By Lance Hodgins
ABOUT 50 close friends, councillors and several generations of family members gathered in the Hastings Community Hub on Friday 7 August in special recognition of Brian Stahl OAM.
Local councillor Michael Stephens rose to speak about this “very special man” who had given his life to Hastings and the wider Mornington Peninsula for over four decades. In summing up Brian’s life of service he explained that the problem was knowing where to stop.
In local government, Brian was a councillor with the old Shire of Hastings for eight years, serving as president in 1992/3. He went on to be elected to the Mornington Peninsula Shire council in 2003 and 2005, also serving as its Mayor.
Brian proved to be a man of action. He chaired the Neighbourhood Renewal Project which transformed the old Hastings Family Leisure Centre into a Community Hub, was involved in the re-development of the Bittern Memorial Centre, and helped the Shire earn the prestigious Dame Phyllis Frost Award for Tidy Towns.
His community contribution didn’t stop with council business. He was president of the Western Port Chamber of Commerce, a director of the local branch of the Bendigo Bank, and involved in the Western Port festival and Band Shell committees. He was an honorary Justice of the Peace for 45 years, helping people navigate life’s paperwork and problems.
That kind of service didn’t go unnoticed. Brian was named Citizen of the Year and, in the 2004 Queen’s birthday honours, awarded the Order of Australia medal for outstanding community service. For ten years, he chaired the Order’s Mornington Peninsula group.
He served on the committee of a wide range of community groups, from the CFA to literacy and business organizations. He was involved in the local football, cricket, tennis and bowling clubs, frequently serving on their committees.
Brian proved himself of true Christian faith. He served St Mary’s church as parish councillor, and on the committees of school, finance and building. He was a board member when Padua College was established at Tyabb, and the inaugural chairman of the Southern Cross Aged Care Home’s support group.
For 60 years, Brian has been a member of the Knights of the Southern Cross, rising to chairman and life member. For his contribution to parish and community life, he received a Papal Award from the Vatican.
Cr Stephens reminded everyone that many people have benefited from Brian’s wide involvement in the community. He asked those present to raise a cup in his honour, which drew prolonged applause.
He then introduced Mayor Stephen Batty of the Mornington Peninsula Shire, who presented Brian with a framed Mayoral Commendation for “… service with integrity, vision and compassion.”
Brian began his response by saying that he was quite overwhelmed by the gathering and the kind sentiments expressed. He spoke of the twists and turns in life’s journey and remembered August 1966 when he arrived in Hastings to be welcomed with open arms.
He had grown up in a small Mallee town and knew there was only one thing to do – “roll up your sleeves.” He believed in giving back to his community and has never regretted doing so.
Brian said that the greatest value of Hastings lies in the fact that it is a “no pretence” community. He had spent a wonderful sixty years here and had many fond memories, and gained many dear friends whom he thanked for being with him on this happy occasion.
First published in the Western Port News – 12 August 2026
