HASTINGS has lost one of its most dedicated servants with the death of Brian Stahl.
The 88-year-old was revered in the community for his work and advocacy over many decades.
Brian was a fit and healthy man until heath complications a year ago, and his mind was as sharp as ever until the end.
Brian arrived in Hastings with wife Bernice from Wycheproof in North Western Victoria in 1966, and was involved in Hastings’ community life from day one.
What followed was 60 years of unmatched service to the community.
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 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 Sound 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 served St Mary’s church 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 was 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.
Brian’s funeral will be held on Friday 28 August at 10.30am at Immaculate Conception Church, 71 Marine Parade, Hastings.
A full obituary honouring the life of Brian Stahl will be produced in the coming weeks.
Cameron McCullough and Lance Hodgins
