The Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Mayoral Charity Golf Day has raised $68,000 to support local organisations assisting people experiencing homelessness and financial hardship.
Held at Moonah Links Golf Resort in Fingal on Monday, 26 October, the event brought together local businesses, community organisations and residents for a day of golf, fundraising and community support.
Mayor Cr Stephen Batty confirmed to STPL News that 108 golfers participated, with a further 50 guests joining for lunch.
The $68,000 raised will assist three community support organisations across the Mornington Peninsula:
- Southern Peninsula Community Support in Rosebud
- Western Port Community Support in Hastings
- Mornington Community Support Centre in Mornington
The organisations provide emergency relief, food assistance and practical support to residents experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and financial hardship.
Mayoral Charity Golf Day Backed by Local Businesses
Bendigo Bank Mt Eliza Branch was the event’s major sponsor, with 21 sponsors supporting the 18-hole golf course.
Additional contributions included vouchers and prizes donated by local businesses for a silent auction.
In a statement following the event, Cr Batty thanked the sponsors, volunteers and participants for their contributions, describing the support as overwhelming.
Together, we have shown just what a generous and caring community we have here on the Mornington Peninsula.
Southern Peninsula Community Support also publicly acknowledged the fundraising effort, thanking Cr Batty, Mornington Peninsula Shire and the local businesses involved.
The organisation said the contributions would help local services provide essential assistance to people experiencing hardship.
Homelessness Remains a Growing Concern
The fundraising comes amid increasing concern about homelessness across the Mornington Peninsula, following the deaths of four people sleeping rough within just over six weeks.
As previously reported by STPL News, an October report by Launch Housing revealed 11 deaths among people known to the Mornington Peninsula Zero homelessness response since December 2024, including three in September 2026.
The report also recorded 100 people sleeping rough across the region as of 30 September, with 150 people on the local homelessness By Name List.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has identified a significant shortage of social housing and crisis accommodation, with demand for homelessness support services continuing to exceed available resources.
The recent deaths have renewed attention on the need for additional crisis accommodation, affordable housing and ongoing support for vulnerable residents.
The $68,000 raised through the Mayoral Charity Golf Day will provide additional financial assistance to the three community organisations working directly with residents experiencing homelessness and financial hardship.
The fundraiser was announced in August, with Mornington Peninsula Shire calling for community and business support.
