HASTINGS SES has celebrated the launch of its new memorial garden, which was built in collaboration with students from Western Port Secondary College.
On 17 September, Hastings SES held a community celebration to acknowledge the hard work students and volunteers put in to create a place to honour previous SES members.
Silvana Hobley, Section Leader of Member Welfare, Wellbeing, and Progression at Hastings SES, said the garden was a result of community collaboration.
“It’s been an amazing collaboration not just with Western Port Secondary, but also with Bunnings, and Everest Timber,” said Hobley.
“It’s just been an amazing experience.”
Bunnings and Everest Timber donated all the necessary resources, and the students helped with the physical labour.
Hobley said the students’ commitment was amazing to witness.
“They put 100% into it,” said Hobley.
“They did all the heavy lifting.”
The group of students are completing their Victorian Pathway Certificate at Western Port Secondary.
Their teacher, Robert Last, said the program provides an opportunity for students to finish school even if the structures of VCE don’t work for them.
“Helping my guys feel valued within their community by helping the community was my driving force behind this project,” said Last.
“Yes, we ticked off important learning outcomes, but what I really wanted out of this project was for my students to feel valued.
“I think the SES has done such a beautiful job in making them feel welcome, needed, and important in this work.”
Year 11 student Rueben Blok said the project was a great opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills, and give back to the community.
“Everyone gets along, and everyone has a set goal of improving something, building something, creating something,” said Blok.
He said he was unaware that SES relies entirely on volunteers.
“It’s nice to know that there are a lot of people that do care and have not only the time but the sacrifice to do all that; the kind of calls that they go to, the things they go to help with,” said Blok.
Hastings MP Paul Mercurio was also in attendance at the event. He addressed the group and thanked the SES volunteers and the work they do.
“I think [the memorial garden] is just such a great example of what happens when we all get together and give our time to help each other; it makes the community such a better place to be in,” said Mercurio.
“What’s so special about this, too, is that it is a garden of remembrance, and I think that it is really important to take a moment to remember those that have given so much, so that we can have what we have as well.”
Hobley said she wanted to redo the memorial garden to properly honour their previous members.
“Janet Carr was with us for over 31 years, and she recently passed last year in July,” said Hobley.
“It’s a sense of accomplishment, achievement, and a sense of pride that we can now celebrate all our previous members.”
First published in the Western Port News – 23 September 2026
