The Mornington Peninsula community has much to celebrate after being named Victoria's 2026 Tidy Town Winner at the Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria 2026 Tidy Towns and Cities Sustainability Awards
The awards recognise the passion and dedication of local people working together to care for our local environment and our people, helping to make our region a kinder, more vibrant and sustainable place to live.
A host of local projects were celebrated in the Towns Categories, showcasing the Peninsula's environmental stewardship, community spirit and innovation.
Local fauna ecologist and co-founder of Southwest Mornington Peninsula Landcare Group Malcolm Legg received the prestigious Dame Phyllis Frost Award for a lifetime of inspiring work researching and protecting native animals on the Mornington Peninsula and beyond.
Two Mornington Peninsula Shire initiatives took out top honours:
- The Briars Ngawak Biik Briars Junior Rangers Program - winner of the Indigenous Culture category.
- The Briars Eastern Dwarf Galaxias recovery project - winner of the Environment category.
Local community groups and schools were also in the spotlight:
- Mornington Community Support Centre - winner of the Social Wellbeing award for The Ranch 2.0 program.
- Hand in Hand for the Coast - winner of the EPA Waste prevention and reduction award.
- St Josephs Crib Point Primary - Their 'Mangrove Warriors' were winners of the Young Legend award.
Councillor Max Patton accepted the 2026 Tidy Town Winner award on behalf of the Mornington Peninsula community, recognising the region's collective achievement. Shire staff and community representatives accepted category awards recognising their respective projects, programs and initiatives.
Mayor Stephen Batty said being named the 2026 Tidy Town Winner is a proud achievement that reflects the dedication of staff, volunteers, community groups and residents working together to care for the Mornington Peninsula.
"This recognition celebrates the outstanding sustainability and community initiatives happening across our region, from protecting indigenous fauna and the ecosystems that support them to inspiring the next generation through programs like Briars Junior Rangers," Cr Batty said.
The Shire congratulates all community groups, volunteers, schools, partner organisations and staff involved in these initiatives and their contribution to this outstanding result for the Mornington Peninsula.
