Frankston North, Victoria
Encyclopedia
Frankston North, also known as The Pines, is a suburb in Melbourne
, Victoria
, Australia
, 37 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district
. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston
. At the 2006 Census, Frankston North had a population of 5,492.
Frankston North landmarks include the Pines Forest Swimming Centre, Long Island Country Golf Club, and the former site of Monterey High School, which was removed in the early 1990s when the High and Technical schools were combined and moved to the former Technical school site. This site is now Monterey Community Park which houses a skate park, playground, barbecue and toilet facilities. Planning is also underway to redevelop the old school oval into a village green which will include a community sound stage and paths linking this area to Monterey Community Park.
In fact, despite the nickname, there are no longer any pine trees in the area due to the removal of non-native fauna in the early 1990s.
Houses are a mixture of low scale dwellings set in gardens. The streetscape is generally open due to the low horizontal building forms and low or open style fencing.
Buildings and homes are predominantly 1960s - 1970s Housing Commission of Victoria homes made of conite, fibro
rendering with some contemporary styling added by renovation. Sealed roads have kerbs and footpaths on both sides of the street. Trees are medium to large and planted irregularly in streets. The approximate size of Frankston North is 5.2 km2.
purchased a former Ministry of Housing rent office at 2 Candlebark Crescent, Frankston North. http://www.mahogany.org.au/history.htm
A "Neighbourhood House Action Group" consisting of 14 members worked for the building to become a Neighbourhood House. This eventuated on 13 September 1983. Pines Neighbourhood House became an Incorporated Association on 1 March 1984. On 26 September 2001 the name was changed to Mahogany Neighbourhood Centre Inc. Funding was minimal until 1989 when the House was granted funding under the State Government Neighbourhood House Co-ordination Program.
Pines Neighbourhood House originally serviced 400 defence force homes (which have since been handed back to the Ministry of Housing) and the local community. In 1997 the House was granted funding from Adult Community & Further Education (ACFE) to provide low cost classes for adults.
In December 1998 the organisation moved into the purpose-built Mahogany Community Centre (owned by Frankston City Council). The Centre was officially opened on 25 February 1999.
was formed and was based at the previous Technical school site on Silvertop Street. The High school campus was deconstructed, in preparation for development of the site situated on the corner of Monterey Boulevard and Forest Drive.
The ex-high school site was earmarked for several public works
projects including its use as public land - as either park space or sports reserve. None eventuated, and instead, the site was sold to a developer by the Kennett
Liberal
government while it lay dormant and decomposed. The Bracks
Labor
Government later compulsorily re-purchased the land and offered it for free to the City of Frankston
. Asbestos
was found at the site during the early 1990s when residents embarked on a community clean up program until a committee of management was established by the council. An asbestos removal program, to commence in 1996, never materialised.
A petition, signed by 1,879 residents of Carrum Downs and presented to the Victorian Legislative Assembly
in 1997 further sought action to begin "construction of suitable facilities in Carrum Downs with the view of relocating Monterey Secondary College from its present location in Frankston North". The action, intended to secure educational facilities in Carrum Downs, an adjoining suburb, was unsuccessful.
A Public Sector Investment Program estimated the site to be worth $1m during 2000-01. The money to purchase the site was to be sourced from the sale of proceeds from surplus properties by the Department of Treasury and Finance but again never eventuated.
As of 2006 this former site, now known as Monterey Community Park had a skate park and playground added with a toilet block and walking/cycle track also now in place. There are current plans for a village green type area to be built including a shaded performance area and further pathways. These works are reported to be completed by February 2010 and will be utilised at that time for Pines Pride Day, an annual event now held on the site.
was formed by the merger of Monterey High School and Monterey Technical School during the early 1990s. The merger was conducted to reduce the administrative
and running costs for both schools.
The High school that was on the corner of Monterey Boulevard and Forest Drive was closed,and the two were amalgamated on the site of the Technical school in Silvertop Avenue. The former High School site is now Monterey Community Park.
The school is known for its successful participation in the Victorian Rock Eisteddfod Challenge
, winning first prize during 1995 with their performance based on a Batman
theme. The school is also known for its sporting achievements.
Notable students include the local federal MP, Bruce Billson, football players Nathan Burke and Russell Greene, journalist Shaun Carney, and actress Jackie Woodburne.
In 1853, a 42 square miles (109 km²) 'run' of land, named "Balleymarong" edit was established and later acquired by Sir Andrew Clarke, Surveyor General to the Colony of Victoria from 1853. Balleymarong's northern boundary was Eumemmering Creek (now the Patterson River). The southern boundary was Skye Road. Boundary Road (now McClelland Drive) was the eastern boundary with the western side boundary being Port Phillip Bay. http://www.thepines.org.au/pages/pines_history01.htm
The 1860 Victorian Land Act led to the sub-division and sale of land in Balleymarong. The Victorian Government reserved 3600 acres (15 km²) for various purposes. 1370 acres (6 km²) was set aside 'For the Preservation and Growth of Timber'.
Circa 1870, the inbound 'Clarke Reserve' was proposed as an alternative site for the Old Melbourne Cemetery. It was later agreed that an area at Springvale
was a better site. The 'Clarke Reserve' was established in 1909 as a State Pine forest called the Frankston Pine Plantation. W.J. Hartland was appointed as Conservator in Charge. Pinus radiata was the most successful of the various species planted. A count taken of numbers revealed that over 1 million trees had been planted.
Mr James Brown was appointed as the second Forest Officer to the State Pine Plantation in the 1920s. A residence was built in Dandenong Road for him and his daughter by the Victorian Forest Commission. This house still exists. The last Officer in Charge of the State Pine Plantation was Harry Firth who lasted until 1956.
Fire in the Pines Plantation
During 1955 a fire destroyed a large part of the plantation. Another fire would threaten the housing estate later in the century during 1999. In 1956, 296 acres (1.2 km²) were excised from the reserved area to allow the Housing Commission to build houses for low income families.
The first stage of the housing in Pines Forest was completed in 1957 and Pines Forest Post Office opened on 12 October 1959 (closing in 1980). The Pines Forest Post Office is now run as a private business in the Pines Forest shopping strip on the corner of Forest Drive and Mahogany boulevard.
The first streets constructed were in the south of the area. The names of the streets alluded to the species of pines planted in the plantation:
In 1965, the second wave and eventual completion of the building program began east of Excelsior Drive and extended as far as the proposed Mornington Peninsula Freeway
to the east. The freeway zone acted as a buffer between the houses and the Frankston Municipal tip.
1970s and 1980s
Frankston North, "The Pines", had a reputation during the 1970s and 1980s for being a "high crime" suburb. Leader Community Newspapers
records show that car theft, assaults, vandalism and drug related crime were commonplace. There was continual rivalry and fighting between pupils of Monterey Technical and High schools. It was commonplace to witness on-field violence at home games of the 'Pines Football Club'.http://www.thepines.org.au/pages/pines_history03.htm
East Ward councilor Jane Hill said that there was "No reason for (the) Pines stigma" and said that its reputation existed only in the minds of a minority of Frankston residents.
Community action during 1980 prevented a proposal to subdivide the Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve. Unions supported the stance against the plan which was developed in the 1970s.http://www.thepines.org.au/pages/pines_history12.htm
The Pines Shakes off its Reputation
Monterey Boulevard, a major thoroughfare which travels from West to East through the centre of the suburb used to be a well known illegal street drag racing
location until traffic chicanes were installed in 1993. There are now speed humps and roundabouts throughout the estate and a local Hoon hotline has been established.
During the 1990s, many state owned homes were sold to the inhabitants as private homes, particularly within the eastern quarter. This led to better maintenance and presentation as home owners renovated.
reserve which contains a significant remnant of bushland
from the Mornington Peninsula
. Access is via walking tracks on Tamarisk Drive, Excelsior Drive and Warrawee Circuit. http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources05/05_0477.pdf
The reserve is considered ideal for recreation activities such as nature study, photography and walking. Trig Point contains expansive views of the reserve, Port Phillip Bay and the Dandenong Ranges
. A network of tracks allows visitors to walk to most features of the reserve.
Very little is known of Aboriginal
activity in the area other than the use of the springs as a source of fresh water by the Bunurong
people. A proposal in the 1970s to sandmine the remaining bushland met with community uproar and the Eureka Flag
was raised on Trig Point (the site from which the Frankston area was originally surveyed) and the area claimed for the people of Frankston.
The reserve is a very important habitat for native fauna, particularly small mammals, reptiles and amphibian
s. Southern Brown Bandicoot
s, Swamp Wallabies
, echidna
s, and Brushtail
and Ringtail
Possums are present but are often hard to find as they are not all active during the day. The reserve is also a potential habitat for the endangered New Holland Mouse
.
Over 100 different bird species have been recorded including honeyeaters, waterbirds, birds of prey and parrots. A number of significant species have been recorded including the Painted Button Quail
, Brush Bronzewing, Latham's Snipe
and Swift Parrot
.
Much of the vegetation of the reserve is remnant heathland with Silver-leaf Stringybark and Black Sheoak. It is still in a reasonable natural condition and contains many species of plants now rare on the Mornington Peninsula. Native orchids are a highlight of the many wildflowers that mainly bloom in spring. Rabbit Ears Orchid, Dwarf Greenhood Orchid and the not so common Common Spider Orchid (Dendrobium
tetragonum
) are some of the orchids to be found among the 170 or more plant species recorded.
team with their homeground based at Eric Bell Reserve, more commonly known to locals and rival teams as the "Snakepit".http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/articles/2002/09/21/1032054999006.html
The strength of the club's ties can be traced to its origins. The Club was formed in 1964, not long after the establishment of a housing commission estate in Pines Forest/Frankston North. The club experienced several lean years in which it struggled to win a game before local juniors began graduating into the senior team. In fact in its early years it was the junior sides that helped establish the club's success. In 1967 the club's under 12 team was the first side to represent the Pines Football club in a grand final. As young players graduated through its ranks the football club began winning premierships in all competition levels including 3 consecutive flags between 1968 and 1970 via its under-15 side.
On the estate of some 2000 houses, with several players in most of them, the football club improved when local teenagers began making their mark. Barry Burke, the father of St Kilda midfielder Nathan Burke
, moulded the team into a premiership unit.
Pines football club also produced several VFL/AFL players, most notably Russell Greene (Hawthorn & St Kilda), Brendan Moore, Steve Newman and Kevin Taylor.
. It was attended by 27 people and was chaired by Past District Governor, John Emerton. Others present were District Governor George Allsop, Bruce Hall - President of the sponsoring Club, Frankston, the District Governor's special representative Norm Arthur (Past President of the Frankston Club), and a number of interested Rotarians from the Frankston Club.http://home.vicnet.net.au/~rcfrank/history.html
The meeting unanimously resolved that a new Club should be formed and that it should be known as the Rotary Club of Frankston North. In accordance with Rotary requirements, territorial limits were set, and these limits, as described in the 'Intention to Cede' papers proposed by the Rotary Club of Frankston, were accepted by the new Club.http://home.vicnet.net.au/~rcfrank/history.html
The election of office bearers then took place and the following officers were appointed:
exercise was developed in collaboration with the community of North Frankston. The exercise focused on the implementation of six significant community art projects.http://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Services_A-Z/Community/Cultural_Programs/The_Pines_Mapping/index.aspx
The project is funded by the Victorian government
's Department of Human Services and the City of Frankston
. Support was also provided by the Mahogany Neighbourhood Centre, Monterey Secondary College and local service providers and businesses.
The project included the development of art designations for The Pines Gateways, such as banners and markers and mosaic
pavers for the Pines Parks entrances and exits.
Proposals were developed for the future development of the Monterey High School site within the precinct and other ideas that were relevant to the community.
The six community art projects developed between January 2002 to May 2003 were:
Frankston North is classified as part of the North West Ward of the City of Frankston
, which also covers Seaford
and parts of Frankston
. The North West ward and two other multi-councillor wards were created before the 2005 elections, held on 26 November 2005, replacing the previous single-councillor wards.
At the 2005 elections, voters selected for the North-West Ward: Vicki McClelland, Mark Conroy, and Glenn Aitken. At the end of November 2005, Vicki McClelland from Frankston North was unanimously elected mayor by her fellow councillors for a two year term.
Frankston North Community Group
The Frankston North Community Group is a political lobby group that aims to represent the needs and requirements of Frankston North residents at council meetings and through official chanels. A number of community projects have been a product of the Frankston North Community Group. All locals are encouraged to attend the meetings held once a month at the Frankston Forest Baptist Church on Monterey Boulevarde. Special guests are often in attendance such as councilors, members of parliament and local business people.http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/resources/CS05FrankstonNorth-WestWard.PDF#search=%22frankston%20north%20residents%22
Frankston North Community Map
The Frankston North Community Map was launched by Jude Perera, MP
for Cranbourne
on 20 June 2006. The map was a result of community collaboration and visually displays services and amenities available to Frankston North residents. The map, which are available from local businesses and shops, were designed by a professional designer and includes information regarding services such as medical centres, child health centres and schools.http://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/library/scripts/objectifyMedia.aspx?file=pdf/49/08.pdf&str_title=12.pdf#search=%22frankston%20north%20residents%22
Community Renewal brings residents, businesses, government and local organisations together to help transform communities into places of opportunity and activity. Its aims are:
Upgraded community facilities and open spaces;
Frankston North Community Renewal will build on the initiatives of previous community strengthening programs that have been delivered in the area over the past five years, including Pines Connecting the Community, Best Start and Communities for Children.
Key facts about Frankston North
Community renewal works in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods in rapidly changing suburbs that don’t have a high concentration of public housing.
Compared to Victoria as a whole, Frankston North
In terms of community engagement, compared to Victoria as a whole, Frankston North
A consumer credit report by Dun & Bradstreet published in 2009 showed that, of all Australian suburbs, Frankston North has citizens most at risk of defaulting on bills and loans.
/
Meetings to discuss safety issues are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month 7.00pm, except for December and January, at 26 Mahogany Avenue- Mahogany Neighbourhood Centre, (unless otherwise advised in the monthly newsletter)all of the community is invated to attend.
, Shaun Carney pointed out both the Liberal
(Bruce Billson
) and Labor
(Helen Constas) candidates for the local federal seat of Dunkley
at the 2004 Federal Election attended Monterey High School
, now known as Monterey Secondary College
in Frankston North.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, 37 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district
Melbourne city centre
Melbourne City Centre is an area of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. It is not to be confused with the larger local government area of the City of Melbourne...
. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston
City of Frankston
The City of Frankston is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the southern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of 131 square kilometres and has a estimated population of 128,576 people....
. At the 2006 Census, Frankston North had a population of 5,492.
Frankston North landmarks include the Pines Forest Swimming Centre, Long Island Country Golf Club, and the former site of Monterey High School, which was removed in the early 1990s when the High and Technical schools were combined and moved to the former Technical school site. This site is now Monterey Community Park which houses a skate park, playground, barbecue and toilet facilities. Planning is also underway to redevelop the old school oval into a village green which will include a community sound stage and paths linking this area to Monterey Community Park.
The Pines
Frankston North is a working class suburb, nicknamed The "Pines" because of the former Ministry of Housing Pines Estate which made up the bulk of the suburb.In fact, despite the nickname, there are no longer any pine trees in the area due to the removal of non-native fauna in the early 1990s.
Houses are a mixture of low scale dwellings set in gardens. The streetscape is generally open due to the low horizontal building forms and low or open style fencing.
Buildings and homes are predominantly 1960s - 1970s Housing Commission of Victoria homes made of conite, fibro
Fibro
Fibro, the shortened form of "Fibrous Cement" - or "Fibrous Asbestos Cement", FAC, is a building material made of compressed fibres cemented into rigid sheets....
rendering with some contemporary styling added by renovation. Sealed roads have kerbs and footpaths on both sides of the street. Trees are medium to large and planted irregularly in streets. The approximate size of Frankston North is 5.2 km2.
Population and housing
The 2001 Census of Population and Housing data collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics states that 5,771 persons lived in Frankston North as at 2001. Of these, some 4,463 were aged 15 years or over and 4,118 were born in Australia. 929 or 16% or residents had completed tertiary qualifications.- Median age: 35
- Median monthly housing loan repayment: $400 – $599
- Median weekly rent: $200 – $250
- Median weekly individual income: $500 – $1099
- Median weekly family income: $800 – $1099
- Median weekly household income: $700 – $1299
- Average household size: 2.5
Mahogany Neighbourhood Centre
In 1983 the City of FrankstonCity of Frankston
The City of Frankston is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the southern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of 131 square kilometres and has a estimated population of 128,576 people....
purchased a former Ministry of Housing rent office at 2 Candlebark Crescent, Frankston North. http://www.mahogany.org.au/history.htm
A "Neighbourhood House Action Group" consisting of 14 members worked for the building to become a Neighbourhood House. This eventuated on 13 September 1983. Pines Neighbourhood House became an Incorporated Association on 1 March 1984. On 26 September 2001 the name was changed to Mahogany Neighbourhood Centre Inc. Funding was minimal until 1989 when the House was granted funding under the State Government Neighbourhood House Co-ordination Program.
Pines Neighbourhood House originally serviced 400 defence force homes (which have since been handed back to the Ministry of Housing) and the local community. In 1997 the House was granted funding from Adult Community & Further Education (ACFE) to provide low cost classes for adults.
In December 1998 the organisation moved into the purpose-built Mahogany Community Centre (owned by Frankston City Council). The Centre was officially opened on 25 February 1999.
Former Monterey High School site
During 1994 the decision was taken to merge Monterey High School and Monterey Technical School to reduce the administrative costs of running two schools. Monterey Secondary CollegeMonterey Secondary College
Monterey Secondary College is a public, secondary, day school located in the Melbourne suburb of Frankston North in Victoria, Australia.It was established in 1994 following the merger of Monterey High School and Monterey Technical School, both which were founded during the late 1960s...
was formed and was based at the previous Technical school site on Silvertop Street. The High school campus was deconstructed, in preparation for development of the site situated on the corner of Monterey Boulevard and Forest Drive.
The ex-high school site was earmarked for several public works
Public works
Public works are a broad category of projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community...
projects including its use as public land - as either park space or sports reserve. None eventuated, and instead, the site was sold to a developer by the Kennett
Jeff Kennett
Jeffrey Gibb Kennett AC , a former Australian politician, was the Premier of Victoria between 1992 and 1999. He is currently the President of Hawthorn Football Club. He is the founding Chairman of beyondblue, a national depression initiative.- Early life :Kennett was born in Melbourne on 2 March...
Liberal
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
government while it lay dormant and decomposed. The Bracks
Steve Bracks
Stephen Philip Bracks AC is a former Australian politician and the 44th Premier of Victoria. He first won the electoral district of Williamstown in 1994 for the Australian Labor Party, and was party leader and Premier from 1999 to 2007....
Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
Government later compulsorily re-purchased the land and offered it for free to the City of Frankston
City of Frankston
The City of Frankston is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the southern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of 131 square kilometres and has a estimated population of 128,576 people....
. Asbestos
Asbestos
Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals used commercially for their desirable physical properties. They all have in common their eponymous, asbestiform habit: long, thin fibrous crystals...
was found at the site during the early 1990s when residents embarked on a community clean up program until a committee of management was established by the council. An asbestos removal program, to commence in 1996, never materialised.
A petition, signed by 1,879 residents of Carrum Downs and presented to the Victorian Legislative Assembly
Victorian Legislative Assembly
The Victorian Legislative Assembly is the lower house of the Parliament of Victoria in Australia. Together with the Victorian Legislative Council, the upper house, it sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Melbourne.-History:...
in 1997 further sought action to begin "construction of suitable facilities in Carrum Downs with the view of relocating Monterey Secondary College from its present location in Frankston North". The action, intended to secure educational facilities in Carrum Downs, an adjoining suburb, was unsuccessful.
A Public Sector Investment Program estimated the site to be worth $1m during 2000-01. The money to purchase the site was to be sourced from the sale of proceeds from surplus properties by the Department of Treasury and Finance but again never eventuated.
As of 2006 this former site, now known as Monterey Community Park had a skate park and playground added with a toilet block and walking/cycle track also now in place. There are current plans for a village green type area to be built including a shaded performance area and further pathways. These works are reported to be completed by February 2010 and will be utilised at that time for Pines Pride Day, an annual event now held on the site.
Monterey Secondary College
Monterey Secondary CollegeMonterey Secondary College
Monterey Secondary College is a public, secondary, day school located in the Melbourne suburb of Frankston North in Victoria, Australia.It was established in 1994 following the merger of Monterey High School and Monterey Technical School, both which were founded during the late 1960s...
was formed by the merger of Monterey High School and Monterey Technical School during the early 1990s. The merger was conducted to reduce the administrative
Academic administration
An academic administration is a branch of university or college employees responsible for the maintenance and supervision of the institution and separate from the faculty or academics, although some personnel may have joint responsibilities...
and running costs for both schools.
The High school that was on the corner of Monterey Boulevard and Forest Drive was closed,and the two were amalgamated on the site of the Technical school in Silvertop Avenue. The former High School site is now Monterey Community Park.
The school is known for its successful participation in the Victorian Rock Eisteddfod Challenge
Rock Eisteddfod Challenge
The Rock Eisteddfod Challenge is a series of dance and drama events staged worldwide by school pupils as part of the Global Rock Challenge. These events are initiated by the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge Foundation, and aim to promote healthy lifestyle choices, particularly abstinence from drugs,...
, winning first prize during 1995 with their performance based on a Batman
Batman Theme
"Batman Theme", the title song of the 1966 Batman TV series, was composed by Neal Hefti. The song is built around a guitar hook reminiscent of spy film scores and surf music. It has a twelve bar blues progression, using only three chords until the coda...
theme. The school is also known for its sporting achievements.
Notable students include the local federal MP, Bruce Billson, football players Nathan Burke and Russell Greene, journalist Shaun Carney, and actress Jackie Woodburne.
History of Frankston North
Reserve created for Preservation and Growth of TimberIn 1853, a 42 square miles (109 km²) 'run' of land, named "Balleymarong" edit was established and later acquired by Sir Andrew Clarke, Surveyor General to the Colony of Victoria from 1853. Balleymarong's northern boundary was Eumemmering Creek (now the Patterson River). The southern boundary was Skye Road. Boundary Road (now McClelland Drive) was the eastern boundary with the western side boundary being Port Phillip Bay. http://www.thepines.org.au/pages/pines_history01.htm
The 1860 Victorian Land Act led to the sub-division and sale of land in Balleymarong. The Victorian Government reserved 3600 acres (15 km²) for various purposes. 1370 acres (6 km²) was set aside 'For the Preservation and Growth of Timber'.
Circa 1870, the inbound 'Clarke Reserve' was proposed as an alternative site for the Old Melbourne Cemetery. It was later agreed that an area at Springvale
Springvale, Victoria
Springvale is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, approximately 20 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Greater Dandenong...
was a better site. The 'Clarke Reserve' was established in 1909 as a State Pine forest called the Frankston Pine Plantation. W.J. Hartland was appointed as Conservator in Charge. Pinus radiata was the most successful of the various species planted. A count taken of numbers revealed that over 1 million trees had been planted.
Mr James Brown was appointed as the second Forest Officer to the State Pine Plantation in the 1920s. A residence was built in Dandenong Road for him and his daughter by the Victorian Forest Commission. This house still exists. The last Officer in Charge of the State Pine Plantation was Harry Firth who lasted until 1956.
Fire in the Pines Plantation
During 1955 a fire destroyed a large part of the plantation. Another fire would threaten the housing estate later in the century during 1999. In 1956, 296 acres (1.2 km²) were excised from the reserved area to allow the Housing Commission to build houses for low income families.
The first stage of the housing in Pines Forest was completed in 1957 and Pines Forest Post Office opened on 12 October 1959 (closing in 1980). The Pines Forest Post Office is now run as a private business in the Pines Forest shopping strip on the corner of Forest Drive and Mahogany boulevard.
The first streets constructed were in the south of the area. The names of the streets alluded to the species of pines planted in the plantation:
- The first street constructed was Pine Street, followed by Plantation Street and Forest Drive. The various pine species reflected in street names are Monterey, Radiata, Corsican, Aleppo, Norfolk, and Excelsior (Excelsa). Many other streets in Frankston North are named after exotic and native species. Several species of flowering eucalyptus were planted in the street verges. Excelsior Drive was the northern boundary.
In 1965, the second wave and eventual completion of the building program began east of Excelsior Drive and extended as far as the proposed Mornington Peninsula Freeway
Mornington Peninsula Freeway
Mornington Peninsula Freeway is an incomplete freeway in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, that provides a link from outer suburban Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula.- History :...
to the east. The freeway zone acted as a buffer between the houses and the Frankston Municipal tip.
1970s and 1980s
Frankston North, "The Pines", had a reputation during the 1970s and 1980s for being a "high crime" suburb. Leader Community Newspapers
Leader Community Newspapers
The Leader Community Newspaper group publishes 33 titles covering metropolitan Melbourne.It is has a circulation of 1.94 million readers per week...
records show that car theft, assaults, vandalism and drug related crime were commonplace. There was continual rivalry and fighting between pupils of Monterey Technical and High schools. It was commonplace to witness on-field violence at home games of the 'Pines Football Club'.http://www.thepines.org.au/pages/pines_history03.htm
East Ward councilor Jane Hill said that there was "No reason for (the) Pines stigma" and said that its reputation existed only in the minds of a minority of Frankston residents.
Community action during 1980 prevented a proposal to subdivide the Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve. Unions supported the stance against the plan which was developed in the 1970s.http://www.thepines.org.au/pages/pines_history12.htm
The Pines Shakes off its Reputation
Monterey Boulevard, a major thoroughfare which travels from West to East through the centre of the suburb used to be a well known illegal street drag racing
Drag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
location until traffic chicanes were installed in 1993. There are now speed humps and roundabouts throughout the estate and a local Hoon hotline has been established.
During the 1990s, many state owned homes were sold to the inhabitants as private homes, particularly within the eastern quarter. This led to better maintenance and presentation as home owners renovated.
Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve
The Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve is a 108 hectareHectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
reserve which contains a significant remnant of bushland
Bushland
Bushland is any area in Australia that is predominantly indigenous flora and fauna.Bushland is the term commonly used by conservation protection groups and other environmental groups as a blanket term for natural vegetation, which may cover any kind of habitat from open shrubby country with few...
from the Mornington Peninsula
Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula is a peninsula located south-east of Melbourne in 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 mainland in the north. Geographically, the peninsula begins its protrusion...
. Access is via walking tracks on Tamarisk Drive, Excelsior Drive and Warrawee Circuit. http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources05/05_0477.pdf
The reserve is considered ideal for recreation activities such as nature study, photography and walking. Trig Point contains expansive views of the reserve, Port Phillip Bay and the Dandenong Ranges
Dandenong Ranges
The Dandenong Ranges are a set of low mountain ranges, rising to 633 metres at Mount Dandenong, approximately 35 km east of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
. A network of tracks allows visitors to walk to most features of the reserve.
Very little is known of Aboriginal
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
activity in the area other than the use of the springs as a source of fresh water by the Bunurong
Bunurong
The Bunurong are Indigenous Australians of the Kulin nation, who occupy South-Central Victoria, Australia. Prior to European settlement, they lived as all people of the Kulin nation lived, sustainably on the land, predominantly as hunters and gatherers, for tens of thousands of years...
people. A proposal in the 1970s to sandmine the remaining bushland met with community uproar and the Eureka Flag
Eureka Flag
The Eureka Flag is a design; a dark blue field with a central white symmetric cross consisting five eight-pointed stars, representing the Crux constellation....
was raised on Trig Point (the site from which the Frankston area was originally surveyed) and the area claimed for the people of Frankston.
The reserve is a very important habitat for native fauna, particularly small mammals, reptiles and amphibian
Amphibian
Amphibians , are a class of vertebrate animals including animals such as toads, frogs, caecilians, and salamanders. They are characterized as non-amniote ectothermic tetrapods...
s. Southern Brown Bandicoot
Bandicoot
Bandicoots are a group of about 20 species of small to medium-sized, terrestrial marsupial omnivores in the order Peramelemorphia.- Etymology :...
s, Swamp Wallabies
Swamp Wallaby
The Swamp Wallaby is a small macropod marsupial of eastern Australia. This wallaby is also commonly known as the Black Wallaby, with other names including Black-tailed Wallaby, Fern Wallaby, Black Pademelon, Stinker , and Black Stinker...
, echidna
Echidna
Echidnas , also known as spiny anteaters, belong to the family Tachyglossidae in the monotreme order of egg-laying mammals. There are four extant species, which, together with the platypus, are the only surviving members of that order and are the only extant mammals that lay eggs...
s, and Brushtail
Common Brushtail Possum
The Common Brushtail Possum is a nocturnal, semi-arboreal marsupial of the family Phalangeridae, it is native to Australia, and the largest of the possums.Like most possums, the Common Brushtail is nocturnal...
and Ringtail
Common Ringtail Possum
The common ringtail possum is an Australian marsupial. It lives in a variety of habitats and eats a variety of leaves of both native and introduced plants, as well as flowers and fruits. These dietary factors have, over time, aided burgeoning introduced populations in New Zealand...
Possums are present but are often hard to find as they are not all active during the day. The reserve is also a potential habitat for the endangered New Holland Mouse
New Holland Mouse
The New Holland Mouse is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It was first described by George Waterhouse in 1843. It vanished from view for over a century before its rediscovery in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park north of Sydney in 1967...
.
Over 100 different bird species have been recorded including honeyeaters, waterbirds, birds of prey and parrots. A number of significant species have been recorded including the Painted Button Quail
Quail
Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds generally considered in the order Galliformes. Old World quail are found in the family Phasianidae, while New World quail are found in the family Odontophoridae...
, Brush Bronzewing, Latham's Snipe
Latham's Snipe
Latham's Snipe, Gallinago hardwickii, also known as Japanese Snipe, is a medium-sized , long-billed, migratory wader.-Identification:...
and Swift Parrot
Swift Parrot
The Swift Parrot breeds in Tasmania and migrates north to south eastern Australia from Griffith-Warialda in New South Wales and west to Adelaide in the winter. It is related to the rosellas, with the feeding habits of a lorikeet...
.
Much of the vegetation of the reserve is remnant heathland with Silver-leaf Stringybark and Black Sheoak. It is still in a reasonable natural condition and contains many species of plants now rare on the Mornington Peninsula. Native orchids are a highlight of the many wildflowers that mainly bloom in spring. Rabbit Ears Orchid, Dwarf Greenhood Orchid and the not so common Common Spider Orchid (Dendrobium
Dendrobium
Dendrobium is a huge genus of orchids. It was established by Olof Swartz in 1799 and today contains about 1,200 species. The genus occurs in diverse habitats throughout much of south, east and southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Borneo, Australia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands and New Zealand...
tetragonum
Dendrobium tetragonum
Dendrobium tetragonum, the Common Spider Orchid, is a species of orchid, also known as the Rectangular-bulbed Dendrobium or Tree Spider Orchid....
) are some of the orchids to be found among the 170 or more plant species recorded.
Pines Football Club
Pines Football club, known as The Pythons, are a renowned local footballAustralian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
team with their homeground based at Eric Bell Reserve, more commonly known to locals and rival teams as the "Snakepit".http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/articles/2002/09/21/1032054999006.html
The strength of the club's ties can be traced to its origins. The Club was formed in 1964, not long after the establishment of a housing commission estate in Pines Forest/Frankston North. The club experienced several lean years in which it struggled to win a game before local juniors began graduating into the senior team. In fact in its early years it was the junior sides that helped establish the club's success. In 1967 the club's under 12 team was the first side to represent the Pines Football club in a grand final. As young players graduated through its ranks the football club began winning premierships in all competition levels including 3 consecutive flags between 1968 and 1970 via its under-15 side.
On the estate of some 2000 houses, with several players in most of them, the football club improved when local teenagers began making their mark. Barry Burke, the father of St Kilda midfielder Nathan Burke
Nathan Burke
Nathan Burke is a former Australian rules footballer.He was a tough rover who always backed himself in a contest and was one of the most courageous footballers to play for the St Kilda Football Club. He set the club record for most number of games at his retirement, with 323 games which was broken...
, moulded the team into a premiership unit.
Pines football club also produced several VFL/AFL players, most notably Russell Greene (Hawthorn & St Kilda), Brendan Moore, Steve Newman and Kevin Taylor.
Pines Forest Swimming Centre
Frankston North is home to a 50 metre heated outdoor six-lane swimming pool. The Swimming Centre contains a giant waterslide and slide pool, which is visible from adjoining Forest Drive. The centre also contains a Toddlers pool, barbecue facilities and half-court basketball area. Operated by Frankston City Council, the centre is used by schools from surrounding suburbs for sports and recreational activities.Rotary Club of Frankston North
Due to the population of the City of Frankston increasing rapidly in the late 1960s and the early 1970s, a local chapter of the club was established for Frankston North. The inaugural meeting (or interest meeting) of the new Club was held on the 14th of March, 1973 at the Sundowner hotel, SeafordSeaford, Victoria
Seaford is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 36 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston...
. It was attended by 27 people and was chaired by Past District Governor, John Emerton. Others present were District Governor George Allsop, Bruce Hall - President of the sponsoring Club, Frankston, the District Governor's special representative Norm Arthur (Past President of the Frankston Club), and a number of interested Rotarians from the Frankston Club.http://home.vicnet.net.au/~rcfrank/history.html
The meeting unanimously resolved that a new Club should be formed and that it should be known as the Rotary Club of Frankston North. In accordance with Rotary requirements, territorial limits were set, and these limits, as described in the 'Intention to Cede' papers proposed by the Rotary Club of Frankston, were accepted by the new Club.http://home.vicnet.net.au/~rcfrank/history.html
The election of office bearers then took place and the following officers were appointed:
- Charter President - Lloyd Worland
- Charter Vice-President - Bob Dawson
- Charter Secretary - Lloyd Beard
- Charter Treasurer - Max Batey
The Pines Cultural Mapping Project
During 2003 an extensive Cultural MappingCultural mapping
"Cultural mapping" is the label organisations and peoples concerned about safeguarding cultural diversity give to a wide range of research techniques and tools used to "map" distinct peoples' tangible and intangible cultural assets within local landscapes around the world In its Universal...
exercise was developed in collaboration with the community of North Frankston. The exercise focused on the implementation of six significant community art projects.http://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Services_A-Z/Community/Cultural_Programs/The_Pines_Mapping/index.aspx
The project is funded by the Victorian government
Government of Victoria
The Government of Victoria, under the Constitution of Australia, ceded certain legislative and judicial powers to the Commonwealth, but retained complete independence in all other areas...
's Department of Human Services and the City of Frankston
City of Frankston
The City of Frankston is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the southern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of 131 square kilometres and has a estimated population of 128,576 people....
. Support was also provided by the Mahogany Neighbourhood Centre, Monterey Secondary College and local service providers and businesses.
The project included the development of art designations for The Pines Gateways, such as banners and markers and mosaic
Mosaic
Mosaic is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials. It may be a technique of decorative art, an aspect of interior decoration, or of cultural and spiritual significance as in a cathedral...
pavers for the Pines Parks entrances and exits.
Proposals were developed for the future development of the Monterey High School site within the precinct and other ideas that were relevant to the community.
The six community art projects developed between January 2002 to May 2003 were:
- Recollections - The Pines: A mixed-media wall hanging using paint and textile done by Seniors and Community members (Completed)
- Street Pole Markers: Developed conjointly with Monterey Secondary College Year 9 and 11 students, volunteer artists and the artist facilitator, Jenny Saulwick (on-going)
- The Pines Cultural Map Website (refer links below)
- Pines Exhibition: A portable display showing The Pines, Frankston North, its past and present. The Pines Cultural Mapping Project will also be presented on this portable display. To be shown at the Mahogany Neighbourhood Centre in Frankston North, and other venues. (in process)
- A Community Garden:"Pines Patch" Located at the rear of the Mahogany Neighbourhood Centre Annex. (in process)
- Community Murals: Two works to be created for the interior of the Annex, Mahogany Neighbourhood Centre.(in process)
Social and Political conditions
Local GovernmentFrankston North is classified as part of the North West Ward of the City of Frankston
City of Frankston
The City of Frankston is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the southern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of 131 square kilometres and has a estimated population of 128,576 people....
, which also covers Seaford
Seaford, Victoria
Seaford is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 36 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston...
and parts of Frankston
Frankston, Victoria
Frankston is a suburb within the Greater Melbourne metropolitan area in Victoria, Australia. It is located 40 km southeast of the state capital Melbourne at the southernmost edge of Greater Melbourne, near the beginnings of the Mornington Peninsula...
. The North West ward and two other multi-councillor wards were created before the 2005 elections, held on 26 November 2005, replacing the previous single-councillor wards.
At the 2005 elections, voters selected for the North-West Ward: Vicki McClelland, Mark Conroy, and Glenn Aitken. At the end of November 2005, Vicki McClelland from Frankston North was unanimously elected mayor by her fellow councillors for a two year term.
Frankston North Community Group
The Frankston North Community Group is a political lobby group that aims to represent the needs and requirements of Frankston North residents at council meetings and through official chanels. A number of community projects have been a product of the Frankston North Community Group. All locals are encouraged to attend the meetings held once a month at the Frankston Forest Baptist Church on Monterey Boulevarde. Special guests are often in attendance such as councilors, members of parliament and local business people.http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/resources/CS05FrankstonNorth-WestWard.PDF#search=%22frankston%20north%20residents%22
Frankston North Community Map
The Frankston North Community Map was launched by Jude Perera, MP
Victorian Legislative Assembly
The Victorian Legislative Assembly is the lower house of the Parliament of Victoria in Australia. Together with the Victorian Legislative Council, the upper house, it sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Melbourne.-History:...
for Cranbourne
Electoral district of Cranbourne
The Electoral District of Cranbourne is an electoral district of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. It is located south-east of Melbourne and is based around the suburbs of Cranbourne, Carrum Downs, Langwarrin, Seaford, Skye, and Frankston North...
on 20 June 2006. The map was a result of community collaboration and visually displays services and amenities available to Frankston North residents. The map, which are available from local businesses and shops, were designed by a professional designer and includes information regarding services such as medical centres, child health centres and schools.http://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/library/scripts/objectifyMedia.aspx?file=pdf/49/08.pdf&str_title=12.pdf#search=%22frankston%20north%20residents%22
Community Renewal Frankston North
This program is funded by the State Government and there are currently eight Community Renewal sites around the state, of which one is Frankston North, the project team for this site are project manager, Amanda Leck and project officer, Michelle May, who are located at the Mahogany Centre.Community Renewal brings residents, businesses, government and local organisations together to help transform communities into places of opportunity and activity. Its aims are:
- Ongoing community participation in decision-making;
- New job and learning opportunities;
- Increased neighbourhood volunteering and other support;
Upgraded community facilities and open spaces;
- Greater participation in cultural, recreational and sporting activities; and
- Improved feelings of safety and wellbeing.
Frankston North Community Renewal will build on the initiatives of previous community strengthening programs that have been delivered in the area over the past five years, including Pines Connecting the Community, Best Start and Communities for Children.
Key facts about Frankston North
Community renewal works in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods in rapidly changing suburbs that don’t have a high concentration of public housing.
Compared to Victoria as a whole, Frankston North
- Has more single person households and more single parent families
- Is more disadvantaged by a range of measures including unemployment, resident income and level of education
- Has more homes that are being purchased or rented from the government, and fewer that are owned
- Has more Indigenous but fewer non-English speaking residents including from the Philippines and Germany.
In terms of community engagement, compared to Victoria as a whole, Frankston North
- Has lower levels of participation in activities like organised groups and organised sport
- Has similar percentage of residents that feel it’s an active community, and more residents who think that there is easy access to parks, bike tracks and recreational areas.
A consumer credit report by Dun & Bradstreet published in 2009 showed that, of all Australian suburbs, Frankston North has citizens most at risk of defaulting on bills and loans.
/
Public facilities and transport
- Frankston North has no direct access to rail services, but is serviced by two bus lines which run through the suburb via the Frankston-Dandenong route.
- Frankston North McDonalds offers free WiFi access.
- The Peninsula Legal Centre was originally based at Frankston North and was known as 'The Frankston North Legal Centre'. Pro bonoPro bonoPro bono publico is a Latin phrase generally used to describe professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service. It is common in the legal profession and is increasingly seen in marketing, technology, and strategy consulting firms...
advice services are provided by the Law Institute of Victoria as part of the program to support Community Legal Centre's with legal advice. Some 20 staff and over 100 volunteers support this "Outreach" program.http://www.communitylaw.org.au/peninsula/a8_publish/modules/publish/content.asp?navgrp=1067 - Frankston North is also served by local branches of Alcoholics AnonymousAlcoholics AnonymousAlcoholics Anonymous is an international mutual aid movement which says its "primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety." Now claiming more than 2 million members, AA was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio...
and The Salvation ArmyThe Salvation ArmyThe Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
. - Frankston North is home to several places of worship including The Salvation Army on Forest Drive, Frankston Presbyterian Church http://frankston.pcvic.org.au on Radiata Street, St Johns Aglican Church on Monterey Boulevarde and the CatholicCatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
Archdiocese Church Holy Family on Moreton Street. - Frankston North is home to two retail shopping strips: one at the Western end of Excelsior Drive known as the Excelsior shops, and another on Mahogany Avenue known as The Pines Forest Shopping Centre. Between them, residents have access to the services of a Licensed Post Office, supermarkets, milk bars, dry cleaning service, chemist and food outlets including Chinese, Fish and Chips and green grocers.
- There are four schools remaining in The Pines. These are the new Mahogany Rise Primary School which is the result of combining Pines Forest Primary School and Monterey Primary on the Monterey Primary sight, the Aldercourt Primary School, St Michael's Coptic Christian School and Monterey Secondary CollegeMonterey Secondary CollegeMonterey Secondary College is a public, secondary, day school located in the Melbourne suburb of Frankston North in Victoria, Australia.It was established in 1994 following the merger of Monterey High School and Monterey Technical School, both which were founded during the late 1960s...
. - Frankston North-The Pines is serviced by Neighbourhood Watch which is broken up by five separate areas each with its own Co-ordinator and their Zone Representatives within a Committee consisting of a Newsletter Editor,Secretary,Treasurer and an Overall Co-ordinator/President(Stan Doric JP the initiator in 2004)current to 2010, liaison during this time with Victoria Police (Frankston City) Co-ordinator L/S/Const Sharron Coburn.The areas are known as FRK 22,FRK 23,FRK 24,FRK 25,FRK 26 and are bound by Frankston-Dandenong Road,Pines Flora & Fauna Reserve,Ballarto Rd,Peninsula Country Golf Club.
Meetings to discuss safety issues are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month 7.00pm, except for December and January, at 26 Mahogany Avenue- Mahogany Neighbourhood Centre, (unless otherwise advised in the monthly newsletter)all of the community is invated to attend.
Notable residents
The associate editor of The AgeThe Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
, Shaun Carney pointed out both the Liberal
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
(Bruce Billson
Bruce Billson
Bruce Frederick Billson MP is an Australian politician and Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since 1996. He represents the Division of Dunkley, Victoria....
) and Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
(Helen Constas) candidates for the local federal seat of Dunkley
Division of Dunkley
The Division of Dunkley is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. The division was created in 1984 and is named for Louisa Margaret Dunkley, a trade unionist and campaigner for equal pay for women. It is located in...
at the 2004 Federal Election attended Monterey High School
Monterey Secondary College
Monterey Secondary College is a public, secondary, day school located in the Melbourne suburb of Frankston North in Victoria, Australia.It was established in 1994 following the merger of Monterey High School and Monterey Technical School, both which were founded during the late 1960s...
, now known as Monterey Secondary College
Monterey Secondary College
Monterey Secondary College is a public, secondary, day school located in the Melbourne suburb of Frankston North in Victoria, Australia.It was established in 1994 following the merger of Monterey High School and Monterey Technical School, both which were founded during the late 1960s...
in Frankston North.
- AFLAustralian Football LeagueThe Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
footballer Nathan BurkeNathan BurkeNathan Burke is a former Australian rules footballer.He was a tough rover who always backed himself in a contest and was one of the most courageous footballers to play for the St Kilda Football Club. He set the club record for most number of games at his retirement, with 323 games which was broken...
once lived in Frankston North.