Mornington CEF Players

Formed in 1948, Mornington CEF Players, the oldest continuous theatre group on the Peninsula, celebrates a sixty-year history of providing entertainment for theatre lovers on the Peninsula. It started its humble beginning by presenting an aptly titled comedy, “The Rising Generation” in the old Mornington Mechanics Hall (since converted to offices in the Shire’s Queen Street Branch), by teenage members of the Mornington Church of England Fellowship. Filled with youthful enthusiasm at its two-night success, a decision was made at a meeting a week later to form a theatre group, and as most members of the cast and crew were fellowship members, the name “Mornington CEF Players” was adopted. In the early years, CEF took shows “on the road” to the Balcombe Army Camp Theatre, Red Hill, Hastings, Frankston and Boronia. CEF has staged shows at numerous retirement villages on the Peninsula, plus “Coolart”, The Briars, Peninsula Art Gallery and Peninsula Community Theatre. CEF has proved a training ground for many people over the years. Several members have found success overseas, while others have become professional within Australia on stage, films, television and radio.