I was driving on Nepean Highway one day and saw an eagle structure standing high on a hill that I hadn’t noticed before. I followed my nose and eventually found the structure in the Esplanade Reserve which I had never been to before.
Take a stroll of the length of this small reserve, approx 200 metres in length through the beautiful, twisted tea tree and gum trees and check out the sweeping views of the Frankston foreshore and beyond.
Take note of the tributes and plaques that are dedicated to several people who have been recognised for their contributions to the Frankston community.
The 5-metre-tall wooden structure of a sea eagle is called Sentinel by Bruce Armstrong that pays homage to the now endangered sea eagles that were once common along the Mornington Peninsula. This structure dedicated in memory of Kathleen Hassell OAM who was known as the ‘lioness of the environment’, who devoted four decades to the preservation of Frankston Beach and Olivers Hill. A tribute to Kathleen and her tireless work can be found here: https://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Council/News-and-media/Latest-News/Media-Releases-2021/Mayor-Kris-Bolams-tribute-to-Kathleen-Hassell
Sit on the seat that has been dedicated in memory of the first surgeon in Frankston, Ronald Saunders where he served for 28 years and was awarded seven fellowships for his contribution to the medical profession and the community.
At one end of the reserve (closest to Frankston CBD) there is an information sign dedicated to Welshman Thompson Folly who came to Melbourne by boat in 1853, eventually settling in Frankston and buying land. To provide quicker access to his schooner he built a small road at his own expense down the hillside to the bay which you can see from the reserve, and it is still used today. The local’s thought Thompson was foolish for constructing it himself and referred to the road teasingly as his ’folly’.
At the other end of the reserve near the stairs that take you to the foreshore, is a seat and plaque dedicated to Pat Bentley, a longtime Frankston resident who was known as a passionate environmental warrior and champion of preserving the heritage & environment of Frankston. More information on Pat’s dedication and impressive activities within the community can be found here: https://www.morningtonpeninsulamagazine.com.au/tribute-to-an-environmental-warrior/
BYOP