NEWS DESK
Classified church marks a milestone
SES calls out for volunteers
A RYE church will celebrate its 150th birthday with a special service, 10.30am, Sunday 5 February. St Andrew’s Anglican Church, in Lyons St, is classified by the National Trust. The church, originally for lime burners, woodcutters and fishermen, has an interesting early history. The first building had wattle and daub walls smoothly plastered with lime. As the first school in the district in 1855 – and known as Tootgarook Common School No. 623 – it was also used as a hall as well as a church from 1866. Services were held fortnightly in summer and less frequently in winter, with the clergyman coming from Mornington by horse and gig. Sorrento and Rye were part of the Mornington Readers' District under the patronage of the Church of England and the Presbyterian Pastoral Aid Society of Victoria. Originally on Crown Land, the Government of Victoria granted the site to the Church of England. The original building was condemned in 1875 and the school was built opposite, with demolition of the old school taking place in 1881. The best of the limestone was reused and the rest – donated and carted by parishioners – came from around the district. The first service in the new church was conducted by the Reverend Thomas Quentin in May 1882. Presbyterians continued to use the new church until 1892 when they bought the site granted to them in 1866. A hall built next to St Andrew’s in 1960 helped cope with the larger
HASTINGS State Emergency Service is on the look-out for new members, especially residents in Somerville, Tyabb, Hastings, Mornington, Mt Martha, Moorooduc, Bittern, Cribb Point, Tuerong, Merricks, Balnarring and Somers. A recruitment information evening is being held on Wednesday 1 February. The SES handles floods, storms, earthquakes, landslides and tsunami emergencies state-wide. Public Relations section leader Helen Pugh said volunteers would receive accredited, recognised training, which may include rescue skills, chainsaw operations or securing a roof in a storm. SES units also assist other emergency agencies at incidents, such as searches and rescues. As well as emergency response, SES volunteers engage with the community to help them prepare for disasters. “Volunteering is a rewarding way of helping the community,” Ms Pugh said. “I have been an SES volunteer for two years. I joined as a way of giving something back to the local community. “I would encourage everyone to join and lend a hand. There are roles for everyone, from working the chainsaw to communications and even public education.” Hastings Unit is at 2144 FrankstonFlinders Rd, Hastings. Evening training sessions are 7pm Mondays. Email hastings@ses.vic.gov.au as an expression of interest or just turn up on the night.
Many happy returns: Parishioners Pauline Powell, Margaret Hindson, Stephanie Johnston, Ray Kenny, Norma Cornish, Graeme Hindson and Sue Livingstone prepare for St Andrew’s Anglican’s 150th birthday. Picture: Yanni
summer congregations, and a kitchen was added in 1966. The church was extended in 1980, and in 2015 the parish centre was built, combining both the church and the hall. The 150th anniversary service, in the Parish of St John’s Sorrento and St Andrew’s Rye, will be conducted
by the Reverend Nicholas Wallace with guest Bishop Paul Barker of the Jumbunna Episcopate. Reverend Wallace, who took over in May 2013, said it was a “privilege to continue the long line of vicars who have served such an amazing community.”
All members and members of families who have been association with St Andrew’s over the years, or those who are interested, are welcome to attend. A parish communion service will be followed by lunch and children’s activities. Stephen Taylor
1099 Point Nepean Rd, Rosebud | P: 5950 0300 www.rosebudhotel.com.au Southern Peninsula News 24 January 2017
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