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

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 97 81 11 41
Postal Address: P.O. Box 223, Hastings, Victoria 3915.
email: sadavies@alphalink.com.au

We are 35 years old - Come and help us celebrate with lunch:

Where: At the Hastings Club, 155 Marine Pde, Hastings, Melway: 154 H8.
When: Sunday, 13 July 2008 at 12 noon for 12.30 p.m. lunch.
Cost: Three course meal $30.00 per head / Drinks at bar prices / Anniversary Raffle.
Bookings: Full payment required for booking confirmation. Limited spaces so book early.
Please contact Shirley Davies on 9781-1141 or email sadavies@alphalink.com.au for enquiries.

Booking Information: (Please print and send to):

The Secretary, Hastings-Western Port Historical Society Inc, PO Box 223, Hastings 3915.

I would like to book…………places for your Coral Anniversary Luncheon and enclose money order/ cheque at $30.00 per person, a total of $............... (Please note: We do not accept Credit Cards)
My name is………………………………...Telephone No.:………………and I am from………………………………………………..………………….. (Organisation if any).
Please advise names of those coming. Vegetarian meal required: Yes No No. reqd.
R.S.V.P.: by 20 June 2008 - Please note no refunds after 3 July 2008.

Harry's House:

Due to the kindness and generosity of Harry Firth a picturesque c.1890s house was donated to the Mornington Peninsula Shire. The Shire, in turn, has acceded to Harry's request that Hastings-Western Port Historical Society has the use of this cottage. The picket fence is now in place, a tank has been positioned and work is progressing on the interior of the house in readiness for the Hastings-Western Port Historical Society taking possession.

Pictorial Books of Hastings and Area

Members and friends have worked together to produce two pictorial books with historical data and details about Hastings People and Places:

HASTINGS PEOPLE & PLACES Vol I 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 plus $10 postage and handling.
HASTINGS PEOPLE & PLACES Vol II was launched at the Hastings hall, High St Hastings on Saturday 18th November 2006 at 2 pm by the then Mayor Cr Brian Stahl. The book contains 133 pages, 60 photos, an index and is available now for sale at $30 plus $10 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 plus $10 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 Pot 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 $20 plus postage and handling.
To obtain copies of the books write to the Secretary, Hastings-Western Port Historical Society Inc. P.O. Box 223 Hastings 3915, or contact Shirley Davies by phone on 03-9781 1141 or email sadavies@alphalink.com.au

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

Society members and members of the Perrott family recently participated in a commemoration ceremony of 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, current President of the Society. The tree at that time was outside the Perrott Butcher's shop.

Bi-Monthly Meetings - Guest Speakers

General meetings are held at the Museum, Cnr Marine Pde & Skinner St Hastings on the first Monday in February, April, October, and December at 7.30 p.m. In the cooler months the meetings are held on the first Sunday afternoon of June, August and September at 2 p.m.

Morning Coffees - Guest Speakers/Demonstrations:

Morning Coffees are held at the Museum on a quarterly basis - 2008 dates.

Wednesday 14 May 2008 10.15 a.m. "The Two Martha's" - Valda Cole OAM
Wednesday 13 August 2008 10.15 a.m. "Collectibles & Antiques" Wendy Morrison
Wednesday 26 November 2008 10.15 a.m. "School Days"

$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)

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. Recent books in the library have been:

  • Hastings Memories a book with stories and memories of those who were born, grew up or are newcomers to the Hastings area. (Compiled by Susan Rowe).
  • Hastings People & Places Vol. I. Pictures of early Hastings, Somerville & Tyabb and the early residents of the area.
  • Hastings People & Places Vol. II. Pictures of the Perrott tree, fishing and fruit growing industries; Western Port ferries and a section on "Gone but Not Forgotten".
  • Hastings Fishermen (by Bruce Bennett) Another of Bruce Bennett's informative books featuring the fishermen of the area, and types of fishing done - many family names given.
  • Ham & Beef Battery (by Bruce Bennett) published 2005 is in our reference library and is not only about the local Hastings Battery but is of the early defence of Western Port.
  • Morradoo About Nothing - (Bruce Bennett and Arthur Woodley) A history of Crib Point and Bittern: Neighbours in Destiny
  • Ready and Willing - We Strive to Save - The story of the Mornington Urban Fire Brigade
  • Frontier French Island - Ruth Gooch
  • Haphazard Quilt (Poems) - Prof Weston Bate
  • Captain Henry Wishart of Port Fairy Bay
  • England's Navy - F.M. Holmes (Pub. 1899)
  • A Dreamtime of Dromana Colin McLear

    • Listing of Books Available For Sale at Museum:

    Cnr Marine Pde & Skinner St Hastings PO Box 223 Hastings 3915

    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)

    BOOK TITLE $
    Australian Aldershot - History of Victoria's first military reserve at Langwarrin 137p index 15.00
    Balnarring Byways & Memories Vols 1,2, & 3 12.50
    Balnarring Byways & Memories Vol 4 15.00
    Fish Markets of Melbourne, The, by Bruce Bennett 154 pages, index 20.00
    From Conflict to Reform - personal reflections on formation of Shire of Hastings by Doug Thompson 159p no index 10.00
    Ham & Beef Battery - Bruce Bennett 20.00
    Hastings and Fishermen - Bruce Bennett 20.00
    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 NEWEST 30.00
    Hastings People & Places Vol. I 25.00
    Hastings People & Places Vol. II - pictures and information 30.00
    Heroes and Gentlemen, Col.Tom Price & Victorian Mounted Rifles by Winty Calder (hard cover) 82p index 20.00
    Letters of Heartache and Hope (story of refugee family in Europe coming to Australia & experiences in refugee camp and life here (author lives at Hastings) 159p by Edith Torokfalvy 16.50
    Morradoo About Nothing - A history of Crib Point and Bittern: Neighbours in Destiny. (Bruce Bennett & Arthur & Woodley) 176p, indexed. NEW 20.00
    Oak Trees & Hedges - pictorial record of early Pakenham, Berwick, Harkaway etc. 15.00
    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 25.00
    Stony Point, the heart of Western Port by Bruce Bennett & Arthur Woodley, story of Stony Point - maritime perspective and pioneering families 169 pages, index 20.00
    Under the Pine Trees, history of Frankston Primary School (Davey St) 1874-1999 by Dorothy Condon, 100p, no index 12.50
    Western Port Chronology, 1798-1839 by Valda Cole - snapshot of explorers & early Settlers to 1839 incl. Bass to Western Port, and French to Western Port etc. index 20.00

    Postage and Packaging

    Postage varies according to size, weight of book and postcode destination. Please phone Shirley Davies (03) 9781-1141) or Email sadavies@alphalink.com.au 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, a model of the Myrtle Burgess and the fully restored square sterner fishing boat Johanna.

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

    Adjacant to the Museum is the Pioneer Cottage surrounded by a Remembrance Garden of Peace that was opened in 1995 as part of the Australia Remembers Celebrations.

    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 in c.l905. This is a current project of the Society.

    Dad's Shed

    Dad's Shed contains a fishing boat (wooden), cray baskets, machinery and other equipment that normally is found in a typical "Dad's Shed". There is much to see and visitors may wander around at their leisure to see the many features.

    Museum Hours and Admission

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

    The Museum is not open Good Friday and Christmas Day.

    The Museum can be opened for any person or group by prior arrangement at other times - by phoning the President on 9781-1141.

    Admission: $2 for adults, children 50c. Members - Free

    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 modified 2 May 2008