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mornington peninsula local history network

 

  

In this section, you will find a collection of short histories of most of the townships on the Mornington Peninsula and a listing of the organisations in the Mornington Peninsula Local History Network with their details.

The Mornington Peninsula Local History Network is a group of 19 active and dedicated organisations who work towards the long term preservation and discovery of the Peninsula’s history for the enjoyment and education of all. Their main aims are to promote and celebrate the Peninsula’s heritage; preserve and conserve; research and publish and provide information to the public on our local history.

We have a rich and fascinating history which we hope you will explore and enjoy.
     

 		  


 
     
mornington 
 

peninsula local history network
 

Balnarring & District Historical Society Inc
Dromana & District Historical Society
Flinders District Historical Society
Coolart Wetlands & Homestead, Parks Victoria
Friends of the Collins Settlement Sorrento, Settlement Site
Hastings-Western Port Historical Society
HMAS Cerberus Museum
Mornington & District Historical Society Inc
Mornington Peninsula Family History Society Inc
Mornington Railway
National Trust of Australia, McCrae Homestead
National Trust of Australia, Mulberry Hill
National Trust of Australia, The Briars Park
Nepean Historical Society
Peninsula Ship Society
Rye Historical Society
Sages Cottage Heritage Group
Somerville, Tyabb & District Heritage Society
Southern Peninsula Family History Group
 
   

Balnarring & District Historical Society Inc
Address:

3035 Hastings Flinders Rd, Balnarring
Collection:

Contains a collection of local historical records, photographs and memorabilia from Balnarring and surrounding district
Open:

by appointment only
Admission:

Free
Services/Activities:

Research; Copying; Meetings; Publications; Cataloguing; Public displays
Enquiries:

Ph: (03) 5983 5326; PO Box 183 Balnarring 3926;
Email: bdhs@peninsula.hotkey.net.au or bal.hist@westnet.com.au
Website:

not available

   

 

Dromana & District Historical Society
Address:

Old Shire Office, 359A Pt Nepean Road Dromana
Collection:

Contains a collection of artefacts, memorabilia, photographs, records and oral history recordings from the central Mornington Peninsula area including Dromana, Main Ridge, Red Hill, Red Hill South, Safety Beach, Arthur’s Seat, McCrae, Rosebud and Boneo
Open:

Sundays 2 – 4pm
1st & 3rd Tuesdays 10am – 4pm
Daily during January 2 – 4 pm
Admission:

Gold coin donation
Services/Activities:

Museum Displays; Research; Copying; Sale of local history publications & calendars & photos; Meetings & guest speakers; Cataloguing; Exhibition development
Enquiries:

Ph: 03 5981 9119 or contact secretary c/- PO Box 30 Dromana 3936
Website:

home.vicnet.net.au/~dromana
   

 

Flinders District Historical Society
Address:

Old Shoreham School, Byrnes Road Shoreham
Collection:

Contains a collection of photographs; records; maps; paintings and oral histories relating to the historical, environmental, social, industrial and technological developments of the Flinders, Shoreham, Cape Schank and Point Leo areas
Open:

by appointment only
Admission:

None
Services/Activities:

Research; Exhibitions and Special Displays; Schools projects; Historic walks; Publications; Cataloguing; School projects; Excursions (field trips); Social events with guest speakers
Enquiries:

Ph: (03) 5989 8838
Website:

not available
   

 

Coolart Wetlands & Homestead, Parks Victoria
Address:

Lord Somers Road Somers
Collection:

Coolart consists of a unique range of historical buildings and environmental landscapes
Open:

Daily   10am – 5pm (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday)
Admission:

Charges apply. Phone 13 1963 for details
Services/Activities:

Bird watching, Bushwalking; Coastal walking; Group bookings; Venue for special functions; Seminar & Conference Venue; Craft group venue; Special lectures
Friends of Coolart are a volunteer group that provide assistance to Coolart through weed management programs; research; sale of publications and produce; and guided tours
Enquiries:

Ph: 13 1963 or (03) 59314000
Website:

www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
   

 

Friends of the Collins Settlement Sorrento, Settlement Site
Address:

Pt Nepean Road, Sorrento
Collection:

Consists of the settlement site and monument, and a small number of relics recovered from the site such as wooden kegs; nails, and shackles on display at the Nepean Historical Society
Open:

Site is open at all times, tours by appointment
Relics on display as per Nepean Historical Society opening hours

Admission:

Free to the site
Services/Activities:

Display of material at the Nepean Historical Society; CD of the history of the Collins Settlement Sorrento; Research; Promotion
Enquiries:

Ph: (03) 5988 0773
Website:

not available
   

 

Hastings-Western Port Historical Society
Address:

Crn Marine Pde & Skinner Street Hastings
Collection:

Contains a collection of objects and memorabilia, maps, photographs, illustrations, documents and publications on the history of Hastings and Western Port from prior to white settlement up to the present day
Open:

Sunday 2 – 4pm or by appointment
Admission:

Adults $2.00
Children/Pensioners 50cents
Services/Activities:

Quarterly newsletter; Meetings and guest speakers; Publication; Research; Publication; Historical walks; Exhibitions; Special displays; Schools projects
Enquiries:

Ph: (03) 9781 1141 or (03) 5979 1413
Website:

www.vicnet.net.au/~dromana/hastings.htm
   

 

HMAS Cerberus Museum
Address:

Stony Point Road, Crib Point, HMAS Cerberus
Collection:

Contains a collection of artefacts; photographs; maps; prints; paintings; models; ships badges; archives; library; uniforms and assorted memorabilia associated with the history of the naval training depot at HMAS Cerberus and the Royal Australian Navy
Open:

Monday to Friday 10.30am – 4.00pm
Saturday and Sunday and public holidays 9am – 5pm
Admission:

Adults $3.00
Children 6 - 15 $1.00
Families $7.00
Services/Activities:

Exhibitions
Enquiries:

Ph: (03) 5950 7530 or 5950 7141
Website:

www.navy.gov.au/establishments/Cerberus/museum.html
   

 

Mornington & District Historical Society Inc
Address:

The Old Post Office Museum
Corner Main Street and Esplanade Mornington
Collection:

Contains a collection of memorabilia and photographs from Mornington, Mt Martha, Mt Eliza and Moorooduc including the Peninsula Post newspaper and post and telegraph items
Open:

Sunday 1.30 – 4.30pm or by appointment
Admission:

Gold coin donation
Services/Activities:

Research; Copying; Cataloguing; Sale of local history publications; Meetings; Talks; Newsletters; Exhibitions; Historic Walks
Enquiries:

Ph: (03) 5976 3203
Website:

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mornhsoc/post.html
   

 

Mornington Peninsula Family History Society Inc
Address:

Leisure Centre, Tower Hill Road, Frankston
Collection:

Contains a collection of microfiche, microfilm, CD ROM’s on a computer network, internet access and printed material to assist people on the Peninsula to research their family history
Open:

Tuesday & Thursday 10.30am – 2.30pm
Sunday 2pm – 5pm
Admission:

Visitors $5.00
Services/Activities:

Bi-monthly meetings and guest speakers; Research
Enquiries:

Ph: (03) 9783 7058 Email: sandra@mpfhs.org
Website:

www.mpfhs.org
   

 

Mornington Railway
Address:

Moorooduc Station, 460 Moorooduc Highway, Mt Eliza
Collection:

Contains a collection of locomotives and rail cars including the K163; K177; K191; T334; T411; 2 track chief shunting vehicles (TC1 and TC2); 85RM Walker Rail Motor
Open:

1st 3 Sundays of each month 11am – 5pm
Admission:

Charges apply see website
Services/Activities:

Train trips for:
General visitors on the Sundays
Birthday parties
Group bookings
Charters
Enquiries:

Ph: (03) 5975 3474
Website:

www.morningtonrailway.org.au/
   

 

National Trust of Australia, McCrae Homestead
Address:

11 Beverley Road, McCrae
Collection:

The McCrae Homestead is one of Victoria’s oldest homesteads and is a physical reminder of early pioneering life, using local materials and primitive construction techniques. It also contains a rare collection of 19th century family heirlooms and artworks from the McCrae family
Open:

Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday 12.00 to 4.30pm in summer
Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday 12.00 to 4.00pm in winter
During July and August weekends only 12.00 to 4.00 pm
Closed Good Friday & Christmas Day
Tour groups by appointment
Admission:

Adults $5.00
Family $10.00
Concession $4.00
Services/Activities:

Guided Tours; School tours & programs; Bus tours; Special event days; Venue for weddings and special occasions; Publication pertaining to the McCrae family
Enquiries:

Ph: (03) 5981 2866
Website:

www.nattrust.com.au
   

 

National Trust of Australia, Mulberry Hill
Address:

Golf links Road, Langwarrin South
Collection:

Mulberry Hill was built in the late 1920’s and was the home of the noted artist Sir Daryl Lindsay and his wife Joan (author of the classic novel, “Picnic at Hanging Rock”). The Lindsay’s personal collections of artworks and Georgian furniture are an outstanding feature of this house
Open:

Guided tours on Sundays at 1.30, 2.15 & 3.00 pm or by appointment during the week for groups (the house is closed in July)
Admission:

Adults $7.50
Children $3.50
Concession $6.50
Family $18.50
Services/Activities:

Guided Tours; Small garden functions
Enquiries:

Ph: (03) 5971 4138
Website:

www.nattrust.com.au
   

 

National Trust of Australia, The Briars Park
Address:

Nepean Hwy, Mt Martha (Melways 145 – D11)
Collection:

The Briars is one of the Mornington Peninsula’s oldest properties. Captain James Reid arrived in 1840 and erected a hut on the site now occupied by the Visitor Information Centre. In 1846 Alexander Beatson Balcombe purchased the property, and built a homestead from local materials. They named it “The Briars” after the family home on St Helena. The Homestead contains historic photographs, artefacts and the Napoleonic Collection. The surrounding farm buildings contain an extensive collection of historic farm machinery
Open:

Homestead open daily 10.00 am – 4.00 pm (Guided Tours only)
Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday
Admission:

Adults: $4.70            
Concession: $3.60
Child: $1.20              
Family: $10.50
Services/Activities:

Guided Tours; BBQ & picnic facilities; Souvenir Shop; School Holiday Activities; Night Bush Walks; Outdoor Education Camp; Function Hire of Homestead, barn and grounds; Josephine’s Restaurant; Briars Roseraie; Shire Nursery
Enquiries:

Ph: (03) 5974 3687 Fax: (03) 5974 1167
The.briars@mornpen.vic.gov.au
Website:

www.thebriars.com.au
   

 

Nepean Historical Society
1. Sorrento Museum
Address:

827 Melbourne Road, Sorrento
Collection:

Contains artefacts, costumes, maps, photographs, documents, oral histories, illustrations, models and books associated with the Nepean Peninsula. Also on the site is the historic Watts Cottage which is a rare example of the type of home built by the first settlers to this area.
Open:

Saturday, Sunday, Public & School Holidays 1:30 to 4:30pm
Groups by arrangement
Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day
Admission:

Adults $3.00
Students $2.00
Children Free (accompanied by an Adult)
Services/Activities:

General tours of displays; Local history walks; Educational tours; Research & Archival Services; Copying of historic photographs (subject to conditions); Film screenings; Heritage Gift Shop; Monthly meetings & guest speakers; Bi-monthly newsletter; Publications; Talks & Demonstrations
Enquiries:

Ph: (03) 5984 0255, Fax: (03) 5984 0935
Email: nepeanhs@satlink.com.au
Website:

www.nepeanhistoricalsociety.asn.com
   

 

Nepean Historical Society
2. Quarantine Museum
Address:

Point Nepean
Collection:

Comprises of quarantine equipment and machinery; medical artefacts; furniture and uniforms; domestic utensils; maps, photographs and assorted records
Open:

Tour at 2.00pm every Sunday and on the weekends during January conducted by the Friends of the Quarantine Museum
Admission:

$5.00 a person for guided tour of the Quarantine Museum Group tours by arrangement
Services/Activities:

Guided tours of the Quarantine Museum; Sale of publications
Enquiries:

Friends of the Quarantine Station Museum,
Ph: 03 5984 0062, Fax: 03 5984 0067
Website:

www.nepeanhistoricalsociety.asn.au/quarantine.html
   

 

Peninsula Ship Society
Address:

Meetings held once a month at the Hastings RSL Hall, King Street, Hastings
Collection:

Collection of books, videos and DVD’s associated with maritime matters. This collection is available to members
Open:

Meetings 7pm, 4th Tuesday of each month (some variation during public holidays)
Admission:

Gold coin donation
Services/Activities:

Monthly meetings with guest speakers; Quarterly Newsletter; Excursions. Members are offered a number of “maritime” related trips each year at cost price

Enquiries:

Sue Lawrence, Ph: (03) 9789 5774
Email: selaw@optushome.com.au
P O Box 6124 Karingal 3199
Website:

not available
   

 

Rye Historical Society
Address:

Rye Primary School, Old School House, Crn Lyons & Collingwood Sts, Rye
Collection:

Contains a small collection of photos, family histories, maps, books and memorabilia associated with Rye’s history
Open:

Open (most) Sundays between 1 – 3 pm
Admission:

Free
Services/Activities:

Exhibitions; Research; Guest speakers; Meetings; Publications; Newsletter; Self guided history walks
Enquiries:

Pauline Powell, Ph: (03) 5985 2797; Ern Jennings, Ph: (03) 5885 3827
Website:

not available
   

 

Sages Cottage Heritage Group
Address:

85 Sages Road, Baxter 3911
Collection:

Consists of the historic Sages Cottage, built in 1853, and associated structures and garden
Open:

Friday 10.00 am to 3.00 pm
Admission:

Free
Services/Activities:

Café; walk through historic buildings and garden; research
Enquiries:

Ph: (03) 5971 5964.
Email: sages@menzies.org.au
Website:

www.menzies.org.au
   

 

Somerville, Tyabb & District Heritage Society
Address:

Mechanics Hall Institute, 66 Station Street, Somerville
Collection:

Contains a collection of photographs and memorabilia associated with the history of the fruit growing industry and local families in the Somerville and Tyabb District
Open:

By appointment
Admission:

Free
Services/Activities:

Temporary occasional displays; Research; General meetings; Quarterly Newsletter; Local market stall selling the Society’s cards and publications
Enquiries:

Ph: (03) 5977 5031 or (03) 5977 6489
Email: brenda.th@bigpond.com
P.O. Box 363 Somerville 3912
Website:

home.vicnet.net.au/~stdhs
   

 

Southern Peninsula Family History Group
Address:

111 Boneo Road, Rosebud
Collection:

Contains a collection of microfiche, microfilm, CD ROM’s and printed material related to assisting people research their family histories
Open:

Monday 12.30 – 3.00pm
Wednesday 10.00 am – 3.00pm
By appointment other times
Admission:

Members $3.00; Visitors $5.00
Services/Activities:

Family history research; Copying; Monthly meeting with guest speakers; Seminars held bi- annually
Enquiries:

Ph: (03) 5986 5882.
Email: rbudcomh@swiftdsl.com.au
Website:

not available