The president’s report

Russell Barrett dug out his grandfather’s top hat to address the crowd gathering at the 150th anniversary celebration of Shoreham’s school building.

By Russell Barrett

My old school friend, who lives in Shoreham, and I share a passion for gardening. Each year about now we walk around each other’s gardens and mutter “Gosh the bulbs are early this year!”

I don’t know if it’s our advancing years, climate change or simply the fact that autumn creeps up on us. Suddenly, we are getting beautiful clear days and crisp cool nights.  I love this time of year when the days are warm and there is a particular smell in the air which is peculiar to Shoreham and comes from the beach.

This smell is more than what we might call ‘a sense of place’; it’s a combination of memories, environment, personal experiences as well as physical features, geography and built forms. It’s also about community.

I grew up in Flinders. Even though I ‘jumped ship’ and only moved here about 20 years ago, I have very strong childhood memories of Shoreham: times spent with my school friend and his family, the Pines Beach and the old school. I can even remember the Golden Fleece service station where you could buy fish and chips!

The geography and natural features of Shoreham also give it a sense of place. The Pines Beach with the creek and banks of seaweed. The distant views to Point Leo and then to Flinders. The hinterland with the steep drive along Higgins Lane or up the Shoreham Road through the beautiful rolling countryside and more recently the vines.

Also, part of our sense of place is the built form that includes the store, old post offices, the old school. the old houses, the tennis courts and the surrounding bushland.  

Then there is the landscape, not only what has been planted in relatively recent times, but also our remnant native and indigenous bushlands which we must look after and nurture.

Finally, it is our community.  In Shoreham we really do look out for one another. Together we enrich our daily lives by pitching in.

I see this happening all around us with the community market, Friends of Shoreham, the CFA, the tennis club (and the rising popularity of pickleball), the Cyril Young Chapel (also with its dedicated volunteers). And I see it with your very own Shoreham Community Association (SCA).

People came from far and wide to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Shoreham school building.

In December, the SCA joined forces with the Flinders District Historical Society to celebrate 150 years since the construction of the school.

The large crowd enjoyed the sunshine and tripping down memory lane among the historical displays inside the old school. Community members served afternoon tea that included all the delicious cakes and sandwiches which I am sure were similar and as delicious as those produced in 1875.  I even donned my great grandfather’s top hat to honour that bygone era.  Spookily he had the same size head as me and I sensed the same circumference! 

Recently, remains of the Shoreham pier appeared for the first time in ages. Photo credit: Artie Shearman

Sadly, part of our history includes the horror of war, evident in the recent appearance of pilings from the old Shoreham pier that the Army demolished during WW2 to prevent a Japanese invasion.

On April 25 many of us will come from villages across Western Port to Flinders to remember those who served in the various wars.

This year Bill Clancy, a notable and well-respected Shoreham local, will lay a wreath at the service on the SCA’s behalf to remember Shoreham residents who fought and died. Thank you Bill. 

Shoreham has a spiritual sense of place for me, which is not necessarily religious. I’m sure you feel the same. So together let’s look after our natural environment, our wildlife, our sense of history and community, and be mindful of climate change.

Looking forward to seeing you around Shoreham,

Russell