HMAS Cerberus ( naval base ) HMAS " Cerberus " is the Royal Australian Navy ' s primary training establishment , located adjacent to Crib Point on the Mornington Peninsula , south of Melbourne , Victoria , Australia . It is also an official bounded locality of the Shire of Mornington Peninsula . At the 2011 census , HMAS " Cerberus " had a population of 1 , 085 . History . The site for the " Cerberus " naval base on Hanns Inlet , between Sandy Point and Stony Point on Western Port Bay was purchased in 1911 . The base was opened in September 1920 and became known as Flinders Naval Depot in 1921 . The Post Office opened on 2 December 1912 as Flinders Naval Base , was renamed Flinders Naval Depot in 1925 and HMAS " Cerberus " , Westernport in 1963 . HMAS Cerberus now occupies most of Stony Point to the north and all of Sandy Point in the south . From 1930 until 1958 , " Cerberus " was the home of the Royal Australian Naval College , until it was clear that the base was becoming overcrowded and the College was moved back to HMAS " Creswell " . With the outbreak of World War II , many temporary buildings were erected to facilitate the training of wartime recruits . Many of these buildings were later demolished or replaced . Role . The primary role of HMAS " Cerberus " has always been the training of Navy personnel . With the establishment of four tri - service schools over the last 13 years , this role has been extended to training Army and Air Force personnel . Specific courses offered include : the School of Survivability and Ship Safety which specialises in fire fighting , damage control and nuclear / biological / chemical defence ; and seamanship and weapons training . The base is also the home of the Recruit School – for all sailors their first contact with life in the Navy . HMAS " Cerberus " comprises numerous training and recreation facilities , two chapels and a small marina . Training is provided for about 6 , 000 personnel annually , averaging 800 trainees at any one time . Training facilities . HMAS " Cerberus " currently host to the following naval training schools Recruit School . The RAN recruit school is where all full - time and reserve general entry sailors complete their training . The full - time recruit course is 11 weeks in duration , and gives sailors the skills and knowledge required to conduct basic duties in the RAN , and prepare them for their specialised roles . Recruits join the RAN in monthly intakes , and these recruits are placed into one of four divisions . The recruits stay with their division for the entire 11 - week course . Some of the training and education conducted in the recruit course are : Part of the course includes a two and a half - day sea familiarisation course . Engineering Faculty . The engineering faculty is where Marine Technicians , Electronics Technicians , Marine Engineer Officers and Weapons Electrical Engineer Officers complete their employment training . Sport . The base has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Southern Football League , as well as a hockey club competing in the Hockey Victoria competition . Golfers play at the Cerberus ( HMAS Cerberus ) Golf Club on Stony Point Road . Memorials and colours . Numerous memorials are at the base with many including stained glass windows in the two chapels : Our Lady of the Sea ( Catholic ) , and St Mark ' s ( Anglican / interdenominational ) . St Mark ' s chapel also houses retired King ' s / Queen ' s colour flags of George V , George VI , and Elizabeth II .