MEMBERS of Hastings-Western Port Historical Society celebrated its 50th anniversary with lunch on Sunday 16 July at the Hastings Club.
Original members, Valda Cole OAM and Shirley Davies OAM (president for 14 years) gave speeches before cutting the cake.
Also at the celebration were Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors, including the mayor Steve Holland, Kate Roper, Debra Mar, David Gill and Lisa Dixon.
Holland spoke about the council’s commitment of $75,000 as an initial allocation to restore and improve the society’s building.
Dixon spoke about the importance to the community of volunteer organisations.
The society’s secretary Karen Taylor gave a presentation on AI and how it could be used to create a more vibrant community and ensure that historical stories continued to be shared in new and more creative ways.
Vic Rodwell from the Community Bank Hastings presented a $10,000 cheque to the society.
John Woolley spoke about the Hastings fish shed, one of the most photographed and one of the oldest buildings in Hastings.
Woolley’s father, John Woolley Senior, is from one of the original pioneer families in the area (Woolleys Road and Woolleys Beach Crib Point are named after his family).
Woolley showed photos of the fish shed before it was restored, when it was moved, how it was moved, the people involved, and when it was put back (less than one metre from its former position).
Woolley said he was hoping that one day there might be a commemorative plaque put in place to acknowledge the work of those involved.
First published in the Western Port News – 26th July 2023
