CRIME across the Kingston local government area has dropped by over eight per cent in the year ended March 2026, according to newly released figures from the Crime Statistics Agency. There were 11,906 criminal offences recorded in the Kingston LGA in the year ending March 2026, down from 12,986 offences in the previous year, a drop of 8.3 per cent. Despite the drop, crime has still risen in the Kingston LGA by over 25 per cent since 2022. Cheltenham was the suburb most affected by crime, with 2197 offences. Mentone had 919 offences, up from 888 in the previous 12…
Author: BaysideNews
THE by-election to fill the vacancy on Kingston Council is coming up, with nominations for candidates closing this week. Melaleuca Ward has been vacant since the resignation of former councillor Tess Law in March. A by-election will be held to elect a new councillor. Nominations opened for the by-election on 15 June, and closed on 23 June. Ballot pack mail-outs begin on 13 July, and voting closes on 31 July at 6 pm. Nominations for candidates closed shortly after publication deadline. As of Saturday 20 June, declared candidates on the VEC website are Gavin Nolan, Bronwyn Currie, David Baker, Lachlan …
A NEW purpose-built facility in Frankston is helping older people stay in their homes for longer by allowing them to trial new technology. The National Centre for Healthy Ageing (NCHA), a partnership between Bayside Health Peninsula and Monash University, has established six research simulation facilities in the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula regions. Among them is the Independent Living Laboratory, a simulated home equipped with new technologies including robotics and AI-powered glasses that can be trialled by prospective users. Professor Velandai Srikanth, the director of the NCHA, director of research at Bayside Health Peninsula, and professor of medicine at Monash’s Peninsula…
WATER POLO By Frank Jenkins LAST Friday night, YAWA Aquatic Centre came alive as the Mornington Peninsula Mist Under 13 boys water polo team stepped up for an exciting practice match against the Victorian U13 squad, who are preparing for next week’s National Championships. The game, proudly organised by our local club, was all about development—and what a showcase it was. Our young Mist players rose to the challenge against some of the state’s best, displaying determination, teamwork, and impressive defensive skills well beyond their years. It was a fantastic opportunity for our athletes to experience a higher level of…
A CHARITY set up to honour the legacy of a Frankston teenager who died by suicide has received $450,000 in federal government funding. SmackTalk was established by Wayne Holdsworth after the tragic death of his son Mac in 2023. Mac, who had fallen victim to sexual extortion, was aged just 17 when he died. Holdsworth founded SmackTalk the following year to help teenagers, families, and communities understand the warning signs of extortion. He has since presented the program nationwide, highlighting the danger of online threats and campaigning for suicide prevention measures. Last week, communication minister Anika Wells announced that the…