Port of Yamba Historical Society
Robert Lee Returns –
Don’t Miss These Fascinating History Talks!
Following the popularity of Robert Lee’s fascinating talks on the history of transport, we are pleased to announce that Robert will be returning in September and October to present both talks again. Yamba and the Clarence were right in the thick of the transport action during the early years of settlement and through the war years. Robert brings this history to life, separating fact from the many myths surrounding transport and revealing the stories behind the development of shipping, harbour works and railways in our region. An experienced and entertaining speaker, Robert has spent many years researching this subject and has a wonderful ability to set the scene, connect the events and deliver a comprehensive and often amusing story.
The two talks cover different aspects of transport history:
Talk 1 – The Wider Picture explores the development of railways across eastern Australia and the forces that shaped their growth. Talk 2 – Our Region and the Clarence is a more local focus on the North Coast and Clarence region, looking at shipping, harbour works and railways and the driving forces behind their development. It also touches on the origins of the Country Party and the New State Movement, providing an interesting political context to the story.
Robert Lee’s Talks –
Thursday 3 September – 11.00am
Morning tea from 10.30am
Thursday 15 October – 11.00am
Morning tea from 10.30am
Come along, enjoy a cuppa and discover more about the
fascinating transport history that helped shape Yamba,
the Clarence and the North Coast.
When: Christmas event for Friday 4 December at 12 noon
Where: Café Marina,
Why: to celebrate the 45th Birthday of the Society – formed on 20 September 1981.
Cost: Approx cost $20-25 pp - the Society will subsidise the cost of a main meal and dessert for each person attending.
RSVP: You will recieve an email in November - re ordering your lunch.
Christmas Celebration - 45 years young
Welcome to our new members
Barbara Bryant, Ross Roberts, Michelle Roberts, Annette Rushton, Stanley Dawson, Clare Pitt, Deborah Cook, David Graham, Chris Wright, Chris Bentley, Patrick Trotter, Lee Preston, Geoff Little and Jim Muir.
We are so happy to have you join our community of history enthusiasts. As new members, you play a vital role in preserving and celebrating our shared heritage. Come into the museum and explore the exhibits, attend events, and meet other museum members. Thank you for becoming a member of the museum !
Our New Members
TUESDAY ARTERS ‘SPLASH’ EXHIBITION
Artists of the Lower Clarence, colloquially known as the ‘Tuesday Arters’, invite visitors and locals to enjoy their upcoming ‘SPLASH’ exhibition at The Old Kirk , Yamba Museum. Come along to the opening function on Saturday 12th September from 2-4pm. Artworks will be available for purchase until the close of exhibition on Sunday October 11th.
These eclectic artworks, where all mediums are explored, can be viewed between 10 and 2pm on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
During their time at this friendly group in Maclean, artists enjoy monthly ‘show and tells’ of works. Some themes include: Tree; Shakespeare; Water; Old House; and others. They stimulate the imagination and challenge some painters to do something out of their comfort zone. Remarks from fellow artists help to ‘grow’ artistic and creative skills. This has in turn contributed to developing an exciting and appealing collection of works to display at their biennial ‘SPLASH’ exhibition.
The group meets every Tuesday from 9 am at The Old tea rooms at Maclean Showground.
For more information, please ring Sandy on 0448 0292 0133
TOUCH the EARTH
Mal Leckie and Graham Mackie's art exhibition.
Opening Night: Friday, October 23 at 5.30pm
Exhibition:
October 24 - November 22
Hours: Open during museum hours
Yamba Collective - Art Review
Yamba Collective's "Through Different Eyes" Art Exhibition was held at the Old Kirk from the 12th June to 5th July. Eight local artists, each with a unique style and medium, have come together to showcase their works.
Jude McBean was Director of the Grafton Regional Gallery for 25 years before retiring to Yamba. After graduating from the College of Fine Arts, UNSW, Sydney, Jude returned to regional New South Wales to work as an artist and art educator. Her first series of work were pastel or charcoal drawings of landscapes in the Clarence Valley which she exhibited regularly at Craft at Seelands during the Jacaranda Festival and at the Grafton Regional Gallery. Now located on the coast at Yamba she creates oil paintings for exhibitions and regional prizes, and enjoys carrying out commissions. Her works are held in the Stanthorpe, Tweed, Grafton and Inverell regional gallery collections in addition to many private collections. Based in the landscape Jude’s paintings explore life in regional areas, reflecting her life of journeying from the coast to the western plains. She is currently working on a series from the Upper Clarence, revisiting an area from which she created a series of drawings early in her artistic career.
Bruce Zeitsch is also renowned in the area for his creativeness and produces large intricate and colourful works.
Glen Innes local Skye McKenny moved to Yamba in 2018. Skye's unique and colourful work comes purely from inspiration and years of experience working with acrylics and pen and watercolor. “After spending a couple of inspiring days at Coombadjha Art Camp, with friends from my hometown of Yamba, learning and creating under Graham Mackie’s watchful eye, I experimented with oil pastels for the first time. This piece is the result. It captures the beautiful rolling hills and changing light of the Mann River region, a landscape which I love.”
Wooloweyahan, Gillian Lowbridge, has both studied and taught art. She has become passionate about native plants and pollinators since moving to the Clarence Valley and produces light and colourful still life work adding her personal quirky touches.
Sally Cousens travels the world doing workshops with her embroidery and applique. It was a dose of chemotherapy that began Sally’s passion for stitching. “It is almost meditative to lose oneself in the world of textiles and stitching.” These works are a tribute to her love of Yamba beaches and flowers. All things fabric and thread is the best way to describe Sally's view of life through stitchery and looks amazing on a wall!
Lyn Bottomley has spent years experimenting and studying organic dying. Lyn produces unique fabric pieces featuring flowers and leaves in natural dyes giving rich earthy tones. These fabrics are then hand sewn into magnificent vases.
Helan Tindal is known locally for her hand painted pottery but she also produces beautiful pen and paint works, a selection of both will be on display.
Gai Pritchett has renewed her love of drawing and painting during retirement and features a selection of watercolour sailing scenes and acrylic still life works. This is the type of exhibition that allows the viewer to immerse themselves in the many and varied artworks, encouraging conversation and discussion.
DO YOU KNOW - Some Answers
In our Winter Newsletter, we featured an unusual dress from the Yamba Museum collection and asked if anyone could help uncover its history. At the time, we knew very little about the garment, other than its Federation-themed decoration and the fact that it had been in the Society’s collection for many years.
We now have some new information! Research by Rob Knight uncovered a photograph published in Coastal Views on 17 May 2001.
The photograph shows Penny Anderson of Yamba with the Federation-style dress she had made, which she was planning to wear to the official Clarence Valley Centenary of Federation dinner at Yamba Bowling Club.
Could this be the same dress held in the PYHS collection?
While this discovery gives us an important new lead, there is still more to learn. We would love to hear from anyone who remembers Penny Anderson, the Centenary of Federation celebrations in 2001, or the making and wearing of Federation-style costumes at the time.
A special thank you to Rob Knight for taking the time to follow up this mystery.
Above: Images from the Winter Newsletter 26
Left: Penny Anderson of Yamba with the Federation-style dress she made
Coastal Views 17 May 2001
Mystery Item
Bookshop - thoughtful gifts
Publications, postcards and plush pelicans for sale - a small but exciting range of gifts.
Come in and browse or look at our shop page !
What's happening in Spring 2026
SEPTEMBER
Thurs 3 - Robert Lee Talk 10.30 for 11am
Frid 4 - Chapter Meeting 9.30 - 3 pm
Sat 12 - Splash Art Exhibition Opening 2 pm
Fri 18 - Committee Meeting 9am
Fri 28 - Workshop Museum Adviser 10 - 12 noon
OCTOBER
Fri 2 - Committee Meeting 9am
Sun 11 - Splash Art Exhibition Closing
Tues 15- Robert Lee Talk 10.30 for 11am
Fri 23 - Touch The Earth Exhibition
Opening - 5.30pm
Sat 24 - Touch The Earth Exhibition
NOVEMBER
Fri 6 - Coach Tour
Fri 14 - Committee Meeting 9am
Sun 22 - Touch the Earth Exhibition Closing
Fri 27 - Rocks Alive Exhibition Opening 5.30pm
DECEMBER
Thurs 3 - John Jackson Talk Rock 11 - 12 noon
Fri 4 - Christmas Function 12 noon
Fri 11 - John Jackson Talk Rock 5.30 - 6.30pm
Sat 19 - Rocks Alive Exhibition Closing
Fri 25 - Christmas Day
Sat 26 - Boxing Day
Thank you for taking the time to read your historical society newsletter! Your interest and support mean a great deal to us. By staying informed about our latest exhibitions, events, and historical insights, you are helping us spread awareness and appreciation for our local heritage. We look forward to sharing more fascinating stories and updates with you in the future.
Thank you for being a part of our museum community!