Port of Yamba Historical Society
newsletter
We acknowledge the Yaegl people as the traditional custodians of the land on which Yamba Museum is located and recognise their continuing connection to Country. We pay respect to Yaegl Elders past, present and emerging.
Greetings and welcome to summer, as well as to the latest edition of the Yamba Historical Society newsletter. We invite you to relax while we share the most recent updates, events and historical insights from our society. Look forward to engaging stories, upcoming activities, and important information about Yamba's rich history. We appreciate your involvement in our community and hope you find this newsletter enjoyable.
President's Report
Wow, how quickly the summer months have swept into our lives. All committee members and active volunteers have been busy with increased visitor numbers (including more internationals seeking us out), increased coach tours, donations and collection management, and constant enquiries and bookings for hire of the Old Kirk and Function Room. You can read more about the various events and activities held during the past three months later in this newsletter.
Revamp of Permanent Museum Exhibition
Museum Advisor Dr Kate Gahan lead another 2-hour workshop for Committee and members on Wednesday 13 November from 10-12noon, where we got right into the practical options for repositioning Billy Black’s skiff inside the museum (currently stored outside, fully protected), and also creating a cinema experience with the proposed donation by Yamba Cinema owner Debbie McCredie of several equipment items from decades ago – projector, reel platter, seating, posters, signage. We have lots of work to do to accommodate the cinema donation, including changes to the Flinders Room, and this will be on-going over the next couple of months. We have
2 more workshops diaried for February and March. If you’d like to be part of this revamp, please contact me via the Society’s email: yambamuseumnsw@gmail.com.
Yaegl Cultural Garden booklet
At last I can announce the publication of our small booklet on the bush tucker plants/shrubs, cultural references and motifs of the Language Poles and mosaic totems in the Yaegl Cultural Garden. Many of you have been asking for a while about the names and traditional use of certain plants by the Yaegl community, particularly now that the garden is more established and flourishing. The booklet is lightweight, A5 size with coloured photos of 30 plants. It will be available for purchase just before Christmas at a cost of $10 from front desk volunteers during opening hours.
My thanks go to Graeme East for compiling the botanical information and descriptions, Yaegl artists Frances Belle Parker, Aneika Kapeen and Leeanne Kennedy for giving permission to publish their thoughts behind their creative designs, and designer Adam Woodleigh for his care and patience. You may recall that the Society won a prestigious award for this garden - the 2020 IMAGinE Award from Museums & Galleries NSW – so this booklet is a record of a much-commented on enhancement to our museum precinct.
Vale Joyce Clague MBE
In September we paid respect to the passing of First Nations activist and Yaegl Elder Joyce Clague, aged 85. Aunty Joyce had grown up on Ulgundahi Island in the Clarence River, with English as her second language; she was the first indigenous person to represent Australia at a UNESCO conference in 1966. Federal MP Linda Burney spoke in Parliament of Joyce’s resilience and strength in fighting against racism, notably as a key campaigner for the YES vote for the 1967 Constitutional referendum, and as part of the legal process that led to the 2017 historic recognition of native title over 90 kms of coast and sea in NSW. Our Society appreciated her involvement and benefited when Aunty Joyce agreed to support our application with a personal statement and photo in our successful application for the very significant grant for the 2020/2021 enhancement projects – building of the Function Room, Yaegl Cultural Garden and improved carpark.
Vacant Secretary Position
It is with regret that Anne Dinham has advised she will resign from the position of Secretary at the end of December 2024. Anne will continue as a Committee member, responsible for coordination of membership and group tours, and she’ll also continue to facilitate the 40th Birthday Planning Group to celebrate the opening of Yamba Museum 40 years ago in March 1985 – more details on this later. We’ll still be able to call on her significant skills, interest and knowledge of historical matters and capacity for thorough work but she will be very much missed at the Executive level.
If you feel you could fill this position and support the Society at the committee level, please contact me by email (yambamuseumnsw@gmail.com), or encourage someone you know (perhaps recently moved to Yamba) to come and chat about how the Society functions.
Summer Holiday Closures
We will close Yamba Museum on Sunday 22nd December and re-open on Saturday 4th January 2025 – this is a very welcome break for all front desk roster volunteers.
Christmas Wishes
We’re again having lunch and a seasonal drink at the Wobbly Chook on Friday 20th December, from 12 noon at the outside tables. There’ll be two special gifts as door prizes. Please respond to the email from Secretary Anne Dinham to secure your seat, or email yambamuseumnsw@gmail.com.
My warmest wishes to all members and their families for a safe and joyous time of Christmas 2024 festivities.
Committee Members 2024 - 2025
Lesley Pickering (President), Anne Dinham (Secretary), Kerry Hulm (Treasurer)
Jan Angelo, Phil Cousemacker, Margaret Lawrence, Jude McBean and Brenda Salisbury
Punishment Register
Who remembers being in trouble at school and getting the cane? I for one must have been a goody-two-shoes, never having been in trouble at school, or, was this because my mother was an ex-schoolteacher at Maclean Primary and my father was a Prison Officer at Grafton Gaol?
Recent digital recording of Yamba and Palmers Island School Registrations has revealed the Palmers Island Punishments Register from 1914-1978. Over these years 367 corporal punishments were handed out by various Headmasters, mostly 1-6 strokes of the cane, and 5 cases with the ruler.
The Notice pictured states that there is to be …. “no boxing of pupils’ ears and the tapping of children on the head is strictly forbidden, as is also the corporal punishment of female pupils twelve years of age or over”.
The Register gives an insight into what school discipline and behaviour was like in years gone by. How would these punishments go down these days with modern parenting styles?
There were many repeat offenders with 12 students on one day in 1951 (9-12 years old) receiving 2 strokes each for “writing obscene and suggestive rhymes and phrases in autograph page of magazines”. The headmaster was busy that day.
Some of the other offences were:
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Laziness
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Insolence
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Filthy language
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Whistling in school
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Fighting in school/on the way home
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Killing a magpie on school grounds
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Dog howling on school premises
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Kissing a girl
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Writing filthy notes to girls
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Shooting pea shooters during scripture
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“Fighting -throwing at lady on horseback-very nearly caused accident”
There are lots of names of current well-known residents - let’s hope they are well behaved now.
Fay Brown
Back Then ... Photograph of Yamba
This interesting photograph from the Society’s collection was, for a long time, unidentified. Its caption read “Exact site of this township view is unknown - may not even be in Yamba - but shows typical housing and Allotments of the early 1930s”!
After close examination, it became apparent that this photograph was part of a series of photographs viewed in various directions from the
highest point on the Hill, being the site of the Convent situated between Coldstream Street and Convent Lane. The detail in this photograph,
coupled with the information from the other photographs in the series, enabled the date to be fairly confidently established as 1921.
So what do we see? Beach Street runs down a gully between the high points of the Hill and can be seen here across the centre of the
photograph running left to right. Just to the right of the photograph is where Beach Street starts to drop down to Yamba Street. In the middle distance, Queen Street can be seen rising up to the top of the Hill. The houses in the far distance are in Henson Lane. Beyond the fence in the foreground is Convent Lane.
Particular items of interest include:
1. The building at the bottom right foreground was the Convent building. The elevation of the photograph suggests that the
photographer must have taken the photograph from an elevated platform or ladder.
2. The building in the very centre of the photograph, fronting Beach Street, is the house now known as No. 4 Beach Street.
Thebuilding sits at an oblique angle to the street alignment.
3. There are two cottages immediately behind No. 4 Beach Street, then further back, fronting Queen Street, is a quaint little cottage
now known as “Coorabel” or No. 17 Queen Street.
4. Moving to the right of “Coorabel”, there is a house with a pointed roof close to a clump of trees. This was the house of the Campbell
family, after whom Campbells Lane got its name. The original cottage is probably part of the present structure at No. 8
Campbells Lane.
5. On the skyline to the left of centre is a cottage with a dark roof. This was owned by the Henson family, cordial manufacturers of
Maclean, after whom the Lane got its name. This house can be seen today at No. 8 Henson Lane.
6. The houses at the rear left of the photo were later either destroyed by fire or overcome by drifting sands and relocated.
Rob Knight
On Friday 20 September over 20 members of the Society paid a visit to their sister museum at Iluka. We started the day very pleasantly by catching the fast ferry across the Clarence River to Iluka, and then walked a short distance to the museum. The museum has a very interesting and eclectic collection, housed in the old Soldiers’ Memorial Hall. Iluka was first settled in 1862 when harbour works began at the mouth of the Clarence River. The Aboriginal tribes who inhabited the area were called Yagir or Banjalang.
The hall was often used for travelling picture shows during the 1930s and 40s, and PYHS members were fascinated to inspect the movie room and equipment that sits in the original projecting room at the front of the hall. Posters for popular movies of the time adorning the walls brought back many memories. Other items that caught our members’ interest were the battery-powered radiogram (1930s) that was especially designed for use in small communities without access to mains power, and the crystal radio set (1928). The museum has a large range of objects relating from the time when Aboriginal people first occupied the area up to the present day.
During our visit, we were treated to a lovely morning tea prepared by the Iluka CWA under the gum trees outside the museum. After our visit, we strolled to Café Basho for a delicious Japanese lunch, then returned home to Yamba on the ferry. Many thanks to Iluka Museum’s Collection Coordinator Janet Hauser and President Christine Marshall for their hospitality and showing us around.
Nicole
Members Iluka Museum Outing
Farm life for Ernie and Edith Carr and their family in the 1900's
Edith (12/4/1880 - 9/9/1960) and Ernie Carr (18/2/1883 - 21/5/1965). Both are buried in the old Methodist Cemetery at Maclean. They leave a very large group of descendants.
Earlier this year a saddle, bridle and martingale were donated to Yamba Museum by Claudette Weston, granddaughter of Albert "Ernie" Carr who lived and farmed with his wife Edith and their family on their farm located at where we now know as Carrs Drive, Yamba.
In accessioning this donation our Collection Team discovered that there is a wealth of information about the history of the Carr family and their life in the Yamba area.
What resulted was a fascinating insight into how the Carr family lived and farmed during the 1900s.
Here is what we found:
In February 1907 Albert Ernest Ivo Carr (called Ernie) purchased 52 acres of land in what was then known as Lake Road, Yamba, paying a deposit of ten pounds, eighteen shillings and sixpence. Lake Road was later renamed Collins Road and then in November 1976 was renamed again as Carrs Drive.
Ernie married Edith Napper (called Edie) on May 4th 1910. They had seven children. In the early days they lived in a mudslab hut but later a three bedroom home was built. Ernie called his property "Toyland". Ernie's brother, Frances Henry Harold Carr (called John), purchased the adjoining allotment on Carrs Drive. More land was purchased around 1930 across the creek from John's block. This was Edie's block. Mainly sugar cane and small crops were grown there.
Clydesdale horses were used to plough the cane fields. The cane was then loaded onto carts that were pulled by the Clydesdales to the river where it was taken by punts to be processed. In addition to cane there were dairy cows, pigs and chickens. Small crops were grown including corn, potatoes, peas, beans, cucumbers, watermelons and rockmelons.
Ernie also kept horses for riding. Horses were the main means of transport and also used for working on the farm. All the family were very good horsemen and women and were very fond of all their animals.The whole family helped in the home and on the farm. The children rounded up calves on their ponies, collected eggs, gathered fuel for the stove and helped in the dairy. The children went to school at Palmers Island where cream was delivered three times a week on the way to school.
Ernie was very fond of fishing and crabbing and he went fishing for whiting and flathead most Sundays. The children went with him. He went crabbing in his boat around the banks on high tide and would gooverboard to the armpits to get crabs from their holes in the banks by using a wire hook with a long wooden handle. These activities on the river supplemented the food supplies for the family. Edie kept busy with the daily chores of running the home and rearing a family. She was fond of reading and gardening and made all of the children'sclothes.
Life was busy on the farms at Carrs Drive last century. So much has changed since then. What will Carrs Drive look like next century?
Meredith Bates
SPLASH
The Old Kirk, Yamba Museum was the venue for the Lower Clarence Art Group exhibition SPLASH, which was inaugurated by their guiding mentor, June Alexander. On the opening night June shared insightful anecdotes about the Art Group's inception and its pivotal role in establishing Ferry Park Gallery in the region's art scene. This exhibition not only commemorated the group's history but also showcased their enduring creative spirit. With a diverse collection of over 140 captivating works.
The opening night crowd made the event truly exciting, engaging in lively discussions about the art and the artists. Everyone who attended the event experienced a wonderful and artful evening, inspiring each and every individual present.
Gallery will automatically start or simply click on the image to see a full screen view
Museum member and supporter, Graham Mackie, hosted his Art 1 Exhibition Opening on Friday 18th October, 2024.
The concept of this exhibition had never been attempted by anyone in the past. Art 1 was Graham’s first teaching position 50 years ago at Dubbo High School. This exhibition showcased selected artworks from talented students throughout those 50 years. It is a testament to the respect and love Graham Mackie’s students have for him that many still keep in regular contact, also sending him their works for comment, and he doesn’t hold back!
There was be an indeterminable amount of art on display, eclectic and interesting. Plus a visual show of 250 slides running on a tv set.
The idea first came to Graham 8 years ago to showcase his students’works but many lacked interest. Then came Covid. When Graham recently approached his students there was an overwhelming acceptance and the groundswell of art came forward - “I’ve even driven to Dubbo to collect pieces”.
When asked were there any standouts he was in deep thought - “absolute standouts, about 20. These people have gone on to make their lives in the creative art field - artists, photography, fashion, sculpture, graphic design, film and TV.” Graham continued: “Works on display from my standouts will be from Mariella Gussoni, Chantelle and Ben Kirby, Jack Randell (his large murals can be seen at the Dubbo Zoo), Leigh McGrath ( reknowned for his film work on The Bill, Home & Away, Netflix and Stan). I gave him an 8mm camera to get started. Also Michelle Fleming, John Howland, Marcus Greig and Ben Ross, to name a few”.
Graham respectfully added, “I am dedicating this exhibition to one of my most amazingly talented students who tragically passed, Michael
Muggleton”.
The large crowd, in excess of 120, appreciated the efforts involved in creating this exhibition and acknowledged Graham Mackie
accordingly.
Gai Pritchett
ART LOVERS FUN EXHIBITION AT THE OLD KIRK
Surf Exhibition - SWELL CHASERS
Two representatives from Yamba Museum, Fay Brown and Gai Pritchett, attended the opening of the much anticipated Swell Chasers exhibition held in the magnificent new Yarrila Arts Gallery and Museum at Coffs Harbour on Saturday 23rd November. Surf stories and exhibits from the Mid North Coast (Crescent Head to Angourie) sprawling across three galleries and closing on 2 February, 2025. Vanessa Jacob, the Senior Curator of Yarrila, visited our exhibition asking for hints and help as they were in planning stages for Swell.
Uncle Richard Williams gave an impressive ‘Welcome to Country’ explaining the 500 Aboriginal dialects throughout Australia and the many clan groups. Coffs being in Gumbaynggirr country comprises land between Yarrahapinni in the south to the Clarence in the north. Uncle Richard explained the significance of the Welcome to Country ritual where, prior to the sea moving in, if an outsider approached they would not enter another's country until a local clan member welcomed them onto land and walked them through explaining the significance of certain areas. Dr Chels Marshall, a saltwater woman, and a leading indigenous ecologist with extensive professional experience in cultural landscape management, told the story of the two goanna sisters who created ocean.
Mayor Nicola Williams officially opened the exhibition - “These are shared stories of locals - from the board shapers, artists and writers through to the pioneering film makers and the surfers themselves. Swell Chasers traces the evolution of surfing from what was once a way of life back in the 1960s through to today as a multi-billion dollar industry and elite sport, and still a recreational sport.”
Local legends Lee Winkler and ISA Grand Master Champion Scotty Schindler proudly welcomed the crowd. Also in attendance was Angourie’s Denis MacPherson and photographer/film maker John Witzig.
Complementing the many surfboards and memorabilia is Joel (Mulga) Moore’s art exhibition Heading North, bringing a fun element of funky animals and summer vibes to life on surfboards and fibreglass panel in a celebration of the laid-back spirit of the Mid North Coast. Mulga has recently completed several street murals in the Coffs City Centre.
Gai Pritchett
Can You Help ?
Volunteers: We Need You!
Bev Mansfield our Roster Officer is always looking for new volunteers to help
welcome visitors at the Front Desk. Flexibility is key and Bev is happy to
discuss options that may suit you. Call or email Bev, so our museum can be enjoyed
by everyone who wishes to visit.
Mobile: 049 958 8137 Email: bevmans67@gmail.com
Brenda, Kerry and Jan, enjoying an art opening, guests and friends