Hastings, Victoria
Encyclopedia
Hastings is a suburb on the Mornington Peninsula
, Victoria
, Australia, as a part of the urban enclave on Westernport comprising Hastings, Bittern
, Crib Point
, Tyabb
, and Somerville
. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Mornington Peninsula
. It is served by Hastings railway station
on the Stony Point greater-metropolitan line.
Hastings is situated on an inlet on Western Port
, a major port and important environmental area. Hastings has multiple marinas and is home to many recreational boating activities.
. Previously known as King’s Creek and Star Point, its post office opened on 4 February 1863.
Settlement of the area dates from the 1840s, with fishing being the main industry. Growth took place from the 1850s into the 1870s as the township developed. Expansion continued in the late 1880s and 1890s, aided by the construction of the railway line and the establishment of many orchards. Significant residential development occurred during the 1960s and 1970s, spurred by industrial growth and public housing construction. Growth began to slow from the 1980s. The population has increased since the early 1990s, a result of new dwellings being added to the area.
, and is located on the coast of Westernport Bay. Surrounded by farmlands it is still very much a country town with a strong sense of local community.
In 2004 Hastings was the overall winner of the Victorian Tidy Town Awards held by the Keep Australia Beautiful Network.
It has a population of over 7,000 and several major franchises have set up there. The opening of a K-Mart
shopping centre on 19 October 2006 was the first large department store in the town.
Hastings was the seat of the Hastings Shire, before this was merged into the Mornington Peninsula Shire, and still has many buildings associated with federal, state and local governments. It has the headquarters of the regional traffic police. There is a modern library in the centre of town, outside of which is a statue of former resident and famous footballer, John Coleman. Other facilities include a public hall, and a modern aquatic centre.
Hastings has two public primary schools - Hastings Primary and West Park Primary. There is also a private Catholic school
named St Marys Primary School, as well as Western Port Secondary College, a state high school (formerly known as Hastings High School).
In October 2003 the town was host to The Princess Royal
. During her short stay she inspected the decommissioned submarine HMAS Otama
, a vessel she launched in the 1970s.
and BlueScope Steel
manufacturing plants, and it is not uncommon to see large oil tankers docked near Long Island in Westernport Bay. Many residents of Hastings work or have family members working at Esso or BlueScope Steel. Hastings also hosts many small businesses associated with the recreational boating industry.
Due to the close proximity of the Naval Base, trainees on leave are often seen around the town, especially on weekends.
The Naval Cadet unit, TS Tingira, is also located out of HMAS Cerberus, and the Unit is a visible presence within the town, especially on ANZAC Day
and Remembrance Day
, and other notable events where they assist with fundrasing for local and national charities.
Hastings is located on a crescent-shaped bay opening onto Western Port Bay. It is probably the safest small boat harbour on Western Port, as it is easily accessible, and protected from prevailing winds. Therefore much of the recreation centres around boating or fishing at the local marina and yacht club.
The mudflats support significant mangrove forests, these being the most southerly species of mangrove in the world. Jacks Beach Walk takes hikers through and over the mangroves via a series of boardwalks. The mangrove forests are natural fish hatcheries, important for the maintenance of good fish populations in the bay. A significant area of Western Port Bay north of Hastings has been declared a Marine National Park.
The area around the pier is popular with sightseers, there being a waterfront cafe, and many yachts moored nearby. Pelicans can normally be seen in this area, and the pelicans are fed daily by local fishermen.
Other nearby attractions include the Tyabb antiques centre and Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
.
The town has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League
.
Westernport Chamber of Commerce & Industry: http://www.hastings.org.au/
General information website (independent) http://www.hastings3915.info
Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula is a peninsula located south-east of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. It is surrounded by Port Phillip to the west, Western Port to the east and Bass Strait to the south, and is connected to the mainland in the north. Geographically, the peninsula begins its protrusion...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia, as a part of the urban enclave on Westernport comprising Hastings, Bittern
Bittern, Victoria
Bittern is a rural town in Victoria, Australia, 49 km southeast from Melbourne's central business district, as a part of the urban enclave on Westernport comprising Bittern, Hastings, Crib Point, Somerville, and Tyabb. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Mornington Peninsula...
, Crib Point
Crib Point, Victoria
Crib Point is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, as a part of the urban enclave on Western Port comprising Bittern, Crib Point, Hastings, Tyabb, and Somerville...
, Tyabb
Tyabb, Victoria
Tyabb is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, as a part of the urban enclave on Westernport comprising Tyabb, Hastings, Bittern, Crib Point, and Somerville. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Mornington Peninsula...
, and Somerville
Somerville, Victoria
Somerville is a suburb in Victoria, Australia, 49 km southeast from Melbourne's central business district, as a part of the urban enclave on Westernport comprising Somerville, Hastings, Bittern, Crib Point, and Tyabb. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Mornington Peninsula...
. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Mornington Peninsula
Shire of Mornington Peninsula
The Shire of Mornington Peninsula is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. It is located to the south of the city of Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula. It has an area of 723 square kilometres...
. It is served by Hastings railway station
Hastings railway station, Melbourne
Hastings is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located in the suburb of Hastings, on the Stony Point railway line. Hastings is unmanned and is in Metcard Zone 2.-Facilities:...
on the Stony Point greater-metropolitan line.
Hastings is situated on an inlet on Western Port
Western Port
Western Port, is sometimes called "Western Port Bay", is a large tidal bay in southern Victoria, Australia opening into Bass Strait. It is the second largest bay in Victoria. Geographically, it is dominated by the two large islands; French Island and Phillip Island. Contrary to its name, it lies to...
, a major port and important environmental area. Hastings has multiple marinas and is home to many recreational boating activities.
History
Hastings is thought to be named after a fishing village in England or the British imperial administrator Warren HastingsWarren Hastings
Warren Hastings PC was the first Governor-General of India, from 1773 to 1785. He was famously accused of corruption in an impeachment in 1787, but was acquitted in 1795. He was made a Privy Councillor in 1814.-Early life:...
. Previously known as King’s Creek and Star Point, its post office opened on 4 February 1863.
Settlement of the area dates from the 1840s, with fishing being the main industry. Growth took place from the 1850s into the 1870s as the township developed. Expansion continued in the late 1880s and 1890s, aided by the construction of the railway line and the establishment of many orchards. Significant residential development occurred during the 1960s and 1970s, spurred by industrial growth and public housing construction. Growth began to slow from the 1980s. The population has increased since the early 1990s, a result of new dwellings being added to the area.
Local culture
Hastings is one of the 'gateways' to the lower Mornington PeninsulaMornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula is a peninsula located south-east of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. It is surrounded by Port Phillip to the west, Western Port to the east and Bass Strait to the south, and is connected to the mainland in the north. Geographically, the peninsula begins its protrusion...
, and is located on the coast of Westernport Bay. Surrounded by farmlands it is still very much a country town with a strong sense of local community.
In 2004 Hastings was the overall winner of the Victorian Tidy Town Awards held by the Keep Australia Beautiful Network.
It has a population of over 7,000 and several major franchises have set up there. The opening of a K-Mart
Kmart Australia
Kmart Australia Limited is a discount department store chain owned by Wesfarmers. It operates 172 stores in Australia and 15 in New Zealand, with its head office located in Mulgrave, Victoria. Wesfarmers uses the Kmart name under licence from Sears Holdings Corporation.-History:Kmart Australia...
shopping centre on 19 October 2006 was the first large department store in the town.
Hastings was the seat of the Hastings Shire, before this was merged into the Mornington Peninsula Shire, and still has many buildings associated with federal, state and local governments. It has the headquarters of the regional traffic police. There is a modern library in the centre of town, outside of which is a statue of former resident and famous footballer, John Coleman. Other facilities include a public hall, and a modern aquatic centre.
Hastings has two public primary schools - Hastings Primary and West Park Primary. There is also a private Catholic school
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
named St Marys Primary School, as well as Western Port Secondary College, a state high school (formerly known as Hastings High School).
In October 2003 the town was host to The Princess Royal
Anne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
. During her short stay she inspected the decommissioned submarine HMAS Otama
HMAS Otama
HMAS Otama was an Oberon class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy . Built in Scotland, the submarine was commissioned into the RAN in 1978; the last of the class to enter service...
, a vessel she launched in the 1970s.
Industry
Hastings is home to the EssoEsso
Esso is an international trade name for ExxonMobil and its related companies. Pronounced , it is derived from the initials of the pre-1911 Standard Oil, and as such became the focus of much litigation and regulatory restriction in the United States. In 1972, it was largely replaced in the U.S. by...
and BlueScope Steel
BlueScope Steel
BlueScope Steel is a flat product steel producer with operations in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Pacific and North America. It was spun off from BHP Billiton in 2002 as BHP Steel and renamed BlueScope Steel on 17 November 2003...
manufacturing plants, and it is not uncommon to see large oil tankers docked near Long Island in Westernport Bay. Many residents of Hastings work or have family members working at Esso or BlueScope Steel. Hastings also hosts many small businesses associated with the recreational boating industry.
Military
The naval port of HMAS Cerberus is 6 kilometres south of Hastings and houses many of its navy personnel on base, however some live in Hastings or other nearby towns.Due to the close proximity of the Naval Base, trainees on leave are often seen around the town, especially on weekends.
The Naval Cadet unit, TS Tingira, is also located out of HMAS Cerberus, and the Unit is a visible presence within the town, especially on ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all...
and Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
, and other notable events where they assist with fundrasing for local and national charities.
Recreation and tourism
Hastings has one small beach, most of the coastline being mudflats. The town also features several large coastline reserves, some of which allow pet dogs to roam leash-free.Hastings is located on a crescent-shaped bay opening onto Western Port Bay. It is probably the safest small boat harbour on Western Port, as it is easily accessible, and protected from prevailing winds. Therefore much of the recreation centres around boating or fishing at the local marina and yacht club.
The mudflats support significant mangrove forests, these being the most southerly species of mangrove in the world. Jacks Beach Walk takes hikers through and over the mangroves via a series of boardwalks. The mangrove forests are natural fish hatcheries, important for the maintenance of good fish populations in the bay. A significant area of Western Port Bay north of Hastings has been declared a Marine National Park.
The area around the pier is popular with sightseers, there being a waterfront cafe, and many yachts moored nearby. Pelicans can normally be seen in this area, and the pelicans are fed daily by local fishermen.
Other nearby attractions include the Tyabb antiques centre and Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park is a biopark within the Pearcedale Conservation Park located at Pearcedale on the Mornington Peninsula near Melbourne Australia. It aims to display the fauna that was found in the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve prior to European...
.
The town has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League
Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League
The Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League is an Australian rules football competition, governed by the Victorian Country Football League. The MPNFL contains teams near the south eastern region of Victoria, Australia...
.
External links
Mornington Peninsula Shire: http://www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/index.aspWesternport Chamber of Commerce & Industry: http://www.hastings.org.au/
General information website (independent) http://www.hastings3915.info