Somers, Victoria

Named after a popular former Governor of Victoria, the subdivision of Somers began in 1925, the same year the Somers Primary School was opened. The present general store and post office opened in 1927.

1 Geography
2 Recreation
- 2.1 Beaches
- 2.2 Erosion
3 Community
4 Environment
5 Development and change
6 See also
7 References

[edit] Geography

To the south of Somers lies Western Port more commonly known as Western Port Bay. The town of Cowes on Philip Island can be seen from any beach in Somers in all weather. To the north lies extensive cleared lands for agriculture. Further north lie the suburbs of Bittern and Hastings which contain many commercial services used by Somers residents. To the east is the suburb and military base, HMAS Cerberus. Its compound bordering Somers is entirely bushland and used for training exercises. Where the base meets Somers at its coastline, beaches are closed and the land consists mainly of bushy coastal forests. To the west, separated from the Lord Somers Camp and The Coolart Wetlands, lies the locality of Balnarring.

Somers' geography tends slowly towards the water's edge, interrupting line of sight to Mt. Dandenong and as a result, television reception can be difficult when using a small antenna. Local knowledge is advisable for good reception. From the shoreline Philip Island can be seen, in particular, the town of Cowes.

[edit] Recreation

The tidal inlet of Merrick's Creek at low tide is one of the best places in Melbourne to skiffle board, while the South Beach (actually to the east of the main beach) is tucked away behind the belt of foreshore bushland that is Somers Foreshore Reserve, and is enjoyed mainly by local residents, while the main beach, Somers Beach, is home to one of the major yacht clubs in Western Port Bay, Somers Yacht Club.

Sailing around the waters of Somers and neighbouring Balnarring and Merricks Beaches, Flinders and Shoreham, and the body of water between the Mornington Peninsula and Philip Island is some of the best and safest regions for sailing of all types in Australia. Most days many sailboats, mainly catamarans, can be seen in the waters of Western Port Bay participating in several races that are held during good sailing conditions.

[edit] Beaches

Tidal Flats of Merricks Creek Inlet.

The coastline of Somers is home to 3 distinguishable beaches:

South Beach
Somers Beach
The Tidal Flats of Merricks Creek Inlet.

At certain times of the year are filled with dried seaweed from the extensive Kelp Forests of Bass Strait, however, when the seaweed is not in season, all of Somers beaches boast clean sand.

The South Beach has an intricate system of rock pools. This is both of great interest to beachcombers, and something of a curse, as the beach is a difficult place to swim.

The Merricks Creek Inlet is a tidal creek that flows with the tides of Western Port. 50cm below the surface of the sandbed of the creek lies a darker sedimentary sand that gives off a freshwater smell when disturbed.

Sand on Somers Beaches is generally fine grain mixed with crushed sea shells. Small reefs exist in a few places and can be seen at low tide but these are only rocky reefs incapable of supporting coral.

[edit] Erosion

Wooden Seawall at Merricks Creek Inlet.

Somers has an interesting history revolving around its Main Beach. Erosion of the Beaches around Somers, particularly around the Yacht Club has been a major concern for foreshore communities and residents of Parklands Avenue over the last few decades. Several decades ago, Somers Yacht Club was situated next to the beach with a small creek separating it from the sands of Western Port, yachts and sailboats were wheeled and carried over many sand dunes and over the small tidal creek to reach the sandy beaches to launch them to sail.

Rock Seawall protecting Somers Yacht Club on Somers Beach.

Yet today, the Yacht Club boasts Seaside views and as recently as 5 to 10 years ago had its roof blown off and severely damaged in a large storm after decades of erosion drew a new coastline almost to the doorstep of the Yacht Club. Seawalls constructed of natural rocks have been strategically placed around the coastline of Somers Beach complemented by wooden/earth seawalls and many small waves breaks that have all slowly succumbed to the waves of the sea. Experts such as marine geologists have assessed the erosion situation, however, no definitive explanation can be found as to why the erosion occurs. The most popular theory is that of Longshore Drift. In recent years the erosion has slowed and almost stopped, and experts predict it could be due to a major decrease in easterly winds, tending to slow the affects of longshore drift, thus the erosion.

[edit] Community

Somers has a Primary School, a caravan park, a General Store ("The Store"), the local CFA (Country Fire Authority), some tennis courts and bowling greens, The Coolart Wetlands and Lord Somers Camp, and various parks, gardens and reserves. There are no shopping strips or centres and no supermarkets. The General Store is almost a small supermarket and it is almost possible to not have to travel to nearby Balnaring or Hastings for food. However, if other forms of commercial service are required, Balnaring and Hastings are usually the main place to go.

Somers is also home to The Somers Yacht Club which houses the WSC Marine Rescue Facility, who contribute greatly to the safety of Western Port Bay through the use of crash boats sent out to help capsized skippers and crew, or those in other forms of trouble.

There are no main, state managed, primary main roads or "through" roads anywhere near, let alone in, Somers. It cannot be seen from the road and signs to get there are sparse and confusing, and sometimes removed by residents to lose would-be visitors or tourists.

[edit] Environment

Koala in the Somers Caravan Park.

It is not unusual in Somers to see many koalas and the suburb is well known for its Koala Walk in the Foreshore Reserve. The distinctive growl of Koalas can be heard nearly every night from most places of residence. Travellers are advised to take care, as koalas frequently cross local roads, and are very accustomed to the sound of cars.

Parks, Gardens and Reserves in Somers:

Coolart Wetlands and Homestead
Merricks Creek Foreshore Reserve
Lord Somers Camp Playing Field
Koala Reserve
R.W. Stone Reserve
Somers Foreshore Reserve
Garden and Banksia Squares

[edit] Development and change

Currently, a venture by Simmscorp is underway in the Somers Caravan Park. New owners have begun advertising land and land/unit packages from $35,000. The Caravan Park is full mostly of permanent onsite caravans and annexes, however, the new ownership has seen many long time residents of the park choose to leave as the sites are sold for construction of Units and Villas including a 2-story version of a small Villa/Unit. Many residents of the park are unable to afford the new annual rates for rent of a site, and so are forced to leave.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Coordinates: -38.393° 145.163°

Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Street Directory, MSN Maps and Multimap.
- Satellite image from Google Maps, WikiMapia and Terraserver.
Melway Edition 33 2006 (Pages 193 and 194)
Simmscorp Advertising and Land and Packages Brochures (November 2005)
2001 Census Tables : 3927 (Postal Area of Usual Residence), Australian Bureau of Statistics, August 4th, 2006, retrieved October 1st, 2006