🎙️ Acacia Conversations – Growing Well on the Peninsula

Episode - Healthy Soil: More Than Just Dirt

Healthy soil is the foundation of every successful garden.

In this episode, Dennice is joined by gardening expert Robert Breeschoten to discuss why healthy soil matters, how to improve different soil types and the simple steps every gardener can take to create healthier, more resilient gardens.

You'll also discover the fascinating hidden world beneath our feet as we explore fungi, mycelium and the vital role they play in supporting plant life.

Plus, enjoy another thoughtful Growing Well Reflection and hear about upcoming community book events across the Mornington Peninsula.

🌱 In this episode:

• Understanding healthy soil

• Improving sandy, clay and loamy soils

• Preparing garden beds for planting

• The hidden world of fungi and mycelium

• Winter gardening advice

• Community Corner

• Growing Well Reflection

Thank you for listening to Acacia Conversations – Growing Well on the Peninsula, proudly produced by Radio Western Port.

💚 Inspired to Soar with Hannah – Shine a Light on Homelessness 💚

Join Hannah Swinnerton for an important conversation about the Mornington Peninsula Shire's Shine a Light on Homelessness campaign.

This episode explores the realities of homelessness on the Mornington Peninsula, the importance of community compassion, and how every person can play a role in making a difference.

Learn about the campaign's powerful message:

One Light. One Night. One Community Standing Together.

You'll also hear about community events, fundraising initiatives and simple ways to show your support by leaving a green light on.

A heartfelt thank you to the supporters of this campaign:

💚 Playton Foundation

💚 Farrells Bookshop

💚 Mercator

💚 Endota

If this episode inspires you, please share it with your family, friends and community to help spread awareness and hope.

Inspired to Soar with Hannah — because every story matters, and together we can inspire change.

🌿 Acacia Conversations – Growing Well on the Peninsula | Episode : Pruning ✂️

This week on Acacia Conversations – Growing Well on the Peninsula, Dennice celebrates the 10th episode of the series with a fascinating discussion on one of winter gardening’s most important—and often misunderstood—tasks: pruning.

Joining Dennice is gardening expert Robert Breeschoten, who shares practical advice on when to prune, how much to remove, the biggest mistakes gardeners make, and why understanding each plant is the key to healthy growth. Together they also bust ten common pruning myths, answer quick-fire gardening questions, and explore everything from roses and fruit trees to native Australian plants.

The episode also reflects on recent literary events across the Mornington Peninsula before concluding with a thoughtful reflection on how pruning in the garden can teach us valuable lessons about creating space for growth in our own lives.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just picking up the secateurs for the first time, this episode is packed with practical tips, inspiration and community connection.

Join Hannah Swinnerton as she sits down with Dr. Floyd Gomes, founder of Atticus Health, for an inspiring conversation about medicine, leadership, innovation, and the importance of community.

Together they discuss:

• Dr. Gomes' journey to becoming a doctor

• The story behind Atticus Health

• Supporting community through Radio Westernport

• Willing and Enable Together

• Mark & Sylvie's Home Care

• The Peninsula Aged Care Experience Centre

• Technology and the future of healthcare

• Mental health and wellbeing

• Healthy living and preventative care

• Work-life balance and personal inspiration

This episode is packed with valuable insights, inspiring stories, and practical advice for anyone passionate about health, community, and making a positive difference.

🎧 Thanks for listening to Inspired to Soar with Hannah. If you enjoy this episode, please like, share, and follow the podcast so you never miss an inspiring conversation.

In this special episode of Inspired to Soar with Hannah, I share my personal journey of living with an intellectual disability.

I talk openly about my diagnosis, the everyday challenges I experience, how it impacts my daily life, and why raising awareness is so important. This episode is about breaking down stereotypes, encouraging understanding, and reminding people that having an intellectual disability does not define someone's potential.

Join me as I share my story with honesty, hope and resilience.

If this episode resonates with you, please like, share and follow Inspired to Soar with Hannah to help spread awareness and inspire more conversations around disability, inclusion and acceptance.

Thank you for listening, and remember—your story matters too.

:::

In Episode 9, Dennice explores two inspiring topics that celebrate growth in very different ways.

Special guests Carolyn and David from Book Nest share the story behind their unique mobile bookshop and explain how they're bringing books and a love of reading to communities across the Mornington Peninsula.

The gardening segment focuses on bare-rooted trees and plants, explaining why winter is the perfect time to plant, the benefits of bare-rooted stock, where to buy it locally, and practical tips for successful planting and long-term growth.

Featuring local literary events, community stories, expert gardening advice and thoughtful reflections, this episode is a celebration of planting seeds both in our gardens and in our minds.

Thank you for listening to Acacia Conversations Growing Well on the Peninsula, proudly broadcast on Radio Westernport.

Behind every great community is great communication!

In this episode of the Hastings U3A Podcast, Julie chats with co-host Jan about her role as newsletter editor. Jan shares how each edition comes together, from collecting stories and photos to creating a newsletter that keeps Hastings U3A members informed, connected, and engaged.

Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the teamwork, creativity, and dedication that go into producing every issue of the Hastings U3A newsletter.

🎙️ Hastings U3A Podcast Ian's Badminton Story

In this episode of the Hastings U3A Podcast, hosts Jan and Julie welcome Ian, one of the group's enthusiastic badminton players.

Ian shares his journey, talking about the enjoyment of badminton, the friendships he's built, and why being part of Hastings U3A has been such a rewarding experience. It's a relaxed and enjoyable conversation about staying active, keeping connected, and embracing community life.

🎧 Listen now and hear how Hastings U3A is helping people stay engaged, healthy, and connected through shared interests.

What is a weed and are they always a bad thing?

Dennice is joined once again by gardening expert Robert Breeschoten to explore why weeds grow, what they can tell us about your garden, and the best ways to manage them before spring arrives.

The episode also opens with a friendly shout-out to Paul Mercurio MP regarding the new Bittern roundabout, where the landscaping has already sparked conversation as weeds begin to appear.

Plus:

🌱 Common Mornington Peninsula weeds.

🌱 Lawn and garden care advice.

📚 Community Corner featuring the Bookneck Winter Parlour Series.

🌳 Information about the Pick My Park community voting program.

A practical and informative episode filled with gardening knowledge, local community stories and inspiration for gardeners of all experience levels.

🎙️ Acacia Conversations – Growing Well on the Peninsula

Produced by Radio Western Port.

Episode – Our Winter Garden Guests

Winter may seem like a quiet season in the garden, but it's one of the busiest times for our native wildlife.

Join Dennice as she explores how our gardens can become safe havens for birds, possums, insects, frogs and other native animals during the colder months.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why winter can be challenging for wildlife

• The benefits of bird boxes and nesting places

• How to live alongside possums

• Five simple ways to create a wildlife-friendly garden

• Local Mornington Peninsula reserves to visit this winter

• Information about Victoria's Pick My Park community voting initiative.

Every garden has the potential to support local wildlife. Whether you have a large backyard or a small courtyard, simple changes can create safe spaces that help nature thrive.

Thank you for listening to Acacia Conversations – Growing Well on the Peninsula on Radio Westernport.