3199 FRANKSTON Beach Patrol leader Peter Talbot has been named Frankston’s 2026 citizen of the year.
The 2026 Citizen of the Year Awards were hosted at the Frankston Arts Centre last week. Talbot won the top prize; he was recognised for his work organising beach clean-ups, engaging with school groups, and advocating for litter reduction initiatives.
Talbot said “it was a bit of a surprise, but it’s a big honour” to win the award.
“It’s a wonderful area and it’s great to, in a little way, with the other volunteers, make it safer and cleaner,” Talbot said. “We remove litter from the beach and foreshore, we raise awareness. We invite school groups down, businesses, all sorts of organisations and over the years we have reduced the amount of litter on the beach.”
The 2026 Young Citizen of the Year award was handed to Quinney Brownfield, who works with Peninsula Rotaract and headspace. He has helped run Peninsula Rotaract’s Toothbrush+ project, donating more than $7000 worth of hygiene products.
Brownfield said “as a young student volunteering, it’s great for the heart, but you can also gain from it skills-wise and all of that sort of stuff. It’s really a statement to young people in Frankston that you can do whatever you want to do if you really put in the hard work.
“When I came into the lobby this morning I saw a lot of familiar faces and other young volunteers who I’ve met along the way and to be honest I wasn’t expecting to win. It was a shock to me but also really reassuring to know that the effort I’m putting in is recognised.”
Peninsula Community Legal Centre was named 2026 Community Group of the Year. PCLC chairperson Matthew Bolle said “we work really hard in the local community on a lot of different levels with both the legal services we provide, but more broadly than that, the advocacy for positive change in the community and thinking outside the box about more abstract solutions to social problems. We’re really grateful to get that recognition.”
Frankston mayor Sue Baker presented the awards last week. She said “a big congratulations to all our winners and nominees and thank you for your unquestionable dedication to ensuring our city is a safe, encouraging and thriving place. You should all be incredibly proud of your achievements – just as we are – and the lasting legacy you leave behind.”
First published in the Frankston Times – 3 February 2026