150th Gazetting of Township

Special activities were held in 2011 to celebrate the gazetting of the township. This was listed in the Government Gazette in February 1861 along with many other townships, including three others on the Mornington Peninsula - Dromana, Mornington and Rye. The Hastings township was originally gazetted as Tyabb - and in fact the cemetery situated at Hastings is still known as the Tyabb Public Cemetery.

Amongst activities held were:

Bi-Monthly Meetings - Guest Speakers

General meetings are held at the Museum, Cnr Marine Pde & Skinner St Hastings. General meetings are held every two months on a Sunday afternoon as selected by the Committee. For details please contact Ann Sullivan, secretary on 0448 023 287. Committee meetings are held monthly on the first Monday of the month.

Morning Coffees - Guest Speakers/Demonstrations:

Morning Coffees are held at the Museum on a quarterly basis on Thursday mornings at 10.15 a.m.

$5 entry includes small door prize as well as morning tea. All proceeds of Morning Coffees go towards the Society's projects. All Welcome! (Men, women and children)

Dates for Morning Coffees in 2012 are:
Thursday 9th February 10.15am Dolphin Life
Thursday 3rd May 10.15 am What's New on the Market?
Thursday 9th August 10.15am Antiques and Collectables
Thursday 8th November 10.15 am To be announced

Pictorial Books of Hastings and Area

Members and friends have published books about the area.

LATEST PUBLICATION: WESTERN PORT FISHERMEN. This provides information and pictures about the fishing industry of Western Port from its beginnings to the present day. 229 pages, indexed. Authors Helen Hannan and Bruce Bennett. $30 *plus postage and handling.
	HASTINGS PEOPLE & PLACES Vol. 1 is the first book published in a series of five volumes all featuring historic places and pioneers of the Hastings Western Port area. The book contains 136 pages and 62 photos, an index and retails for $25.00 *plus postage and handling.
HASTINGS PEOPLE & PLACES Vol II This book contains 133 pages, 60 photos of local scenes and identities, an index and is available for sale at $30.00 *plus postage and handling.
	Hastings Memories Hastings Memories published by the Hastings-Western Port Historical Society, and compiled by Susan Rowe, a descendant of the Mentiplay and Mirabella families, is a book with stories and memories, and is the result of contributions from 26 residents who were born, grew up and lived in the Hastings district or who are newcomers. Hardcover, 247 pages and indexed. Now on sale for $30.00 *plus postage and handling.
Morradoo about Nothing A History of Crib Point and Bittern: Neighbours in Destiny. This is a book about the Settlement of Crib Point and Bittern, the Railway, Naval Depot, Bittern Store and Post Office, Crib Point township and Post Office, World War II, Post war migrant families and the Fire Brigades of Crib Point and Bittern. Colourful softcover book, 176 pages and indexed. Now on sale for $25.00 *plus postage and handling.
	The Butcher, the Baker, the ... (of the Mornington Peninsula) By Bruce Bennett Colourful softcover book, 218 pages and indexed. Now on sale for $25.00 *plus postage and handling.
Hastings People & Places Vol III Vol III is the third book published in this series featuring scenes and pictures of past and present identities of Hastings and surrounding towns. Contains sections on ferries, weddings, sports, street scenes, schools and industry, and includes 61 photos and 136 pages. Cost $30 *plus postage and handling.

Framed Photographs - Hastings Pier/Jetty - $15 each. Postage extra.

Pier to Shore	Ham & Beef Battery	Fishing sheds

Book Ordering:

The Perrott Tree - See Volume II of Hastings People and Places

Society members and members of the Perrott family participated in a commemoration ceremony marking 100 years since the planting of the Perrott tree, that is now outside the Hastings office of the Mornington Peninsula Shire. The tree was planted by Alice Maud Mary Perrott, a great-grandmother of Shirley Davies, Vice President of the Society. The tree at that time was outside the Perrott Butcher's shop.

Reference Library:

The Museum holds an ever-growing collection of local history books, as well as many books on World War I and World War II. There are a number of books on maritime history as well as ecology. Latest additions to reference library are:

Listing of Books Available For Sale at Museum:

Cnr Marine Pde & Skinner St Hastings

The Museum is open Sundays 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.; Wednesdays 10.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon; and other times by appointment - Ph (03) 9781-1141
The Museum is closed during July and August - reopens in September

*Postage and Packaging

Postage varies according to size, weight of book and postcode destination. Please phone Shirley Davies on (03) 9781 1141) or Email shirleydavies101@gmail.com if you would like to order any of the above books so that postage may be ascertained.

Museum Displays and Features

Other features of the Museum include outdoor displays of equipment, Dad's Shed, 1864 Armstrong Gun, model of the Myrtle Burgess and the fully restored square sterner fishing boat Johanna.

A new feature is on the fruit growing industry as well as displaying the embroidered names of members of the first Hastings CWA group.

Some displays are permanent, and other displays change regularly featuring fascinating artefacts in our collection.

Pioneer Cottage c.1900

This small, weatherboard Pioneer cottage is typical of the homes in Hastings at the beginning of the 20th century. The back rooms of the cottage were built first c.l900 and the front rooms added on c.l905. The garden surrounding the Pioneer Cottage includes the Remembrance Garden of Peace that was opened in 1995 as part of the Australia Remembers Celebrations. There are many old fashioned plants planted in the back garden. The small garden at the front of the cottage to the north is the Fairy Garden featuring hidden fairies amongst many different white flowers - a favourite with children.

	Harry's House "Harry's House" (named after racing car legend Harry Firth) houses our records, photos and maps. The latest project has 38 standard roses of cheery yellow that have been planted in the garden to beautify the grounds. One rose is for each year the Society has been in existence.
Dad's Shed Dad's Shed contains a fishing boat (wooden), cray baskets, machinery and other equipment that could be found in a typical 'Dad's Shed'. There is much to see at the museum precinct and visitors may wander around at their leisure to see the many features. There is a new viewing platform that has been donated and erected by Brunnings Hastings who is supporting our Museum.

Museum Hours and Admission

Admission: $2 for adults, children 50c.

The Museum is not open Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Group Visits

The Museum can be opened for conducted tours: school groups, seniors groups, walking groups, service clubs, history groups etc. by prior arrangement - by phoning (03) 9781-1141. Special price for conducted tours. Seniors, walking groups and service clubs are welcome to come for morning/afternoon tea, talk and tour. Contact the secretary for special deals on 0448 023 287.

Membership is from July to June is $15 for adults/pensioners and $7.50 for children. For affiliated membership (no more fees to pay for life) it costs only $250. NEW MEMBERS WELCOME! Contact Hastings-Western Port Historical Society PO Box 223 Hastings 3915 for a membership form. Members can visit the Museum complex as many times as they like during the year for free, and are notified of special activities being held, can attend all general meetings and receive the quarterly newsletters.

Other Historical Society Museums

This page last updated 30 January 2012