Recent editions
Against the odds
May 16, 2025 - How Mary Aldred won the battle for Monash despite a national Liberal Party wipeout. 
Libs prevail in ‘weird’ election
May 14, 2025 - Final result doesn’t show how close Deb Leonard came to an upset, writes Michael Whelan. 
Farewell friends
May 15, 2025 - Grace, diplomacy and a sprinkling of spite … the other Monash candidates sign off after a nerve-racking election. By Catherine Watson 
In the line of fire
May 15, 2025 - Managing fire for people and wildlife isn't rocket science, says Professor Mike Clarke. It’s much more complex than that. 
Petrol before people
May 16, 2025 - In the midst of a housing crisis, five houses are demolished for one more service station, writes Geoff Ellis. 
Raise the rates and fix the joint!
Frank Schooneveldt’s plea to council on roads and drainage plan that stretches all the way to 2090. 
Measure of success
May 7, 2025 - Neil Daly presses the case for an audit of our efforts to grow mangroves in the eastern arm of Western Port. Community diary
What's on and where |
Frequent flyers and vagrants
May 17, 2025 - Dave Newman pays tribute to our migratory wader birds and their epic flights, including some that don’t go to plan. 
Welcome home
May 15, 2025 - As the Gurdies forest begins to recover from fire, the animals are returning 
Growing together
May 12, 2025 – Friendship and learning flourish alongside the plants at the Wonthaggi Seed Bank and Nursery. 
Can you help?
May 16, 2025 - A variety of volunteer roles need to be filled at Bass Coast's winter shelter for homeless people. 
The birds are back
May 12, 2025 - As our migratory shorebirds depart for their Arctic breeding grounds, the Flyways exhibition opens to celebrate their extraordinary journey. 
More than water
May 16, 2025 - A spectacular night sky photo by Iryna MacMillan has won first prize in West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority’s photo competition. 
A cook’s journal
May 15, 2025 - Liane Arno recommends an Asian twist on an old American favourite. |
Not the full story
April 24, 2025 - A Liberal Party poster seen at early voting centres around Monash quotes misleadingly from an interview with independent Deb Leonard published in the Bass Coast Post in 2022. 
Patriots get the wrong independent
April 23, 2025 - The Trumpet of Patriots Party is hastily reprinting their How to Vote cards for the Monash electorate after preferencing the wrong independent. Meet the candidates
Kuljeet Kuar Robinson, One Nation
Kuljeet Kuar Robinson left India because of the inequality between rich and poor. Now she sees the same thing happening in Australia. 
Tully Fletcher, Labor Party
The Post declined the candidate’s “terms of engagement”. 
Mary Aldred, Liberal Party
Plenty has changed since November 2023 when Liberal candidate Aldred won pre-selection over long-term Liberal MP Russell Broadbent. 
Deb Leonard, Independent
Deb Leonard has a massive campaign war chest and an army of volunteers. No wonder the other candidates are cranky. 
Geoff Dethlefs, Family First
You can credit Anthony Albanese with persuading Geoff Dethlefs to stand for election. 
David O'Reilly, Legalise Cannabis Party
The Post was unable to contact the candidate. 
Terence Steele, Greens
Terence Steele is an organiser, not a front man. He sees this election as the start of a grand plan for Monash. 
Alex Wehbe, Trumpet of Patriots
Alex Wehbe reckons party leader Clive Palmer will shake up the Australian establishment the way Donald Trump has done in the US. |
Hit them where it hurts!
April 16, 2025 - Too young to vote - but Anabelle Bremner is urging climate action at the ballot box. 
My MP wishlist
April 10, 2025 - Policies are important but so is the character of our representatives, writes Alison Vincent. 
Bring back the town hall debate!
April 14, 2025 - Robert Durkacz laments the lack of serious discussion in the Monash election. Election-free zone
The miracle chick
April 14, 2025 - It’s been a long and difficult summer for our hooded plovers and their minders, but a fairytale finish to the breeding season has local volunteers celebrating. 
Home is where the art is
In his 90th year, Phillip Island artist John Adam is enjoying a purple patch. 
Shelter from the storm
A shelter for homeless people will operate in Cowes this winter, with church buildings used to provide an evening meal and dormitory style accommodation. 
Beach bags steady as a rock
April 16 – Seven Silverleaves families are sleeping a lot easier this week after emergency dune works to stabilise the beach in front of their houses. 
Wombat woes
Pushed into an ever-dwindling corridor of habitat, San Remo’s wombats need our help, writes Eve Kelly. $123m budget open for comment
April 16, 2025 - Rates will rise an average of 3 per cent as Bass Coast budgets for total income of $123 million. 
Lights off for shearwater chicks
April 10, 2025 - PHILLIP Island Nature Parks calls on community to help shearwater chicks about to embark on their first annual 15,000km migration north. 
A cook’s journal
April 15 - Liane Arno calls on her Scottish ancestry to perfect fish pie - an economical and delicious way to mark Easter. |
Who’d be a politician?
March 27, 2025 - Belinda Henderson pities the would-be politicians who have put their lives on hold to beg for our votes. 
No place like home
March 25, 2025 - Each year, as the end of the lease nears, Danielle wonders whether she is about to lose her home. 
The final set
March 27, 2025 - Neil Luke’s old surfing mates celebrate the life of a surfing legend who did things his own way. 
What next, Mr Dinosaur?
March 22, 2025 - Mike Cleeland has given up the day job but he’s not hanging up the rock hammer any time soon. By Ed Thexton 
The trail blazers
March 21, 2023 - It would be easy to mistake them for a bunch of ladies who lunch, but you are looking at a group of revolutionaries. 
Nature notes
March 25, 2025 - Phillip Island Nature Parks is celebrating the fledging of 65 Critically Endangered fairy tern chicks on the island. 
Wonthaggi’s war
March 25, 2025 - The Plaza Arcade played an unlikely role as a drill hall in the Second World War. 
Double for Inverloch writer
March 27, 2025 - Judy Vradenburg has pulled off a second major award with her fly-on-the-wall account of local community activism. |
Lights off for shearwater chicks
April 10, 2025 - PHILLIP Island Nature Parks calls on community to help shearwater chicks about to embark on their first annual 15,000km migration north. 
Better than cupcakes
March 28, 2025 - In the midst of 100 others women, Leslie Adams reclaims her voice. 
The voyager
March 24, 2025 - There’s a sense of timelessness in Jan Learmonth’s work, of slow-moving waters and a world beyond the human one. By Louisa Waters 
Long haul to first state coal mine
March 24, 2025 - The State Coal Mine came to life almost overnight. But it took more than half a century and a state of emergency for it to happen. 
A photo journal
March 24, 2025 - Julie Paterson explores the Bass Coast, taking photos and observing contrasts. 
Stuff my relatives never told me
March 26, 2025 - Peter Brown delves into his family history and discovers stories of mutiny, adultery and murder. 
Hey presto!
March 24, 2025 - Liane Arno works her magic and has no idea how she did it. 
One step at a time
March 27, 2025 - Sometimes running is effortless and sometimes it’s a feat of endurance. Etsuko Yasunaga cheers on a friend running his first marathon. |
Ask the candidates
March 14, 2025 - The Battle for Monash is shaping as one of the most intriguing of the 2025 federal election. Let the bidding begin
Feb 27, 2025 - After years of being ignored by both major parties, Monash voters can expect to see some election promises coming our way. 
The fixer
March 1, 2025 - Who are we going to call now that Nifty Nev is gone? By Catherine Watson 
Every bottle tells a story
Feb 28, 2025 - A hurricane, a fire and a twister couldn't stop Wendy Heaney and Bruce Preston. By Camilla Myers. 
No go for sand company
Feb 20, 2025 - Council rejects plans to widen Stanley Road in Grantville for sand trucks to service a new quarry. 
Help us on housing: council plea
Feb 20, 2025 - Growth councils head to Canberra to seek federal funding to open land for housing. 
Tigers make a splash
Feb 27, 2025 - A Richmond Football Club subsidiary will replace the YMCA as manager of Bass Coast’s leisure centres from July 1. 
‘Bigger is better’ for new health service
Feb 26, 2025 - Future looks bright for Bass Coast residents, saysCEO. 
Swimming against the tide
Feb 27, 2025 - There may be lessons for Bass Coast in another small coastal town’s attempts to halt coastal erosion. |
Endangered Species
Feb 26, 2025 - On the morning they disappeared, the day was born into a thick sea mist. A short story by Aneta Marovich. 
Power plays
Feb 28, 2025 - So you think power lines for offshore wind are ugly? Look around you, suggests Christopher Eastman-Nagle. 
Just the job
Feb 28, 2025 - Kane Bond explains why we need our own local jobs board. 
All together now
A community choir of 100 women share their stories through song at Wonthaggi's Union Theatre. Return to the dark ages
March 2, 2025 - Dismantling of the US public service hurts us too, writes Christine Grayden. 
Living lightly
Feb 28, 2025 - From home battery storage to preserving, council workshops aim to help residents live more sustainably. 
Any time, any where
Feb 27, 2025 - Geoff Ellis searches for the sweet spot between reality and virtuality. 
A cook’s journal
Feb 27, 2025 - It can be difficult to make tasty gluten-free food but anyone could enjoy this orange and almond cake. |
Help us on housing: council plea
Feb 20, 2025 - Growth councils head to Canberra to seek federal funding to open land for housing. 
Count me in, says Broadbent
Feb 4, 2025 - The seat of Monash is shaping as a thriller with Independent MP Russell Broadbent announcing he’ll have another go at the age of 74. 
Russ stands his ground
Feb 1, 2025 - You wouldn’t pick Russ Williams for a typical greenie but he’s ready to defend his patch of bush. 
A long journey at the gathering place
Feb 4, 2025 - Over three days, hundreds of local people joined renowned artist Maree Clarke in creating an important artwork for Berninneit. 
Signs of life
Feb 3, 2025 - Four weeks after the Gurdies fire, Dr Sera Blair began documenting the survival and return of wildlife to the fire zone. 
Local boost for cancer patients
Jan 31, 2025 - Wonthaggi’s cancer centre provided over 1000 cancer treatments last year, sparing patients the emotional, physical and financial toll of travelling for treatment. Community diary
What's on, where and when |
A feast for all the senses
Jan 30, 2025 - Sixteen inspiring food gardens open their gates for the fourth annual Bass Coast Edible Gardens Weekend. 
Pillage and plunder in Warn Marin Western Port
Feb 2, 2025 - Industrialisation of the bay began 30 years before permanent white settlement, writes Christine Grayden. 
Kilcunda Coal
Feb 2, 2025 - Linda Cuttriss had always wondered about that mullock heap. It wasn’t until she was held up by roadworks that she stopped to find out more. 
A bump in the road
Feb 1, 2025 - Obstacles make the journey even sweeter. By Etsuko Yasunaga 
Close encounters
Feb 2, 2025 – When Julie Paterson first heard about Wonthaggi’s emus she suspected it was a tall tale. 
Please come again, but not for a while
Feb 4, 2025 - The visitors have gone at last and peace descends. By Catherine Watson 
The koel, part II
Feb 3, 2025 - Remember the eastern koel with the infuriating mating call? Well it clearly worked because koel babies are popping up everywhere. 
Big plans for this little shed
Jan 31, 2025 - The Cowes Jetty Goods Shed has worn many hats over the years. It now sits vacant, awaiting its next transformation. |
Cape boundary capped
Dec 17, 2024 - The Cape Paterson community is celebrating tonight after winning a decade-long battle against a massive expansion of their coastal village. 
‘This is an emergency’
“LIKE the residents in a valley watching a bushfire approaching …” Cr Tim O’Brien presses for urgent action at Inverloch and Silverleaves beaches. 
Leave our trees alone!
Dec 12, 2024 - A classic David & Goliath story … residents of a quiet bushland enclave versus a multinational giant. By Jan Grimes 
Parking not required
Dec 12, 2024 - Councillors consider parking offset scheme to slug developers up to $12,000 a parking spot. 
Walking Screw Creek Trail
Dec 9, 2024 – It was destined to be cleared for housing, but after a massive community effort it's now a wildlife refuge and Bass Coast’s newest walking trail. Linda Cuttriss reports. 
For sale in San Remo
Dec 9, 2024 - Someone should slap a heritage listing on that old fibro cement shack, writes Althea Thomas 
Time and space
Dec 9, 2024 - There aren’t many good things that came out of Covid, but Annalisa Christiansen’s beautiful landscape paintings are some of them. Liane Arno reports. Community diary
What's on, where and when |
Sun, surf … and a dash of history
Dec 13, 2024 - Wonthaggi Historical Society’s mini history talks have become an unlikely highlight of summer 
The inspiration of birds
Dec 9, 2024 - “Every fledgling is like gold …” Bass Coast’s chief hoodie Stephen Johnson explains what keeps him going. 
Our summer of art
Dec 9, 2024 - Phillip Island’s pop-up exhibitions are evolving in unexpected and delightful ways. Curator Warren Nichols explains. 
The greatest gift
Dec 11, 2024 - Wondering what to give this Christmas? How about the gift of time? Christine Grayden explains. 
Calling the shots
Dec 12, 2024 - Don’t be surprised if a bunch of people stop you in the street and ask if they can take your photo. 
Sounds like trouble
Dec 12, 2024 - Catherine Watson goes hunting for Australia’s most annoying bird. 
A cook’s journal
Dec 13, 2024 - Liane Arno attempts to recreate a famous local dish – Malcolm Bain’s liquorice ice cream. Plus a cheat’s guide to Bombe Alaska. |