At last the long-awaited decision has been made! The Flinders Telegraph Cable Complex and Pier has been officially declared as being of State-level cultural heritage significance and is to be included in the Heritage Register.

This outcome ensures the long-term preservation of the Flinders Pier and the buildings within its precinct. Neville Wale, both a previous President of the FCA and current President of the Flinders District Historical Society, expertly prepared the submission to the Heritage Council. Neville, Susan Grant and I, representing the Flinders District Historical Society, then liaised with Heritage Council staff in their assessment of the submission’s worth by answering a multitude of questions about the history of this area and supplying many relevant images from the Society’s collection.

Warm thanks are also due to Cr David Gill, who first drew public attention to the planned demolition of the pier; to Sir David Attenborough, whose support gained national and international attention to the cause; to the Mornington Peninsula Council for its public support for the preservation of the pier – including CEO John Baker, Mayor Anthony Marsh, and Coastal Planner Hayden Forrest; to Chris Brayne, Member for Nepean, for his success in securing government funding; to Edward O’Donohue and Cathrine Burnett-Wake, upper house Members for Eastern Victoria, for raising this matter in State Parliament; and to Sam Groth, Liberal candidate for Nepean, for promising financial support.

In previous issues of the FCA newsletter we have celebrated the heroic efforts of Charles Reis and the Save Flinders Pier Committee who worked tirelessly to promote our cause. We thank all those who worked so hard, both publicly and behind the scenes. It’s a wonderful example of what a small community can achieve.

There is no reason for further delay on the part of the various authorities. The State Government has announced that it has set aside money for emergency repairs in this year’s Victorian Budget. We now look forward to seeing work starting on preserving and maintaining our much-loved Flinders pier.

Warm regards

Jo Monie

President, Flinders Community Association