Mornington Harbour
Mornington Harbour
DATE1960s
MEDIAImage
COLLECTIONMornington and District Historical Society
REG NO.1450
HISTORYIn mid 1964, the Council decided to reclaim 3 and a half acres of backwater beach adjacent to Mornington pier. Although it was sandy, the water was only inches deep and usually covered with unpleasant scum. The Mornington Yacht Club urgently wanted a place near the harbour where its members could slip boats, store them in a yard, build a clubroom and be near the the safe harbour. At the time they were housed in a boat house at Shire Hall Beach and an old army hut at the jetty. The council resolved that they should have 1 and a half acres of the reclaim and the rest would be be car parking. A launching ramp would be provided for trailed boats. Considerable delay was experienced getting approval from government departments and during that time a scale model was built and displayed in Carter’s Pharmacy in Main Street. Finally in 1966 the work was done, and documents were presented to the Council for the Yacht Club lease. There was some objection to this, and talk of “privilege” among a handful of people. Cr. Wilson said he had understood the reclaim was for everyone, he did not understand why a handful of yachties should have occupation of this valuable piece of foreshore. Leake accused Wilson of jumping on a bandwagon because it was election year. The Yacht Club got the land, but enmity remained.
DESCRIPTIONThis is a beautiful view of the water from the foreshore. It is taken near the Yacht Club between Mother’s Beach and the Pier. In the foreground are the tea rooms, painted blue, with their distinctive four pitched roof of white corrugated iron. There are many yachts on the bay, and some moored. In the background on the right is a glimpse of Shire Hall Beach, and the red cliff beyond. In the background is Beleura Hill, which is mainly bush with some houses among the trees.
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