Once upon a time, Safety Beach was almost named something quite different. Imagine calling it “Shark Bay”. I am here to tell you a tale of Safety Beach, a seaside suburb on the Mornington Peninsula. It is located 56 km south of Melbourne’s city center. Safety Beach is a place of calm waters and interesting history.
Safety Beach occupies a special place. It sits between the foothills of Mount Martha and Arthurs Seat. The suburb borders the beautiful Port Phillip Bay to its west. In 2021, the population was 6,328.
Let’s talk about Martha Cove. This large inland harbor is also a residential area. It is named after its location at the foot of Mount Martha. The Martha Cove project began in 2004. Initially, many residents protested it. However, Martha Cove recovered from financial troubles. It is now a thriving community.
If you are a golfer, Safety Beach has options. You can play at Mount Martha Valley Golf Club. Or you can visit the Safety Beach Golf Course nearby.
Now, for the “Shark Bay” story. There used to be an abattoir nearby. It slaughtered local farm animals. The blood and offal were dumped into Sheepwash and Dunns Creeks. These creeks carried the waste into Dromana Bay at Safety Beach. This attracted many sharks. People jokingly called Safety Beach “Shark Bay”. The abattoir’s operations were cleaned up. Health Department regulations fixed the issue. Safety Beach never officially changed its name. It remained Safety Beach, a name given by John Aitken in 1836.
Safety Beach offers many beach activities. The calm sandy bay is perfect for swimming and boating. There is a children’s playground and BBQ areas with shade. The Safety Beach Sailing Club was established in 1967. The club has hosted state and national titles. Its sailors are known for their excellence.
The name Safety Beach has an interesting origin. A trading vessel ran aground in a storm. The crew was able to safely unload livestock. This event led to the name Safety Beach.
In 1841, Hugh Jamieson bought 5,120 acres of land for one pound per acre. This area included all of present-day Safety Beach. It was known as Jamieson’s Special Survey. Henry Dunn leased the survey from 1846 to 1851. Later, families such as the Griffith, Eaton, and Wilson families tenanted here. They were involved with the history of Dromana. Edward Louis Tassell leased 1,000 acres near the creek named after him.
Big Clarke later owned the survey. He sold some of the land to John Vans Agnew Bruce. Maria Stenniken worked as a servant at Bruce’s house. At the eastern end of the survey, pioneers mined gold for Bernard Eaton.
The Safety Beach Post Office opened in 1953. It closed in 1974.
Safety Beach today is a beautiful place. It is perfect for families and visitors. The calm waters and sandy beach provide a safe environment. Whether you are swimming, boating, or just relaxing, Safety Beach has something for everyone. Remember the story of “Shark Bay” and appreciate the clean, safe beach we have today.