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Flinders is a seaside town on the
Mornington Peninsula The Mornington Peninsula is a peninsula located in the south of Greater Melbourne, Victoria (state), 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 ...
in
Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...
, Victoria,
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
, south of Melbourne's
Central Business District A central business district (CBD) is the Commerce, commercial and business center of a city. It contains commercial space and offices, and in larger cities will often be described as a financial district. Geographically, it often coincides wit ...
, located within the Shire of Mornington Peninsula
local government area A local government area (LGA) is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a federated state, state, province, division (politica ...
. Flinders recorded a population of 1,130 at the 2021 census. Flinders is located at the point where
Western Port Western Port, ( Boonwurrung: ''Warn Marin'') commonly but unofficially known as Western Port Bay, is a large tidal bay in southern Victoria, Australia, opening into Bass Strait. It is the second largest bay in the state. Geographically, it ...
meets
Bass Strait Bass Strait () is a strait separating the island state of Tasmania from the Mainland Australia, Australian mainland (more specifically the coast of Victoria (Australia), Victoria, with the exception of the land border across Boundary Islet). The ...
.


History

The town was named by
George Bass George Bass (; 30 January 1771 – after 5 February 1803) was a British naval surgeon and explorer of Australia. Early life Bass was born on 30 January 1771 at Aswarby, a hamlet near Sleaford, Lincolnshire, the son of a tenant farmer, George B ...
after his friend, the explorer and British naval officer
Matthew Flinders Captain (Royal Navy), Captain Matthew Flinders (16 March 1774 – 19 July 1814) was a British Royal Navy officer, navigator and cartographer who led the first littoral zone, inshore circumnavigate, circumnavigation of mainland Australia, then ...
. Settlement commenced in 1854 and many pioneers and settlers are buried at the Flinders cemetery. Flinders Post Office opened on 7 March 1863 as the population grew. Flinders was once believed to have previously been known as Mendi-Moke, but this has subsequently been denied.


Present day

Features of the town include the Flinders Golf Club, a picturesque
golf course A golf course is the grounds on which the sport of golf is played. It consists of a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, tee box, a #Fairway and rough, fairway, the #Fairway and rough, rough and other hazard (golf), hazards, and ...
built on a cliff top, a recreation reserve, a small
yacht club A yacht club is a boat club specifically related to yachting. Description Yacht clubs are mostly located by the sea, although there some that have been established at a lake or riverside locations. Yacht or sailing clubs have either a mar ...
, and a long pier out from the protected beach, sheltered from the waters of
Bass Strait Bass Strait () is a strait separating the island state of Tasmania from the Mainland Australia, Australian mainland (more specifically the coast of Victoria (Australia), Victoria, with the exception of the land border across Boundary Islet). The ...
by West Head. This area is popular for
sailing Sailing employs the wind—acting on sails, wingsails or kites—to propel a craft on the surface of the ''water'' (sailing ship, sailboat, raft, Windsurfing, windsurfer, or Kitesurfing, kitesurfer), on ''ice'' (iceboat) or on ''land'' (Land sa ...
,
fishing Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment (Freshwater ecosystem, freshwater or Marine ecosystem, marine), but may also be caught from Fish stocking, stocked Body of water, ...
, and other watersports. On the southern side of West Head, the ocean breaks over the
basalt Basalt (; ) is an aphanite, aphanitic (fine-grained) extrusive igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity lava rich in magnesium and iron (mafic lava) exposed at or very near the planetary surface, surface of a terrestrial ...
rocks of Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary at Flinders ocean beach. Mushroom Reef hosts one of Victoria's best
intertidal The intertidal zone or foreshore is the area above water level at low tide and underwater at high tide; in other words, it is the part of the littoral zone within the tidal range. This area can include several types of habitats with various sp ...
and
subtidal The neritic zone (or sublittoral zone) is the relatively shallow part of the ocean above the drop-off of the continental shelf, approximately in depth. From the point of view of marine biology it forms a relatively stable and well-illuminate ...
rock platform
reef A reef is a ridge or shoal of rock, coral, or similar relatively stable material lying beneath the surface of a natural body of water. Many reefs result from natural, abiotic component, abiotic (non-living) processes such as deposition (geol ...
s, popular for
beachcombing Beachcombing is an activity that consists of an individual "combing" (or searching) the beach and the intertidal zone, looking for things of value, interest or utility. A beachcomber is a person who participates in the activity of beachcombing ...
,
recreational diving Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasur ...
,
snorkelling Snorkeling ( British and Commonwealth English spelling: snorkelling) is the practice of swimming face down on or through a body of water while breathing the ambient air through a shaped tube called a snorkel, usually with swimming goggles or a ...
, and
surfing Surfing is a surface water sport in which an individual, a surfer (or two in tandem surfing), uses a board to ride on the forward section, or face, of a moving wave of water, which usually carries the surfer towards the shore. Waves suita ...
. Several accommodation options exist, including B&Bs and hotel-motel style accommodation. Shopping and a mobile library are also available to tourists and residents. Flinders was the original home of Flinders Bread, available throughout
Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...
and the
Mornington Peninsula The Mornington Peninsula is a peninsula located in the south of Greater Melbourne, Victoria (state), 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 company's operations are now based in Dandenong, but the bread is still available locally. The
Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the navy, naval branch of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (Australia), Chief of Navy (CN) Vice admiral (Australia), Vice Admiral Mark Hammond (admiral), Ma ...
operate a weapons training facility and gunnery on West Head, with public access to this area being restricted. Flinders is served by
bus route A bus (contracted from omnibus, with variants multibus, motorbus, autobus, etc.) is a motor vehicle that carries significantly more passengers than an average car or van, but fewer than the average rail transport. It is most commonly used i ...
782 from Frankston, operated by Ventura Bus Lines. Flinders Pier is popular for recreational
scuba diving Scuba diving is a Diving mode, mode of underwater diving whereby divers use Scuba set, breathing equipment that is completely independent of a surface breathing gas supply, and therefore has a limited but variable endurance. The word ''scub ...
activities. It is home to the spectacular weedy sea dragon, as well as many other marine species including
cuttlefish Cuttlefish, or cuttles, are Marine (ocean), marine Mollusca, molluscs of the order (biology), suborder Sepiina. They belong to the class (biology), class Cephalopoda which also includes squid, octopuses, and nautiluses. Cuttlefish have a unique ...
, large smooth rays and eagle rays, crabs and many other species. Save Flinders Pier Campaign On 21 July 2020, The Victorian Government announced the planned ''"... demolition of the inner section of the old Flinders Pier"'' in a media announcement entitle
Major Pier Upgrades to Create Jobs and Boost Economy
The media announcement coincided with peak COVID cases and went unreported at the time. The community was alerted on 17 March 2021 in an email fro
Cr. David Gill
who outlined the threat to the pier; leading to the discovery of the Minister's unreported media announcement. On 8 May 2021,
public meeting
was organised by th
Flinders Community Association
and subsequently attended by 300 people. At this meeting, the proposed demolition of the historic pier and its impact on the habitat of the Weedy Sea Dragon at Flinders Pier were discussed, and th
Save Flinders Pier
campaign was formed, led by Charles Reis and a small group of volunteers. Three critical issues were identified at the meeting which would subsequently inform the Campaign Strategy: (i) the likelihood that removal of the first 180m could lead to the timber pier's full removal given the age of the whole structure; (ii) the possible impact on the habitat of the Weedy Sea Dragon; and (iii) the potential loss of an historic maritime artefact. An online petition quickly built a strong following that eventually reached 42,000 signatories and raised approx. $40,000 in donations; while a petition in village shops recorded a further 2,800 signatories. In July 2021, Sir David Attenborough wrote a letter expressing his concern for the pier habitat of the Weedy Sea Dragon, which wa
published
in The Age newspaper an
reported
on ABC News and each of Victoria's commercial television news services. On 20 July 2021, the community through th
Flinders District Historical Society
nominated the pier precinct to the Victorian Heritage Register. This was followed with a letter from the Chairperson of the Save Flinders Pier campaign on 1 August 2021 to all Members of Parliament in the Upper and Lower houses, requesting action to be taken to stop the planned demolition. On 7 September 2021, th
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
voted unanimously to Save Flinders Pier, observing i
Council Meeting Minutes
that ''"the Flinders Pier holds significant historical, social, aesthetic, and environmental values and attracts beneficial tourism to the Western Port region."'' Meanwhile, campaign organisers continued to build public awareness by undertaking its ow
Condition Report
of the Flinders Pier. The group established a social media presence featuring its events such as the Flinders Pier beach-clean up supported b
Sea Shepherd
Dive for the Pier, Jump for the Pier
School Art Project
and towing
'Weedy Trailer'
up and down the
Mornington Peninsula The Mornington Peninsula is a peninsula located in the south of Greater Melbourne, Victoria (state), 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 ...
during the summer of 2021/22. '''Save Flinders Pier''' signage was displayed on front fences, in shop windows, on the pier itself and along many of the popular walking trails around Red Hill, Merricks and Cape Schanck. Bumper stickers were printed and given out. Merchandise including caps, tee-shirts, hoodies and beanies supporting the group's message were sourced and then sold through th
Flinders General Store
to help raise funds and increase awareness. The group also used local newspapers and talk-back radio, notably ABC and 3AW, to convey its concern for the pier's future. On 22 February 2022, the Hon. Cathrine Burnett-Wake MP took to the floor of the Parliament of Victoria an
requested funding
to be directed to the repair and restoration of Flinders Pier. The Hon. Melissa Horne, Minister for Ports, replied at the time that ''"The intent was never to retain a parallel inner structure (of Flinders Pier) beyond the end of its economic life."'' In March 2022,
Heritage Victoria Heritage Victoria is a branch of the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning. It is the regulator responsible for administering the Heritage Act 2017. The Heritage Act provides for the protection and conservation of the cultural heritage ...
completed a
assessment of the cultural heritage significance of the Flinders Telegraph Cable Complex and Pier
and recommended that Flinders Pier and the nearby cable station precinct be included on the Victorian Heritage Register as a place of State-level cultural significance with objects integral. The recommendation specifically cited the pier's historic connection to (i) the cable station precinct; (ii) scientists and enthusiasts with an interest in the marine life beneath Flinders Pier; and (iii) the "''resonance of social value''" demonstrated by the public response to the proposed demolition. It further noted that the integrity of the pier remains in its general form, materials and orientation, notwithstanding frequent repairs and replacement of components. The campaign suffered a setback on 9 April 2022 when volunteer and marine biologist
Trent Williams
unexpectedly died during a scuba dive. An Obituary written by the Save Flinders Pier campaign Chairperson and published in The Age an

described Mr Williams as a passionate environmental campaigner known for his voluntary endeavours to protect the marine environment

newspaper later reported a possible link between the death of Mr Williams and a WorkSafe investigation into an air tank re-filling service in East Gippsland. On 3 May 2022, the
Victorian Government The Victoria State Government, also referred to as the Victorian Government, is the executive government of the Australian state of Victoria. As a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, the State Government was first formed in 1851 when Vic ...
released it
2022/23 Budget
On page 116 o
Budget Paper 3
a reference was made that ''"Funding is provided to undertake critical works on.... the Old Flinders Jetty"''. The following day, Chris Brayne MP said that the Government would commit $1.5m for planning and restoration works. The Age newspaper reported the story with an article entitled
"Jubilation from community after plans to restore Flinders Pier"
'. Following confirmation that Flinders Pier would not be demolished, plans commenced to demobilise the Save Flinders Pier campaign. On 12 May 2022, Cathrine Burnett-Wake MP addressed the Legislative Council of the Victorian Parliament and said: ''"I rise to congratulate th
Save Flinders Pier committee
for their success in saving the pier from demolition..... It was only through their persistence and hard work that this result was achieved"
Hansard, page 1495
.'' On 9 August 2022, the
Heritage Council of Victoria The Heritage Council of Victoria is a statutory authority in the Australian state of Victoria responsible for the protection and conservation of the state's history. It is responsible for maintaining the Victorian Heritage Register The Vict ...
considered the Heritage Victoria recommendation for listing the Flinders Pier on its Register. The closed hearing o
Heritage Council members
followed with a 90 Day Determination Period. On 1 September, The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council published
Community Advocacy Brochure
entitled '''Shout Out for the Peninsula which described the Save Flinders Pier campaign as a case study in community advocacy. On 7 September, Liberal Party candidate for Nepean,
Sam Groth Samuel Groth (born 19 October 1987) is an Australian politician and a former professional tennis player. Sitting as a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, Groth represents the Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division), Liberal Par ...
, made a
election pledge
of $3.5m to the restoration of Flinders Pier. Mr Groth made the commitment to a community gathering at Flinders Pier alongside James Newbury MP Shadow Minister for Ports and Cathrine Burnett-Wake MP, Member for Eastern Victoria. On 14 October 2022, the Save Flinders Campaign suspended further activity when the
Heritage Council of Victoria The Heritage Council of Victoria is a statutory authority in the Australian state of Victoria responsible for the protection and conservation of the state's history. It is responsible for maintaining the Victorian Heritage Register The Vict ...
br>announced its decision
that the Flinders Pier and Telegraph Cable Complex ''"... is of State-level cultural heritage significance and is to be included in the Victorian Heritage Register."'' The Heritage Council decision provided formal protection of the pier, ensuring that demolition was now highly unlikely. The story was reported a few days later in th
Mornington Peninsula News
where it was described as the first pier on the Mornington Peninsula to be Heritage listed. On 22 December 2022, Parks Victoria issued
Project Status update
informing the community that it has commenced the initial planning, design options and permit stages for repairing Flinders Pier. On 5 September 2023, the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council approved th
Flinders Foreshore Precinct Conservation Management Plan
prepared on behalf of Parks Victoria by
BIOSIS BIOSIS Previews is an English-language, bibliographic database service, with abstracts and citation indexing. It is part of ''Clarivate Analytics Web of Science'' suite. BIOSIS Previews indexes data from 1926 to the present. BIOSIS Previews i ...
which details the pier and precinct history and applicable conservation policies and guidelines. The 126 page report was prepared in consultation with the Save Flinders Pier campaign, the Flinders District Historical Society and the Flinders Community Association. Completion of repairs to the Flinders Pier and associated works are expected to occur in 2025.


Population

In the 2016 Census, there were 905 people in Flinders. 82.1% of people were born in Australia and 91.4% of people spoke only English at home. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 41.0%, Anglican 23.5% and Catholic 12.6%.


See also

* Shire of Flinders – Flinders was previously within this former local government area.


References


External links


Mornington Peninsula National ParkVisit Flinders – a visitors guide to Flinders Village on the Mornington Peninsula
{{authority control Towns in Victoria (state) Coastal towns in Victoria (state) Shire of Mornington Peninsula Western Port