In this special episode, Julie and Jan sit down to talk through everything you need to know about enrolling in Hastings U3A for 2026.

They explain how the enrolment process works, share what’s new for the coming year, and highlight some favourite returning courses. Along the way, they offer practical tips to help members get the most out of their U3A experience.

It’s an easy, friendly conversation that captures what Hastings U3A is all about: learning, connection, staying active, and being part of a welcoming local community.

Perfect listening for both new and returning members.

This week on The Joe Show, Joe takes a clear-eyed look at what’s really happening across our local communities.

From the landslide in McCrae and the ripple effects on safety, insurance, and property values, to deteriorating roads, overgrown intersections, and the pressure of growth outpacing infrastructure, this episode asks some tough but necessary questions.

Joe also highlights:

The recent Hastings SES training exercise and their call for new volunteers

Community concerns around dredging spoil dumped at Mornington Beach

New stairs at Blairgowrie Beach and what accessibility really means

Thirteen-storey buildings rising in Frankston and what “progress” looks like on the ground

As always, Joe encourages listeners to slow down, pay attention, and read the local paper. Because what happens locally matters.

Joe will be taking a well-deserved break and will be back behind the mic in January.

This episode of the Hastings U3A podcast bounces into action with Norm, the long-standing and much-loved leader of the Table Tennis group.

Norm shares how table tennis at Hastings U3A is about far more than the game. It’s friendly competition, plenty of laughter, regular movement, and the joy of staying connected. Every session blends fitness and fun, creating a space where members stay active, social, and smiling.

A lively conversation about how a simple table, a bat, and a ball can keep people energised, engaged, and coming back week after week.

It’s Anita’s final Community Catch Up for 2025 and she brings the full “end-of-year round-up” energy: honest, funny, a little chaotic, and very real.

In this episode, Anita shares a gentle reminder for the festive season. If things feel too much, don’t disappear for weeks. Reach out to a mate, keep checking in on the “spicy” and neurodivergent people in your world, and if you need anonymous support, Lifeline and Beyond Blue are there.

We also acknowledge a big loss in the Advance community with the passing of CEO and Secondary College Principal Steve Wright, and reflect on what it means when a chapter closes and change begins.

Plus, a bright spot: horticulture news from trainer Paula, including course updates, community projects, and excursions to local gems like The Briars (Mount Martha) and Cranbourne Gardens. There’s also a surprise wildlife moment on the road to Rosebud… an echidna cameo that turns into a heartfelt reminder to slow down and look after our local critters.

Anita also shares updates on:

Certificate II in Horticulture starting February (Mornington campus, Thursdays)

Advance College pathways for young people needing a smaller, calmer learning environment

Hastings Hub community hire and “Wellbeing Wednesdays” from February 2026

Reconnect updates, referrals, and the value of doing study or work in a way that fits real life

A warm, practical send-off for the year: stay safe, stay connected, and take care of yourself and each other.

Welcome to Inspired to Soar with Hannah, the podcast where real stories spark real change.

In this powerful episode, Hannah Swinnerton is joined by Sue Baker, Councillor with Frankston City Council and newly appointed Mayor of Frankston City.

Sue shares her journey into leadership, reflecting on her first week as Mayor, the values that guide her decision-making, and what it means to lead with transparency, accountability, and compassion. As a proud Pines Ward resident, Sue speaks openly about listening to community voices, navigating complex challenges like cost-of-living pressures and housing, and the responsibility that comes with public leadership.

Together, Hannah and Sue explore the intersection of leadership, mental health, and community wellbeing, discussing resilience, staying grounded under pressure, and why collaboration matters more than ever.

This is an honest, thoughtful conversation about service, courage, and choosing to show up for others.

Sit back, be inspired, and remember:

The more you believe in yourself, the more things you can achieve.

Your story matters here.

Ending Bullying Starts With Us | Janet Grima, CEO of Bully Zero

In this powerful episode of Inspired to Soar with Hannah, Hannah Swinnerton is joined by Janet Grima, Chief Executive Officer of Bully Zero, one of Australia’s leading organisations dedicated to preventing bullying in all its forms.

With more than 30 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, Janet shares her journey into leadership, the lived experiences that shaped her purpose, and what it truly takes to create safer, kinder, and more inclusive communities.

Together, Hannah and Janet explore the realities of bullying in Australia today, the impact of online harm, the deep connection between bullying and mental health, and why prevention, education, and belonging matter more than ever.

This is an honest, compassionate, and important conversation about courage, cultural change, and the power of people choosing to do better.

If you’ve ever been affected by bullying, supported someone who has, or want to be part of the solution, this episode is for you.

Inspired to Soar with Hannah

Because your story matters here. 💛🎙️

In this episode of Inspired to Soar with Hannah, Hannah is joined by Cam Williams , a local leader whose story is built on showing up for sport, for family, and for community.

Born at Rosebud Hospital and raised in Cape Schanck, Cam grew up in a family where community involvement wasn’t optional , it was simply how life worked. From junior baseball and cricket to decades of coaching, committee roles, and leadership positions, Cam learned early that being part of something bigger means stepping forward when it’s needed.

Alongside a career as a chef, co-founding a local fitness business, and raising a family, Cam quietly gave back through markets, Australia Day events, and grassroots organisations. Over time, frustration with council processes didn’t push him away, it pulled him closer. That lived experience led Cam to run for council, and today he serves as a Councillor with the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.

This conversation explores resilience, service, leadership, mental strength, and why communities work best when everyday people choose to lead.

Sit back, be inspired, and remember:

The more you believe in yourself, the more things you can achieve.

🎙️ Inspired to Soar with Hannah — because your story matters here.

Welcome to Inspired to Soar with Hannah, the podcast where real stories spark real change.

In Episode #70, Hannah Swinnerton is joined by the deeply compassionate and intuitive Nicole Rhodes. Nicole’s journey is one of courage, reinvention, and purpose. After leaving the corporate world in 2019, she followed a quieter but more powerful calling into support work and personal care, choosing a path rooted in empathy, presence, and human connection.

Nicole shares what it truly means to walk beside people through life’s most vulnerable moments. From supporting individuals with limited mobility to build independence, to teaching life skills side by side, to holding gentle space for families during end-of-life transitions. Her work reminds us that support is never one-size-fits-all. Sometimes it is practical. Sometimes it is emotional. And sometimes it is simply being there.

In this episode, Nicole opens up about her own mental health journey, the inner healing that shaped her ability to support others, and her lifelong curiosity around consciousness, intuition, and personal growth. Together, Hannah and Nicole explore what it means to be a steady presence, a “body double,” and a soul guide through life’s biggest transitions.

This conversation is honest, grounding, and deeply human.

Sit back, be inspired, and remember:

The more you believe in yourself, the more things you can achieve.

This is Inspired to Soar with Hannah.

Your story matters here. 💛✨

Welcome to Inspired to Soar with Hannah, the podcast where real stories spark real change.

I’m your host, Hannah Swinnerton. Mental health and anti-bullying advocate, proud gym girl, and someone who’s walked the hard roads through bullying, mental health struggles, and body image challenges and come out the other side stronger. This show was born from my journey from victim, to survivor, to thriver, and now I use my voice to help others find theirs.

Today’s episode is a powerful and deeply honest conversation.

I’m honoured to welcome back Tracey Waugh for her second appearance on the podcast. Tracey is a youth worker in a high-risk frontline environment, lives with Type 1 diabetes, and today opens up about another major chapter of her life that many women experience but few talk about openly, menopause.

In this episode, Tracey shares how menopause has impacted her body, energy, emotions, and mental health, and how it has complicated the already demanding task of managing diabetes while working in a challenging role supporting young people. Her honesty is brave, raw, and incredibly important.

Together, we explore:

The early signs and diagnosis of menopause

The emotional and mental health toll of managing chronic illness alongside menopause

How these experiences shape Tracey’s work with young people

The importance of speaking openly about women’s health

Messages of hope for women navigating menopause, chronic illness, and mental health challenges

This is a conversation about resilience, self-compassion, and the power of sharing your story so others don’t feel alone.

So sit back, be inspired, and remember:

The more you believe in yourself, the more things you can achieve.

This is Inspired to Soar with Hannah and your story matters here. 💛⭐

Welcome to Inspired to Soar with Hannah, the show where real stories spark real change.

In this episode, Hannah is joined by Councillor and Deputy Mayor Steffie Conroy, a leader deeply committed to safer workplaces, stronger organisational culture, and healthier communities.

Alongside her role on Council, Steffie runs her own safety and compliance consultancy and works hands-on in the construction industry as a Safety and Culture Manager. Her professional journey has been shaped by a clear purpose: protecting people, improving culture, and creating environments where workers and families can thrive.

Beyond her career, Steffie is a devoted wife and proud mum to two young boys, Callan and Cormac. Motherhood has further strengthened her advocacy for families, inclusive neighbourhoods, and community facilities that truly support people where they live and work.

In this honest and grounding conversation, Steffie shares:

What a healthy and safe workplace really looks like

How culture shapes behaviour, wellbeing, and outcomes

The realities of balancing leadership, family, and community service

Her hopes for the future of Carrum Downs

This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership starts with care, values, and lived experience.

Sit back, be inspired, and remember ,your story matters here.