Hastings - Western Port Historical Society Inc.
ABN: 35 495 397 462
Registered No. A0006589U

Local Historical Museum
and
Pioneer Cottage

The Museum is located at
Corner Marine Parade and Skinner Streets, Hastings.
Melways Map Ref 154 K 11
Telephone (03) 9781 1141
Postal Address: P.O. Box 223, Hastings, Victoria 3915.
email: shirleydavies101@gmail.com

News of Society

The 150th Gazetting of the township activities in 2012 were successfully organised. Some of the local activities at Hastings were:

  • Opening of Time Capsule outside the Shire office at Hastings
  • Pioneer Dance held at the Tyabb hall
  • Pioneer Celebration Lunch at Hastings Club with Valda Cole OAM as guest speaker
  • Tree planting of commemorative tree by 98 year old Roy Greive and the Young Citizen of the Year for Mornington Peninsula Shire, Kayla Bentley
  • Special 150th Open Day at the Hastings Museum
  • Visit to Hastings Primary School and unveiling of historic commemorative information board by the Governor of Victoria, the Hon. Alex Chernov AC QC and Mrs Elizabeth Chernov
  • Some of our members attended the Mornington Peninsula Shire's official reception for the Governor and Mrs Chernov.

    • Discovery School at Hastings

    Hastings-Western Port Historical Society shared during the weekend of 20th-21st October 2012 with the South Eastern Historical Association and Somerville, Tyabb & District Heritage Society in the organising of the activities for the Discovery School. The Saturday seminar was held at the Hastings Community Hub and the Dinner in the evening was held at the Hastings Club. On Sunday there was a bus tour of Hastings, Bittern, Crib Point, Somers, Tyabb and Somerville. A visit was made to the Museum at HMAS Cerberus and lunch was held at Coolart homestead. Participants were from many of the historical societies who are members of the South Eastern Historical Association.

    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 date selected by the Committee, either on a Sunday afternoon or a Monday evening. For details please contact Ann Sullivan, secretary on 0448 023 287. Committee meetings are held monthly on dates selected by the Committee.

    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 2013 are:
    Thursday 7th February 10.15am Geoff Stockton speaking on 'Hastings Seadarers'
    Thursday 2nd May 10.15 am Chris Rekdale 'The Creation of the Wall Hanging of the Hastings Community Hub'
    Thursday 8th August 10.15am Wendy Morrison 'Antiques & Collectibles'
    Thursday 14th November 10.15 am 'Christmas Capers'

    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

    New Book to be published in 2013

    Volume IV in the series 'Hastings People and Places' is due to be published in the early part of 2013. Please contact Ann Sullivan, secretary on 0448 03 287 or Shirley Davies on 039781 1141 for precise details.

    Book Ordering:

    To obtain copies of any of our books and *postage and handling costs, please write or contact:
  • Secretary, Hastings-Western Port Historical Society Inc. P.O. Box 223 Hastings 3915
  • Shirley Davies by phone on (03) 9781 1141; or
  • email your order to shirleydavies101@gmail.com

    • 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:

  • 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

    BOOK TITLE $*
    All our Somers (by Bruce Bennett) 30.00
    Australian Aldershot - History of Victoria's first military reserve at Langwarrin 137p index 20.00
    Balnarring Byways & Memories Vols 1,2,3 & 4 Price per book 15.00
    Balnarring Byways & Memories Vol 5 Price per book 20.00
    Fish Markets of Melbourne, The, (by Bruce Bennett) 154 pages, index 25.00
    From Conflict to Reform - personal reflections on formation of Shire of Hastings (by Doug Thompson) 159p no index 10.00
    Frontier French Island (by Ruth Gooch) 50.00
    Ham & Beef Battery - (by Bruce Bennett) 25.00
    Haphazard Quilt - Poems with CD (by Weston Bate) 25.00
    Hastings Fishermen - (Bruce Bennett) 25.00
    Hastings Memories - a book with stories and memories of people who were born, grew up or are newcomers to the area Hardcover , 247 p, indexed - (Ed. Susan Rowe) 30.00
    Hastings People & Places Vol. I - pictures, information and index 25.00
    Hastings People & Places Vol. II - pictures, information and index 30.00
    Hastings People & Places Vol. III - descriptions and photos 30.00
    Honourable Alfred Downward, The (by I J Hackett) 16.00
    Letters of Heartache and Hope (story of refugee family in Europe coming to Australia and experiences in refugee camp and life here - author lived at Hastings 159p (by Edith Torokfalvy) 16.50
    The Lady Nelson Log - small booklet 5.00
    Matthew Flinders' narrative of Tom Thumb's Cruise to Canoe Rivulet (Ed. by Keith Bowden)
    Please Note: Hard cover 20.00 - Soft Cover $15.00
    Mornington Peninsula Railways & their Communities (Ed. by Joan Patrick) 25.00
    Morradoo About Nothing - A history of Crib Point and Bittern: Neighbours in Destiny. (by Bruce Bennett & Arthur & Woodley) 176p, indexed. 25.00
    Mr Bass's Western Port - The Whaleboat Voyage (by Harry & Valda Cole) 35.00
    Old Piano Story, The (by Frances Octavia McCrae) 8.00
    Sandy Point - compact booklet of fascinating history of area (by Bruce Bennett), no index 10.00
    Snapshots of the Faithful - Holy Trinity (Anglican Church) Hastings. Index. 25.00
    Stories & Poems from the Mornington Peninsula 10.00
    The Butcher, the Baker, the ... (on the Mornington Peninsula) ... (Bruce Bennett) 25.00
    Those Courageous Hardy Women (by Betty McMeekan) 16.00
    Under the Pine Trees, History of Frankston Primary School (Davey St) 1874-1999 (by Dorothy Condon), 100p, no index 12.50
    Western Port Fishermen by Helen Hannan and Bruce Bennett. Detailed history of fishing in Western Port from 1840 to the present day. Indexed, softcover 229 p. $30 plus postage & handling. 30.00

    *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

    Sundays 2.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.
    Wednesdays 10.00 a.m.- 12.00 noon

    Admission: $2 for adults, children 50c.

    The Museum is not open Good Friday and Christmas Day.

    The museum is closed during the months of July and August and reopens in September.

    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

    Other Historical Society Museums on the Mornington Peninsula are located at Dromana, Flinders, Mornington and Sorrento.
    These are managed entirely by volunteers who are dedicated to the collection, preservation, conservation and display of items of historical interest.

    This page last updated 22 January 2013