18 September 2019
On Friday 13 September 2019, ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Trust of Australia (Victoria) Mornington Peninsula Branch and Mornington Peninsula Shire announced the winners of the 2019 Mornington Peninsula Heritage Awards.
The Awards were presented by Seawinds Ward Councillor Simon Brooks and Ms Kristin Stegley OAM Chairperson of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Trust Board of Management.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Councillor David Gill congratulated all the winners on their success and dedication to the Peninsula.
“Clever and industrious people restoring and maintaining heritage parts of the Peninsula should be celebrated – heritage places are an integral part of the Mornington Peninsula community”.
“The Shire is proud to partner with the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Trust in this endeavour. This is the 9th year of our partnership, which has seen 145 awards to date,” concluded Councillor Gill.
Seawinds Ward Councillor Simon Brooks said “I congratulate our winners and all of the nominees. I am impressed with the projects and the dedication of the people involved with preserving our heritage on the Mornington Peninsula.
Judy Walsh, President of the Mornington Peninsula Branch of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Trust, said “this was the ninth year of awards presented, 145 to date, and the excellence shown in all categories bodes well for the future of our built and environmental form of heritage places”.
The winners in the following categories are:
CREATIVE REUSE OF A HERITAGE PLACE
- “Carmel” 142 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento
The original 1905 limestone cottage was used as boarding house accommodation by two ladies and is now restored as a reception area for holiday accommodation at the rear of the site. Ladies are running this venture too, continuing the tradition in both senses. The cottage has two rooms available for community use.
- Flinders Cargo Shed, Flinders & District Historical Society
One of the small number of bow roof structures remaining in Victoria, the building has been placed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Costing 180.76 pounds in 1871, the shed was erected at the end of the pier but has been relocated now to enable better access. Dedicated volunteers have opened the doors to 3,000 people since January this year, reflecting the interest in Peninsula history.
RESTORATION OF A HERITAGE PLACE and SPECIALIST HERITAGE TRADE SKILLS
- “Mulberry”, Esplanade, Mornington Private Residence
The 8-month single handed carpentry restoration on the timber decking and verandah arches, railings and plinths has been meticulous. The use of original timbers where possible including some original oregon pine arches has been augmented by handmade replacements. 400 stainless steel screws have been used together with titanium bolts where necessary – these will last longer than stainless steel.
- The Balcolmbe Fountain, Mornington Park
The fountain, with the new purpose as a drinking fountain, has been relocated into the park rather than at its first site on the corner of Main Street/Esplanade. The original marble top was replaced by decorative iron work arches and cupola by unemployed men during a job creation scheme in the depression years of the 1930s. Alexander Balcombe, an early pioneer in the late 1800s on the Peninsula donated the foreshore reserve for public use.
- Flinders WW1 Memorial
This has been a detailed and careful restoration of part of the original WWI Memorial after the added WWII commemoration plaque was moved to its own memorial. Careful thought had to be given to matching the original structure with local Flinders pebbles found and suitable sand mortar sourced.
- “Parsons House”, Mornington – Private Residence
This 1973 house designed by the eminent architect Daryl Jackson is restoration work in progress. The removal and replacement of original cedar framed windows using the same materials and construction under the guidance Daryl Jackson has seen the integrity of his design followed.
- “Balei Gadja” Barkly Street, Mornington – Private Residence
This Federation/Edwardian 1910 bungalow now named after a plantation on Aceh, Sumatra is restoration work in progress. The original roofing slate tiles have been used where possible, but as these came from the Welsh quarry, “Penrhyn” a quarry producing two colour palettes neither of which now match the originals, more suitable colours were found in rural Victoria. Lichen removal and the restoration of the terracotta capping has been done and the rotted iron valleys replaced with lead flashing, oiled to prevent oxidation.
EXCELLENCE IN INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE
- Flinders Cargo Shed, Flinders& District Historical Society
The informative panels installed in the Cargo Shed tell the story of the natural history of the port, the early interaction with the Bururong People, the importance of the port for coastal navigation, Flinders Cable Station (mainland to Tasmania line 1869), fishing conservation and coastal defence. Both World Wars have seen garrisons on the Flinders coastline.
- Fossil Beach Esplanade, Mt Martha foreshore
These four signs now invite visitors to share the rich natural and cultural history of this stretch of the beach. There are Aboriginal and architectural remains, traces of fossils from 55 million years ago, remnants of a 19th century cement works and walks along the natural vegetation.
- Mornington Boat Hire
The emphasis of the business is now on water enjoyment rather than fishing, echoing the earlier start of visitors coming to Schnapper Point for sea bathing in the late 19th century.
INDIVIDUAL AWARD
- Presented for Services to History to Murray Adams, Digitisation Officer, Arts & Culture Team/Local History Network
Digitisation of the collections of the Historical Societies across the Peninsula involving the scanning of over 100,000 photographs. It also involved the creation of the document ‘Who are these people and why are they honoured in this way’ which identifies Mornington Peninsula Reserves and those who they were named after.
PHOTO CAPTION: 2019 Mornington Peninsula Heritage Awards winners.
Individual photos of winners available upon request
