject requires colour like my photos in Georgia,” he says.
Natti went to Paris for a workshop with Magnum Photos. He created a body of work focused on District 18, but he was particularly thrilled to capture portraits of his notoriously camera-shy photography idol, Abassa while he was there.
Natti has produced three photography books, Somewhere in Jaffa, Notes from the Mississippi Delta and Without Apology. All feature black and white images. The first two books are an intimate reflection of people and places they inhabit.
The third book is a joyful collection of nude portraits in which the trust and easy relationship between the photographer and model is evident. Many of the models also collaborated creatively on the shoots.
Natti has had fifteen solo exhibitions in Melbourne, Sydney, Paris and Clarksdale, Mississippi. His photographs are held in public and private collections in Australia and the United States. His work is also in the Monash University Museum of Art collection in Caulfield.
Without Apology sums up Natti’s approach to portraiture. He has no need to apologise. He doesn’t secretly steal images of people in passing. He collaborates. Whether it’s a chain gang in Mississippi or stockmen in Outback Australia, Natti fosters respectful relationships that create insightful, emotive work.
nathanmiller.photography
JOIE DE vivre
By Andrea Louise Thomas Photos Yanni & Supplied
Frankston painter, Lisa O’Keefe has had the rare pleasure of living her dream - and she still does. Not only has she spent her entire life doing what she loves, but she has also had the opportunity to travel to the quintessential artist’s holy grail to learn her incredible skills.
Lisa wanted to study art in Paris, but not just anywhere; she wanted the crème de la crème. She applied to the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. Entry is very competitive. On the strength of her portfolio, she was accepted. It was such a fantastic experience that she ended up spending fifteen years studying, working and exhibiting in Paris.
From the beginning, it was a pretty sure bet that Lisa would be an artist. She was drawing as soon as she could hold a pencil. She’s never wanted anything else. Lisa was born in Toowoomba, Queensland, but the family wasn’t there for long. An itinerant life was about to begin.
Moving back to Bonegilla, Victoria was an adjustment after several years in Europe, but she soon got used to it and found her groove. Drawing and painting were her constants during a seminomadic childhood. Art was a way of grounding herself and she could do it anywhere.
Both her parents were creative. Her mother had a beautiful singing voice and crafted amazing needlework. Her father liked writing. Some of his short stories were published in the Canberra Times when they lived there. Her father would tell Lisa bedtime stories and they often read books together.
I was drawn to Paris because I love the history, the art and artists, the literature and architecture
Lisa’s father was a physician, providing health clearance for migrants to Australia. In the 1950s, Somers, Victoria, was an immigration station. The family moved there for his work, but he had always wanted to work in Europe so they moved to Salzburg, Austria, next and then to Munich in 1956.
Life in Munich was interesting with its eclectic mix of Germans, Americans, Russians and French. In her early years, Lisa was surrounded by beautiful art and architecture. Her childhood was steeped in culture. She attended German schools, then switched to an American school. She returned to Australia with an American accent.
For her last two years of high school, Lisa went off to boarding school in Moss Vale, NSW. While she was a good student, her urge to paint outran her love of academia. Lisa was more taken by the school’s old buildings set in the beautiful countryside of the Southern Highlands.
After graduation, Lisa applied to Sydney Technical College to study art, but abandoned that and returned to Europe, travelling and working as an au pair for a few years. In London, she saw Rodin’s The Kiss and Picasso’s Three Musicians and that was a game changer. “They blew my mind. I thought then that if I could give that kind of pleasure with my art, I would feel that I have truly achieved something,” she says. So, Lisa went to Paris to study art.
“I was drawn to Paris because I love the history, the art and artists, the literature and architecture,” she says. At Beaux-Arts, all of her classes were conducted in French so she had to come up to speed with the language quickly. Lisa spent several years learning invaluable foundational art skills across several mediums.
continued page 24...
Being in Paris where she had so much exposure to culture, history, art and architecture as well as a rich mix of global citizenry was truly inspiring. Lisa graduated from Beaux-Arts with a Mention Bien, the equivalent of a Bachelor of Arts with Honours.
When Lisa returned to Australia, this time to Melbourne, she immediately set up a studio painting and exhibiting her work. Her paintings are held in collections in France, Great Britain, the United States and Australia.
Lisa meticulously plans each work, drawing it out and then transferring it to canvas. She works mainly in acrylics, creating unique, sophisticated compositions filled with interesting stories that reflect her education, experience and life as a world traveller.
While she loves painting, Lisa needs a counterpoint just for a break. She makes totem sculptures and quirky Theatre of the Absurd drawings for fun. They are dotted all around her studio.
“Painting is cerebral. Physical manipulation of a material is relaxing and therapeutic,” she says.
Even as a career artist, Lisa says her work is still evolving. “Art is a constant practice in problem solving. I’ve always
created abstract spaces with realistic aspects. Everything refers back to people I have known. That’s the common thread through my work. Colour is important and I’m always experimenting with the visual aspects of texture,” she says.
Being in the natural environment of the Mornington Peninsula with its ocean and bay, rolling hills, fields and vineyards is a wonderful escape from her former city life. It’s a soothing base from which to create art which enhances her joie de vivre.
SPIRIT OF DANCE
Two extraordinary photographic exhibitions will grace the foyer of the Frankston Arts Centre through to 26 April. While both are unique and completely different to the other, their intersection is the expression of emotion and connection through dance.
“It’s such an honour to be a host venue for Dancer, a touring exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery. It’s an inspiring and inclusive selection of photographs and audio/visual works beautifully representing a broad range of people across time who engage with dance.
The National Portrait Gallery invites a local artist to share the exhibition space. We were lucky in Frankston to have the perfect candidate; international fashion and portrait photographer Bronwyn Kidd who collaborated with choreographer Carol Brown to combine image-making, performance, and costume design to produce a series of photographs called Sea Lion Sisters,” says Milla Dakovic, Visual Arts Officer, Frankston Arts Centre.
Sea Lion Sisters articulates women’s strength and connection through dance. The origin story is two-fold. It’s about two sisters of Maori heritage who personify their emotional and spiritual bond through the shared physical expression of dance. It’s also inspired by a colony of sea lions that Carol had been researching that had disappeared from New Zealand and then reappeared many years later. The story struck a chord with Bronwyn and they started brainstorming.
As a choreographer, Carol was interested in the twisting fluid movement of sea lions, but also in the strong bond between the mother and her pups and what she has to do to protect them. Carol knew two dancers who were sisters of Maori heritage. They were a perfect match for the project. Carol choreographed about fifteen hours of dance for this piece.
To bring the images to life, Bronwyn imagined an ethereal cove shaped set to look as if the dancers were inside a shell. She contacted paper artist, Amanda May, to create the shell set made of layers of cream-coloured paper of different textures. Bronwyn used her lighting magic to create the final set piece.
The dancers started improvising their dance by talking about their lives as sisters and as women. Then Bronwyn brought in costume designer Virginia Dowzer. They talked about colours to represent women’s strength. Bronwyn thought of puce, a purplish brown. Virginia designed a dark coloured jumpsuit with light multi-coloured ribbons of fabric attached to represent the many strands of womanhood.
The dancers explored how they could move in the costumes. Bronwyn then thought of putting the dancers on a revolving set inside the cove like an animated diorama. The dancers moved fluidly like two sea lions in rippling sea kelp. Blending digital and analogue photography techniques, Bronwyn came up with a series of twelve dynamic, striking images celebrating the female spirit through dance.
Dancer, the travelling exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, also tells its story through the joyous expression of dance. Whether sashaying in the kitchen while cooking dinner, cutting it up in the lounge room in pyjamas, or exploring the elaborate productions of professional dance theatre, this exhibition is a celebration of what dance brings to the human spirit. The 52 works are drawn from a who’s who of contemporary dance legends photographed by some of Australia’s greatest photographers.
These two exhibitions might just inspire viewers to dance right there in the foyer. Visit the Frankston Arts Centre foyer during open hours before 26 April to view them.
W: artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au
Sea Lion Sisters: Bronwyn Kidd
Dancer: Lisa Tomasetti
Dancer: Sanjeev Singh
Dancer: Jacob Nash
What’s coming up at...
RACHAEL BECK BRINGS HER STORY TO LIFE
Australia’s beloved music theatre and television star, Rachael Beck, will captivate audiences at Frankston Arts Centre on Friday 21 March as part of the long-running Daytime Music + Theatre program.
With a career spanning decades, from her early television days to her acclaimed role in the original Australian production of Beauty and the Beast, Rachael Beck has become a hugely popular name in Australian entertainment. In her latest show, Both Sides, she invites audiences on a heartfelt journey through the highs and lows of life.
Featuring an eclectic selection of songs, the performance reflects on the artists and moments that have shaped her career and personal growth.
“I’m so excited to bring my new show to Frankston Arts Centre. It will explore both sides of being a mother, both sides of being human, both sides of the entertainment industry. It will be filled with songs that you know and some that you don’t,” says Rachael.
SARAH BLASKO: I JUST NEED TO CONQUER THIS MOUNTAIN TOUR
Sunday 2 March, 4pm
Sarah Blasko tours in celebration of her seventh solo album, I Just Need To Conquer This Mountain, which debuted at #6 on the ARIA Australian Album Chart and was crowned Double J Feature Album.
THE POEMS, PRAYERS & PROMISES OF JOHN DENVER STARRING DARREN COGGAN
Saturday 8 March, 7.30pm
Multi award-winning performer, Darren Coggan, returns to his country roots with the vocal authenticity of one of the most passionate performers of all time. Relive the voice of a generation.
TOM BURLINSON “STILL SWINGIN” WITH BIG BAND
Sunday 9 March, 4pm
Australian star of stage and screen, Tom Burlinson, stars in a sensational salute to the masters of vocal Swing. This dazzling, energetic show presents a montage of swing classics backed by a big band.
Celebrate the transformative power of music and storytelling in this inspiring and emotional concert. Tickets are available at thefac.com.au or by calling 03 9784 1060.
STREISAND AND SINATRA
Friday 14 March, 8pm
Winner of The Voice Armenia - Masha Mnjoyan - and Australia’s Got Talent sensation Greg Gould, along with their incredible band, perform the magic of Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand.
GET RHYTHM: THE JOHNNY CASH & JUNE CARTER SHOW
Saturday 15 March, 7.30pm
Step back in time and listen to Johnny Cash & June Carter’s biggest hits with Australia’s most authentic Cash & Carter show! Immerse yourself in an unforgettable night of music, memories and pure entertainment.
VICTORIAN STATE BALLET: DON QUIXOTE
Sunday 16 March, 2.30pm
Following sell-out seasons, the Victorian State Ballet proudly presents the world famous, exciting full-length classical ballet of Don Quixote. Suitable for the whole family!
OUR CREATIVE PENINSULA
THIS MARCH: ART, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY
TUNE IN - PODCASTS
Saturday 8 March - Sunday 8 June
HERstory: Women of the Mornington Peninsula is a public art initiative designed to honour and celebrate the vital contributions of women in shaping the cultural, social, and historical identity of the Mornington Peninsula.
The project draws on the International Women’s Day 2025 theme, March Forward, aligning its message with global calls for accelerated action toward gender equity. Through visual storytelling, HERstory engages the community in a dialogue about the triumphs and challenges faced by women, inspiring reflection on how their legacies resonate today.
Mornington Shire Building (External wall) Visit the website for details about the free events over the 3 months.
E: artsandculture@mornpen.vic.gov.au
Saturday 8 March - Podcast release
Celebrating International Women’s Day and the HERstory public art exhibition, the In Our Backyard series presents HERstory.
Join award-winning broadcaster and journalist Tracee Hutchison as she interviews eight remarkable women who have shaped the Peninsula’s identity, sharing their unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs.
From pioneers and activists to artists and everyday heroes, their stories inspire and empower. Podcasts released from 8 March to early June 2025.
For more information on IWD activities across the Mornington Peninsula.
W: mornpen.vic.gov.au/iwd
MORNINGTON
Amy Dees
Until Monday 10 March Nature-inspired, contemporary art.
Glenn Walker
Tuesday 11 March - Monday 7 April Landscape photography exhibition.
SOMERVILLE
Sea Wolves
Until Tuesday 11 March Collection of handmade artist books.
Sarah Austin
Wednesday 12 March - Tuesday 22 April Things we say - Multi-part installation.
HASTINGS
This Girl Can
Wednesday 5 March - Sunday 13 April Photographic exhibition. COMMUNITY ART SPACE
PUBLIC ART - PHOTOGRAPHIC STORY
Saturday 29 March - Sunday 25 May
New Wave 25 showcases the work of local VCE and VCE VET art, visual art, media arts, fashion, design and technology students. The exhibition includes paintings, drawings, multimedia and ceramics.
James Tylor’s exhibition examines histories of colonisation and brings together his unique daguerreotypes, digital photographic series, and hand-made Kaurna cultural objects.
As part of the NGA’s Sharing the National Collection program, MPRG is displaying a neon artwork by internationally celebrated American artist Bruce Nauman over the next two years.
Image: James Tylor, (Deleted scenes) From an untouched landscape #14, 2013 W: mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au
New self-titled Album out Friday 28 March
Velvet Bloom’s music transcends genres; a sonic voyage through the cosmos with Maddy Herbert’s soulful prowess and lyricism serving as a beacon of authenticity.
“Equal parts enthralling and enchanting, Velvet Bloom is undeniably on the cusp of big things in the near future.” - Tyler Jenke, Rolling Stone Magazine.
This self-titles album is proudly supported by the Mornington Peninsula Shire Performing Arts Fund.
W: velvetbloommusic.com
MAKE MUSIC MATTER
Our new Mornington Peninsula Music Industry initiative celebrating our vibrant local music scene. Find our more...
Saturday 1 March
Womindjeka Balnarring Ngargee (Festival) Where the community can gather to share, begin conversations and walk with First Peoples.
W: balnarringfestival.com.au
Until Sunday 23 March
EXHIBITION ‘SCALE’ - LANDER-SE
SCALE is an all-female exhibition bringing together eight Australian painters, examining our relationship with Landscape through a unified lens of proportion.
This exhibition features artist-led workshops, inviting visitors to engage with Red Hill’s rural landscape.
W: landerse.au
Visit our website for more information about arts, culture and our community.
MPRG - OUR REGIONAL GALLERY
MUSIC NEWS
LIGHTS, CAMERA, action!
By Annette Sanfilippo Photos Supplied
Our city is runway ready and abuzz with its annual Melbourne Fashion Festival where each day until 8 March creativity will be on display showcasing a wonderland of amazing Australian designers and their work. How fabulous is it that we can give a roll of fabric to many and each come back with a different story to tell?
Fashion really is a superpower. It can influence minds, change moods, command attention and act as a means of cultural and social development. It is definitely worth celebrating, and as we become more and more absorbed in taking sustainability to higher heights, the ‘New Again Runway’ will celebrate designers who use reclaimed materials transformed into new masterpieces. Recycled resources have nuanced the fashion arena, and creatives have embraced using them as the new normal. Fabrics have personality. Hardware such as buckles and buttons have character and even millinery textiles like veiling and crinoline add a certain flair to new designs.
and reading and even internal cafes are creating a real shopping experience with a purpose. We have a trail of charity stores on the peninsula and they all have a treasure or two to find.
Fashion doesn’t have to be brand new to be fresh and cool and you don’t have to change to fit fashion trends
Fashion doesn’t have to be brand new to be fresh and cool and you don’t have to change to fit fashion trends; with such a variety, you can choose and change the fashion to fit you. Repurposed fashion can change lives and as we wind down from festival fashion overload we also celebrate and shine a light on International Women’s Day. ‘March Forward’ is the mantra this year. It conjures up such emotion and ideas and women inspiring the world is nothing new on the peninsula. I have to say we have some amazing initiatives that have come from people leading by example, helping, mentoring and stepping up in their fearless pursuit to leave a positive legacy moving forward. Helping to dress and provide education to lift someone to a new level from donated goods is a service we should enable and support, so reach into those wardrobes and give generously whenever you can.
Finding them is getting a bit hard with all the demand and usually a good thrift store adventure would prove very frugal.
Wearing well-styled clothing can command power and drive confidence and many have risen through these programs to continue
back to our community, but not everyone has been challenged; some are just natural standouts for who they are and to that. We give you a big nod for all you do.
Art and attire inspire and command positive attention from every turn and with the focus on women this month I can’t help being absorbed by those that both compliment and demonstrate this, often creating sub-cultural influences for others to resonate with. Global fashion editor Anna Wintour, hiding behind her signature dark glasses for one, tennis great Sabalenka with her tiger emblem tattoo and sneakers going viral or the uber fabulous icon, the late Iris Apfel as she ladens herself unapologetically with colour and lashings of jewellery and accessories to champion her individuality. The list goes on with the real trendsetters of today just being themselves and, in turn, there for those that need to look up to someone for guidance, connection or acceptance.
Whatever it takes for you to shine, try to find some fashion from our wonderful local boutiques and tell your own story. Create your own sunlight and enjoy dressing up, attending some lovely luncheons and networking events over March. Put a spark in your step as you take your fashionable strides this month and well into 2025.
Escorted Tours | Small Group Sizes | Luxury Accommodation | Inspiring Itineraries
Discover Japan with JANESCO’s Signature Tours
At JANESCO Travel, we specialize in thoughtfully designed itineraries that go beyond the ordinary, offering seamless and immersive travel experiences. With decades of expertise, we curate journeys that balance cultural depth, scenic beauty, and exclusivity, ensuring you experience Japan at a comfortable pace. We arrange and run all our tours directly with no middlemen, for quality, flexibility and value for money. From handpicked accommodations to expert local guides, every detail is carefully planned so you can relax and create unforgettable memories.
Discover Japan’s stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant traditions with our smallgroup, fully escorted tours. Whether you’re drawn to the breathtaking colours of autumn, the excitement of iconic festivals, or the charm of hidden gems, JANESCO’s tours provide a unique, effortless, and enriching way to explore Japan.
Fully
13-Day Japan Autumn Tour – Platinum
Luxury Travel | Small Escorted Group | Exclusive Experiences
Experience the essence of Japan in autumn on this meticulously crafted small-group tour (max 14 guests). Explore a rich tapestry of historic towns, cultural treasures, and breathtaking landscapes, from the samurai heritage of Kanazawa to the art islands of Naoshima and Teshima. Stroll through the vibrant streets of Kyoto, witness the iconic floating Torii gate of Miyajima, and marvel at the natural beauty of Mt. Fuji and Shiraito Falls. Along the way, stay in handpicked luxury accommodations, including a Michelin Key-winning onsen ryokan in Yamaguchi and a private suite on Naoshima Art Island, while enjoying Gran Class & Green Class Bullet Train travel and gourmet cuisine. A luxury tour at a relaxed pace.
Highlights:
• Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Miyajima & Hiroshima
• Luxury stays (Michelin Key onsen, Naoshima Art Island)
• Gran Class & Green Class bullet trains
• Samurai towns, art islands & Mt. Fuji views
Departs: 2 Nov 2025 | From $13,890 pp twin
14-Day Japan Dreams Autumn Tour
Deluxe Fully Escorted Small-Group Tour (10–16 guests)
Embark on a beautifully curated journey through Japan’s Golden Route, where history, culture, and stunning autumn scenery come to life. Wander through samurai districts in Kanazawa, stroll the Edo-period streets of Narai-juku, and take in the breathtaking gardens of Kyoto. Visit the awe-inspiring castles of Matsumoto and Himeji, experience the serenity of Kiso Valley, and marvel at the beauty of Miyajima’s Floating Shrine. Stay in a traditional ryokan in Uji, the birthplace of Japanese tea, and enjoy a well paced itinerary that blends iconic sights with hidden gems—all seamlessly arranged for comfort and cultural depth.
Highlights:
• Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Hiroshima & Osaka
• Samurai & geisha districts, castles & temples
• Traditional inns & including stay in Uji
• Kiso Valley’s Edo-period villages
Departs: 10 Oct & 10 Nov 2025 | From $8,870 pp twin share
10-Day Kyoto Gion Festival Tour
Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Kyoto’s Gion Festival, one of Japan’s most spectacular and historic summer celebrations. Witness the magnificent parade of towering festival floats, enjoy an evening walk through the lantern-lit floats, and experience the rich cultural traditions that make this event unforgettable. Beyond the festival, explore Japan’s Edo-period heritage in the historic post towns of Magome and Tsumago, marvel at the scenic beauty of Mt. Fuji and Shiraito Falls, and uncover the culinary and cultural wonders of Osaka’s Dotonbori district. With an optional visit to the 2025 Osaka World Expo, this tour blends festival excitement, history, and natural beauty into one seamless summer adventure.
Highlights:
• Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & Nagoya
• Exclusive Gion Festival parade access
• Mt. Fuji, Edo-period towns & bamboo forests
• Optional visit to World Expo 2025 Osaka
Departs: 10 July 2025 | From $4,990 pp twin share
Start Your Journey with JANESCO Travel
Let us take care of every detail while you experience Japan like never before. Contact us today to find the perfect tour or create a bespoke luxury journey tailored just for you. 1300 880 819 | www.janescotravel.com
Seaford is a beach side suburb in Melbourne. It is located 36km south-east of Melbourne's central business district. Its local government area is the City of Frankston.
Seaford was the site of the Karrum Karrum swamp, which was utilised for food by the Bunurong Aboriginal people. In the early twentieth century, after European settlement, the swamp was drained for farming purposes (with wet areas remaining only at low lands; including Seaford and the Edithvale wetlands.
At the 2021 census, Seaford had recorded a population of 17,215
The name Seaford arose during a meeting of local residents in 1913, called to decide upon a name for the settlement and the new railway station about to open. It was agreed that the name should contain some reference to the sea. Councillor Sydney Plowman suggested "Seaford", dropping the "l" from his home town of Sleaford, in Lincolnshire, England. The suggestion was adopted.
In February 2011 the Australian Football League's St Kilda Football Club officially opened its $10.25 million training venue at Belvedere Park in Seaford.
The Seaford post office opened on 6 March 1914.
The Seaford Foreshore Reserve is one of the few remaining substantial, continuous strands of natural coastal vegetation near Melbourne. Seaford is notable for this reserve, which divides the beach from Nepean Highway along the whole length of the suburb. This reserve was the site for an extensive dune restoration program undertaken by the Port Phillip Authority in 1972, under the title of the "Seaford Experimental Project". The program involved extensive areas of fencing, revegetation and the installation of walking tracks, seats, tables and shelters.
Kananook walking trail is split by roads, passes by the Seaford RSL, continuing in both directions.
Seaford Wetlands is a 305 hectare nature reserve listed on the Register of the National Estate. The wetlands are home to a wide variety of bird life, including a number of rare and endangered migratory species protected by international agreements. The large numbers and variety of bird life make the Wetlands popular with bird watchers. Many migratory birds from as far afield as Siberia visit the reserve from October to March.There are stands of river red gums around the margins of the wetlands, some of which are estimated to be around 300 years old. Some have scars where the bark was stripped for use by the Bunurong Aboriginal people prior to European settlement.
Seaford is serviced by both bus and commuter rail. Two railway stations are within the suburb – Seaford and Kananook – on the Frankston railway line.
Median house prices for Seaford is $830,000 whilst median rental is at $582 per week.
Coffee Safari
Freshly brewed coffee is a must-have for weekends away and the Mornington Peninsula's coffee haunts are second to none. Check out these!
Crackerjack Beachfront
CARRUM BOWLING CLUB, 4/1N NEPEAN HWY
Pairing award winning architecture with relaxed quality dining and offering unobstructed, spectacular views of Port Phillip Bay from every window, dine indoors or enjoy the fresh air with your furry friend and tasty food from their choicest menu.
Coffee Home Café
SHOP 2, 131 NEPEAN HWY
A place for the whole family to enjoy tasty brekky or brunch before or after you visit Seaford Beach with friendly service and great food and prices.
Beach Café
1/10N NEPEAN HWY
Relaxing place to sit and chill on the terrace with a superb view of the pier and ocean beyond. Enjoy a freshly brewed coffee and amazing cakes. Light meals also available.
What to do
Pack a picnic and head to the Seaford Foreshore Reserve then stroll along the walking tracks toward the beach and pier. Explore the wetlands and ‘I Spy’ one of around 130 different species of bird life. Venture to the happening industrial area on Hartnett Drive and visit a local brewery or distillery and grab a bite from one of the hidden gems nestled in the area.
Photos Yanni
LOCATION: 2080 Frankston - Flinders Rd, Hastings
HOURS: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 6pm
9596 4278
LOCATION: Unit 5, 3 Trewhitt Court, Dromana Industrial Estate HOURS: Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10am until 5pm
Wine Lovers Warehouse is the direct to public arm of our wholesale business specialising in restaurant, hotel, and function wines for over 18 years.
COVID-19 put a big handbrake on our wholesale business and so we made a decision to transform and stay alive, supported by our friends and the local community, which we will be forever grateful.
We opened the warehouse every week to the public, selling our wines and suppliers at trade prices and no retail mark ups. It is our commitment to remain open servicing the needs of our Wine Lover community into 2024 and beyond. Come along and say hello, grab a bottle or a case. Try before you buy at the Hastings store guarantees you will be satisfied with your choices.
LUXURY AND CARE IN PERFECT HARMONY AT MT ELIZA GARDENS
When you step into your spacious suite, complete with elegant interiors and modern amenities, you’ll immediately feel the care and attention to detail that make this place so special. At Mt Eliza Gardens, true luxury isn’t just about the surroundings – it’s about the exceptional care and sense of belonging that come with it.
enjoying life’s luxuries without compromise.
Every detail has been thoughtfully created to ensure you feel supported, valued, and at home. The architecturally designed, multi-level residence offers all levels of care, including a dedicated Memory Support Unit. With ageing-in-place programs, you’ll have the peace of mind that your care can adapt to your changing needs over time.
Your care plan is personalised, created by a team of experienced registered nurses and professional carers who focus on maintaining your independence, dignity, and overall wellbeing. You’ll feel supported every step of the way by a team that truly understands your needs.
As you explore Mt Eliza Gardens, you’ll discover a lifestyle that’s as luxurious as it is welcoming. Picture yourself relaxing in one of the beautifully designed lounge areas, enjoying a film in the gold-class cinema, or indulging in a treatment at the on-site hair and beauty salon. The landscaped courtyards and rooftop putting green offer peaceful spots to unwind or connect with others. For special occasions, the private dining room is perfect for sharing moments with family and friends.
With a rich legacy built on two generations of the Matthies family’s experience in aged care, AACG has been delivering highquality care since the 1960s. Their family-owned approach creates a strong sense of community across their homes in Kew, Cowes, and Mount Eliza.
Whether you’re seeking a temporary respite stay or a permanent residence, Mt Eliza Gardens offers a lifestyle designed just for you. You’re warmly invited to tour the residence and experience its elegance and comfort firsthand. From spacious single rooms to premium suites with kitchenettes, every option reflects thoughtful design and attention to detail. Here, luxury and care come together to create an experience that not only meets your needs but exceeds your expectations.
Welcome to Mt Eliza Gardens Aged Care, where luxury meets affordability in the heart of your community. Discover a premium, hotel-style residence designed with meticulous attention to detail. Mt Eliza Gardens offers spacious suites, elegant interiors, and modern amenities, ensuring the highest quality of living.
Our registered nurses and professional care team customise services to meet your unique needs and preferences, promoting independence, dignity, and wellbeing. We work closely with you and your family to create personalised care plans, ensuring you’re supported every step of the way.
Whether you choose a single room or a premium suite with a kitchenette, you’ll enjoy generous space and exquisite amenities. Experience the perfect blend of comfort, style, and top-tier care.
Book a Personal Tour Today
Discover why Mt Eliza Gardens Aged Care is the perfect place for you or your loved one. Experience unparalleled living and services designed for your comfort and care. Call 8001 8000 or email info@mtelizagardens.com.au
A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE IN COACH TOURING
As we begin 2025, O'Shannessy’s Quality Tours, a familyowned business with an impressive 40-year legacy, continues to set the standard in the coach touring industry. With an unwavering commitment to offering exceptional experiences, they are not just maintaining their reputation—they are going from strength to strength.
Founded four decades ago, O'Shannessy’s has become synonymous with quality and personalised service in the world of coach travel. Over the years, the company has earned a stellar reputation for providing both domestic and international tours that are fully escorted, allowing travelers to sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey in the most comfortable way possible. Their overseas ground operators are hand picked to ensure the commitment to the highest level of service and care is maintained, no matter where they venture to. Whether it’s an iconic Australian destination or an exotic international locale, O'Shannessy’s ensures that every trip is an adventure filled with cherished memories.
A key hallmark of O'Shannessy’s service is the personal touch they provide to each customer. From the moment you book your trip to your pickup and final drop-off at your doorstep (within our extensive zone), the experience is tailored to meet your needs and exceed your expectations. In addition to meticulously planned itineraries and luxury coach travel, the company offers a unique chauffeured pick-up and return service, picking you up directly from your home. This thoughtful detail sets them apart and reflects the family values that have guided the business for over 40 years.
O'Shannessy’s expertise in the coach touring industry allows them to curate experiences that go beyond the ordinary. With fully escorted tours, customers are not just passengers-they are welcomed as guests. Each tour guide is an expert in their field, sharing local knowledge and providing insights that turn every journey into a learning experience, while ensuring all logistics run smoothly so travelers can simply enjoy the ride.
The strength of O'Shannessy’s Quality Tours lies not only in their impeccable service but in their ability to adapt to the ever-changing needs of their clients. As 2025 begins, the company shows no signs of slowing down. Instead, they are embracing new opportunities and expanding their offerings, proving that their passion for providing extraordinary travel experiences is as strong as ever.
From its humble beginnings to a thriving, respected name in the coach touring industry, O'Shannessy’s Quality Tours continues to thrive because of its dedication to excellence, its personal touch, and its commitment to creating unforgettable journeys. For those seeking a truly exceptional travel experience, the team at O'Shannessy’s has not only a legacy of quality-they have the vision to take you on the adventure of a lifetime.
Here’s to a fabulous start to 2025 and to many more years of creating exceptional travel experiences for generations to come.
P: 1800 354 352 W: oshannessys.com.au
The O'Shannessy family continuing the legacy
O'Shannessy's luxury coaches throughout the years
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A COMMUNITY WHEN DOWNSIZING
At Lifestyle Communities, downsizing isn’t just about moving to a smaller home but about upgrading your lifestyle. With over 20 years of experience in the independent living space, we know that the right community should give you the freedom to enjoy life, connect with like-minded people, and feel secure in a place that truly feels like home. Whether you're dreaming of a coastal escape or a vibrant neighbourhood with plenty of social events, here are some key things to consider.
Location & Convenience
Lifestyle Hastings
Where you live sets the tone for your lifestyle. Being close to family and friends makes life more enjoyable, while easy access to healthcare, shopping, and restaurants ensures your day-to-day is hassle-free. Consider whether the area matches your interests whether that’s beach walks, park strolls, or the buzz of city life.
A Sense of Community
A welcoming, friendly community makes all the difference. Social events like BBQs, trivia nights, and group outings create opportunities to connect. Having access to clubs and hobbies, such as gardening, arts and crafts, or fitness classes, adds to the experience. Living among like-minded people fosters a supportive environment where every day feels more fulfilling.
Facilities That Enhance Your Lifestyle
A great community should feel like a holiday every day. A stylish clubhouse provides a place to meet, relax, and celebrate, while pools, gyms, and walking tracks help you stay active. If you have a pet, finding a community with pet-friendly spaces ensures they’ll be as happy as you are.
lifestyle communities
50 55 60
*Prices correct as at February 2025. Subject to change without notice.
Peace of Mind
Feeling safe in your home is priceless. A community with secure access offers privacy and security, allowing you to relax. And having a next-door neighbour you can rely on when you’re off enjoying your retirement in the Bahamas? That’s peace of mind you can’t put a price on.
Low-Maintenance
Living
Enjoy more free time with a home designed for easy living. Smart, modern layouts maximise space and comfort, while minimal upkeep means no more worrying about mowing lawns or fixing fences.
Take the time to visit, talk to current homeowners, and explore what’s on offer. When you find the perfect balance of security, social activities and lifestyle perks, you’ll know, you’ll get that ‘feeling.’
Thinking about downsizing? Discover the vibrant lifestyle waiting for you at Lifestyle Communities.
Call us today to book a tour or scan the QR code below!
WELCOME TO LAMBLE TOURS
Lamble Tours is a family-owned travel business. For over 30 years we have provided extensive touring experiences and happy memories for individuals and groups.
Our itineraries provide a comprehensive guide to daily activities tailored to accommodate all levels of mobility.
There are no hidden extra costs.
Please phone or email to request a detailed itinerary. Confirmation of your booking necessitates a deposit of $200.00 accompanied by a completed booking form.
We advise prompt action to avoid disappointment.
Enjoy a stress-free holiday from the outset with our door-todoor pick up and return service (Metropolitan and Mornington Peninsula)
I look forward to our future travels.
Kind regards Vickie Lamble
FB: @lambletours
E: lambletours@bigpond.com
P: 0418 853 810
W: lambletours.com.au
8 DAYS SA & THE OVERLAND TRAIN
Sunday 11 May – Sunday, 18 May 2025 TRAIN - COACH - FLY
Touring & visiting Victor Harbor, Monarto Safari Park, Hahndorf, Barossa Valley, Seppeltsfield Winery - 6 Nights The Stamford Grand Hotel Glenelg with ocean views.
Cost: $3,510
Per person twin share/double Single supp: $930
Please pay $200 deposit before Wednesday 26 March 2025
11 DAYS SPRINGTIME WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Friday 12 – Monday 22 September 2025
Come and
• Home pick up & return service metropolitan / Mornington Peninsula
• Tours escorted by Vickie Lamble
• For a detailed itinerary phone: 0418 853 810
Email: lambletours@bigpond.com
www.lambletours.com.au
NATURE, WILDLIFE & ADVENTURE
Imagine yourself soaking up the sun and unwinding as you take in the breathtaking beauty of Wilsons Promontory National Park, one of Victoria’s most stunning locations.
Wildlife Coast Cruises invites you on an unforgettable adventure with their Wilsons Prom Full Day Tour, running through early April. This spectacular eight and a half hour cruise explores the Prom’s east coast and southernmost point, immersing you in its incredible natural wonders.
Your journey begins in the charming fishing village of Port Welshpool, where you’ll board the Brianna Lee before setting sail. As you cruise past pristine beaches, towering mountains, lush forests, and remote islands, listen to fascinating commentary about the region’s history. Keep an eye out for playful dolphins often seen darting alongside the boat.
The tour includes morning and afternoon tea, tasty snacks, and a delicious lunch, served while anchored in a secluded cove where you can also enjoy a refreshing swim, paddleboard, or a short coastal hike.
Further south, visit Kanowna Island, home to thousands of Australian Fur Seals, before marvelling at the iconic Skull Rock. Cruises run on limited dates until early April - book now for this bucket list experience!
W: wildlifecoastcruises.com.au
EXPERIENCE THE BREATHTAKING BEAUTY OF ARTHURS SEAT EAGLE
Soar above the stunning Mornington Peninsula in comfort and style aboard the Arthurs Seat Eagle, a world-class gondola ride offering breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline, Port Phillip Bay, and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day out or a special treat for visiting friends and family, this is an experience not to be missed.
Designed with accessibility in mind, the Eagle’s spacious, fully enclosed cabins provide a smooth and tranquil ride to the summit of Arthurs Seat, ensuring a safe and comfortable journey for all ages. Seating is generous, boarding is easy, and mobility aids are welcome, making it an ideal activity for those who want to enjoy nature without strenuous walking.
At the summit, you can take in the spectacular scenery, explore nearby Seawinds gardens, or simply relax at the Eagle Cafe, where you’ll find delicious coffee, fresh local produce, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy a leisurely bite to eat as you admire the breathtaking views from the cafe’s scenic deck.
A ride on the Arthurs Seat Eagle is a serene escape from the everyday, perfect for those who love sightseeing, photography, and peaceful outdoor experiences. Whether you’re reminiscing about past visits or discovering it for the first time, the Eagle promises an unforgettable day out. Plan your visit today and let the Eagle take you to new heights! W: aseagle.com.au
WHY YOU NEED AN INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL PLANNER
(...and why they're as rare as a unicorn in a suit!)
Navigating your finances can feel like solving a Rubik’s cube blindfolded—confusing, frustrating, and likely to make you want to throw something. But that’s where independent financial planners come in! Independent planners are free to focus on what truly matters—you and your financial goals. At Partners in Planning, we pride ourselves on being one of the rare breeds— truly independent and focused on YOUR success, not some corporate bottom line.
According to Superguide less than 1% of Australian financial advisers are independent, making us almost as rare as seeing a Unicorn in a suit!
Why Being Independent Matters
Here’s a little secret: not all financial advice is created equal. An independent financial planner, on the other hand, is like your cool foodie friend who recommends the best dish just because it’s amazing. They have no hidden agendas—just your best interests at heart.
The Perks of Going Independent
1. No Commissions, no conflicts of interest – Just as rare as a Unicorn, we are independent planners who do not get paid a commission whatsoever – meaning the only way we get paid is by you, our clients.
2. No Sales Pitches, Just Good Advice – We don’t push financial products like a late-night infomercial. We give you real, unbiased advice that suits you.
3. Big Picture Planning – Investments, retirement, taxes—yeah, we actually help you with all of it, not just one piece of the puzzle.
4. Fiduciary = Fancy Word for "We Have Your Back" – We legally have to act in your best interest. (Shocking, right?!)
5. Tailor-Made Strategies – We create financial plans that fit you, like a bespoke suit, but way less expensive. An independent financial planner is like having your very own financial GPS— completely focused on your destination, not tied to big banks or pushing products for commissions
6. We Stick Around – No disappearing act here. We’re with you for the long haul, through market ups, downs, and those moments when you consider buying a yacht on impulse.
Why Finding an Independent Financial Planner is Like Spotting a Unicorn
So, if independent planners are so great, why aren’t they everywhere? Well, several reasons:
The Big Guys Dominate
The financial industry is like a giant corporate jungle, and big firms hold the watering holes. Independent planners have to carve out their own space, making them a rare but precious find.
Who doesn’t love conflict of interest, commissions and assetbased fees! Right?
Internal products, adviser commissions, and asset-based fees is a common recipe in the financial industry... it’s like a three-course meal where the only thing getting digested is your bank account!
Partners in Planning – The Independent Unicorn You’ve Been Looking For
At Partners in Planning, we believe your finances deserve more than cookie-cutter solutions. We’re 100% independent, which means our only goal is to help YOU reach yours. Whether you’re saving for retirement, investing wisely, or just trying to figure out where your money disappears every month, we’re here to help— without the salesy nonsense.
If you’re looking for financial advice that’s transparent, tailored, and maybe even a little fun (yes, we make money talk entertaining), give us a shout. Let’s build a plan that works for you—without any corporate strings attached.
We provide advice on a comprehensive range of services, included but not limited to:
• Superannuation
• Retirement Planning
• Investing for the future of Children / Grandchildren
• Investing in Shares
• Aged Care
• Self-managed superfunds
• Life Insurance and Income Protection
• Investment Bonds
With offices in Carnegie, Mornington, Brunswick and Geelong we are bound to have an office near you.
Feel free to reach out of a 15 minute phone chat to discuss whether an independent financial planner is right for you!
HOME EQUITY RELEASE LOANS HELPING RETIREES LIVE THEIR BEST LIFE
Retirement today is vastly different from fifty years ago. Australians are healthier, more active, and living longer. They want to travel, renovate, pursue hobbies, and support family— without leaving the community they love. However, living longer requires greater financial flexibility, and many find their savings, superannuation, or pension insufficient to meet their needs. Since much of their wealth is tied up in their home, being able to release equity from property for other purposes could be the solution they are looking for.
How it works
Also known as a reverse mortgage, a home equity release loan allows homeowners over 55 to access some of the equity they have built up in their home to support their retirement goals. Funds can be used for renovations, travel, daily expenses and more. Unlike traditional loans, no proof of income or monthly repayments are required. The loan is typically repaid when the homeowner sells, moves, or at the end of their life. Today’s loans also come with key government protections like the “no negative equity” guarantee ensuring borrowers never owe more than the value of the property. Lenders also typically offer a lifetime occupancy guarantee where you cannot be asked to leave or sell if the security property is the home you live in.
Inviva, a leading home equity release lender, helps retirees unlock their home equity to enhance their lifestyle. Inviva can lend against the home you live in, an investment property or holiday home, and offers flexible drawdown options including a line of credit where interest is only paid on drawn funds.
Borrowers can choose to make no repayments or pay all or part of the loan off at any time.
“Many of our customers have built significant equity in their homes, and releasing some of that wealth allows them to enjoy retirement on their terms,” says Inviva CEO Andre Karney.
For more information call the number below. Go to the website to try Inviva’s free property estimate calculator to find out how much you could borrow.
P: 1300 222 223 W: inviva.com.au
KEY BENEFITS OF AN INVIVA HOME EQUITY RELEASE LOAN
RETAIN HOME OWNERSHIP
Stay in the home you love, save on downsizing costs and enjoy any potential property gains.
PRESERVE YOUR RETIREMENT INCOME
Reduce the need to prematurely draw on savings you may have ear marked for emergencies or other needs.
NO REGULAR MONTHLY REPAYMENTS
Free up income for other uses. Unlike traditional loans there is also no requirement to provide proof of income.
FLEXIBLE ACCESS TO FUNDS
As a lump sum, regular monthly payment or line of credit.
BORROW FROM $50,000 UP TO $3 MILLION+
How much you may be able to borrow is generally dependent on your age and the value of the security property.
FAST, EASY AND SECURE APPLICATION PROCESS
It takes less than 30 minutes to apply.
OLD FASHIONED SERVICE AND MODERN CONVENIENCE
As a proudly independent grocer, community is at the core of everything we do. For over 154 years, our charming store has served both locals and visitors. The Mornington Peninsula region boasts exceptional coasts and fertile soils, offering a bounty of treasures from cherries and berries to mushrooms and fine wines. Each season invites exploration.
At Flinders General Store, we take pride in providing local fruits and vegetables, groceries, and freshly brewed coffee. Our selection also includes delicious take-home meals, bread, cakes, and fresh flowers, as well as a curated range of local and imported wines.
We’re dedicated to bringing you the best our region has to offer, along with the latest local news. We love when you stop by for a chat! We’re happy to share tips on where to soak in the coastal beauty, so pack your picnic and a drink, and enjoy your adventure.
W: flindersgeneralstore.com.au
FLINDERS
GENERAL STORE
Old fashioned service, modern convenience
7am-7pm, 7days a week
Gourmet produce and deli
Mornington Peninsula wines, craft beers & spirits
Take away coffee bar
Flinders General Store 48 Cook St, Flinders www.flindersgeneralstore.com.au
FIRE SERVICE MUSEUM VICTORIA
The Fire Services Museum of Victoria is an organisation dedicated to the preservation and showcasing of fire-fighting memorabilia from Victoria, Australia and overseas.
FIRE
It boasts one of the largest collections of fire-fighting memorabilia in Australia, with it being located in one of its prized exhibits.
Run completely by volunteers, each with a unique background with the fire services; some being former and current members of Fire Rescue Victoria, the MFB, Country Fire Authority (CFA), Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) and many more other fire-related agencies.
The museum is open Thursday, Friday and Sunday and is easily accessible by train or tram.
For the most up to date news on coming displays and events please check our website and Facebook page.
Hosted by author and broadcaster Jacinta Parsons, The Ageing Ideal offers valuable information and insights about ageing and aged care, whether you’re navigating services for yourself or a loved one or just thinking about the future. The stories and discussions explore issues, offer sage advice from older people and industry experts and hopefully challenge the way people think about ageing.
Not just for seniors, the podcast is for anyone who wants to know more about how we can live and age well, challenge traditional perceptions of ageing and aged care and help shape the future of aged care in Australia.
Accessing help at home to maintain independence, safety and wellbeing can be different if you live in the city with an abundance of services, compared to living in the country when your home is on hundreds of acres or kilometres from townships. The question of how to age well, no matter where you live, depends on the individual, your health and your circumstances.
The first episode of The Ageing Ideal called Growing Older My Way suggests we all have ways we choose to get the most out of life. How do we maintain a positive mindset when circumstances, state of mind, and ill health can be limiting factors?
Appearing on the first episode of The Ageing Ideal, octogenarian Loretta Simmons speaks candidly about what it means to her to age well, “Ageing well is to be very mindful, for a start, and that includes both mind and body. Keeping fit. Good health is one of the areas in which we must focus and really look after ourselves.”
Upcoming episodes explore the challenges of being a family carer, taking care of our mental health as we age, finding joy later in life and a frank look at the Aged Care Sector and what we can expect with the new Aged Care Reforms coming up in 2025.
With an eclectic combination of curiosity, wit, personal experiences and expert knowledge, the podcast provides resources and feedback to help people maintain physical and mental wellbeing and navigate the complexities of aged care in Australia
The first episode of The Ageing Ideal is out now, with a new episode dropping each month.
To listen, search and follow The Ageing Ideal on your favourite podcast app or find out more at unitingagewell.org/podcast
P: 1300 783 435 W:
Help at home
Get assistance with personal and clinical care, household chores, assistive technology and transport
Community
support and wellbeing
Remain connected with social groups, outings and carer services.
Independent living
Maintain an independent lifestyle in one of our vibrant retirement living communities
Residential care
Specialist 24/7 care and support and respite stays are welcome. Andrew Kerr Care Community in Mornington offers generous, stylish spaces, well appointed bedrooms and a vibrant lifestyle program.
Call the Uniting AgeWell team today to find out how we can support you to live well with choice, independence and peace of mind as you age.
FROM THE STAGE TO SUSTAINABILITY, CRAFTING MEANINGFUL GOODBYES WITH CANDOUR
Simon Mummé’s life journey has been one of creativity, passion, and a commitment to making a lasting impact. From performing ballet across the globe to his current role as cofounder and Funeral Director at Candour, Simon’s path reflects a deep-seated desire to bring purpose and compassion to the most challenging times in life. His transition from the stage to the funeral industry may seem unexpected. However, it is driven by a clear mission: to offer families support through meaningful, personalised farewells that are both emotionally resonant and environmentally conscious.
At Candour, Simon and the team have taken a bold approach to funeral care by integrating sustainability into every aspect of the business. From the very inception of Candour, every decision has been made through the lens of environmental impact. This commitment is reflected in the eco-friendly funeral products they offer, such as biodegradable coffins and caskets, and the use of organic materials in the linings of coffinsreplacing traditional plastic with more sustainable options. By thinking holistically about the funeral process, Candour ensures that families can honour their loved ones while contributing positively to the planet.
The focus on sustainability goes beyond just the products; it extends to Candour's partnerships and operational practices. Working with local florist Val and her team at The Bloom Room, Candour ensures that every floral arrangement created for a family’s farewell is beautiful and sustainable. The flowers are hand-tied and locally grown, reducing the need for plastic and toxic materials while supporting local growers.
Candour is committed to tracking and reducing its own carbon footprint. Through its partnership with Trace, an environmental data platform, Candour measures its emissions, identifies areas for improvement, and is actively working towards carbon neutrality. The company has created a bold sustainability roadmap to showcase its dedication to driving positive change both within the funeral industry and on a larger environmental scale.
What sets Candour apart is its belief in a funeral experience that honours the person being remembered, the community, and the environment. Simon’s commitment to sustainability does not merely stop at the funeral service—it extends into how Candour operates as a business and interacts with its local community.
"We are proud to be a part of the Mornington Peninsula community," says Simon. "Our goal is to provide a meaningful farewell for every individual, whether planning ahead or during times of need. Ultimately, we aim to connect with the community, participating in both large and small local events, and building relationships that extend beyond the funeral process."
Candour’s environmental commitment is more than a trend; it's a core value that drives the company’s mission. From offering sustainable funeral products to working with local businesses and tracking their carbon footprint, Candour proves that caring for the environment is just as important as caring for families. Simon and the Candour team are proud to offer a service that blends compassion with responsibility, allowing families to make choices that honour their loved ones and the planet.
For Simon, returning to the Mornington Peninsula with Candour feels like coming home. He’s deeply invested in ensuring Candour is an active part of the community, contributing in meaningful ways during times of loss and beyond. The Peninsula’s natural beauty and close-knit character make it the perfect backdrop for a business built on care, sustainability, and community.
As the world continues to shift toward a more sustainable future, Candour is leading the charge in modern funeral care. Every farewell they help craft leaves a legacy of love, respect, and environmental consciousness that will impact future generations.
Learn more about Simon and Candour at the website below.
JUST KEEP SWIMMING - IN AUTUMN
Keep your swimming pool and spa ready for your family’s enjoyment. Don’t leave it till the last minute to turn on your solar system only to discover you have a sprinkler system on your roof rather than a solar collector. Take advantage of the sun’s rays and carry on swimming through autumn by investing in an Aspire pool solar heating system. Solar collector is the most cost effective and sustainable way to heat any pool or spa. Whether you have existing forms of pool heating such as gas or heat pump the Aspire pool solar panels can be paired with these systems and considerably reduce your energy bills even further. The award-winning rigid pool solar panel can be custom installed to maximise the roof space available. Located at our modern manufacturing facility on the Mornington Peninsula the Aspire pool solar panel is the only 100% Australian made single piece injection over moulded rigid solar panel on the market. Built from high impact, high UV polypropylene resin, these panels are tough enough to resist cockatoo attack and hail damage.
HOW IT WORKS.
A rigid pool solar panel works in conjunction with a low energy water pump and a solar controller. The controller monitors the panel temperature on the roof and the pool water temperature. When the panels heat up from the free rays of the sun the controller activates the pump and circulates the hot water from the roof and back into the pool. It’s that simple.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT.
With soaring electricity prices and the phasing out of gas supply to new homes there has never been a better time to invest into a more affordable and sustainable way to heating your swimming pool.
HEAT YOUR SWIMMING POOL USING THE FREE RAYS FROM THE SUN.
• Saves money by using the free natural rays of the sun.
• Most cost-effective and sustainable way to heat any pool or spa.
• Can be paired with existing gas or heat pump heating systems.
• Will reduce your energy bills considerably when used as a primary source of heating.
• Resistant to cockatoo attack and hail damage.
• 100% Australian made for Australia’s harsh climate.
• Custom build sizes to maximise roof space.
• Patented one piece injection over moulded polypropylene construction.
• Pool industry recognised and certified.
• After 20 plus years of useful life the solar panels can be 100% recycled.
CONTACT ASPIRE TODAY FOR YOUR FREE MEASURE AND QUOTE.
CALL NOW: (03) 5979 1043
ASPIRE POOL SOLAR PANELS
ASPIRE POOL SOLAR PANELS.
Voted by SPASA , National GOLD winner for the most ustainable Product of the Year 2023.
Voted by SPASA, national GOLD winner for most sustainable product of the year 2023
GET THAT HOLIDAY HOME FEELING EVERYDAY
You may have noticed some uniquely elegant homes as you drive along Nepean Highway passing Bentons Road in Mt Martha. These eye-catching houses are display homes created by Highview Homes, a name synonymous with quality and tradition.
Highview Homes' signature weatherboard or brick homes seamlessly blend the architectural details of the past with the practicality of modern living. The Hampton, Federation, Seachange, and Victoriana designs each capture the essence of style while integrating contemporary layouts and functionality, perfectly suited for today's discerning homeowners.
What distinguishes Highview Homes is their dedication to customisation, ensuring every homeowner's unique vision is brought to life. Whether it's modifying facades or tailoring floor plans to suit specific needs and block sizes, the team at Highview Homes will ensure each client's dream home is realised down to the last detail.
Highview Homes has stayed true to its original vision of homes built with superior craftsmanship delivered with excellent customer service. High quality craftsmanship runs in the Highview family. The original tradesman, Bob Sheppard, began his working life on the family market garden in Bentleigh before venturing into the building industry in the early 1950’s, as a plasterer working with fibrous plaster. His son, Rex began as an apprentice plumber with a family friend in the mid 50’s then becoming a builder in his own right.
The family tradition continues with Russell, who now owns and manages Highview Homes. Russell oversees every project personally, and with his keen eye for detail, helps projects stay on schedule and within budget, minimising any unforeseen complications and ensuring a smooth experience for homeowners.
Explore the craftsmanship and expertise of Highview Homes at their display homes in Mt Martha, where you can experience firsthand the thoughtful design and timeless appeal that defines a Highview Home.
From the initial consultation to the final stages of construction, Highview Homes is dedicated to providing a personalised, customer-focused service, ensuring that every step of the homebuilding process is smooth and efficient. With Highview Homes you can enjoy a home that blends the very best of tradition with modern comfort.
Highview Homes (Vic) CDB-U 70372 11am-4pm Wed, 11am-4pm Sat, 11am-4pm Sun
A: 58 Bentons Rd, Mt Martha P: 5973 5973
FB: @HVHbuilder
IG: @highview.homes
W: highviewhomes.com.au
Why not visit our Hampton Display Centre at the corner of Nepean Highway and Bentons Road, Mt Martha.
Opening hours, 11am to 4pm Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday
YOUR SPACE, NOT EVERYONE ELSE’S
At Coyote Cabins, we leverage over 25 years of construction experience to provide high-quality, tailored housing solutions. As a family-run business, we've transitioned from building luxury residential homes to focusing on a more pressing need: affordable and customized granny flats for senior Australians.
Each Coyote Cabin is thoughtfully designed and customised to suit the specific needs of each client. We take care of all the details, to make a truly stress free experience.
To cater to individual needs and preferences, we offer a variety of add-ons such as decks, pergolas, extra windows and doors, additional power points, and external lighting. Whether you’re looking to keep your loved ones close or provide them with a private, cozy and functional space, Coyote Cabins delivers a solution that feels like home.
For more information, call Marc or send an email to Kellie.
P: 0417 899 799
E: kellie@coyotecabins.com.au
WE MANAGE YOUR SHORT TERM HOME RENTAL
Turn your peninsula property into a thriving holiday rental without lifting a finger. It sounds almost too good to be true.
Ready Set Stay is a professional service for short-term property management on the Mornington Peninsula. Sisters and short-term property management professionals Tammy and Jade have a passion for property and an eye for interior design. After years of renovating and renting their own peninsula holiday homes, they have a consolidated their knowledge and expertise to launch Ready Set Stay. They both make sure to treat each property like their own.
Are you time-poor? Do you need expert guidance on how to create a sufficient return on your investment? Double tick.
Perhaps you need styling advice and a photo shoot to get started? Tammy and Jade can take care of the lot, from guest and booking management through to housekeeping and urgent maintenance.
Ready Set Stay really is your hassle-free passive income partner.
Block out the dates when you want to enjoy your home and let Ready Set Stay look after the rest – bins, bonds, bills and everything in between.
full-management service. It’s boutique by design and family-run. Sisters and short-term property management professionals Tammy and Jade have a passion for property and an eye for interior design. After years of renovating and renting their own Peninsula holiday homes, they have a consolidated their knowledge and expertise to launch Ready Stay. Operating for 2 years now as a boutique business, Ready Set Stay have over 30 homes managed on the Peninsula. Both Tammy and Jade make sure to treat each property like their own. your
W: readysetstay.com.au
UNITED ON THE SOUTHSIDE: A FESTIVAL OF CULTURE, CONNECTION & COMMUNITY
This April, Southside Racing Cranbourne invites you to experience a festival like no other - United on the Southside, a completely free two-day celebration of culture, community, and connection. Held on Friday, 4 April, and Saturday, 5 April 2025, this event brings together people from all walks of life, breaking down barriers and creating a space where diversity is celebrated, traditions are shared, and everyone feels welcome.
AN ELECTRIFYING FRIDAY NIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS
Kick off the festival with an evening of thrilling Ladbrokes Friday Night Racing, where the excitement of the track meets the energy of live music and entertainment for all ages. As the horses thunder down the straight, the air will be filled with the sounds of multicultural performances, inviting you to dance, cheer, and celebrate the vibrant traditions that make our community so special.
Food is at the heart of culture, and our Together at the Table menu makes it easy for everyone to share in this experience. With affordable and delicious dishes, it’s the perfect way to connect over a meal. Meanwhile, the FREE Kids Zone will keep the little ones smiling with rides, games, and activities designed for endless fun.
Friday night is all about coming together - whether it’s to enjoy the races, savour incredible food, or simply soak in the electric atmosphere. It’s a night to celebrate, connect, and create memories under the lights.
A FULL DAY OF CULTURE, CONNECTION & DISCOVERY
On Saturday, the festival continues, transforming Southside Racing Cranbourne into a hub of cultural expression, education, and entertainment. The day will be packed with live music, multicultural performances, and interactive experiences that showcase the traditions, artistry, and stories of our diverse community.
Wander through vibrant market stalls, where artisans and creators will showcase handcrafted goods, fashion, and cultural treasures. Engage with craft and information sessions, where you can learn about different traditions, languages, and community initiatives. The Kids Zone will once again be buzzing with laughter, offering rides, face painting, henna tattoos, and traditional games from around the world.
For those curious about the world of horse racing, stable tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at the industry, providing a unique opportunity to learn about animal welfare and the deeprooted traditions of racing in Victoria.
More than just a festival, United on the Southside is a platform for bringing people together, sharing stories, and building
connections across cultures. Whether you’re coming for the entertainment, the food, the markets, or simply to experience something new, this event is for everyone.
COME TOGETHER & CELEBRATE WHAT MAKES US STRONGER
At its core, United on the Southside is a celebration of the values that unite us - community, culture, and connection. By making this festival completely FREE to enter, we are ensuring that no one is left out and that everyone has the chance to participate in this incredible event.
So, gather your friends, bring your family, and join us on 4–5 April 2025 at Southside Racing Cranbourne for a weekend of joy, learning, and unforgettable experiences. Because when we come together, we’re stronger, richer, and more united than ever.
Save the date, spread the word, and let’s celebrate!
For move details and to secure your FREE ticket, go to website.
NEW CHILDCARE AND EARLY LEARNING CENTRE IN DROMANA
Dromana Beach Sanctuary of Early Learning is the newest in a set of established early learning services on the Peninsula. Situated directly across from the beach, this coastal-style centre portrays the same philosophy and values as its sister centres Mount Eliza House, Frankston Beach and Seaford House. This state-of-the-art centre opened at the start of 2025 and has spaces available.
Dromana Beach is committed to providing a vibrant and flexible environment that supports learning and responds to the interests and abilities of each child. The program includes sustainability principles and a health and wellbeing focus, with a strong belief that children are connected to the wider community and environment. A balance of indoor and outdoor experiences is provided within the service's natural landscape and through the Beach and Bush Kinder program, as well as the highly sought-after Nippers program delivered by Victorian Surf Lifesaving.
Buddy the golden retriever is a valued member of the team and visits all of the services regularly, bringing joy and laughter to all of the children.
The play-based program provides opportunities for children to grow, discover, create and imagine. Children are acknowledged as capable, competent and co-contributors who actively participate in their own learning.
The inclusive program recognises the individual learning styles of all children, and it values families for their unique contributions to the centre community. The intention is to support children to be kind, respectful and confident contributors to their community and the world.
The experienced and knowledgeable educators are committed to providing a warm, nurturing environment that recognises childhood as a very special and important time.
A: 299-301 Point Nepean Rd, Dromana
P: 59818299
E: info@dromanabeach.com.au
W: dromanabeach.com.au
Sanctuary of Early Learning
PENINSULA LOCAL MARKET DIRECTORY - MARCH 2025
CHELSEA HEIGHTS
MARKET 3196
279 WELLS RD, CHELSEA HEIGHTS
MON - SUN, 10am to 5pm
• Arts • Vintage • Fashion • Harvest
• Collectables • Plants • Sweets • Vinyl
• Homewares • Beauty Salon with an onsite cafe! market3196.com.au
CRIB POINT
COMMUNITY MARKET
7 PARK RD, CRIB POINT
Sat 8 MARCH, 9am to 1pm
Stalls inside and out including vegies, plants, sausage sizzle, hot jam donuts, coffee van and more. Fun for the kids with the Cribby Koala treasure hunt.
market@cpch.org.au
BALNARRING
EMU PLAINS MARKET
EMU PLAINS RESERVE, BALNARRING
Sat 15 March, 9am to 2pm
More than just a market the EPM is a monthly celebration of art, food, design and community. Explore & support 200+ incredible small businesses each month! emuplainsmarket.com.au
DROMANA
ROTARY DROMANA MARKET
DROMANA RECREATION RESERVE
Sat 29 March, 8am to 1.30pm
Showcasing the local flavour of Dromana, offering fresh seasonal produce, and locally crafted products. Funds raised go to supporting local community projects. dromanamarket.org.au
FRANKSTON
LITTLE BEAUTY MARKET
BEAUTY PARK, FRANKSTON
Sat 22 March, 9am to 2pm
Filled to the brim with awesomeness Little Beauty features 100+ of Melbourne’s very best creatives, foodies and musos. Free entry. Dogs welcome!
littlebeautymarket.com.au
LANGWARRIN
MCCLELLAND
MAKERS’ MARKET
390 McCLELLAND DR, LANGWARRIN
Sat 8 March, 9am to 2pm
Featuring locally handmade artists, food to devour from across the globe, gourmet producers, fun for the kids and live, local music all day.
mcclellandmarket.com.au
Corner Puzzle
ACROSS
1. Least fatty
5. Covered cart
9. Slack
12. Layabouts
16. Elicit
17. Surgical dressing
18. Cleans (carpet)
20. Ashamed
22. Restraining cord
23. Swimming stroke
24. Fruit pastes
26. Tempting
27. Fragile
28. Gossips (6-7)
31. Furious
32. Persist
34. Mark of disgrace
36. Luau souvenir
37. Stealthy thieves (3,8)
40. Major computer firm (1,1,1)
42. Supply (entertainment) (3,2)
43. Leaks slowly
45. Comes before
47. Domestic helpers
49. Dud car
50. Deviates
52. Set of beliefs
54. Happen
55. Nips
56. Relaxation routine
58. Dethrone from
59. Promotional hype
60. Hovel
61. Narrow part of bottle
62. Lingered (on)
63. Plant, ... vera
64. Pure
67. Hurt
68. Facet
69. Jumpier
72. Lingerie item
74. State grants
78. Drily humorous
79. Olympic Games body (1,1,1)
80. In vogue, ... mode (1,2)
81. Granule
82. Fencing blades
85. Dessert, ... pie
87. Follow next
88. Slippery fish
90. Sweethearts' card
91. Dues
92. Eccentric pop star, Lady ...
93. Baghdad citizen
94. Better late than ...
95. Skim swiftly
96. Home stereo (2-2)
97. Creamy cheese
100. Sigh of relief
102. No-man's-land
103. Go for dip
104. Study tables
106. Surmise
108. December 31, New Year's
109. Crony
110. Mum & ...
112. Merriment
116. Graze
118. Appraised
120. Apparel
121. Scan 123. Chesty gasp
125. Origin
126. Dapper
127. Alcoholic derelict
128. 12 o'clock
129. Heredity DNA units
130. Ellipse shapes
131. Jaunty
132. Small bell sounds
134. Most socially popular group (1,4)
136. Wise people
139. Indestructible
141. Section
142. Excursions
144. Chile's capital
146. Sibling's daughter
147. Adds seasoning to 148. Flit (about)
149. Opponents
151. ... & outs
152. Counterfeiter
155. Zimbabwe's largest city
158. Welsh dog
159. Moody
162. Misgivings
164. Cracked on surface
165. Up on ahead
166. Discards
170. Port-au-Prince is there
171. Robben Island detainee, Nelson ...
172. Advantage
173. Olive farm
174. Local dialect
175. Broke promise
176. Backslide
177. Vacuous
178. Abominates
DOWN
1. Disconnect from the internet (3,3)
2. March birthstone
3. Showed by example
4. Inns
5. Bowler's goals
6. Insect larva
7. Twig shelter
8. Ambitious person (2-6)
9. Frond
10. Acceptable
11. Totally deplete
12. Accommodating
13. Loyalties
14. Assessing
15. Realm
19. Is obliged to
21. Stain on character
25. TV comedy series
26. Teaching session
29. Sexual drive
30. Rudder bar
33. In so far (as)
35. Unpalatable
36. Miming to pre-recorded lyrics (3-7)
38. Word puzzles
39. Nomadic
41. Misinterpret
42. Shank
44. Take a chair
46. Barbiturate
48. Frowns
49. Soothed
51. Thin layer
53. Mistrustfully
55. Cricket legend, Sir Donald
57. Abdominal muscles
60. Used spade
65. Composition
66. Steak cut (1-4)
70. Dutch sea walls
71. Whiskey-laced hot beverage (5,6)
73. Rescued by helicopter
75. Fertiliser compound
76. Lifeless
77. Biblical garden
78. Animal's drinking pool
83. Eject from house
84. Goo
85. Wrote in icing
86. Dollars & ...
89. Country, ... Lanka
91. Scarcely any
92. Roaming frivolously
96. Mob
98. Throat-clearing noise
99. Riding strap
101. Span
103. Chides
105. Spreads out untidily
107. Refusals
111. Nimble
112. Descended rock-face by rope
113. Elementary
114. Slightest
115. Cross
117. Aroused
119. Decimal base
120. Staring
122. Tragedy
124. Extrasensory perception (1,1,1)
132. Dealing illegally
133. Granny
134. Agree
135. International cycling event, ... France (4,2)
137. Butane or neon
138. Actor's dilemma (5,6)
140. Not to excess, in ...
141. Petrified
143. Flounce
145. Moving cartoons
150. Bus terminals
153. Obtained more weapons
154. Timeless
156. In a distant manner
157. Reviewed (ledger)
158. Code
160. Orange skin
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Hec Sutherland - An Australian Cycling Legend
By Peter McCullough
Hec Sutherland, born in Footscray, lived on the Mornington Peninsula for over 50 years prior to his death in 2011. Although one of the best cyclists that Australia has produced, he was a man of many talents. Hec was interviewed several years before he passed away; this is his story.
Hec, tell us about your family
I was born in Footscray on 6th March,1930. The Sutherlands were a Footscray family; my father (Alan) and my mother (Alice, nee Thornburn) were Footscray people. My father was a machinist at the Ordnance Factory in Gordon Street. I was the eldest in a family of three, having a brother (Don) and a sister, Margaret. Don was also a pretty good bike rider but moved to WA and did most of his riding over there. Of course gowing up in Footscray meant barracking for the Bulldogs was compulsory.
What was Footscray like in those days?
It was pretty good, almost like being in a country area. Of course there wasn’t the amount of traffic around; it was probably much the
same as Hastings in those days.
What about schooling?
I went to the Geelong Road State School. After that there was Footscray Tech. but I wasn’t smart enough. I didn’t want to go there. Instead I ran away to be a jockey and never went to secondary school.
Tell us about the horses
Well Mum and Dad never got on that well and I used to get up early in the morning at 4 o’clock, get on my bike, and go down to the Flemington track. I always loved the horses and a few of Dad’s relations were trainers.They were George Sutherland (Sydney), Jim Sutherland (Perth), and Bill Sutherland (Western Australia) and I used to listen to them at family get-togethers at home.
It would have been 1943 when I decided to run away and they found me three weeks later at the stables. One of the reasons I went back home was that one of the stable hands who was much bigger than us loved to belt the little apprentices. I was one of the ones he belted and I said to him, “I’ll catch up with you one day.” So I went
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Above: Hec Sutherland at the 1950 Empire Games in Auckland
home. That was one of the reasons but I was also worried about my brother and sister as well.
One morning not long after I ran away this trainer came up and said “You’re here every morning. Can I help you?” I told him I was thinking about being a jockey; I was only a little tacker weighing just over 6 stone. He said “OK. Well come with me.” That was Theo Lewis who at the time was one of the top trainers. I went with him for a while but it didn’t lead anywhere as the senior jockeys such as Bill Williamson did all the track work. All I was doing was cleaning out the stables.
Eventually I left Theo Lewis and went to Claude Goodfellow where Ron Hutchison was the apprentice jockey. I got too heavy and had to give away the idea of being a jockey. However I never lost my love of horses and took up training when I came to Balnarring.
What about your experience as a boxer, Hec?
Because I was so weedy my father thought I should build myself up and be able to take care of myself and sent me to Jack McLeod’s gym.This put an end to my ambition to be a jockey but it built up my strength and stamina when I took up bike riding.
Although I never fought in the ring, I went to the gym three nights a week for 7 or 8 years and did all the sparring. The same night I
Below: Hec on the cover of The Australian Amateur
started at Jack McLeod’s, Frankie Flannery started as well. What a wonderful boxer Frankie turned out to be. Pound for pound and inch for inch he was probably one of the hardest boxers who ever fought.Years later I bumped into Eddie Miller who was a champion boxer and I mentioned that I knew Frankie pretty well. Eddie just shook his head and said, “You couldn’t hurt that little bugger.”
Frankie Flannery picked up quite a few titles, initially as a bantamweight, and then he was down to fight Jack Hassen for the Ausralian Lightweight Championship. Bobbie Flannery, Frank’s brother, was always at the gym and we often baited Frankie that he didn’t do enough.When the title fight was announced old Blinker McLeod said, “Well, Frank, you’ll have to put in a lot more to beat Hassen.” Frank looked at Bob and me and said, “You two have been baiting me. What about helping.” I said, “Help you! You don’t need help, mate. Hassen needs the help.” However Bobbie and I were the only two who did all the exercises and sparring with him leading up to his fight with Hassen. I was about the same height as Hassen who was about 6 inches taller than Flannery. It was probably one of the hardest of fights; there were 6 or 7 knockdowns but Frankie finally won.
Because of my association with many of the top boxers I have been invited to numerous functions over the years for past and present boxers.
Before we get onto cycling, remember me telling you about the stable hand who used to belt me, and telling him I would catch up with him? After a few years at the gym I could handle myself pretty well. This day I went to the stables to see a few of the blokes I knew and the bully was still there. He went into one of the empty boxes, so I followed him and closed the door. When he turned round I said to him, “Remember how you used to belt all the apprentices and you belted me? Well now it’s your turn.” I knocked him out and sat him in a water bucket which was a 44 gallon drum cut down to about a foot high. Just then Theo Lewis walked in and said, “Good Heavens! What has happened to Ray?” I explained what had happened and he just laughed and said, “Well fair enough. It might stop him.” I don’t think Ray belted any more apprentices after that.
It has taken a while to get to cycling but perhaps you could tell us how you got started, Hec.
When I was 14 I was delivering papers around Footscray on an old bike belonging to Dad. It weighed a ton and was called “The Iron Horse”.My mate up the road had decided to join the Footscray Cycling Club and I thought I would go along as well. However Dad said, “Don’t you worry about joining, son, we haven’t got the money to buy you a bloody bike.” I said I was only going along to watch. Over the next 4 or 5 months I was given bits and pieces by other bike riders and slowly put an old bike together. I had to ask Mum and Dad for the money to join the bike club - it wasn’t much - and started riding. It was something that I found easier than anything else I had tried. A few of the older blokes took an interest in me and said that I would be OK once I grew a bit. One named Jack Molloy was particularly helpful and arranged for me to get my first road bike. Well I did grow over the next year and improved to the extent that I was selected in the Victorian amateur team for the Australian junior track titles in Hobart. I was placed in every title.
All this time I was still working out at the gym. However when I was about 16 Dad said, “You should build yourself up a bit more. Go up and swing the hammer for old Toby, the blacksmith, up at the corner.” So I went up every Friday afternoon and Saturday morning when they were making the shoes or dishing rails for the carts.
As I got stronger I started to go alright and I won the club championship in the second year that I rode as a junior. I also won as a senior for about 4 or 5 years, winning most of the races that I rode in including club championships. Then came the British Empire Games in Auckland in 1950. They had the trial for the road race in Sydney, I was selected and went on to win the Empire Games gold medal.
What was your biggest disappointment?
When I returned from Auckland my mentor, Bruce Small of Malvern Star fame, advised me that in order to gain vital experience for the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki it was essential for me to contest European races in 1951. This would help me with what Bruce called “racing strategy” and “scratch racing technique.”
Fortunately the Sporting Globe set up a fund to send cyclists overseas - it was called the International Jubilee Cycling Trust - and Russell Mockridge and I were selected to represent Australia in the world championships in Italy. Russell was to contest the world sprint title and I would contest the road championship although, in the event of injury or illness, these could be interchangeable.
I was going well in training in Italy when disaster struck. I was riding in a 50 miler, jumped off the mark, and soon was two minutes in front except for one opponent who was “sitting on”. Then a policeman on his motorbike, who had gone ahead to clear the road, came into view. He must have thought we were further behind as he swung into the middle of the road. They had white stone posts along the edge of the highway. The policeman left just enough room for the other rider to get past. I was going too fast to pull up and hit the policeman who fell on top of me. My left leg was pinned to the ground by the motorbike for several minutes and I was unable to ride for a week. If I’d had a gun I would have shot that ******* copper. With a badly damaged leg I couldn’t compete at my best and the whole trip was a disappointment.
However worse was to come. While I was in Italy the Olympic trials were held and the team for Helsinki was selected. I was not included.This was in spite of the fact that I was the holder of the British Empire road title, had won the Victorian and Australian road titles twice, and had won the 1951 champion of champions event in Western Australia. There was an enormous storm of protest led by Hubert Opperman who was an MHR by this time. The editor of The Australian Cyclist called it a “catastrophe and injustice”, and The Sun predicted that the Olympic team would send an SOS (“Send Over Sutherland”)
I didn’t know what to do: stay as an amateur, turn professional, or give the game away altogether.The Sun printed a letter in which I continued next page...
Above: Wife Margaret looks on as an admirer embraces a mud splattered Sun Tour winner
challenged the whole Olympic cycling team over any distance they cared to nominate. No response. I was pretty fed up about it but I proceeded to break the course record for each race I rode in; not one scratchman finished with me for the whole year.The day the Olympic Games road race was on I was riding in the Melbourne to Ballarat and there were 9 off scratch with me; by the time I got to Bacchus Marsh I had shaken the lot. I continued passing bunches of riders, and my time was a race record of 2 hours 32 minutes. It was faster than the time the train took back then!
After talking the matter over with Sid Patterson, winner of the world sprint title four times and Australia’s top professional cyclist, I thought it was time to make some money out of cycling so I turned professional early in1953.
When I turned professional the Victorian Amateur Cycling Union gave me a bonus of 50 pounds for my services to amateur sport and my willingness to help young riders. It was the first time a bonus had been given to an amateur-turned-professional. I said I wasn’t sure what to do with the cheque: perhaps a trophy? “Furniture”, said (new wife) Margaret who was nearby, so that fixed that!
How did you find the Sun Tours?
They were great. I rode in five for a 1st, a 2nd, a 3rd, and two 4ths. With a bit of luck I could have won the five.The Sun Tour started in 1952 and was won by Keith Rowley. By the following
year I had turned professional and thought I could win. A mistake cost me the race: I allowed Basil Halsall to break away in the Baw Baw mountains on the second last day when I led by 4 minutes 10 seconds. The next year (1954) I won by a record margin of 8 minutes 36 seconds although I had a swollen knee for the last three days. It was worth over 500 pounds which was a lot of money in those days. The Tour covered 1000 miles over 9 days. The next year I started well but finished 3rd behind Alan Geddes, another Footscray rider. After a couple of 4ths I gave the Tour away when I moved to Balnarring. However I went on about 30 more tours as part of the official party.
Punctures were always a problem on the rough roads so Keith Reynolds and I started manufacturing home-made racing tyres in a back shed in Footscray. They had two layers of inside casing and caused me a spot of bother on the 1954 Tour. Some of the other riders complained to Tassie Johnson (race referee) that I was using puncture-proof tyres. I don’t know how you get a puncture-proof tyre but anyway Tassie inspected them and signed them off. The very next stage was a 20 mile time trial at Swift’s Creek and I must have hit the wrong stone.The puncture blew the guts right out of the tyre.
What of the Melbourne to Warrnambool?
This was sponsored by the other popular newspaper, The Argus. I never had much luck in the Melbourne to Warrnambool; I punctured twice, and my gears broke in another. I think the only time I finished was in 1953. If you’re a scratchman in a race like that you have to rely on bad weather as you are giving some of the other riders an hour and a half start.
Who was the best bike rider you ever saw?
Probably Sid Patterson. I competed against him a lot and could beat him on the road but only ever beat him once on the track; then I broke away with 15 laps to go and he never caught me. However if we are talking sprints, Russell Mockridge was also outstanding. Patterson won the world sprint title but we never saw the best of him in Australia. Mockridge was just beaten in the world sprint title, but won the Grand Prix in France; it was probably the best race in the world at that time.
Russell Mockridge was not only a great bike rider, but was probably the best all-round sportsman that I ever came across. Percy Cerutty trained some top class athletes such as Landy and Elliot at his training camp at Portsea, but Mockridge held the record for going round the circuit. One day when we were over in Auckland we decided to watch the swimmers training at the pool. We had taken our bathers, hoping to have a swim later. The swimmers were one short in one of their relay teams and asked us if anyone would like to fill in. Mockridge volunteered; he swam the whole 100 yards under water and beat the swimmers. Another day we were giving the track team a bit of cheek and the hurdler, Ray Weinberg, said, “Never mind having shots at us. Give us something to run against”. He offered to give us 10 or 15 yards start but Mockridge only started a yard in front. After 130 yards he was still in front!
When Mockridge was at university he was in the Queens College rowing eight to keep fit and on one occasion when he came back from London he could beat everyone on the boat at table tennis except a bloke named Keith Miller who was also good at most sports.
Mockridge was also good at football at Geelong College but took
up cycling as he could keep his glasses on. A bloke from Geelong said to me one day, “If Russell had had good eyesight, he would probably have been the greatest all round sportsman Australia has ever seen.”
To get back to your question, I reckon Patterson, Mockridge and Billy Guyatt would be hard to separate on the track.Another good rider was a little bloke from Tasmania named Danny Clarke. As an all-round Australian bike rider, for handicaps, scratch races and match races not too many beat him. Not too many got over him and he had endurance the same as Patto had.
How do you rate yourself, Hec, and what do you consider were your main achievements?
I was good at both track and road and one expert classed me as the second best all-round cyclist that Austraalia has producedsecond to Bill Moritz. However I couldn’t beat Mockridge in a pure sprint: a mile or more and I had a show. But on the road he never worried me.
I won about 400 races, including seven Australian amateur titles, during my career which more or less finished at 26. However my best feat was to win the Victorian professional 5 miles championship in three successive years (1954,’55, and ‘56) when stars like Mockridge, Reynolds and Patterson were in their prime. Winning the gold medal at Auckland in 1950 and the Sun Tour in 1954 were also highlights.
There is one record that I was particularly proud of. One year I was the single scratch rider in the Melbourne to Heyfield which was 120 miles. There were 6 off second scratch and it took me 20 miles to catch them but I went through and got fastest time. My time of 4 hours 45 minutes 2.5 seconds was a course record. Now there was an Australian champion, McNamara, who was acclaimed as one of Australia’s greatest riders and he rode from Colac to Melbourne (100miles) in 4 hours something. When I crossed the 100 mile mark in the Heyfield race I was 17 minutes faster than McNamara. I asked about claiming the record but it was refused as there was only one clock on it. I said,”Don’t tell me there was more than one clock when McNamara got the record!” They still didn’t give it to me as they insisted there had to be more than one clock.
What of Cadel Evans?
He’s a good little road rider but I don’t think he believes in himself. He always seems to look for an excuse instead of saying “they have only two legs and two arms, the same as me.”
(Note: Shortly after Hec passed away in March, Cadel Evans won the 2011 Tour de France. Later that year John Trevorrow, organiser of the Herald Sun Tour and winner of three Sun Tours, arranged for the 2011 Herald Sun Tour to pass through Balnarring where cyclists competed in the Hec Sutherland sprint in Warrawee Road.)
Tell me how you got involved in the Melbourne Olympics
These were in 1956 which was well after I turned professional. I had been helping the two tandem riders but then Billy Guyatt was given the official responsibility of looking after them.However I was out at the Village this day when someone sang out; it was a young South African rider whom I had met at the world titles in Italy.When I told him I had no official role the South African said, “Well, what about coaching us.” So I became coach of the South African cycling team. They did OK, coming second to the Australians (Brown and Marchant) in the tandem. I had told them how to win but they ignored my advice; they apologised later.
Before we move on from cycling, Hec, tell us about two other identities: Oppy and Morettini
OPPY was probably Australia’s greatest long distance road rider. He was not a sprinter but had terrific endurance. Although he was before my time we had a few rides together after the war as we were both Malvern Star. Oppy had a room of his own at Malvern Star with all his gear and memorabilia in it and I often sat there talking to him.
One Saturday night I watched Walter Lindrum play a chap from South Africa in a snooker tournament at the Melbourne Town Hall. On the Monday I was telling Oppy about it and said how good Lindrum was and how they had changed the rules to give other people a chance to win. Oppy told me he was going to see him later and asked me if I would like to come. So we walked around to Middle Park where Lindrum lived; Oppy loved walking or riding his bike and would walk 5 or 6 miles or ride his bike to and from work every day. We visited Walter Lindrum three or four times over the next month and I really enjoyed talking to him; he was not big headed in any way. Oppy was a top bloke, too. Good and all as he was, and with all that he achieved, he was only too happy to help anyone if he could.
Now let me tell you of my battles with MARIO MORETTINI. The Italians always had some top bike riders and in the early 1950’s Morettini was one of them. When I was riding in the world track titles in Italy, following the road races, I raced against Morettini in one of the semi-finals. He was as big as Patto. Because of my injuries from the road race, I couldn’t get out of my seat and also had to ride a different gear to what I was used; I didn’t have a chance of beating him. He finished ahead of Mockridge in the final.
When he came out here to race, I told Ted Waterford (promoter at the North Essendon Board Track) that I wanted to race him. He had already beaten six of the best in Australia and Ted told me I was wasting my time. I said, “Look, Ted, you pay me 12 pounds a week to ride. If you give me a ride against Morettini and I win then you pay me an extra 5 pounds; if I lose you take 5 pounds out of my pay.” One of the pressmen said, “You couldn’t get a better deal than that, Ted.” So he agreed.
In the first heat Morettini stopped riding during the last furlong and raised his hand in protest; he claimed that I had chopped across in front of him and touched his front wheel. The referee dismissed the protest while the crowd booed the Italian. In the second heat he was in a winning position 200 yards from home but I managed to slip past him in the straight.The big fellow cried and Waterford looked at me and said, “There’s something about you that’s not right. I know you can beat these blokes over 5 miles, but in the shorter distances you seem to put on weight and grow now and then. I don’t know what to do.” So I said, “The best thing you can do is let me race him again and try to get your money back.” He looked at me and laughed. Two weeks later we both got in the final of a derby with three other riders. I asked Ted if he wanted the bet again but he said I would probably put all the other riders against Morettini. I told him that I wouldn’t; I said, “You know the way I ride and the way he rides, so you know he’ll be out in front and I’ll be out the back somewhere looking for pigeon holes to come through at the finish.” So he agreed to the 5 pounds again. I won again! A few weeks later we were in another final and Ted wanted another bet but I said, “No. I’m sick of taking money off you, Ted.” In fact I knew I couldn’t keep beating him continued next page...
What brought you to the Peninsula?
To answer that I need to go back a bit. When we were living in Footscray, around 1955, I knew a chap who had greyhounds and he told me they were building a dog track at the North Melbourne Football Ground. So I rode over on my bike and asked to see the boss. They pointed him out to me; his name was Harold Mathews and he was the president of the Greyhound Association. I told him I knew how to dish rails for the concaves, something I learned with the blacksmith. He said to start next day so I did all the concaving of the running rail.When they started the trials I drove the hare and did that all the time they were at North Melbourne and also later when they moved to Olympic Park. So that was another sport that I got involved in.
One day at Olympic Park this chap (Jack French) was telling us about the garbage and sanitary contract on the Peninsula; a bloke I was friendly with (Chester Reid) suggested we look into it. We put in a tender which was successful. We bought a Bedford truck and became responsible for sanitary and garbage collection from Baxter to Flinders. As a result I moved from Footscray to Balnarring in 1957 with my wife (Margaret) and baby daughter (Glenda).
How and when did you meet Margaret?
I had just returned from Italy in 1951 and was down at Malvern Star talking to a mate when this sliding window opened and Margaret’s face appeared. When the window closed I asked Les, “Who’s that sheila?” Les said she did the typing and office work. I said, “I’d like to meet her” and things progressed from there, even though at that time she couldn’t ride a bike! We were married at Thornbury Methodist Church in October,1952.
How did you get into football?
I really loved football.When I was riding the bikes at Footscray I was rubbed down by one of the masseurs at Footscray Football Club
by the name of Sam Trimble. I got to know Teddy Whitten and a lot of the players. Athough I played a bit with some of the local sides I really only got into it when I came down here.Although I played mainly in the seconds I played 16 senior games for Hastings between 1958 and 1964. After giving it away for a few years I was asked by Norm Francis if I would coach the seconds.Norm knew that I got on well with the younger kids. I did this for 3 years (19741976) and we won the premiership in the last year. Then I spent some time on the committee.
I gather you also showed an interest in cricket and tennis?
I wasn’t much of a cricketer but I loved to go and watch Billie Crosbie and Brian Thornell play. I filled in at times for Hastings and played a season at Tyabb. I made a few runs but my main strength was fielding. I also played B grade tennis at Crib Point.
What about snooker?
I always fancied myself as a snooker player and, when my football days came to an end, I decided to join the local team. A snooker tournament covering the whole of the Peninsula had started and we played in different hotels each week. Our Hastings team kept on winning. The day before the final, to be held at a Guest House in Rosebud, I was dinking my son Ken when he turned to speak to Lee, his brother, and stuck his foot in the front wheel. We both fell off. Ken broke his leg and put his teeth through his lip. He had to go to the Children’s Hospital by ambulance, have his leg set in plaster and have plastic surgery on his facial injuries. When it happened I tried to hold onto Ken so I couldn’t put my hand out to save us. My sunglasses cut right around my ear and I had to have it stitched. I also had concussion. It was my worst fall off a bike since I hit the copper in Italy in 1951.
This happened on a Sunday morning and I had to go back to the doctor on the Monday to have the bandages changed. My eye was pretty swollen, as the glasses had cut my face as well as the ear, so I asked the doctor to tape up the eye so that I could see out of it as I was playing in the finals of the snooker tournament that night. He thought that was a joke. Well, he taped it up for me but when one of my team mates called to pick me up that night, he took one look at me and said, “You’ve got to be joking! You’re going nowhere.” Well, I convinced him that I was and off we went. When we walked in the bloke I was to play looked at me as if to say, “This will be a cakewalk.” He found out differently because I beat him. I wanted to play in another big tournament but with the garbage contract I had to get up early so that put an end to that.
And then there was bowls?
In 1980 I was “led” into bowls by a friend-local copper Peter Dick. He walked into the Hastings Football club one day and I asked him how he went. He said, “I won.” Every week he seemed to win. I said to him one day, “No one can win that much; it doesn’t matter what sport it is.” Next week when I saw him he asked me if I had $5 and I thought he must have left his wallet at home. I gave him the $5 and he gave me a piece of paper and said, “Here, mouth,
Above: Hec and Margaret in the garden of their Balnarring home with the 1954 Sun Tour trophy
sign this.” It was an application to join the Hastings Bowling Club. Ron Deed, who was a really good bowler, encouraged me to play in the Novice Singles, which I won. I ended playing with Ron in the championship. Then we entered Country Week and, with two other players (George Bartley and John Hannant) we won the fours. A year later I was a member of the winning triples team. At club level I won singles, pairs, mixed pairs and fours.
A bowling club eventually started up at Balnarring and I joined there as it was closer to home. I played a lot of bowls for a few years in pennant, tournaments, and championships and did pretty well, but after having a stroke about 10 years ago I can’t see very well and have pretty much given it up.
And then there was a return to the horses
I started training in 1963 for the well known Smith racing family who bought 30 acres in Balnarring near the cricket ground. There were 8 stables and a training track, plus another 7 “boxes” at home. At that time we lived on an acre where the school used to be. Three or four of my horses won about 6 races each-Monte Cristo, Bosnia and Burford. All were good horses that had been with top trainers in town but had done nothing. One of them had been with Mick Alessio in town and did no good but after I had him for a while he won at Cranbourne at 25/1.
I used training methods similar to those I used as a bike rider when I was preparing the team of 15 horses that I had at one time. I gave them plenty of long, steady work, sometimes up to 8 miles a day. This paid off, particularly with a horse called Polar Light which I saved from being shot as it was considered a “ hopeless crock.” After some solid conditioning he won 5 races from 9 starts. He was so solid he could go round again after winning a distance
event. When a new horse arrived at the stable I would spend hours studying his or her moods and habits. They’re like kids; sometimes it’s just a little thing that will coax them into eating the food they need.
Eventually the Smiths decided to get out of racing and sold the training facilities that they had bought for me at Balnarring. After that I trained a few horses for local owners. All told I had 55 winners, 91 seconds, and 101 thirds. I would have loved to win a Grand National; I only had one start but the jockey did the wrong thing. About 5 of my wins were steeples or hurdles.
I had one very unpleasant experience during my time as a horse trainer. I was in the stalls at Mornington Racecourse one Saturday when there was this tremendous explosion.The horse next to mine, only about 5 yards away, had been pawing the ground and had struck an old shell which had been left behind when the army occupied the course during the war.When the dust cleared I saw this young apprentice jockey lying on the ground. He was badly hurt around the legs. I picked him up and carried him to the ambulance which was having trouble getting through the crowd. Unfortunately the lad died. The horse, Daltreuse, was injured by the fragments and had to be put down.
How did you manage to fit everything in?
Well I enjoyed the extra activities, especially the horses. Iwas never frightened to get my hands dirty or work long hours. As well as the cartage contracting business I was also in charge of the maintenance at Esso for about 15 years. I had about 30 blokes working for me over there.However the stroke put an end to all that and in 2000 we sold the property in Balnarring Road and moved into town.
continued next page...
Above: Hec (top row, far left) coached the Premiership winning 1976 Hastings Reserves
Did you ever feel tempted to make a comeback to bike riding?
Although I more or less “retired “ when we moved down here, I rode spasmodically over the next few years: in 1958 I rode in a 6 day race at Olympic Park Velodrome (the Milk Six) and a few races the following year. My best performance was winning the Russell Mockridge Memorial Sash in the 140 mile Tour of Gippsland. When I was 42 I was talked into fronting up for a big race in Wangaratta; it was a race I had won 20 years earlier in 1952. It was a hot day....(At this point Margaret, who was sitting nearby, chimed in:”It wasn’t a pretty sight.”)
Tell us about the Sports Parade, Hec
During the late 50’s-early 60’s the Sports Parade was held in the Melbourne Town Hall on a Friday night and was compared by Tony Charlton and Merv Williams. They had different guests each week and raised money for charity. The Hall was always full. This brought different sportsmen together; they seemed to have a special bond and would help one another out. On one occasion when Daryl Baldock was coaching Latrobe in Tasmania they rang to see if I would help them organize a Sportsmans Night. They gave me a week to find someone. I tried Keith Stackpole but he wouldn’t be in it. When they rang and I told the bloke who I had lined up, the phone went dead. When he rang back I asked him why he had hung up. He said he got such a shock when I said Lionel Rose and Johnny Famechon were coming. They both said “yes” straight away when I spoke to them; no fees, just fares and accommodation.
The Tasmanians kept ringing to make sure it was OK. When our plane arrived in Tassie I told Lionel and Fammo to stay in their seats. I went down the steps to the press and cameramen who asked “Where are Fammo and Rose ?”. I said “They pulled out at the last minute”. The press people said “We knew that would happen.” Just then Fammo and Rose appeared. There was great excitement.
Tributes
Hec’s contribution to cycling has been recognised in a number of ways over the years. Just two are:
1. Inclusion in a series of stamps issued by Australia Post in 2001 featuring Australia’s cycling greats who won the Sun Tour.
2. Induction into The Victorian Cycling Hall of Fame (see below)
Postscript
Margaret Sutherland, now 92, is still a resident in Balnarring. During the course of the interview passing reference was made to daughter Glenda who was born in Footscray and sons Lee and Ken who were born after the family moved to Balnarring. Glenda still lives in Balnarring and has a son who also lives in Balnarring. Lee is the proprietor of Peninsula Diesels, based in Mornington, and lives in Langwarrin South. He has three daughters and four granddaughters. Ken, also a diesel mechanic, lives in Crib Point and has a son and daughter.
